The Aftermath (Reddie)

3

Richie's POV

I tried to focus on my math. I loved math. I was good at math.

But the parabolas Ms. Howe had us making looked so much like the smile that always lurked on IT's face.

It was only first period, but I didn't have any of the losers in my class. Yet I still couldn't focus, I was such a mess.

I felt like everyone was staring at me. They had probably seen what had happened in the hallway today, but they had most likely heard rumors over the summer.

I could be paranoid, but it seemed like all of the boys in class were scared to go near me. And that terrified me.

I was so confused, and ashamed, and scared. There seemed to be nothing I could do to fix it either.

But at least I was safe from seeing my friends for now.

And then the bell rang. At first I sat motionless in my desk, but then I willed my body to move.

I followed to crowd out the door, and I swear one boy shuddered as I brushed past him.

I looked at my feet the whole walk to my next class. Somehow I avoided the seniors from earlier, or any other guy with a threatened masculinity and some spare time.

Physics with Mr. Arnold.

But then I stepped in the classroom. It was really Physics with Stanley Uris.

We were so close before, but now I avoided his eyes and sat two rows away.

"I'm going to separate you into different lab groups. We have a lab on Friday so you all need to prepare for it," Mr. Arnold's voice boomed through the musty room signaling the start of class.

He counted us off into groups of two. So really we were just being separated into lap partners. How thrilling.

And because I am oh so lucky, I was paired with Stanley fucking Uris. My Jewish friend. The same friend who had his head wrapped up to hide the bloody teeth marks scarred into the sides of his face. You could still faintly see them.

"Hey Rich," he greeted with a tight lipped smile. I returned the action.

"Stan the man, how goes it?" I retreated to using a silly voice. The humor that was so easy to use in the face of fear and embarrassment.

"Just wishing summer was still here."

Was it a lie? Had he been able to forget the events that transpired?

No, his skin was pale and it looked like he was sweating. His bloodshot eyes were enough to prove that he felt like me. Fucking terrified.

"Hey, at least now we have easier access to the babes," I was smirking. It was easy to be a fuckboy, easy to act like all I thought about was girls and sex.

Stanley seemed to relax, we were pretending like we hadn't spent the summer in near-death situations. I was making jokes about girls, it was normal. It was comforting even.

We were pretending to be okay.

"Like you could even get a girl," he scoffed.

Had he heard the rumors?

I was flustered, "oh really?" and impulsive, "watch this."

I marched up to a girl, she looked desperate enough. Hopefully she was.

"Laura?" I got her attention.

She turned to me and smiled softly, "what's up Richie?"

"Do you want to sit with me at lunch?"

She blushed, probably because I was being so lame. But she nodded, so I kissed her cheek and sauntered back to Stan.

"Told you."

"'Do you want to sit with me at lunch?'" He was laughing, mocking me, "dude this isn't third fucking grade."

I rolled my eyes, "you're just jealous I can actually get a girl," I retorted and smirked.

It was all so wrong. We were acting too normal.

We were trying to forget.

-----

Oof.

Not gonna lie I kind of vibe with this book already, idk though.

Your thoughts?