Smitten by the Flower {Eddie Kaspbrak} [1]

5

Recap:

Over the course of 3 days, the "losers club" had grown from 4 boys to 5 boys and 2 girls.

After going to the Barrens with the boys, we mainly hung out and got to know one another. Richie told embarrassing stories, and nobody swam because Eddie refused to get into the "dirty" water.

After that, I went home because "my mom was expecting me", which really meant that I had to go home and take care of her drunken mess. They didn't need to know that.

I didn't see them for a day and when I met up with them once again, they had new members in their little clique. Or, our little clique.

Thank goodness I wasn't the only girl anymore.

Recap End.

"Ally! Come here for a minute, I needa talk to ya!" My mother shouts from the living room, I assume.

"Coming!"

Hopping off my bed, I rush out the door and into the small hall leading to the living room. The smell of booze and alcohol burns in the air, causing me to sigh a bit too loudly as I step into the once lively living room.

The TV in the corner is on, the movie Stand By Me, playing. Mom is sat on the couch, looking tired.

"What do you need, ma?" My voice comes out quiet, not wanting to wake the sleeping child in the next room.

"I just want to apologize for the other night...I know I said I was gonna stop drinking." She says, patting the spot next to her. Nodding, I take a seat and signal for her to continue.

"I-I'm sorry you and Ash have to live like this hun–I really am. I know it's been real hard since you're father left us. And I know I sure as hell ain't the best mother in this town, but I really am tryin. I know I can't do as much as your dad, but when he comes back—"

Rolling my eyes, I cut her off,
"would you stop it already! You are good enough ma. And you CAN do as much as Dad. He left, and you didn't! Stop saying you aren't good enough, because you are. He isn't coming back! H-He isn't!"

She flinches at my tone, and her eyes start to water. Quickly, she wipes away the tears that spill onto her cheek.

"F-face it ma. We're better off without him anyways..."

"I know– I know," a small smile makes its way onto her face, eyes still teary, "I don't know what I'd do without you. You take care of me AND you're little brother. How do you do that?"

She lifts a hand to rest on my cheek, it's cold and clammy. I offer a smile back, glad to see her gain a bit of confidence, although I know it'll be gone by tonight. She means well, but she's an alcoholic.

The thing about an alcoholic parent, is that an alcoholic parent doesn't exist. Just an alcoholic who couldn't stay sober long enough to raise their kid.

"I'm gonna hang out with some friends, I'll be back later with some groceries. Feed Ash when he wakes up from his nap. " I mutter, standing up and walking to the door.

Before fulling exiting, I grab two Polaroid pictures of me, and shove them into my back pocket.

"Okay sweetie! Be safe..."

With a long sigh, I close the door behind me. As I turn around, I see a single red ballon across the street.

What the hell?

Curiosity fills my head, and I find myself following the ballon as it moves down the street. Before I know it, the balloons stops a few feet away from me, I stop too.

A sudden sense of fear forms in my gut as I stare at the balloon ahead of me. It pops, and there stands the Grim Reaper himself.

My heart thumps loudly in my chest, and I freeze up.

Move, damn it! Go go go!

The reaper begins to make quick strides towards me, causing me to let out a scream and run down the street.

"C'mon on Ms. Flower! It's rude to run away from a friend! Come with me, we can float together!", the reaper chants loudly.

"You are NOT my friend! Somebody help me!" I shriek, continuing down the street, almost tripping but catching myself. Tears flood down my cheeks.

This is it. This is how I die.

Luckily, just as I get over the small hill, I recognize the outline of Bill.

A sense of relief shifts through me as I run towards the boy at full speed, tackling him into a hug. He squeaks in surprise, looking down at me confused.

"A-Ally?"

A sob escapes my lips as I point behind me.
"T-the grim reaper, h-he–",
the path behind me is completely empty, no sign of the Grim Reaper.

"B-but he was just– he was chasing me and, you have to believe me–" I babble, staring confusedly behind me, still clutching onto Bill.

"C-C'mon, I was going t-to meet up with the others. Y-you should come, y-you can tell us all what h-happened." Bill calmly suggests, patting my back in an attempt to calm me down.

"No!" I immediately respond. Letting go of him and wiping my tears. "They'll think I'm crazy....you can't tell anyone Bill!"

"But Ally–"

"NO ONE."

"O-okay fine." He agrees, nodding his head. "You s-should still come along t-though. Eddie m-misses you." I blush, and smile.

"He does?"

He nods his head and smiles at me. "Well I can't argue with that. I was gonna come find you guys anyway. Let's be on our way then Big Bill!" Linking arms with him, we happily make our way to the Barrens.

A sense of fear still lingering in my stomach. I force a smile to attempt to forget about it.

You're not going crazy Ally. You're just tired, that's all.