A New Chapter

Chapter 4

Previously-

"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.

Chapter 4-

As the Losers cycled home to collect their things for Bill's, Eddie and Sonia began packing his medication. "Now before you go Eddie Bear i have a few rules." Eddie sighed quietly as Sonia folded her arms, ready to give her demands. "I don't want you sleeping near Richie or Beverly, they are bad influences and i can smell the smoke off of them. I don't want you inhaling any in your sleep. Secondly, you must call me in the morning from Bills house phone to tell me you've taken your medication." Eyeing her son up and down making sure he was paying full attention. "Finally, you must be back for lunch tomorrow, I've already prepared a meal for us so you are coming back for it."

"Yes mummy." Eddie nodded, agreeing with her was easier than attempting to protest as it barely made any difference and the results would always end the same. "Can we please go now, i'm going to be late." Checking Eddie had all of his medications Sonia agreed, and the two headed for Bill's house.

Like Eddie predicted he was the last one there, as he entered the lounge the other losers had already occupied a seat and claimed a blanket each. Great, guess i'll be on the floor. Thanks mum. Eddie thought.

"Hey, Eddie!" Ben smiled, sitting up and handing him over a blanket. "I brought a couple over just in case Bill didn't have enough." "Thanks Ben." Eddie smiled, perching himself on the floor with Stan and Bill on the couch in behind him. "What are we watching tonight?"

"Well Ed's we could watch the porno i made with your mum last night?" Richie perked up, laughing to himself on the recliner in the corner. "Shutup, fucking disgusting." Eddie spat in disgust. "Stop calling me that!" "Come on Ed's lighten up!" Richie chimed back. "You moody coz you got the shitty seat?" "No...." Eddie lied, he was annoyed but more-so at his mum for making him so late.

"Come sit here with me Eddie." Beverly chuckled, patting the space next to her on the beanbag. "There's room for you i'm sure."

"Thanks Bev!" As Eddie perched on the edge of the beanbag, Bev grabbed hold of him and leaned him into her. "Come on Eddie at least get comfortable, you can take up as much space as you want idiot." She smiled, as he leaned his head on her shoulder nestling down to watch the film.

As the film 'The Gremlins' began playing all the losers soon became engrossed in the story, it wasn't Christmas but they were unable to rent it at that period due to it costing too much. Luckily Bill managed to get hold of it a couple days ago with the price now cut in half. Richie would glance towards Eddie every now and again, smiling at the boys reactions to the film.

"I thought this was a Christmas film?" Stan uttered, trying to hide his fear of the Gremlins. "This seems like more of a horror."

"Aw come on Stan the Man, grow up." Richie chuckled, throwing popcorn in his direction hitting Bill by accident instead. "G....grow up Richie." Bill moaned, tossing the popcorn off of his lap. "W...we can always change i..it?"

"Nooooo, it's getting really good!" Beverly whined, the others all agreed except Stan and Eddie who was also a little afraid. "We can watch another film after?"

"S...sure." Bill smiled, as Stan agreed with the compromise. However, as the film came close to the end most of the losers were already falling asleep. Mike and Ben were the first to trail upstairs and snuggle into their sleeping bags. Followed by Bill and Stan, leaving Richie, Bev and Eddie.

"Bev, is he asleep on you?" Richie whispered, looking down at Eddie. "Sound's like it, he's snoring like mad and i think he's drooling a little on my shoulder." Bev chuckled, she didn't mind it though. Bev knew first hand what it was like having a difficult parent so she would always watch out for Eddie and Richie in particular. "Do you mind helping me get him off? I don't want to wake him but i'm getting pretty tired."

"Sure, but can i talk to you real quick Bev?" Richie uttered, still keeping his hushed tone. "Sure thing Rich."

Fumbling around with the bottom of his shirt and biting the bottom of his lip, Bev knew instantly that this wasn't about to be one of Richie's stupid jokes. "You okay there Rich?"

"Yeah...It's just somethings been bothering my for a while and i wanted to tell someone about it." Glancing up at Bev and also making sure Eddie was still asleep. "It's kinda personal."

"So you came to your best girl." Bev winked, trying to release some of the tension to calm her friend down a little. "Go on then shoot."

"You won't tell anyone?"

"Of course not Rich!" Saying this a little louder than intended, the two shot their gaze down towards Eddie who moaned slightly. "Sorry...." Bev whispered.

"I think he's still asleep." Richie uttered. "Eddddd's." After hearing no response Richie knew the boy was asleep. However, unknowing to Bev and Richie, Eddie did wake up but wanted to hear more about the two's conversation without interrupting. "Anyway....You know when Bowers caught me and Eddie."

"Yeah..." Bev lowered her head, still feeling sorry for the two. "What about it?"

"Well, he called us both some pretty shitty things. But, when they were about to leave he called me a faggot." Richie sighed, trying to hold his emotions together in front of Bev.

"Yeah, but you know he just says shit like that. He's been calling all of us things for years." Bev uttered, however when she glanced at Richie she knew there was more to the story. "Rich?"

"Well, last year when we all got in that big fight....He caught me with Conor Bowers and called me it then. I was so shocked and scared i ran away." Richie whimpered, his emotions starting to get the better of him. "The worst part is...he's not wrong. I didn't want to tell anyone coz i'm so ashamed of it, but it's been eating me up for ages and i..."

Slightly surprised but not out-right shocked Beverly looked up and held her hand out for Richie to come over and take. "Rich, you don't need to hide stuff like this from us. We really don't care, it doesn't make you any different! We still love you exactly the same." Bev smiled, beginning to wipe the tears off her friends face.

"T...thanks Bev." Richie stuttered. Whilst the two carried on their conversation, Eddie lay there, his heart beating surprisingly fast after hearing Richie's confession. He knew he could never bring it up to him, but he smiled slightly knowing Richie was able to start telling members of the club more about himself.

But, why didn't he talk to me about it? Eddie thought. I thought we were best friends?

About a 30 minutes later Eddie began to stir, the two's conversation had come to an end and he felt that now was the time to get up. Rubbing his eyes and fake yawning, he sat up from Bev's shoulder.

"Morning sleeping beauty." Richie smirked, rubbing the top of Eddie's head. "Good nap?"

"Shutup Rich." Eddie scowled. "Sorry for falling asleep on you Bev."

"It's okay Ed's, you wanna head up?" Bev smiled. The two agreed and headed for Bills room. Bev took the space next to Ben near the far corner, whilst Richie and Eddie were left with the tiny space next to the door. As the two sprawled out their sleeping bags and got ready for bed.

"Hey Rich."

"Yeah Ed's."

"You know you can always talk to me, right?"

"Where's this coming from Ed's? You have a dream about me or somethin?" Richie smiled, taking his glasses off.

"No idiot, that would have been a nightmare." Eddie sighed. "I just wanted you to know is all."

"Alrighty Eddie Spaghetti." Richie smiled, leaning over and patting Eddie on the head. "Night Ed's."

"Night Rich. Say my actual name for once idiot."