It was a cold winter day, but not so cold that it was nearly impossible for anyone to be out. Not so wintery that snow had begun to fall in the streets of Derry, Maine, for it did snow in Derry.
Richie Tozier sat on a bench, his arm draped over a blonde girl by the name of Livia. Her head rested on his shoulder and she laughed at something that raven haired boy had said. The two shared laughs and smiles as they continued to talk and joke around.
On the bench opposite of the two sat a short boy with light brown hair, almost golden; as it appeared to be in the sunlight. The boy paid no attention to the couple, too absorbed in the baby blue journal he was writing on. And that was fine, he didn't want to pay attention to the two. Eddie Kaspbrak scribbled furiously onto his book, for that he was, furious.
Richie, his best friend since birth, had invited him to spend quality time together. They were to hang out at the mall, look around; possibly shop, and watch a movie. Richie had explained that, not leaving a detail out. Or so that was what the brunette had thought. Richie failed to mention that somebody else would be tagging along.
Richie left out the part where his girlfriend would be accompanying the two.
Though it was Richie and Eddie's quality time, Eddie had been the one left out to third wheel. Since they had arrived, Richie had made small talk with Eddie (which the smaller boy was thankful for) but Livia had interfered everytime Richie and Eddie got into a meaningful conversation.
So now, Eddie Kaspbrak sat alone, a strawberry milkshake in front of him, ignored as he wrote into his journal every single thought that came to mind.
Oh, and they weren't pleasant thoughts either.
The journal, which he took everywhere since he had turned 12, had been a gift from his father when his mother, Sonia Kaspbrak, had been sentenced to jail for domestic abuse. Frank Kaspbrak had then gotten full custody of his 12 year old son. Frank had accepted Eddie in to his life faster than Eddie thought could be possible.
He had accepted every part of Eddie, unlike his mother who taunted him and crushed his self esteem regularly. Frank had allowed the young boy to be himself. He had bought Eddie clothes he was comfortable in. Clothes that ranged from crop tops to mini skirts to even dresses. That Christmas, his first Christmas with his father, he had gotten lots of feminine like gifts which had made his heart flutter and his eyes sting with tears of happiness.
The journal, however, had always been his favorite.
A few days after his mother had been taken away, Frank had presented his son with a gift bag. Inside the gift bag was a baby blue book. Eddie had looked down at it, confused. He had recognized the confusion and chuckled. "It's a diary. Whenever you feel like you need to let out your feelings and you're not comfortable talking to me about them, maybe this'll help."
Eddie had smiled, thanked him and did just that. He wrote things that would have felt awkward discussing about with his dad. It wasn't that he didn't trust him, he did. But a part of Eddie had always resented not having his dad around.
And that wasn't Frank's fault. It was hers. She never allowed him to visit his son. Eddie understood that. But he had just wished that his father had fought for him.
And so, Eddie continued to write — "Eddie—" He wrote about how he was angry at Richie for bringing along his girlfriend — "Eds—" how he was furious that he was being left out — "Eddie!—" and how he felt so jealous and neglected. "Eddie Kaspbrak!" he jerked up. His gray eyes staring right into Richie's bright blue ones.
Richie laughed. "Damn, Eds I've been calling you over a million times" Eddie rolled his eyes at the exaggeration.
"What?" He asked, his voice coming out in a tone of annoyance. Richie didn't seem to be bothered "I asked if you were ready to go. Y'know, for the movie?"
Eddie nodded, collected his things along with his drink and stood up, his white skirt flowing with the wind. What Eddie hadn't realized was the way Richie's eyes had diverted from Eddie's face to the boys lower half.
Richie cleared his throat and began to walk away, Eddie followed. He took a sip from his drink with one hand and in the other he held his diary. Livia walked up next to him
"What were you writing down there?" She asked, curiosity filling her voice. Eddie gave her a cold stare before pausing to say, "That doesn't concern you." Then, he shoved his journal into his small backpack and walked away.
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