Your dirty little secret - Reddie

-2-

Richie walked his bike off campus, Bowers followed close behind. He smacked Richie upside the head then pushed his bike over. Richie would have tried something, but the idea of going home with two black eyes haunted him. His gift, to over-talk could very well be a curse depending on the circumstances.

Richie smiled, "Blow your dad jackass!" Bowers pushed Richie once more, nocking him to the ground just as a campus security guard turned the buildings corner. He yelled out and chased the bully down the road as he ran.

Richie gathered himself and hopped onto his bike, fixing his glasses before he kicked off. Why does he always go for me? I can't help but say stupid shit! Richie thought as he road his bike back towards the place he lived. His house was never really a home. His dad was an asshole, mom was a drunk and he didn't have any close relatives that lived near by.

At home, Richie did a few homework pages while thinking about how his dad would react if he'd seen Richie's two F's. A soft knock on the window by his desk sounded. He looked up from his papers to see Eddie sitting on his rooftop with his backpack hung over one shoulder. Richie stood up, walking over to the window then opening it to help his friend into the room.

"We have a door ya know..." Eddie hopped down from the windowsill placing both hands on Richie's shoulders, Richie's hands on the boys waist as he helped him to the ground. Eddie took his bag off of his shoulder and placed it down on Richie's bed, pulling out a few math papers then leaving the bag where it was. He turned and walked back over to Richie who had sat back down in his seat chair.

"Yeah, but your dad's car is in the driveway." Eddie leaned against the closed window and flipped through the papers in hand. Richie shock his head in annoyance, then adjusted his glasses. "So which are you working on? Do you still want help with today's math homework?" Eddie shuffled through the stack of paper, picking up the math page. "Yeah. You got the answers?"

Eddie rolled his eyes, "No I don't Richie, but I can help you with it like I said I would-" Richie sunk back in his chair and groaned loudly. He took off his glasses, placing them on the desk in front of him, then rubbed his eyes. Eddie let out a quiet chuckle as Richie placed the heavy glasses back onto his face resting on the bridge of his nose once again.

"Why does Mrs. Cristian make everything so hard for her students?" He muttered while finding the math page. Eddie's watch beeped loudly. Richie stood up from his chair and walked out of the room without saying anything. They'd just shared a quick Look before he left.

Richie walked back into the room with a glass of water and a granola bar. Eddies face turned bright red, avoiding eye contact, "T-Thank you." He took his pills quick before they continued doing homework.

~~~

After they finished the math page, the two boys laid down on the floor near Richie's bed. Both staring at the ceiling while talking about their trama. The mention of Richie's dad would be a subject changer the instant he was brought into the conversation.

"You want something to eat?" Richie turned on his side to face Eddie with his hand on his head, holding it up as he asked. Eddie sat up, "Not really...I'm just tired. If I don't start heading home soon my mom with lose her shit!"

Richie looked the boy up and down, then smiled subtly. Both boys got up and Eddie grabbed his things. Richie looked down the hallway to his parents room, then gestured for Eddie to follow.

"Won't your dad kill you if he catches you sneaking out? It's like 8:40!" Eddie whispered. Richie made a half confused half disgusted face, "Try not to shit yourself, I think the sun just went down! Be on the look out for a missing poster!"

"Yeah, haha! You're just so funny! I get it! My mom is over protective! What's new?" Richie stoped at the bottom of the stairs case, "Shhhh." His mom and dad were sleeping on opposite ends of the couch. Richie tip-toed to the door with Eddie following close behind.

Richie shut the door quietly, "You have all your stuff? Where did you put your bike?" They walked out to the side of the house were both bikes had been leaned up against the wall. They both hopped on their bikes, and kicked off towards Eddie's house.