flowers ≠ reddie

weak purple, spilt watercolour

"you notice that the flower is you"

Richie and Bev sat on the edge of a grey curb, that was the same colour as the smoke released from both of their cigarettes in their hands.

"Which one rocked your shit this time, huh?" Bev asked. A couple of days had passed since the happenings with Bowers, and Bev hadn't seen the two boys at school so much to notice their faces that were a little fucked up.

"Bowers. Rocked him back, though."

"Never knew you had it in ya, Tozier."

" 'Was for Eds."

"What d'ya mean?"

"The fucker almost broke his nose. Pretty sure his intestines were about to pour out. Came to rescue him, I did!" Richie joked and Bev laughed.

"Of course. Bet Eddie wants a naked sculpture of you in his living room for such a heroic action."

"Just 'cause you want one, Marsh."

"Oh, I dream of it, Richard."

It was Thursday. A chilly, but somewhat warm Thursday. Birds were faintly chirping every so often and the bells on top of doors made a noise sometimes when new customers popped into the old diner that Richie and Bev were sitting by.

"How's Junie?"

"She's alright. Adjusting back, you know?"

"Missed her?"

"Hell yeah. God, she looks so much older now and it's only been two years. She's so mature, now."

"Nothing like her brother then."

Richie laughed. "Right."

"Last time I saw her, she looked exactly like you."

"You're not gonna catch me, Bevvie and Rich-Rich! You're too slow!" Junie laughed, running around the edges of the garden, away from Bev and Richie.

"You bet? Oh, I'll catch you within a second, Junes!" Richie shouted, chasing the 5 year old, her dark curls bouncing up and down on her shoulders.

"Ha! Gotcha!" Bev caught her, wrapping her freckled arms around Junie's stomach, the smaller kid wriggling and trying to get out of Bev's grasp, giggling because Bev was unintentionally tickling her.

"Richie! Help! I've been caught! I'm being held hostage! Rich- Rich!"