the new kid - stozier -

- chapter 16 -

* Richie's POV *

I meet Stan and Bev in our usual meeting place at the corner to walk to school and they're both already there.

Stan seems off and less talkative than usual. He's also wearing a large hoodie with sleeves that go down past his hands. I smile at him and he just gives a small smile back.

I shrug it off and talk with Beverly. Bev tries to talk to Stan but he only gives small weak answers. I'm getting kind of worried but it's probably because he's thinking he will have to see Bill today after yesterday.

Stan has barely talked the whole way here and we are at the school now. He walks away quickly to his locker and I follow Bev.

"He's acting weird. I wonder what's up with him?.." Beverly nods in response.
"Maybe it's because of what Bill did." She shrugs with this answer and I just sigh and walk away.

I stand there at my locker awkwardly because Stan is so close and for the first time, I'm not sure what to say to him. Ask him if he's okay? Ask him why he's acting strange? I stand there in confusion and I decide on asking him if he's okay but before I get the chance, he walks away because he is now finished his locker.

I sigh and continue getting my books.
I walk to our next class because I know he will be there and he is. He's just standing there staring blankly at nothing.

"Are you..okay?.." I stare waiting for an answer and he nods.
"I'm fine. Just..scared to see..Bill." This seems like a lie but it probably he isn't. He's just speaking nervously because he doesn't want to see Bill, right?

"Well, it's day 2. I love you."
Now he gives me a genuine smile and the bell rings. Now more students crown the area and the teacher walks over.

We follow her into the classroom and Beverly walks over.
"Is he okay now?" She whispers to me and I shrug.
"Maybe a little bit better. Still wondering why he's wearing that hoodie though when it's really warm out." She nods in agreement.

"Maybe he's cold." She shrugs and walks into the classroom.
Beverly also seems a little off. Shes talking less and and giving short answers. I decide to also shrug this off I walk into the classroom.

"Stan, take your hoodie off. It's hot out there and you're clearly sweating."
I look at Stan after the teacher says this and he shakes his as if to answer no.

"I'm not having you pass out. Take it off."

He once again shakes his head no and she gives him a stern look.
He slowly pulls it over his head to reveal a long sleeved t-shirt and she sighs and shakes her head.

Work starts and now I wonder even more.
It's not that cold outside and Stan seriously can't be that cold. It's basically summer weather out there. I also sigh and stare at Stan. He notices and looks back at me to which i quickly look away.

"What are you hiding?"
"Huh?" Stan looks puzzled.
We are currently walking to our next class and he's put the hoodie back on.
"You're clearly hiding something. It's warm out, you're visibly sweating yet you're still wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and a hoodie?"

"Uh yes? I don't see the problem. It's what I want to wear." He rolls his eyes at me and I sigh sadly.

I just start walking faster and walk away from him.

I walk toward the classroom and stop when I see Beverly. She just looks at me and looks away.
"What's your problem? I don't know what I did wrong so can you please tell me?" She rolls her eyes.

"Ever since you started dating Stan you've ignored me. Constantly. You leave me on read if I text you and ask to come over, you always say that Stan is coming over or you're going to his house at the times you do answer, in school you always talk to him and at the lunch table and you two act like I'm not there. But when Stan is not talking to you, you try to talk to me. It's like you only need me when something is up with Stan."

I stand there in slight shock. This is the first time Beverly has ever gotten mad at me. And this is the second time today I'm at a loss for words.

Everything she said is true. I have been ignoring her. I look down and she walks away.
"Beverly, I'm sorry."
She just looks at me and walks in to the classroom. Stan follows in behind her and I notice the hurt in his eyes when he looks at me. I follow them on to the classroom until the principal comes on the speakers and tell Stanley and I to come to the office.

I slowly stand up and make my way there, not bothering to wait for Stan since he hates me as much as Beverly does.

I knock on the door and he opens it. I walk in and hear Stanley's footsteps following behind.

"I noticed you two skipped school yesterday before the first class and didn't come back?"
He stares at us both and looks between us.

"Yeah, for a good reason!" I say loudly and Stan just sits there quietly, allowing me to do the talking.

"Bill Denbrough beat up Stan."

"I'd like to hear this from Stan himself." He looks over at Stan and Stan rolls his eyes.

"Bill beat me up outside the school gates and Richie found me and then he helped me and brought me home. Simple as that." Stan shrugs.

"Where's the evidence?"
Stans eyes widen slightly.
"Where am I meant to get evidence? All the evidence there is is bruises on my body and if I said that you could say they could of been from ages ago."

The principal just sighs.
"Fine, I'll believe you. Just leave."

I rolls my eyes and leave.
"That was so pointless!" I throw my hands in the air and notice Stan nodding in agreement.
"You still mad at me?" I look at him.

"I never was. You were the one who was mad."
"Yeah, true. I'm sorry.." he shrugs and smiles at me.

That was BORING