"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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Tuesday, August 1st, 1989
Holly wished her shower sprayed whiskey instead of water.
But drinking away her pain would't help. And it certainly wouldn't be what Ruby wanted.
Holly sighed, shutting off the water and sat in the tub. It was a little over a week since she had found out Ruby had gone missing. But she had that gut feeling that Ruby was dead. Holly cried until her body was drained. She slept all day, ignoring calls from Bill, Beverly, and Richie. The only time she stayed awake was when Richie came at night and they sat on her roof. He came every night.
Holly hadn't told Bill or Beverly what happened, and the other Losers hadn't called her so why should she call them? The only reason Holly was up at ten in the morning today was because Beverly was coming over, determined to find out what was going on. Holly had only picked up the phone once, when Bev said she was coming.
Once in her room, Holly brushed out her now-clean almost-brown hair and changed. She put on a white long-sleeve shirt that Bill had left there and a pair of green gym shorts. She threw her hair into a messy bun, pulling the rose necklace over the shirt. She hadn't taken it off since Ruby gave it to her.
It turned out she never would.
Someone swung open her door. It was Beverly Marsh, dressed in a green tee and denim shorts that cut off at the knee. She looked at Holly, arms crossed, and went off on the poor girl. Holly was shocked.
"Why haven't you called? Why haven't you been answering my calls, or Bill's? We've been worried sick, Holly! And Richie's no help, he won't talk to us! Holly, talk to me! Did I do something wrong? Did you change your mind? We're supposed to be best friends, Holly. Sisters." Beverly yelled, then leaned down in front of her best friend. Holly opened her bloodshot eyes and pointed at her desk. Bev walked over, picking up Ruby's poster, then covered her mouth.
"Holly- I- I'm sorry!" she cried, throwing her arms around Holly. Beverly was crying, apologizing profusely, but Holly didn't even shed a tear. Bev pulled away. "Wanna go somewhere?" she asked. Holly nodded, standing up to walk towards the door. Beverly grabbed her arm. "Not like that you're not." she said, pushing Holly towards the mirror.
Holly looked at her face- or what used to be. What was a bright, smiling face was now pale and sunken in. Her eyes were beyond bloodshot, with dark bags under them. Every time she fell asleep, she chewed her lips to the extreme so that they were now very chapped, like someone had swiped them sandpaper. Her nose was red and runny, her neck red, and hair messy.
Beverly threw makeup onto Holly's face, coating her lips with three layers of Chap-stick and then her favorite red lipstick. She made sure Holly's nose was clean, like any friend would. Keeping the same clothes on, the pair ran out wearing flip-flops and got lunch at Benny's.
