⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Forty-Two: Step One to Getting to the Toppermost of the Poppermost

December 19, 1961

"Brian wants you to wear suits?" I almost laughed at what John had just told me.

We were walking down the road towards NEMS the afternoon before school let out for Christmas. Brian had called the Beatles to come down to try on some suits he'd gotten them. He had told them he thought it would be better to come off as formal than the rebellious persona they'd developed for themselves.

John groaned. "Yes, he does."

I laughed at how miserable he looked. "I think you'll look charming," I said teasingly.

He grinned mischievously. "You would." He winked.

I rolled my eyes. "Too far."

He shrugged with a sarcastic frown and we rounded a corner, John stopping abruptly for some reason I didn't catch. I followed his gaze skeptically and found a sight.

George had Trixie up against a wall, their hair looking messy, on the side of the shop.

"George?" said John.

"Trixie?" I replied.

"You know what? I don't have time for this." John sighed. "We need to get in there, George." He gestured to NEMS.

George and Trixie untangled themselves, looking humiliated. George patted down his hair and they said nothing to one another as Trixie left, giving us all a feeble wave.

How could they not tell us they were together?

We didn't say anything about it to George after that.

"There you are!" cried Brian as we stepped in. Paul and Pete were sat on a couch off to the side, waiting patiently.

"Yes, here we are," I said, taking the couch as Pete and Paul stood up. And we're very uncomfortable, is what I chose not to add.

"Well, c'mon back here," said Brian excitedly. "Come try them on!"

The boys let out a series of groans, to which Brian responded with a cheeky grin as they followed him back.

"So, Donna?" Thomas popped up from behind the counter.

"Oh, hey." I smiled. "What's up?"

"You two finally together?" He gestured the the door John had just disappeared behind the rest of the boys.

I couldn't suppress my wide grin. He clapped his hands excitedly.

"That's great!" he said loudly.

"Shhh!" I hissed with a laugh.

He came from behind the counter with a box of records in his hands. "Wanna help?"

I shrugged. "Why not?" I stood up and followed him over to the first shelf.

"So, since when? Is he treating you well?" he asked immediately as I began taking records out and putting them on the shelves.

"Well, only since the fifteenth. Yes, he's treating me very good," I responded with a laugh.

"Good, good, good," said Thomas.

"Whatcha think, Donna?" I heard Brian ask from behind me.

I turned, a Buddy Holly record in my hand to see the band looking miserable, decked out in their new apparel.

I chuckled. "I think it looks great. People will definitely like it."

"I like it," said Thomas from beside me.

John frowned. "You should've said it looks horrible so he'd drop it."

I snickered. "But I don't lie," I retorted.

He smiled crookedly. "So you've said."

I was glad that it seemed Brian was having fun as their manager now. It was really a relief.

"See, guys, I know you don't like it, but," began Brian. "A bad boy look doesn't sit with a lot of people, so I'm thinking if you've got a more clean look, it'll appeal to record labels and such, yeah? This will be a good thing, I promise."

John nodded. "Makes sense. Just as long as I don't have to wear this all the bloody time."

Brian shrugged. "Of course not. Only onstage."

Paul shrugged, looking in a nearby mirror. "I think I like it," he said with what was supposed to be a charming grin.

John rolled his eyes. "Of course you do."

"Can I eat now?" asked George gloomily.

The bell above the door jingled and a father and son strode in, seemingly confused about what they'd walked in on.

"Welcome," said Thomas, taking the box he'd been putting away behind the counter. I turned and quickly put away the album I was holding.

"Come back here," said Brian, leading the band back towards his office, me trailing behind John. John looked back at me fondly, holding his hand back so I could take it.

I rolled my eyes at him with a flustered smile.

Brian led us back to his small office. The five of them could barely stand in there, not including me, so I stayed back out in the hallway while John stood in the doorway.

"So, I've been thinking. I want to audition for a record label soon?"

John's face lit up. "Really?" he asked happily.

Brian nodded. "I thought we'd try Decca first. Sometime after New Year?"

The boys nodded. "That'd be great."

"Great, then," Brian ended, rubbing his hands together. "You can leave now." He smiled. "Don't ruin those." He pointed to the clothing.

They all retrieved the clothes they'd come in and filed out. By the time we'd found our way back out front, the people who had come in were gone and Thomas was back to shelving some albums.

"See you later, Thomas," I called as we went to leave.

"Bye, Donna." He gave me a wink before I rolled my eyes and left.

"Who's Thomas?" asked John amusedly.

"Just a friend. We work together when I'm at NEMS."

He nodded, taking my hand. "Where d'ya fancy me taking ye today?"

I shrugged. "Why don't you choose?"

He frowned. "'Cause I don't have good ideas."

"Better come up with some then, yeah?" I laughed.

He frowned again. "How 'bout we just go back to your house and...hang out." He winked.

I scowled are him. "How 'bout no."

"Aww, I just wanna sit around and talk to my girlfriend." He emphasized the word innocently, winning a smile from me.

"I'm sure that's what you meant." I laughed.

"Well—." He paused. "But it is what I mean."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, alright, let's go, then."

He beamed and began to run, dragging me along helplessly.

"You need to stop doing this!" I called up to him with a giggle.