Before They Were Los(v)ers

Chapter 1: pov, Beverly Marsh

I look in the mirror & see a green eyed child staring back at me. Her freckles look like bright red dots on her milky pale complection. Her green eyes darting up & down the mirror from her black boots to her neatly braided hair. I learned how to braid my hair during the summer so I've gotten pretty good at it. I don't have any friends so when I'm bored, I either bike or braid my hair. I look in the mirror again & straighten my black dress. I love this dress. It has tiny yellow flowers & dark green leaves. I wore it to the last day of 4th grade & now I'm wearing it on the first day of 6th grade. I'm excited, maybe this year will be different, maybe Greta will leave me alone, maybe the Bowers gang will forget about me with all the new kids. This could be my year. I grab my backpack & run through the living room, trying to hide my excitement. But as I unlock the door I hear his voice.

"Bevvy, aren't you going to say goodbye to your dear old dad?" I turn around slowly to see him stand from the chair he was sitting on at the dining room table. His tiny limp showing ever so slightly, but I know it's there. I hesitate but after a while I walk over to him & open my arms so he can hug me.

"Without the backpack Bevvy, I wanna feel your soft dress." I let my backpack slide off my shoulder & feel his strong arms wrap around my tiny body instantly. I start to feel uncomfortable after a matter of seconds. I don't like my dad, let alone physical contact with him. I start to squirm but his grip tightens. Thoughts whisp through my mind. I want him to let go, & I want him to let go NOW.

"Bevvy, stop" I stop squirming & he pulls away only to cup my chin. I'm forced to look into his dark, lust filled eyes. A shiver runs down my spine, I just want to run, I wanna grab my backpack & run out this goddamn door & never come back. But I can't.

"Are you still my little girl Bevvy?" he asks as he curls his lip.

"Yes, Papa." I feel my eyes getting teary & I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. His cold thumb caress's my cheek.

"I worry about you Bevvy, be safe & come straight home after school." He says letting his hands drift back to his sides.

"Yes, sir" I say as I sling my backpack over my shoulder & practically run out the door. I want to get as far away from him as possible & as close to school as I can. So I start to run. My padded boots hit the concrete in unison with the 'thumps' it causes. I look behind me to see him standing in the doorway smiling at me. I pick up speed as I make a sharp turn & almost slip, but lucky for me there is a slight rise in ground which I push my hand on to steady myself & keep running. As I reach the school, I slow down. I stop in front of the steps & pause putting my hands on my knees to catch my breath. As I 'huff' trying to regain my breath, I hear a catcall behind me. I turn around to see Henry Bowers leaning against his car with his dickhead friends. His cruel smile reminds me of the man that calls himself my father. Still trying to gain my breath I run up the stairs & knock into a brunette haired boy, with a...fanny-pack? He falls backward & I grab his hand so he doesn't fall completely. He looks at me & pulls his hand away quickly.

"S-sorry I didn't see you" I tried to force the words out but I only got to rest for a couple of seconds before I ran to get away from Bowers. He pulls out hand sanitizer & rubs it all over the hand I touched. I place my hands on my hips & try to take deep breaths.

"Are you ok? HOLY SHIT ARE YOU DYING?" he says horrified taking a step back. His eyes wide with fear. He looks absolutely terrified. I try to suppress my laughter.
"What? Why would you think I'm dying?" I say hiding my smile.

"You're breathing very hard like you've been holding your breath for years, do you have asthma?" he asks unsteadily.

"No, I was just running to school."