We Are Good

Chapter Six

TW / / homophobia

Eddies eyes snapped open at the sound of the  door bell. He turned to see Richie already putting on his glasses making his way out of the bedroom. Eddie got up quickly to follow him.

"Eds no it's fine, it's probably just mail or something." Richie said, his voice hoarse from sleep. It made Eddie feel things.

"Yea or a murderer." Eddie mumbled rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He grabbed Richie's arm as they walked and Richie laughed.

"You're such a baby." He scuffed as they walked down the stairs.

"Am not." Eddie pouted. Richie went to retaliate but another loud knock came from the door. Richie walked over to the door, Eddie standing slightly behind him near the bottom of the stairs. He opened it and Beverley's voice vibrated through the quiet house.

"I'm sorry ok. I'm soooo sorry I didn't think and I'm just so sorry." She said walking past Richie straight to Eddie. Behind her he saw the rest of their friends file in, most of them looking confused. She didn't tell them anything.

"Bev, it's ok. I know you just were trying to help. I just wasn't expecting it, and kind of panicked." Eddie said giving her a small smile. She smiled and gave him a hug.

"I'll make it up to you I promise, but neither of you called to tell us you got back here so we were worried, again. " Eddie cringed and apologized.

"Mind telling the rest of us what exactly Bev has to be sorry for?" Mike asked with a bored look on his face.

"Yea, and what the heck happened to you two yesterday?" Ben asked.

"Ok ok yea yea we'll get to that. Who's hungry?" Richie said walking past all of them to the kitchen. They all looked at each other for a moment then followed him, sitting at the old kitchen table Richie had with noisy chairs.

"They got lost." Beverley said, watching Richie search the cabinets for food.

"You... just got lost?" Ben asked Eddie.

"Yes, tragically. We had to jump in the quarry to get back. I stayed here because it was so late." Eddie explained.

"Your mom is gonna kill you." Stan said, standing up to help Richie.

"Yea well, she was going to do that anyways." Eddie said before he could stop himself. The room fell silent and he felt Richie's presence over his shoulder instantly.

"What? Your mom worships you Eddie, unless you do something dumb. Like last night." Mike asked confused. Eddie stood up, and turned around looking for Richie. He was leaning against the counter right behind him, arms crossed, face serious. Eddie hated when he looked like this, he was usually so happy. Stan was standing next to him, he looked between them and made the decision to go back to his own chair. Eddie took Stans place and turned to face their friends. Richie turned his head to look at him, looking into his eyes, speaking with them. The silence was stretching and one of them needed to speak. Eddie cleared his throat and relentlessly pulled his gaze away from his favorite person.

"You guys know me, better than anyone, and I don't think it's much of a secret that I'm different." Eddie began, and he saw his friends start to open their mouths to protest. "And before you say something, know that it's ok. It's good to be different." He looked over at Richie and he was smiling now. Eddie felt a surge of pride.

"We're both different, actually." Richie said turning his head to the floor.

"I-is anyone-e else conf-u-used?" Bill asked. Beverley turned to him and flicked his head.