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3. Richie's POV- 3 Weeks Later

Today is my first day back at school since my breaking point. I try to find a clean shirt, not having done laundry for over a month, and finally find a worn out Metallica shirt. I slip it over my pale, skinny body, and search for a jacket that will hide my bandages, luckily finding my favorite jean jacket. I grab my backpack and run downstairs.

Of course, my dad is gone, but my mom sits at the kitchen table with two plates of breakfast. When she sees me, her face brightens like a lightbulb and she shoots out of her chair to confront me.

"Richie! Hey, baby! Do you want some breakfast?" She has finger shaped bruises around her wrists and neck, and my already foul mood turns worse. Last time I told her what a monster he is she cried in her room for a few hours, so I don't say anything.

"No thanks, mom. Uh, thanks anyways," I say, my voice sounding so distant. She looks concerned and rests her nimble fingers on my bony face.

"Baby, I don't remember the last time I've seen you eat," she says in her stupid condescending voice. My anger fuels everytime she condescends me, and this time, I can't keep it in.

"I don't remember the the last time I've seen you without cuts or bruises," I mumble. I make my way out of the door quickly so I don't have to see the damage I have done.

I try to keep the guilt out of my mind as I make my way towards school. I walk past the shitty neighborhood I live in as it transforms into nicer neighborhoods. I walk past many houses, but one house particularly caught my eye. A bright yellow house perches in the middle of many grey and white houses. There is a bright red mailbox that reads 'Kaspbrak'. I start to walk past it when a familiar face walks out the front door.

The boy from the hospital.

When he sees me, his face lights up and he runs to keep up with me.

"Hi," he says, with an impossibly cute smile on his face. I just wave, not feeling like talking much, even if it's with him. He holds his hand for me to shake. I shake it, not familiar with the gesture.

"I've seen you around school," he says. I nod my head.

"Yep," I mumble. I continue walking with the boy at my side.

"Uhm, I'm Eddie." Eddie. Eds.

"Richie," I say. The walk is a long one, full of silence.

"Are you okay?" Eddie blurts out. I immediatly feel warm, like his words branded my cold skin.

"Yeah. Are you?" He nods, and we reach the school.

"Yeah." Thinks grow awkward, a feeling I despise almost as much as loneliness.

"Is that Metallica?" He says, gesturing at my dirty shirt. I nod.

"Rad," he says. I cant help but burst out laughing, a feeling I miss.

"What," he retorts, insecurities obvious.

"You say rad," I declare, and laugh again. Eddie turns bright red.

"What's so wrong with that? I hear you say it all the time," he sneers. He's been paying attention?

"Okay, first of all, are you stalking me, Kaspbrak, because I should know that before I continue this pleasant conversation," I joke, finally allowed to free my inner self. To just act silly, crack jokes. I didn't realize how long it's been. He punches my arm with a smile on his face.

"No, I don't."

"Okay, good, Ed's, wouldn't want to call the FBI on this," I say in an English accent. His laugh is quite exceptional.

"Okay, Tozier, just tell me what's so wrong with saying rad," he protests. I grin, and this time, it actually feels genuine. I dont know why, but whenever I'm around this kid, I feel kind of happy.

"Nothing, Ed's. I just didnt fancy you the type of person that would say rad." He scowls.

"Jesus, Richie, its 1985, everyone says the fucking word!"

"Ed's, language!"

"Dont fucking call me that." We laugh.

"Who do you hang out with," Eddie says after a little bit of silence. The tightness in my throat increases.

"Uhm.. nobody, really," I mumble. But he doesnt look at me sympathetically, which helps the awkwardness.

"You should hang out with me and my friends. You're somewhat popular, and we call ourselves the Losers, but-" he hangs out with them?

"Uhm, I have to go to school, okay? Great offer, though. Thanks." I leave to enter the school, hoping Eddie isn't still following me and can see how much I'm shaking.

Why does he have to hang out with them?

I enter the school without looking back.

I head to my locker and people look at me like I grew fungus over my pimples. Everyone sees me. Why didnt they when I desperately wanted friends, and not just to be mildly popular for being a trashmouth?

"Heard you tried to kill yourself. Is it true, Tozier? You a coward?" I look up to Henry Bowers with that stupid fucking pink leather jacket he's worn since elementary. "A pussy?" His gang, Patrick, Victor and Belch start snickering. I will fight back. I won't take this shit anymore.

"Hey, Henry. Have you ever heard that saying,'you are what you eat'?" He rolls his eyes a bit too dramatically.

"What the fuck are you talking about, dipshit," he mumbles. I stifle a sarcastic snicker.

"I'll take it that you have heard the saying. So, Bowers, if you are what you eat, you calling me a pussy means," his gang snickers and Henry gives them a look so dirty it could come from Satan himself.

"And that makes you a sack of dicks." Belch is the first to laugh loudly.

"Tozier, you're gonna wish you killed yourself the first time. I'm gonna make your life even worse than it already was," he sneers. I decide now is a good time to leave, so I make a run for it, hearing Henry's threats from behind.

I enter the Literature classroom, automatically seeing Eddie's face.

And he's with the Losers.

Special thanks to Fangirlprobs100 for making the cover!