the downfall // richie tozier angst // reddie

1

Richie stood in his bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror. He still had a bruise on his cheek from the night before. His parents always try and make sure to not bruise his face, for any sign of what they've done to him could cause damage for them.

He sighed, and soaked a paper towel in the water. He used it as a gauze and wiped away the dry blood that dripped from his nose.

He lightly rubbed over his cheek, making sure to not press too hard. Yet, he still winced at the sudden touch.

He was sick and tired of his parent's abuse. Not like he could do anything about it. No body, he thought, would believe him. 

He got ready for the day, pulling his shirt over his head and shorts on his lanky body. He pulled a hoodie over, as well, and checked himself in the mirror once again.

He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in dissatisfaction. He grabbed his bag from his bare floor and rushed out his door, quickly yet quietly stepping down the stairs, in attempt to not wake anyone.

He walked out of his front door, sighing in relief. He grabbed his bike that leaned against the side of his house and got on, biking over to school.

When he got there, he set his bike in the bike racks, locked it in, and walked into school, whistling.

He saw Eddie, Stanley, Bill, Beverly and Ben standing at a set of lockers, grinned and walked over to them. 

"Hey fellas," he welcomed himself, butting into their conversation. He placed his elbow on Eddie's shoulder and leaned against him.

He received a harmony of 'Hey Rich' and 'Hello's, and joined in on their conversation.

Eddie looked up and Richie and rode his eyebrow.

"Hey Rich?" Eddie asked. Richie looked down at the boy, smiling.

"Yes, Eds?" he asked.

Eddie scoffed. "One, don't call me that, and two, what's on your face?"

Richie tensed up and sighed slightly out of his nose. He shrugged, looking back at the group. Eddie sat uneasy with this, and looked back as well, eyeing Richie from the corner of his eye.

They walked to class and Richie sat at his desk, fiddling with his pencil and bouncing his leg quickly. Eddie noticed this, knowing that these were signs of anxiety and he sighed.

He put his hands on Richie's trembling one, and Richie jerked his head over in his direction. He smiled slightly.

"You good there, Eds?" Richie asked raising his eyebrow.

"Oh, no I'm fine, you?" A flash of concern lit Eddie's eyes and Richie just continued to smile.

"Perfect, as long as I get to hold your hand, Eddie spaghetti," Richie teased, and Eddie scoffed.

He still wondered if Richie truly was okay, but didn't want to bring it up again.

They got through their first classes of the day and there hit lunch. Richie just sat there, talking to his friends.

Everyone around him ate, and he watched as they did, trying not to make it obvious that he was staring at that. He smiled and started up a conversation, picking at his hands as he let his leg bounce at a quick pace.

Eddie put his hand on Richie's leg, pulling him away from his conversation.

"Richie, calm down," Eddie whispered to him, and Richie just stared down at him. He eventually smiled and shook his head.

"I don't know what you mean, I'm fine," Richie said, not being able to stop his leg from bouncing.

"Whatever, want the rest of my sandwich?" Eddie asked, and he couldn't miss the way Richie's eyes lit up.