Chapter 7

     Ringo pushed the door open slowly, careful not to startle George who may still be recovering. But he was surprised to see George looking up at him with a smile. "Ritchie, I've been waiting to talk to you." He said sincerely, though it came out as somewhat of a croak. Ringo thought he was surely going to start crying, but suppressed it and went over to sit next to George. "H-Hey George."
    There was a moment of silence, both of them trying to think of the right thing to say. The whirring of machinery and other assorted tubes continued in the background. Suddenly, Ringo looked over to his bandmate, "Remember before the conference when we were in the car? And afterwards I called you a git?" George nodded slowly, unsure of where this conversation was going to go. Ringo choked a bit, "Y-you know I never meant that..." George was wide eyed, he didn't really know how to respond. "Ritch, I know." "But what if you don't, you're the nicest person I know George, yer my best mate. You're such a sweet guy and I think we take advantage of that sometimes... I don't want you to think we don't like you if you don't make it. But- but you'll make it, I know you will."
    George looked sullen and shook his head. "No, Ritchie, I know and all of you know that I might not." Ringo wondered how George could be so straight about this, he knew that if it was him in this situation, he would be in ruins. George just continued looking at the wall. "And- and do you want to know the truth...?" Ringo looked up confusedly to him and nodded. "I've been trying to stay so strong and unphased about it all day... but really, I'm scared." He sniffed. "I don't want to die, I'm only 22! I'm freaking scared." "Geo-" "What if I never got to meet my soulmate? Or find new beliefs or something? Maybe all I'll be known as is just 'That guitarist from The Beatles', not really me." Tears were now freely flowing down both of their faces. "I don't know George..." was all Ringo could muster after than his friend confided all of that to him.
    George looked Ringo in the eyes after a moment. "I'm very glad I met you, Ringo." He meekly smiled. "You have the most amazing sense of humor and the most amazing smile. I aspire to be, or have been, as funny and kind as you are. I know yeh get insecure, but who cares what the press say, you're just as much of a Beatle as the rest of em'. If we got rid of you I think we would all go mental... especially me." He smirked, (while still crying of course.) 
    The door eventually opened and the doctor walked in once again. He awkwardly shifted, though, at the scene of the two boys practically sobbing in front of him. "Er- sorry to interrupt. We need to begin the procedure now." They nodded sadly, and Ringo made his way to the door. However, before he could actually open it he turned to face George and stuck out his tongue jokingly. George gave a small laugh and wiped his tears away. Then after one last wave and sad glance the door shut.

    More nurses entered the room while the doctor reached for a clear mask attached to a tube. George gulped as he walked over to place it on his face. He began to feel extremely dizzy as his vision began to blur. "Scalpel", was the last thing he heard before blacking out.