In My Life

Seven

"What are you doing here?" He asked wide eyed as he came quickly to bring me into his arms in a giant bear hug.

"I could ask the same about you Ritchie." I spoke with a laugh as he broke away from me to look at my face, seeming as if he didn't believe his eyes as he took me in.

"I haven't seen you in years." He looked beyond thankful to see me as our last time seeing each other wasn't the best of situations.

"Well we're both well and healthy." I forced a smile as I spoke through clenched teeth.

The two of us seemed to again realize John's presence again, turning to see John with narrowed eyes and a stiff upper lip as he watched the two of us.

"So you two know each other then?" He looked with an eyebrow raised, a sour look seeming to not help but overcome his features in what seemed to be jealousy.

"We were patients in the same sanatorium when we were kids, tuberculosis" Ringo clarified to John causing my entire body to tense seeing John blink once looking completely taken aback, I had never even mentioned it to him.

A strong feeling of guilt overtook me as I knew it seemed strange that I wouldn't mention my past of being ill, especially because there was much more to it.

"You what?" John blinked trying to comprehend the situation seeming to have difficulty.

"Yeah, I didn't think I'd ever see this one again." Ringo beamed knowing he had gotten out of the sanatorium first and it seemed my case had been exceptionally bad.

John furrowed his brow at me causing me to shift my stance uncomfortably. I wasn't sure what I could say. I had been sick since I was young, I didn't want him looking at me the way my mum did.

"I never thought I'd see you again." I smiled briefly at Ringo, looking over him to see how grown up he had become.

His hair was greased back looking rugged as the grey streak in his hair he had since he was a boy was highlighted, looking so much like a teddy boy. His piercing blue eyes seemed warm in welcoming to contrast his harshness as he wore a leather jacket and multiple rings on each hand.

I had to admit he had grown into an attractive young man, and it seemed John took notice that I thought so.

"Well we've all seen each other," John spoke uncomfortably, breaking up the reunion Ritch and I were having , "I think it's time we head out, don't you think Elle?" John's jaw clenched slightly after, looking down to his watch.

"Erm, yeah, I suppose." I nodded hesitantly as I looked back to him.

"Well, keep in touch, yeah? You know where I live." Richard had a charming grin.

"I'll talk to you soon, Ritch." I nodded my head looking away from his eyes with a slight warmness in my cheeks.

John took my hand quickly after the good-byes, the two of us stumbling out trying to avoid crashing into other people as we got back outside onto the street.

John stopped as we had gotten away from the crowd, letting go of my hand and turning to look at me.

I knew where this was headed and I became shy as I knew John would be slightly disheartened I failed to mention such a big part of my life. He didn't know that half of it, and I had good reason not to tell him.

"You and Ringo? You never told me about all tha'." He crossed his arms defensively, seeming to infer slightly something happened between Ringo and I that was beyond friendship.

"Well, being ill as a child, I- it's all pretty heavy. I didn't want to be a drag." I became quite uncomfortable as I really wanted to move on from the topic.