We Are Good

Chapter One

October, a month Eddie wasn't particularly fond of after the events of that summer. The decorations, colors and terrifying energy that radiated from this month was anything but comforting and eddie was left on edge. He and his friends were older now, sophomores in high school and although they didn't have to deal with killer clowns, there was never  a dull moment with the 7 of them.

Today, Eddie was on his way to the hideout to meet the others. It was october 31st, and like every teenager, they loved candy, but none of them had any interest in walking the streets with kids big and small dressed as their worst nightmares... not after it.

Eddie was walking the usually path towards the hideout when he heard a branch snap from behind him. He quickly whirled around to see what it was that caused the sound, panting nervously. When he turned nothing was there and his anxiety began to spiral. He pulled out his inhaler from his back pocket and inhaled, taking a deep breath trying to calm down. He started walking again, more cautious then before, if possible. The leaves crunched beneath his dirty Converses that were once white, now they're more of a yellow. His nose was tucked into his favorite blue hoodie, hands tucked into the pockets of his baggy jeans, silently counting his steps to himself.

"56, 57, you're fine Eddie, 30 more steps... 58.."
Before he could reach 59, another twig snapped, this time to his right. He stopped dead in his tracks, turning his head slightly. He saw nothing. panic rushed through him.
"Oh god please please please ..." Another noise.

That was it. He ran in the direction of the hideout. Tears forming in his eyes. He was running out of breath but he didn't care. He looked over his shoulder as he ran, checking to make sure, to be 100% sure it wasn't there. His head was spinning and his lungs were burning. Just before he went to look forward, worried he would fall, he ran right into something hitting the ground with a thud and a loud "SHIT."

"What the hell Eds! Are you ok?" An oh too familiar voice said from underneath him.
Eddie had ran right into Richie, landing directly on top of him. Eddie went to reply but quickly realized he couldn't speak, he was heaving, he needed his inhaler. He sat up quickly digging in his pockets, starting to panic. He dug it out taking three puffs calming down. He kept his eyes closed a while, going over the event that took place minutes ago.

"Eds......" Richie said slowly. It shocked eddie, he wasn't mocking, it was soft. He suddenly realized he was still on Richie, straddling him.

"Sorry, I-I thought I heard something and just ran and I... sorry." He stuttered out, standing up. He brushed off his clothes looking anywhere but Richie.

"It's ok... we're all a little wacky today. No need to be upset Eddie spaghetti." He teased, and although Eddie wasn't looking at him he could tell he was smiling his signature trashmouth smile. He walked over to Eddie, brushing his own clothes off. He was wearing a leather jacket, similar jeans to Eddie and some boots Eddie didn't recognize, but he thought he looked cool. Even with his big dumb glasses.

Eddie didn't mean to stare, he really didn't. He caught himself and said, "You know i hate when you call me that. If you were trying to cheer me up, you're doing a shit job so far." looking at the ground.

"Ouch Ed's," he said placing a hand on his heart pretending to be pained. "I'm hurt, truly. Come on let's go. How many more steps spaghetts? haha see what i did there?" He looked at eddies blank expression and chuckled. "It rhymes, 'steps' 'spaghetts'?"

Eddie ignored the dumb joke and answered the question. "I don't know Rich, I wasn't counting for that last part. ya know, the part where I was running for my life." He rolled his eyes looking around trying to calculate where exactly they were.

"Yea cause these forest rabbits are truly terrifying. I heard they eat little asthmatic boys toes." He mocked, smirking to himself.

"You," Eddie paused turning to fully face him, jabbing a finger into his chest. "Are a dick. and I'm not that little." But the protest was useless as he was tilting his head to maintain eye contact with Richie.

Richie must have noticed this too because he just laughed, looking Eddie up and down. Then began to walk forwards. Eddie scrambled after him, he really didn't want to be lost in here alone, and better to be with Richie than all alone. They walked side by side for a solid 34 seconds without talking, but Richie didn't like silence, and loved the sound of his own voice.

"How's your mom?" He asked side eyeing Eddie to see his annoyed expression, smiling when he got exactly what he was expecting.

"Fine," he paused before continuing, wondering if he should tell Richie. Richie seemed to notice, turing his head fully to the side. "She didn't want me to go today actually." He said solemnly kicking a leaf as they walked.

"Oh? Why is that?" Richie asked, and Eddie could've sworn his voice got higher.

"You want me to be honest?" Eddie asked stopping turning to face Richie, cheeks red, not from nerves or the dust of pink on Richie's face, but from the autumn air, yes that.

Richie mimicked his position, standing inches from him, face confused but focused. "Always."

"She doesn't like you," he smirked then, but continued. "Says you're a bad influence and all that."

"Me? Why me? I'm damn near perfect! If she's worried about bad influence she should worry about Bev, or- or Stan! They both need to get their Twinkie addiction under control. This is bull shit. I thought your mom and I really had something special-" He was rambling and Eddie needed it to stop.

"Richie! shut up." Richie closed his mouth with a slight frown. Eddie began walking again, feeling Richie do the same beside him, eyes burning the side of his head. "It's the way you dress, the way you talk, the way you ..." Eddie eyed him not sure if he should continue. Richie's eyes were wide, but not with shock, something odd Eddie could get entranced by if he let himself. He looked away, clearing his throat. "The way you hold yourself, how you have no filter and have that over all 'I don't give a fuck' attitude. It worries her. She... thinks.." Eddie stoped again. He looked at Richie again, this time his heart hurt. Richie was staring at him with a look that said everything and nothing. So Eddie took it all back, not now Eddie. "She thinks you smoke and that I'm gonna get caught up in it all." Eddie looked away from him then, seeing the relief flow over his face.

"Well... everything she thinks is true." Richie said quietly. Eddie's eyes went wide, is he insinuating what i think he is? but Richie continued, "I do smoke, and I'm annoying and have no filter... and everything, it's true." He hung his head kicking rocks. Eddie didn't know what to do, he's never seen richie like this before, he's never phased by anything. Shit. I did this. Eddie thought.

Eddie kicked him in the shin, stopping both of them. Richie let out a yelp and went to say something but Eddie put his hand over his mouth. "You. Are. An. Idiot! I swear. I am going to have grey hair at 18 because of you" He let out a sigh and removed his hand. richie looked at him warily, whipping his mouth. Eddie took the opportunity to continue, calmly and more serious. "Listen to me Richie," he didn't continue until they were making eye contact. "You may be an idiot, annoying, loud, smoking, brutally honest asshat, but that does not mean you are a bad person. The things that she thinks that make you bad, are exactly what make you good, Rich. You're good, every part of you, even the things she thinks are bad, they're good because all of you is good. You haven't had it easy Rich and I know I wouldn't be the person you are if the roles were reversed. So shut up, and help me find the hideout before it's too dark and my toes become rabbit food."