Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 1 part 3: Double date?!

The room suddenly went very silent. Barbara was smiling but even she could feel the tension in the air.

"A double date?" Susan thought for a moment. "You want me to come with you. On a double date. With a guy that I don't even know. With you and a famous guitarist." Barbara nodded.

"It'll be a party!" She exclaimed excitedly. Susan gave her an unsure look.

"Barbs I don't know about this." Barbara raised an eyebrow. Was Susan ill she thought. This was George Harrison she was talking about.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I don't even know this guy. I don't know what he looks like, I don't know what he's like as a person. He doesn't even know what I look like!" Susan panicked.

"Come on, it'll be fine. I bet he falls in love with you." Barbara smirked.

"Barbs this isn't a fantasy. This is real life."

"It sounds like a nightmare to me," Linda commented. Barbara sighed. Susan just couldn't see the bigger picture.

"Susan this guy is George's friend which means he must be famous too. You could be rich!"

"I don't care if he's famous." Susan turned away.

"Come on Susan," Barbara begged. "It'll be fun. Even if you don't like him. Just come for the food. It's a fancy restaurant." She said cheekily. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

Susan thought to herself. Maybe Barbara was right. Maybe it would be fun. Or it could be the most embarrassing moment of her life. She knew Barbara just wanted her to come so she wouldn't be alone.

"Please..." Barbara continued. "For me." Susan looked at Barbara. Barbara smiled.

"Fine." Susan sighed, giving in to Barbara's warm smile. Barbara threw her fist in the air in excitement.  "When is it?" Susan asked exhaustedly.

"Tonight." Barbara smiled. Susan gave her a glare but didn't say anything.

"You'll regret it," Linda warned in the background.

"Shut it, Velma." Barbara spat at Linda. "Now." Barbara looked at Susan up and down.

"What?" Susan asked.

Barbara shook her head. "You're going to need a new look for starters." Susan looked at her outfit.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Barbara looked at her in pity.

"It's too innocent. Too delicate."

"These are my work clothes." Susan pointed out.

"We need you to look fierce. Confident." Barbara looked at her hair. Your hair is not confident at all."

"Barbs, I don't want a boyfriend right now." Susan sighed. "And plus I like my hair like this."

"It doesn't hurt to try. Come with me." Barbara took Susan's hand in hers. "We're going to be a while." Barbara led Susan into her messy room and shut the door behind them.

———

At least two hours later, Barbara finally emerged from the room. Linda was sat on the settee reading a book.

"Introducing the new and fabulous Susan Wright!" Barbara boomed, holding out her arms.

Susan emerged from the room. Her hair had been revamped to match the trend that everyone was following and her outfit was a tight red dress that she was borrowing from Barbara for the night.

"What do you think?" Susan asked excitedly.

Linda stared at her for a moment. "Is it Halloween already?" Susan looked down, clearly hurt by Linda's words.

"Why would you say such a thing? She looks beautiful." Barbara put her arms around Susan.

"I'm fine." Susan moved away from Barbara. She felt like a baby in her friend's arm.

"She doesn't look like herself anymore that's all," Linda said simply. "She looked better when she wasn't trying to look like someone else."

"And who does she like?" Barbara asked.

Linda looked at her. "You." Barbara looked at Susan. Linda was telling the truth. Susan almost looked like her stunt double.

"You're right," Barbara admitted. She turned to Susan. "I'm sorry." She apologised. "I didn't mean what I said before. You looked beautiful before. Now I've ruined you."

"It's okay. You meant well." Susan forced a smile.

"I shouldn't have forced you to come. You can stay here Susan. I'll go on my own." Barbara started to leave.

"You didn't force me to come and I'm coming." Susan protested. "I want to come." She smiled.

"Really?"

Susan nodded. "Yes. Who doesn't love Halloween anyway?" Barbara smiled.

"Let's go princess." Barbara and Susan left together and halted a taxi outside their flat.