cherry bomb ➵ Richie Tozier

eleven

Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money

♦︎ Jessie ♦︎

We walked side by side, our pace slow. Why did I say yes? I didn't like high school parties? How the fuck did Richie Tozier convince me to go to a high school party?

My mind slipped back only a few minutes earlier. To before his father interrupted us. Richie and I had been so comfortable. We were just talking. He told me that he wanted a family. A good family.

I wanted that, too.

But for different reasons.

I wanted to be a mother that showed my personality, and I didn't want my husband to be away all the time. I wanted lots of children, so that they wouldn't be lonely in the house.

Richie and I's conversations never got deep. They always consisted of jokes and teasing, but I thought I liked deep Richie. He was calm, which weirdly made me feel safe.

"So," he began, "how much do you wanna bet Stan will be there making out with someone?"

"I don't think he's going to do that anymore."

I thought of Caroline, and how Stan spoke of her. I wasn't supposed to tell people about her, and that included Richie, so I changed the subject.

"What are the rest of your friends like?" I asked.

"They're fucking losers," he paused, seemingly think about it, "we've been through a lot together, and I don't know what I'd do without them, I guess. They're kind of like a backbone to me. I couldn't be who I am without them after..." he trailed off, but I knew what he meant.

"After the clown," I muttered, looking at me feet as we walked.

Richie stopped walking, turning to me, "how did you-"

"Stan."

"He told you without our permission??"

I sighed, furrowing my brow, "no. It's. It's complicated. I've known since pretty much day one. When you guys had that big fight and Stan walked off? He came to my house and told me everything that happened. I didn't believe him. So when you guys all made up again and went down the well... I followed you."

"Why the fuck did you never tell me? Why didn't you tell any of us? Does Stan know you saw it? Does anyone know? We could have supported you! We could have become friends sooner!"

I shook my head, "Stan doesn't know. But I finally believed Stan about the clown after that. I saw you hit it with that baseball bat. That was brave as fuck."

Richie smiled, sighing, "well," he continued walking, "I'm glad it's not a secret anymore."

"I also know about your blood pact thing," I continued, "and I don't care that I wasn't a part of it, I decided I would be coming back if it ever came back when you guys did. I'm not going to let that shit hurt any more children."

He smirked playfully, "you can be my date back to Derry when it rises from the grave."

I shook my head, stifling a laugh, "that's not funny Richie," I tried to say seriously.

He shrugged, "making jokes is easier than taking things seriously."

I nodded as we finally approached Dolly's house, "I prefer hiding feelings by pretending I've got my shit together."

Her house wasn't small, but it wasn't big. I wasn't impressed.

I turned the door handle and pushed it open, Richie following close behind me.