Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 26 pt 1: Snake

Rushing to get out, Susan threw her clothes into her suitcase. Her vision was hindered thanks to the tears but she couldn't care less. She just had to go. The door went and Barbara walked in, concerned for her friend who she had just seen balling her eyes out.

"Susan?" She watched her zip up the suitcase. "What're you doing?"

"Leaving," Susan replied tearily and wiped her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I told him." Susan looked at Barbara helplessly. "I told him the truth."

"Susan..." Barbara took a step forward.

"Don't," Susan said dismissively. "I had to. It was the only way."

"Clearly it wasn't." Susan shot her a death stare. "Well, what did you expect? You're a journalist. It was never going to end well."

"I should have never come on this stupid trip!" Susan cried, covering her face in her hands.

"Hey..." Barbara walked over, embracing Susan in a warm hug. Susan was like a stick, refusing to hug back. "I know..." Barbara soothed, rubbing her friend's back.

"It's just." Susan sniffed. "I love him." She broke down again, her heart shattering in the moment.

"Susan, Ringo loves you."

"Not anymore."

"Oh come on." Barbara looked at her sternly. "He loves you. That hasn't changed. Yeah, you may have fucked up." Susan gave her a look. "Thanks to me." She quickly added. "But, that doesn't mean it has to end in tears."

"You don't get it," Susan said, shaking her head. "I haven't even told him the other bit."

Barbara looked at her, confused. "What other bit?"

Susan took a breath and wiped her eyes again. "You know when I wouldn't come out of my room?"

"That's happened twice."

"The second time." Barbara nodded.

"Well. I went to work remember. And..." Susan swallowed. "Mr Anderson and Karen..."

"Just spit it out!"

"They blackmailed me!" Susan shouted. "They found out about Ringo and they told me to come here." Susan shook her head weakly. "I'm only here because of them."

Barbara's eyebrows knitted and she blinked. Nothing was making sense. "What do you mean blackmailed? And why are you here again?"

"They said they'd ruin me. Susan whimpered. "Make me look like some rat or whatever they said. I'm spying on him, Barbs. On all 4 of them."

Barbara's expression changed, somewhat like Ringo's. Susan could tell she was disappointed. Not as much as she was though. She let herself down more than anything.

"Are you being serious?" Barbara asked, still unable to believe her friend could be such a snake. But, Susan nodded. And she could tell she was telling the truth with the sorry look in her eye.

"Wow." Barbara laughed disappointedly. "You really fucked up."

"I know."

"No. You REALLY fucked up."

"I know!"

"Well, you've got to tell him." Barbara crossed her arms. "Ring him. Mr Anderson, call him, now." She ordered.

"I can't," Susan replied weakly.

"What do you mean you can't?" She spat. "Ring him right fucking now, or I'll make you give me the number and I'll do it myself."

"Why?" Barbara huffed.

"Cause this is ending, right now. This spying shit. You're gonna call him and tell him it's off."

"Don't you think I would have done that already? He's blackmailing me!"

"He hasn't got fuck all on you, Su!" Barbara raged. "He's talking out his arse. Trust me."

Then, as Susan was about to argue some more, the phone started ringing. Both girls turned their heads to the phone, both with the same idea of who it could be.

Barbara turned to Susan who looked very afraid. "Answer it."

"It'll be him." Susan fretted.

"I hope so." Barbara gave her an unapologetic look. "Go on. Tell him."

Knowing Barbara was always going to scare her more than anyone else in the world, Susan made her way to the phone.

Picking it up, she slowly held it to her ear, her hand shaking violently.

"H- hello." She stuttered. "It is." She said after a moment. "Oh, thank you. I'll be right down." She put the phone down.

Barbara's eyes widened. "What? Is he here?" Barbara rolled up her sleeves. "Right." She started walking to the door.

"No!" Susan quickly yelped. "It's not Anderson." Barbara stopped and looked at her.

"Well, who was it?"

"Reception."

"What do they want?"

Susan took a breath. "Dan's here."

Barbara blinked. "Dan? Not your Dan?" Susan nodded. "Well then..."

They both headed to reception where Susan's younger brother was supposedly waiting. Could the night get any more chaotic?