Pleaser

The Best Ride Home Ever

Walking out of the synagogue was Richie's favorite thing to do- especially if he was at a liturgical service. It felt like he was in there for ten hours instead of a couple every single time he went. Plus, leaving meant that he finally got to move his stiffened legs around instead of falling asleep in an uncomfortable wooden pew.

"We should have a slumber party tonight with everybody! What'dya say, Stan?" Richie clasped his arm around Stanley's shoulders as they made their way down to the sidewalk together. Richie asked to have a sleep over literally every single weekend unless he was busy. To be honest, sometimes he felt annoying for asking every Saturday afternoon but what else was he gonna do? Sit alone in his room with just his thoughts? Hell no.

Stanley let out a small groan. "Richie.." He whined, scrunching his face up in disgust. "Really?" He crossed his arms and shrugged Richie's arm off of him. "I kinda wanna go to bed right now." Their eyes met for a moment before Stanley turned to look at the car that his dad was getting into. "Service wears me out.. Sorry, man."

    "Oh, c'mon, Stan! I won't even bother you," Richie pleaded, walking halfway to the car and stopping on the sidewalk. "I promise! I'll be as quiet as a fucking mouse. For real this time—.."

Hearing the door close after Stanley got inside made Richie frown deeply. He sighed and gave his friend a goodbye wave before Stanley and his family drove off. His hand hit the side of his leg as his arm flopped down limply. "Fuck," He whispered, squinting as he looked at the far walk he had ahead of him.

Every time he had to walk home alone, Richie couldn't help but to check every other corner, every nook, and every cranny for Bowers and his gang. Sometimes he would catch himself concentrating on his own shadow and the reflections on nearby windows just to make sure nobody was following him. Though he knew Henry was locked up, he just felt safer if he was on his toes. It was just another weird comfort habit he had probably.

Speaking of comfort habits. . . Richie's eyes landed on the drugstore he always bought cigarettes from. He felt his chest flutter with excitement as he hastily made his way over to the front of the store. But before he could open the door, Richie heard a loud honking from behind him.

    "Richie!" A voice behind him called, "What are you doing?" Richie whipped around and his eyes landed on Eddie Kaspbrak. His heart skipped a beat and Richie couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous sight in front of him. The asthmatic teen had stopped in the middle of the street in his cheap, dark green car and was nearly hanging out his window. "Don't tell me you're buying more of those cancer sticks!" He yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth.

Richie laughed and ran over to the car, a big and goofy smile on his face now thanks to the brunette in front of him. "What're you doing? Stalking me? I knew you were obsessed with me, but not that obsessed." He said him, stopping once he got close to Eddie's window.

    "Ugh.. shut up," Eddie muttered, leaning back into the leather seat of his vehicle. He exhaled, placing his hands on the wheel. "So where's Stan?" His eyes landed on Richie's yet again as he raised his eyebrows. "Weren't you guys supposed to go to.. What's it? Church?"

Richie felt a soft sigh escape his lips. Explaining why Stanley ditched him was gonna be weird- Eddie would probably get mad at the real reason, so he said, "He got sick- hacked up a whole ass hairball in the bathroom. It was fuckin' nasty, you should've seen it!" He laughed, his brown eyes lingering on Eddie's face for just a moment too long. "You would've shit yourself."

Eddie let go of the steering wheel and crossed his arms, biting his bottom lip softly as he thought for a moment. He didn't seem to notice Richie's eyes on him, which Richie was far too grateful for. "So, he left you here?" The smaller teen questioned, his eyebrows pressed together in concern. "Does he realize how dangerous that is? You could've gotten mugged!" He exclaimed, finally looking up and meeting Richie's gaze as he spoke, "Or worse- it could've rained and got you sick." He shook his head in disbelief, rolling his deep brown eyes. "Jeez.. irresponsible much," He muttered to himself.

Richie felt his flashy smile turn into a sweet grin as he listened to Eddie ramble on about how dangerous it was for him to be walking alone. His chest filled with giddiness, his freckled cheeks feeling warmer than usual. Every time Eddie worried about him like this, it made Richie feel all cutesy inside for some reason.

Stan's parents probably just didn't realize no one was there to drive me home. Is what Richie wanted to say. But, instead of that, he said, "Don't worry about me, Eddie Spaghetti, I know you love me and it's really hard not to care—.."

Eddie audibly groaned, placing his hands back on the wheel. He tilted his head to the side, motioning Richie inside of his car. "Shut the fuck up and get in the car. I'm bringing you home, asshole," He spat, glancing at Richie to give him the 'side eye.'

Of course, Richie ran to the passenger's seat in a hurry, nearly throwing himself inside of the car in excitement. This was so much better than walking in the heat alone. It's totally not like he was excited because it was Eddie Kaspbrak- he just really needed a ride home, yeah.

    "Damn, Eds, who'd you sleep with? You're never this nice to me!"

    "Shut. Up."