strange love .

20

I barely put in any effort in this chapter, sorry.

Just a normal Saturday, again. Eddie decided he'll hang out with Richie in his house.

" Your bruises and cuts seem to be healing. " Eddie said. " Why do you let your dad abuse you? Why can't you just call the police? " Eddie asked. " I can't fight back or he'll kill me..and..he'll probably beat the shit out of me if I call the police. " Richie sighed.

The brunette got up and hugged the curly-haired boy. " You don't deserve to be treated like shit. " he said. " Well seems like I do. " Richie scoffed. " C'mon don't say things like that..you're a great person. " he smiled. " You're just saying that to make feel better. " Richie huffed. " I'm the school's creep, I honestly don't know why you became friends with me. " Richie said. " You're no longer the school's creep, I became friends with you because I wanted to make you a better person, " Eddie replied. " You, Beverly, Stanley, Bill and Georgie are the only ones who like me. " " Richie! Stop saying those things! Those kids just didn't get to know you as yet! " he shouted. " You need to love yourself more Richie. " he sighed. " Why should I? Am I ashamed of myself. " Richie replied. " Richie.. " he murmured.

" But there's something that makes me happy. " Richie added. " And that is? " Eddie asked. " It's actually someone. " he corrected himself. Eddie quickly sat beside Richie. " Tell me who's this person. " he said amused. " Uhm─ I think it's time for you to go, my mom's coming in 3 minutes. " he nervously stated. He shooed Eddie out of the room and quickly locked the door.

He sighed and face-palmed himself. " Just confess to him already Tozier, stop being a pussy! " he yelled to himself. " Richie, you okay there? " Eddie asked. " Go home Eddie. " Richie demanded. " No, I'm not going anywhere. " he snapped. Richie groaned and rolled his eyes. " I'm not unlocking this door. " he said. " Fine, I'll leave. " Eddie replied. He stomped downstairs and slammed the door.

✿

" You should just ask her out, Benny. " Richie smirked. " What if she says no? " he asked. " I'm positive she would say yes. " he said. " Bev is a smoker, so you gotta accept that. " he added. " She smokes? " " Yeah, for stress. " he replied. " Well, I'll ask her out on Monday. " Ben smiled. " Congrats when it works out, " he said.

✿

Once again Richie was smoking under the bleachers. " Hey creep, why are you doing here all alone? " Henry asked. " Fuck off, " Richie growled. " I came here for payback, I was about to beat the shit out of wheezy and the Torah bitch and you ruined it for me. " Henry growled. " Fine, I don't care. " he bluntly replied.

✿

The only place Richie could think of going was the treehouse, but Eddie was there. He knew Eddie would keep questioning him. It really irritates him but he has a lot on his mind. He didn't have time to care. He walked to the treehouse without saying a word to his friend.

After a couple of minutes, Eddie finally spoke. " Richie..can you please tell me what happened? " Eddie asked. Richie ignored him and kept looking at his feet. The brunette sighed. 

" My mom is giving me more pills. "

 Still no reply.

 " She thinks I'm sick, she hates me, Richie. " 

 Again, no reply. 

" She insults me. " 

" She forces me to do things I don't like.. " he murmured. " I just need a shoulder to cry on. " he breathed out. He started to burst out in tears, covering his face with his hands. Richie sighed and embraced the brunette, still not saying a single word. " R-..richie..am I a f-..faggot? " he asked. " No, Eddie, you're not. " he soothed, patting the brunette's back. " You're a great friend, Richie, " Eddie smiled. Richie felt a pain in chest. The words sinking into his head. ' You're a great friend, Richie.' he repeated in his head. The brunette broke the hug and got up. " I gotta go. " he said. Richie got up as well. The only thing he liked about their friendship, was the goodbye kisses. Especially from Eddie. But this time Eddie did nothing and started climbing down the ladder. " Maybe next time, " he said to himself.

He watched the brunette leave and sighed.

" I wish I could tell you, but it's hard. "