HEART ACHE <3 REDDIE

chap 24: going for a swim

Eddie

Richie didn't come to school that week, mostly because he didn't want to seem embarrassed that he got beat up but I knew it was because he didn't want to run into Buddy again.

Saturday was halloween and Richie was still brusied, glassesless, and sore. But he joked through the pain as always. His nose was crooked so I assumed he had definitely broke it.

Saturday hit and we all agreed to meet at Bev's. We were supposed to go to a party at Mike's, mostly because he knew the most people because of working at the library. He had set up lights in the barn and it basically looked badass.

I eyed all my friends costumes as Mike and Bill set out drinks.

Richie laid his hand on top of mine while I sat on hay bail with him. I looked down and smiled at his hand on top of mine.

"Nobody dressed as a clown, cause that wouldn't be funny." Richie leaned into my ear. I let out a small laugh and nodded in agreement.

I had settled on being an angel, cause it was amazingly fitting for me, of course. Complete with white pants and sweater, a headband with a halo over my head.

Richie was a rockstar, which he made clear. He had his hair a little extra messy and his nails were painted black. He had bright red eyeshadow messily placed around his eyes and ripped jeans, boots, and a red button up shirt that had the first 7 buttons undone to show his chest. Frankly, he looked hot minus all the brusies, cuts, and his nose being just a bit crooked.

Bev was some girl named Marlene Dietrich, which was just her with her hair bobby pinned back in a suit with dark eyeliner on.

Ben was a pumpkin, which was fitting from him being a pretty plump kid.

Mike was a cop, which was fitting for him because he was a lawful, upright person, and well, he couldn't be a firefighter cause oh the irony.

Bill was dressed as death, which I found to be more Richie's style but he insisted on walking around in his black cloak and fake staff.

And Stan was "nun of your business" which was just him dressed as a nun with a briefcase, which had made Richie laugh cry for 20 solid minutes on the way over. Mostly because of the pun but also because Stan was jewish.

"Hey R-Richie. Can we get your t-tall ass over here for a hand?" Bill asked as he struggled to hang a streamer. Richie shot me a wink and jumped up to go help the boys. Bev must've took this as an opening because she sat next to me, cigarette between her fingers.

"That's a fire hazard in a barn." I informed her. She let out a loud laugh and smiled at me. People had started arriving. A lot more than I had expected. I puffed on my inhaler.

"So what's going on with you and Richie?" She asked. If it was anyone but her, maybe not Stan or Bill Or Mike, who hadn't brought up what I told him the night Richie got beat up but would glance at us with a smirk when we were close, I would've nest around the bush and lied, played dumb.

"We are happy. That's all." I shrugged.

"So you're not dating?"

I thought it over for a second. Were we? I was content how I was with him... was I?

"I think he's still technically dating Jane." Which was true.

"But have you guys fucked?" Bev asked nonchalantly and made my face heat up.

"Bev!" I whispered shouted, signaling her to lower her voice and to stop talking about it all together. The truth was I was scared to really be Richie's boyfriend. I was scared everytime he kissed me. Every time he touched me.

After losing Richie to a crowd and loud music I found Mike, laughing with a few people I didn't know.

"Hey Eddie!" He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He smelled of beer. I hated beer.

"Hey uh..." I glanced at the girls to realize they were friends of Jane.

Fuck fuck fuck Mike.

"Wait you guys are Richies friends? Is he here?" One of them asked. Before I could compose a lie Mike blurted "Somewhere."

Damn it, Mike! Jane's probably here and she's probably off with Richie right now. They're probably out by the pond fu-

"Hey, Eds." I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. Richie's hand. I felt relieved and worried all at the same time. He reeked of liquor.

"Are you Richie?" The girl piped up again. I could tell she was confused by the cuts and brusies laying on Richie's skin.

"Who's asking?" He asked in a, what I guessed, mobster accent. Quick as light a cup of beer hit Richie in the face and he flinched back before laughing. His eyeliner was now running down his face.

"That's for Jane!" She yelled and in sync they all turned around and stomped off.

"Refreshing." He laughed. I couldn't help but giggle a little and he looked down at me and Mike.

"You see that shit? Free shower."

Mike let out a hearty laugh and I saw Richie's long fingers reach into his pocket.

"I'm gonna have a smoke." He turned on his heel and I shot Mike a smile before following right on Richie's heels to the lake, which was a good distance from the barn. Alone with Richie once again.

"Are you drunk?" I asked as we stood at the edge of the water, staring into the dark.

"Not yet. You?"

I shook my head and he puffed on his cigarette. I glanced over at him and saw his running makeup and couldn't help but laugh. He looked so stunning but so silly. That was Richie.

"Are you laughing at me, shit face?" He scoffed. I was starting to hyperventilate and had to fish my inhaler out from laughing so hard, nodding.

"Is this funny to you? That I'm soaked?" He cocked an eyebrow and tears formed in my eyes from laughing so hard.

"Yeah." I managed to gasp for air. A grin spread across Richie's face and before I knew it he had grabbed my inhaler and shoved me into the water.

It was cold. It was probably so dirty but my head came up from the water and I was laughing.

"How do you like it?" He smiled and crouched to the edge. I swam toward him and smiled up at him, moving my face dangerously close to his before grabbing his arm and yanking him in.

He hit the water with a splash and I instantly dunked back under to see his hair, floating, his makeup ruined. His shirt untucked and his eyes wide. He looked gorgeous. Honestly.

I swam toward him, forgetting the bacteria in the water around me. Almost in slow motion he had grabbed my face and pushed his lips into mine. My eyes shut and I forgot I even needed air. Our legs bumped into each other and I felt my stomach lurch.

This. This was what I was afraid of.

I broke away and pushed myself to the surface, gulping for air. Not long after Richie's head broke the surface too. I wanted to tell him I was scared right then and there, to just break things off quick. To get rid of those scary ass feelings.

"Richie.." I started to say but my voice cracked as he swam closer to me and his leg hit mine in the water and his hair matted to his forehead and his makeup ran and... and...

"I love you!" I blurted.

You fucking idiot! That's the opposite of what you were supposed to do! Stupid! You're so stupid!

Richie's eyes grew wide and he started to stutter but I didn't want to stick around to the denial or rejection he was going to send my way, so I reached for the land and yanked myself up. My shoes squished as I ran back toward the barn. I didn't know why I ran. Panic mode had kicked in.

I needed Stan, or Bev, or Ben, or Bill, or Mike, but I wanted Richie.