Summer of '93 - Stozier

60

The end of summer came way too fast, and before they knew it, the whole losers club were helping haul the contents of the Tozier house into a moving van, getting ready for its long journey to Georgia.

Stan and Richie never addressed their late night confessions, both never really imagined the outcome, and now had no idea what to do. With Richie moving to another state, there wasn't much they could do.

Stan stayed over at Richies every night leading up to the end of summer that past week, clinging on to every last moment he got to spend with his best friend before they'd have to spend a year or more apart. He followed Richie like a lost puppy everywhere he went, the bathroom being the only place he'd let them be apart.

Richie had told the rest of the losers about Georgia only a few days ago, immediately bringing down the hype mood in the room. Beverly cried, so did Ben, but only for a short while, deciding they'd better get the most out of the time they had. One last sleepover at Bills house the night before Richie left would be the perfect way to do that.

They did everything they usually did at sleepovers, Mike baked cookies, they played boardgames, and watched movies, all that cliche bullshit you see in stupid teen romance coming of age movies or whatever.

Most of the gang had finally dosed off at around half past two, leaving Richie awake, staring up at the ceiling from his sleeping bag on the living room floor, the sound of Mikes snoring and a clock ticking on the wall becoming background noise to his zoned out state. He got up, climbing over sleeping bodies and making his way into the kitchen, not bothering to turn on any lights to pour himself a glass of water.

"Can't sleep?"

Richie jumped at the sound of her voice, almost dropping his glass as he turned to look at Jenny, still as beautiful as ever even with her sleep-riddled hair and smudged mascara.

He shook his head, sipping his water.

Jen flicked on the kitchen light, popping herself up on the kitchen island, Richie following suit.

"Whats botherin' ya, babe?"

Richie huffed a fake laugh, Jen dropping her head onto his shoulder. "You mean besides the obvious?"

She just shrugged, obviously too tired to be awake right now.

"Well," He sighed. "For starters, Stan told me he likes me.. as.. more than a friend.."

Jenny perked up at this, snapping her head around quick to look at Richie, gripping his arm. "No shit! When?" She whispered excitedly.

"Uh.. after the festival." He shrugged.

"So?! What happened?!"

"Nothing." He shrugged again.

"Bullshit!" She scoffed.

"Seriously," he shook his head, sipping his water again. "He told me, I told him that I still liked him... and... we just... changed the subject." He stated. "Fell asleep and acted as if nothing happened in the morning."

"Ugh! Your idiocy is gonna be the death of you, Richard Tozier." She rolled her eyes.

"Tell me something I don't know, Jennifer." He chuckled.

"Im gonna miss you, man." She sighed. "Gonna miss bullying you."

"Thats one thing i'm not gonna miss."

"I can't believe we only met this summer! I dunno what i'm gonna do without you, trashmouth. Life would be so bleak."

"Damn straight."