IT Imagines & Preferences

Losers

Everyone had eventually started to walk in the door and were soon all seated in the dining room. It had started out as simple talking until the food arrived. Then it turned into a full-blown conversation and bountiful laughter. Everyone was shrieking with laughter and stuffing themselves with food. 

Looking around you realized that this is what everyone needed. Some time to just be kids again. 

Holding up something Richie said, "looks good." Stan ended up saying, "but is it kosher?" Everyone laughed even though they didn't know what 'kosher' actually meant. Stan didn't show his humor much, but when he did it was very strange. 

Beverly had her chin resting in her hand while she was staring at everyone with a smile on her face. She'd been through so much with everyone and still loved them all the same. Sure, they'd poke fun, but it was friendly fun. And they were just boys after all. 

She looked at Richie. His glasses magnifying his eyes by what seemed infinite. They were black and had had previous ones broken so many times his parents wouldn't give him any more. The hinges were held together with shiny silver duct tape that was already hanging off because of his constant roughhousing. Through all his imperfections like his stupidity, his constant jokes, voices, and sarcasm. She loved him.

Her eyes wandered to Eddie. He had asthma and a mother that could supply the whole world with medication at this point from having so many pills around the house. He could have whole books written as to why you shouldn't do something. He had aspirators that had been cracked and crushed so many times you lost count. Either from taking a too hard fall or from Bowers crushing it under his engineer boot. But at the same time, you could write books as to how much he meant to her and why he meant that much.

Bill was the one someone could rely on. Tell your secrets. Confide in. No matter what, he would want to listen. It would usually only be one way. He hated it when people finished his sentences for him. His stutter would get so bad sometimes that they would say something, anything just to shut the poor kid up. But the Losers understood him. He didn't mind if they finished his sentences. They just instantly knew what he was thinking. And she loved him for that, too.

Ben was definitely the listener. Or the nerd as Richie would call it. If you wanted to get personal he was the go-to person. You could listen to music with him, or go the library with him and share a book. Say the most insane thing and he would probably go right along with it. The one you could call and he'd be there. And she loved him.

Stan was different. He always, unlike the rest of them, had everything in order. Knew what he was doing for once. He wasn't like other Jews, or his dad to sum it up. He wasn't arrogant and wealthy. He was well mannered and neat. The voice of sanity in their madness. He was a breath of fresh air against the looming heat of the rest of the club and their untidy ways. He was always get favorite in a way.

Mike was kind of like Bill. He always had a plan, and he always had the muscle. He was the rational one like Stan. If you had something to say,  he'd be there. It's just the way he was raised. Being on a farm means you have to help people. And the Losers are definitely an exception.

She sighed happily. And finally mustered the courage to say it.

"I love you. "

Everyone instantly went silent and turned to look at her. She smiled.

"I love you all."