Disclaimer: I do not own IT or any of the characters. That all belongs to the awesome and talented Stephen King. I only own my OC and other characters I make up along the way.

A/N: Do I really need to explain as to why I decided to write another chapter? The movie is coming out soon and they have been releasing more and more teasers and trailers. It's making me more excited and giving more inspiration. So here's another quick chapter. This is the last chapter I will write. I won't update again until I see the movie. Good news is it's almost September so you guys won't have to wait so long. (: Anyways, enjoy this new chapter!

I also do not own the music or band mentioned in this chapter. Though I do recommend to you listen to it while reading this chapter. Bands from the 80s are never to be ignored. :D

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost." ― Martha Graham

Chapter 4: A new outlet

Why is the bedroom so cold?
You've turned away on your side
Is my timing that flawed?
Our respect runs so dry
Yet there's still this appeal
That we've kept through our lives
But love, love will tear us apart again
Love, love will tear―

No longer being able to handle the emotions that the Joy Division song was giving her so early in the morning, Gwen quickly slammed her hand down on her alarm clock. Immediately the song stopped playing. Unfortunately her heart still ached tremendously. Gwen cursed herself for making her alarm clock connect with the radio. In her defense she had no idea that one of the songs that belonged to the band that Chase liked was going to be played. The Tozier girl used to like the song, Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division. Not anymore though. Not since Chase died. Now it was just crummy luck the radio played that song to wake her up that morning.

Gwen already had a feeling within herself saying that it was going to be another grueling day for her.

She knew better than to stay in bed and wallow (although deep down that's all she really wanted to do). The teen felt if she kept doing that she would forever be in a pit of despair. Gwen needed to at least make an effort and get up. So that's what she did. She got up, brushed her teeth, took a quick shower, got dressed for school, and then went downstairs for breakfast. The Tozier girl wasn't at all surprised when she saw her mother being busy with the kitchen stove. Maggie Tozier tended to wake up extra early everyday to make breakfast for everybody.

Gwen made her presence known with a soft cough. Her mother gave her usual "Hello, how are you?" before going back to making breakfast. Gwen, who wasn't in the best of moods (but when was she ever in a good mood nowadays?) just gave her a simple, "Alright."

Although she didn't outright show it, Maggie was bothered by Gwen's lack of energy. Her daughter used to always be so bubbly and cheery in the mornings. Now she appeared like a zombie. Yes, Maggie respected and let her have her time to grieve that poor boy's death. She even disregarded Richie's worry for her, but that was only because she wanted to be the one who helped her daughter get out of this funk she was in. It was her job as a mother to do so, not her youngest son. What did he know about healing? All Richie did was get into trouble. Oh, how she wished Richie could have been more like Gwen...or at least like the old her. Well, Maggie Tozier was going to help lead her daughter into the right direction. Whether she liked it or not. Maggie was slightly startled when she heard her daughter speak. Her voice loud and clear instead of low and out of energy.

"Where's dad and Richie?" Gwen asked, noticing their absences. She had already taken a seat by the table and was looking around the kitchen in bemusement. Her dad and Richie's would have been down here by now merrily eating away at their food.

Maggie turned to look at her daughter. She frowned when she saw the outfit she was in. Yes, Gwen was dressed for school, but Maggie wished she was more stylish with her choice of clothes. She was a girl after all. She should have worn girl fitted clothes for a female. Unfortunately for her, Gwen was a tomboy. Her daughter did own dresses and skirts, but for the most part she preferred to wear jeans, shorts, and t-shirts. Except Maggie noticed that ever since Chase Campbell's death, her daughter had been less picky about her outfits.

Which just made Maggie think that Gwen didn't care about what others thought of her appearance. Well, she might have not cared but Maggie sure did. But she wasn't going to push that argument right now with her daughter. Maggie was just glad Gwen was making an effort to be social right now. It would soon help with what she needed to tell her. Focusing back to her question, Maggie waved her hand.

"They went to the auto shop. Your father needed a tire change. Richie tagged along because they were going to go to the pharmacy afterwards. He needed to also buy him a new pair of glasses before dropping him off at school." The older woman shook her head, clearly displeased. "Your brother is reckless, I swear." An even more disdained expression graced her face as she talked about her youngest child. "The roughhousing with his friends needs to stop. He comes home with a bruise on his face and tells us he broke his glasses too. Just what does he think? That we have money growing in our tree in the backyard? He really needs to get a better handle on his behavior."

Gwen didn't like how her mother was holding anger against her brother, but in a way she couldn't fault her frustration with him. Richie was known for breaking his glasses every now and again. Except there was always a reason for why his glasses would break. And that reason was because of Henry Bowers and his delinquent friends. That's why she went into her over protective sister mode when she'd seen him come home yesterday with no glasses on and a nasty purple bruise on his face.

Richie actually seemed surprised yet relieved when she struck up a conversation with him. However, when she finally asked what the hell was up with the bruise on his face and why wasn't he wearing his glasses, all he said was that he was roughhousing with his friends and that he fell. Thus breaking them once again. Gwen didn't believe that story, but didn't bother with questions. She had a feeling that Henry Bowers and his gang had something to do with it. The teen wanted to tell her mother about this suspicion but she didn't because her mother wouldn't have probably believed her. Richie in the past had tried constantly explaining to their mother and even their father about Henry's bullying, but they never let him finish his explanations. So he just gave up. Due to this Gwen didn't even bother explaining her side of things. If her parents wouldn't give Richie the benefit of the doubt, why would things be any different with her? Despite all this, Gwen came to Richie's defense.

"I'm sure he didn't mean to break his glasses, mom." Gwen said as she straightened her posture. Her mother had just put breakfast on the table. It was the typical everyday meal that consisted of eggs and bacon. She didn't eat right away since she was too busy staring at her mother, who was now standing in front of her with her arms on her hips. A typical mother pose. It was obvious that the older woman did not like what she just said.

"Oh, just like he didn't mean it last time? Or the time before that?" Maggie rebuked. She shook her head, still mad. "Your brother is just going to have to learn the hard way."

Gwen didn't like the sound of that. "What do you mean?"

Maggie's face became stern. "I mean, if he ends up breaking these new glasses, your father and I will not be getting him new ones. He needs to learn to be responsible."

"But mom that's not fair!" Gwen emotionally blurted. Why couldn't she just understand that this wasn't Richie's fault?!

"I don't care. I've had enough with your brother's reckless behavior." Maggie said with a shake of her head.

"It's not Richie's fault! If you want to blame someone blame―"

Gwen wasn't at all surprised to have been interrupted by her mother. Annoyed yes, but not surprised.

"Gwen Tozier, do not raise your voice at me young lady." Maggie Tozier told her daughter with a firm voice. "That is very rude."

Although irked, Gwen quickly became apologetic. "I'm sorry." She muttered, lowering her eyes.

Maggie took in her daughter's apology. "That's okay." She said but her tone of voice held a saying that said do not do it again. Now although things had taken a tense turn, she still thought it was a good time to bring up that special announcement. The one that she thought would be a great help for her daughter. She took a seat next to her but Gwen didn't look up. She instead picked at her breakfast with her fork. "I ran into Sharon Denbrough the other day."

"Oh, really." Gwen replied, uninterested.

Sure she wasn't raising her voice and she held no attitude, but her lack of attention bothered Maggie. She pursed her lips. "I asked if she was willing to offer you piano lessons and she said yes."

Now that certainly caught Gwen's attention. Her dark eyes landed on her mother. "Why would you ask her that?" She asked. Now she was miffed.

"As a way to get you out of the house." Maggie Tozier simply said.

"I spend time outside the house." Gwen argued back.

Maggie sighed. "For school and softball, but other than that you're practically a hermit crab. I want you out and enjoying life."

What's left to enjoy? Gwen scoffed. "And what? You think me learning how to play piano will do that?"

Maggie gave her a parental look. "It's a start."

Gwen knew there was no way arguing out of this. Her mother had set up her mind with this random decision of hers. That didn't mean she was going to like it though, because she didn't. Not in the slightest.

"Fine, whatever." Gwen muttered as she continued to sulk.

"Good, you start today after your softball practice."

Gwen's displeasure grew.

Maggie Tozier saw the miserable look her daughter had on but disregarded it. She had to remind herself this was a good thing for her. It had to be.

"Morgan Patterson seriously needs to work on her pitch. It's like she has noodles for arms." Francine Simmons ranted to her best friend, Gwen Tozier. The two of them were currently walking down a neighborhood. It was around the afternoon mark and they were now going to their homes. They were both dressed in their after school softball practice clothes. Each of them carried their personal softball duffel bags that had not only their school clothes but their softball belongings as well.

Today had been yet another softball practice for the girls. It had gone alright, and Francine was glad to see her best friend out in the field where she belonged. The blonde couldn't stop talking about their teammate who had messed up badly during their practice.

"I swear if we lose our shot at going to the playoffs because of her..." Francine stopped talking when she caught sight of her best friend. She frowned with concern at the grim look she had on. "Hey, you with me?" She asked her softly.

Gwen blinked a few times before she glanced her way. "Huh? Oh yeah, I was just thinking that's all."

Francine's face fell a little with dismay. "Oh, were you thinking about..." She drawled on with sensitivity.

Gwen quickly shook her head. "No, I wasn't thinking about him." Well maybe she was, but Chase wasn't what was dragging her down.

"Then what's got you thinking?" Francine asked her.

Gwen let out a sigh. "My mom."

"Your mom?" Francine questioned, confused. "I don't seem to understand."

Gwen decided to tell her what had happened that very morning as they continued walking. In a way it helped Gwen feel better because she was finally venting.

"So, she's making you learn piano?" Francine asked, trying to comprehend what her best friend had just told her.

Gwen huffed, irritated. "Yeah, can you believe it? My mom is a lot of things but this is something else." The brunette shook her head. "She just wants me to stop playing softball. She's never liked how I'd rather play a sport than do something more feminine."

"Maybe you'll like it." Francine trying to look on the bright side of things.

"I doubt it." Gwen retorted. "I don't have a single musical bone in my body."

"That's not true." Francine rebuked. "You can hold a tune pretty well."

Gwen shook her head. "No, I can't."

"Yes you can! Don't you remember? You sang at the school talent show." Francine encouragingly reminded her.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Franny, that was like in the fifth grade."

"So? Everybody loved you. Remember what Chase said after the performance?" Francine asked, still being supportive.

A sad smile grew on Gwen's face. "He said I sounded like an angel. God, that had me blushing like crazy." She felt her cheeks start to warm up. "Still does..." She whispered softly.

Francine shrugged her shoulders. "Then what's the big deal? Just take the piano lessons. It's not like they're gonna interfere with softball, right?"

Gwen started to see reason. "My first lesson is today, but I guess it won't for the most part."

"And it's not like a total stranger is going to be teaching you. You know Sharon Denbrough, don't you?"

Gwen did know her. Her mother got along with Sharon Denbrough very well, and Gwen had no problem with her whatsoever. Sharon was the mother of two young boys. One of them was Richie's age―William Denbrough, or as people liked to rudely address him as, Stuttering Bill. She on the other hand just called him Bill. William was too formal for her and she would never ridicule him by calling him that awful nickname of Stuttering Bill. Her other son was George, and he was younger than Bill. Gwen only ever saw the youngest Denbrough whenever the whole Denbrough family was out and about. He was an adorable little thing, that was for sure.

"Yeah, she's nice." Gwen ended up concluding.

"Then take the lessons. What's the harm? Maybe you'll need to take it for a little while before your mom backs off." Francine smartly suggested.

"I guess you're right." Gwen responded back to her best friend. Maybe perhaps learning piano wouldn't be so bad after all?

"Oh, crap." Francine suddenly said. She had said it in such a low frightened voice. She immediately froze, making Gwen stop walking as well.

"What's wrong?" Gwen cautiously asked her.

Francine remained on guard. "It's them."

Gwen followed Francine's gaze. It didn't take long to figure out why her best friend had suddenly become alert.

There across the street from where they were at was Henry Bowers, Victor Criss, and Belch Huggins. Now Gwen would have been able to stay relaxed if it had not been for Patrick Hocksetter's presence. This time the teen male was there with the group of delinquents. The four of them were just lingering around, smoking. The Tozier girl felt her stomach drop by just looking at him. From the side she could see Francine's stiff exterior.

Gwen knew about Francine's heavy dislike for Henry and his so-called pals. Her blonde best friend's fierce feelings were mainly aimed towards Patrick Hockstetter. A dark haired boy who occasionally hung out with Henry, Victor, and Belch. Gwen didn't like him either. In fact, she thought he was a creep.

An incident that happened about a couple months or so played in her mind. It was a memory she never liked thinking about, but every time she caught sight of Patrick it lingered in her mind.

After softball practice ended, Gwen had been the only one to have stayed back and actually used the school showers to clean up. It was rare for her to do this since she preferred showering at home. On that particular afternoon her coach really made them sweat and once practice was over all Gwen wanted to do was hop into a nice cool shower. Which is what she did. She undressed and took her time washing away the dirt and sweat that covered her.

Everything had been fine up until Gwen got out of the shower and started to change into her spare clean clothes. She had just finished putting on her jeans and was about to put her shirt, when she heard a low laugh. Gwen remembered her face paled because she knew right away that laugh didn't belong to a girl...it belonged to a guy. The Tozier girl acted quick and finished putting on her shirt. She then let out a yell telling whoever was in there with her that she was going to report them. Immediately after she said that she heard rapid footsteps. They weren't heading her way though, they were going towards the back exit of the locker room.

It was a stupid move, but at the time all Gwen wanted to do was catch whoever had been spying on her changing. She wanted to know the identity of this creep. Sadly she didn't get a full front view of the intruder, but she managed to see his back. And it didn't take her long to think that it eerily matched to Patrick Hockstetter. Gwen couldn't be one hundred percent certain, but the dark hair she caught a glimpse of was the key to her suspicions. She wished she could have just said that it was him in the locker room, but she knew better than to make that claim. The Tozier girl had no real solid evidence that it had been him spying on her.

She still reported the incident. However, much to her dismay no culprit was ever caught. And since then every time Patrick caught sight of her he gave her a roguish look. Suggesting something shameful. Which just unsettled her even more.

Anyways, since that incident Gwen hadn't used the school showers after softball practice. Or actually she hadn't used the school showers period. And Gwen was even more cautious when changing in the locker room.

But because of what happened, Gwen had a strong intuition that something was wrong with Patrick. She hated thinking this but perhaps he was a psychopath. It made sense if he were one.

Even before the locker room incident, Patrick made red alarms go off in her head. One of the reasons for her wariness was because the male teen had a horrible habit of showing people his pencil box that was filled with dead flies. Flies that he had killed himself with his ruler and kept inside.

It grossed and disturbed Gwen to the core. And she wasn't the only girl he disturbed due to his oddness.

After she told Francine what had happened the blonde made sure to spread the word around about him. Soon other girls started saying that he too freaked them out due to his tendency to share his pencil box and because of the intense stares he would give them. Hence why no girl would want to go near him.

Overall Patrick just had characteristics and eerie behaviors that matched psychopathy (in Gwen's opinion anyway). Now she thought Henry Bowers did as well, (which might explain why those two hung out) but the difference was that if Gwen had to choose between being in a room with Patrick or being harshly picked on by Henry, she'd rather endure Henry's harsh teasing, and she knew for certain that Francine would have chosen the same thing.

"Come on, let's go this way." Francine said with urgency. She too was afraid to go past them.

They successfully avoided being seen by them, but unfortunately for Gwen at the very last few seconds before they turned the corner, Patrick lifted his gaze and his dark eyes caught hers. It was at the moment that Gwen wished that it had been Victor who'd seen her and not Patrick. Her heart pounded out of anxiousness, waiting to see what he would do. Her hand gripped her baseball bat tighter in case she would need to use it. It loosened a bit when she saw that he wasn't making his way towards them. He hadn't even let the others know. That was weird. Normally she would feel relief that he wasn't outing her like she would feel with Victor. Except unlike with Victor, Gwen had no reassurance with Patrick. His coolness perturbed her. All he was doing was giving her one of his infamous skin crawling grins. And then suddenly he winked at her. That disturbed her even more because his wink and grin held a horrific promise. It was a promise that said he would be seeing her later.

Gwen's nerves skyrocketed. She felt somewhat safe that she was with Francine right now, but she knew that if she were ever truly alone with him he would do something terrible to her.

Goosebumps covered both her arms, up and down. They didn't go away until she had turned the corner, finally distancing herself from him. Gwen was glad she was no longer in his eyesight, but that damn grin and wink he gave her kept replaying in her mind.

Dare she say it almost scared her as much as that mysterious red balloon had. Not to mention that voice...

A chill went down her spine and Gwen instantly reached for the silver Turtle necklace she was wearing around her neck. Since that night she had been wearing the necklace more often. The Turtle necklace had always given her a sense of reassurance but since that night with the red balloon it became a source of protection.

Deciding to put aside that awful memory from that night, Gwen kept silent as she followed Francine.

The last thing Gwen wanted at the moment was to add even more fear within herself. The Tozier girl knew if she kept thinking about that damn red balloon and of that nerve-racking voice she heard she would end up going white as a sheet.

Francine ended up walking Gwen all the way to her house. Thankfully the blonde didn't leave so far away from her house, so Gwen knew Francine would be alright. Still the phone call she received when Francine arrived at her own home was extra reassurance. Once Gwen was inside her mother rushed her to get ready to go over to Sharon Denbrough's house for her first piano lesson.

Gwen ended up taking another shower and changed before leaving. Her mother had insisted on it. Apparently she needed to be clean and non-sweaty. Which she wasn't going to argue with. So Gwen showered and got ready once more. To satisfy her mother, Gwen decided to wear a nice blouse and nice jeans. Granted it wasn't a dress or a skirt, but it was still a vast improvement with what she was going to originally wear.

Which was a simple band t-shirt and old jeans. Except Gwen knew her mother would have had a fit if she saw her wear those to her first piano lesson at one of her good friend's houses. So Gwen adjusted her wardrobe...for today anyways.

Here she was, standing in front of the Denbrough's house. Her mother had dropped her off and was now driving her way down the street. Her mother not being here gave Gwen the chance to run away. That though wasn't necessarily a smart thing to do since her mother would have quickly found out for herself that she skipped her first lesson. That for sure would have earned her a grounding. So she didn't run. Instead Gwen rang the doorbell. She didn't have to wait long for somebody to answer the door. And that somebody was Sharon Denbrough.

"Hello, Mrs. Denbrough." Gwen said, becoming sheepish. "Um, I'm here for my first piano lesson."

Sharon Denbrough rewarded her with a caring smile. "Of course! Come in."

With a heavy sigh, Gwen stepped into the Denbrough home.

It was a nice home, very quaint. Kind of like how hers was. This helped ease away her sheepishness. Sharon led her into the living room where Gwen right away saw two boys playing with Legos. She recognized the boys as Sharon's sons. Bill and George. From where she was at it appeared as if they were making a tower of some sorts. It was interesting to look at, Gwen had to admit. Sharon called out her sons' names, making them momentarily forget about the Lego tower they were building.

"Boys, Gwen Tozier's here. Remember I said I would be teaching her piano. Gwen, these are my boys, Bill and George, but you probably already knew that." Sharon said with a smile. "I just wanted to make things clear in case they weren't." She glanced further into the house. "If you excuse me, I'll go grab the music sheets we will be working on today." With that she left, leaving Gwen with Bill and George. Things weren't awkward though. In fact there was a calming aura in the home.

"Hi, Gw-Gw-Gwen." Bill shyly stuttered as he waved at her.

Gwen gave him a friendly smile. "Hey, Bill."

"Hi!" Georgie happily exclaimed at the older girl."My mom says she's gonna be teaching you piano. Are you gonna be as good as her one day?"

Bill threw his younger brother a look. "Georgie, d-don't be b-bothering her with s-silly questions."

"Oh, it's okay." Gwen didn't find George's―or should she say Georgie's questions bothersome. She found the young boy's eagerness and curiousness to be endearing. She gave him a smile. "I hope to be as good as her one day."

"You will!" Georgie said happily. "My mom's great at piano. She even said she'd teach me one day. I can't wait!"

"That's cool." Gwen sweetly said to him.

"Do you maybe w-w-want to help us build our t-t-tower?" Bill asked her, once again stuttering. "M-my mom might t-t-take a b-bit finding those m-music s-s-sheets."

His stuttering did not make Gwen gawk at him. She wasn't at all treating him any differently from how she would treat anyone else she was fairly acquainted with. She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, why not?"

Gwen knew it might have been immature to be playing with Legos at her age, (her mother surely would have been berating her for doing so, telling her she needed to act like a lady instead) but at the moment she didn't care how ridiculous she was being. She proceeded to help the two Denbrough boys make their Lego tower until Sharon Denbrough came back to officially start her first piano lesson.

In those few minutes that Gwen helped them build their Lego tower, she couldn't help but start to feel a type of happiness surge through her.

Maybe things were finally looking up for her.