Love me or Lose me - Richie Tozier

"It's true!"

"No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
- Ocean eyes by Billie Eilish

☆☆☆

Me and Richie had drove to school that morning, we hadn't left each others side all morning.
And I'm pretty sure everyone knew because by the time it became lunch everyone was talking about if we were together.

We hadn't seen Chris or Mia yet which was good.

As me and Richie walked over to the losers hand in hand we didn't care about the stares, we were happy.

I was the shy quiet "nerd" who had no friends until the loud horny "loser" changed that.
It was like a typical book love story.

We sat down.

"You okay?" Bev said as she stroked my arm.

"Never better" I smiled, I was glowing. I was extremely happy.

Richie just kissed my cheek and smiled.

"Ahem" we heard a faint shaky cough come from behind us and we turned to find Mia.

"Look I know I'm the last person you want to see but I'm sorry"

"Mia, you've made my life a living hell"

"I know I know, but, you were my only friend and when you got these guys and slagged me off I was upset and... that doesn't justify it I know. I'm really sorry" she was a mess, her hair was I brushed, she had red puffy eyes from crying and wasn't dressed to impress. I could see myself in her.

Not even a while ago I was a loser who had one friend and craved attention. And if will or anyone popular had even looked at me I would have gone with whatever they said.

I stood up and hugged her, she was shocked at first but hugged back after a minute.

"It's okay Mia" I pulled away "I forgive you"

She smiled and wiped her eyes which were watering.

Then the cafeteria doors swung open, banging against the walls. Everyone turned to look, it became silent.

It was Chris, his face bruised and battered, blood stains around his bandaged nose.

He stormed over, Mia hid behind me slightly.

"You bitch!" He pointed to Mia which made her cry.

"Come here now!" He shouted once again.

"Chris leave her alone." I wasn't going to let him hurt her.

"Shut the fuck up clem! You should be on my side but you're too busy fucking Tozier to care."

Gasps came from all around the cafeteria. I wasn't embarrassed though.

"I said leave her alone." I stood my ground.

"I will punch you in the fucking face Clem now move!"

"No you fucking won't!" Richie came up from the table and stood slightly in front of me with his fists clenched.

"This isn't your fight Tozier."

"I'll make it my fucking fight!" Richie was in front of me now.

Chris swung at Richie striking him in the chest, Richie stumbled back before launching at him and kicking and punching.

I don't know how, but the principal was here now and pushed them apart before putting himself between them holding them back.

"YOU TWO GET TO MY OFFICE NOW! AND YOU WOODS!" He shouted, the cafeteria was silent. Richie and Chris Bowen there heads and walked with him, I trailed behind in shock.

What had I done?

After a few minutes of waiting, mine and chris' parents came.

Our parents were very close, hence why me and Chris were childhood best friends before they moved away.

They chatted and we filed into the room.

Chris sat between his parents near the door.

I sat between my parents near the window.

Richie sat by himself in the middle, close to my father who was eyeing him.

Of course Richie's parents wouldn't have come.

His dad was a drunkard and I don't even know who is mom is.

He seemed unbothered however, that was until our parents were asking if we were okay and making a big deal if we were fine, but Richie was the one who was hurt the most.

After hours of talking, voice raising from our parents and the principal, Richie being silent and awkward.
Our parents dismaying any allegations against me and Chris, our parents complementing each other, me and Chris being told we had an after school detention on Friday and finally, Richie being excluded for a week because the principal hated him and he was alone.

We left, mine and chris' parents talked and joked, as though that didn't happen.

"Oh my clementine, you look so grow up and gorgeous! I'm so happy you're dating my little chris."
I forgot to mention this but they still think we're dating. And I couldn't deny that right now.

The losers were all waiting by the lockers with Richie, they were waiting for me and heard everything.

"We best be off, but make sure to come over some time clementine! Goodbye!" They walked off with a smirking Chris and my parents smiled and waved before turning to me and their expressions changing into anger.

"I'm happy you're dating Chris Clem but what were you doing with that Tozier kid" my dad hated Richie, and he didn't care that he and the other losers were right there.

"Dad he's not as bad as you think-" he cut me off.

"You need to stop talking to him, I mean, his parents didn't even show up. He's a bad influence!" My dad raised his voice, my mother stood behind him with her head down and quiet, she didn't dare interrupt.

"Dad-"

"I've seen his dad around, he's nothing but a drunk bum! And that kids gonna end up the same!"

I stayed silent, I could feel the losers comfort Richie.

"John, Cassie, May we have a chat?" It was Chris and his parents, my parents told me to meet them at home and went into a room with them leaving me alone with the losers.

I looked over to find them all hugging Richie as he quietly sobbed however he was way taller.

I walked over and they all let go.

"I'm so fucking sorry Richie- he didn't mean it"

"Yes he did, what does it matter anyway, it's true"

"No it's not-" bev chimed in before getting cut off.

"Yes it is! I sell drugs and alcohol to underage kids, my dad abuses me and my mom doesn't even fucking exist! I can't keep a stable relationship and god knows how I'll deal with a real job!" His voice was shaky and louder.

"So what?! You have me Richie! Me and the losers!"

"Don't you get it! After high school you'll all move on and go to college and get your dream jobs, have families and forget about me and this stupid fucking town. And I will be left here to die."

And with that he walked out of the main entrance.

None of us followed him, we watched as the doors swung shut and Richie's Silhouette got lost in the light of the outside.

We didn't follow him because we knew he needed time.

A lot of time.

As sad as it was,

What he said was true.

But now I realised my future and what I wanted.

I wanted to be with Richie.