The weekend went by fast and there wasn't any snow. Wednesday came around and the group was surrounding Richie's locker as they all talked.
"So last day before break," Mike said, "when do you guys wanna do that party?"
"We can do that Friday. Gives us a bit of time to get presents for the white elephant thing," Beverly said.
"Y-Yeah! S-S-Sounds awesome. M-Maybe Friday evening for t-the party?"
"Well it's being held at your place so whatever works big Bill," Richie laughed as he kept ruffling through his locker.
"What the hell are you looking for," Eddie asked looking at Richie.
"A fuck to give," Richie blurted out.
"Beep beep Richie," Ben said.
"Okay, what are you really looking for," Beverly asked.
"My homework for one of my classes. It's due today and I can't find it anywhere."
"Are you sure you didn't leave it at home," Stan asked.
"I hope not. That teacher screams at anyone who doesn't have their homework and I really don't want to deal with that," Richie said hanging his head.
"You have Mrs. Czarnecki," Eddie asked.
"Yes... I'm so done with her class."
"At least you have winter break," Ben mentioned.
"Yeah but her class is right after lunch so any chance of being happy for the rest of the day might as well be trashed," Richie sighed.
"Well we can hang out at my place after," Mike mentioned, "it'll help you have some fun, maybe lighten your mood."
Richie looked back, "I would love that, honestly."
The classes and bells kept going throughout the day. The losers club finally made it to lunch. Richie was the first one who sat down, Mike and Bill right after but with trays. The rest of the group ended up sitting down not long after.
Stan looked over towards Richie, seeing him without a tray, "Rich? Are you going to eat?"
"I don't know. I'm starting to not feel too great."
"A-Are you s-s-stressing over n-next period?"
"Yeah," he said then laid his head down on the table but with a thud. Eddie slightly laughed, even when he didn't mean to.
"Well there's only two more classes left really," Beverly pointed out, "we could just skip the rest of the day."
"Skip?? Do you realize how grounded I'd get! You know how crazy my mom is," Eddie screamed.
"Okay. Then stay," Stan said, "no one said you had to and it was also just a suggestion."
"Wow, Stan not being sarcastic at all? Who changed you," Ben said with a laugh. Stan shot him a glare and Ben immediately looked away.
"So are you gonna skip," Beverly asked, looking at Richie.
"Well my parents wouldn't care much," he said with his head still on the table.
"Why wouldn't they care? I thought you said your grades weren't that great," Mike said remembering what he said a few days ago.
"They're actually just average. My parents want them to be higher so I can get scholarships for college. I don't think I wanna go though," Richie said sitting up and leaning his back against the chair.
"Your parents want you to go to college," Eddie asked, "why?"
"You act like I know. You should know how parents are, lying to protect their kids or just hiding shit in general."
