Daughter of Pennywise

Stuttering Bill

While sitting at the top of the tight walk pole in the empty circus tent, I thought back to what mom had said.

There's more to what she's saying, she's still keeping something from me even after that whole story. "So what could it be?" "What could what be?" I glanced down and noticed George looking up, I casually smiled.

"Nothing, just an idea. What are you doing here?" I scampered down the stairs to where he stood. "Well um...I told my parents about you recently and mom said I should invite you to lunch. Will you come?" I popped an eyebrow. "Now?" It's not like I had anything to do but even so.

"Uhh, yeah?" He seemed pretty sincere about it, nervous but sincere nonetheless. Besides, he's met my mom it seems only fair I meet his folks. So I smiled with a light nod. "I'd love to."

~

His parents lived in what was overall known as poor town, the term had been around since mom was my age so I don't know that much about it except that it's true in every way. We walked down the street before reaching a particular house where I spot a brunette lady in the window. We make eye contact then she's gone, something tells me that's his mom.

Anyway, we walked up to the door where George waltzed right in with a bright smile. "I'm home!" A smile tugged at my lips, he's become so bold in his natural habitat.

"Hey George my boy, nice of you to join us." A middle aged man with glasses and a down the back ponytail came up and ruffled his hair. It's obvious they're related, they have the same face shape.

"Is this the friend you've been telling us about?" "Yep, dad this is Lucy." There's always a stab of guilt in the back of my mind every time someone introduces me under that name.

"Nice to meet you Mr Denbrough." His smile's warm and welcoming, or maybe I just think that because I've never had a father smile at me before. "Audrey honey, George is home!" There's a chorus of hurried footsteps before the brunette woman from the window appears at the stairs, her skin's a light caramel brown and her eyes show signs of coming from someplace far away.

"How nice to meet the girl my son won't stop talking about!" Her voice has an accent I can't quite place. "Mom!" I smile at George's red cheeks, mom's will be mom's.

~

Lunch was cheerful and easy, in which I answered the questions his parents dished out and watched him smile at me every now and again. I didn't want to put my hopes up but there was something about being here that made me feel accepted, like I could actually belong. But as I carefully took down the salad with a gut that was screaming for meat, I remembered why that would never be the case. I can try, I can pretend everything's alright. But as long as I love balloons and face paint I'll always be a monster. My throat slowly closed in my sadness as everything else faded from view. I don't think I was really aware of anything until I finally stood and said I wanted to go home, George said he'd walk me home.

"Thanks for inviting me over George, I had a good time." I said it with a tight smile, thankfully he didn't notice. "Sure, my parents seemed to like you. They'll probably poke at me nonstop until you come again." He paused. "Y-you w-will co-me b-b-back s-s-oon, r-ight?" His stutter had returned, I found myself relaxed by it in a weird way. "Yeah, yeah I think I will." He smiled, it lit up his face and had her smiling back. As I looked up I noticed we were back at my place, and the cat that was seemingly watching from the bushes nearby.

"Well, better get back inside and see what mom needs help with. See you around?" He nodded eagerly. "Y-yeah see y-ou." Before quickly running off, I watched him go with a small smile before going somber.

"Alright, where are you?" "Darn it!" I turned around too see Jasper hop down from the tree beside the house and Lucifer come slinking out of the bushes. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was smiling cockily.

"Spying on me, really? That's a new low even for you." She pouted slightly with a roll of her eyes. "If you must know, I wasn't spying, not intentionally. Tom cat over here said you might be up to something and I said you wouldn't be this time of day. We made a bet on it and he just won ten bucks." Despite my slight anger, I couldn't help smiling.

"All joking aside, what are you doing with that guy? I haven't seen you this relaxed since you found out about me and Lucifer." I allowed a dopey smile to slide to my lips. "Well...he is rather nice." She let out a loud squeal, jumping up and down while clapping her hands. Lucifer rolled his eyes just as the kitchen window opened and mom stuck her head out.

"I thought I heard someone squealing." Jasper whirled around and waved. "Heya Ms. Alysse, mind if I stay for dinner?" "Not at all Jasper, you can even sleep over if you want." Jasper looked back at me with a mischievous grin. "We have a lot to talk about." I rolled my eyes with lightly blushing cheeks, it was going to be a long night.