Diary Pages and Ink Pens

3

Bill had woken up earlier than he would have liked that morning but his mother wanted to take him school shopping. He begrudgingly agreed to go with her to the store. He didn't want to think about attending his junior year of high school. Bowers was now a senior which meant he'd use that against him and his friends, the Losers Club, all year. He'd have to start doing homework and that's never a fun thing. School, in summary, was hell and he wasn't looking forward to it. 

Bill looked through the racks of clothes to find something he'd actually wear. He pulled out a nice looking flannel and added it to the small pile of clothes he had picked out. Bill hummed a bit to the music playing through the speakers of the store as he went down the line of clothes in the department store. The fashion trends were starting to shift and popular kids were hopping on the trends to keep up. Bill liked the denim jackets and looser clothes that were coming into fashion more than some of the other tye-dye clothing. 

"Stanly, you need to pick more than one shirt, you are school shopping and don't want to look like the same sophomore you did last year," a woman scolded catching Bill's attention. He looked around the clothes rack and saw the boy from the other day. He looked bored and annoyed with the whole ordeal. Bill bit his lip and decided to try and save the boy from his mother. 

"H-Hey S-Stan, it's Bill f-from the other d-day," he said with a smile walking over. His heart was racing out of his chest though, he was horrified that Stan would ignore him or something along the lines. 

Stan looked over and relief flooded his face, "oh hey Bill, are you school shopping too?" There was a hint of desperation to get away from his mother laced in his voice. 

"Y-yeah, want t-to help m-m-me pick some stuff out?" Bill asked him, "only if it' s ok w-with your m-mom of course."

She nodded and Stan hurried to Bill's side as they disappeared into a new area of clothes. Stan let out a breath of relief running a hand through his curly hair. "Thank you for that, I owe you one."

Bill shook his head insisting it wasn't a big deal as he looked through some of the clothes. He pulled out a jacket and help it out to Stan. It was a breached denim jacket that was long, Bill thought it'd suit the taller male. Stan took it puzzled and then hummed a bit. 

"It's a nice jacket," He mused a bit looking back at Bill.

"W-we gotta sell that w-w-we are sh-shopping y'know," he laughed and went to look for the dressing rooms. 

Stan followed and picked a few things up on the way. When they arrived they picked the rooms across from each other and decided to have a mini fashion show. Bill first pulled on a loose band t-shirt and jeans. He finished the look by pulling on a windbreaker. He laughed a bit and walked out to see Stan in a white shirt tucked into his jeans with the denim jacket. Bill got lost looking at him fro a moment before he smiled. 

"You a-a-are l-lookin' st-stylish Stanly," Bill commented, "Very 50s." 

Stan grinned and looked over at him and snorted, "You look like you raided Tozier's closet."

Bill laughed as well and started to go back to his pile of clothes to try on, "I w-w-wouldn't say that's a bad th-thing."

They two boys continued their fashion show, picking a few new outfits and accessories. They met back up with their mothers and headed to the checkout lanes.  Bill wished they could have stayed longer and hung out more. He loved being with Stan, something about him made him feel all giddy inside. Something he never felt before he met Stan. A sweet feeling of love and longing. 

The two boys said their good-byes and went their separate ways for now. Bill still wasn't over the lighthearted feeling as he sat in the car on the way home. He wanted to tell someone about these feelings or at least hang out with someone who'd keep him in such high spirits. He rushed to his room to drop off the stuff them get the phone to call up Eddie. He always was there to listen and to be with him since they were tots. 

"Hello, I'm l-lookin' for Eddie?" Bill asked softly in case it was Sonia on the other end of the line.

There was a shuffle and muffled yell before the soft voice spoke up, "Hey it's Eddie."

"H-Hey it's B-Bill, I was wondering i-if you wanted to h-hang out?" Bill asked as he tapped his foot excitedly. There was a pause before Eddie confirmed he could and then told him to meet him on the corner of the street. Bill ran off to get Silver and yelled goodbye and sped off to meet Eddie. 

When the other pulled up Bill grinned, "H-Hey Eddie."

"Sup Bill, you look like you've had a good day," Eddie smiled and dropped his bike going to sit with him. 

The two sat on the street corner and talked about their days and dread of school that was on the horizon. There were some moments when Eddie would perk up when he mentioned talking to Richie and his eyes would glint with a distinct feeling. Something Bill also felt when talking about Stan. Though being a fairy in the 1980s was social suicide so they had to subvertly avoid saying they liked them. They could talk for hours to each other and never run out of topics. There was an unspoken bond between the two outcasts in the town. Even though they were different in personality they were closer than most.  

"I think I should head home Eddie, I'll swing by tomorrow though with my old jacket you like," Bill said getting up as the sun started to set and hugged his best friend. They stayed there for a moment before Bill pulled away and grabbed his bike. 

Eddie grabbed his bike and smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow Bill!" He grinned and started to ride off back to his house down the street. Bill did the same heading home to write in his journal and his book. There was a slight shift from dreading the schoolyear to being a bit excited to see Stanly more. 

When he got home and helped his mother set dinner. He hurried to his room to jot down something before he went to dinner. 

dear diary,

maybe school won't suck, in fact, i'm excited to go back. something has changed. Stanly is here now. that's what's changed.