sweetener|reddie

nine

Eddie exhaled a deep breath as he stared at the view in front of him. The girls with their heads on their boyfriends shoulders, swaying their hips and dancing to the song that played on the speakers. Derry Highs Homecoming Dance had begun. The school didn't have enough money for a band to play, but no one minded. Eddie walked around the gymnasium, observing his friends but not looking too much. He was mainly focused on not looking like a loner. But who was he kidding, no one bothered to notice him.

At least, that's what he thought.

Eddie's hair was neatly curled, still the same soft texture. He had put on a layer of lipstick, which was a peach color. His mother had gushed at her son when he came out of his room, his ironed outfit pressed against his body. He wore gray shoes, as well as a light gray pair of jeans. But not normal jeans, fancy jeans.

At first, Eddie stayed at the snack table. Drinking ice cold lemonade in a pink cup. He sipped his drink for a while, becoming bored and tired. He watched Bill and Bev speak sweet nothings to each other, and he felt bad for himself. No one liked to be at a dance alone.

Then he sat down at the bleachers, his face in his hands. He did admire the decoration but thought it could use a bit of effort.

He had only been there an hour but it felt like eternity.

Eddie looked across the gym, only to immediately lock eyes with Richie Tozier.

The two boys stared at each other from a distance, before Richie finally stopped talking to Stanley Uris and began walking to Eddie's spot.

Richie was determined to apologise, he knew he should have a long time ago. But nothing was stopping him now. He saw Eddie get up and run in the boys bathrooms, and Eddie locked himself in a stall. He bit his lip, waiting for the door to swing open.

A few seconds later, the door did swing open and footsteps were clear in the bathroom.

"Ed's," Richie's familiar voice said. Eddie so desperately wanted to speak to him, but he didn't trust him.

Eddie's eyes filled with tears. "D-don't call me that," he replied. His voice cracked and he felt as though barbed wire were wrapped around his neck. Not letting him say anything else when he had so much to say and scream.

Richie slightly smiled. "I only came to apologise, I know you must hate me but...fuck, Ed's, I fuckin' miss you." Richie sighed as he leaned against the bathroom wall. Eddie was listening to every word he said.

"I'm just gonna fucking say everything I've been thinking, that okay?" Richie asked, however he didn't expect an answer. "I'm scared, Ed's. I overreacted when you told me...ya know, how we were gonna be a thing. Ed's, I do wanna be a thing. It's just... I'm not sure how people would react. I mean, I like guys and girls but I like guys more. When I say guys, I mean you, Eddie." Richie stated.

Eddie crossed his arms, letting a few tears fall down his face. Richie's voice was full of remorse; sadness, even. He could imagine Richie standing there, up against the wall, his heart sinking with every word he said.

"I don't expect you to forgive me. Hell, I'll let you punch me and stab me right now if you wanted to," said Richie. "But goddamit, I felt so horrible for hurting you. You looked so fucking hurt when you cried in front of me. I hated seeing that... And I hated that your tears were caused by me. So I left."

Slowly but surely, Eddie's hands came into contact with the silver lock on the stall he was in. He laid his hands over it for a few moments, letting Richie continue.

"Jesus, Ed's. You just had to walk into class with a skirt some days, didn't you? I swear I wanted to pin you up against a wall and kiss you. I still do, if I'm being honest." Richie lightly chuckled to himself. "And who am I kidding? I fucking love you, Eddie. I'm gay for you."

Eddie blushed and his heart beat fastened. He sucked in a deep breath before unlocking the door, he stepped out. Nervously, he looked at Richie.

Richie looked back and stood up straight. He was blown away by Eddie's appearance, the way his hair curled perfectly at his ears, his colored lips, his lilac colored nails, and his beautiful face. But really, Richie fell in love with Eddie. Eddie, who had a huge crush on him since they met.

"Holy fucking shit, you're pretty," Richie said breathlessly. However he coughed. "Pretty good, I mean."

Eddie looked down at the floor, rubbing his arm awkwardly. "T-thank you." He said softly.

"You wound me, Ed's." Richie sighed, knowing Eddie probably hated him so much. "I-I think I should go back to my friends. But...Eddie, I'm so sorry for what I've done."

Eddie locked eyes with the quarter back, feeling that strange urge to hug Richie and just be with him in that moment.

"Okay, Richie." Eddie blushed. Taking in Richie's attire. It wasn't very fancy, but neither was Eddie's. Richie had on a deep purple collared shirt with a golden necklace. He had black pants, with Doc Martens on his feet. Richie just looked drop dead sexy, but Eddie's thought that about him anyways.

Eddie blushed and looked away, feeling Richie stare back at him one last time. He left the bathroom, but Eddie stayed. He repeated everything Richie said. But still, Eddie didn't know whether to trust him or not. Finally though, Eddie left the silent bathroom, heading towards a table that all his friends sat in.

Greta, Bev, Patty, Victoria, Eddie and a few other cheer girls sat at a lavender clothed table, with cups of lemonade. They all gushed about their dates. And finally, the voice of Henry Bowers sounded through the speakers. He spoke with a microphone. The speakers stopped playing the song that was Stay by Post Malone.

"Hey ladies and gents! Henry Bowers here, and I'm going to pronounce the Homecoming King and Queen!!"

A loud applause filled the gymnasium. Eddie, however, glanced around to try to catch sight of Richie. With no luck, he listened to Henry.

"My assistant, Stanley Uris, will be crowning the two lucky people and then they will dance their glorious night away!" Said Henry happily. Although he didn't want himself to win, he wanted Patty to. He wanted his girlfriend to have a wonderful night.

Eddie rolled his eyes.

Romance was stupid.