[sunshine] // reddie (temporarily discontinued)

three

Eddie Kaspbrack was becoming increasingly aware that he was terrible with people. Bill was just about the only exception. Not that Bill wasn't a person, but more like... He was an easier person. First, Richie Tozier not speak to him- or anyone really- after Eddie made that terrible joke. Then, on their way home, Bill ran into someone he knew as a kid and Eddie screwed that up too.

"Bill?" A feminine voice called.

Bill turned, his eyes lighting up as he met eyes with the girl. "B-B-Beverly?"

"The one and only!"

The voice belonged to a fair heighted girl in army green overalls and a melted rose colored shirt. Her long curls were literal fire against the pale blue of the sky. It was a beacon of her beauty, drawing in the eye, but it didn't stop there. Her eyes put the sky to shame, a more brilliant blue than it could ever hope to be. Even from their distance, the color was piercing. And then there were her freckles. Constellations dotted her skin, much more vibrant than Eddie's had ever been. Part of him actually wanted to connect them with a pen; count how many he could actually make.

Eddie had been well aware of his interest in boys since he saw Prince on the television with his mother, who shut it off and scolded him. He wasn't sure what he was being scolded for, but she told him that he (Prince) was no man at all. People like him (gay) were demons sent from Hell and would be going right back when they finally died. The next day, Eddie met eyes with Richie Tozier and he knew then that he was the type of person his mother was talking about. Although no other boys caught his eye, so maybe he was just Toziersexual.

Nonetheless, he found her beautiful.

He pushed this memory aside and focused on the situation before him. Bill had went in for an awkward hug and she complied with a huge smile.

"Its been so long." Beverly told him through her smile.

"Y-y-yeah." Bill's eyes snapped to Eddie's, taking in his confused face. "Oh, t-thi-is i-i-is E-e-e-"

"Eddie," Eddie filled in. "I hate it when you stutter my name, Bill. You sound like Elmer Fudd."

Beverly giggled at that. "Actually, Elmer has a lisp. It's Porky Pig who stutters."

Eddie rolled his eyes.

"I'm Beverly Marsh. But you can call me Bev," Beverly told him, sticking out her hand. "Bill and I were friends back in Elementary."

He stared at her hand. Now that
he knew who she was, he was conflicted. He had heard the rumors, but believing them would put him in a bad place with Bill. Not believing them could get him an STD. After all, there was the AIDS epidemic... All it takes is a hangnail.

"No, thanks..." Eddie whispered, shaking his head. "It's not you, I just have a thing with germs."

She took her hand back and nodded. Wiping it nervously on her shorts, she continued. "Well, I have a study group to meet so I won't keep you long. Good to see you again, Bill." She waved at him. "Eddie."

Eddie smiled politely.

And then she was gone.

Bill scoffed and turned, storming away from where Eddie stood. Eddie, not used to seeing him angry, panicked and followed as fast as he could. "Bill?" He called. "Bill! Where are you going?"

Bill turned on his heel. "Really, Eddie? Oh, I have a thing with germs. You touched Tozier. Tozier! You just didn't touch her because of the rumors! You obviously hurt her feelings. "

Eddie stepped back, his lungs filling with fire. The fact that Bill didn't stutter once was enough to send him into an asthma attack. He couldn't handle being yelled at as it was, let alone by his only friend.

I messed up. Bad. Bill is so angry. He didn't even stutter. He must be really, really mad. Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh-

His fingers pressed down on the trigger of the inhaler before his thoughts could continue. Brief nothingness filled his brain. Bill stared at him with angry eyes. Of course, Eddie wasn't sure why. He didn't shake her hand. So what? It's not like she's Bill's best friend. Up until a moment ago, he hadn't even talked to her since Elementary school!

"Y-you rea-ally don't c-care abo-out a-a-any-yones feelings b-b-b-b-but your o-own, huh." Bill didn't say it like a question. He said it like a fact. A fact that nobody could change.

Eddie Kaspbrack was a selfish prick who only cared about himself.

Eddie let that sink in as Bill stormed off. He was confused and upset, angry in a weird way. He didn't want to go home. He didn't want to face his mom. So instead, he took off for the woods.

He ran for what felt like ever, well aware there was no burn in his chest. He slipped past trees and sent small forest animals scattering in fear. By the time he stopped, he dropped in front of a body of shallow water. He recognized the smell immediately.

The barrens.

Which meant he was in danger.

He focused on slowing his breathing down so he could listen. Somewhere distant, the sound of knife sharp voices echoed off forest walls like cannons. Now he was in a lot of danger.

He picked himself up and stepped carefully around the tree, looking frantically for a place to hide. The sounds of glass shard cackles began to get louder as the very thing Eddie feared more than his mother neared him. He took a step forward and a branch screamed beneath his foot.

Before he could blink, Henry Bowers and company was on him.

"Hello, Fairy Boy." Henry growled, his breath reeking of cheap beer.

Eddie cringed and waited for the punches. There was the metallic click of a button and something cold pressed against Eddie's throat. He opened one eye to catch a glimpse of the silver blade against his skin and swallowed.

And then he had a thought.

If I die now, Bill will really hate me. And then I can't apologize to Tozier. And I would die having an unrequited crush on a boy.

Eddie glanced between Henry and his goons, tuning out whatever they were agressivly yelling at him. They all smelled of alcohol, which gave him an advantage.

All at once, he stepped sideways and forward. He pulled himself away from Bowers knife and looked for the opportunity to fend them off. As he did, the blade slipped, brushing against his collarbone. He ignored the stinging and pushed into Bowers, causing him to step back on his heel. Drunk and uneasy, he wobbled and crashed into Patrick who had been standing at his left.

"Get him!" Bowers screeched as Eddie took off in the direction he came from. 

Eddie, despite his tiny legs and aesthmatic lungs, ran like the wind. He jumped roots and avoided trunks like a track star running an obsticle course. By the time he made it to the main road, blood soaked the front of his favorite yellow car shirt and the boys were far behind him.

He reached to touch the spot on his neck that burned. When he pulled his fingers away, they were soaked with passion and anger. Freedom dripped from them; a worthy price to pay for life. He sighed in relief and pain.

He looked up, his eyes meeting those of a boy delivering meat on a bike, and collapsed.