Alone Again | Reddie (unfinished, but no longer writing)

Chapter 12

It was the end of the day and Richie was headed to return Eddie's jacket. Unfortunately, he was talking to Stephanie and of course, his curiosity made him eavesdrop. "I'm sorry." Eddie sighed. "I can't hang out with you every day Steph! We have been over this!"

"Well then maybe we don't get each other anymore! I love you Eddie and want to trust you. Please stop talking to Tozier."

"You can't control that! I'm still talking to him." Eddie let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine!" She stormed off, flipping off Richie when she saw him.

Richie walked over to the stressed boy. "Heys Eds-."  He realized the boy looked like he was about to explode. "Come on Eds. Let's just walk away from the crowd before you burst into tears. Skip the embarrassment."

Eddie nodded and followed him outside and they sat against a wall. "Thanks, Rich." He smiled.

"No problem. I know you better than anyone so it was pretty easy to tell you were going to explode."

Eddie nodded and put his head on Richie's shoulder and holding his hand before he quickly picked it up and pulled his hand away. "Shit! I'm sorry. It's a habit."

Richie grabbed his hand. "It's fine. I don't mind."

"But you should!" Eddie yelled.

"Why though Eddie. I'm so sick of this. Can we just be honest with each other and stop doing this shit."

"I have a girlfriend! And no we can't Richie! It's not okay. We fight way too much! We shouldn't even be friends!"

"We are both afraid. Just admit it."

"Of what Richie." Eddie snapped. "Maybe Steph was right about everything she said about you. You are using me!"

"I am not! I would never! Why do you still hang out with her!"

"BECAUSE I LIKE HER!" Eddie screamed out of frustration. "Like a normal teenager would! I'm sorry you aren't into girls, but I am so grow up."

Richie looked hurt and he ran away before Eddie could say anything else.

Eddie collapsed to the floor and started to sob as he put his head in his knees. "Eddie? Are you okay?" Ben asked as he sat down next to Eddie.

"I fucked up. Bad. Richie hates me now because of my stupid confusion and stress. I don't know how to fix this." He went on explaining everything that happened.

"Maybe you can't, but you can show him."

"I can't, but I can break up with Stephanie. I'm going to distance myself and just tell the others that I'm sorry, but I need to be alone."

"I can still visit you occasionally though right?"

"Yes, you can Ben." Eddie laughed with a smile on his face. "My mom actually likes you."

"Look at me attracting all the moms. Richie would be jealous." Ben joked and Eddie laughed and found himself unable to stop laughing.

***

Eddie stuck a note that said 'meet me in my bedroom when you get out of school' and stuck it on Stephanie's locker.

He waited in his room for about an hour before she came crawling through his window. "Hey." She smiled giving him a peck of the cheek. She realized he looked nervous and stressed. "What's wrong."

"Sit down. I have to tell you something." He responded and she did what she was told to. "I can trust you right."

"Of course you can Eddie Bear." She teased.

"Oh shut up." He smiled. "But anyways." He looked like he was struggling to get it out because he had never admitted it out loud before.

"Eddie just tell me. I promise I won't get mad because I think I know what it is already and I need to tell you something too."

Eddie nodded and just said it out loud. "I like Richie Tozier and I'm gay. I think I've been gay longer than I realized if I'm being honest. I'm so sorry Stephanie. I've tried to ignore it for years and I just can't. In fact, I think I love him."

All Stephanie did was start rolling around on the bed, laughing so hard tears came out of her eyes. "The fact I knew that longer than you did. I'm gay too." When she finally stopped laughing she confessed something that shocked Eddie. "I'm bisexual. I like Ashley Tozier."

Eddies mouth fell open and his eyes went wide. "WHAT! I-. Since when. Did we just not actually like each other the whole almost 3 years we dated."

"I guess." She laughed and Eddie joined her. "This is fucking hilarious."

They both couldn't stop laughing. Mrs. K must have heard them laughing because she came into Eddie's room. They immediately stopped laughing. "Oh hello, Stephanie. I didn't see you come in." She smiled.

"Hi Mrs. K." Stephanie smiled and Mrs. K left with a small wave. They both immediately started laughing again, but she suddenly stopped laughing. "Wait- this means we could be relatable if we marry them!"

"Yesss!" Eddie cheered.

"How are we going to get together with them though," Stephanie asked.

"I have an idea, but we are going to need help from the losers," Eddie smirked.

***

Here is what Stephanie looks like btw