Your dirty little secret - Reddie

-15-

Richie walked Eddie home. Eddie didn't ask if it was true or not but Richie needed Eddie to believe him, "It's not true..."

"I don't care if it is or isn't, Rich. You're the same person either way." Eddie bumped into him. Richie's face turned red again. He swallowed thickly, "Well it's not..."

"I didn't say it was-" Eddie started. Richie cut him off, "Don't mess with me! I'm serious! I how would I even-I wouldn't-that's gross!"

Eddie paused and faced Richie, "So you're homophobic?" Richie panicked, "What no of corse not! I'm just not Gay, alright?" Eddie continued to walk with a confused expression on his face.

"Richie it's okay to be-" Eddie tried to be supportive again, "It is, you're right! But I'm not! Okay?" Richie interrupted again. Eddie sighed. They didn't talk the rest of the way to Eddie's house.

~~~

The next week passed by in a flash. No one mentioned what happens at the pharmacy, or Richie's face, or Stanley talking to Richie out front Bills house. Everything went by like nothing had happened. Like everything was normal.

The losers met up at Ben's house to hang out, and  Ben showed them all the things he'd been researching. Mike bought snacks and Beverly brought cigarettes. The only ones interested in Beverly's cigarettes were Beverly herself, and Richie.

The two went down to the front yard to smoke, while everyone else stayed in the house. It was the first time they got Stan alone without Richie in the room. Ben checked down the hall while Bill spoke, "W-W-What happened t-that day at t-the phar-pharmacy?"

"What do you mean? You guys were there? Bowers was calling people names so I said something." Stan replied. Mike chimed in, "Yeah but you and Richie hate each other! Why stick up for him? That was the second time you did..."

Stan shrugged, "Because regardless of how much I dislike that Bitch, he's my friend. He took a punch for me when Bowers attacked us once, I owed him. That's all."

"They're coming back!" Ben whisper yelled as the two walked back into the house. Eddie was silent the whole time. Richie is a bit homophobic I think. He thought to himself.

"What did we miss?0 Beverly said widening her eyes at Bill. Bill shook his head and Beverly frowned. Then Stan realized what the whole conversation was. No, the whole action. The cigarettes, Ben watching the door, the questions. But why hadn't Eddie asked if it was true then? Eddie didn't say anything at all.

Stan turned to Eddie, they made eye contact, then Stan tilted his head. They both got up and left the room, walking outside where the other two had gone to smoke. Stan's head filled with annoyance, "Did you know they were gonna do that?"

"Do what?" Eddie said nervously. Stan rolled his eyes, "Ask me what happens at the pharmacy? You know what I'm talking about Eddie. Did you know?"

"I told them not to! They don't listen to me because they know I can't do anything about it! It's some fucked shit!" He fought for himself. Stan scoffed, "Some friend you are!"

"What?" Eddie's heart shattered. Stan poked at Eddie's chest, "Some friend you are! They know the subject made him uncomfortable and so did you! But you let them ask into it because you didn't want to do anything about it!"

Eddie's eyes started to water, "I told them not to! What else could I have done Stan? Some friend? That's funny because you're only sticking up for him because he asked you to so don't act like you're a fucking saint, okay?"

"How did you-" Stan started. Eddie's eyes filled with tears that poured down his face, "He told me yesterday. He also said he wasn't homophobic, but being gay is gross? I don't know!"

"When did he tell you he asked me?" Stan questioned. Eddie wiped his face, "At my house. I don't remember when exactly.."

Stan laughed out of concern, "Well there goes that. Who else knows?" Eddie looked back up, "Are you kidding me? No one else knows. Rich told me. Nobody else. But I told them not to push for answers and they don't listen! Don't pin any of this on me, okay?"

Stanley walked back in the house, leaving Eddie by himself. Back upstairs, they were talking about books and findings. Stan walked back into the room, glaring at each except Richie. Beverly cleared her throat, "So Rich...you still afraid of clowns? Or is there something else now? It's been a year, you know?"

"Nothing really, anymore. Why?" Richie looked around at Ben's papers on the walls. Beverly smiled, "No reason. Just wanted to know. Are you positive that it's nothing? You're not afraid of anything?"

"Not really. Besides Ed's mom braking up with me. Or when she walks-(Richie makes thumping noises)" the group laughed. Richie looked around, "Where is Ed's?"

Stanley remembered, "We'd gone outside. I don't think he came back in though..." Richie got up and ran downstairs to the front door. His mind raced. He opened the front door, to see Eddie sitting on the stairs.

"Ed's? What are you doing out here still?" He sat next to him on the stairs. Eddie dried his tears up quickly, afraid of Richie seeing him cry. Richie smiled softly, "Ed's?"

"Am I a bad friend?" He said covering his face so Richie couldn't see it. Richie hesitated for a moment, "What? Why do you ask?" Eddie pulled out his inhaler and puffed it once, "Stan said I'm a bad friend..."

"Why the Fuck did he say that?" Richie pressed. Eddie fixed his hair and turned to face Richie, "Because I knew why Beverly called you outside to 'smoke' earlier..."