Math Tutor 🥀 Reddie

Part 3

"So,"  began Beverly Marsh, "What'd you do to piss off Bowers?"

    "Existed, I guess," he said with a chuckle.

    "D-Don't listen t-t-to Henry," Bill reassured him, "He's g-gonna end up w-w-working at a g-gas station,"

    Eddie smiled.

    "Yeah," Richie added, "They'll keep him in the back, like an extra exhibit.  Charge you five dollars to see him,"

    They all let out a small laugh.  The sunset's warm colors poured through the window next to their booth.  Eddie looked up from his ice cream at Richie.  The light shining in his brown eyes made them look like pools of honey.  It reflected off his glasses, creating a kaleidoscope of white, glowing shapes on the surface of the plastic.

    Eddie felt his heart jump, but ignored it. 

    Likewise, Richie noticed how Eddie's eyes looked like melted chocolate in the sun's rays.  He smiled. 

    Shit.

    Richie was usually a very carefree person.  He didn't get upset upset or nervous easily, but there was an exception.  His secret was the exception. 

    For a while, he'd known he was bi.  And unbeknownst to Eddie, he'd liked him for months.  It was something that ate him up inside.   Every time he thought about it he felt sick, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.  So, he tried his best to ignore it.

    Honestly, he didn't know why the thought of telling anyone scared him so much.  He had no idea if his parents would care or not, but he really didn't want anyone to think of him any different.  Also, Derry wasn't the most accepting town.

    "I swear someday Bowers is gonna end up in jail," Beverly said before taking a drink of her strawberry milkshake.

    "Yeah," Ben agreed, "Or Juniper Hill."

    It was an offhand comment, sort of meant to be a joke, but it had truth to it.  Bowers seemed to take after his dad, Town Nutcase Sr.  Henry really was in a sad situation.  His father alienated him.  Maybe if he'd been brought up better, things would've been different.  It was difficult for any of the neighborhood kids to have much sympathy for him, nonetheless.  Who could blame them?  He was unpredictable, Derry's boogeyman.

    "Enough about Bowers," said Stan, "Who even cares?"

    There seemed to be a silent agreement to talk about something else, something less morbid.

    "S-So Stan did y-you s-see any new b-b-birds?"

    Stan the Man's eyes lit up. Birds were kind of his thing.

    "Yeah, actually!" he said with a smile, "The other day I found a Dickcissel,"

    Richie snorted, "A Dickcissel?"

    "Shut up Richie.  It's a bird."