It had been a full 24 hours since Eddie's lips were on Richie's. Eddie sat in his room trying to engrave the memory of Richie in his brain. His eyes, his smile, his hands clinging to Eddie's shirt. All of that, he never wanted to forget. Eddie was nervous about tomorrow. Tomorrow was Monday which would mean he would see Richie for the first time since that night. He wondered if Richie would act differently around him. Eddie still needed to ask Richie all those questions he had that night. Why there, why now? Eddie had dreamed for this to happen for years. Yet, now he felt worse than before the kiss. He did not know where they stood. Was this a onetime thing or a lifetime thing? Eddie had never felt this insecure in his life. He looked at the clock to see that it was already past midnight. However, sleep seemed far away as his mind continued to race. Eddie began to take deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. It was going to be okay. It's not like he confessed his undying love for Richie. Oh wait, shit, that was exactly what he did. Eddie cringed at himself before shoving a pillow in his face. He let out a long groan.

"Honey are you okay?" Eddie could hear his mother right outside his door, hovering like always.

"I'm okay mom, just trying to sleep." He heard something slide under his door and looked down to see two pills waiting to be swallowed. Eddie felt a surge of anger as he grabbed the pills from the floor. He was about to yell for his mom when he realized they were not illness pills, they were sleeping pills. His anger dropped to annoyance. His mother meant well, sometimes. Eddie threw the pills out the window instead of throwing them in the trash. He knew his mother checked the trash to see if he was throwing them away. Luckily for Eddie, she was not much of a gardener.

"W-where did y-you go last night?" Bill looked at Eddie from across the lunch table. Eddie never met up with Bill after he had his encounter with Richie. Instead, Richie walked him home leaving a kiss on Eddie's cheek before departing. Eddie tried to act as cool as possible.

"I went home." Eddie took a bite of his apple so he could not answer any more questions Bill might throw his way. Eddie wasn't exactly lying anyway. Everyone was at the table except for Richie. Ben and Stan sat at the end of the table comparing notes of their last bird watching adventure. Mike was more focused on his food than any conversation that was being held at the table. Beverly was right by Bill's side, not leaving anything up for interpretation about her relationship with Bill. Eddie sat across from them with an open space on his right side. He was hoping a certain curly haired teen would be coming any second. "I'm sure you guys had enough fun without me."

Bill tried to hide the blush that was spreading on his face from Eddie's words. Unlike Bill, Beverly did not seem fazed at all. She lightly laughed before kissing Bill's shoulder. Stan and Ben stopped their research to look at the new couple before returning to their work. Ben looked back a bit slower than Stan.

"It was weird. I couldn't find Richie anywhere either." Bev looked to Eddie for answers. Eddie just shrugged before feeling a rush of wind at his side.

"Oh, Beverly darling, you can't stop talking about me, now can you?" Richie finished off his British accent with a smirk towards Bev. Beverly smiled and laughed before throwing a piece of cracker his way.

"Oh, please Richie, you know you're not my type." She smiled at Bill who smiled back. Eddie could see their hands join under the table as well. Richie's eyebrows raised as he watched the new couple interact with each other.

"I see Bill got lucky last night." Richie wiggled his eyebrows at Bill. Bill shook his head before looking at Beverly.

"It's n-not l-like that." Richie rolled his eyes before moving closer to Eddie. Eddie felt hot. Maybe it was cause the heat was on high in the cafeteria or maybe the boy next to him looked a bit nicer than he normally did. If anyone asked, he would blame the cafeteria. Eddie couldn't help but look at Richie. He was wearing a new shirt that complimented his eyes and his hair looked like it was combed for once. Could Richie have done that for him?

"Where were you last night Richie? I tried to find you but you went missing with Amy." Beverly's question caught the attention of everyone at the table, even Stan. Eddie felt sweat drip from the back of his neck. He tried to act casual but he really wanted to know how Richie was going to answer this one. Eddie didn't think he would say that he and Eddie were making out outside. Eddie also didn't think his friends would believe that. Richie shrugged before taking a bite out of Eddie's apple which only made Eddie blush.

"I gave the lady a smoke and she gave me something in return."

"You guys had sex?" Mike asked leaning in to hear Richie's answer. It seemed like all the losers were leaning near Richie now. Eddie wanted to die right there. This was the most embarrassing moment he had ever experienced at a lunch table. He felt the heat of Richie's body next to him. Was Richie going to tell them or worse, would he lie? Eddie didn't know which answer he wanted to hear. Richie didn't look at Eddie once since he got to the table. He didn't even tease him. Maybe Richie regretted last night. Maybe it was a mistake. Eddie's mood shifted from nervous to sad. He felt Richie's eyes on him for the first time that day. Richie noticed Eddie's sudden mood change when Eddie slumped into his seat. He opened his mouth finally to give them the answer they were waiting for.

"I d-"

"Hey Richie." The losers looked up to see the girl in question. Amy was smiling down at Richie. Eddie was losing it inside. He did his best to keep his composure and hid his shaking hand under the table. Richie looked speechless. He recovered quickly and gave Amy a wink.

"How may I help you this time, beautiful?" Richie played the role of a straight guy very well. So well in fact that Eddie began to think Saturday night was just a dream. Amy leaned down towards Richie. She looked as if she was going to whisper in his ear but instead let the whole table hear their conversation.

"I want to finish what we started. Perhaps under the bleachers." Her voice was seductive and assertive like that night. Again, she made it clear that she was not asking. Everyone was on edge to hear his answer. Eddie, however, was trying to think of a way to get the hell out of there. His face was red. He felt embarrassed for thinking Richie ever liked him. Maybe Richie was just curious and wanted to get his fix with Eddie. Beverly looked at Eddie, ignoring the conversation everyone was interested in. She placed her hand on Eddie's under the table. Eddie's eyes shot up to look at Bev's. She looked at him with sad eyes like she felt pity for him. Oh shit. She knew. Of course, she fucking knew. This made Eddie want to leave right away. He couldn't take it anymore. He began to prepare to leave, grabbing his things. Right before he sat up, Richie's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"I'm sorry love. I can't do that." The table was dead silent. Before anyone could say something, the bell announcing that lunch was over rang throughout the room. The room grew noisier as teens began to gather their things and walk to class. Richie didn't look at anyone and left the room. The guys looked at him as if he just wasted the opportunity of a lifetime. Amy looked shocked for a moment as if Richie threw a bucket of ice water on her. She recovered and left without looking at anyone. She left no trace of rejection on her face as she found another person to pursue. The losers began collecting their things. Eddie got up fast before Bev could say anything.

"Eddie!" He did not dare look at her as he walked out of the room. The hallway was crowded just like his thoughts. What just happened? What does that mean? He thought Richie was done messing with his head. Eddie knew he wouldn't be able to find Richie until school was over. He sighed to himself before entering his classroom. He would just have to wait.

School felt like it was taking forever. Eddie did not let his eyes leave the clock until the bell rang signaling that class was over. Even though he should be rushing out of his seat looking for Richie, he sat there frozen. Eddie had never been in this situation in his life. He did not know what was going on between him and Richie. Richie was his best friend and he did not want to lose that. What if they did get together and things didn't work out? They may never see each other again if that happened. While they all made a pact to come back if It appeared again, Eddie felt he would lose Richie. Once everyone was out of the room he finally gathered his stuff and left. The hallways were not as crowded as before. It was as if he was facing the calm before the storm. The storm being Richie Tozier. It did not matter what would happen. All Eddie knew was he, he was glad he could express his feelings and had his first kiss over with. Eddie took a deep breath and opened the front door of the school. He began to walk down the steps but stopped when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Eddie raised his hand to defend himself before realizing it was Richie.

"Woah, Woah, slow down Eds." Richie raised his hands in front of him to show he meant no harm. "You going to beat me up or something? I'm not really into that unless your mom comes over."

"Beep beep Richie." Eddie glared at the taller boy before silence grows between them. Richie awkwardly smiled and rubes the back of his neck.

"Can we talk?" Richie's tone is serious now. He looked at Eddie with hopeful eyes as if he might say no. Eddie nodded his head yes and followed Richie to the open field. Like Eddie would ever say no to Richie when he looked that good. Once they reached far enough to be isolated from the high school they sat down. They sat in silence for what seemed like hours even though it was only a minute. Eddie finally gained enough courage to open his mouth.

"What did you want to talk about?"

"I want to talk about Saturday." Eddie looked Richie in the eyes. Richie looked determined and serious, something Eddie rarely saw. Eddie looked back down at the grass and started twirling it in-between his fingers.

"I'd like to talk about it too." This made Richie more relaxed. Eddie could tell in his body language.

"I want you to know that I meant it. That kiss. I know it may not seem that way with how I act lately." Richie looked down at the grass too as if he was contemplating what to say next. Eddie beat him to it.

"Why did you tell her no?"

"Huh?" Richie looked at Eddie confused.

"Amy. Why did you say no to Amy?" Richie took a long time to answer. It made Eddie feel nervous. This time Eddie held his hands together so he would not shake.

"I don't like her. I never have, I never will."

"But you said…"

"I know what I said before but I didn't mean it." Eddie looked at Richie confused. He wanted to ask more questions but felt like his brain was becoming mush from the emotional stress he experienced. Richie sighed before continuing. "I've never had sex with a girl. I know I talk a lot of shit when I am around you guys. I just wanted to feel desirable." Eddie looked at Richie in shock. It was not often that Richie was vulnerable with Eddie. The last time he was, Richie was talking about his mother forgetting his birthday.

"Why? Do you not feel like we care? Cause we do, I know I do."

"I know you guys care Eddie. I just, I don't know." Richie ran his hand through his curls, making them messy in the process. "I like girls. I've kissed them I know I like it but I also like guys too. If I told my parents they would kick me out for sure. I have always had feelings for you Eddie, always. When we started high school girls started to notice me and I thought." He paused before continuing. "I thought they could distract me from the feelings you gave me."

"Oh." Eddie felt hurt. He began to look down at the ground again until Richie's hand brought Eddie's face up towards him.

"No, please hear me out Eds." Eddie almost corrected Richie about calling him Eds but he was more interested in what Richie had to say. "When I saw your face at the party I know I couldn't hide it anymore. If I knew I had a chance with you before I would have jumped you a lot sooner."

"That's not very romantic Richie." Eddie couldn't help but smile as Richie cursed at himself.

"I'm sorry I just want you to understand. I said no to Amy because I want you. I always have and now that I know you feel the same I feel like I can say this." Richie brought Eddie's lips to his for a moment before whispering. "I love you Eddie Kaspbrak." Eddie felt like all the pain and unknown feelings were all worth this moment.

"You are such a jerk trashmouth." Eddie laughed before placing his lips on Richie's. Eddie knew they would face hard times for being together. They had to tell their friends and eventually the world. It all seemed worth it if he could be with Richie for the rest of his life.

"Now, the first order of business. Eds, will you go on a date with me?" Richie stood up and gave his hand to Eddie. Eddie was shocked at first by the question before smiling and taking Richie's hand. It would all be worth it in the end. "Of course, your mom will forever be my first love."

"You ruin everything."