The last month of summer proved to be relaxing and fun for the Losers. Whether trekking through the Barrens or hanging out at the Quarry, the group thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, and their friendship grew into something fierce.
When school started to rear its ugly head, now only a week away, the Losers could not believe the events that went down this past summer.
"So," Mike said as he and the rest of the clan were sitting out near the railroad tracks in the weeds off of where they had their Rock War, "I guess this is it, huh?"
"What do you mean?" asked Richie.
"Next week, you all will go back to school, and I'll return to my homeschooling and delivery ways; who knows when we'll get the chance to hang like this again."
"Don't say that," Stan said, shaking his head, "no…no matter what happens, we'll all remain friends."
"How are you all so sure?"
Bill shook his head, "Why a-are you so do-down? How are you sure that w-w-we won't be friends?"
"We killed a clown that was haunting the town this whole summer and before," Ben said, standing up and heading towards Mike, "trust me, you don't go breaking friendships after dealing with that."
As Ben sat down next to Mike, he offered a gentle hand around the shoulder.
"I think we'll all be friends for a lifetime."
"Now that," Eddie said, "sounds crazy. Don't your parents still hang out with their middle school friends?"
"Again, we killed It; I highly doubt a bond that close will wither."
"He does have a point," Bev said, sitting down opposite of Mike, "even if we go our separate ways, we'll still be in touch; like this summer…I don't think I'll forget it for as long as I live."
"Well, there you have it," Richie said, standing up and approaching the group, "friends forever until we return to dust."
Eddie solemnly nodded, along with Mike – friends forever did have a nice ring to it.
The sound of the alarm clock did little to please Richie.
"Time to get up, sport – first day of school," Wentworth said, opening the bedroom door a crack to greet.
Richie groaned, "Please…give me five more minutes."
"You don't have that luxury, son."
Richie groaned again, surrendering in defeat as he lifted the covers away from his body, rubbing his eyes and putting on his glasses.
"Breakfast is downstairs for you."
"Thanks, Dad."
Before heading on down, Richie made his way into the bathroom, removed his glasses, and then splashed water onto his face.
He rubbed his eyes in agony.
'Do I really need to go back to hell?'
It shouldn't be that bad…and besides, no more Bowers…
Richie's ears perked up as his conscious made a great point – no more Bowers, and no more of his goons.
'Maybe this year won't be that bad…'
Exactly! And with Eddie in some of your advanced classes, it'll make this year better.
Richie slowly nodded as he placed his glasses back onto his face.
"When do…do you think I should tell people?"
It's up to you…
Richie sighed before retreating downstairs where breakfast awaited him.
"Morning, honey," Maggie greeted, sitting down at the dining room table.
Richie returned the greeting and sat down to his plate of bacon, eggs, and toast.
"All looks so good, Mom – and the toast is not too dark. Thanks!"
"I hope you have a great first day, sweetie."
"I should – I have my friends in a majority of my classes, including Eddie."
"Again? Gee, that little smarty pants is going to graduate before you do."
Richie laughed, trying not to choke on his bacon, "Oh, please. He'll be in college before I know it."
"Yeah…" Maggie said, then asked, "Why is that so important?"
"…I mean, we're all growing up, and who knows where our lives are going to end up. I'm just going to…miss my friends at that time."
"Nobody is destined to stay in their hometown wasting away what could have been," Maggie explained as she rose from the table, "if your friends have aspirations bigger than Derry, then you should be supportive of their decision."
"I'm not saying I won't be," Richie said, "it's just going to be hard to leave behind a good group of people when the time comes."
"We all have to do it sometime, sweetie," Maggie said as he rubbed her hand over Richie's hair, "and I know you are close with your friends now, but who knows what the near future holds."
Richie stayed silent and nodded in agreeance.
'Yeah…who's to say how things will end up.'
"How the hell do I already have homework? It's only the first day, people – give us some time to adjust."
The Losers were all sitting down together enjoying their lunch break, laughing at poor Eddie.
"Oh, c'mon, it's can't be that bad," Stan said to which Eddie sighed and nodded.
"It's reading, and writing down our responses to how we…feel…about the reading."
"Ooh, those assignments," Bev said, remembering them like yesterday, "your week is going to be full of them."
"More like the whole year," Richie said, shaking his head.
Eddie grimaced – the year just started and he hated it so far.
"Hey," Richie said, "if you ever need help, come to me."
"Y-yeah," Bill commented, "Richie was ridiculously good a-at those papers."
His pout turned into a small beam, "Okay, trash – I'll accept your offer."
Richie smiled, happy himself that his friend can come to him for any assistance.
'Well, there was the second step…'