Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 7 part 2: Friend

Susan stayed for some lunch and ended up helping mum clean up in the kitchen. She thought it was the least she could do since they didn't see each other very often.

She glanced at the clock as she walked back into the living room and sat down beside her Grandma who had fallen asleep and was now drooling on herself.

Ringo was supposed to be coming soon and Susan was still a little nervous. She was contemplating whether it was a good idea for him to pick her up at her mum's but it was too late now.

Dan looked at her as she thought to herself. "What's wrong?" He asked, noticing that his sister looked troubled.

Susan snapped out of it and looked at him obliviously. "What?"

"You look dead," Dan answered and Susan laughed. He helped her when she needed to take her mind off things.

"Thanks." Susan smiled.

"So. Have you got a boyfriend?" Dan asked curiously. Ringo was the first thing to come to Susan's mind. She couldn't figure out why.

"Why would you care anyway? It's a no by the way." Susan added after a moment just to clarify.

"Just so I know when to sharpen my 10-inch machete." He grinned.

"I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now."

"You've got a boyfriend?" Mum boomed as she walked into the living room and sat beside Dan.

"No," Susan remarked.

"Good." Mum smiled. "You know what I-"

"Yes mum," Susan said abruptly. "Men are whores." Mum gave her a proud smile. Susan didn't think men were whores at all and she knew mum didn't think that. Mum was just saying that to try and scare Susan off from them. She wasn't ready to see her little girl grow up that fast.

"Hey, I'm not!" Dan objected.

"You're an acceptation," Mum commented making Susan giggle.

"Wow, great," Dan said sarcastically. "How would you feel if I said all women were slags?" He shot back.

"What are you doing later?" Mum asked Susan, ignoring Dan completely.

"Going home."

"Sounds fun." Dan pitched in.

"I'll give you a lift," Mum said.

"No," Susan said abruptly. Mum looked at her in surprise.

"What?"

"...You can't." Susan finally said.

"Why not?"

"Yeah Susie, why not?" Dan smiled, loving every moment of the awkwardness.

"I'm already getting a lift." Susan didn't even want to say what she had just said but the words just came out on their own.

"Oh," Mum said and the room went silent for a moment.

"Who's giving you a lift?" Dan asked.

"Just a friend," Susan answered, trying her best to sound as convincing as possible.

The doorbell rang, breaking the awkward silence. Susan stood up instantly.

"That'll be them now." She said and hugged her mum quickly. "It's been a lovely time." She spoke into her mum's shoulder.

Whilst Susan said a quick goodbye to her mother, Dan creeped out into the doorway and opened the door.

Ringo was stood at the door with some flowers in his hand. He looked at Dan and smiled awkwardly. He knew he'd been caught.

Dan grinned. "Well hello, friend."