Tis the damn season-Reddie

Chapter 6

Richie sat there at the island surrounded by his aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents, and he was bored out of his mind.  He hadn't seen Eddie all day.  I mean, he didn't really expect to since it was Christmas eve but it didn't mean he didn't miss him.  Both his parents knew by now.  On the car ride there they brought him and Eddie's relationship up.  Richie told them he wasn't completely sure what they were since they hadn't put a label on it yet.  

In the car earlier:

~"Well I don't really know, we haven't put a label on us yet and I don't think we plan on doing so.  I mean, we're just gonna go back to college after the break anyways.  I'm not really sure what will happen once we leave again so we aren't gonna make it official."

Both his parents looked at each other confused, "Well honey you don't need to make it sound like going back isn't a big deal.  You've rekindled some flames while back in town, you didn't expect this to happen, you can be sad about it if you want." said Maggie, giving Richie a slightly worried look, more worried about his feelings.

Richie hadn't even really thought about going back.  He knew it was gonna happen, obviously, but he never thought about what would happen to him and Eddie.  Things have been moving so fast, I don't wanna just say goodbye and act like it was nothing, he thought.  "Yeah mom, I'm not really sure what we're gonna do but that's not for another 8 days so I'm not worried about it at the moment." He paused realizing that 8 days wasn't much time.  He didn't have a ton of time left with Eddie.  He quickly pushed the thought out of his mind, not wanting to think about losing Eddie.~

The only other thing Richie's parents said to him was to make sure him and Eddie were "being safe" and "using protection".  That made him turn bright red and become horribly embarrassed so Maggie and Wentworth decided to not talk about that any longer.  Anyways, Richie was now seated in his grandmas kitchen, surrounded by family members he didn't necessarily like.  They were probably all homophobic anyways.  He missed Eddie desperately.  His grandma must have noticed how often he was checking his watch cause she stopped to say, 

"Rich you keep checking that watch, you finally got a date with a girl or something?"

Which sent all of his fat aunts into hysterical laughter, including his uncles and cousins.  Him and his parents were the only people not laughing.  Maggie and Wentworth made direct eye contact with each other, looking nervously around and hoping Richie didn't say something stupid that would out his sexuality to his family.  They weren't exactly the biggest bunch of impartial people.  

"Yeah ha ha very funny grandma, I'm stupid and ugly and no girls would ever date me, cmon Bradley's been making those jokes about me since I was 14 and he was 12." he joked, motioning to his younger cousin.  

"Richie couldn't even get a guy to date him!" Bradley howled.  The table went silent and Bradley's smile slowly faded.

"Well I sure hope Richie isn't dating any guys.  This family don't need any fags in it." responded Richie's aunt, Bradley's mother.  Bradley dipped his head down to look at the floor.  So did Richie.  They made eye contact and Bradley mouthed, "I'm sorry."  Richie hated that word.  Fag.  He hated hearing it.  He hated thinking that somebody thought that of him.  He looked up from the ground making eye contact with his aunt before saying,

"And so what if I was a fag.  What are you gonna do about it kick me out of the family!  Not let me come to these shitty parties cause that would be a real disappointment, wouldn't it?  But, I would really miss all the food you make.  I heard somewhere it's good for your health to eat food that tastes like someones asshole once and a while." he said sarcastically and smiled before continuing on his tangent.  "And oh how I would miss these lovely talks we have.  You know guys, I don't think I've come to a family party without getting targeted by one of you!  Normally it's about my grades or how stupid my shirt is but wow, my sexuality.  I didn't think you would be able to think hard enough to hit me where it hurts!  If I'm being honest with all of you, I was checking my watch to see how long it would take me to get the fuck out of here.  I mean, can you blame me!" he said, hitting Brad on the shoulder, who was still looking down at the ground apologetically.  "I actually think I'm gonna go, I really don't wanna be here right now.  I'm sure you don't want me here either.  Why would anyone want a fag at their Christmas party."  Richie stood up and grabbed his coat, flipping the finger on them before walking out of the front door.  Brad got up and ran after him.