Life Is Short, Like Eddie (1990 Reddie)

Chapter 1

Richie's eyes were focused on the clock. He'd be out of there soon. He just watched as the seconds ticked by. The teacher still spoke, talking about being safe over the summer. Richie couldn't care less what she said. Then, it happened. The bell rang.

Richie grabbed his bag and rushed out of there. He had to hurry to the front of the school's stairs. As he hurried he caught ear of random conversations. One girl planned to go on vaction, another to a concert, a boy to summer school. God Richie was lucky he got good grades.

Just a few feet and he'd be out of there. He couldn't walk anymore, he ran. As he ran through the doors, he looked around. No one was there yet. Richie chuckled, of course he was the first one there. He stepped to the side of the stairs and waited.

First Bill, then Ben, then Stan and Bev, and finally Eddie. God Eddie. Richie adored Eddie. He was just so cute, cute, cute! God, had Eddie let his hair grow out? Richie wrapped his arm around Eddie before he could react. " Eddie Spaghetti! Love the hair!" He smiled. Eddie playfully pushed him off. " Thanks?" Eddie smiled at Richie's comment. This only made Richie smile more. That's when he finally took a good look at everyone. " I know we haven't seen eachother a lot, but you guys have changed a lot!" Richie spoke in astonishment. The others just did their murmurs of gratitude.

" A-are we going to the clubhouse, or are w-we going to leave Mike alone all d-day?" Bill spoke joyfully. The rest smiled and agreed. They ran over to their bikes and headed off. It'd been awhile since Richie had gone to the clubhouse. Same with most of the others Richie assumed. He missed being with them, but he also felt like he was moving on. Did the others think that too? Were they tired of him? Were they sick of him even? Richie shook these thoughts away. Hopefully not.

A few minutes passed as they got closer to the clubhouse. A conversation was currently going on between Bill and Stan. Something about school? It didn't really catch Richie's attention until they said his name. " So Richie, you get g-good grades?" Bill asked with genuine curiosity. Richie looked over at him. " Oh, yeah I did actually. You could even call me a stellar student!" Richie beamed proudly. Stan scoffed at his comment. " Trashmouth getting good grades? When I'm dead maybe." Stan rolled his eyes. Richie gasped almost, he hadn't expected Stan to say that. Well, that wasn't entirely true.

Richie sighed, then smiled. " Common Stan The Man! You'd know better than anyone else that I did good in school." Richie knew that was true. Over school, Richie saw Stan the most. He didn't really have classes with him, but he did ride home with Stan after school. Even though Richie didn't really see the others, he made sure to see Stan. Stan was, no, is his bestfriend. Has been for over a decade almost. Him and Stan just clicked as friends. Stan then sighed himself. " You got me there." Stan chuckled in defeat.

Bev was the next to speak. " Since when did Richie get good grades?" She spoke in an almost goddess like tone. When did she start sounding this heavenly? Richie looked at her and shook his head. " Ever since you were a wee girl Miss Marsh!" Richie spoke in a british accent. This caused Bev's eyes to widen. " Wow, that was an actually good impression." She said in suprise. This caused Richie to smile. He liked when people thought his impressions were good. Eddie nodded. " Never thought Richie would ever have a good accent." Eddie agreed with Bev. " Hey! I've always been good, you guys just never acknowledged my talents!" Richie called. This caused everyone to laugh.

As they finally reached the clubhouse, they saw Mike getting off his bike. " I just barely made it on time it seems." Mike beamed in a soft, but manly tone. Oh how Mike had become manlier over time. Richie jumped off his bike and ran over to him. " Mike! Where have you been old pal!" Richie carded, smiling even wider. Mike embraced Richie into a hug. " Where have I been? More like where have all of you been!" He laughed. It was true. They rarely hungout. This was the first time they've all been together in a couple of months. Richie just laughed. God he missed everyone. " Let me give you a recap Mikey! Bev sounds like a real dime, Bill can actually speak full sentences, Stan's still mean, Eddie grew out his fluffy locks, and Ben's becoming a real athlete. Don't think I haven't noticed Haystack!" Richie said, pointing at each losers. " And you're growing up to be a real man yourself Mike." Richie looked him up and down. This caused Mike to smile goofily.

" What about you Richie? Anything new?" Mike said smoothly. Richie shook his head. " No, not really." He laughed. Bill walked over to the clubhouse and opened the door and peared in. He didn't think they could all fit in there anymore. " Hey guys, wanna just head somewhere in town?" Bill called over. " Oh yes please! I love the clubhouse, but no way I'm getting in it in school clothes!" Eddie said in a releaved tone. This caused Richie to smile.

God he loved Eddie. He was just so, perfect.

He didn't care what that made him, as long as no one else knew.