Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 39

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

Weeks passed, and the days began to bleed together. Mike, Bill and Eddie spent more time preparing for their testimonies than they did at school and come February they were ready.

The first court date of significance was Norbert Keene's trial beginning February 3rd. Eddie had submitted a written testimony and had no interest in going to court. He and Richie had cut class that day, and were spending it together. They had driven far away from Derry, as if distance could solve their problems, and were now at a roadside diner two hours away. But even so, the television was playing a news broadcast of the trials. And although Norbert Keene was far from a celebrity in these cases, the fever had come back to Derry.

According to the reporter, the case was being handled by first assistant to the defense attorney, Max Holmes.

Without appearing to, Richie guided Eddie to his seat so that his back was to the television. A waitress with teased hair, looking like it belonged in the 80s came and took their orders. Once they were alone, Richie leaned back in the booth and said, "So I was thinkin', Eds. What do you say to going to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me next weekend?"

Eddie choked on his hot chocolate. He knew that the Sadie Hawkins dance was coming up, it seemed to be all anyone at school wanted to talk about, but he had been so focused on preparing his testimonies that he had barely given it a second thought. "What?"

"Aw c'mon. You heard me. Don't make a dame ask twice."

Eddie snorted despite himself.

Richie smiled. He liked to see Eddie happy. "So whadya say, dollface?"

"I think you're mixing up your lingo."

"Lingo, who the fuck still says that?"

"Shut up, I do. And why the hell would you want to go to some stupid school dance."

Richie's shoulders dropped a little, and Eddie realized he had said the wrong thing. "Shit, Richie. I'm sorry."

He forced a smile. "Nah, Eds. I get it. Bigger things are on your plate."

They sat in uncomfortable silence as their waitress brought back plates of steaming food. Richie didn't make eye contact with Eddie, and instead began to dig into his food. Eddie watched him for a moment before pulling the plate away from Richie.

"Hey –!"

"Richie, talk to me. This is important."

Richie shrugged. "We didn't get to go to homecoming together. Back then I barely cared about dances anyway. But Beverly said, well she thought it might be something nice to do. Take all our minds off all the bullshit happening around us and just be regular teenagers for the night. And when I saw how stressed you've been these past few weeks, all three of you, I thought it just made sense. I dunno, Eds. I want to dance with you in front of everyone. Let them know you're mine."

"oh."

Richie smiled sadly. "But I get it, there's a lot going on and it's just some stupid high school dance."

Eddie pouted. "It's not stupid. It isn't."

"Whatever you say, Eds."

"Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, I'll go to Sadie Hawkins with you, you goof."

Richie's smile was bright enough to light up the whole diner, and it seemed that the matter was settled for now.