The Clubhouse

Bill laid in his bed in thought. It was twelve at night yet he was wide awake, his thoughts revolving around Georgie and Georgie entirely. Bill was going through this grieving process pretty much alone. His parents had barely talked to him in weeks and his friends always seemed to be on their own page. So, Bill relied on himself alone to get over the death of his little brother who he blamed himself for the death of. He was sure his parents did too. He chuckled sadly.

Almost mirroring Bill the house echoed with the laughter of the young boy in which Bill couldn't deny.. sounded exactly like Georgie. Bill knew it was most likely his own imagination but he felt as though he needed to get out of there. Bill walked into the hallway and towards the front door, slowly opening it. He slipped his shoes on and walked out. The minute he did he'd felt much better. Like a weight had been lifted from his chest. He decided he'd head to the clubhouse for a while to clear his mind. Maybe he'd grow tired there and then he could finally sleep.
So, in his pajamas Bill walked across the wet road. Whilst Bill walked the clouds were only taking a break. Bill knew the rain would soon start again so he hurried over to the underground structure. Just as he got there it started drizzling. He walked down into the clubhouse and paused once he heard sobs. Someone else was in here. He looked around for the source his eyes landing on Stanley.

'Stan? What's Stan doing down here this late? And why is he.. Crying...?'

Bill's thoughts slowed. His eye brows furrowed. He walked over to Stanley who sat covering his face in distress. "Stan?" Bill called. The other boy's body went stiff. Stanley lifted his head.
"Bill?" Stan barely spoke over a whisper. Bill immediately took notice of the black eye Stan had which wasn't there earlier that day at school. Bill sat down next to Stanley, leaning against the wall. His eyes glued on Stan's eye. Stan couldn't take his eyes off of Bill either, surprised he was even there.

"W-what happened t-to y-y-your e-eye?" Bill stuttered, clearly worried. Stanley debated on telling him. He looked away from Bill and onto the ground. "S-Stan." Called Bill.
"My dad." Stanley confessed. Bill's eyes went wide.
"W-what?"
"We were fighting about Jewish stuff.. the church.. and... I don't know, I sorta yelled at him. It was just us. No one to see him hit me so he did. I left. Came here... And I've just been.... thinking......" Stan trailed off in thought. Bill could feel his blood boil.
"W-W-W-What an a-asshole!" Bill stuttered worse than before, quite upset. Stanley looked over to Bill due to his off tone. He looked furious. Stan felt his heart flutter.

'Is he angry for me?' Stan was taken aback. He shook his head in which was followed by a sad sigh.
"It doesn't matter. I just.. needed to get away." Stan said wiping his tears. Bill's eyes stayed on the curly haired boy.

'It does matters. He can't just hit you! He can't.'

Bill wanted to disagree with Stan but he instead stayed silent. "Anyways, why're you down here?" Stan asked. It went quiet. Then it was loud, the sound of rain pouring outside calmed Bill a bit.
"Georgie.." he admitted. "I-I can't stop th-thinking about him. I c-couldn't sleep th-th-th-there." Bill managed. Stanley noticed how Bill struggled to talk about Georgie. He sighed, his tear stricken face still. Bill watched as Stan breathed out heavily.

"Wh-What is it?"
"I'm sorry, Bill. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this.. We never really talked about it too much either... If you want you could talk to me about it? I mean, if you need to." Stan offered. Hearing this felt strange. No one had ever offered this before. No one cared to listen. No one except for Stan. The more Bill thought about it the more he realized that even through Bill's constant stuttering Stanley was always there listening, his attention fully on him, even when he didn't like what he was saying at times.

He was always listening.

"I feel like." Bill paused, locking eyes with Stan who patiently waited. "I feel like i-it was m-m-my fault." Bill's eyes watered threatening to spill. Stanley shook his head.
"No, no, Bill there was nothing you could've done." Stan tried to explain. "There was no way you could have known. If you're to blame then so am I, Mike, Richie, I mean- everyone!" Stan added, gripping the bottom of his shirt in frustration.

Bill closed his eyes leaning his head against he wall. "Maybe if I went o-out with him.." A single tear slid down Bill's face. Stan again shook his head. He wiped Bill's cheek trying to be some sort of comfort. Bill tensed.

"It wasn't your fault." Stan repeated his voice softer than before.

Bill's heart started to beat faster than before.
"Even if it wasn't my parents are treating me like it was. Th-They haven't ta-talked to me since what happened."
"What, really?"
"Yeah, pretty much. I get that th-they're m-m-m-mourning Georgie b-but I've had to d-deal with this al-al-al-alone.. and I-It's becoming a l-lot." Bill admitted. Stan grew worried.
"You aren't alone." Stanley place his hand onto Bill's shoulder. A small smile appeared on Bill's face.
"Th-Thank you, Stan." Stanley only nodded pulling his arm from Bill's shoulder after a while.

"What about you? D-Do you need to talk about.. Anything?" Bill asked trying to repay Stan, yet, he, like always, kept his walls around the many things that bothered him.
"I'm okay." Was all he said. Bill didn't believe him of course but he wasn't one to push. He knew Stanley. He knew that he couldn't take that pressure. If Stan believed that Bill believed that he was okay then Stan would be to some extent okay.

The two sat quietly after that. They weren't waiting for the other to speak. They were tired now. Bill watched as Stan's head bobbed back and forth, his eyes opening and closing. He was probably tired out from all the crying he'd done. Without thought Bill took his hand gently pushing Stan's head onto his shoulder in which Stan didn't deny all too tired to even think properly. Bill watched as Stan's eyes stayed at a constant close. He then felt tired weigh over his own eyes as well. After so many sleepless nights Bill was grateful and allowed sleep to take him over. He closed his eyes quickly falling asleep, Stan's body holding him up right.

It was peaceful.