fire. richie tozier angst. (DISCONTINUED)

IV

come on—richie tozier, a nuisance by default, in a library? he wasn't even entirely sure he knew how to read. but here he was, standing in the library confused as ever, looking around as ben approached the librarian.

"finally got a friend," she said, as richie walked up behind ben. she offered a small smile. "looking to find a book for him or yourself?"

ben told her how richie was looking for possibly a kids or just above kids book about fire, and as she left richie flipped her off. ben looked at him, annoyed, but grinned slightly.

"she seems like a bitch. finally got a friend? just doin' what you wanted to, really." richie explained as the librarian came back with a book called "the helpful harmful ways of fire" richie scoffed at the name, assuming it was some little kids book full of rhymes and other kids book shit.

he took the book with obvious fake appreciation, and looked at the cover with a look between confusion and disgust.

"i think this is the first time i've held a book by choice—" richie said as they walked out of the library, grabbing their bikes.

"you can't be serious." ben interrupted, refusing to believe richie. he had a dumbfounded look on his face that richie tried not to laugh at.

"i don't want to be. i want to be richie," he joked, getting an eye roll from ben.

"ha-ha. you've actually never held a book before—by choice? have you ever even read a book?" ben looked like he could've been near tears, causing richie to crack a smile.

"nope, no sir, nada. never." richie shrugged and nudged ben playfully in the ribs. he put the book in his mouth and hopped on his bike. ben grimaced.

"here, let me hold it. i've done this plenty of times before," ben offered, so richie spit the book at him, making it land a couple inches away from his bike. ben picked it up and got on his bike, balancing easily despite using one hand. "yours or mine?"

richie shrugged. "we can head to yours, it's not that far from my house, i'll walk." richie pushed the pedals and turned out of the library, ben following close behind.

when they arrived at ben's house, ben dropped his bike in front and handed richie the book. "here," he said softly as he forced the book into richies hands, who took it reluctantly.

"bye bennie!" richie said in a sing-song voice, before picking his bike up and walking to his house.

(half asleep while writing this bit so if sit sucks oh well sorry ALSO I HAVE FUCKING HICCUPS RN KMS)

when he finally made it to his house—it had taken him a lot longer than he'd expected—he climbed into his room through the window, which he always kept unlock due to mere stupidity and because he never really liked using the front door. especially when wentworth was already home.

carefully sliding the window shut, richie plopped down on his bed and looked at the book. like when he got it, he scoffed at the name. it was stupid. "the helpful harmful ways of fire? what kind of stupid fucking name is that..." he mumbled to himself, opening the book.

it had a stupid plot. a fireman came to some kindergarten class and taught the kids why fire can help or harm you. it was stupid. the book was stupid, the plot was stupid, the whole idea was stupid.

as he was reading—or, trying to, at least—went slammed open his door and glared at him. richie sighed, putting the book down and standing up, unsure what he had done. he knew he was probably gonna get beaten, though. 

"why the hell do you have some fuckin' kids book?" wentworth asked. though it didn't sound threatening, or at least—went threatening. it sounded more like a demanded question. 

richie shrugged. "i wanted something to do, and my friend took me to the library to get a book."

went's glare worsened, and richie bit his lip to avoid saying anything that could get him beaten. "it better not cost nothin'. i'm not payin' shit for you to read a retarded kids' book."

richie shook his head. "it's free, just have to return it." when went's glare didn't seem to get any better, richie quickly added, "sir."

"fine," went grunted. his glare morphed into some sort of frustrated blank stare. "why weren't you here earlier?"

richie about wanted to swear at the man, was he that stupid? he had practically just told him where he was. he bit the inside of his cheek. "library. i just told you." he groaned.

"don't get smart with me, you little bitch. you go to school and come straight back. got it?" richie nodded. wentworth slammed the door and richie let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. went must've been in a good mood today, he didn't even try to hit him. 

richie laid back down on his bed, tempted to continue reading the book, idiotic as it was. he was hoping to find a couple facts about fire or something. though, he only got a few sentences in before he felt his eyelids get heavy. he checked the page. of course he'd only made it to page 3, after a half hour of reading.

richie sighed and tossed the book by his school bag, not caring enough to see if it actually made it close enough to it. he leaned over on his side and closed his eyes, unbothered by his glasses, which still lay on his face.

his thoughts floated around in his mind, and before he knew it, he was out.

a/n: sorry this one's kinda short. my goal is to make this at least ten chapters and i'm mostly making this shit up as i go, but i do have a plan for what's gonna happen.

don't kys, stay hydrated, and stay away from porn<3

-liv