A/N: OKAY, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW. It has been like what 2 months since my last update? I'M SO SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I HAVE HAD SEVERE BLOCK. YES I HAVE OUTLINES OF MY CHAPTERS BUT ACTUALLY PUTTING IT TOGETHER WAS LIKE WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK. I just want everyone to know that I do NOT plan on discontinuing this story! I will see this story all the way through and YES THERE WILL BE A PART 2! This chapter was not my best but I promise it'll get better. I'm sorry I've been MIA. Life happens and I've been going through a lot! I know this chapter wasn't worth the wait but just bare with me! I'll try to update as often as possible. Thank you so much for the reviews/favorites/follows. IT'S ALL TRULY APPRECIATED! Thanks so much for sticking around! I love you all!
"Alright Rylee, I'll see you tomorrow!" Emma called as she rushed out the door. Donnie Ashby grinned as the girl rushed past her as he waved. "Later Donnie!" She called as she swung her leg over the bike. She looked back at him and smiled before taking off. Down the road Emma noticed a certain four eyed boy riding casually in front of her. She grinned, speeding up. "Hey there Trashmouth!" The pale boy looked back at her, nearly expressionless.
"Hey," He answered dryly. He kept his eyes forward, not even glancing at the brunette. She raised an eyebrow. Talk about 'Ouch.' No cute little pet names like Princess or Doll Face.
"What's with you?" She asked as she pouted. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Nothing. Going to hang out with Eds." He replied. Emma's eyebrows knitted together.
"No invite?" Emma asked playfully. Richie remained silent. So many things ran through his head. He hated how she kept trying. He hated the way his stomach was turning. He felt sick. The brunette remained silent and sped up, passing the Trashmouth. He sighed as he watched her hair whip through the wind, his eyebrows knitting together. He hated to admit it but even the brief silence between them was painful but Eddie liked her. He couldn't betray his best friend. Eddie didn't just like her but he liked LIKED her. Richie looked down as he mentally kicked himself.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid." Richie mumbled.
"What the fuck!?" He heard the brunette yell ahead. Richie looked, up and noticed the brunette throwing her bike down. The four eyed boy sped up to see what was going on and noticed what disturbed the brunette. Her clothes, backpacks and vinyls were thrown all over her front yard. Emma ran her hand through her hair, pushing it back. She stared for a moment in disbelief before running up the porch steps, banging frantically on the front door of her house.
"Mom!" She cried. All Richie Tozier could do was stare in disbelief as she banged on the door frantically. "Let me in! Mom! Please!" She cried. Richie finally snapped out of it, dropping his own bike as Emma began kicking the door. "PLEASE!" She cried as she continued to bang and kick the door. Richie ran over to the brunette and grabbed hold of her. "Let go of me, Asshole!" She screamed. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she flailed and kicked her legs. "You didn't even want to fucking talk to me! Let me go!" She screamed as he began dragging her from the porch. "What do you care!?" Richie flinched as he continued to pull her away.
"Eds!" Richie screamed as Emma continued to struggle against him. She was small but she sure fought back. Eddie rushed out of his house and witnessed Emma struggling against the Trashmouth. He glanced at her stuff thrown out the yard and gasped.
"Get Emma!" Richie yelled as she continued to fight back. Over and over she yelled at Richie about how he didn't care. Eddie looked at Richie and shook his head.
"No, I'll get her stuff. Get her in to the house, my moms not home. I'll get her stuff." Richie looked at him in disbelief but Eddie simply motioned his head for his house. Emma slowly stopped fighting and sobbed. Richie's heart broke at the sight.
"Kurt!" She sobbed as she went limp in Richie's arms. He felt his eyes sting. She wasn't sad because her mother basically threw her out. Her heartache came from leaving her brother's stuff behind. The pale boys lip quivered as he dragged her in to Eddie's house. He placed the sobbing girl on the couch and brushed her hair out of her face, crouching in front of her. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her nose had a red tint as she hyperventilated. Richie grabbed her face.
"Look at me, Em." He commanded, his voice slightly breaking. His lips trembled as he forced her to look at him. Seeing her like this broke his heart. "I am so sorry." He mumbled as he dropped his head in to her lap. To his surprise she ran her hands through his hair. He enjoyed it for a moment but shot his head up. He should be the one soothing her, not the other way around. He had to be strong. He had to be strong for her. She needed the comfort more than he did. He stood up and embraced the brown eyed girl. This took her by surprise. For a moment she was confused. Just moments ago, he didn't even want to speak to her. Now, he was here comforting her. Eventually her tears started back up. His shirt began to get wet from her tears. She cried silently at first, then the sobs began escaping her lips. He held on tighter and tighter with every sob that escaped her lips. Eddie walked in with most of the bags from the yard and dropped them at the door as he looked at the scene in front of him. He slightly cocked his head to the side. He hated to admit it but they kind of looked sweet together. Eddie sighed as he left the house to get Emma's clothes and vinyls.
"I'm going to help Eds, okay?" Richie mumbled in to Emma's hair. She shook her head as she gripped his shirt. "It'll be just a sec, Em." Emma's grip loosened, finally agreeing to let him go. Richie squeezed one more time and let her go. Richie jogged to the front door and noticed Deidra sitting on the porch swing of her house, smoking a cigarette. Richie could feel his blood boil as she watched Eddie struggle to pick up everything. Richie went over and quickly picked up the vinyls and a few pieces of clothing. Richie stormed back in to Eddie's house with Eddie trailing behind him and set down Emma's stuff. "I'll be back." Richie mumbled.
"Wait, Rich, what are you doing?" Eddie asked as Richie brushed past him.
"Eds? What's going on?" Emma called. Richie was now blinded by rage as he stormed over to Deidra. The woman raised an eyebrow as she took a drag of the cancer stick. His body shook as he pushed up his glasses.
"What do you want?" The woman asked dryly. "One of Emarosa's little boyfriends?" He couldn't contain his anger anymore.
"You know she smokes because of you?" He asked angrily. His hands balled in to fists at his sides. Deidra scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"I don't put it in her mouth and light it, kid. She makes her own choices." Deidra scowled.
"Do you ever take responsibilities for your actions!?" Richie growled.
"Hey!" Deidra barked as she stood up pointing her long bony finger at him. This caused him to jump slightly. "Watch your tone, little boy! I'm an adult and you will address me as such!" Richie scoffed.
"An adult? You just tossed your kid out like she was trash!" He yelled back. Deidra stepped down the porch steps and leaned in to the boy, studying his face with a glare.
"You don't know a damn thing about her. You don't know half the things she has done. I'd be careful if I were you." Deidra spat. The boys fists shook as Deidra looked down at them. She chuckled. "Want to hit me, do you?" She mocked.
"You hit her over and over again. Those bruises, busted lips were all your fault!" He screamed. Deidra's smirk faded. "All she did was love you and care about you. You're all she had left doesn't that mean anything!?" He continued. Deidra took a step back and took a drag. "She didn't deserve any of it!"
"No? Ask her about what happened to her father." Deidra mumbled.
"Let me go Eddie!" Richie heard Emma scream. He turned to see Emma break free from Eddie's grip as she ran over to the house. "Mom, please!" Emma cried as Richie grabbed hold of her. Deidra turned away and headed to the front door and looked over her shoulder one last time.
"No, Emarosa. Live with your choices. Next time don't choose little boys who don't know the real you over your own family." Deidra spat before entering the house.
"What did you say to her!?" Emma screamed at Richie. Richie shook his head. "What did you tell her!?" She demanded. Richie looked at the ground as she cried.
"Me and Eds are taking you to Mr. Walker's." He said blankly. Emma sobbed as he let go of her. He couldn't bear to look at her. Tears began welling up in his brown eyes. She left his side and retreated back in to Eddie's house. Eddie stared at Richie for a moment before going back in to his house to help put Emma's clothes in empty backpacks. Richie eventually joined the two, slinging backpacks over his shoulders. The three rode silently to Rylee's house. The only sound that could be heard was Emma's sobs.
The three eventually arrived to Rylee's, only to be greeted by Donnie and Mavis.
"Emma, what's wrong?" Donnie called as he jumped over the fence, separating his yard from the Walkers yard. Mavis cradled the sobbing Emma as she looked at Eddie and Richie.
"Rich?" Mavis questioned. Richie looked down before looking over to Eddie.
"Emma's mom had all of her stuff out on the yard and locked her out. Mrs. Morales and Richie got in to it." Eddie whispered.
"Way to stick up for your girl little dude." Donnie patted Richie's back. Richie shrugged the older teen off.
"She's not my girl." Donnie held up his hands in defense.
"What's wrong Emma? Didn't you hate it there?" Mavis asked, rubbing Emma's shoulders.
"Kurt's stuff is still there. She didn't let me get any of it." She squeaked. Mavis stopped in her tracks. Donnie looked over to Mavis with a worrisome look.
"Eddie, Rich, we'll take care of her. Go on home." Mavis said sweetly with a sad smile. Eddie nodded and set Emma's bags down. He looked over to Richie who simply shook his head. Eddie nodded and took off alone.
"Rich?" Mavis questioned.
"I'll help her take her stuff up." Richie mumbled. He dropped his bike and picked up the bags Eddie had left and headed for the front door. "Ry! Door!" Mavis called. Moments later Rylee opened the door and welcomed the Trashmouth in. She studied the bags.
"Moving in?" Rylee asked playfully. Richie shook his head. Noticing the glum look, Rylee's smile faded. She looked over his shoulder and saw Mavis holding Emma. "Wait, Rich, what happened?" Rylee asked with a shocked expression.
"Where can I put these?" He mumbled. Rylee pursed her lips together and led him up the stairs. After dropping off the bags Richie sighed, sitting on Rylee's bed. "She kicked her out. All of her stuff was all over the yard." He mumbled. Rylee remained silent as she looked out the window. "Hey Ry, what happened to Emma's dad?" Rylee remained silent.
"He did terrible things to her, Rich." Richie raised an eyebrow. All he knew about Emma's dad was that he killed Kurt and he was dead. Rylee turned to face him with tears running down her cheeks. Confused, Richie stood up. "He did awful things, Richie. He tried to-" She put a hand over her mouth to contain a sob. She couldn't even say it. His eyes widened. He didn't know. How could he? Tears stung his eyes. "When she still lived in Texas, did you know he would lock her in the closet?" Rylee mumbled as she looked out the window, crossing her arms. "He would lock her in there for hours in the dark." She mumbled. "He did it when I was there once. I could hear her screaming and crying, banging on the door. When I tried to help her, he sent me home. I was scared of him. He was a scary man. That's why I think she's scared of the dark. He always said things like for her to beg for forgiveness and he would let her out. Even when she begged, he never kept his word. He never laid a hand on her until that night." Rylee trailed off. A tear slid down Richie's cheek. "She's always had it rough, Rich. When Kurt died, the only person keeping her sane here in Derry, she lost everything." Rylee hiccuped. "Meeting you guys was the best thing to ever happen to her." More tears had slid down Richie's cheeks. He walked over to the window and saw Donnie was now holding Emma. Richie quickly lifted up his glasses and wiped away the tears and sighed. "I think she needs you now more than ever." Rylee whispered as she faced him. She put a hand on his cheek and smiled sadly. "I know you really care about her." Richie hung his head.
"I'm going to go see if she needs anything." He mumbled. Rylee nodded as he exited the room. He rushed down the stairs and out the front door.
"Don't worry Emma, we'll help you get his stuff back, okay? It has to be tonight when everyone's asleep. Me and Mavis will help." Richie narrowed his eyes at Donnie.
"I'll help." Richie stated. Everyone turned to face him. Emma's face, still wet. The older teens looked at each other then back at him. Richie vowed to never let anyone hurt Emma again. He vowed to protect her from anyone and anything and nothing would stop that. He hated to admit it but he did care. He really, really cared about her and even if it meant him getting in trouble or getting hurt, he would always protect her.
