𝑺𝑳𝑬𝑬𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬𝑹𝒀 , reddie

date 2

[1 message from: chee]

didn't forget about the festival today right ed's?
better hurry up, don't want to be late.

"oh.." eddie completely forgot the festival was today.

there was so much student council work he had to do. organize events and manage clubs and groups, he was exhausted.

he looked at the text richie sent.

he wondered what the basketball team did for the festival. he pondered it and thought maybe it was some sort of café.

it was a fun festival for other students and guests, running around all day.

eddie laughed bitterly and tiredly, then left for the festival.

the school grounds were very crowded with students and visitors. there was a delicious smell in the air and the sound of laughter.

eddie ran around busily, making sure everything was in order.

"oh, make sure you keep that there!"

later in the day there was a special talent show and the schools specialty couple competition.

"principal, we're done here!"

"really," eddie replied to the student calling to him. "call the talent show participants in advance and tell them to standby."

eddie sighed tiredly. "do not forget to check and see if the music and effects work properly."

he gave the instructions quickly and then was called again.

his body was tired but he felt good from seeing everyone happy.

eddie read the words on every door.

maid café, haunted house, magic café, etc.

they all corresponded with the characteristics of each club. the students who didn't have a club gathered together in a class. billy was in the newspaper club.

when eddie walked by billy was deep in writing, of course he was, billy was a writer. an amazing one at that.

eddie stopped at one door of a crowded room. when he checked inside, of course it was a shop run by the basketball club. the name of it was something about love.

he opened his file and looked through at the details of the store. the menu was different from a regular café, the only thing was that you would get a free hug.

he could overhear people talking about who they wanted their hug from. eddie heard richies name bounce around a few times. he listened carefully, it seemed like a draw.

eddie knew richie was popular but, it was different seeing it first hand. there was a bunch of girls around richie. he didn't look too happy.

"why can't we hug you?"

"it's done randomly, from a draw." richie replied to the girl.

richie yawned continuously among people. he must be tired from doing delivery at night and going to school every day.

he looked different, very unfamiliar today with all the girls around him.

'that's not the trashmouth i know..'

eddie turned to leave, thinking it would be weird to go say hi to richie.

"oh president, you're here? did you come to take a look?"

someone talked behind him, a junior who eddie had only seen a few times.

"no, i just stopped by to check since there was so many people."

"why don't you go in and get a free hug!"

eddie stiffened up a bit.

"you can cut the line too, since you're president!" the junior smiled. "come on, come this way."

eddie couldn't turn this offer down, when he realized he was already at the front of the line. it was hard to see richie, he was completely hidden among people.

"you can put your hand in this container and pull a number out!"

eddie nodded slightly and slipped his hand in, pulling a paper slip out. he checked the tag attached to it #6.

the junior called out to number six.

a boy sitting on a desk lifted his arm, approaching eddie. eddie shook a little with uneasiness. he didn't exactly feel comfortable with hugging people, especially with germ transmission.

as soon as the boy stretched his arms out he was interrupted.

"you idiot," it was richies voice. he grabbed the slip of paper from eddie, flipping it upside down. "this is a 9, not a 6."

"actually senior that's a-"stop with your nonsense, it's a 9 no matter how you look fella."

richie looked over at eddie.

"well, congrats president. you won a hug from the infamous richie the cutie tozier!" eddie almost snorted. he made a disgusted face and richie frowned.

"somethings on your face."

"yeah, yeah."

"do i gotta punch that look off yah?"

everyone's eyes were on them, thanks to richie "the cutie" tozier.

richie bent his body over to look at eddie at the same eye level, he whispered to eddie in a soft voice. "close your eyes."

and eddie did so.

richies arms stretched out and his hand slowly touched eddies hair.

eddie felt his heart pound oddly. he didn't like it, he almost pulled away at the unfamiliar feeling in his heart.

richie held eddies waist with his hand, the other naturally wrapped around his head.

eddie opened his mouth to speak, and richie shushed him.

eddie thought this touching was different from before. this wasn't how he touched him at home, it was different.

maybe it was because they were in public, maybe that was why eddies heart was pounding.

richie bowed his head and came closer. eddies grip on his file tightened in his hand.

"stay still," richie whispered in eddies ear. "this is awkward enough."

"well, then you can let you." eddie said shyly.

richie huffed a laugh. "i'm not doing this because i like you," richie seemed to stiffen a bit. "i like pretty girls."

eddie thought back to when richie called him pretty at the party. maybe he was joking. maybe eddie was as repulsive as he thought he was.

though richie finished talking, he didn't let eddie go, his grip almost tightened. his breathing was shaky in eddies ear, as if he was nervous, and his body shook too, like he was holding something back. eddie buried his face in richies arms, already blushed.

as it ended, eddie covered his face with his file and left as quickly as he could. his heart was still pounding, but traces of doubt were left in his mind.