27 years| Reddie

Melodramatic fools

Monday mornings are what Richie despises. But this is a particular Monday he's dreading. He hasn't spoken to any of the losers but Stanley since Friday and now that it's a school day, he has to be faced with Eddie and remember what he'd tried to do. He wakes up with a groan and turns off his alarm clock. Then he shuffles out of bed, grabbing some clean clothes his mom had washed for him before he makes his way to the shower. His shower turns into a dread session, multiple questions of how Eddie is going to be rushing through his mind.

Once his shower is over, Richie throws his clothes on, which consist of a red Hawaiian shirt with white parrots all over it ontop of a plain black hoodie and some black jeans. He slips on some socks and heads downstairs. His mom is making breakfast and his dad is reading the newspaper. Like any typical family. Richie sits down and leans his head tiredly against the table.

"Good morning, Rich!" Maggie greets, kissing her son on the back of the head. Richie just groans in response." Charming."

"Ah shit, I'm going to be late." Wentworth says, placing his newspaper down and standing up.

"What about breakfast?" Maggie asks as he husband kisses her gently, making Richie grimace. His parents were too overly affectionate to eachother. But Richie guessed that's where he got it from as he was overly affectionate to Eddie. Just thinking about Eddie made Richie's stomach churn with embarrassment.

"Well, okay. See you tonight." Maggie says and Wentworth kisses her once more before ruffling his sons hair. Richie swats his hand away tiredly and sits up as his mom places his breakfast down infront of him.

"Thanks." He yawns before he eats his pancakes. Maggie smiles and sits down opposite her with her own breakfast. She studies her sons face, knowing he's acting odd. Richie looks up at her, raising an eyebrow." What?"

"If anyone picks on you today, call me and I'll talk to the principal." Maggie says and Richie nods quietly as he continues to eat." I'm being serious, Richie, it hurts to see you so upset. I hate how the school aren't doing anything about it-

"It's nearly graduation." Richie points out but Maggie continues.

"Look, if the rumours are true or not, this needs to stop." She says and Richie glances up at her. He wants to tell her. So badly. But he doesn't know how." Your father and I are proud of you, no matter what, gay or straight. We just want you to be happy!"

"Thanks mom." Richie breathes out and he feels like crying. But he doesn't want to cry infront of her.

He finishes his breakfast, places his plate in the sink, kisses his mom on the forehead and goes out into the hallway. Richie slips on his worn down converse and then throws his books into his bag, along with his cigarettes, before he throws on his coat. Once his coat is on, he picks up his keys and makes his way out of the house and to his car. His car is a run down Ford Pinto. He opens the drivers side door, throws his backpack onto the passengers seat and gets in.

He fumbles to put on his seatbelt and then he grabs a cigarette out of his bag and places one in his mouth. After closing the door, he puts the key into the key hole and starts the car. He lights up his cigarette and begins the drive to school. Usually, he'd pick up Eddie, but he isn't sure if he should or not. Richie eventually makes his mind up and decides to drive onto Eddie's street, parking outside of his house.

Richie unrolls his window and throws his cigarette out of it before rolling it back up. Then he zips up his backpack and throws it into the back of the car. He turns the music down slightly, Basket Case by a new band Richie likes called Green Day playing ever so slightly.

"Leave me alone!" Richie hears Eddie snap and he looks up toward the house. Eddie is wearing a gray jumper that's slightly too big for him and brown jeans. Over the top is his coat. He's holding onto his backpack tightly and has his fanny pack on. Then Richie hears Sonia yell at him. So they're having another argument.

Richie feels bad for Eddie. His mom doesn't really love him. She treats him like a patient. Richie wished Eddie had parents like he does. Ones that love you unconditionally and tell you they're proud of you no matter what you do.

"Hi." Eddie sighs as he opens the passenger side door and throws his backpack into the footwell. Richie smiles as Eddie gets in with a slight groan as Sonia yells at him. Sonia hates Richie. So she doesn't approve of Richie taking Eddie to school or even being friends with him.

"Everything okay?" Richie asks as Eddie closes the door and puts his seatbelt on.

"Nothing I can't handle." He replies and Richie nods as he pulls away from the house. Eddie can drive but Sonia doesn't let him. Hell, Eddie's a better driver than Richie.

The drive to school is silent and awkward. The two don't know what to say to one another and Richie is glad when he pulls into a parking space in the schools parking lot. The two get out and silently make their way inside, going to find their friends in their usual hang out spot.

The losers hang out in the library. They don't have to be quiet as the librarian doesn't mind the group being loud. Richie smiles at Stan, who gives him a reassuring nod. Then Richie pulls out his timetable as he and Eddie sit down with their friends.

Richie was moved into the advanced classes in sophomore year, so he and Stanley are in the same classes. He has English first period and he sighs with relief. He actually really likes English.

-

Eddie smiles as the bell rings for lunch. He's over chemistry. He hates chemistry. He grabs his bag and rushes out of the lesson with Beverly, the two laughing slightly. They join Ben and Bill and then walk off to find Richie and Stanley.

Eddie hates how awkward he and Richie are being. He just wished he'd kissed him when he got the chance but it had felt wrong. When he'd gotten home he'd had a three hour long shower and still felt dirty afterwards. He feels guilty for Richie being upset. It's obvious he's hurt him.

"Rich, can I talk to you?" Eddie asks as they approach the table Stan and Richie are at. Richie looks up at him and nods." Alone."

"Sure." Richie says. He stands up and grabs his backpack, putting it on one shoulder as they make their way out of the cafeteria.

They walk down the hall and into an empty music classroom. Eddie closes the door and sits down on a table, Richie sitting beside him, nervously picking at his fingers.

"I'm sorry for the other night. I...I didn't know what to do." Eddie begins and Richie nods, avoiding eye contact." It's just...I don't think of you in that way Rich."

He's lying and Eddie knows he's lying. But Richie doesn't and it hurts to see Richie's eyes water with tears.

"You're my best friend and...I'm straight. I don't want to ruin that, okay?" Eddie lies and he's becoming a master of lying. He thinks if he lies enough he'll convince himself it's true. Richie nods and wipes away a tear that falls. He coughs and looks at him.

"Cant ruin what I got going on with your mom, so it's fine." He jokes and Eddie rolls his eyes." I'm straight too...don't know why I...went to do that. I'm sorry."

"Okay." Eddie says and they're lying to eachother...and they both know it." Friends again?"

"Always." Richie chuckles and Eddie jumps down from the table. Richie jumps down too and wraps Eddie in a hug, fighting the urge not to cry. Eddie hugs him back tightly, guilt still lining his stomach. Guilt for lying. Guilt for hurting the boy he loves.