A/N: I have set this story in 1989, as the 2017 film did, but most of what happens is based on the Stephen King novel, and in some infrequent instances I have quoted the master directly. (One deviation from the novel I have incorporated is having Bev's father drink beer.)
Chapter 1 - In the Barrens
Their morning game had been Richie's idea, a convoluted adventure featuring knights and castles and dragons, and at one point Bill had looked solemnly at Beverly and said, "Milady, thou cannot appear before the king in such an unshod and unfettered state."
She narrowed her green eyes suspiciously. "What's that mean?"
"Barefoot and braless," Ben supplied helpfully, leering at her.
"That's me," she'd agreed, then looked down at herself, at her small breasts poking proudly at the thin cotton of her denim shirt, and smiled ruefully.
"Can't do nothin' 'bout the braless part," she said finally, "an' God only knows where my shoes have gotten off to, but if the king don't like it he can kiss my unshod, unfettered ass!"
There'd been laughter all around, after which Eddie – dubbed 'King Eds' by Richie – decreed that they should break for lunch and meet back at the clubhouse in two hours' time.
And then Richie himself, doing a passable Yul Brynner, intoned "So it shall be written, so it shall be done," and they'd laughed again.
"Later, guys," Bev said, hugging each of them in turn. Then she tracked down her wayward sneakers and headed for home, blissfully unaware of what awaited her there.