AN: Bet you didn't expect me to come back huh? Well, me neither. But such is life in quarantine, no? Can't believe I use to make my chapters so short (only a thousand words or so). Enjoy!

Beverly took the shortcut back to the school in order to grab her bike. She knew Stan and Eddie would take the usual path, taking longer to get back. She hopped on her bike and peddled towards one of her best friend's house: Bill Denbrough.

The news of Stan and Eddie's findings were too hilarious to pass up.

She walked her bike up the driveway, leaning it against the wall next to Bill's.

Knock, Knock, Knock

Georgie answered the door. He gasped at the sight of Bill's only female friend. "BEVERLY!," he squealed happily. He hugged her tightly, the door hitting the wall in his haste.

"Hey, Georgie. What's up?"

Georgie gazed up at her, sadness pulling down his soft features. "Are you gonna talk to Billy?"

Beverly crouched down so she was eye level with the small Denbrough. "That's the plan. Why, what's wrong?"

"He's, um, been... um..."

"Mean?" Beverly guessed.

"No!" Georgie said, putting his hands up like he was pushing something. "No, not mean just... mad at me," He admitted softly.

"Why do you think he's mad at you?"

"'Cause I read his journal, and he didn't want me to know he likes Stan-"

"Shhhh," Beverly put her index finger over the boy's lips. "Don't say that out loud, okay?"

"Why?" Georgie asked innocently, his big brown eyes staring up at her.

"Not everyone knows, okay? It's a secret. You're lucky I already know otherwise Billy may be even more upset with you. You don't want that, right?" Georgie shook his head sadly. "I'll talk to him for you. He's just being a butt if he isn't talking to you." He smiled at that.

"Thank you, Bevvy," he said like he's repeated it all his life.

"You're very welcome, Georgie."

Bill sat in his swivel chair, legs crossed at his ankles on top of his desk, while he read a book. The handle on his bedroom room jiggled. He sighed dramatically.

"How m-many times do- do I h-have to s-say knock?" he said loudly through the door.

"Since when do you lock your door?" Beverly's voice came through from the other side. Bill got up and opened the door to reveal his friend giving him the "mom" look. "You lying son of a bitch."

"N-nice to s-see you too, B-B-Bev." She came into his room and he closed the door after her.

"You told Stan you liked Richie?"

"H-he-he told you?" Bill whispered, hurt invading his features and making his eyes sparkle.

"You know I'm the group's confidant. Everyone tells me everything," Beverly shrugged.

Bill sighed. "B-but h-he's supp-pposed to be my b-best fr-friend," he carefully put his bookmark in his book and set it aside.

"He is your best friend. That's why you shouldn't lie to him."

"Th-that's ea-easy for you t-t-t-to say! I'm n-not a girl!" Bill whined indignantly.

"Listen," Beverly raised her hands in calm surrender. "I get how hard liking a person is, believe me." Bill directed his gaze at his bedroom floor, a blush slowly dusting his cheeks. "But you chose Richie as your alibi?" Bill's head snapped to attention.

"I p-p-p-panicked, okay? He was the f-f-first g-guy that came to m-m-mind!"

"Why the hell did you pick a guy?" Beverly seemed to ask the world instead of Bill.

"Bec-c-cause I t-told him I was g-g-gay," he really shouldn't be saying all this so loudly throughout the Denbrough house, but only his frustration seemed to direct his actions lately.

"Bill, you're supposed to tell him you're gay for him, not for Richie. Why the hell would you-"

"Because G-Georgie read my j-j-j-j-journal!"

The world seemed to stop mid-rotation at Bill's exclamation. All this... because Georgie picked up a book he shouldn't have. Bill felt the shame turn his stomach to lead.

"Y-y-you know how h-he is. I-i-i-if Georgie l-l-let someth-thing slip at l-l-least I c-c-c-could play it off."

"He's not a toddler you know. You should try having a little faith in your own brother. Shunning him is the exact opposite of what you should do, Bill. You need to talk to him."

"Is th-that it? A-a-an-anything else y-you wanna y-yell at me for?" he was on the verge of tears. Bill knew that ignoring his baby brother wasn't the right move, but how was he supposed to talk about it? Georgie was too young; he wouldn't understand.

Beverly sighed in defeat, "I didn't come here to lecture you. It's just... when you're upset, he's upset," she gestured to the door, meaning the youngest Denbrough. "I came here to warn you about a scheme tomorrow." Bill's brow furrowed.

"A s-s-scheme?"

"Yeah," she sat on his bed. "Stan and Eddie wanna take the Losers' Club to the fair tomorrow. They- well, I- had an idea to put you and Richie on the ferris wheel so you could confess your feelings." His panic was evident.

"E-e-e-ed-Eddie knows t-t-too?! C-c-confess? W-wh-"

"Because, according to Eddie, Richie's been acting really weird. Like he asked Eddie who he would rather... date out of the group. Richie apparently said he'd pick you."

Bill looked down at his hands. "Gross." Beverly smiled.

"Yeah, that's why I'd thought I'd warn ya."

"D-d-doesn't he like E-Eddie though?"

"Yeah, he does. But that doesn't mean we can't prank him," Beverly waggled her eyebrows.

"At m-my e-ex-expense."

"C'mon, Bill, trust me on this, okay?" she extended her pinkie finger towards him. He considered it for a moment, then begrudgingly took it with his own.

"A-a-anything happens..."

"And I'll take the fall."