Your dirty little secret - Reddie

-19-

Eddie grabbed Richie's face and pressed their lips together, like Richie had done the time before. Richie's eyes stopped watering and shifted to shock. He looked at Eddie for a moment, "What...Why did-"

"See? It's confusing! But lucky for you I'm not gonna run out." Eddie sat next to him, they both stared at the wall across from them. Richie didn't know what else to say. Eddie began to fidget, "I never said I hated it...I just...Didn't really know how to feel. And my mom hates Gay people so I'm not gonna tell her. She already thinks I'm sick! What if she sent me away?"

Richie stared at the fall, dumbfounded. He turned to face Eddie, "You didn't hate it, so that means...?" Eddie rolled his eyes, "You're not a bad kisser...I guess."

"So, our friendship is ruined now, huh? Because last I checked, Stan and Bill don't kiss each other..." Richie joked. Eddie laid back on the bed, "Yeah...but what is this? What am I supposed to do now?"

"I could kiss you again...Like if you're not...sure?" Richie felt more nervous than the first time they kissed. Eddie sat back up, "Not sure-Right...So then if we kiss again...then I'd know if I felt the same way for sure..."

"Exactly..." Richie nodded. They both froze. What the fuck do I do now? Now their hands were shaking, sweaty palms, red faces, the nervousness in their voices. Eddie wasn't sure if he should back out. It was still a bit difficult for him to think about.

Eddie leaned in as Richie grabbed his cheek. They softly pressed their lips together again. Eddie's head filled with thoughts of his mother catching them kiss. He let go of Richie's face, then smiled and rested his head against Richie's shoulder.

"How, umm...Do you fe-"
"I think I like you too, Richie...But that scares me a lot because my mom is my only family and if she finds out-"
"She would be mad at me for cheating on her. I get it!" Richie joked. Eddie lifted his head and folded his arms at Richie. Richie began to sweat, "What? I was kidding!"

"I know..." Eddie laid back down on Richie's bed. Richie followed, propping his head in his hand as he faced Eddie. Eddie reached over and grabbed the collar of Richie's shirt, pulling him in for another kiss.

They both hesitated for a moment after pulling away. Eddie laughed nervously then let go of Richie's shirt. Richie laid down as well, staring at the ceiling like Eddie next to him. They didn't know what else to say. They could kiss again, but Eddie was scared.

~~~

The two fell asleep hugging. By the time Maggie came to wake Richie up, it was already dark outside. Mrs.Kaspbrak had called twice and Maggie just said the boys were hanging out.

"Hey, boys?" She shook the two, "Eddie your mom just got here, she's worried sick." Eddie sat up and rushed to get his shoes on. Richie followed Eddie down the stairs. They looked around the house to see if Sonia was in the house.

Eddie checked out the window to see Sonia waiting in the car. Eddie closed the curtains, "Shit...I'm so dead!" Richie smiled and pulled Eddie into the kitchen. Eddie rolled his eyes, "My mom is waiting Richie!"

"I know, but if you get grounded then I can't kiss you until your ungrounded witch would mean not for a while, ya know?" Richie pushed Eddie slightly against the kitchen wall and pressed his lips into Eddie's again. Sonia honked the car. Eddie panicked and pushed Richie off of him.

"I have to go now, I'll call you tomorrow if I get grounded!" Eddie said, left he left the house rushing to Sonia's car. She wasn't amused, "You didn't call?!"

"I fell asleep, Ma." Eddie rested his head against the window. Sonia reached over and patted Eddie's head, "You have been acting weird recently. Is everything okay Eddie-Bear?"
Eddie shrugged his shoulders, "I'm okay. Just feel different lately."

"Sick?" Sonia turned to look at Eddie again. Eddie shook his head, "Older? I don't know..." Sonia smiled, "Well you're going into tenth grade next school year! Is it that?" Eddie shrugged again, "Am I in trouble for not calling?"

"No, no, no! I was just worried, Eddie-Bear. But you're here with me now so it's okay. And it's bed time. Did you eat?" Sonia pulled into the driveway. Eddie opens his door, then walked around the car and opened his mom's.

Eddie went straight to his room once they got in the house. He changed into his pajamas, then laid down in bed, staring at the ceiling for a few minutes. He couldn't help but think about Richie. If Richie hadn't kissed him, he would never have known he liked Richie at all.