Make Me Feel Better, I Need To Feel Better (Reddie)

Chapter Two

Richie

Once Bev and I were alone she started telling me about her most recent issue with her step-dad. I knew what people thought her and I did together but it wasn't like that at all. Our friends didn't even believe us when we said it wasn't. Sure Bev and I were great friends, but I didn't feel that way about her. In fact I'd never really met a girl that I did feel that way towards, but there was definitely a certain boy I felt a whole lot for. I kept that bit hidden from all of my friends including him. I didn't want them to think any differently of me. Most of all I didn't want them to abandon me, so I kept my mouth shut about my feelings and enjoyed what contact I did have with the boy.  

That boy would be coming over tomorrow and we'd be sharing one of our first days alone since the summer started. Most of my friends were pretty busy during the summer so it was usually just me, Eddie and Bev hanging out. The rest dropped by when they could though and I was thankful to have such good friends. Eddie was my best friend though. I'd known him longer than I'd known the others and he knew a lot more about me than the rest of our friends. 

"Well I guess we should head to bed, my step-dad said to be home early tomorrow morning Richie. You might have to sit by yourself for a few hours before Eddie gets here." I already kind of figured that though. Bev usually had to go home pretty early when she stayed over but I was just thankful to have her through the night. I could handle a few hours by myself. They'd be a painful few hours but I could do it. "That's fine with me. I'll be okay Bev. As long as you don't get into trouble with that piece of shit,  I'll be okay." I didn't want Beverly to give her step-dad anymore of a reason to put his hands on her. There was never a good reason for the shit that he did but if she disobeyed him he felt like he was justified. Sick bastard. 

With that in mind, I took my bedroom floor and let Bev have the bed. It was surprisingly easy for me to fall asleep.

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When I woke up the next morning Bev was already gone and it was around 9am meaning that it wouldn't be too long before Eddie came over. I laid in my floor thinking about the smaller boy. I felt so much for him and had no idea how to express it. No matter how much I annoyed him and picked on him he was always there for me. He was always helping me cope with my depression and loneliness. I loved all of our friends very dearly but he was the only one I felt like I could open up to almost completely. I don't think I'd ever tell him that I felt something for him because I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I could deal with losing my other friends but I couldn't deal with losing Eddie. That would definitely drive me off the fucking deep end. 

I was pulled from my thoughts when there was a sudden knock on my front door. I looked at the clock and noticed I'd been laying there in my thoughts for a good hour. I jumped up and sprinted to my front door, a smile already plastered on my face as I knew when I opened the door Eddie would be standing there. I opened the door and pulled the smaller boy inside by his wrist, shutting the door behind him. "God I thought you'd never get here. I feel like I've waited ages for you to return my dear! Ages!" I said as I placed the back of my hand on my forehead in mock distress. Eddie rolled his eyes at me and yanked his wrist from my grasp. I immediately missed the contact. 

"Christ Richie we're 16 years old when are you going to stop being so lame?" I wrapped an arm around him and ruffled his hair. "I'll stop being so lame when you stop responding to it. I live for the back and forth." I more so lived for how cute Eddie looked when he was flustered. I loved working the smaller boy up. It was too easy most of the time. "Just shut your stupid mouth and put in a movie." I laughed at the smaller boys frustration as he worked himself out from under my arm and sat down on my couch. 

As I always did, I put in a horror movie. I loved them and I knew Eddie hated them. But the only reason he hated them was because they legitimately scared him. I loved them because he would always cuddle up to me and hide his face in my shoulder or neck. The times he buried his face in my neck it was hard to focus on the movie. All I could focus on was his warm breath on my neck. This always caused me to get a little touchy and I'd wrap my arm around Eddie and pull him into my side. It was in part to comfort him and in part to fulfill my own secret desire to have him close to me. I'd always come out of these situations with a red face and a stupid boner, making shit super awkward for me even if  Eddie didn't notice. If he ever did he never said anything. 

Things happened the same way they always did, Eddie gets scared, we cuddle for the duration of the movie and then the moment the movie is over so is the closeness. We spent the rest of our day watching whatever was on t.v and doing our normal back and forth. 

"Um... I probably should have said something when I came over but I didn't want you to panic. I can't stay over tonight Richie. I promised my mom I'd spend some time with her tonight." I felt my heart sink and my blood run cold but  I didn't let it show on my face. I didn't want him to leave, but then again I never wanted him to leave. It would be a long night but I could handle it. I had gotten better about dealing with being alone ever since the promise I made Eddie. 

"It's okay. I'll be alright. Promise." We both stood and I lead him to my door. Without even thinking, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the small boy's cheek. His eyes widened and a small look of panic crossed his face. "I um... Bye Richie!" He squeaked out as he rushed out of my front door and slammed it behind him. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK! What did I just do? Surely I could just chalk it up as a friendly gesture? 

A/N: Damn it Richie get your feelings in check!