A New Chapter

Chapter 11

Previously-

Richie on the other hand, ran upstairs practically in pieces. Tears dampening his collar and his red cheeks, blood dripping from his eyebrow and his arms where the glass had cut him. He hated being alone and most of the losers secretly knew that, but what they didn't know what how much he hated himself and his family. But, that would soon change.

Chapter 11-

Richie swiftly made his way to the bathroom, locking it behind him his body was still trembling and his cheeks were damp with tears. Perching on the edge of the bath he began rubbing his eyes and taking deep breaths trying to calm himself down, it took a while but his breathing began to slow. Glancing up at the rusty mirror above the sink all he could see was disgust, Richie never liked the way he looked or the way he acted...or well, anything about himself. But, right now it was worse than ever, all he could see was a scared boy who couldn't even stand up to his own mother. The blood began to trickle more down his eyebrow and his arms causing him to jolt up and grab some tissue, dappling them slightly he inspected them the way Eddie would - checking if any of them needed stitches. Luckily they didn't.

A few hours later Richie's mother was zonked out on the couch downstairs, as he tiptoed downstairs he gently laid a blanket over his mother. God he hated how even after she hurt him he still felt obliged to look after her, it was just an instinct he couldn't ignore. After putting the empty wine bottles away and turning the TV off he headed back upstairs, laying his glasses on the side he fell asleep quickly exhausted after today's events.

The next day at school-

"Morning fellow losers!" Richie chuckled, skipping towards them all (being the last one there as usual) he instantly hugged Eddie tightly and then proceeded to sit next to Beverly and light a cigarette. Damn he really needed one after last night. "How are you wonderful people doing on this fine day?"

"Shutup Rich." Stan sighed. "It's too early for this." Glaring back at the boy he noticed a plaster across his face, just above his goofy Coca-cola glasses. "What happened to your eyebrow?" Everyone instantly spun their attention to Richie's face, which only put him on edge more. No way was he going to spill the beans and tell them how shitty his mother had been last night, they have their own problems to worry about.

"Oh this? Tripped over this morning, tried to do some flip on the bike. Hurt my arm too doing it." Richie smiled, hoping this excuse would work he showed them his arm which was also bandaged up under his pink shirt. "It would have looked so cool if it wasn't for the stupid curb getting in the way."

Most of the losers had fallen for his excuse, with Bev and Bill simply rolling their eyes and Mike and Ben asking if he was okay and if he had broken his bike in anyway. Eddie took a little more convincing however, he began inspecting Richie's wounds and kept asking him how exactly he fell over. After much deliberation however, he too was convinced - he knew his boyfriend did stupid stuff like this all the time after all?

"Rich, you want to meet up again tonight?" Beverly uttered in, through Richie's eyes he could tell she wasn't convinced but was not about to show it in front of everyone. "Dad's not home so you can stay the night if you want?" She knew the other losers wouldn't be allowed as it was a school night, so there was no point in even asking (after trying so many times in the past).

"Umm..sure Bev." Richie smiled, he would usually jump up in joy at the prospect of not having to stay at home. However, it was different this time - he knew full well Mother Beverly was emerging and was going to have a good talking to him tonight. "See you at yours at 5?"

With that the losers set off for class, it went the same as usual - Boring. But, Richie was unable to focus all day the idea of having to talk to Beverly that night kept replaying in his mind. Fuck, why am i worrying so much? She's my best fucking friend.

Skip to 4:30pm-

"Mum, i'm going to stay at Bev's tonight as we have some homework to finish." Richie lied, heading towards the lounge fearing for his mothers response. He could already smell the alcohol-but to his surprise he could also smell cigarettes. Only his father smoked and the smell was rather fresh, which only meant one thing. He was back home for a couple days. Which wasn't good news.

"Fine, but be back here tomorrow night we want you to cook for us and be the good son i deserve." Maggie hissed, already consuming her fresh bottle of wine for the evening. "Atleast go say hello to your father." With that, Richie headed towards the kitchen his breathing became rather fast which reminded him of Eddie. Slowly stepping into the kitchen he was greeted with his father towering over him, smelling and looking utterly wasted.

"Look who decides to show up." Wentworth spat, his words hit Richie like they always did. "You treat this house like a fucking hotel, no respect at all." He pushed past Richie to grab an old packet of cigarettes in the hallway. "YOU LITTLE SHIT, YOU FUCKING STEAL OFF ME NOW!" He began storming back in Richie's direction who was now cowering over in the corner. "WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF YOU LITTLE SHIT."

"I didn't steal i promise! That packet has been empty for weeks dad." Richie uttered, he wasn't lying, his father would always scatter empty packets of cigarettes across the house and forget they were empty when he next came back home. "I promise!"

"You lying sack of shit." With that he delivered Richie with a swift punch in the face, cutting his cheekbone and causing his face to burn bright red. "Don't you ever fucking lie again, now get out of my face." Richie, now edging away from his dad began leaving the house - he didn't even bother picking any clothes up, fuck he just wanted to leave. Dashing towards Beverly's he brushed away his tears and dabbed his cheek with his shirt to get rid of any blood.

"Why hello beautiful Bev." Richie managed to snicker when Beverly opened the door for him, it was hard to hold his emotions back but he was used to it - especially recently with his parents starting to become physically abusive. However, his attempts were in vain as Beverly saw straight through him - not to mention the bruise forming on his cheek and eyebrow.

"Oh Rich." Beverly uttered, grabbing Richie in for a hug she squeezed him tightly as he began to whimper a little and then finally caving in and bursting into tears. "You want to talk to me about it?"

"Okay..." Richie was able to splutter out, the tears still trickling down his face as Beverly patted his head and led him to her room with a cup of tea and biscuits.

"Take your time." Bev smiled, as Richie began fumbling the bottom of his shirt and deepening in a breath ready to relive some of his previous events.