Math Tutor 🥀 Reddie

Part 17

The lights from the Ferris Wheel flickered, sending intermittent bursts of light all throughout the carnival.  Stan watched as other people got off and on the ride

"We should go on the Ferris Wheel, guys." He suggested.

The Losers Club had tried nearly every ride at the carnival.  It was nighttime by then.  You could clearly see the stars twinkling against the black sky.

"Yeah, we should." Beverly agreed.

She had powdered sugar all over her face from a funnel cake and her short hair was a mess from going on various rides.

"Let's go, Losers! Tally ho!" Said Richie in an awful British accent.

"I'm gonna stay back, guys." Eddie said. Unlike the other losers, he hadn't gone on a single ride that night. He'd deemed every one at the fair too unsafe.

"I'll stay back with you, Eddie." Ben replied. He sort of felt sorry for Eddie. The boy couldn't even enjoy a carnival without his fear getting the best of him.

So, The Losers Club, minus Eddie and Ben, made their way towards the Ferris Wheel. The line seemed to stretch throughout the entire fair.

"Damn, guys." Richie began "This line's longer than my-"

"D-Don't even say it."

The Ferris Wheel was actually quite small. It wasn't a kiddy ride, but with the flashing lights, you could sort of see the faces of the people on the ride. But it was Derry, how remarkable could a carnival really be?

After what felt like an eternity of waiting in line, it was finally their turn.

They boarded the ride in pairs. Stan with Bill, Beverly with Richie, and Mike with a random girl who had curly hair and deep brown eyes.

After everyone was secured onto the ride, they started to move up. Richie loved the Ferris Wheel most out of all carnival rides. He liked how slow and peaceful it was and the feeling of being up in the air. He liked the cool nighttime breeze on his face and the way the lights flickered.

Richie felt serene as they started to approach the top of the Wheel. He looked across the carnival. It was pretty beautiful, all of the lights and all of the people.

But then he saw Henry Bowers. He stood at the front of the line, staring daggers at Richie. For a second Richie was frozen, then he had a terrifying thought.

He's gonna beat my ass after I get off of this ride. He's gonna beat me up because I like Eddie and he knows it.

So, he did the first thing he thought to do. Just as they reached the top of the Ferris Wheel, he turned to Beverly and kissed her.

Back on the ground, you could almost hear Eddie and Ben's hearts shatter in unison. They both stood there, matching expressions of disappointment on their faces, looking up as the ones they loved sat together up in the air.

Eddie started to walk away, tears forming in his eyes. He couldn't bear to look. He knew Richie and Bev were fake dating, but really?

"Wait, Eddie. Where are you going?" Said Ben, following behind him.

"Nowhere. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Ben continued to trail behind Eddie, shuffling through crowds of people. He struggled to keep up with him in the dark, even with the various lights at the carnival.

Eventually, they stopped at a park bench and Eddie sat down.

"What happened, dude? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, Eddie.  You can tell me.  For real."  Said Ben, joining Eddie on the old, wooden bench.

"Okay.  Please don't tell anyone, though."

"I won't.  Promise."

"I like Richie.  Like like him.  And he kissed Bev and—I don't know.  I don't know."

"I get that.  I really like Bev.  I was really upset when I found out Richie and Bev were together.  I mean, it sounds stupid now that I say it out loud.  There was no way we were gonna work anyway."

Eddie considered telling Ben that the relationship between Richie and Bev was fake.  He knew Ben wouldn't tell anyone, but he decided against it.

"Why not?" Said Eddie, looking at Ben inquisitively.

"Y'know...she's Bev.  She's beautiful and smart and funny and I'm just..."

"You're just what?"

"I'm just me." Ben said with a weak laugh.

"What do you mean you're 'just you'?  Ben, you're one of the smartest, nicest people I know!"

"Thanks, Eddie.  That means a lot.  For real.  You're an awesome friend and I'm sure Richie's gonna come around at some point."

"Thank you, Ben.  I'm glad I told you."

"Hey," Ben began with a smile, "Losers stick together."