kissing in cars|reddie

twenty four

The room had just a single light hanging from the ceiling, dimly lit. Underneath, Eddie sat in an uncomfortable chair, his shoulders slouched. He didn't make eye contact with the investigator, Bowers, that sat right in front of him. ("A 'man-on-man' talk, you know?" Bowers had grinned and pulled up a chair to sit in front of the teen who scowled back at him.). Eddie played with his fingers and tapped his foot. Questions began being thrown at him.

"So, Edward," Sheriff Bowers began, his voice gravelly and husk. "What made you want to run to your father's house in Massachusetts?"

Eddie knew Sonia was watching just outside of the room, he looked to the side and shrugged.

"I hate my life."

"And?" Bowers said.

"Everyone at school hates me."

"...Is that all?"

Eddie shrugged. "No," he pouted and huffed. "I hate everyone."

Sheriff Bowers looked at Eddie's hair and then back at his face again. Eddie still ignored his gaze.

"Do you...dislike your mother, Edward?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Don't call me Edward, I fucking hate it. My name's Eddie otherwise don't call me anything at all!"

Bowers raised an eyebrow at this boys anger. "Well, Eddie, your mother is very worried about you."

"She shouldn't be. After all the shit she's made me do, she doesn't have the right to worry-"

"She's only looking out for you."

"She isn't!! Do you know how horrible my life has been? All because she drove my dad away!" His voice cracked.

Bowers gave him a look that told him to calm down, his glare making Eddie slouch in the chair and relax.

"...My mom pretends to care about me. Isn't it obvious?"

"I wouldn't know. I'm sorry, Eddie." He didn't feel an ounce of sorrow. "How was it being with your father? How long did you stay?"

Eddie gulped. "...It was better than being here in this stupid dump."

"How long did you stay?" The sheriff repeated.

"About two days. Then he-" Eddie stopped himself. He looked at his worn-down shoelaces.

"Hm, okay. So, is there any reason why you took Richard Tozier with you?"

"Well, at first it was 'cause he had a car and I didn't." Eddie started. "But he's a real asshole- I mean, he used to be. Like, he, um-" he stuttered before stopping himself, his ears starting to burn as he spoke about his boyfriend. Whew.

"Did anything happen as you boys were away?"

"...No."

"Alright. You're lucky you guys had some money, otherwise we knew you'd steal. Which is a crime."

"Blah, blah, get to the point." Eddie said, wanting to leave the station.

"Okay then. I'll be simple. Are there any other reasons why you would want to escape your mother? For instance, maybe you wanted to go out with friends but she said no? Was that not fair?"

Eddie scoffed. "You're so off."

"Then explain. Enlighten us."

He flushed a pink color. Eddie was about to spill everything without shedding a tear. He was going to tell his mother just how horrible and depressing his life is. She's going to have to listen. Eddie finally looked up at Bowers and frowned even more.