𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄, 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐄 / 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔

ᴠᴇɪɴᴛɪᴄᴜᴀᴛʀᴏ

It's the first time Eddie's ever been suspended, so he's not sure what to do with the three days stretching out before him. He helps Bev's aunt clean out the single car garage during the late morning of his first day, laughing with her as photo albums are unearthed, old toys, year books, and a couple boxes full of dresses he's sure Bev would swear she never wore as a child.

The second day goes by uneventfully, and on the third, Eddie works an earlier shift, two to six, and as he glances at the clock hung low on the wall behind the front desk, he's relieved to see that it's half past five already. It's the kind of day that has flown by, where he's so wrapped up in his work that he hasn't had time to simply watch the clock and wish for the end. It's a good thing, too, because he's pretty eager to get home and get what's left of his homework done so he can be ready to go back to school tomorrow.

Reaching up to the second highest shelf, Eddie slides a book in place and wonders how tomorrow will go. He'll be stared at for sure, probably whispered about, maybe sought out for another round since Josh Dickwad was given the same punishment as him. He hasn't thought much about the fight, and honestly, he's been afraid to. From the way Richie described, he must have been out of his mind with rage. It's a blank moment in his mind- he can't recall what he was thinking, or feeling, just the impact of his punches and the warmth of blood spilling over his hands.

Eddie shelves the last book on his cart and heads back up front, jumping on one of the little registers and helping Ms. Inglewood, who is bombarded with a line of what look like preschoolers. He gets them all checked out, smiling as they giggle and hold on to their books, laughing amongst each other while following a group of women out the doors. His gaze passes over a group of his peers sitting at a table with their heads together, a few books left out on the edge, and when he glances at the doors again, his stomach twists up.

Sam steps inside the library, standing up straight and tall, his shoulders unburdened by the things that he's done, his clothes neat and pressed- unaffected. Unremorseful. And Eddie- Eddie drops the couple books in his hands, starts to pray he hasn't been spotted as he ducks down behind the desk to pick them up. Fuck- he can't hide here. He's basically off now, and he needs to get out of here before Sam gets a chance to say anything to him.

Ms. Inglewood shoots him a strange look as he stands up again, glancing around and spotting Sam disappearing between the rows near the non-fiction section. It's his chance. He snatches his backpack out of the nook between the two front desks, swings it over his shoulder, and heads for the front doors. It barely crosses his mind that he should let Ms. Inglewood know he's leaving, but the sudden fear gripping his insides propels him forward, drives that minor concern from his mind. He doesn't look left or right, focuses solely on the door, his pulse beating in his ears, his hands shaking as they reach out and push the heavy door open.

The cold air slaps him, and he veers left into the darkness, off to the side street where he's parked Richie's car. He hurries, walks faster, breathing quick and short with each step, the back of his neck prickling. He digs the keys out of his pocket, swings around the rear of the car, doesn't dare look up. Fuck- his hand is shaking, and he's got the key ready, the metal clinking against the keyring as his fingers tremble hard. He needs to leave. He needs to go now-

"Hello, Eddie."

Eddie jumps, turns around, and the keys nearly slip from his hand. Sam is standing there, in front of the car, and he moves, comes closer, his steps careful and measured.

Eddie glances behind him; there's no one around. The street is mostly dark, the light on the corner by the stop sign not quite reaching where he's parked. He's scared, and he can't hide it. He wishes he had let Richie drive him now, but he's been learning to drive a manual transmission, and he just wanted to get some practice in. Richie wanted to give him a ride like he usually does, but Eddie was adamant; why- why is he so stubborn? Why is he so stupid?