HEART ACHE <3 REDDIE

chap 14: holy shit

Richie

I didn't go to school that day, I had nursed Stan's hangover, scared to ask if he remembered what he had told me the night before, but I knew he probably didn't.

Bev and Eddie had called to check and see why we didn't show, and when I explained Stan had a hangover they both immediately seemed to get nervous. There was my confirmation. I didn't have to ask Stan.

I didn't know how to feel. The day went by extremely quick considering all I did was tend to Stan and think about the fact that holy shit Eddie was gay.

I eventually fell asleep around 5 AM with a smile on my face. Because holy shit Eddie was gay.

The next morning I drove Stan and I to school, tired, drained. He split to his first period and I to mine, which was english. I sat in my seat and ignored Eddie's "hey fuck face" because I wasn't ready to look at him without bursting into tears.

I laid my head on my desk and instantly fell asleep. I knew Mr. Stewart was going to yell at me to wake up the second he saw my head down, but I didn't care.

"Mr. Tozier!" he yelled and I jumped awake, causing laughter to erupt in the class from everyone but Eddie.

"I'm up!"

"A guys mouth." someone mumbled behind me and my face flushed red as everyone laughed even harder. I didn't feel as embarrassed about the rumors anymore.

"Why don't you go fuck your mom, Buddy?" I heard Eddie snap and looked to see him turned around and facing a blonde football player, Buddy Freemorn. His face was red and the tips of his ears were pink. They did that when he got mad.

"You're just mad he's probably up yours, wheezy." Buddy snapped back.

"Alright enough!" Mr. Stewart yelled.

Eddie turned a dark scarlet and anger bubbled in my stomach.

"Fuck off, Buddy. You're insults are about as good as that 50s preacher haircut you got." I ignored Mr. Stewart. The class laughed and I couldn't help but feel victorious.I

"You wanna say that to my face, little shit?" He stood up and I found myself standing too, but Eddie grabbed my wrist.

"Richie-"

"Boys!"

I yanked my wrist away and marched toward Buddy. He was much more built than me but I had a few inches of height on him. Maybe I could hit him and run.

As if it was a reflex I stepped a few inches away from him and punched him square in the nose. He stumbled back and a few people gasped, including myself. I looked at my head in disbelief as he held his nose, blood all over his hand.

"You scrawny little fuck head! You broke my nose!" I heard him mutter through his hand.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-" But I was being dragged away by my collar. Eddie stood and followed me out of the class as Mr. Stewart lead me to the office.

"Mr. Stewart he didn't mean any harm! Look at the skinny bastard!" Eddie pleaded.

"Hey!" I snapped but Eddie shot me a look that said shut the fuck up, I'll be yelling at your dumbass later.

"Mr. Stewart, please!" Eddie yelled , grabbing our teachers wrist which caused him to stop.

"Richie is a straight A student and the worst thing he does is cause a food fight." Eddie pleaded.

"And one of those times it wasn't even on purpose!" I added , and Eddie nodded.

"You know he's not a bad kid. We've had you every year of high school and Richie has passed with flying colors each time. Just cut him some slack this time." Eddie let his hand fall back to his side. Mr. Stewart looked at me, then Eddie, then me.

"This is the only time I will be letting you off the hook." He let my collar go and I felt my heart rate slow back to normal.

"You both are dismissed for the rest of the day until you can get yourselves together."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. There was no possible way it was real. I had got to break Buddy's nose and I was dismissed.

Eddie followed me out to the parking lot, on my heels as I strutted.

"Can you believe that?" I laughed, unlocking my car. Eddie got in without saying a word.

"You okay, spaghetti?" I opened my door and bent down, furrowing my eyebrows.

"You're a jackass, Richie!" he snapped, folding his arms. His face was turning red again.

"That was not my fault! You heard what Buddy was saying!" I tried to defend myself. Eddie shot me a glare.

"Take me home." He muttered. I grew angry, but listened, climbing into my seat and starting the car, slamming my door a bit too hard.

Halfway down the road, in silence, we passed the kissing bridge. I could see the R + E faded as we approached it and I remembered what Stan had said the night before.

"It wasn't my fault." I said again.

"Yes it was." He wouldn't look at me.

"You heard what he said, Eddie! That's fucking harassment!"

"Get over it Richie! God it's been years since the fucking arcade scene happened! So what people think you're gay? Is there something wrong with that? Why are you so offended by it?!" Eddie screamed at me. I was in shock that he could get so mad.

I felt angry tears swell up in my eyes and I slammed on the breaks.

"You know why I hate the rumors, Eddie? Huh?!" I turned to face him, "Because they're fucking true! But that doesn't matter to you because you like boys too, don't you? Huh?!"

I couldn't stop myself. I gasped when I realized what I had said. Eddie had froze, his eyes wide. My hand flew to my mouth as "I'm sorry" spilled out of it over and over.

"Stan told you?" His voice was soft. I didn't want to throw Stan under the bus but I couldn't lie, so I just stayed quiet.

"Yeah. Thought so." He whispered, turning his eyes out the front window. I stared straight ahead.

"You want me to take you home now?"

I felt his eyes flicker to me for a second.

"Yeah."