It Took So Long. (Reddie)

the first year: the party

(So this is still in year one. I think I may do 3-4 chapters in each year. The chapters that I put in year these events are not all back to back they are all spaces out... They are supposed to be some of the more important events of the losers club. Enjoy!!!)

Warning: swearing and cigarettes.

The next few weeks of summer flew by quickly. Beverly was still Richie's friend, and Richie was beginning to feel better about himself. He supposed that even if he did not feel good about himself the world will go on. And It did. The losers club, hung out less in the summer now because Mike and Bill were at summer camp for another week. Luckily they had planned to have a small party next weekend and all  the losers would be there. (Refresher: Mike, Bill, Stan, Beverly, Ben, Richie, and Eddie).
"So are you gonna tell the losers?" Bev's  voice sounded exited and Richie knew she was talking about the party.

"What are you talking about?" Richie knew the answer , he just chose to sound clueless.

"About your little secret." Bev answered while nudging Richie with her elbow.

" Fuck off Marsh! " Richie blushed, he did not want anyone to here her. "I will tell them when I tell them, go kiss Bill or something."

" Alright, alright I get it. But you should tell them soon Rich, they need to know, they are your friends too. " Beverly said. Richie looked over at her, he had a serious look on his face.

" I know Marsh, but I don't think I can bring myself to do it. " Richie spoke softly, he knew he could trust Beverly now. He did not have to hide. And in the moment it felt good.

The next week passed by quickly and soon it was Saturday the big day of the party. Every one was exited.

"What's up losers?" Richie said. He was the last one to arrive as usual.

" H-hey Rich. " Bill stuttered.

"Hey, b-bill" Richie mocked him.

"Beep, beep Richie". Stan said slapping his had on his face.

" yah beep beep Richie" . Eddie said as Richie sat down next to him.

"Aw your so cute when your mad spagetti." Richie said pinching Eddie's cheek. " Hey where's Ben and mike? "

" they went to get pizza, richie. " Beverly said. "But they won't be back for a while... What should we do in the meantime?"

"We could play truth or dare!" Stan said exited. Richie hated truth or dare. Not he dare part, but the truth. And if he did not want to do the dare he had to tell the truth.

" why don't we play something else? Like anything else. " Richie pleaded.

"Jeez, Richie, you really don't like truth or dare do you?" Stan asked. Richie wanted to change the subject.

" Hey Bev, do you got a smoke? " Richie needed to have a excuse to get out of the room. His face was bright red.

"Sure richie, here" Beverly handed him the cigarette and the lighter. Richie ran outside.

"W-what's up with r-richie? I-i have n-never seen him like t-that." Bill sounded worried.

" should we go check on him? "Eddie was worried to. He had never seen Richie like this.

" No, why would we, he's Richie after all, even if he does need our help he won't take it. " Stan was right. Richie would not let them help him.

Richie finished the cigarette and came back inside. Every one looked up at him, Ben and mike had come back. "Look who finally decided to come! Whats up haystack, how's it going mike?" Richie said to cover up the inside emotions he was feeling. The losers club was not buying it.

"Richie." Haystack, mike and Beverly said at the same time. Richie stared at them.

" What? " Richie was nervous now, he wanted to find a excuse, but he had none.

"Why did you walk out like that. We have never seen you like that." Haystack said. Richie frowned and looked at beverly, for help.

' I am gonna regret what she says next. ' Richie thought. He was right.

"Well I have seen him like this." Beverly said. Richie looked down to the ground and sighed. " a few weeks ago I found him in the clubhouse all beat up and crying like cr-"

"BEVERLY!!!" Richie's face was burning. " why would you tell them that, I asked you not to. The club watched Richie melt. No not phisicly  melt but his emotions melt... But to give the guy credit he did not cry.

"They need to find out at some point Richie. Everyone will find out eventually wether you want them to or not. I just laid the foundation for you to tell them." Beverly said, her face was utterly calm.

" what  is it... What haven't you told us Richie? " Eddie asked in a rather glad tone. Not that he was happy that Richie was sad but he was happy because Richie had a loose string and Eddie could finally pull it.

"..." Richie did not speak. He just stood in the room with all the losers eyes on him. He was blushing madly. The freckles on his face stood out more. He looked untangled.

" Richie if you don't tell them what happened that day I will, along with your secret. I'm not trying to be mean, but you have waited to long to not tell your friends. " Beverly hissed at him.

"C-come on R-richie. You c-can tell us. w-we don't judge." Bill stuttered.

"That's easy to say now, but I don't know if you'll like me after this." Richie said helplessly while he sat down in the circle of losers.

"Fuck, Richie just tell us already." Stan grew impatient, he only ever grew impatient around richie.

" Fine! " Richie sighed. "I was walking down to the arcade were I bumped into Henry Bowers. He started calling me names so I told him to piss off. Then he punched me in the gut and told me to get up. He kicked me again in the same spot and when I tried to reach for my glasses he stepped on my hand." Richie said looking at all the losers. " I struggled to get up and told him I was going to kick his ass, and he punched me then called me names and left me there. "

Did you cry be has a he beat you up? Richie you never do that! " Mike said.

"No I was crying because of the name he called me." Richie was really letting it all out now.

"Richie you never cry over people calling you names, what made this name any differ ent?" Eddie asked. Richie looked a Bev.

" he called me a- he called me... He called me a faggot. " Richie was near tears but he di d not let it show.

"Why does that bother you?" Ben asked.

Richie got up. " I will let Bev tell you the rest. I am too pussy to tell you all. Besides I gotta go. "

"Richie were are you gonna go, it dark outside and your parents are not home. And I am not telling them this. This is your job! Richie!" Beverly called out to him, Richie just opened the door looked back, smiled and ran. (Don't worry he ran to the club house and stayed there the night.)

"B-bev? W-what was that? " Bill asked, his eyes were wide.

" yah,and what is it that Richie doesn't want us to know? " Stan asked. Beverly smiled, Richie was going to be mad. She also had the feeling they would not be seeing him for ahwile. So she told the losers. They were shocked, but they did not mind. They enjoyed the party with our him though they missed his presence. And in the morning at the clubhouse Richie woke up and ran back home, hoping Bev did not spill. But she did . Richie knew that she would. So he did not go out that day or the 2 weeks that followed.

(Hope you enjoyed this part. Now there was swearing but that is just richie, no it wasn't just Richie but it was a different time. Do not get offended by the fact that Richie smoked at age 13, that was in the book. If you do not like swearing or beatings then you should not be reading this.)