Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 3 part 3: A little interesting

Susan sat in one of the cubicles in the toilet. She had her arms around her legs as she sat on top of the lid that she had left face down. She never needed the toilet, she just needed to get away for a breather. Going outside would have been better but they'd see her leave so the toilet was her last resort.

Her mind wasn't prepared for this. She was still fighting the anxiety that seemed like it was never going away. Her jelly legs had returned and her confidence was nowhere to be found.

———

Back with others, Barbara and George were already hitting things off. Barbara was forward and flirty and George had a fond interest in her.

"So Nancy. What does a girl like you like to drink?" George asked.

"Whatever you're having I'm having," Barbara smirked.

"If you're sure you can take a hard Scotch and coke." George grinned.

"That's nothing." Barbara shrugged. George laughed. She was definitely a character.

Ringo stayed silent while the other two talked. He wasn't interested in talking. He was in his own bubble world anyway, away from all the talk. He had already gone through two rum and cokes and was halfway through his third. However, he was wondering where that girl was. He knew she had gone to the toilet but surely she'd be out by now. He wasn't keeping check of time but it had been at least five minutes since he'd seen her standing around like a lost chicken. He thought about asking her friend but he didn't in the end. It didn't matter to him anyway.

———

Susan was still in the toilet and now she was just giving herself a hard time. Thoughts raced around her mind. She should have thought more about who the mysterious friend could have been. She should have known it could have been one of the band members. She shouldn't have come. She should have just stayed at home. Was this just the anxiety talking? Susan didn't care anymore. She wanted out.

She thought about what Barbara had said earlier in the night. Where's your sense of adventure she heard her friend say in her head.

There was no way she could turn back now. She had to go on. She had to show them that she could handle it and that she was the type of girl who could have a good time and let loose.

She wasn't going to give up now. But what if it all goes wrong her anxiety jabbed. What if she makes a fool of herself in front of Barbara and the two Beatles. That would stay with her for the rest of her life.

But what if it went right she thought. What if Ringo actually took an interest in her. No. He wouldn't. She was just like the rest to him. Fuck him. Why should she care what he thinks? She came here to have a good time.

Susan took a deep breath and exhaled just as deeply. "Come on Susan." She whispered to herself. "You can do this." She took her legs off the lid and stood up before leaving her cubicle.

She washed her face and looked at herself in the mirror for a moment. Come on Susan. She dried her hands and left the toilet.

———

Barbara took a sip of the scotch and coke that George had just ordered for her. Her face scrunched up and she put her glass back on the table.

"Argh, that is strong." George laughed at her.

Susan appeared beside Barbara and sat down. Ringo glanced at her. Barbara turned to her friend.

"Susan!" Barbara exclaimed. She held out her glass to her. "Try this." Susan took the glass and looked at it.

"What is it?" She asked.

"It's just coke." Barbara lied, trying not to laugh. All three watched Susan.

"Oh." Susan took a swig, swallowed it and handed the glass back to Barbara. "That's some nice coke." Barbara took the glass back, gob-smacked.

Ringo looked at Susan. She didn't even notice that the drink was mostly scotch. That made him see her in a new light. Well, not a totally new light but. She was a little interesting.

"Hello, Susan." George smiled. "My names George and this is Ringo." He gestured to Ringo with a thumb. "He's the grumpy one," George smirked.

"Hi," Susan said innocently 

She noticed Ringo looking and smiled gently. He turned away and took another drag of his cigarette. This was going to be a long night.