Not Sure If You're A Boy or A Girl~ Reddie

Breathe

"R-Rich w-won't be a-ah-able to k-keep his h-hands off y-you, E-Eddie."
Bill's focus remained on Eddie's tie as he spoke. He was moving it a little to the left then right then left trying to get it straight.
When Stan Ben and Bill were finally clued in on Eddie's updated identity they weren't very surprised but obviously very understanding. Eddie allowed Bev to fill them in at school saying it'd be easier because they all shared more classes together, but in all honesty Eddie didn't have any liquor in his system to coax the words out. Bill could admit he was a little hurt not hearing it from his friend himself but pushed the disappointment down realizing this was harder for Eddie than it was for him. He'd been in a similar position about a year ago and it was not fun. So he tried to be supportive.
"We're just friends, Bill."
Stan, who had been laying on Bills wood floor flipping through a comic, let out a scoff, "If that's your definition of 'just friends' than Bill, I'm sorry. We're just friends."
Eddie rolled his eyes and checked the clock for the sixtieth time since he arrived. The dance was in three hours and Eddie's hands were sweaty enough without Stans input.
The plan was for Rich Stan and Bev to get ready at Rich's house and Bill Ben and Eddie at Bill's. But Stan had refused to leave Bill, saying he didn't mind watching his date get all dolled up. So that left Rich and Bev to themselves which Eddie couldn't imagine being super fun for either of them.
Ben walked out of the bathroom and stood next to Eddie. There was about a five inch difference between the two. As much as he liked Ben, Eddie hated standing next to him. His height and muscle just reaffirmed the feeling that Eddie was still a petite little girl.
"A-aren't you g-g-gonna d-dance t-t-together?"
Eddie looked at himself in the full length mirror that hung from the back of Bills door. He actually didn't hate his reflection today. He was binded really nicely and dressed in a crisp light grey button up, black bowtie and black slacks. It was simple but tasteful. He combed back his hair with his fingers and flashed a smile looking towards his friends .
"I mean, he didn't give me an itinerary Bill. I think we're just hanging out."
***
Richie flattened his crimson tie against his chest as he stared in Beverly's direction . She was in the middle of curling her hair when she met his eyes.
"What's your issue, Trashmouth?"
She could tell he wasn't actually staring at her just sort of zoning out in her direction but busting his balls was a good way to distract her from her own nerves.
Rich's mind was running in five different directions when he realized he'd been asked a question. He ignored it, stewing about how he got screwed into alone time with Beverly Marsh. They had nothing to talk about. Really the only thing they had in common was smoking. They were the two serious smokers in the group. Yeah, Bill and Mike would bum one if they were drinking and Ben said he smoked( you could tell from the way he held his cigarette he was uncomfortable) but they were certainly the only two addicted. Both proved this point as the reached for their respective Marlboro packs.
Rich lit up handing his practically dried up lighter to the girl. She hit it a couple of times before it produced a flame.
"You wouldn't be nervous, would you?"
She taunted as they leaned their backs against the wall trying to aim as much smoke out the window as they could. There was really no point. Rich's house always smelled like an ash tray. But it was nice to pretend somebody would get upset if they didn't.
"Shut it, Marsh. I'm cool as a cucumber."
She smiled at him in a way someone would smile at a toddler throwing a tantrum.
"I bet Eddie's nervous too," she assured, "Are you gonna make a move?"
Richie thought back to his mothers advice. He needed to give him time. What ever Eddie wanted to do, they'd do. Whether that was sitting at a table making fun of other couples or sucking face in the woods. He'd take what he could get.
"Dunno, are you gonna blow Ben behind the bleachers?"
Bev's eyes narrowed. Rich knew it was a low blow but he needed her to shut up for a minute. It was bad enough he had to get ready with her, now she had to pester him about everything?
"What's your problem with me, Tozier?"
"I don't have a problem with you. Just ya know, maybe shut up sometimes."
Bev snorted not dignifying the boys words with any kind of reply. She crushed out her cigarette and left to change into her dress. She couldn't help but let a breath of laughter out at the hypocrisy that was Richie Trashmouth Tozier telling someone to be quite.
****
Eddie, Stan, Ben and Bill all walked up the stairs of their high school in a comfortable silence. Bill and Stan's hands were glued together (as always). Ben was playing with a button on his shirt trying to get rid of the nervous energy welling up inside. And Eddie was just trying to make it up the stairs. The bandages around his chest seemed to be growing tighter with every breath he took. His world tilted on its axis and was growing fuzzy. He looked off into the distance to see a tall thin figure dressed in all black, save for a blood red tie, near the school's entrance, possibly walking towards him. He wasn't sure if it was the lack of oxygen or the setting sun but it was hard to see clearly.
Eddie stopped for a minute, trying to find air. The figure started coming faster, long dark curls bouncing in the wind. Eddie could just barely make out his face but noticed his usual bagged eyes were smooth and shined with excitement. He didn't have his glasses. He must've endured the irritation of touching his own eyeballs for tonight. He looked breathtaking.
"Is that," Eddie dropped before he could finish his sentence. He could hear the losers around him yelling. They started to shake him. He wanted to tell them to stop. It hurt his head, but his brain was too focused on shutting down to listen to him. Before everything went black he heard a familiar voice.
"Eds? You-