Living in Derry Maine as a Bowers wasn't exactly a fairytale. Leslie Bowers was just trying to survive since her mom left, leaving Henry and her to their dad's vices. But Patrick Hockstetter happened. And he changed everything.
#1 in Stephen King ❤️...
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I twirled my pencil between my fingers as absolutely no one was doing any sort of work. Today was the last day of school and well, it was a waste to even worry about school work. My Polaroid camera sat neatly on my desk, having been out most of the day taking random pictures of Bev and I smoking, Vic and I tormenting Henry. And my last picture for the last day of school, was a surprise photo of Patrick sitting behind me with his usual slouched demeanor, his eyes directly focused on me. I smirked at him before I turned around, the photo coming out as I shook it to help it develop. Before I could even place it in my bag, his hand twirled around my hair and yanked my head back so hard I thought he would snap my neck.
"What the fuck Hockstetter?!" His smirking face was the only thing I saw before he suddenly let me go, a portion of my hair lingering in his hand that he purposefully yanked out. He suddenly smelled it, his eyes practically rolling in the back of his head from the immense pleasure he felt course throughout his entire body. Finally, the bell had rung before anything else could be said, putting my camera away and the photo of Patrick I took in my bag I usually carried around with me. My cigarette pack was calling my name and I was ready to get out of here for the summer.
"Hey Leslie! Want to hang out later? I don't feel like being home honestly." Beverly Marsh was the best girl friend I've ever had. Smart, cunning, and always fun to be around, we had two dads that were the absolute worst. Except hers was a total creep. Mine was just an abusive asshole. So any chance we could get to stay far away from home, we took it.
"Duh. By the way, those pictures turned out great. Except I'm giving you the one where smoking is evident because I don't trust my dad to stay out of my bag." She laughed a little before taking the photo from my hand, placing it in her pocket for safe keeping. That's when she noticed the picture of Patrick firmly in the pile of photos, smirking a little in knowing. She loved teasing me about him.
"Hockstetter huh? I knew you were a Patrick kind of girl." She winked at me with a little smile in place as we walked down the hall, just as I saw them lingering in their usual spot against the wall where they can mock and laugh at people walking by. Patrick was being bold by showing his obvious intent with me by licking his lips and winking at me once we walked past. Henry simply eyed me with Beverly and it felt completely awkward. They did things together in the past, things that felt weird to even admit considering that's my brother and she's my best friend. He never lets her forget it either. Like me, she's considered a slut. Especially by Greta. She comes after both of us unfortunately. Except before I lit her hair on fire with a zippo lighter Patrick had given me for my cigarettes last year around my birthday. My dad was less than thrilled when the school called him about the incident, confiscating the zippo immediately once I got home. But I simply found it once he was black out drunk one night in his shirt pocket. He completely forgot about it. But I didn't forget the belt I got to my back over and over again. Patrick of course was proud that I even lit someone on fire.
"I guess I've decided I'm tired of being told what to do by Henry and my dad. They are on a mission to keep me away from Patrick. My dad doesn't even realize that I ride with them to school everyday. They hide me until we are out of the driveway. Same thing going back. But usually he's not home after school." Bang up job they're doing huh? I'm constantly around Patrick. Because I'm usually always with Henry. Henry wasn't always the way he is. He used to be different. Until mom left at least. Now he's a pompous asshole who bullies kids younger than him who can't really defend themselves against them. By them I mean his entire gang. Because usually he doesn't go at it alone. Sometimes.
"Don't worry about them, okay? I know it's hard to when they constantly threaten you. But you clearly like Patrick. Even if he is a creep...." I playfully slapped her arm as I drew a cigarette out of the pack from my bag and lit it up with the infamous zippo that nearly burned Greta alive, careful to see if any snitches were around that would report back to my dad. Thankfully, no one was. I inhaled on the cigarette in pure bliss, exhaling softly into the summer air, leaning against the school building.
"Yeah well.... I guess I'm fucked up then huh?" She did the same as I, not really caring if anyone saw, simply smiling at me. She never judged me. She just wanted me happy. We both wanted each other happy. But, not everything was sunshine and rainbows.
"Nice frisbee flamer!" I rolled my eyes and stubbed my cigarette out against the wall behind me before bolting towards the guys now heading towards the trans am, Patrick tormenting Stanley Uris as usual. Stanley is Jewish, and he always gets picked on for it. Honestly, they just pick on all of them to just do it.
"Patrick! Come on, don't bother that kid." Stanley had time to stand while I distracted Patrick, his attention solely on me now as he walked right towards me, his long legs taking long strides until he was directly in front of me.
"You're such a softie for these losers huh? Don't go getting all lovey dovey with them though. I wouldn't be too nice about it." I simply rolled my eyes, noting Beverly standing in place further away with a roll of her eyes before she waved at me, walking away towards the back of the school to our usual spot. A spot close to my house that no one knew about except for us. And well, Patrick. He found me there once because he was stalking me of course. I always go there when things at home are rough. Which is all the time.
"Oh Pat, how many times do I have to say you're it for me? Oh baby, oh baby." I softly nudged his arm as I went past him towards a now pissed off Henry of course picking on Bill Denbrough. Bill had been through a lot this past year, losing his brother Georgie. Georgie was a sweet kid. I used to babysit him, surprised the Denbrough's even trusted a Bowers around their kids. But I wasn't like my brother. And they seemed to be happy with that. They didn't seem to listen to rumors around town either. Thankfully. Otherwise they'd probably think I'd do something with Bill. The only interest I have, is Patrick. And I won't lie about it.
"Come on Henry. Leave him alone, alright?" Henry's eyes now engaged with mine and they were spitting fire. He roughly grabbed my arm, just as he noticed something behind me, already knowing it was dad from when I was walking away from Patrick. Dad was constantly patrolling the school because of the missing kids. He let go of me, but not before going past me and slapping a spit filled hand against Bill's cheek.
"Don't get in my way ever again Leslie. Or else." He simply stalked away as I glared after him, anger coursing through my veins. I mouthed a sorry to Bill and the others before I walked away towards the trans am, Patrick following closely behind.
"You know I'm sick of some scaredy cat bitch sticking up for a bunch of losers who all seem keen on getting in your pants. If they haven't already....." Henry's words actually stung a bit, but not long enough because once I climbed my way inside the trans am, I roughly slapped him against the head, igniting an all out war where he tried to grab for me, but Patrick pulled me onto his lap and held me all the way back against him, his arms holding me down firmly.
"Fucking asshole!" I went limp against Patrick, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. Of course Patrick's happy ass was digging into my shorts and I knew it wouldn't be long before someone did actually get into my pants. Patrick. Because I was tired of fighting to stay away from him in fear of what would happen. I shimmied across his crotch, knowing it would drive him absolutely insane, feeling him hardening even further, If that's even possible. I pretended it was an accident. But he knew I was toying with him, feeling his fingers toying with the hem of my shorts. He was losing his mind. I was playing a dangerous game. And I loved it.
