They went to the hospital. John refused to step foot inside, claiming his mother died in one and it was just too traumatic. Of course, Paul offered to stay with him, much to George's annoyance.
The youngest walked inside alone. He felt scared, he's never been in a hospital before. It was cold, nurses were walking everywhere, and there was a man on a stretcher next to the door, his body and head covered in a white sheet.
"Why you here?" The nurse at the front desk asked with a cigarette in his mouth. (Damn you can tell this is the 60s lmao)
His voice stayed timid. "Here for Richard Starkey."
He looked at his charts, then said, "Alright. JANET!" An annoyed middle-aged nurse came, "Show this young man to Richard Starkey's room, please."
The two walked up the steps to the ICU. George felt even more frightened. The ICU was a very serious thing. People who on Death's door go there. It was depressing there, family members of all kinds were there, crying or silently accepting fate. Mostly old, pale, and rundown-looking people were the ones in the hospital beds. This certainly didn't look like a place for a teenager to be.
Yet here they were.
They stopped by a door. She opened it and told him Ringo was behind the light gray curtains. Slowly with trembling legs, he moved the curtains and nearly dropped to his knees.
So many machines. So many bandages. He was on a ventilator. He looked so happy to see his best friend.
"George!" His voice was light and very breathless, "George, you're here!"
Harrison wanted to run out of there, he couldn't handle seeing Ringo like this. It was distressing. But he knew Paul was staying with his boyfriend, and he wasn't about to up and leave him alone.
"Hey man. How you feeling?" That was a stupid question.
"Could be-" he stopped to take a breath. better."
George walked closer. He saw balloons tied to huge Teddy Bears. Either his mother or other kids at school were here before. Word got around quick about what happened, and there were already fingers being pointed left and right.
"Tell me what happened. I know you got beat up and stuff...." he stared at the thick white cast on Ringo's arm. "but what exactly happened?"
"Terrible. Pete set me up and Robert and his gang beat me."
George jumped up. "I KNEW IT! I'MMA BEAT HIS ASS!"
Ringo laid his head on the pillow, somehow even looking more withdrawn. "I wouldn't suggest it, that's not what I want."
"Then what do you want?"
Slowly and with shaky hands, the blue-eyed eyed one slowly grabbed a magazine and put it in George's hands.
"Turn to page 7."
When he did, he saw the green Statue of Liberty with thousands of skyscrapers behind it. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, making the water look like a million little sapphires.
"I want that." He looked up as Ringo spoke, "I want America."
"You want to see 'Merica?"
"Yes. They have pretty lights in Chicago, big buildings in New York, they has everything we don't. I love Liverpool, but it could never compare to this."
George flipped around. He saw lights, more skyscrapers, delicious food, cars, everything a teenager could dream of and more. He knew America was the place rock and roll was at, but he had no idea it had this much to offer.
"How about this?" George put the magazine away. "When you get better, we can go to America together, just you and me. I'll find some way to bring you to New York, we could see Elvis if you want!"
Ringo's eyes glowed, "You really think we can do that?"
"Ye-" suddenly the nurse came back. "Visiting hours are over."
George sighed, "I'll see you tomorrow. You rest up."
"Alrighty, I'll dream of America!"
Harrison smiled. Ringo will be just fine.
-
He came out of the hospital, the other two in the front.
"How's Ringo?" John stepped on his cigarette.
"Is he alright?"
George whispered to John, Paul feeling left out. Lennon listened closely, then whispered something back.
After they finished, John turned to Macca. "You fine with walking home?"
"Uh yeah, but why?"
"Don't worry about it. Me and Hazza gotta do something."
Before Paul could ask more questions, the two were already driving away in the car.
-
It wasn't until nighttime that George finally came home. Louise and Harold were worried sick before, but they were flabbergasted with the state their son was in. His coat was ripped up, his bottom lip was bleeding, and he had scratch marks all over his arms and one huge one on his cheek.
Paul sat in the room, listening through the door, "GEORGE! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!"
"Ma, I was beating a bitch up!"
"Young man, don't you use that language in this kitchen!
Paul didn't get the whole thing, but he heard Louise scold him, George shouting about how he had to do this for Ringo, and how it finally ended with him being grounded.
George stormed in, threw himself on the bed, and wept harshly. Paul thought about comforting him but decided against it.
He's not going to listen anyways.
-
The next day at school, George didn't even walk with Paul and John. He was withdrawn from everyone. Lennon, along with a few other popular kids, came in with bruises, cuts, and a cut lip. By now, everyone had heard what Pete did, and people were jumping him wherever he went.
Paul sat with Jane in the library during study, venting to her about everything that happened.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Jane said after he finished. "How's that making you feel?"
"Stressed out. George ain't helping either, with his mopping about." In his head he could hear his mother scolding him for using the word ain't. "I just wish someone can stand by me other than John."
She held his hand. "I'll stand by you."
Paul looked at her, smiling and blushing. Jane grinned and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
God I kiss her.
"MACCA!"
They both jumped as they turned to the door, where they saw a frantic-looking John standing. Behind him were a bunch of kids running out of the school.
"Macca, man, we need to go. Right now."
"I can't just up and leave class!"
Another kid shouted, "RINGO'S IN A COMA, MAN! WE NEED TO SEE HIM BEFORE HE DIES!"
Paul and Jane gasped as Mr. Stephen spoke to them in a very worried tone, "I'm not supposed to be saying this, but ditch and run. A friend is worth more than even the best grade."
Taking Jane by the hand, Macca followed the crowd and John outside.
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This getting spicer than a bag of Takis