𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡.

𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 | 𝐞

[ INT. FLASHBACK: NOVEMBER 2014. DERRY, MAINE.]

Thirteen-year-old Eddie Kaspbrak smiled as he felt the fall leaves beneath his feet crunch.

The air had always been thick with the overwhelming scent of fall as soon as summer ended, and this November was no different. Fall was a strange season - it was one of those 'transition seasons', as Eddie called it. The seasons, like spring and fall, that were caught in between major seasons, like summer and winter. Everything was taking on slight changes - people were decorating their homes already for Christmas, besides it hardly being Thanksgiving yet (which Eddie himself never understood), being well into the new school year, and watching as the colours of the leaves deepened and took on new hues of oranges and yellows that matched a burning flame.

As Eddie walked alongside Stanley Uris, the two saw the streets lined with old cars near homes having gatherings to celebrate early Thanksgiving, and their presumed family and friends bundled up to fight the weather, holding platters and bags of food to gorge on to celebrate the American holiday. The sky was that 'chilly-fall-morning-but-almost-afternoon' type of grey, also recognizable by being the colour of Stanley's favourite 'cold weather gloves with the holes on the left hand', as Eddie had noticed.

Stanley saw Eddie in his peripheral vision, who was taking in all of the typical sights of the fall day. He knew it'd only be a few moments before Eddie said one of his typical 'this-is-an-awkward-moment-and-i'm-thinking-of-what-to-say' sayings.

That's how close the two of them were - they could remember each other's clothing, recite each other's favourite sayings, pick up on body language, and even connect to each other in ways that were beyond their understanding.

"It's really cold out here," Eddie said, not knowing what else to say.

Knew it. Stanley thought to himself, smiling a bit.

Eddie noticed his smile, and looked back at him. "What?" He asked, confused but awkwardly smiling as well.

"Nothing," Stanley said, shrugging. "You know. It's just nice out here."

Eddie felt very strongly at this particular part of their walk - It was almost a feeling of euphoria. The feeling you get after drinking something fizzy, or after running so fast and laughing so hard that you can't feel your feet and you're coughing to take in some much-needed oxygen.

The feeling like everything was going to be okay.

"I really like this." Eddie said, and by 'this', he meant 'you.'He really liked Stanley.

I really like you.

"Me too," Stanley said, looking back at the brown-haired boy, who's eyes were glazed over from the chilliness.