**Say What You Mean Out Loud**

~ F I V E ~

Sewer Expedition

Greyson Elliot was munching on an apple, while sitting on Eddie Kaspbrak's kitchen counter.
"Take everything but the Delicious Deals, my mom loves those."

Richie and Bill were loading their book-bags with snacks from his pantry.
Grey handed Bill her bag to fill, and she was actually happy that she kept it.

"Hey, first you said the barrens, and now you're saying the sewers."
"Yah." Grey took a loud crunch out of her apple and spoke through chewing. "What are you thinking is down there Bill?"

He gave them a grave look, and Grey decided to shut up. It was quite apparent.

"B-but guys... what if we get caught?" Eddie whispered.
Bill rolled his eyes, while Richie made his way to the other side of the kitchen.

Greyson gaped at the number of medications, while Richie smirked.
"Hey Eddie, these your birth control pills?"

He rolled his eyes and Grey hopped off the counter.
"Yah and I'm saving it for your sister, this is private stuff!"

Bill handed Grey her backpack and she leaned over to whisper, "Does Richie have a sister?"
Bill shook his head.

The 4 made their way to the front door, when the woman in the TV room spotted them.
"Eddie bear!" She called, filing her nails. "Where you boys off to in such a rush?"

They glanced between each other, trying to come up with a good lie.
Grey backed up and hid behind Richie.
Sonia Kaspbrak isn't particularly fond of girls around her son.

"Um, j-ju-ju-just my house. Mu-my backyard, Mrs.K. I've got a new..."
He trailed off, and Grey bumped Richie's arm.

"A new croquet set!" He saved the conversation. "Jeez, spit it out B-B-Bill."
Grey hit his arm again, but less friendly this time.
She did not appreciate anyone making fun of his stutter, friend or not.

"Okay," Mrs. Kaspbrak looked up at them. "Oh and sweetie, don't go rolling around on the grass, especially if it's just been cut. You know how bad your allergies get."

The woman always had a suspicious vibe when it came to Eddie's health.
To Grey, it always seemed as if she was hiding something.

"Yes ma'am." Eddie tried to shoo them out of the house but his mother stopped him again.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"

They painfully watched as Eddie made his way to his mother and kissed her cheek.
Grey was pushing Richie out of the house as he smirked, "Do you want one from me too Mrs.K?"

"Beep beep Richie!" She whispered, pushing him harder.

When the group got out Stan was riding his bike into the driveway.
Something about him seemed off.
He was shaky and pale.

"Stanley? Are you okay?"
He nodded quickly but didn't look at Grey.

"Heh, are you sure?"
He nodded and the rest of the boys grabbed their bikes.

"Okay well, who's bike am I riding?" She asked.
Richie rolled his eyes, pushing his glasses up on his face.
"Why can't you just get your own bike?" He groaned, patting the back of his.

She shrugged defensively. "I can't afford one."
"Uh, it's fine you can ride on, m-mine." Stan spoke up.

She glanced at Richie who smiled.
"Great! Means I don't have to carry her."
"Shut up Richie." She scoffed, still smiling though.

She climbed on the back of Stan's bike, and hugged his waist while they started pedaling.
As much as he hated to admit it, Grey's arms around him were comforting after what he just saw at the temple.