𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗆𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗌 ʳᵉᵈᵈⁱᵉ

3.

Tonight was weird. My mom wasn't pressuring me to do anything.

I hadn't had dinner yet and she wasn't up my ass about it. Sometimes I wonder if she's okay. But I know that she probably isn't.

No mom would make their 16 year old son take 11 different pills a day. The pharmacy told me that they were placebos but my mom told me I was sick that day and was hallucinating.

I make my way down the stairs and went quietly to the kitchen. I sneak a peak into the living room to make sure my mom was sleeping or watching her show.

I open the fridge and grab a pack of dr peppers. I try and take them as carefully as I can up to my room.

I lock the door when I get up and open my first. I would have one every hour. This way I could stay up all night.

Coffee didn't do the trick. Believe me Ive tried before. Someone told me to start taking sleep meds but I don't want more medicine.

I lay in my bed and turn my tv on. I switch to Netflix and turn on Heartstopper. Im not sure why I like this show but It makes me feel good.

Almost as if I belong.

That wouldn't be the case though because im not gay.

The dr pepper was almost gone and I was still tired. This wasn't working. "Ughhhh." I groaned outloud.

So with my dr peppered filled brain I did the only logical explanation.

Called Richie.

"Pick up, pick up." I mumbled in the phone. "Hello Richie trashmouth Tozier speaking how may I service you?"

Wtf.

"Its Eddie. Can you come over?" Silence echoed through the phone. "Yeah of course is everything okay?"

"Mhm fine just bored out of my ass." I can almost hear the shrug through the phone.

"Ok Eddie Spaghetti." The phone clicks off and I lie on my bed. About 5 minutes passed before I heard a quick knock on the window.

My eyes flash over and I see Richie. He waves and flashes a cheesy grin. I creep over and pull open the window and wave of cold air hitting me in the face.

"Hi Eds." The black haired boy said while ruffling my hair. I swat his hand away.

"You know not to call me that." I mumble. He shrugs and laughs. Just then Richie glanced behind me and his face twisted into confusion.

"Whats with the Dr pepper?" He makes a face but continues to pop one open and start drinking.

"Just felt like staying up." I shrug playing it off nicely. "Well okay."Richie says and sits on my bed.

"Wanna watch a movie?" He says and pats the spot next to him. "Sure what do you want to watch?"

"Scream?" The dark haired boy said while I sit next to him.

"Sure I dont mind." He goes onto Netflix and finds it. "Here."

Suddenly I feel a hand softly on my torso pulling me closer to Richie. "Im colddd." The dark haired boy complains.

I reach down and grab the blanket from the foot of my bed. I cover us up. "Yippieee." He says flashing me a toothy grin.

I blush slightly and turn back to the movie.

By the end I had fully forgotten why I invited Richie over and was starting to get tired.

I rested my head on his chest and just forgot all my worries. I snuggled into him and shut my eyes.

Everything was perfect.

I was at school again. I walk in and something feels. Off.

I look around and everyone is looking at me. Some were whispering and some where just staring.

I looked down at my clothes and to my horror I was wearing a dress.

A mother fucking dress.

I quickly run to the bathroom and start to hyperventilate. Everyone saw me in a dress.

I hear footsteps and try and calm my breathing.

"I mean did you see him?!" A guy laughs. "I know right!"

Wait a sec. I know that laugh.

Richie Toizer.

Nononono. I cant breathe again. My breaths come in short gasps. My heart is practically beating out of my chest.

Then I hear a voice.

"Eddie wake up. Eddie?"

My eyes snap open and I gasp for a breath. Tears start to pour down my face as I start to cry again.

Richie softly grabs my waist and pulls me into him while I sob.

"Eddie Its okay. It wasn't real." He says in his softest voice. I wrap my arms around him and hug the boy like he was going to evaporate if I didn't.

"Shh Eddie, Im right here. Dont cry im here."

My breathing starts to return to normal as I grasp reality. It wasn't real.

This one hurt more though.

I bury my head into him like earlier. This time though it felt different.

I didnt really know how to explain it but my stomach was filled with butterflies and my face felt warm.

I felt.

Loved.

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I woke up the next morning my face buried into Richie.

I get up quietly and walk to the bathroom. I take a quick look in the mirror.

My eyes are puffy and i have a tiny scratch across my cheek. I usually scratch myself when I sleep.

A knock makes me jump. "Eds?" Its Richie. I open the door. "You ass, you scared me."

He throws up his hands in defense. "Sorry." I scoff and walk back to my bed.

"You want to take about last night?" He asks sitting down on my bed. I scoff avoiding the question.

"What about it?" I ask rolling my eyes. He flashes me a confused look. "Eddie don't play dumb. You had a nightmare."

I shrug. "And? Doesn't everyone?" He didnt need to know about my problems. He has enough.

Don't be a burden Eddie. No one actually cares.

"You should go Rich." I said slightly pushing him towards the window.

"Eds-" he called out but the window was already shut.