Summer Loving

Shout

I want you to know
I said I want you to know right now, yeah!
You been good to me baby
Better than I been to myself, hey! hey!
And if you ever leave me
I don't want nobody else, hey! hey!

•••

Beth weaved through the hallways with practiced ease, trying to avoid conversation. She was searching for a group of boys, one boy in particular. She needed to see him before they all left for the summer. Running a nervous hand through her hair, she quickened her pace through the hallways and waved at her more bold classmates that yelled to her as she passed.

"Have a nice summer!"

"I love your dress, Beth! It's so pretty!"

"Come and hang out with us over summer break!"

They only wanted to hang out with her because of how popular she was. They only wanted to use her to climb the social ladder. She was almost positive that they knew nothing about her besides her name.

It no longer bothered her. She was used to people using her to get the things they wanted. Though it sure was lonely on top of the pedestal they placed her on.

"-and then suddenly i become a man." Beth sprinted forwards at the sound of Stanley Uris's voice, where she was sure to find Eddie.

"I could think of funner ways to become a man." She grinned at Eddie's witty comment as she slowed behind the group of boys.

"What ways were you thinking?" Beth asked innocently, and skipped to the front of the group, turning to face them as she walked backwards.

Eddie seemed to pale at the sight of her and her grin almost slipped. Did he not like her? That was unfortunate, since she was quite nearly in love with the cute germaphobe. He had been the first one she had spoken to in the town of Derry.

--

Beth had run into him in the pharmacy when she had went to pick up medical supplies for her big sister. She had been dead set on not speaking to anyone in her new town. She hated moving from beautiful, sunny Cali to Derry. It was tiny and people talked here.

Everyone knew each other and grew up together in this town. She missed the big city. Not that she had spent much time there. Her father was a painter and they had property in a scenic place called Clearlake. She often went to stay with her father while her mother, a brain surgeon, worked in the city. She came to stay with them on the weekends.

The tiny girl frowned at the thought of her parents. Her sister had claimed that they needed a change of scenery to cope. She didn't know why they had to move across the country to accomplish that. She could cope just fine in her old bedroom thank you very much. Her frown deepened as she threw more bandages in her basket.

"You don't want that brand. They don't stick very well and then dirt and germs can get right under and you'll get an infection." She turned to see a boy around her age, staring at her with an expression that she couldn't quite place. Surprise? Perhaps it was admiration? Either way, this boy definitely was intriguing.

"Woah, you're really pretty. Shit did I just say that out loud? Jesus.." He put a hand over his mouth and stared at her nervously. Her foul mood had immediately dissipated as she began to smile at the strange boy. "You should smile more often. I bet you'll be the prettiest girl in- God dammit." He smacked his other hand over his mouth as her smile widened.

"You really think so?" He nodded jerkily. "Then I'll keep smiling just for you. How does that sound, sweetheart?" His face flooded with color as he nodded at her again. "Then it's decided. I'll see you around." Beth had winked as she put back the faulty bandages, trusting his opinion, and left the boy standing stunned in the middle of the aisle.

--

"No, I just meant- I didn't mean- well I did but I was just kidding! I don't think about that kind of stuff at all I swear!" He waved his arms to emphasize his point.

Beth laughed. "I'll take your word for it, sweetheart." She then spotted Henry and quickly ran to hide in between Stanley and Eddie, who gave her a strange look. She really didn't want to get held up by the towns resident bully.

"What," she asked quietly. "I can't squeeze in next to a cute boy?" He pointed at himself in confusion and she nodded and grinned at his demure expression.

"Do you think they'll sign my yearbook?" Richie asked, motioning at Henry. "Dear Richie-

"I'll sign it!" Beth chirped.

Richie stared at her in surprise. "No offense baby, but what the fuck are you doing walking with us? You're gorgeous and popular and you probably use guys like us as foot mats." The boys let out collective groans as Richie put his hands up in surrender. "What! I was just saying what we were all thinking."

"You should s-stop d-d-doing that, dumb ass."

"Jesus Richie, maybe she hadn't noticed who we were yet. We totally could've gotten away with walking her home before she even realized!" Stanley wailed dramatically.

As she snickered at their antics, Greta knocked into Stan. She was hauling ass into the bathroom and Beth excused herself, saying she'll be right back.

Greta had been a thorn in her side all year. She couldn't stand bullies. You would think that the small town wouldn't have problems like this, but they did. They had a particularly nasty problem.

The doe eyed girl slowly follows Greta into the bathroom and smirks. She had been wanting to do this for a while now. She had to be quick though. Eddie Kaspbrak was waiting for her.