"God, will you ever stop smoking?"
"You're very funny, Tozier."
Holly Taylor and Richie Tozier had never associated with one another, it just wasn't normal. But when summer starts, she befriended them in the oddest wa...
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Saturday, July 15th, 1989
"P-please, Hol. For me?" Bill asked, his voice crackling a bit. "It's r-really important, I want you a-all to b-b-be there. Just please, c-come. I'll make sure he's n-not bothering y-you, really. You t-two can sit f-f-far away from each other! Please come, it's important. P-please." he said. Holly sighed.
"Can you at least tell me what's it about?" she asked, twirling the phone cord around her finger and leaning against the wall. "Georgie." Bill whispered. Holly's eyes widened. "I'll be there in ten. No, twenty. I've gotta go to Keene's really quick." "See you in a b-bit." Billy said. A click followed, signaling that he hung up.
"Holly?" Cass called out, stumbling down the stairs. "Right here." Holly said, walking towards the stairs. "I've got to go to Bill's." "Want me to drive you?" Cassie said. "Can I just ride my bike? I don't have to use my crutches anymore!" Holly said. The red-head arched an eyebrow. "You didn't use them for two days." Holly pouted her lip. "Please?" she asked. Cass smiled and waved her off.
Holly smiled and bolted up the stairs. Stepping into her room, she changed into a black-and-white striped tee-shirt, a pair of denim shorts, and her old, dirty Converse. Swiping her signature red lipstick across her lips and running a brush through her hair, she was ready for the day. She picked up her yellow backpack and a ten dollar bill from her dresser and walked out. "See you for lunch!" Holly said, closing the door behind her.
The girl hopped and her bike and rode down King Road, Should I Stay Or Should I Go by The Clash playing on her Walkman. Thinking about taking a short-cut, she started to turn down the dirt path that led to the hardware store until she remembered what happened there. 'Long way it is.' Holly thought. 'I'm not in the mood to see that fucking clown.' She made her way through the streets, finally strolling into town.
Construction workers were putting up big tents and fair rides in Bassey Park, and buildings had been getting paint touch-ups for weeks. Everything was in celebration for the big Canal Days Festival, which was to remind everyone about why Derry was a town in the first place. Even Derry Theater was being refurbished, they had gotten a new sign and re-done the lights.
Holly passed by Lizzy's Hardware, which was very close to Keene's She could see the signs in the window. "NEW! Screwdriver set for only $20!" and "Three Day Sale!" were hanging up in the windows for years on end. Holly expected them, it would be weird not to see the bright neon posters.
But Holly didn't expect to see Pamela Roberts and Richie Tozier hugging outside of the store.
Richie was the one to pull away, waving to her one last time and riding away on his bike. Holly heart burned in anger, her stomach boiling like hot water on a stove. She could almost feel the smoke coming out of her ears, she was surprised they weren't hissing like a teapot. Pamela spotted her staring, as Holly was stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. The older gave Holly a quick wave and smug grin before stepping back into the store.
