strange love .

22

Just a normal school day, as usual.

Eddie was talking to Stanley next to their lockers. " So, you and Bill are together? " he asked. The Jewish nodded. " I'm happy for you. " Eddie smiled. Richie then came running down the halls, interrupting the boys' conversation.

" Wassup fuckers. " Stanley had that 'go away please' look as usual. Eddie rolled his eyes, ignore Richie's babbling.

A girl walked to the three unexpectedly. " Hello boys. " she greeted. " The school's having a prom in 6 weeks, so I'm handing out these posters. " she smiled. " Can't you just tell us and leave? " Eddie nudged the Jewish, giving him a glare. " Uh- I mean, yeah thanks. " she gave the boys the posters and walked away.

" Why the principal couldn't just announce that to us? " he groaned. " It's their decision, Stanley. " Eddie stated. " Anyways, who are you going to ask? " Richie asked. " Well, I didn't inform you, I and Bill are together. " " Yeah I know. " Richie replied. " What about you eds? " Richie turned to the brunette. " Don't call me that. " Eddie frowned. " Just answer the question." " I don't know.. " he murmured.

" How about you rich? " Eddie asked. " Your mom. " he smugly smirked. " Fuck you. " the brunette stuck his middle finger up. " Stick it up your a─ " " Okay, that's enough. " Stanley sighed.

✿

Eddie was already finished with his science class, ready to head off to his next.  Suddenly, a hand yanked him by the shoulder, from behind him.

" Richie?... "

No answer.

" Is that you rich? "

Still no answer.

He guessed his friend wasn't in the mood to talk. He let the person lead him in the bathroom.

" Henry?! " he quickly got cut off by the taller boy, with his hand. " Shut up. " Henry pinned him to the wall. He pulled out his pocket knife. Eddie's heart skipped a beat when he saw it. He tried screaming but they ended up as muffled ones because of Henry's hands. " Your boyfriend, won't be here to save you. " he whispered in his ear. It sent shivers down Eddie's spine, by the hot breath breezing by his ear. Henry was hovering over the brunette, giving him a creepy look.

He slowly caressed his hand on the side of Eddie's cheek. He moved his hand replacing it with his pocket knife. He glided it on the brunette's soft skin. Eddie winced at the pain. Henry enjoyed watching the boy in agony. He chuckled, digging the pocket knife more into his cheek. He looked at the brunette's exposed neck, an idea coming to his head. He slowly glided it to his neck, watching the blood gush out.

Before he could trail down more, there was a knock at the door. He groaned letting go of the smaller boy.

Eddie chose this as an opportunity to scream for help. " Is anyone there?! Please help me! " he yelled. " Henry, what the fuck? " a voice said. " C'mon Tozier, I missed the old you, when you beat the shit out of everyone with no mercy, what happened? " he smirked. Before he could add on anything else, Richie kicked him in his crotch. He yelped in pain and fell on the floor.

Eddie sighed of relief. Richie quickly rushed over to him. " Are you okay? " he asked. " No... my cheek and neck hurts... " he murmured. He sighed and put the brunette's arm over his broad shoulder. " I'll carry you to the nurse. " he said.

✿

Eddie walked out of the nurse's office, all covered in plasters. " Thanks, Richie. " he smiled. " Anything for you, buddy. " he replied. " Well, you should head to your class now. " Eddie said. Richie didn't move. He sighed and started to walk away. Richie quickly grabbed his wrist. " What? " " I was wondering if uhm... you could... " he was on the verge of asking Eddie out to prom but he got scared already . "─go to the park with me? " he asked. " I'm not really free at the moment. " Eddie replied. " Oh, okay. " he simply said.

✿

" Oh my lord! What happened to you Eddie bear?! " his mother was yelling to the top of lungs. She examined her son's face. " It's nothing momma. " he says. " That's nothing?? " she pointed at his bandages. " I'm carrying you to the hospital. " she grabbed him by the wrists and carried him to her car.

Meanwhile with Richie

" Well, I asked her out. "

" And? "

" She said yes! "

" That's great to hear, chubs. " Richie smiled. " I have to go prom with her before we could go on a date though. " " That's still good. " Richie replied. " Are you asking anyone to prom? " Ben asked. " Uhm... yeah... but I didn't ask them as yet. " he started fiddling with his fingers, feeling nervous. " And who's this person? " " Uh... I want to keep that a secret. " he responds more nervous. " C'mon rich, you could trust me, I won't tell. " he smiles. " It's... Eddie. " Richie looked away in embarrassment. " That's okay. " He looked back at his friend confused. He expected an insult coming from Ben. Everyone was homophobic in Derry, why was he okay with it? Ben pat his shoulder and gave him a genuine smile. " It's okay if you're gay, I know Derry isn't really a place for gay people but there are most citizens here that are accepting. " Ben states. " I... thank you. " Richie really appreciated that his friend accepts his sexuality, but he wishes everyone could be accepting.

" I'm too much of a coward to ask him. " Richie sighs. " C'mon, don't be so bummed out. " Ben pouted. " What if he rejects me? " Ben looks at his friend, seeing the worry in his eyes. " I'm pretty sure he won't. " Ben says with confidence.