OPHIDIOPHOBIA - IT

THIRTEEN

It was now August, and Alexa was officially used to being constantly alone. Though she, of course, always missed her friends, she was content with her current situation. Ever since the group split, she had kept a journal.

She never thought she'd enjoy keeping one, but it was nice to write down her thoughts, even if most were just the boring routine she picked up over the summer.

Ever since she bought the pink journal, she found herself at the quarry dangling her feet over the edge and writing whatever came to mind.

Just like every other day, Alexa was doodling random lines and shapes at the quarry. Behind her, she heard multiple wheels on the dirt and the clattering of bikes falling.

The tanned girl immediately tensed up, hearing hushed whispers and footsteps, Alexa waited for whatever the group wanted from her.

She saw white shoes and light blue jeans from the corner of her eye.

Alexa recognized those shoes. Taking a deep breath while rolling her eyes, peered up at him.

"What do you want?"

"It got Beverly."

What?

Was this some stupid ploy to get her to hang out with the group again?

Stuffing her things in her bag, she stood up and faced Bill. "What does that mean?" Groaning in frustration, he yelled, "It!"

The increase in volume in his voice startled Alexa, she flinched back. The girl saw a shift in his eyes and demeanor, "S...Sorry."

He looked into her eyes, "The clo..wn"

She froze, her eyes widening and her stomach dropping. He had Bev?

"Oh."

Alexa turned to the group, everyone was there. It almost brought a smile to her face.

Almost.

Then it daunted her, they were coming to recruit her to bring Bev back.

"Come wi..with us, p-please." Bill took a step forward, his breathing staggered and eyes pleading.

She stepped back, "Hell no" but that wasn't the response Bill had wanted.

"What?"

"I'm not facing that clown again, no way. I actually like living." Her face was in a scowl and her arms were across her chest.

"We-We have to save Be..Bev!" The stuttering boy's face was becoming pink from his anger at the tanned girl. Alexa chuckled at his heroism. "You guys can save her, but not me."

"Please, A-Alex." His eyes went back to pleading, and Alexa faltered at his choice of words. She wished she had not thought for just a second to go with them. Even if she had been away from him for a month and fought with him the last time she saw him, her crush had never faded.

But still, she had to stand her ground.

"I'm sorry," she turned to the rest of the boys. "I really am, but I can't go back there." She brushed past Bill and walked to her bike. Her stay at the quarry was over.

Once she picked up her bike and was about to ride away she heard Richie's voice from behind her. "You're a coward."

The girl whipped her head angrily "So what if I'm a coward? I'm alive, unlike what you guys are going to be."

She raised both middle fingers at them, "Fuck you guys."

Alexa turned back around and rode off, not seeing the sad looks that came from everyone. She rode all the way home with regrets filling her mind.