【Ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ＡＵ】- Reddie

26 - Prom

Disclaimer: ALSO I understand people don't get over trauma from conversion therapy like this, or this quickly. It's purely just so Eddie isn't a depressed robot for the rest of the book 

The losers sat in Bill's living room, laughing and having a good time. Honestly, Richie couldn't be happier, Eddie had started smiling and being himself much more and it made him have hope for the future. 

The group of friends had started to hang out again, going down to the quarry and punching the shit out of bowers. 

"The Prom's tomorrow, I'm so excited!" Bev shouted, jumping up and down. Pretending to dance with a partner, as stan and bill sung for her. 

The others clapped and cheered as Bev started spinning around, bowing after she was finished. 

"Who are you all going with?" Bev said, sitting back down beside Ben who smiled at the redhead. 

"Obviously I'm going with Bill", Stan winked at Bill who blushed, stuttering gibberish.

Bev asked Ben to go with her, he agreed. So now it was only Eddie and Richie left, Richie felt butterflies in his stomach. 

"Me and Ed's will go as friends!" Richie shouted before anyone could say anything. 

Eddie looked at him confused, hoping maybe Richie would ask him out to the Prom. But Eddie had been the one who told Richie he wasn't, so it was understandable. 

"Great! Now we have to go shopping for our outfits!" 

Everyone groaned, especially Richie who insisted he could wear one of his 'fancy' Hawaiian shirts. 

The losers went to the mall, picking out outfits for each other. The four boys bought basic black suits, except for Richie who managed to find a Hawaiian suit. Eddie laughed seeing Richie try it on. 

"Are you seriously gonna wear that-" Eddie laughed, 

"Of course, I am Eddie spaghetti, it's the height of fashion!" Richie joked. 

Bev had gone off and bought a two-piece dress, the top was a glitter top and the bottom was a long sky blue skirt with the glitter in lines down the front. 

The losers were back at Stan's house, getting changed and talking whilst Mrs Uris took pictures of Stanley and Richie, the boys arguing over the top of her voice. 

"Better get going boys, and Bev! You'll be late, and Richie sweetie", 

Richie turned to look at Mrs Uris, 

"Look after Stan!" 

Richie laughed, Stan, rolling his eyes and pulling Bill out the door. The losers got on their bikes, riding down to the school where ballons, streamers and lights decorated the gym hall. 

Bill took Stan and Bev took Ben. The two couples were already dancing and laughing around, hand in hand as Eddie and Richie stood there in comfortable silence. 

It had been two hours and still nothing, the two couples were eating and dancing. Whilst Eddie and Richie spoke, eating in the corner away from nearly everyone else. Richie didn't like most people in the school, especially since everyone knew he was gay. Eddie, everyone knew about his therapy so he was an outcast as well. 

"Wanna dance?" Richie asked, looking at Eddie. 

Eddie smiled, nodding as Richie wrapped his arms around Eddie's neck. The two stayed at the side to avoid other schoolmates, but it was still a happy moment. 

Music played in the background, Richie hummed along to the music swaying his hips to the beat, stepping back and forth, looking into Eddie's dough eyes. 

At that moment Eddie knew he loved Richie, he knew he couldn't live without the taller boy. The week without him was hell, not because he was being hurt, but because Richie wasn't there to hold him. He pushed Richie away because he was scared, Eddie didn't want to be afraid anymore. 

"Chee, I have to do something important..." Eddie whispered, letting go of Richie as the tall boy looked at him with sadness in his eyes. 

"Ok..." Richie whispered back, Eddie pecked his cheek before running into the crowd of young adults. 

Eddie pushed past all of them, the drunk one's shouted and hollered whilst the sober side of them let him past. Eddie scrambled onto the small stage platform and grabbed the microphone, everyone looked up at him. 

Richie ran over to the rest of the losers, they looked at Richie then back up at Eddie. He was looking down, but only at Richie. Nobody else, just the boy he loved. 

"My Names Eddie Kaspbrak, you all probably know this..." 

Eddie took a deep breath, said what he thought and looked into Richie's eyes while speaking. 

"Most people already know that I'm gay, I got taken to conversion therapy and I lost my friends and myself. I was scared of everything, I felt like dying. I pushed everyone away, including my boyfriend who I broke up with". 

The crowd murmured, looking at Richie who wore a blush. 

"I didn't know how much I'd miss him until he spent time with me every day. I wouldn't smile or laugh but he still stood by me, no matter what. I realise I still loved him, and I'm not afraid anymore! I love you Richie Tozier, and I want to be your boyfriend again. I don't care what anyone else says". 

Eddie finished, jumping off Stage and running over to Richie who stood there, tears falling down his face as he hugged Eddie as tight as he could. 

"I love you so much Ed's!" Richie smiled, holding the boy in his arms. 

"I'll be with you no matter what, after all... that's what boyfriends for". 

Eddie smiled up at Richie, he stood on his tiptoes and kissed Richie. It was passionate and loving, he held Richie's waist, both of the boys smiling into the kiss as their friends awed. 

After a long night of kissing and dancing the losers went home, Stan stayed the night at Bill's so Richie invited Eddie over. 

They're 18, what's the worse that could happen...