dead in the water ( IT CH:2 ) DISCONTINUED

ii. losers reunited

( WARNING:
this chapter is a long one, so i advise you read it slowly and take some breaks in between. includes allusions to suicide, vomiting, panic attacks, drinking, mention of a near car crash, and cursing. if any of these things trigger you, please do not read on. your health is more important that this book. )

TWO

Levi swallowed thickly, looking up at the flickering, neon sign that read 'Jade of the Orient' and pulling on the sleeves of her cardigan, trying to steel herself for what was coming next; when she opened that door and stepped into that restaurant, she'd be one step closer to reuniting with people she barely remembered and her heart felt as if it was about to jump out of her chest.

"Lev?" Hannah called, placing her hand on her best friend's shoulder, quickly apologizing when the other woman jumped in surprise. "Sorry...You okay?"

Levi nodded, her lips trembling as she tried to decide the answer to that question. "Uh, yeah. Yeah." She loosely crossed her arms across her chest, trying to ignore the uncomfortable itch on the palm of her right hand.

Hannah gave Levi a close-lipped smile and quickly pushed the door open, her pulse pounding in her ears as she told Mike's name to the hostess, who nodded and gestured for both women to follow her to a private room; soft chatter could be heard as they walked closer. Levi reached over and grabbed Hannah's hand, squeezing it tight in an attempt to calm her nerves.

"We can leave if you want," Hannah whispered, turning to face Levi as the hostess walked away. "We'll tell them you felt sick and that we'll meet them tomorrow—"

"No, no." Levi shook her head, taking a deep breath and giving Hannah a small smile. "We promised we'd be here."

Hannah nodded, letting her eyes scan Levi's face before surging forward and wrapping her arms around her, squeezing her tightly.

"Ready?"

"I was born ready, Solo."

With that, both women walked into the dining room, the soft chatter slowing to a stop as they came face to face with three men; as they both looked around, everything felt like it was falling into place—repressed and faded memories slowly piecing themselves together and filling in the blank spaces.

"Bill?" Levi asked breathlessly, laughing softly in wonderment when the man standing across from her nodded; Bill's face has slimmed slightly and he had an attractive amount of stubble, but his eyes were still the same kind, blue eyes she remembered from her childhood.

"It's nice to see you, girls," Mike spoke up, making his way around the table and engulfing both women in a hug.

"God, Mikey!" Hannah laughed, the tension in her body melting away as she reciprocated the hug, "It's been way too fucking long!" She pulled away from Mike, her eyes widening when they landed on the figure standing behind them. "Holy shit! Eddie!"

"Eds!" Levi gasped, quickly letting go of Mike and launching herself at the Kaspbrak man, who caught her with ease. "Jesus Christ, are you sure you aren't an impostor?"

Eddie rolled his eyes good-naturedly, shaking his head as he spoke, "Puberty's a thing, you know, Lev."

"But you were so tiny and now you're so tall." Levi emphasizes her words by widening her eyes, playfully ruffling Eddie's hair, making him groan as he put her down to fix his hair.

The sound of the gong startled them and interrupted their conversation and laughter; they all turned to look at the entrance, where Richie stood, all messy hair and black glasses, just like they remembered him; behind him were Beverly and Ben.