kidnapped; reddie

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨;

"Eddie, say 'kid' backwards!", Stan shouted at the tiny boy.

"Uhh.. 'dik'?", Eddie said as a wave of embarrassment slapped him.

Everyone started laughing. He hid his face in his small fists.

"Damn, Stan. That was so fucking bad", Bev said, rolling her eyes.

"Shut up!", he grunted. 

Beverly grabbed Eddie's hand like he was a little child and assured him that Stan is a dumbass. 

Two months have already passed since Eddie's first day. He already got a lot more comfortable with his new group of friends. Since that day Richie never hung out with them anymore. He would always be alone in the hallways, furrowing his brows at Eddie every chance he'd get. Or he would just skip school. The short boy would always try to avoid him. 

"Helloo?! Earth to Eddie!" Bev laughed.

"Oh- Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Did you at least notice I was talking?" she sighed. "I was asking if you're in to skip this class. The other losers have already agreed."

"Um.. I'm not sure."

"Goddammit! C'mon Eddie! Ya never wanna skip with us."

"Sorry, Bev. Go tell the others I have an important lesson today. Maybe.. uh.. another time", Eddie sketched a smile.

"Alright, fine", Bev nodded.

Eddie couldn't skip any lessons. He knew that if his mom finds out he would be dead. Sure, she has 0 interest in Eddie's education, but when it comes to skipping she's the first one to punish him. The first and last time Eddie's ever skipped was in middle school. There was a girl that made him leave with her and a few other kids. He didn't care much about the consequences, but when Sonia came to pick him up from school he was nowhere to be seen. She finally found Eddie at the quarry, alone. When his mom looked down, she saw all the other kids swimming in the water. They were all so happy, but then there was Eddie. Afraid, indecisive, lonely.

The bell rang and he realized he has been zoned out for quite a while. 

"Damn it", he said as he rushed to his next class.

                                                                                   ****

The losers were standing at their favorite place, by the Neibolt house. They were always hanging out there. It was quiet and nobody would notice they were there. The kids were sharing the last  cigarette that was left in Beverly's pocket. 

"Eddie can do better", Mike said as smoke was making its way out his mouth.

"Man, leave him alone. He's so innocent and small", Bev smiled at the thought of Eddie. "He doesn't deserve turning into a 'bad boy'."

"Whatever, let's g-go ins-s-side", Bill suggested.

They stepped inside, each of them getting uncomfortable by the foul smell. Ben carefully sat on an old, ripped, dusty couch. 

"I will never get used to this place", he said placing his face on his fist.

"I mean, yeah, it's ugly. But it has a cool vibe to it", Stan replied.

"Y'all look at this!" Bev pointed at an old drawing she was holding. 

The 4 kids walked to her with excitement. 

"It's pretty", Mike said. "Kinda looks like my mom."

The losers felt bad. Mike's eyes were fixed on the picture, radiating sadness.