chapter one
eddie stood in the long line to buy himself tickets, tapping his foot and checking his watch every five seconds it seemed.
the bright lights of the carnival and buzz of people talking as they passed was like music to eddie's ears.
the only part he didn't like was that he was alone.
richie tozier, his best friend was supposed to be standing beside him, cracking jokes and picking which rides they should go on first. but he had cancelled because of a fever that just came up.
eddie was fine with him staying home—eddie would hate to catch his fever.
after he bought his tickets, he decided to walk around, waste some time. maybe he would run into stan, or mike.. anyone that was his friend would be nice.
he felt like a loser; coming to the carnival all alone. maybe richie would want to go once he got better, and he would invite just eddie to come with him.
just eddie.
and after that one thought including richie was in his head, others just to cloud his head, making him blink rapidly and glance around.
till he saw a stupidly tall boy who looked exactly like richie.
it probably wasn't him, he just saw the back of rich—the male.
but the curious side of eddie kaspbrak took over and he started to follow him. just for fun. why not?
he had nothing better to do except go on rides by himself. he would look like a loser. but what's the big deal? he already is one.
a red headed girl walked beside the male, grabbing his hand and lacing their fingers. eddie mumbled something under his breath, his footsteps speeding up to follow them.
he pushed his way through the crowd, trying to think of an alibi for beverly. she wouldn't be at the carnival—she would've told eddie. they're friends.
his heart rate sped up and he placed a hand to his chest, trying to convince himself it wasn't two people he knew.
and one of them he wasn't desperately in love with.
they boarded onto a ride that eddie hated. it was a two seater that went around in circles, while love songs played loudly in the background. it was one that richie always insisted they'd go on, but they never did. maybe next time they would.
eddie sat a couple seats away from them, trying to peer around and see their faces.
but the ride started and he fell back into his seat, sighing loudly.
it's not them. richie doesn't like beverly. beverly likes bill. beverly wouldn't do this to eddie. they were friends.
a song started to play.
doesn't matter cause it's enough, to be young and in love...
and the girl laughed, leaning against his shoulder.
eddie balled his hands into fists, shutting his eyes tightly before reopening them.
this is exactly why he hated this ride so much.
all of the spinning on the ride made him dizzy.
or was it the thought that richie was with a girl? with beverly?
he had no reason to think that. it wasn't richie.
his stomach lurched as the ride curved, making him slide and press against the side of the cart.
he would not throw up on this ride.
the boy wrapped his arms around the female, pulling her close to plant a soft kiss on her jaw.
the girl giggled, playfully pushing him away. but she still seemed to snuggle into his side.
"richie, stop! you know that tickles."
it's enough to just make me go crazy, crazy, crazy...
and that's when eddie's heart stopped.
and his throat closed up.
and his vision blurred.
and he felt bile rise up in his throat.
he turned his head to the right, throwing up in his seat.
the couple's heads snapped back to see the commotion after hearing many curses and "shit, man! that's disgusting!"
the operator quickly stopped the ride, going around to unlock everyone's seats so they could get off.
but eddie just slipped out from under the safety bar, hopped over the throw up, and ran.
he ran away. away from richie. and beverly. and the carnival.
and that stupid, stupid ride.
he ran until his lungs were burning and he doubled over, resting his hands on his kneecaps, trying to catch his breath. he felt his knees wobbled and before he knew it— he was on the ground, lying on his back, looking up at the stairs. the grass he lay on itched his back, irritating him heavily, but he didn't have the energy to get back up.
he felt drained.
he was furious but at the same time, numb. he felt like just going to sleep right then and there, and never waking up. but he slowly sat back up, his eyes glistening with tears, and started his long walk home.
