Eddie knew this was a bad idea.
He wanted to scream at all the teens grossly pushing into each other as the music blasted throughout each room. So many germs, so many diseases, and too many drunk kids. Going to a high school party was not something he usually did on a Saturday night. No, he would rather watch movies with Bill and the losers. Heck, he would rather hear Ricky go on and on about fucking his mom rather than be here. Yet, here he was. Bill had persuaded Eddie to come.
"C-come on Eddie. I-I-It could be fun." Eddie glared at his best friend who stood at the front door with him. He knew the reason Bill wanted to come and she came quickly to the door to greet them.
"Hey, guys you came! Even you Eddie!" Bev smiled at both boys, her eyes lingering on Bill more than Eddie. Bill blushed and smiled back at the vibrant redhead.
"W-wouldn't m-miss it for the w-world." While Eddie was sure that line sounded smoother in Bill's head Bev did not seem to mind and pulled the two boys into the front room. Eddie turned his nose at the feeling of heat coming from several bodies in the room. Even though this house was not a public place, he could count how many health violations there would be if it was.
"I thought you said there would only be a few people here." Eddie tried to get Bev's attention so he could understand how she magically had more than 100 friends. Beverly shrugged not seeming to be that worried about it.
"It was only going to be us but Richie had other ideas."
"Did I hear my name? Bev, have you finally recognized by undying love for you?" Speak of the devil. Richie swung his arm around Beverly's arm which earned him an eye roll from Eddie. In Richie's other hand was a bottle that defiantly was not root beer. Eddie could tell by the look of Richie that he was already tipsy maybe even drunk.
"Eds! You came! What did Bill have to bribe you with to get you here?" Richie put his other arm over Eddie's shoulder. Eddie looked at the bottle by his ear and pushed Richie off him.
"Don't call me that! You're disgusting." Eddie looked at Richie with disgust which only made Richie's teasing worse.
"Aw, is someone getting angry? You are just the cutest Eds." Richie grabbed Eddie's face a lot more gently than he expected. Eddie still found himself grossed out by Richie's fingers on his face. This guy could have put his hand all over the house without washing it once. However, Eddie couldn't help the blush that spread on his cheeks.
"Shut up trashmouth." Beverly nudged the two boys to get their attention.
"Come on guys, we are sophomores we need to stop fighting and have some fun. High school is not going to last forever." She was right. They only had two more years till they all would go their separate ways. While application season was far away, Eddie would see pamphlets of different school appear on the kitchen counter every week. His mother wanted the best for him and unfortunately for Eddie that meant a college not too far from her. Eddie felt that his relationship with his mother never was fully repaired after what happened three years ago. He felt that he couldn't trust her but still loved her as a son should. She didn't have to know about those pamphlets of schools in California under his bed.
"You are absolutely right beautiful! Eddie, how about we get you a drink huh?" Eddie felt pressure under Richie's gaze. It didn't help that the teen only became more handsome and charming as he grew older. It was almost impossible to say no to Richie. All he had to do was smile and Eddie was a goner.
"I don't know Richie."
"Oh come on, I'll grab you one!" Eddie felt himself being pushed away from Bill and Beverly. He turned to see that they didn't even notice. They both were shyly smiling to each other as Bev took Bill's hand to lead him to some other room. "I'm surprised your mom let you come out tonight Ed. I was planning to stop by later to give her a good night kiss." Richie's comment grabbed Eddie's attention.
"Not funny."
"She can't sleep without it and a good f-"
"Beep Beep Richie." Richie smirked down at Eddie before passing him a beer. Eddie looked at the can with disgust. "You know I hate beer. It tastes like piss."
"Well, it will get you drunk fast." Richie finished off his beer before grabbing another one."
"Are you trying to get me drunk Richie?" Eddie's eyebrows raised as he waited for the older boy to answer. Richie awkwardly laughed before leaning in close to Eddie's ear.
"What if I am? What are you gonna do about it?" Richie's voice sent a chill down Eddie's spine. Richie would always do this. Richie would flirt with everyone boy, girl, it didn't matter to him. Yet, he flirted with Eddie that most. It confused the fuck out of Eddie. As they got older the flirting only got worse. Eddie would sometimes flirt back which would always stop Richie in his tracks. Eddie would laugh which caused Richie to laugh with him. Recently, it seemed to be more consistent. Eddie found himself thinking of Richie more often than before. The real reason he came other than to support Bill was to see Richie. Eddie knew it was stupid and would try to suppress the warm feelings Richie gave him when he touched Eddie's arm or gave him a kiss on the cheek. Eddie's thoughts were interrupted by a girl tapping on Richie's shoulder.
"Hey Tozier, got a cig?" Eddie turned to see Amy Huston smirking in Richie's direction. The same Amy Huston that Richie would admire at lunch. Richie would talk about her ass and how he would love to get her in a room alone. The losers would usually beep Richie before he could get into the naughty details. Every time Richie would go on about Amy Eddie felt sick. At first, he thought it was the thought of sex that made him sick but he soon learned it was the idea of Richie having sex with someone else. The day Eddie realized he had feelings for Richie was a Friday. He was walking down the hall, one more class and he was off for the weekend. He took some time from his fifth period to go to the bathroom. On the way there he saw Richie leaning on a locker with some blonde chick close by. Eddie couldn't help but stare as the girl twirled her hair and moved closer to Richie. Richie responded by letting his free hand trace circles on her arm. The same thing he did for Eddie when he was having a panic attack. Eddie booked it before Richie could seem him but the familiar pain of jealousy settled in his stomach.
"Fuck me." Eddie slammed his fist on a locker as he realized he wasn't jealous of Richie but the girl Richie was eyeing. He almost had a attach right there and reached for his inhaler but stopped as he accepted the facts.
He was in love with Richie Tozier.
So as Richie gave all his attention to Amy Huston, Eddie only looked down at his feet feeling the jealousy rise in his chest.
"Anything for a beautiful woman like yourself." Richie reached into his jacket pocket and handed her a cigarette. She smiled and let her hand glide across his to take the cancer stick into her own hand. She looked at Eddie for a second before bringing her attention back to Richie. She looked at Eddie as if she was weighing her options like he would want her too. Eddie scoffed to himself. What a bitch.
"How about you join me." She was assertive with her statement, making it known it was never a question to begin with. Richie looked at Eddie with an excited smile and Eddie felt his heart drop. Amy took Richie away to the front porch, leaving Eddie by himself. High school fucking sucks.
An hour passed but Eddie stayed in the same corner he was in before. He watched all the people dance and make out like there were no consequences for their actions. He decided to not look for the rest of the losers. He knew Bill wanted time with Bev and Stan wasn't even here. He could see Mike talking up a few girls across the room and Ben trying to be a wingman but not really doing much. A few girls looked him up and down as they passed but eventually moved on to find another victim. Eddie did not want to kiss any of these girls. He didn't want to kiss any girl at all which he struggled with for a few years. He would vent to Bill and Beverly about it till they came to the conclusion that girls were not meant for Eddie. He found them beautiful but not attractive. He never told Bill and Beverly about his feelings for Richie. Why would he? He would just get pity looks from them for the rest of his life and eventually the rest of the losers when they found out. Richie was like a magnet. Even though people complained about his mouth and how annoying he could be, he could get people to like him just as fast. When they started their sophomore year it was like a light switched went off for girls. That light switch was Richie Tozier. Girls from all grades would try to get to know Richie. Rumors began to spread about how many girls he slept with and his constant remarks began to be backed up by them. Only the losers ever groaned when Richie talked about his dick size or how many girls he slept with. He would always add how he had a special place in his heart for Eddie's mom which Eddie hated.
Eddie continued to look around the room. The beer in his hand untouched. Watching with annoyance until he saw Richie with his arm around Amy. She was even closer to Richie than she was before. Eddie wanted to look away but he couldn't stop himself from watching Richie hold this girl like how Eddie wished he would hold him. Their lips began to inch closer together while Eddie watched Richie lean in. Eddie wanted to throw up. Eddie's grip on the can began to tighten. Beer began rushing out of the opening onto the floor. Richie made eye contact with Eddie just as his lips touched hers. He didn't close his eyes even though it was a kiss. He continued to stare at Eddie who couldn't look away. Eddie felt his face change from angry to confusion. Richie had concern in his eyes as he watched the smaller teen from across the room. As the girl threw her arms around Richie's neck Eddie had enough.
"Fuck this shit." Eddie pushed people out of his way and he made his way to the door. Once he got outside he threw the can into the bushes, making a mental note to pick it up later. The cold fall air felt refreshing on his hot skin. His body was getting red from anger or was it jealousy? He didn't care as he continued to move towards the back of the house to find someplace to cool down. Tears began to spill from his eyes as he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Eddie, wait." Eddie stopped but did not turn around. He knew it was Richie but he didn't know why he was here.
"Shouldn't you be making out with your dream girl right now?" The question was loud and harsh. Luckily no one was near the back of the house to hear. Richie did not respond right away. Eddie almost thought he walked away.
"Why are you so upset?" Richie did not ask in his normal teasing voice. He sounded concerned as if he was worried. Eddie finally turned around. Richie's eyes grew wide as he saw tears dropping from Eddie's chin.
"Why? Are you fucking kidding me Tozier? You have been torturing me for months!" Eddie couldn't stop himself from shaking with frustration as Richie walked closer. "You walk around with girl after girl right in my fucking face. You flirt with me all the fucking time but drop me when a girl gives you an ounce of attention." Eddie stepped back almost tripping over a hose trying to keep the space he needed. Richie didn't get the hint or decided to not care as he kept trying to get closer to Eddie.
"Eddie I-"
"I'm not fucking done here. It is killing me to see you with these girls that don't give a crap about you." " I am sick of feeling like shit after you brag about sleeping with some girl you barely know when I have been here this whole fucking time. I have loved you for years, Richie. YEARS. And you have the audacity to-"Eddie found himself unable to speak due to Richie's lips pressing into his. Eddie froze in shock. His eyes wide open as Richie kept his closed, applying light pressure hoping the teen would kiss back. Eddie relaxed into the kiss and kissed Richie back. Richie pulled back and looked at the dazed boy in front of him.
"And you say I talk too much Eds." Richie laughed as he held Eddie's face in his hands.
"Don't call m-"Again Richie stopped Eddie by using his lips. This time Richie pushed Eddie against the wall of the house. The music still blasting from inside as people yelled and hollered. No one could see the two teens only a few feet from the window kissing each other fiercely. Richie began to explore Eddie's mouth with his tongue which made Eddie dizzy. Eddie grabbed Richie's hair which earned him a giggle from Richie.
"Wow, Eddie you are more of a freak than in my dreams." What? Did he just say in his dream? Implying that he thought of Eddie the same way? Eddie had a lot of questions that would have to be answered. Richie began to kiss Eddie's neck which emptied his brain of all thought. Yes, he had a lot of questions but for now, they could wait.