The Aftermath (Reddie)

8

Richie's POV

I had forgotten myself. I had gotten lost in Eddie's innocent face and motormouth. For a second everything had felt normal. Like we were just normal high school best friends goofing around.

But then he smiled, and my insides turned to jelly. I shouldn't have even talked to him, how could I forget myself?

And now Eddie was gasping and stumbling about with four books in his grip.

My heart was literally hurting.

"Dude," I interrupted his struggle, "there's like five minutes left until the end of the period, there's literally no point."

He continued to stumble and reached for a fifth book, "Mr. Johnson's already pissed at me for daydreaming," he argued.

I shook my head and walked over to him.

"Are you going to help?" He sputtered and loaded the fifth book on.

"This is much more entertaining," I chuckled but then he reached for another book, "woah there Hercules."

Eddie just grumbled and grabbed ahold of the book, but as soon as the weight was transferred into his hands he started to fall backwards.

I jumped forward and caught him. But I am not a strong guy and the combined weight of Eddie and the six books knocked me to the ground too.

I fell flat on my ass with Eddie laying across my lap. The books had fallen from his hands onto the floor. He looked dazed and just stunning-

No. No no no no no.

I can't think thoughts like that.

I shoved Eddie off of my lap and stood.

"Ow Fuck," Eddie groaned as his head smacked he ground.

"Oh shit Eddie, I'm so sorry!" I rushed to help him up but then backed away.

Don't touch the other boys Richie, or they'll know your secret

He looked hurt as I backed away from him.

I just stared at him shamefully, I couldn't even bring myself to look away.

God I was such a mess.

Then the bell rang.

"I..I gotta go to class," and then I tried my best not to full out run away from Eddie.

I was such a dick leaving Eddie on the floor with a bunch of textbooks I said I would help him with.

But I needed to stop thinking about Eddie, especially like...that.

I rushed into my art class and grabbed a seat.

"R-Richie?"

I turned. I had chosen to sit next to Bill fucking Denbrough. Just what I needed right now.

"Hey Bill," I was casual. Cool as a cucumber.

He was smiling. Bill looked carefree.

Did he not remember the summer? Did he not remember Georgie?

"H-hey man I h-have hardly seen you a-all summer."

His stutter was better, hardly even there.

"Sorry, I was just busy," It was a lame excuse.

But Bill didn't seem to care, he was just grinning madly.

"Well I in-invited the rest of the l-losers to hang in the clubhouse, w-wanna join?"

He had gone mad. Bill had literally forgotten everything.

Maybe his brain had blocked out the memories. I've read that sometimes that can happen when someone is really traumatized. I wished that that had happened to me.

"Richie?"

I snapped back to attention, "sorry," I muttered, "sure I'm up to hang, when?"

"W-well obviously not tonight, S-stan told me your g-going on a date-"

Oh fuck I forgot about that.

"S-so tomorrow. If that w-works?"

I smiled warmly at my friend who had been blessed with the memory loss of everything that had gone wrong in my life, "Of course Bill."

His face lit up.

Bill was happy. He wasn't weighed down by the past.

He was so fucking lucky.

-----

Aw

Wholesome.

But also angsty.

idek.

I'm super fucking tired and kinda hungry and its not even 10 right now. But this book is like a drug and I am addicted to writing it.

Which is totally healthy.