I thanked George again for promising to keep my secret.

I knew it was hard for him. I know if I was in that situation I would want to tell people too.

But we just can't. Not right now anyway. Its too risky.

I needed to find an alternative. Someway to get me out of this mess.

Someway to get him off of my back.

We went inside and Ringo was sitting on the couch, drinking his morning coffee.

He looked back smiling, then his eyebrow raising siltey at the sight of George behind me.

I panicked for a quick moment, thinking he had seen my neck.

But then I remembered I had put a scarf on.

I sighed out in relief lightly. I felt George lay a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Good morning baby."

Ringo cooed, standing and gently placing a kiss on my cheek.

"Good morning."

I breathed out, smiling with soft eyes.

He turned to George and smiled mischievously.

George cautiously raised an eyebrow.

"Good morning baby."

Ringo blubbered wrapping George in a tight hug so he couldn't escape. As he tried to give him a wet kiss also.

George groaned and made a way out of his grip, as they both began to cackle.

"Get off me you bloody swine!"

Ringo laughed letting him free.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Hey, what are you doing here so early?"

Me and George exchanged looks.

I raised an eyebrow and tilted my hip, looking up at him.

Now that I think about it, why was he here?

I certainly didnt call him.

George gulped, choking on his words.

"Well, actually I was here to see if you wouldn't mind me taking Ellie out for the day?"

Ringo looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh yeah sure George. I don't mind, but I mean it's totally up to Ell."

George smiled turning to me. He raised his eyebrows and nodded.

I guess that's the sign saying we can talk more about everything.

I nodded and giggled lightly.

"Sure, sounds fine to me."

I looked over to Ringo making sure he really approved.

"Alright, well be careful, take good care of her George."

Ringo said as he nodded to George, and hugged me tight.

"I love you Ellie, see you two later!"

I gave him a swift hug and kiss, then made my way over to George, who was already waiting at the door.

As he opened the door, we both waved back, then swiftly climbing into George's car.

"So why did you really come so early?"

I questioned as George started the car.

He giggled and rolled his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

He gave me a smirk, quickly fixing his eyes back on the road.

I sighed frustratedly, getting a laugh out of George.

"No for real. Why were you there?"

George drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and sighed.

"I wanted to come and check on you. Y'know? When you had come in so late last night, and so upset at the same time. I just knew something was up."

He turned his head and smiled sympatheticaly.

I had my head hung and picked at my finger nails anxiously.

"That obvious huh?"

I cringed knowing these next few days were going to be difficult.

George shrugged absentmindedly and shook his head.

"It may have just been me, I'm like that if you haven't noticed. I pick up on that type of stuff easily. Don't fret over it. Your secret is safe with me."

I smiled, a wave of relief and comfort came over me.

"Thank you George."

He smiled in response and grabbed my hand.

"It's gonna be okay."

He whispered reassuringly.

I breathed shakily and squeezed his hand.

Before I knew it, silent tears were rolling down my face.

"I'm glad that you told me."

George said.

I nodded my head in response, unable to speak.

I sucked in the tears and breathed slowly.

"I am too, it gives me a sense of comfort. Knowing that my best friend knows.
But, George you just have to make sure that no one finds out."

He nodded understanding.

"I know Ellie, and as bad as I want to tell Ringo, and all the other lads, I'm not going to."

I sniffed, replying with a whispered 'good'.

The rest of the drive was pretty silent.

Only a few words were exchanged, here and there.
I'm kind of glad another conversation wasn't started. And I had a feeling George knew I wasn't in the mood to talk.

Soon enough we pulled up to George's house.

As soon as we stepped inside everything around me felt safe.

Not that I didn't feel safe with Ringo. I always feel safe with him.

It just gave me a sense of relief that I didn't possibly have to make up anymore excuses if he happened to ask questions.

As I walked around, I realized this was the first time I had been in George's house.

It was very organized and it smelled of cinnamon and poslished wood.

George stood in the middle of the living room, sticking his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders.

"This is the place."

He said shyly.

George was at times still shy around me.

And I found it very adorable, but also humorous.

I smiled as I shrugged my jacket off and hung it up.

George came up to me taking my hand as he showed me around.

First we went into the living room, where on one wall he had all his guitars hung up. Three couches sat together in the midde of the room making a half circle.

Next we went into the kitchen. The floor was made of wood, rather than the living room which was a creame colored carpet.

A small round table stood in the corner, with only three chairs.

He led me up to his bedroom, which was simply just his bed, a dresser, and a few pieces of sheet music strown around the floor.

He showed me the guest bedrooms, which were completely empty except for a bed.

Once we finished the mini tour, I followed him back into the living room.

We sat down, and immediately he demanded that I tell him more about what was going on.

"Do you even know what he wants with you? Because it sounds like to me that he made it pretty clear he didn't want you around."

George said frustrated as he handed me a cuppa.

I sighed shrugging and shaking my head absolutely clueless.

"George, to be honest, I don't know either. At first I was just thinking he was an abusive narcissistic moron, but now I'm thinking hes more a womanizer than anything."

I took a tiny sip of my tea, still eyeing George for a response.

"Sounds like he's just a flat out creep to me. I mean come on think about it Ellie."

I set the cup down and raised an eyebrow curiously.

George narrowed his eyes and rubbed his hands together thinking very hard.

"Well?"

George completely ignored my curiousness and moved on with the conversation.

"Did anyone know that you were here?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head.

"No."

"Then how did he know? Because if you didn't tell anybody, he must have to be some kind of top agent creep to find out."

I began to ponder on George's words.

There was absolutely no way he could know.

I mean I haven't sent anything stating where I've been.

I mean I guess unless you count those letters I was sending to Ringo......

"My letters."

George looked at me confused.

"Your what?"

"L-letters, while you and the boys were in Germany I sent letters to Ringo, and you."

George's eyes widened in shock.

"So you think it was an inside job?"

I nodded.

"The only way he could've gotten ahold of those letters was through the post office."

George took another sip of his tea looking out into space thinking thoughtfully.

"We're gonna have to be more careful."

I lifted my legs up onto the couch, resting my chin on my knees.

"Yeah."

All was quiet for a moment.

I looked up at the clock, it was four already.

My stomach churned and palms began to sweat.

My heart pounded out of my chest and mind swirled.

All I could think about was tonight. And what might happen.

I felt George lay a hand on my shoulder and I shot my head up.

His eyes softened, but his expression looked scared.

"Ellie whats wrong? You looked terrified."

I shook my head and turned my head away from his gaze.

"Just thinking about tonight."

I heard George sigh and I could tell he was thinking up a way to get me out of this.

"Why don't you call Ringo and tell him you're staying with me tonight."

I shook my head guiltily.

"Well why not?"

"George its a great thought, it really is."

He scoffed.

"Then why won't you take my offer?"

I stood up and looked at him, the pitifullness dripping from every part of my face.

I turned, my back facing him.

George stood up and moved up behind me.

"I just can't George."

My throat burned and eyes swollen.

"Ellie?"

I didn't respond.

"What are you going to do?"

I turned around, George's eyes full of worry.

"George, this is something I never thought I would be saying."

I began to pace around the room nervously.

I picked up a pillow from the couch squeezing it and releasing it in my hands, out of stress.

George turned and followed me as I walked around aggressively back and forth.

"What?"

George repeated with a tone of annoyance in his voice.

My breathing quickened and I clinched my jaw.

"I'm telling Ringo we can't be together as soon as I get back tomorrow from Jay's."

I stopped pacing, cutting my eyes over at George, the pillow tightly clinched in my hands.

He stared at me blankly, and shook his head.

"Are you crazy!?"

He put his hands on his hips and stared down at me anger and confusion blazed out of his eyes.

I hung my head tears rolling down my cheeks.

"George what other choice do I have!? Its the only way to keep Ringo safe! Do you really think I want to do this!?"

I dropped to the floor on my knees as my body shook with sobs.

George stood still, slowly his face fell. He rubbed his arm up and down, nervously, now feeling guilty for yelling at me.

I felt him sit beside me, his arms wrapped around me, and he held me while I cried in his chest.

"Shh, shh, I'm sorry Ellie, I didn't mean to yell. Its okay, we'll figure this out."

I looked up wiping my tear, and probably mascara stained face.

"What else am I supposed to do?"

I cried.

George sighed heavily shaking his head.

"I don't know."

"I'm sorry George, I never wanted to hurt Ringo. But I have to protect him, because I-'

"Because you love him. I know."

George smiled sympathetically and rubbed my shoulder with his thumb.

"George?"

He looked down and nodded.

"I can't go back afterwards, I'm going to have to leave him right then and there."

He nodded understandingly.

"Can I stay with you? But we have to keep it secret. We can't let the other boys know."

George smiled and peirced his lips together.

"Of course, just till we figure this out. I'm not letting this be the end for you and Ringo."

I smiled and threw my arms around him.

"Thank you Georgie, thank you so much."

He hugged me back and kissed my cheek.

"Anytime love."

I could swear to this day when I heard him say that his voice cracked.

After I got myself cleaned up from the traumatic meltdown, George called Ringo telling him as an excuse for me not coming home, that Cynthia had invited me to go out with her and some other friends for the night, and that I would be back early in the morning.

As George spoke over the phone with him, I heard him say something about him wanting to talk to me.

I shook my head, thinking it was better if we didn't talk tonight.

George made up an excuse of why I couldn't talk and told him I would see him in the morning.

I know it seems cruel not to talk to him, but I had to at least put him on edge so when I tell him everything tomorrow he'll be somewhat prepared.

Now not only with Jay, but now the predicament with Ringo, my stomach was in ten times the knots it already was.

I sat with George on the couch as we watched some telly and drank tea.

He kept glancing at me, his eyes wide and fists always clinched.

I knew he was nervous about me going to meet with Jay.

I told him that if I didnt call him at ten to come pick me up at the bus stop, then he could come looking for me.

At first he didn't agree at all, and insisted that he followed Jay to where he was taking me. And as soon as I came out he pick me up and drive me out of that "hell hole" as he called it.

I thanked him for being so caring, and concerned, but I knew I had to face Jay alone.

I had to do it.

For Ringo.
**************************************************
Well...... 💔😕