innocent || Reddie (complete)

run away

Stan

I sat at the end of Richies unmade bed as he smoked a cigarette by his window

Stan: What are you doing?

Richie: What the fuck does it look like I'm doing shit head?

He gestured to his cigarette and rolled his eyes

Stan: No. what are you doing. It's been a month since that day. Why did you leave for Bowers

He flicked the cigarette out the window and kept his gaze away from me

Richie: You know why

Stan: He didn't make you leave. You could still talk to us when he's not around, and sit with us when he's not around—

Richie: — I don't want him to feel uncomfortable

Stan: Well it's not working because all the Losers ever do is talk about you and every time they do he leaves. We need you back Richie

He stayed quiet for a while

Richie: Just take care of him ok?

Stan: I can't... he doesn't let anyone talk to him. I think he's getting depressed again...

That made Richie face me real quick

Richie: Is he eating?

Stan: I don't know

Richie: Is he getting out of bed?

Stan: I don't know

Richie: Well fuck Stanley how am I suppose to do anything when he's the one who told me to leave?!

I sighed and stood up

Stan: You said you'd always be there for him. And now your with the people who still pick on him and send him home with black eyes

Richie: They told me they stopped

Stan: Well they lied. I can't even count the amount of times Eddies had to wear a long sleeve shirt just to hide the bruises

He turned away from me again

Richie: I'm not going back

Stan: Eddie was right, your no better than Henry

I glared at the back of his head and stormed out.

I was worried about Eddie. He looks so frail and pale. He hardly spoke anymore... or even smiled, and he always smiles.

He didn't even show up to school today

*

I walked to Bills and went straight up to his room. He was reading a book and jumped when I slammed his door shut behind me

Bill: Jesus S-Stan!

Stan: Have you seen Eddie

Bill: N-no, he didn't sh-show up today, r-remember?

Stan: He needs Richie. More than he'd like to admit. But it's been a month and he hasn't been the same since Richie left

Bill: I know... b-but he doesn't w-want to see him

Stan: I know. But they both still care for each other. I can tell.

Bill: I d-don't know what to do

I felt the tears start to well up in my eyes

Stan: I don't want Eddie to do anything stupid... like kill himself... Eddie was Richies best influence and now that he's gone Richies going to get himself killed... I don't want to lose our friends, Bill

He crawled over to me and put an arm over my shoulders as I cried. He took my hand in his and squeezed

Bill: I miss them too

***

Eddie

I hid the bruises on my arms with a long sleeved hoodie. And the cuts on my legs with skinny jeans. But the bruise on my eye was harder to cover so I quickly left for school before my mum could see it.

I walked through the main entrance door but instead of finding the Losers I went straight to class.

The hours went by faster then usual and it was time for my daily beating right before lunch. This time I didn't go to my locker, I went thought a different hall way.

Henry: Hey girly boy! Thought you could miss today's lesson?

I kept my head down and stayed on my route to the cafeteria.

Belch caught up behind me, and being the biggest one of the group, grabbed me by my backpack and threw me against the lockers. But instead of crying like usual I let the numbness take over. I stood up against the cold metal and looked at the floor in front of me

Henry: Too bad your protector is with us now.

I didn't say anything and I guess that made him even more mad because he kicked the locker next to me and made me jump

Henry: Got nothin to say now huh? Dumb fag

He put a hand on my chest and held his fist in the air. I waited for impact but instead Henry was the one punched to the ground

Richie: I FUCKING TOLD YOU TO LEAVE HIM ALONE!! YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD!! YOU PIECE OF FUCKING SHIT!

Richie sat over him and punched him with everything he had in him. Henry's head knocked back and forth at the punched because he was too weak to fight back.

I broke out of the numb trance and ran over to Richie. I put a hand on his back,

Eddie: Richie

As soon as he heard my voice he stopped and softened at my touch. He turned around to face me and his brown eyes melted. I gave him a weak smile

Eddie: Thank you

With that I left and didn't turn back

***

When I got home that evening, all I could think about was the fact that I hadn't seen him in a month until today.

I do miss him

But he hurt me, lied to me, chose Bowers over the Losers...

And now he's running off to sleep with girls and drink alcohol.

It was Friday night and I was alone and miserable. I hardly talk to anyone and sometimes I just can't do anything.

Tonight I needed to get away.

•••