𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫

𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟏

[how you met]

BILL DENBROUGH—

how you met: "Beverly, I don't know about this—" you began as your best friend pulled you along. It was a chilly day in October and wet leaves coated the sidewalk you strolled on, the concrete slick where it was visible. It was a week before Halloween and Beverly had invited you to a pre-Halloween party with her friends, a night of carving pumpkins, watching horror movies, and making Halloween cookies. It sounded promising, but now that you were actually going, you felt your heart clenching in nervousness. These were a group of kids you barely knew, let alone trusted to be in the same room as them for more than twenty minutes. You already knew more than enough about Richie Tozier, but everyone else was still a mystery.

"Oh, hush, you'll be fine," Beverly insisted as you stood in front of the tall, slim house. "Okay, let's go!" She pulled you along behind her, up the three steps to the porch and then into the house. Halloween-themed music played quietly in the background and you could hear faint arguing in the kitchen. "Bill, we're here!"

"C-coming!" he replied, followed by footsteps from the dining room. Bill appeared with a slice of pizza in hand, chewing as he waved a hello to his friends. "Hi, Beverly." He turned to you, his eyes slightly widening as the tips of his ears became pink. "H-hi. You're [Name], right?"

You nodded, slightly flustered at his reaction. "That's me. It's nice to meet you."

"It's n-nice to meet you, too."

STANLEY URIS—

how you met: It was not uncommon for your history teacher to assign a group project— in fact, he seemed to like them a little too much. Mr. Brown was one of your favorite teachers and he was friends with your parents, so you were automatically a favored student of his. He was currently explaining the newest project you had to complete, consisting of some presentation about the American government.

"The person sitting tat your table will be your partner. You have an hour to get started and three class periods, as well as any addition after-hours time you need. Begin," Mr. Brown commanded. You looked to your right, seeing none other than Stanley Uris, a smart Jewish boy with a knack for bird watching. You were friendly with each other, but he wanted to pursue the friendship even further. Stan was tempted to invite you over to watch birds out his bedroom window, but you didn't seem to like that kind of thing, so he never said anything. In fact, he hardly spoke a word to you at all.

"Hey, Stan," you greeted him, already scribbling something in your notebook. "Glad we're partners— It would suck being with someone who isn't as smart as you."

Stan felt his ears turning pink at the compliment. "Thanks."

EDDIE KASPBRAK—

how you met: It was dark and cold outside— the perfect day for a movie. You and your friends grabbed your cash and candy and biked to the local theater, not minding the low black clouds that rippled with thunder overhead. Your best friend Millie handed you a box of M&Ms with a smile, ushering you inside along with your other friends. Your group paid for tickets and looked at your seats.

"Oh, thank God we're in row 19. Any closer to the screen and my eyes hurt," Natalie said with a sigh of relief. You frowned, looking at your ticket funny.