The Town of Derry

Mrs. Kaspbrak

"Hes gone, ITs gone" Eddie said as he looked at us with relaxed shoulders.

"For now.. remember he only comes out every 27 years" Ben said as we wandered around looking for a way out.

Bens not wrong, he never is, IT will come back.. but for now, we have to be thankful he's gone; and in 27 years, we will be out of this small town, living our dreams in some other town, far away from here.

We found our way out and stood at the curb out front of the house, staring into the yard.

"Well, I g-guess we can be kids n-now and e-enjoy summer" Billy chuckled as he picked up his bike.

"Mike are you okay?" I asked as he held his leg, he shrugged. I kneeled down in-front of him and lifted his pant leg, "geez Mike that's a huge cut" I said as I felt Eddie hover over me.

"Eddie Kaspbrak get in the car now!" His mom yelled as she pulled up next to us.
"Mom I'm with my friends" he said as she grabbed his arm dragging him to the passenger side.

"Mrs. kasp-" "no, you stay away from my baby boy, all of you" she said, I turned and looked at Richie who's face dropped.

"I do not need my son" she dropped her keys. "Let me" I said, she swatted my hand away, I stood back up and walked over beside Stanley who was silent.

"As I was saying I do not need my Eddie hanging out with a bunch of, of, disappointments" she grabbed her keys and swung her door open. I honestly was super damn confused, she loved me? Or used to.

"As for you Laura" she said, I felt my hands get sweaty. "Next time you wanna have sex with my son then try to convince me he's gay.. I'll tell your mother what you do behind the pharmacy"

I stood there silent, although her words were lies.. the way she thought of me hurt, she used to be the mom i always wanted.

"That's a lie!" I yelled as she drove off.

"What the fuck" I said as I sat onto the curb, wrapping my sweater around mikes leg.

"You've been with me and Ben all summer, what does she mean?" Stanley asked as he sat beside Mike so I can make eye contact with him.

"She was lying" Beverly said, I stood up and wiped the blood off of my hands onto my shirt.

"I know she was, but why was she so detailed" he asked, I watched as everyone got on their bikes and surrounded me.

"I honestly don't know Stan, Eddie must of used me as an escape from telling his mom about rich and him, as for the pharmacy I don't know, I go to the pharmacy with you or Ben, and the only time I've behind there is when we used to wait for Edster"

"I mean I don't mind but he should of told me, because now his mom hates me and thinks im a slut" I began following as we headed to mikes house to fix up his leg, if we show back up at the hospital, the same guy hurt.. They will think somethings up.

"You're not a slut" Beverly said as she slowed down to bike beside me, "can't be a slut if you've never had sex" Richie tried making a joke, but it wasn't really the time.

All that kept going through my head was,
Why did she say that?
Did Eddie say something?
How do I fix this?
How do we save Eddie from being locked up for the rest of the summer?

"Laura" Stanley said, I looked up from watching my feet while walking, "get on, we need to get his leg fixed as soon as possible" Stanley said while patting his seat.

~ 1 week later ~

I watched as Beverly and Billy polished old Silver, Bills bike. I sat on the grass watching Stanley look through his binoculars, searching for birds of course.

"Lauras and Bens birthday is in 3 days"
Richie sat behind me tapping my back. I think he was getting lonely, he's only seen Eddie once, when he ran into him at the pharmacy, and that's only because Ed goes to get a new fill every other Thursday.

"The big 18" Ben cheered, I smiled. They have had a birthday party planned for a week or so now, but I'm not really excited.

Being 18 means so much, I'm legal, growing up, new adventures. We graduate highschool this year, it's all coming so fast.. plus, I can't have a birthday celebration without Eddie.

I kept quiet as the others talked about what were gonna do, how Mikes grand dad got a hold of some fireworks, I was born at 12:01am and Ben at 12:15am.

"Laura come on be excited" Beverly shook my legs, I smiled and looked back down at my book.

"18 and still a virgin" Richie laughed as he scribbled pen all over my shoes.
"Not a big deal rich, I'm sure you and Eddie havnt even kissed" I shot back, his remarks on me and Stanley not even having our first lip to lip kiss yet was getting annoying.

"Guys I'm gonna go home early, not feeling to good" I stood up and wiped the grass off of my jean shorts, and picked up my water. "I can walk with you home" Stanley offered, I denied "no it's fine" I grabbed my skateboard from where I leaned it on the tree.

"Be home in a bit then, I guess" Ben shouted as I skated away.

Beverlys pov:

I watched Laura's body movement all night, something was for sure bothering her. But lately she hasn't been as open as she usually is. I watched as she grabbed her skate board and left, and waited till she turned the corner before I spoke.

"Okay something's up with laur" I said as Stanley stood up, "maybe her period?" Bill suggested, automatically I knew it wasn't "no were synced" I said.

"Um, well.. she did mention how she missed her dad" Stanley said, i heard a bike get picked up from the ground, I looked at Ben who was pale.

"It's the first birthday without our dad"