A New Chapter

Chapter 3

Previous chapter-

However, that night as Eddie lay in bed remembering what a traumatic day he had just had the same thought popped into his head. Why did he call Richie that? Is he...?

Chapter 3-

Waking up for school the next morning, Eddie took a little longer to get ready than usual. His head was still sore from yesterdays events and he didn't get a lot of sleep, worrying about Richie and pondering over the comments Henry and his goons made to him.

"Eddie Bear, come eat your breakfast and take your pills." Sonia shouted from downstairs, refusing to let Eddie bike to school with his friends each morning she always made sure he was ready in time for her to drive him there. "Come on Eddie!"

"Coming mummy." Eddie shouted back, gathering his school bag and other essentials before tracing downstairs. "Mummy, can i bike to Richie's this morning. I want to see how he is." Eddie uttered, not getting his hopes up.

"Eddie we have spoke about this. I'm not having you bike to school, elsewhere yes but not school. You know how i feel about your friends, i don't want them encouraging you to ditch school or have you being late!" Sonia remarked, handing Eddie his usual breakfast-pancakes, water and his pills. "Now come on."

After dropping Eddie off and insisting he meet her after school too, like every other day she drove back home leaving Eddie at the front gate. Making his way to the benches outside the gym (the loser's usual spot to meet as nobody ever hung around there and there was no security camera's so Beverly could smoke), Eddie spotted Bill and Stan sitting together with Beverly, Mike and Ben opposite them. "Hey guys." Eddie uttered, still a little shaky.

"Hey Eddie, how are you?" Beverly spun around, only then noticing the bandage on his head. "Shit, what happened. You okay?" She suddenly stood up, standing next to Eddie. The others also began asking questions which only made Eddie worry more. It was all so overwhelming for him, and not having Richie there just made things worse.

"C...come ss..sit down Eddie. T..talk to us. "Stan smiled, recognising Eddie's worried face he gestured the spot next to him. "Just t...take a deep breath." Doing so, Eddie began to calm down and explained the incident yesterday (leaving out the name calling directed to Richie - he didn't want to tell everyone about that just in case).

"Oh my god Eddie." Ben gasped, breaking the silence after Eddie finished his story. "Where's Richie now?"

"I don't know, my mum wouldn't let me see him." Eddie spat out, more harshly than intended he quickly apologised to Ben. "I haven't seen him since the hospital."

"It's okay, i'm sure he's fine." Mike smiled, trying to calm Eddie down again. "He's always late anyway, he might have just overslept again." As soon as Mike uttered these words, no other than Richie began making his way to the group. Both Eddie and Stan soon jumped up, spotting him first.

"S...shit Richie, you okay?" Bill uttered, seeing him beaten and bruised hobbling along to them. "You n...need help?"

"Nah Big Bill, i'm okay." Richie smiled, perching next to Beverly as she began stroking his back with her hand. "Don't look so worried guys, i'm a big boy i can handle it!" Richie chuckled, taking a small glance towards Eddie who had guilt plastered all over his face.

"Why didn't you stay at home today idiot?" Stan butted in, staring Richie up and down knowing his friend was in a tone of pain. "You hate school anyway and always try to ditch. Now was a great opportunity!"

"Well Stan the Man if you must know i came in for you assholes! I knew Ed's over here would panic and spill the beans. So i came in to reassure you all. Plus my parents are away again, so i'd just be at home alone with my thoughts anyway." Richie smiled, reassuring the others as they began to smile back. Just as Beverly was going to speak the bell rang, telling them all to go to their first class of the day. "Ugh, here goes nothing." Richie sighed, as the group separated to their classes.

"Meet here at lunch time guys." Stan instructed, they do so everyday but he always feels the need to remind them - especially Richie. As Stan, Mike and Bill headed for chemistry, Ben and Beverly darted off in the other direction for Maths - leaving Eddie and Richie alone.

"You sure you're okay?" Eddie uttered, as the two made their way down the hall for English.

"Awww mother Ed's is still checking up on me." Richie smirked.

"Shutup Richie i'm being series!"

"I'm okay Ed's darling." Smiling at Eddie who was pouting. "Don't call me Ed's" he mumbled under his breath. The two walked into English and sat next to one another at the back of the class.

"Richie can i ask you something?" Eddie whispered so the teacher couldn't detect the two talking. "Of course Ed's" Richie replied quietly. "Why did Bower's call you...you know..."

Freezing at the question, Richie simply stared at the chalkboard at the front of the class, not even able to look at Eddie. "Richie?" Eddie prodded, not knowing if the boy heard his question under his hushed tone.

"Eddie Spaghetti that asshole will call you anything just to get you upset. I mean look at all the names he called you!" Richie said, forcing out a fake chuckle at the end. "You seriously think he meant anything by it!"

"I guess not..." Eddie trailed off. His heart sank a little but he was unable to pin point why. As the class carried on, both boys were unable to focus worrying about what was just said between them.

Jump to the lunch-

"Hey guys what took you so long?" Bev smiled, pulling her cigarettes out handing one to Richie as he made his way over with Eddie. "What's with the long faces? English that bad today?"

"Ed's cockblocked me from seeing his mum tonight." Richie smiled, lighting his cigarette up and nudging Eddie.

"You're fucking disgusting." Eddie spat, darting his eyes towards Richie in disgust. "That things going to kill you."

"Awww Ed's iv'e had a hard couple days, lemme enjoy this one!" Richie sighed, leaning towards Eddie pouting like a child.

"Fine...But don't call me that!" Eddie sighed back. "This one time, but you two are seriously going to hurt yourselves!"

"Okay Eddie, thankyou!" Beverly smiled, as the group all sat together talking about the events at school. "Do you guys wanna do anything tonight? It's a Friday so it's not like we have to rush home or anything." Beverly suggested.

"Y...yeah s..ure." Bill replied, as Stan and Ben nodded in agreement. "D...do you g..guys wanna s..stay at mine t..tonight? M...my p...parents wont m...mind." Bill suggested, the group usually stayed at Bills as he had the biggest living room and his parents liked Bill to have company round since the incident with Georgie.

"Sounds good to me Big Bill." Richie smiled, waving his arms in the air in excitement. He wanted an excuse to not be at home tonight, his parents would be back late and he hated being by himself. All agreed except Eddie who said he'd have to check with his mum.

As the bell rang again the group headed back to class, after school was over they agreed to meet with Eddie and help persuade his mother to let him stay at Bills for the night.

"Please mummy." Eddie pleaded for what seemed like the 10th time. Her face showed no indication of a yes.

"M...Mrs K....Kaspbrak. I j...just t..thought after yesterday i...it might t...take E...eddie's mind off t...things." Bill butted in, out of all the losers Sonia didn't mind Bill as he was the most responsible and civil towards her.

"Fine, but Eddie Bear you have to come home first to get your medication. Then i will drive you there." Sonia demanded. Pleased and slightly surprised by his mothers agreement, Eddie soon jumped in the car and waved the others goodbye.