Sorry this chapter is once again short, but I promise the next one will be longer.

Just like a snap of fingers, Nora returned to reality. In reality, she was next to Mike enjoying the feel of the light breeze as the two watched the river flow and bobble up and down until it reached the current that led to the quarry. But the kiss never happened. She wasn't sure if it was just what she imagined an actual date should be. But what she thought was maybe she did want something that was sweet or some shit.

Mike did call her beautiful though.

She smiled as a way of accepting the compliment. But it didn't sound right coming out of his mouth.

After a few more minutes of silence, Nora turned towards her friend. "Mike?"

"Yeah?", he said as he tried to skip some rocks.

"Would you hate me if I asked to borrow some money?"

He hesitated. "I couldn't hate you. But uh, sure. How much?"

Nora smiled. She knew he was saving his own money, but she didn't trust anybody else to ask. She didn't want anybody to know what she was going to use it for. "About... 30 dollars?"

"30? What do you need that much for?", asked Mike.

She fiddled her fingers. "I need it for something I've been planning since I was 6. And most people wouldn't trust a girl to mow lawns correctly or shovel their sidewalks when it snows. The point is, as much as I've tried to save up, it's been a no go. But please, Mike? I can't tell you what it's for. Not right now. Please?"

"I can only give you 10. Is that alright for now?"

Nora smiled. "It's perfect, Mike." She grabbed his hand. "Thank you."

Neither of them knew how it was possible that the boys twice their size could have snuck up on them so quietly. But it happened.

Two blistered hands had grabbed both of Nora's arms and thrust her backwards onto her feet. Her eyes tried to adjust so she could see who was assaulting her. Whoever it was proceeded to grasp a fistful of her short hair and throw her roughly back on the ground. Landing on her back, she attempted to get up until the feeling of something hard knocked the wind out of her chest, bringing a sharp pain along with it.

"Nigger!", came a familiar voice.

Bowers and Vic had found them once again.

The smell of the meat was overpowering. They had dumped Mike's packages on the ground so that dirt and rubble tainted them.

Nora looked up to see Belch's ugly face not smiling at her, but whatever was in front of him. She turned her head to the right just as she heard him scream. "Mike-", she whimpered.

Bowers was also on top on Mike, holding him down. A large rock in one hand that looked ready to kill.

A scream was heard once again and the sound of somebody falling down. It wasn't Mike. It was Bowers. A rock had bounced a couple feet away.

Across the creek stood Beverly Marsh, the girl with the wicked aim that was responsible for Bowers' bloody forehead. The blow had forced him to fall back off of Mike.

Belch had run over to Henry but Nora had quickly moved her foot so he tripped in the process. Without looking to see if Belch was coming after her, Nora got to her feet, grabbed Mike by his shirt and the two ran towards Beverly and the other Losers that emerged from the brush.

As Nora sat down to catch her breath, she gasped as Richie knelt beside her.

"Nor, are you-", he began. With one finger, he wiped at her lip. When he pulled it back there was blood on it. "Did Bowers do that?", he said in a tone Nora rarely heard him use.

She hadn't realized she was bleeding. "No, uh, it was Belch."

Richie stood up. "That son of a bitch..."

"You losers are trying too hard", announced Bowers as he seemed to recover from being a puss. "She'll do you. You just gotta ask nicely. Like I did", he said, touching his groin and gesturing to Beverly.

It was Ben that made the first move. He also that a great arm, sending another rock straight at Bowers.

"ROCK WAR!", yelled Richie before he too got hit in the face. How his glasses were still in one piece was a mystery.

It turned into a showdown.

Eddie and Bill hopped right into the water and started chucking rocks almost blindly. Vic aimed for Stan who got nailed in the back twice. Mike covered for him as he and Nora teamed up in handing stones to each other and Ben. Beverly was a sight to see. If she was alone, she could have easily taken the three dicks out herself.

After what seemed like only a few minutes, Vic and Belch fled as a nearly dazed Bowers fell to the ground appearing to pass out.

"Ben, help me", said Nora as they hoisted Mike up through the brush. The others followed.

Richie remained. Glaring at Bowers, eyes full of hatred. "GO BLOW YOUR DAD YOU MULLET WEARING ASSHOLE!"