IT: Chapter I - It Begins

Family

Lia's Pov
I had been staying at Stan's for a few days now. My father thought that I was at a friends house. Well, I was but he didn't know who.

Anyways, I had been helping in the household and Stan was doing the same.,,You know, you don't have to do this.",Stan said after we had spent a lot of time in silence.,,I know. But I want to. Just because I'm staying here, doesn't mean that I can't or won't help.",I replied, putting the broom away. I turned around and caught Stan staring at me. He quickly looked away when he saw me looking back at him, blushing a little. It made me giggle.,,Hey, how is your speech going? For your thing.",I asked, thinking of the word. What was it called again? Bar... Bar... The second word didn't come to my mind.,,You mean the Bar Mitzvah?",he said, smirking a little.,,Yes! That. Sorry, didn't know the word.",I meant, fidgeting with my hands.,,Not really. I just... It's hard. I have to read out of the tora and then my speech. I don't know what I could say.",he told me honestly. I nodded, thinking.,,Have you practiced reading these past days?",I inquired, walking over to him. Stan shook his head.,,Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go.",I said, going past him. Stan had looked at me with a confused look.,,What do you mean?",he asked, following me upstairs.,,You're going to practice and I'll be here, listening.",I explained.,,You would do that? Why?",he inquired as we arrived upstairs.

,,We're friends, aren't we? And friends help each other. Even if they had a fight.",I told him and saw him thinking. Oh right... I probably made him think about the fight Richie and Bill had and everything else what was going on.,,You know what I mean. Now c'mon.",I said, walking towards his room.,,I'll get the Tora.",Stan called after me. I was definitely not going to understand a single word but I didn't care. As long as I could help in any way possible, I would be happy and not having his father correct him, would make Stan a little more confident about all of this.

Some time later
,,How was it?",Stan asked, after re-reading whatever he had to read for the 25th, no wait, 30th time. Yes, I kept track of it.,,Better than the last time. But again, just relax. Be yourself.",I told him, sitting up on his bed because I had been laying on my stomach for the past hour or so.,,My father expects me to...",Stan started but I interrupted him.,,Stop it right there, Uris. You have to be yourself. Don't do what your father wants you to do. And your speech? Say what you wanna say. This is what you should do at your Bar Mitzvah.",I rattled down, taking a deep breath at the end. Oh wow... This was a fucking long breath in which I had said that!

Stan hadn't said anything for a few minutes after that. Did I say something stupid or wrong?,,You know what? You're right. I'm just scared that I'll embarrass myself.",he meant, sitting down next to me. I scooted a little closer, putting my hand on his shoulder.,,There is nothing wrong with that. You don't even know how often I embarrass myself in front of others. Try to embrace it. It's not that bad then.",I replied. Stan chuckled a little bit.,,Thanks. For this.",he thanked me.,,No need to thank me. But there's something I need to tell you.",I replied, sitting up a little straighter. Stan was looking at me, waiting for me to continue.,,I need to go back home and before you say anything, let me explain it.",I said, already seeing his worried expression.,,My cousin is going to visit us and I have to be there. Henry has been out with his friends a lot, so I should be fine.",I explained as Stan stood up.,,Are you 100% sure?",he asked. I nodded.,,Ok.. Just be careful. You know your brother.",Stan meant.,,I know. Stop worrying so much.",I said, standing up.

After that, we didn't really do much. Just talked a little more as I packed my things. And then I left the house, ready to go home.,,Are you going to come?", Stan asked as I picked up my bike.,,What do you mean?",I replied, looking confused.,,To the Bar Mitzvah. Richie is the only one who will be there.",he told me. I smiled a little.,,I'll be there. I promise.",I assured him and hugged him shortly.,,I'll see you around.",I meant, getting on the bike. Stan nodded and looked after me as I was on my way home.,,Be careful, Bowers!",he called after me, laughing a little. It made me laugh. This boy was something else, like his friends.