𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐅𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐊𝐄

5

The weekend slipped away into the weekdays, and Richie wasn't so sure meeting Daniel was such a great idea now he realized he would see him every time he went to Art class.

Richie convinced himself it was a one-time thing.

He tried to push the idea of Daniel wanting to become more than bed-friends away as he woke up on Monday morning.

He had only two classes today, Geology with Stan, Bill, and Eddie, and Visual Arts with Daniel. Richie hoped to God today would be seamlessly normal, and he wouldn't have to explain himself for Saturday night.

He has only seen Stan on Sunday, as he tried to finish up his homework due this week. Richie went into the bathroom, cringing at himself in the mirror.

"Jesus Christ," He mumbled, placing a hand up to his neck. Daniel destroyed his neck with dark, purple hickies, even down to his collarbones. Richie hadn't noticed the marks until Sunday afternoon, where Stan waltzed in with coffee.

"Mother of God, what happened to you?" Stan's voice floated to Richie in shock, but when Richie looked up, his face was wearing a smirk.

"Whatcha mean, Staniel?" Richie asked, trying to locate Stan's gaze. It was on his neck.

"What did you do, fuck a vampire?" Stan laughed dryly, as Richie desperately rushed to look at his neck in the mirror.

"Fuck!"

And they haven't faded in the slightest. Sure, it's only been a day, but they almost seemed to get darker. Richie resorted to wearing a scarf since he wasn't cool or lame enough to own any turtlenecks.

He finished getting ready and rushed out of the dorm, Stan already gone. It was strange since the Jewish boy usually waited for him in the morning. Maybe he had practice or something.

Richie made his way to the library's Starbucks, turning to enter the cafe once inside the front doors. He saw the gang waiting at the table they've claimed at the start of the year.

He knew that since it was only early fall, he obviously looked silly with the scarf wrapped around his neck. Luckily, everyone else had on light coats, so it wouldn't be too strange to see a scarf these days.

Bill saw Richie first, raising his arm up at him, causing the other two boys to turn and look over at him as well. Stan's face was smug and punchable, and Richie felt a heat of embarrassment rush up his neck. Surely Stan wouldn't mock him in front of the others, right?

"Hey there, lover boy," Stan called out, and Richie's hopes came crashing down.

"We got you an iced coffee, but you look a little too cold for that," Bill commented humorously, pointing at Richie's scarf. Richie fake-laughed before sliding in next to Bill. Richie's face was slightly cold from the wind outside, but he overall felt just fine. Screw Bill and Stan.

"Cute hair today, Richie. Ever heard of a brush?" Eddie's heavenly voice hit Richie like a slap in the face. He looked up directly in front of him to see the Blonde boy, leaning on one hand as he sipped through a straw on his drink.

His brown eyes were playful and confidently daring Richie to reply just as such. Richie couldn't refuse Eddie if he wanted.

"Ever heard of getting laid? You're so uptight, you might need it," Richie winked back, causing Eddie's smile to falter and roll his eyes instead.

"Screw you," Eddie breathed out, looking away and towards the window.
"Exactly," Richie spoke without thinking, but it was Richie. They wouldn't suspect a thing, so he stayed calm.

"Seems like you already have that covered," Stan cheekily added, and Eddie restrained the need to scoff. Richie glared over at Stan as Bill cluelessly looked between the other three.