(Eddie) Chapter 6- Eds

It's Monday morning and I wait out on the front steps for Betty. She offered to drive me to school now that were dating I guess. I don't wanna go to school though. I shouldn't have to. Richie and Bev didn't even show up Wednesday. They were probably fooling around at the quarry and club house. I bet they're together. I mean, they're basically joined at the hip, it would make sense. 

I can just imagine them now, smiling and laughing together. Richie's hands wrapped around her waist, and her hands running through his hair. Oh god how-

I snap my head up to see Betty pulling into the driveway. I stand up and walk over, getting in the car.

"Hey!" She greets me with a smile.

"Hi!" I reply, leaning over to peck her on the cheek. 

I don't feel the butterflies everyone describes happen when you kiss someone. I ignore it and buckle myself in. Betty pulls out of the driveway and we start our way to school. 

I stare out the window, letting my eyes get lost in all the trees changing colors. The reds,oranges,browns,yellows and hints of green remaining. Fall's my favorite season. It has the most colors, it isn't as humid, and there's no snow yet.

"Are you excited for the pep rally today?" Betty asks.

"What- Oh yeah." I reply.

"I'm sorry I can't sit with you. I think it's stupid that I have to stay with the student council all day, I'm just the secretary." Betty groans.

"It's fine. I'll just sit with Bill and them." I tell her.

"But Richie will be there." Betty remarks.

"Oh."

"Are you two even on speaking terms now?" She asks.

"I don't know." I sigh, trying not to think about our fight from last week.

"I don't know if I want you staying around him, Eds." Betty tells me.

"What do you mean if you want me staying around him? And don't call me Eds." I question.

"Just that, last time you two were together he tried to hurt you. And why can't I call you Eds?" Betty replies.

We pull into the school parking lot, and Betty parks. It's only half full, and people mill around outside. She turns off the car, and I get out hastily, wanting to end this conversation. Betty gets out and stops me at the back of the car.

"Eds, honey, I just don't want you getting hurt." Betty tells me, grabbing my hand.

"It's not your decision, Betty. And I told you not to call me Eds!" I exclaim.

I start to march away, making my way to the sidewalk in front of the school. Bev and Richie stand at the front of Richie's car parked up front. They stare at me as I go by.

Betty catches up to me and grabs my hand again, whipping me around.

"Why can't I call you Eds?! Your friends call you Eds!" Betty cries, sounding hurt.

"No they don't." I tell her, trying to pull away.

"But Richie said it-" She stops mid sentence,'' Oh." 

"Betty, it's not like that-" I start.

"Then what's it like Eddie?! Cause I sure as hell want to know!" She shouts. 

People are staring at us now. And glaring at me. I can feel Richie's eyes. I'm scared I'll turn and make eye contact with him. 

"I-I don't know." I mutter, my eyes falling from Betty's angry face to the cement.

"Well, figure it out." Betty grumbles, storming off. 

I turn to follow in her direction when Beverly speaks up,"Women, strange creatures of wonder. Am I right?" She jokes. 

I look over at her and Richie. Bev wears a knee length floral dress, her worn boots, and knee socks. Her auburn curls fall around her face, and she wears her usual key necklace. She rests on one leg, popping her hip out, her arms crossed.Richie wears jeans,sneakers, and a Joey's Pizza and Arcade t-shirt. He stares at me, his face blank. He has his hands in his pockets, and his eyes gaze over my jacket. 

I'm still wearing his jacket.

"Yeah." I murmur to Bev before walking away.

The smell of him is starting to wear off.

***

3 years Earlier.......

I stand by the stream,watching the clear water flow over the rocks. My memories are starting to fade, and I know soon enough the nightmare of Pennywise the clown will no longer haunt me every moment. My hand throbs, blood dripping down off my finger tips. I was worried when Bill picked up the glass, if he expected us to purposefully cut ourselves with it. But the oath was more important then any stupid infection I might get. We made a promise. And we can't go back.

"Hey, Edwardo!" Richie's voice calls from behind me.

I turn to see him making his way down a slope towards me. He struggles to keep his balance, but makes sure that his cut hand doesn't go into the dirt. He makes it down and jogs up to me.

"What're look'in at?" He asks, peering at the water.

"Nothing. Just thinking." I tell him.

"Thinking's for idiots." He snarks, picking up a stone and throwing it into the stream.

"Well then you must do I lot of it," I say.

"Hey! I'll have you know I'm actually a smart guy. If you only gave me a chance, Eds!" Richie exclaims, acting lovesick. 

"But I guess your just too cute for me!" Richie pinches my cheek, gritting his teeth in a smile.

I shove him off, groaning at his immaturity. He chuckles and wads into the creek, not bothering to take off his shoes. He plays around in the water, throwing sticks and stones at small fish he finds. I watch him from the edge, almost wanting to go in. But I'm tired. It's easier to stay at the shore and just watch, letting him play by himself. 

"Hey, Eddie Spaghetti, look!" Richie exclaims, holding up a small grey fish in his hands. He smiles proudly until the fish wriggles free and plops back into the water. 

And as he laughs at himself I feel this weird tug in my stomach. He's kinda not ugly. I shake the thought from my head. But my stomach tugs again. And I feel my feet start moving me into the stream. And soon enough I'm throwing rocks and sticks with him, and splashing water in his face. I hate it when he calls me Eds, but then again I kinda like it.

***

I file in with the rest of my homeroom class. We enter the gym, the bleachers pulled out for us to sit. I sneak away from my class and find the Losers sitting in the back corner all together. They all seem to be caught in an excited buzz like the rest of the school. All except Richie.

________________________________________________________________________________Hello! I know this chapter was short but I honestly felt stuck during this one(and I'm tired). I hope you guys enjoyed the flashback scene I wrote in there. I just thought I should add something for when Eddie started realizing his feelings. And Betty doesn't seem as nice as before?! Yeah, people can be deceiving. On a side note I think I might add in some Stenbrough(isn't that what Stan x Bill is?). But we'll see how it goes. I'd also just like to apologize for not publishing for almost a month. I've been busy with finals. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more!Bye!