Smitten by the Flower {Eddie Kaspbrak} [1]

14

Recap:

The next week consisted of me and Eddie spending a lot of time together, small PDA moments, and Richie hollering for us to, "get a room".

Dating Eddie was not easy. I constantly had to be considerate of his germaphobic problems, there were even instances when he didn't want to kiss me. I don't really mind all of that though, it's apart of who he is.

We were a work in progress.

It was becoming more and more difficult to hide my home life from him, as he always insisted we go to my house instead of his.

His mom wouldn't like me, he claims. I always come up with reasons not to go to my place, to which he becomes suspicious.

Recap End.

Bev and I smoke a cigarette, sitting on my front porch. Ash plays with his toys in the yard, we watch him.

"Do you ever feel neglected?" She questions, eyes not leaving Ash. "By Eddie, I mean."

I glance at her curiously, why did she want to know? A small shrug is my response. After a few minutes of silence, I decide to speak up on the matter.

"Yeah. I do. Quite a bit, actually."

She turns to me with a small frown. Throwing her cigarette bud aside. "Well why don't you ever tell him that?"

I shrug. "Because that's just the way he is, it's not personal. Ya know? And I don't mind all that much." My tone is assuring, dropping the matter.

My mind drifts to my mom. She hasn't been home for a while. Longer than usual. Which is never a good sign.

Bev stands up, interrupting my thoughts. "I'm gonna go meet up with the boys....you coming?"

I shake my head.
"Not today, but tell the boys to meet me here tonight. I was thinking we could all have a sleepover, or something."

She raises an eyebrow, and chuckles. "An unsupervised sleepover? Not so sure Eddie or Stan will be up for that." I roll my eyes. "Just tell them." Giving another nod, she makes her way down the steps of the porch and out the yard.

But not without saying a small goodbye to Ash, who in return says, "Bye bye, Red."

Bev's POV

Leaving Ally's yard, I begin to laugh to myself. She's so cool.

I've never been to a sleepover where boys were involved, but considering her mom wasn't around, it doesn't seem to matter.

Hell, even if Cheryl was around, it's not like she'd care.

A wave of guilt washes over me for thinking that. Ally deserved a lot better parenting. Finally, I make it down to the Barrens to find Henry towering over the losers.

"What the hell is going on?" I growl, making my presence known.

Henry glances up to me, a smirk residing on his face. "Speak of the devil. Say, where's Flower?"

I glare at him. The boys all seem to move behind me. Except Bill, who stays beside me, although looking a bit scared. "She didn't come today. She probably knew you'd be here and got sick." I spit.

Henry scowls, stepping closer to me.

"Good. Then she doesn't have to see me beat the crap out of her pathetic little boyfriend."

Eddie's breathing gets heavier, and he stumbles backward as Henry moves towards him. "W-why me?!", he stutters.

The hood rats left hand, grips his shirt collar, as he goes on to say, "Because for some reason unknown to me, she likes you. Let's see if she still likes you after you have a black eye." Henry lifts his fist, and begins to pull it back.

Thinking quickly, I grab a branch off the ground and whip the back of his head.

Stunned, he looks toward me. His eyes hold anger. Eddie looks shocked, but stumbles out of the older kid's grasp. "You are so dead, Marsh." He growls, but begins to back away.

"I'll catch you when you aren't looking. Just like you keep doing to me."

As he disappears, the boys all look towards me with surprise. They're silent in shock.

Finally, Stan breaks the silence.

"Beverly Marsh, you are officially one of the coolest girls to ever exist." He laughs, the others cheer in agreement. They tackle me in a group hug.

Laughing, I drop the branch. "Yeah yeah, I know. But I've got some news everyone!"

Releasing me, they all step back, ready to listen.

"W-what is it? Is i-it a-a-about Ally?" Bill inquires.

"Yup. She wants us all to meet at her place tonight, for a sleepover!" An exited smile rests on my face.

A mixture of emotions swarm through the boys.

"A sleepover?" -Bill

"With boys and girls?" -Ben

"Is that allowed? Will it be safe?" -Stan

"My mom won't like that. I don't think it's a good idea–" -Eddie

"What do we tell our folks?" -Mike

"Will there be any sexy pillow fights?" -Richie

Elbow.

"Ow! Damn, it was just a question." Richie mutters, rubbing his arm.

I take a minute to laugh at them. They really were losers.

"Just tell them you're staying at each other's houses. Or just tell them you're staying the night at a friend's and don't tell them which one. It'll be totally safe. And fun." I promise.

They nod slowly.

"Is her mom okay with this?" Stan asks lightly.

I shrug, "probably. She hasn't been around for a while soooo..."

"What do you mean?" Eddie asks.

"Her mom usually isn't around, and her dad left years ago. So it's usually just her and her younger brother..." I explain.

A look of realization takes over Eddie's expression.

"Well who takes care of them, then?" Mike frowns.

"Ally does. Ally takes care of her little brother, Ashton, and her mom."

"I-if A-Ally takes care of everyone...Th-th-then who takes c-care of Ally?"

Good question.

"..."

Ben fist-palms his hand, before determinedly saying, "We do now."