Ringo chuckled, "we were so young and naive." A smile spread across his face and a distant look came over him. "I recall that the best thing that that ever happened to us was when you joined our band…"
It had been a couple of months since they had met, and with each passing day they grew closer to each other. Everyone in George's band was happy for them, well everyone except for a certain drummer. To Pete Best, it wasn't that the two friends spent time together, it was the way they spent that time together.
He noticed the strange looks they gave each other, he noticed that they sat a little too close, but especially he noticed that they spent more time with each other than with any other friends, often going alone to sit together.
The other band members had noticed his discomfort, but decided not to bother him with questions as they wanted to keep him around. After all, every band needs a drummer.
George and Ringo were sitting underneath their favorite place to talk, a giant oak tree in Paul's backyard. It was just close enough to the garage where they practiced so that George could play at a moments notice, but far enough that no one could hear what they were saying.
"George, do you ever wonder about us?" asked Ringo.
"What about us?"
"Well, we can't be together forever; I have feelings for you, strong feelings, but eventually people will become suspicious. You know how times are. People like us are not accepted in society, it's the 60's you know."
George thought for a moment, then responded, "We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Right now, lets focus on the present so we can enjoy every moment together."
They were quiet for a couple of minutes until George detected Ringo was not done talking. "Ringo, do you want to say something?" He gently asked. Ringo blushed and looked uncomfortable, then blurted "George, IthinkIloveyou. Do you love me too?"
George appeared thoughtful, then picked up an acorn and gave it to him. "This is my fondness for you. It seems small, but it is actually growing into something huge, like this oak tree we are sitting under." He closed his eyes and, with a smile, placed his hand gently on top of Ringo's.
It must have been 10 minutes before Ringo spoke again.
"But will you say it?"
"Say what?' asked George.
"That you love me too."
"You know I do, Ringo."
"But will you say it?"
"...Not now."
"Will you ever?"
George now opened his eyes, and looked into Ringos. He brushed Ringo's bangs out of his eyes and sadly said "No, not today," but seeing the gloom that descended onto Ringo's face, he added, "There is always tomorrow."
Suddenly, John called out their names, "George, Ringo, come over. We have a problem." Confused, the duo exchanged guesses as they quickly went to the garage.
"What's the deal?" asked Ringo. John looked worried; "Pete still has not shown up and its been two hours." Paul chimed in with "Yeah, and we need to get this song down by next week. I hooked us up another gig for next Saturday." All of the men seemed at a loss until Paul snapped his fingers and exclaimed, "I've got it! Ringo, I know you're from another band, but if you could just practice with us this once; we really need a drummer." They all seemed at a loss until he replied, "...Yeah, it's only once. What harm could it do?'
Exclaiming with joy, the Beatles set him up with the equipment and sheet music that he needed and quickly went to work. It seemed that the music had never sounded or felt better.
Everything went well, and 1½ hours later they were packing up to go home. Suddenly, a loud noise drew everyone's attention to the garage door. There, standing alone, was Pete Best, who had obviously had a couple of beers beforehand.
"Whats going on here?" asked an irritated Pete. "Oh," he sneered, "It's George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Hey, what are you doing on my drum set?" As the realization that he was being replaced set in, the tension in the room could be cut with a sharp, serrated knife. John, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. "Listen Pete, you weren't here, and we needed to practice. It's only this once, so dont worry about it. We're having practice again tomorrow, so just make sure to come on time."
Everyone else thought that was it, but Pete was having none of it. "No no no, that not what's going on here." George tried to correct him, "Oh dont worry, this was only a one time situation, he wasn't even using your drumst-"
"SHUT IT! Now listen, I don't know what is up with you and Ringo, but something is NOT right. You two disgust me, I can't even begin to fathom what is going through your sick, twisted minds."
Pete stepped forward, his eyes glinting with an anger that can only come from ignorance, fear, and pure hate. Every word was punctuated with a step forward towards a terrified George.
"I WILL find out what is wrong with you two, and when I do, so help me God I will expose you two for the backstabbing, lying, blasphemous, freaks you are. You are the scum of the earth; you repulse me, you will never be accepted, and always shunned by any human who might show any bit of kindness to you. Are you trying to destroy any good thing anyone has EVER tried to build? Are you? ARE YOU!
The whole room was silent, and everyone was shaking with fear, or rage, or some terrible mix of both. No one was more scared than George, but Pete was not done yet. He was about an inch away from his face, and George could smell the alcohol he had recently consumed. His voice suddenly turned low and snakeish.
"Doesn't it concern you that with one act from me, I could turn your life upside down? I think that it would be best for you to leave." He suddenly leaned in close and whispered something that only George could hear. Then he suddenly turned away and walked to the door.
"I think it would be in your best interest to take your stuff and leave, and never come back to this band again." said Pete.
With those words, suddenly everyone was jolted back to reality.
"NO!" Yelled John, surprising everyone, "George is our friend, and so is Ringo. I thought you were my friend, but obviously my good judgement has failed me. If anyone should be leaving this band, it should be you. I cannot believe you could treat someone like that; if you don't leave, then I will."
"Just go." a small voice belonging to Paul cut through the air. "This is my house, and I say you leave. You haven't shown up to practice, and now this? YOU disgust ME."
"You can't replace me! There is no one like me! You'll fail!"
"Maybe so," said Paul, "but a lacking fool is better than a competent jackass."
"You'll be sorry!"
"I think you will be more sorry if you don't get you and your stuff out now."
Seething with rage, Pete gathered up his equipment and turned to leave, but not without one last cutting remark.
"I'll be waiting for you two to slip up, and when you do, I will be there to put the last nail in your coffin. You wait and see…" And with a slam that seemed to shake the very foundations of the house, Pete Best left for good. Luckily, Best would never follow through with his promises.
Suddenly everyone was hovering around George, expressing their concerns and trying to comfort him.
Are you ok? Do you need some water? A blanket? Anything?
"Guys, I'm fine." said George. He tried to shake off the incident like it was no big deal, but everyone could see he was faking. "I insist you guys stay for a couple of minutes," said John, "I don't want you or Ringo to get hurt on your way home. I think we all had enough excitement, and should let our nerves settle down. I'll make some cocoa, and someone put on a record."
Everyone settled down after a little while, but George seemed very distant, but since everyone knew the problem, no one asked him what was wrong. Or, at least they they thought they knew the problem.