problematic ➳ reddie

56

december ❀ age 15

richie hasn't talked with nearly anyone in the last month. he's been with the losers a few times, eaten with them at lunch, chattered with them at recess and dropped eddie off home off a couple times but he hasn't said a word to betty. he's been avoiding her a lot. everytime richie saw her at the hallway, he'd turn his back to her, hiding his face, turning it to the other direction and trying not to draw attention to himself. and he has done a pretty good job.

until now.

it was a cold december evening in derry. the streets had cleared out for holidays, since it was already the 22nd. the school had gone on a break. richie was sitting alone by the bleachers, big windbreaker on. he was shivering, but the warmth of the cigarette gave him comfort. he was originally supposed to go get some milk from the store, which he did, but needed to smoke a square before going home. he looked down at his shoes, which were on the snow. he was sitting on the bottom, resting his arm on his other knee.

and then..."richie?"

the boy looked up at betty, who was dressed a long grey jacket with black buttons. a scarf was wrapped around her neck and a woolly hat tucked over her brown hair. she had a leash in her hand and on the other end was her small dachshund. "what are you doing here all alone?"

"I could ask you the same thing" richie said and stomped on the cigarette.

"i'm walking troy" she nodded towards the dog, who had a jacket also on. "your turn"

"milk" richie shook the bag in his hand. "and marlboro"

betty sighed and walked to richie, sitting down next to him. "how are you feeling?"

"fine" richie shrugged.

"no you're not. you've been avoiding me for the last month..."

"betty, you're great. you really are" richie turned his whole body to betty, who looked hesitantly at the boy in front of him. "spending my days with you, were...the best days. trust me. I enjoyed them so much. every moment with you was so fun and full of surprises. I like you so much"

"I love you, richie. you know that" betty cupped richie's other cheek with her hand.

"but that's the thing" richie smiled sadly. "I don't think I love you back"

richie could swear all the life in betty's eyes left.

"I'm sorry, bets. i wanted to love you. i wanted you to be the one who I would love. i tried loving you. and I do, but..."

"not like that" betty finished.

"yeah..." richie sighed. "I'm sorry"

"don't be. not your fault that you don't feel the same way. heart wants what it wants" betty let out a shaky laugh, trying to hold her tears in.

"don't cry babydoll" richie put his hands on betty's cheeks and traced his thumb against her cheekbones.

"when did you....realize you didn't love me?"

"like a year ago..." richie confessed.

betty nodded, sniffling a bit. richie could easily tell it was because she was sad and not because her nose was stuffed caused by the cold air. "it's okay...i can't force you to love me"