'39 [Stanley Uris]

22: Sweet Child O' Mine

Andi was forced to leave the independence parade early, saying she had to meet up with some friends.

Along the way, she ran into the one and only Pennywise while walking along the disgusting looking house on Neibolt.

"I'm just saying, how fantastic would it have been if you accidentally moved into my house when you first showed up here. Wouldn't that be so ironic?" The clown jabbers, lurking beside the girl in a human form.

His human form is realistic, but still off putting. There's something about his eyes that give away what a real monster he is.

(In case you are wondering: yes, his human form is Bill Skarsgård.)

He had been following along beside her since she walked past the dirty old house on her way home from the parade. He trots with her, and she desperately tries to out walk him to no avail.

Man this thing is annoying.

"Would you shut up? Why are you following me?" She scoffs, turning to face the being.

"Awwww, is poor little Andi annoyed?" He grins evilly. "Don't forget the reason you came here. You came here for me, not those loser friends of yours. This entire journey was for me."

She laughs sarcastically at this, only making the being frown more.

"Oh my god! You're so jealous," she laughs. "You're jealous that I literally don't give a shit about you right now!"

"Wh— no! Why would I be jealous of mortals? You're being ridiculous— stop! Stop, that! Stop, laughing!"

Andi is having a full blown fit of laughter right now, bent over and hugging her stomach in an awkward position as snort after snort leaves her mouth.

Pennywise is staring at her unamused.

"Look," she stops laughing, "I will kill you. I will kill you no matter what happens or who gets in my way. You think I care about anyone but me? Well, you're wrong. I came here for one thing, and one thing only. REVENGE. I will succeed."

This makes the being grin. Andi frowns at the lie she just told. It makes her feel guilty.

"We'll see about that," It responds.

Then, it disappears. She is left standing in front of her home just as Lana and Aj pull up in a car, parking on the curb.

"Hey, dipshit! You alright?" Aj calls from the window, grinning.

Andi quickly turns to face him, plastering a smile onto her face.

"Hung over, but alright," she nods with a laughs. "Thanks for the liquor."

"You're welc—"

"That was actually from me," Lana calls, getting out the car with a brown bag in hand. "Look, I made you lunch!"

Andi takes the bag, walking beside her up the porch with a thankful smile.

"Thanks, Lana. You're the best," she hums, immediately pulling the food out of the bag and being stoked to realized that it's a whole ass meal!

A container of pasta and garlic bread, a miniature pie, and bottled pop.

Aj throws the door open and walks into the house in front of the two girls. Andi continues to admire the contents of the bag, ready to dig into it the moment she got a fork.

"What was it you've gotta to tell me?" Andi questions, plopping onto one of the couches.

The two other teens follow. Well, technically adults. They turned 18 this summer, and were going to be seniors in high school this coming school year.

"Oh, um..." Lana suddenly looks a little nervous, combing her hair behind her ear and sitting up straighter.

Aj places a comforting hand on her thigh, and speaks words to her through his eyes.

Andi takes note of the serious tension, setting the bag of food beside and properly sitting up as well. She hopes everything is alright, and the build up is killing her.

"I don't know if your small mind will be able to comprehend this," Aj chuckles, earning an eye roll from the girl.

Lana elbows him, and he immediately apologizes, starting his sentence over again.

"Look, Andi, we're all adults here," he starts. "I mean, even though you're a whole year younger, I'd like to consider you mature enough to understand the situation. You're the first person we're telling because we trust you and we're all best friends."

"Yeah, of course," Andi nods, looking between the two. "You guys can trust me."

The two lovers share a look before smiling comfortably.

Lana calmly turns to face Andi.

"I'm pregnant," she states a soft tone, smile never leaving her face.

It takes only 10 seconds for Andi to register the words that left her friends mouth before she's leaping off the couch and rushing towards the two with excitement.

"HOLY SHIT! NO WAY!" She cheers, tackling the two in a group hug.

"I know! I'm so excited!" Lana giggles, gladly returning the hug.

Aj only laughs, relieved not to see even a hint of disappointment in their friend's face.

"What're you naming her?" Andi asks, suddenly intrigued by the girl's stomach.

"Who said it's a her?" Aj cocks his brow. "It's more than likely a—"

"It's a her. I know it is," Andi insists with a grin. "What's her name gonna be."

"I think I like Bernadette. We could call her 'Birdie'!" Lana excitedly claps.

"That's a great name," Andi agrees, placing a hand on the girls stomach.

Truly, Andi was excited for her friends, even though she knew she probably wouldn't be around long enough to see how their child turned out. She had to go home sometime. Right?