The End Of Us || losers club ✔️

thirty five

thirty five - reality in motion

Richie re-enters the booth, back from the bathroom, and pops a french fry into his mouth. Even though Eddie already has his order, he shamelessly grabs a french fry off Richie's plate and also eats it. Richie shoots him a look and slaps his hand away.

"I just.." Bill says breathily and puts his chin in his palm, "I just am so... lost and confused, guys. I don't know what to do."

Mike has a look of begrudging agreement on his face, picking the too much lettuce off his hamburger. "My grandad was talkin' about falsifying my records and sending me back to high school," he laughs.

Beverly laughs along, shaking her head. "With the muscle on you, no one would agree to you being fifteen," she says and motions to how Mike's arms easily fill out his shirt.

Eddie is silent in thought, chewing down a bite of his food. Richie was lead to believe that his silence was because of embarrassment or humbleness, as Eddie had already finished high school and one year of college. But Richie was proven wrong when Eddie pipped up.

"Why not get your GED's?"

Beverly's face scrunched in confusion. "What's a GED?" she asked.

"Isn't that like.. like another type of high school degree? Where you don't actually go through high school but you still get your degree?" Asks Mike.

"Mhm!" Eddie hums happily, "Bill's parents and I did a whole bunch of research two years ago. Basically, what you would do is sign up for GED classes or some shit, go to class for.. three months maybe, take a big test and yeah! You're a high school graduate!"

The other four exchange glances, all excited at the prospect. "Where would we sign up at?" Asks Beverly, "Do you know?"

Pausing to think for a second, Eddie suggests that the high school they went to was the most likely option. "It's May, so school will be out soon and I bet if we get you guys signed up soon, you'll be able to get it done by August! Oh, then you'll all be done in time for college to start!" With each word that tumbles out, the excitement in his voice grows and his talking pace quickens.

"Dude, you're so right!" Says Richie, sharing the boys excitement.

"Well then," Says Bill, looking around at the four others, "Eat fast, then. We've got something to figure out today."

With a point being made, everyone follows Bill's instructions and digs into their meals, light conversation added on.

Richie was the first to inhale his lunch and acted like a pumped up coach for the rest of the others meal, urging them to eat more, eat quicker. He only ended the act when Beverly flicked him in the forehead and Bill told him to pack it away. Eddie gave him a sheepish smile and said he agreed with Bill.

"I'm not hurt," says Richie, shrugging it off. "But you all will be once I get my sweet revenge." He points a butter knife at them all and get little to no reaction. Maybe a slight smile from Beverly.

Soon enough, each stomach is stuffed and cups are sipped clean of any remaining drink. Richie leads the group out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk leading to the library.

"Why are we going to the library again?" Asks Mike. The others look at each other for answers.

"I.. actually don't know," admits Bill. "Is that not where we'd find out how to sign up for our GED's?" Again, looks were exchanged and no one coughed up an answer.