| Reddie & Stenbrough Oneshots | ♡

Secret Admirer Part 2 | Reddie

EDDIE POV

Things have only gotten worse. At school today, Richie was flat out ignoring me, and it made me really sad. All I wanted to tell him about the letter I received yesterday. I attempted to go up to him after class, but he just walked away from me as fast as he could. I'm so... confused. Why is he acting like this? We're best friends. Right?

I decided to walk over to his house when school got out. His house isn't too far from mine, only a block or so away, so it wasn't that long of a walk. 

When I arrived, I knocked on the door, and no one answered. The Toziers might not be home, but I knocked again, just in case.

After about a minute of waiting, my hope beginning to get lost, I saw the doorknob start to turn. Richie opened the door and looked me up and down. "Eds, what are you doing here?" He questioned. His face was crimson, and his breathing was fast. Did he run home today or something? "Don't call me Eds. I have something cool to show you." I took off my backpack and rustled through it for a moment, before pulling out the letter. "Look at this!" I exclaimed. I handed him the letter, and he silently read it.

"Here, um, come in. Who do you think it could be?" Richie asked. "I have no idea." He sat down on his grey-coloured sofa, and I copied. We both sat down on his couch. "Well, let's ask the real question. Who do you wish it was from?" Richie smirked. I nervously laughed, hoping I haven't made my feelings too obvious already. "I'm not telling you," I said, turning my body away from him. 

"Come on! You have to like someone!" He persisted. "I didn't say I didn't." I softly muttered to myself, before continuing by saying "It doesn't matter. It's not like they like me back, anyway." "You don't know that." Richie reassured me, putting a hand on my shoulder. I tense up at his touch. I nearly gave in, I almost did. I always give in with Richie. If I had looked into his eyes right then, I probably would've blurted out the words which were always on my mind, and also on the tip of my tongue. I like you, Richie. But somehow, I manage to resist.  I'm able to fight against it, fight against the feeling of his eyes on me. God, those eyes. I don't know how I do it, but I keep my body turned away. "That's the thing, Richie. I do know. It's just... You don't get it, you never will."I said. "Eds, you know you can talk to me. C'mon, just tell me-" Richie began. 

"Just let it go, Richie! God, I just don't see how anybody could like me... like that, so why don't we just stop pretending already? This stupid letter was probably just some elaborate prank from the Bowers gang or something. It's not real." I yelled, repeating the words I just said in my head over and over. It's not real, it's not real. Of course it's not real. What did you expect? Richie stayed silent for what I assume was the first time in his life.

Out of nowhere, Richie reaches over and gently put his hand on my face. "Look at me." He whispered. I didn't. I couldn't. I can't. Why doesn't he get that? "Look at me." He said again, his voice turning softer. I finally did. Damn, was he gorgeous. I first looked at his cheek, and saw the sharpness of his cheekbones, how the freckles stood out against the rest of his otherwise pasty skin, which slowly turned more scarlet the longer I looked. My eyes locked with his, too-big glasses which were once again cracking in the middle and needed some more scotch tape, his deep brown eyes staring into my soul. I could've melted in his hands right then and there. 

"You.. Don't say that. I'm sure whoever this mystery person is would be over the moon to know that you like them, and I'm ninety-nine percent sure whoever it likes you back. I mean, what's not to like?"

 I was unable to stop myself from glancing down at his lips. He turned away and laughed for a second, which made me show a smile I was unable to hold back, but then continued by saying "Eddie, you're... you're perfect."