" LIPSTICK " + STENBROUGH

[15]

a/n: this is not edited at all and a filler chapter, sorry :( it isn't very well written, but i wanted to get it posted so that better chapters can come. i'll come back and rewrite it some other time!! anyway, enjoy!

the cafeteria is practically a war zone at derry public high school. food is flying left and right most days, students are crammed around tables meant for fewer people, and the lunch lines are endless and unforgiving. by the time you reach the end, the good food is all gone.

bill denbrough doesn't typically have to deal with any of this—he eats lunch with his friends in the courtyard, where there's more space, and brings lunch from home. but today, a rainy monday, that doesn't seem to be the plan. honestly, nothing seems to go bill's way today.

bill wakes up with a terrible headache, and an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion like none other. he's spent the past few nights awake, unable to get his mind to shut up. and then, as he goes to grab his lunch, he realizes he forgot to make it the night before. and, as if this whole day couldn't get worse, he takes a pop quiz in a class he frequently falls asleep in and gets back a test only to find out he failed.

now, rain batters windows of derry high school. bill sees the sign 'courtyard closed' as he walks to lunch with richie, who keeps talking about what to get eddie for christmas, and frowns.

"i just want it to be perfect," richie says, but bill isn't listening. christmas isn't for a month, anyway.

"it is-isn't even thuh-thuh-thanksguh-giving yet," bill says, as they enter the cafeteria. it's noisy and chaotic, just bad enough to make bill's anxiety worse than usual.

"it's gotta be good," richie says. "he deserves that much." the conversation between the two stops as they reach a table that their friends surround, richie sitting beside eddie and kissing his cheek. bill sits beside ben.

"where's your lunch?" ben asks, and, as if on cue, bill's stomach growls. he flushes red.

"i-i for-forgot to make muh-mine," he says. "but i-i'll just eat w-w-when i get home. buh-buh-buh-better than waiting o-on that muh-muh-mess." he gestures to the lunch line.

"here, take a cookie." ben places a napkin in front of bill, and then a double chocolate chip cookie on top of it. bill smiles and thanks ben; he's always been the most generous and kind hearted in their group.

"hey, where's stan the man at?" richie asks. it's then that bill also realizes stanley isn't sitting with them.

"he's sitting with betty," beverly says. betty ripsom?

as if he reads bill's mind, richie asks, "betty ripsom? why the hell is eating lunch with her?"

"they're, like, dating," bill mumbles. he breaks the cookie in front of him and half and takes a bite. richie grimaces; he's never liked betty, ever since she said he isn't as funny as he thinks he is.

"speaking of dating," mike says, "carole is throwing a party saturday. you're all invited."

"so, what, you and carole are hooking up now?" richie asks. mike rolls his eyes.

"we've been dating since september," he says. "do you guys want to come or not?"

"why not?!" beverly says cheerfully. "what do you say, benny?" ben's cheeks are bright pink, as he nods. "we're in!"

"eddie and i are always looking for an excuse to appropriately display public affection; we'll be there." mike grimaces at richie's words.

"nowhere is appropriate when it comes to you two displaying affection."

richie chuckles, taking a blushing eddie under his arm and pulling him closer. bill sighs quietly, because he wants that, for some reason.

he wants to be in love with someone, he just doesn't know who yet.

——

THANK YOU SM FOR 1K READS OMG AISHW

the next chapters are going to make you guys freak out i think i'm writing them nOw

would you guys be down for a double update tomorrow if i finish both chapters? or even a chapter tonight if i do get it done?

- m