The Aftermath (Reddie)

13

Eddie's POV

"Thanks for watching my books," I said and sat back down at mine and Mary Ann's table. She looked pained.

The whole lunchroom felt weird, even though everyone seemed to be smiling.

But Richie was gone.

"Yeah they were really out of control," she muttered but she wasn't looking at me. She was staring at the doors opposite the ones I had returned from the bathroom through.

I followed her gaze but nothing was there so I looked back at Richie's empty spot.

Stan and Bill were still sitting at the table but they were looking dazed and weird too.

I was gone for hardly five minutes and the whole room shifted.

"What happened while I was away?" I asked.

Mary Ann sighed, "your friend is in some big doodoo."

"Richie?" I asked instantly. It had to be Richie, that must be why he was missing. Where the seniors after him again?

She nodded.

Shit.

I grasped my aspirator as my breathing started to get heavier.

"I-I need to go talk to Stan," I stood shakily. I was scared.

What if Richie was hurt? What if he was crying?

He never should be without his stupid grin.

Mary Ann just nodded. Her eyes were sympathetic.

I made my way over to Stan and Bill, it didn't matter that I had hardly talked to either of them since the summer. Richie was more important than that. He could be in serious trouble.

"Stan! Bill!" I exclaimed gasping for air.

They looked at me fearfully, "aspirator buddy," they insisted and pointed to the aspirator in my hand.

Shit. Asthma was being too much of a hassle.

Once I was breathing normal again I started back up with the situation at hand.

"Where's Richie?" I was direct and desperate.

They both sighed but didn't answer.

"Well?" I pressed.

Bill scratched the back of his neck, "I-I think R-Richie wants to be a-alone."

"Why? What happened?"

"Were you not in the lunchroom?" Stan looked confused.

"Would I be asking you what happened if I was?!"

He shrugged.

These two were as helpful as a bag of bricks.

"I think we owe it to Richie to not say anything," Stan said quietly.

"What the fuck does that even mean?!" I said it so fast it took time to process, but by they time they figured out what I had said I had already turned and walked away from them. I was stressed and scared, and when I am stressed and scared I talk faster than the speed of light.

Richie always made fun of me for it.

"Dude," I had walked back to my table and Mary Ann had grabbed me by the shoulders, "calm down-"

"I do not need to calm down! You calm down!"

She laughed. Fucking laughed.

"What the fuck is so funny Mary Ann? Is my misery entertaining to you?!"

She was still laughing and place her hands on either sides of my face, squeezing my cheeks together.

"You are quite adorable when you're worried about your bf," she was grinning.

My bf? The hell? Just say best friend, Mary Ann was a confusing girl though.

"Deep breaths okay?" she insisted while still squeezing my cheeks together. I felt stupid and I knew I looked stupid, but I followed her instruction.

She started brushing back the hair in my face, which was surprisingly soothing, "he'll be okay, don't worry," she was speaking so softly and soothingly, "just keep breathing Eddie."

I liked Mary Ann. Really liked her. Was this what crushing felt like? Did I have a crush on her?

It didn't seem to fit my feelings but I had chalked that up to my inexperience.

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Okay idk why but I love this friendship.

Like, my heartttt.

I mean even if Eddie is confused rn he'll catch on.