A/N: I think it's a little self-explanatory, but this chapter takes place after the chapter Aftermath, but still before the two Halloween chapters.
The final bell of the day had rung, sending all the kids in school to scramble out of their classes as fast they could manage. Beverly made her way over to her locker and took out all her books to put them inside her backpack. She slammed her locker shut, zipped up her bag, and slung it over her shoulder, ready to leave for home.
Once outside, on the front steps of the school, Beverly noticed a chubby little freshman crouched over, frantically gathering up his papers and books that were scattered all over the ground. Bev glanced up and saw the Bowers Gang a few feet away, laughing hysterically as they walked away. That was enough to tell her what had happened here.
Always willing to show a little bit of kindness to others, Bev walked over to help him out.
Once they both managed to gather everything up, the boy politely said to Beverly, "Thanks for helping me." His whole face was red from blushing.
"No problem!" Bev found his face to be familiar. "Hey, do I know you from somewhere?" she asked.
"Yeah, we're in the same social studies class. My name's Ben."
"Ben—that's right. You're the new kid."
"Yep."
"Bet that's why Bowers has been pickin' on you."
"Well, that's not the only reason," Ben said as he stared down at his large gut.
Beverly noticed he had headphones on, connected to his Walkman. "What'cha listening to?" she asked as she took the headphones and placed them on her own head. She was suddenly engulfed in the sounds of Hangin' Tough by, "New Kids On The Block? Oh, now I get it!"
"I don't actually like them or anything," Ben mumbled as he snatched his headphones back.
Bev smirked. "Well, I wouldn't mind it if you actually did. Just so you know. I'm not one of those mean kids who makes fun of other kids for stuff they like."
Ben smiled. "Thanks," he responded simply.
As Beverly started to walk away, she said to Ben, "Hang tough, New Kid On The Block!"
The next day at school, as Beverly was eating lunch with Bill Denbrough, Stanley Uris, Eddie Kaspbrak, and Richie Tozier—collectively known as the Losers—she noticed the new kid walk by with his lunch tray. What was his name again? Oh, yeah. "Hey, Ben!" Beverly shouted. When he looked over, Beverly waved at him. He waved back.
"You know him?" Stan asked.
"He's in my sosh class. Don't know him much, though."
Beverly looked over and saw Ben sitting at a lunch table all alone, quietly eating his lunch. She hated to see someone with no friends; it reminded her too much of herself. So, she got up and walked over to him. "How's it going, Ben?"
"Eh, alright, I guess," he answered as he finished swallowing a spoonful of macaroni and cheese.
"How 'bout you come have lunch with me and my friends?"
"I-I don't know…"
"C'mon, they're really nice; trust me."
Beverly walked Ben over to the table she had been eating at and told her friends, "I want you all to welcome the newest member of the Losers Club: Ben!"
"How's it goin', Benny Boy?" Richie said as he patted the empty space next to him on the bench, signaling him to sit down.
Ben wasn't sure about this whole "friends" thing. One friend was fine. Like Beverly. But five? That's a little overwhelming. The truth was, Ben didn't mind being alone all that much. Being alone meant being safe from the societal fears of judgement and ridicule. It meant you didn't have to pretend to be interested in a conversation you really couldn't care less about. It meant you didn't have to sacrifice your own personal time to do activities you may or may not have any investment in. But Ben did know one thing: he liked Bev. And if Bev liked these guys, then how bad could they really be?