kissing in cars|reddie

ten

The classes eyes turned to her. For a moment, she didn't know why, the only thing on her mind was her almost irresistible urge to puke. But then the teacher called her name.

"Beverly," Mr. Schnipper said, "The Principal called you to his office." He adjusted the glasses on his face.

All 27 students in the room watched her as she loaded her backpack up again, and began walking down the seat isle to get to the door. She wasn't handed a pass, but was told to hurry. So she did, wondering why the hell the principal would ever need to call her. Usually it was the class clowns, misfits, and people like Eddie Kaspbrak who were sent to his office for a chat. So why was she in trouble? What was she going to encounter when she walks through that oak door to the principals office?

Beverly first got a quick drink from the water fountain. Then finally, she worked her way through the main office, and to the principals room.

"Uh, hello?" She spoke nervously, fingers twisting the bracelet on her wrist that had a boat anchor charm on it. 

Mr. Kueger greeted her with another nervous smile, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Ms. Marsh! We haven't talked in awhile... you've certainly, uh, well you look great!" That was totally such an awkward thing for her to hear, especially from the fucking principal of the school. Great, another fucking pervert. The thing was, she kind of didn't look so great. There were bags under her eyes, she stopped putting on blush and mascara (because of the morning sicknesses she encountered, and didn't have the strength to put any makeup on). Overall, Beverly was just tired, she couldn't wait to have her abortion.

Two police officers stepped into the room. One a female, with lemon soaked hair and steely blue eyes. The other a male, much taller and...scarier than her, with dirty blonde hair and a mean look in his eye. He was Sheriff Bowers, with an assistant named Officer Rose.

"I'll let you guys speak in private upon request, and after I'll let you go back to class, Beverly." Mr. Keuger stood up, and rushed out of his room, leaving two police officers and a pregnant teen girl.

They stood near her, Officer Rose holding a notepad and a pen. Beverly was horrified. What did she do for the police to come investigate her?

Oh right. Richie had run away.

"Beverly Marsh, we've come to ask you a few questions about your friend. Richard Tozier?" Sheriff Bowers' voice was tough, deep, and he had a snarl that seemed permanent to his face.

"Y-yeah...he's my friend..."

"He was reported missing just a day ago and his parent guardian mentioned your name. So we came to see if you know anything about his disappearance." He started. "When did you see him last?"

"Um, Tuesday...we hung out at the park."

"Has he told you anything mysterious? For example, if he told you about someone that might have been a danger to his safety?"

"No. He's pretty cool with everyone he talks to." She felt utterly vulnerable to telling the truth right now. There was an obvious variable to the problem: Eddie Kaspbrak. He was gone, too. Were they going to ask her about Eddie? She hoped not. She didn't know a thing about him except the fact that he and Richie were...Close. But not in a friend way.

Officer Rosa was writing her answers down quickly, and Beverly wondered if she could even read her own handwriting because of how fast she was going.

"Do you know anyone that Richie wasn't 'cool' with?"

"Well..." She felt a lump in her throat. "There is someone...but they haven't shown up to school for three days..."

"Is their name Edward Kaspbrak, Beverly?" Rosa cut in.

"Uh, yes." Fuck, Richie's going to hate me.
"Hm, his mother also filed a report for him. Say, Beverly, how did Richard and Edward not get along?"

"Er, they just didn't really like each other, I guess..."

"Has Richard left anything behind? A note, perhaps? Usually, teens who rebel and run away often leave notes to their parents or someone they trust." Rosa explained. "And perhaps Edward left something behind, too?"

"No, I don't know Eddie like that enough for him to leave a note for me." She gulped. The thing was, she still had Richie's note in her backpack, and at the moment it felt like it was going to burn through the material and onto the floor. Her hands were now fidgeting with her flowery skirt.

"And from Richard?"

"I-..." Beverly gulped.

She did want to see her friend again, but she also didn't want to break his trust. Richie told her not to follow or worry about him...but why? Of course Beverly was worrying, she's been on edge ever since she read the damn letter! A few questions remained unanswered though, like: Where are the two boys going? Why did they run away together? Are they even together? What made Eddie (or Richie) break and decide to leave Derry behind?

"I- he did give me something..." Her voice was so low and soft. "He...he wrote me a letter."

Sheriff Bowers was the one to talk again. "Do you have it?"

"Yeah," Her hand and arm extended down to retrieve her backpack from the floor. Unzipping the flap, and opening it up, Beverly took out the folded piece of lined paper with Richie's chicken-scratch writing on it. "Uh, here."

Bowers took it and opened it up as Rosa was still writing something about Eddie, too.

To Bev,
Don't try to find out where I went. I love you, and I wish you the best. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'm taking care of someone right now. They need me, Bev, I hope you understand.
Best of luck to you, from Rich

"Any chance he mentioned where he was off to? Who this...'someone' else is?"

"No," Beverly replied. "He, um, left before I woke up for school the next day..."

"Last question, any guesses at the person he is with?"

Can they please let me go to class?!?

Beverly sighed quietly, not wanting to seem rude in front of the grownups. Her shoulders slumped, now she really wanted to leave. All she had to do was answer the goddamn question.

"I think he left with Eddie. And I think they're probably out of the state now."