AN- Remember to enjoy, review, follow, favorite, whatever.

Let me know what you think of this chapter in a review!

And yes! The book Nora was reading was "Stranger Things". It's a Netflix show I decided to make into a book. It'll come up later in the story!

"News flash, Ben, school's out for summa!", announced Richie as he took it upon himself to rummage through Ben's backpack.

Ben attempted to grab it back. "Oh that, that's not school stuff." Something was pulled out that made him turn as red as a tomato.

"Who sent you this?", asked Richie, holding a piece of paper.

"No one!", said Ben, putting the mysterious item away. He tried to stop Richie again, but he couldn't resist; he was just to fast for him.

Both Richie and Ben continued to fight over their shit. The others took to staring at a certain redhead that laid out in the sunshine. Bill, Stan, and Eddie stared at her completely mesmerized. Were the ages of 13 and 14 really the ages when boys finally saw girls differently? God, was it easier when kids looked at each other as friends, rather than boys and girls.

Sudden movement from Beverly, turning her head, was enough for them to look away sheepishly.

Someone scoffed. "Honestly, guys. She doesn't have anything to look at", whispered Nora. She felt both annoyed and insecure at the same time. Sure, she too could have stripped down to her panties. But she had more respect for herself; she wasn't a slut. When the right guy came along, then she would fully give herself to him. Only way, way in the future would that happen. Beverly glanced at Nora, frown still etched on her face.

Was it wrong for Nora to feel happy she finally hit a cord? Smiling her fake smile towards her once again, Beverly looked off into the water.

"Yeah well... who knows when we'll ever see a nearly naked girl again?", asked Eddie, taking another swig from his inhaler.

Nora and Richie glared at each other as they both remembered what happened on their last day of school. She laid a hand on Eddie's shoulder. "Oh, come on, Eddie! I'm sure any girl would date you!"

His eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Sure. I mean look at you! You're small, don't really have muscles yet, and you smell like a doctor's office, and...", Nora began to comically panic. "uhh... that's all I got! Stan! Think of something, you're the smart one!"

Eddie turned to his left.

"Uh, you're super hygienic!", said Stan trying to sound convincing. "If you do become a doctor, you can deliver your own kids."

"Dicks...", said Eddie, kicking a rock.

He had to know they were only joking. Even so, Stan and Nora fist bumped behind the wheezing boy's back, doing their best to laugh silently.

"What's with the history project?", asked Richie. He shoved an entire newspaper into Stan's hands. It showed a lot of text that was too small to read, and a black and white photograph of a burnt down building.

"Oh well, when I first moved here, I really didn't have anyone to hang out with so I just started spending time in the library", said Ben. He was just happy to have people to talk to; people who hopefully wouldn't judge him.

Too late...

"You went to the library?", asked Richie jokingly. "On purpose?"

"B-be-beep b-be-beep R-Richie!", said Bill.

Nora was confused. "Beep beep?", she muttered.

"It's a warning we made for Richie. It's a cue to make him shut up", explained Eddie.

Nora nodded in understanding.

"I wanna see", piped up Beverly. She stood up and sat next to Bill; his eyes locked onto her.

"What's the Black Spot?", asked Nora. This town was getting stranger by the minute. Was exactly happened in this place?

"The Black Spot was a nightclub that was burned down years ago by that racist cult", explained Eddie again, handing the papers to Nora. She stared at the picture in fascination.

"Huh", was all she could say. She didn't realize that such a thing could happen in Derry. It still seemed like a boring town to her.

"Your hair looks beautiful, Beverly", announced Ben.

Everyone stopped reading the paper and stared at Bill, Ben and Beverly awkwardly looking at each other.

"Oh, right... thanks", said Beverly, playing with her hair, blushing a bit at the newfound attention.

Nora rolled her eyes as she flipped to another page that was filled of smiling kids faces, names, and the dates they went missing. She passed it back to Ben.

"Why's it all murders and missing kids?"

There was slight hesitation. "Derry's not like any town I've ever been in before. They did a study once. It turns out people die or disappear six times the national average."

"You read that?", asked Beverly.

"Not just grownups. Kids are worse way, way worse", stated Ben.

Silence.

"And... there's been A LOT of missing kids recently, hasn't there?", asked Nora. "Like, that Betty girl. And, uh-", she snapped her fingers trying to remember Bill's brother. "And Geor-", she stopped herself. From the glares she was getting, along with the hurt expression on Bill's face, she immediately dropped it and coughed. "But what about the cops? Shouldn't they be working twice as hard now to stop this from happening?"

Some chuckled.

"Yeah right!"

"You must have met Bowers by now, right?" asked Beverly.

"Yeah", said Nora.

"His dad is one of the Head Policemen. If he can't control his own bastard, then what makes you think he can save us?", asked Stan.

"Preach it!", yelled Richie.

Nora shrugged. They had a fair point.

"I've got more stuff, if you want to see it at my house", said Ben, shoving the papers into his pack.

The kids looked at one another. It was clear Eddie didn't want to go from how much he was shaking his head, and how much Stan and Richie felt about it; a waste of time, really. It was summer, a time for having fun, not researching dead kids. For Bill, it was just unhealthy.

"We should. I'd like to learn more, Ben", said Beverly. "It'll be interesting."

"I a-agree. L-let's all go", said Bill.

There was really no actual debate. More of a neutral agreement. Spending a few minutes getting dressed, the kids reached their bikes.

As each mounted, Stan motioned for Nora that she could ride behind him again. Once she got on, she remembered how he felt about his "steering", so she only held onto his belt.

He coughed. "You could uh, hold on tighter if you want. It's going to get really bumpy uphill."

"Okay", said Nora slyly. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, she swore she saw him smile at her embrace.

All the kids began pedaling down the trails.

"So-", started Nora. "A Bar Mitzvah, huh. Quite the sausage party." She laughed. As did he a bit.

"Whatever Richie told you about it, it's not true."

"Like I ever really listen to him anyway. But he's right... about one thing. You don't have to invite me just to be nice. I'm used to people not wanting me around."

Stan dodged a low hanging branch and slowed his speed. He could barely see their friends through the brush. They would catch up with them later.

"Well, I mean, that could be the reason. I am going to be a "man". And to me, that means being the bigger person. Doing something to help someone else. Show that someone that I do care", said Stan, smiling back at her.

She did the same. "You really are smart", she said as she admired him.

"Not according to my dad at the moment."

"What do you mean?"

Now Stan was merely letting the bike move as he relaxed his legs. Considering it was downhill from here, he could just glide to the bottom until they reached the river. He sighed. "Well, first he was pissed at me because of my yarmulke. That dick, Hockstetter, lost it. Then he makes a big deal about me being late to practice. Not to mention I have been practicing on reading my speech. He just makes me nervous."

"I think he just wants the best for you, Stan. I only met your father once. You, your mom and dad came to Richard's Christmas party. I remember the look on your dad's face when he told Uncle Went about how well you did at sewing your own yarmulke. He was really proud of you", said Nora, letting it sink in. "I know he wants the best for you."

He chuckled. "Thanks, Nora."

"Anytime", she replied, smiling. This bike ride wasn't the same as it was with Mike. But it was still magical.

"And I am sorry for spitting in your face", added Stan, trying to hold back his laughter.

"You're lucky I'm not a germophobe, or I would have killed you!"

The two of them skidded to a stop as they reached the final trail that led them to Main Street. Since Ben told them his address, Stan had no problem finding it. Turning a corner, he sped through the crowd of people.

Little did he know on the other side of the street, hidden behind a Coke truck was a very familiar blue car. The residents of the vehicle recognized the Jew and the Trashmouth's Bitch.

Belch Huggins nodded at the mullet haired young man in shotgun, then started his car and slowly followed the two misfits.

Henry smirked knowing exactly what he was going to do.