Lollipop // Richie Tozier x OC ( IT 2017 )

Miss Scawlett (Chapter 6)

Lolly walked in the warm summer air; the sun made her hair glitter like a river. She was a few steps in front of Bill and did a small twirl with her face soaking up the sun's rays. 

"Fuh-feeling better?" Bill asked

Bill loved seeing Lolly like this; almost every time he saw her she was worried, or frightened, or holding her breath trying to fit in.  It made Bill feel proud that she was so at ease around him.

"So much better, it's crazy what the sun can fix." She grabbed Bill's hand and twirled underneath his arm. 

Bill shook his head as she dropped his arm, "I duh-doubt you'll be this carefree when the muh-movie starts," 
"Don't ruin the fun Bill."

The pair walked the rest of the way to the theatre in silence, taking turns twirling underneath the sun and flashing smiles at each other. 

Lolly and Bill were steps away from the theatre entrance; Richie and a red-headed girl sat on a bench outside the doors. Lolly's mouth went dry and immediately she stood up straight with the perfect posture her father had drilled into her head. She didn't twirl again. 

"Who's that?" 
Lolly asked, but she knew who it was. It was Beverley Marsh, a ginger-haired girl with creamy skin and freckles that scattered her face. Lolly knew about her mostly because she was also on Greta's bullying radar, but she'd seen her around Derry also. Lolly heard Bill answer her with the girls' name, and nodded in response. 

It wasn't a real date, but Lolly's mouth was left with a sour taste. Richie brought another girl, so there was no way he was interested in her. There was no way she could've known, but Beverley had no interest in Richie; Her heart was set on Bill Denborough. Beverley's mouth felt that same dryness when she saw Bill twirling with the chocolate haired beauty. 

"Hope dat dunt mind but I brought Miss Scawlett with me," Richie said, his own voice mixing into the character he tried to channel.

"Honestly.." Lolly smiled, "I'm just happy another girl is here." 

Lolly would've been excited another girl tagged along; if they hadn't tagged along with Richie, or if they hadn't been as beautiful as Beverly Marsh. 

"Miss Scawlett and my candy girl!" Richie purred, "I know you won't be able to get your hands off me, but you'll have to take turns, okay?" 

Stanley raised an eyebrow as he walked toward the group, "Candy girl?" he scoffed as he flicked Richie in the back of the head.

"It's funny that you think any girl would want to put their hands anywhere near you." 

God, I would love to put my hands in his hands
Lolly's thoughts intruded her brain, but she quickly shooed them away once she refocused on Miss Marsh. 

"Ouch! Stan, I can't help that I'm such a lady magnet." Richie pulled on Lolly's hand and put an arm around Beverly's neck
"The only ladies you're attracting are the white-haired ones at the bingo hall."

Beverly laughed and shrugged out his grasp. The whole group burst out laughing. Lolly pulled her hand away while she joined in, as much as she didn't want to. 

"I duh-don't know if we'll be ah-able to sit all together. Tuh-there's a few of uh-us, and the muh-movie looks puh-popular." 
Lolly nodded at Bill, "Small groups, I guess?" 

Hormones were in the air as Stanley stared at Lolly, Beverly stared at Bill and Lolly stared at Richie. They all held their tongues seeing what their crushes would do at the opportunity to get some semi-alone time in the theatre with another member of the group. 
Nobody moved.

"Uh, I guess not," Lolly said.
"We'll decide when we get inside," Beverly assured her
"Or not," Richie interrupted, "I want Miss Scarlet on my left and my candy girl on my right. The boys can sit together." He grabbed the two girls hands and walked into the theatre. 

The two girls burst out in a fit of giggles. Lolly tossed an apologetic smile at Stanley and Bill as they stood with wide-eyes trying to process what had just happened. 

"I guh-guess yuh-you're my date tonight," Bill said
"Apparently," Stanley sighed with annoyance, "Sorry Bill, I didn't mean it like that. I just-"
"I nuh-know what you muh-meant, you like her." 
"What? No I don't, I- How did you know?"
"I-I'm spuh-spuh-speech impaired, not blind,"
"Well.." Stanley fiddled with his fingertips, "Since you know anyway, you don't like her do you?"
"Nuh-no way, juh-just friends." 

Bill smiled at his friend, "You know, if you huh-hurry you muh-might be able to get the seat beside her. I don't muh-mind sitting alone, really."
"You're the best Bill," Stanley put a hand on his pal's shoulder, "How about we just sit behind them and keep an eye on Richie?"
"Duh-deal,"