HEART ACHE <3 REDDIE

chap 6: hangover

Eddie

My head throbbed in pain as sun poured into my eyes. My body hurt. My hip was bruised. I felt heavy, like I could lay in Richie's bed the rest of my life. I was dehydrated.

This is it. My brain is going to explode. I'm going to die.

Except I didn't. I got up and walked to the kitchen, past a still sleeping Richie. He looked so peaceful. It was rare to see him calm so when he slept he looked so dainty.

Stan was sat at the table, book in hand and coffee mug in other, already dressed.

"Jesus why are you up already?" I rubbed my eyes, grabbing a mug from their cabinet, but just filling it with water to chug.

"Strict dad. We had to be up at 5:30 AM every morning to be at temple. Routine is everything." He sipped his coffee, not taking his eyes away from his book.

Sometimes I was jealous of Stan. Of how clean and put together he was. Of how strong his household was and how involved his dad was, strict or not.

"Remind me to never drink again." I groaned, leaning against the counter as I massaged my temples, trying to rid my migraine.

"Ah, hungover." Stan smiled. He stood and walked to the sink, rinsing out his mug and setting it softly in the sink. Birds. It had little birds on it.

"Mmhm." I hummed, shutting my eyes and rubbing my temples.

"Go get dressed. I'll take you home." He offered but that was the last thing I wanted.

"I don't wanna go home. Just... let me nap here for awhile." I said but it sounded more like a question, to which Stan nodded in agreement and I dragged myself back to Richie's room.

He was gone from the couch and his door was open just a crack. Just enough for me to see him getting dressed. His chest was bare and his hair was messy as he pulled his jeans on. I could see the outline of his.... the jokes were true... maybe... stop it!

That's sick. That's my best friend! I'm so sick.

"There's a thing called privacy." Stan's voice made me jump as he passed. Jesus he was like a damn ninja. I stuck my tongue out at him and pushed the door open slowly.

"Good morning, Eds." Richie grinned widely as he fixed his glasses on his face. He was so hot without them.

Stop it.

"Mind if I steal your bed for a few?" I asked, already moving to sit on it anyway. Richie flinched when I walked past him, taking a step back.

"You did all of last night. Be my guest." He answered, reaching to find his beaten up sneakers from under his bed. I made a mental note to get him new ones for Christmas.

"Where are you going?" I snuggled into the warm covers as he sat on the edge of the bed, causing it to indent while he tied his shoes.

"Arcade. I start today." He said shortly. I had completely forgot about that. Then I remembered our bicker on the phone just days before.

"Richie about that phone call the other day-"

"It doesn't matter." He cut me off, shrugging.

"I wasn't going to apologize, you prick. You were the one being the asshole. " I spat, knitting my eyebrows together. A soft smirk cracked on his face as he looked over at me.

"I know. That's why I said it doesn't matter."

I threw a pillow at him on the way out the door, secretly wishing him luck in my head.

I napped for longer than I had planned, by the time Stan came in and shook me awake it was 2 PM.

"Why did you let me sleep so long?" I rubbed my eyes.

"You were being quiet, I didn't want to ruin it."

I stuck my tongue out at and him and searched the floor for my pants. Stan just stood there watching me, chewing on his bottom lip.

"Eddie."

I found them. They were inside out.

"Hm?"

"Do you remember anything from last night?"

I thought it over. No. I didn't.

"Why, did we sleep together?" I joked. He clearly didn't think it was funny.

It fell awkwardly quiet as I grabbed my shirt, pulling it on over my head.

"Do you ever worry about Richie?" He asked abruptly. The question threw me off.

"Yeah. He does some kind of drug to be acting the way he does-"

"No I mean really worry." He looked nervous, still chewing on his lip. I knitted my eyebrows together. It wasn't like him to worry over anyone but himself, especially Richie.

"Why are you asking?"

"Last night he... I don't think it's my place to tell." He finally shook his head.

"What are you trying to say?" I was completely and utterly confused.

"The rumors. Around school. About what happened at the arcade that summer... I know you know what I mean."

I did. I knew exactly what it was but it was never brought up for the sake of not wanting to upset Richie, and of course the rumors weren't true, all Richie talked about was having sex with girls and girls bodies and just girls in general. There was no way he was... gay? No way. Not Rich.

"What about them?" I got defensive, crossing my arms.

"Eddie. I think they're true." He said hesitantly.

"No way. Have you met Richie?"

"Yeah but I see things about him that you don't. I know things you don't."

"You know how upset those rumors probably make him? And you're just feeding into them. You're no better than the damn person who started them." I snapped, pushing past him. I wasn't mad he had showed concern for Richie. I was mad he was feeding into it. I was mad because a little part of me deep down had wondered the same thing once in awhile.

"Eddie!"

But I was already out the door.