One Of The Boys

by Thirteen Again

So, the gang sets out to find Ray Brower: Gordie, Chris, Teddy, Vern... and JOEY? This is what I think would happen if there was a girl going with the four guys. Believe me, it's better than it sounds... I hope. Happy reading!

14. Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14: TRUE BEAUTY

Chris grinned. "I, um, found a picture in the magazine you brought, and I thought it looked like you, so… I ripped it out to keep."

WHAT? "Can I see it?"

Chris nodded and dragged a torn picture out of his pocket. It was a girl whose hair was held in a ponytail with a green ribbon, and her face was smooth, clear of all freckles. Her bright blue eyes were surrounded by thick black eyelashes, and she had a bright, happy smile. In short, she didn't look like me at all.

"Mmhmm. And how does this girl look like me, exactly?"

"Well, she has your eyes, for one thing. Her hair was up in a ponytail, which I know you always have. She has your smile; see her white teeth?"

Woah. "So, what you're saying is that… you think I look like one of those girls in the magazines."

"I don't think you look like one of those girls," he said as he put his arm around me once again. "I know you look like one of them."

I sighed. "I won't be able to fall asleep now, Chris. I hope you're happy."

"Why will you not be able to fall asleep?"

"Because I know that if I fall asleep, I'm going to wake up and find out that this was all a dream, and we didn't kiss, a-" Chris pinched my arm, REALLY hard. "OW!" I yelled as I rubbed my arm. "JESUS, WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"You refused to believe this was real life, erego, I had to pinch you to convince you of the immense reality of it."

I scowled. "First you kiss me, then you brutally assault me? Yeesh."

Chris laughed. "Joey, Joey, Joey. What would I ever do without you?"

I smiled. "All this time… and I never suspected it at all."

Chris kissed me on the cheek and said, "Well, I'm just full of surprises, aren't I?" He smiled and then said, "Go back and get some sleep, okay?"

To tell you the truth, I didn't want to leave him. I never wanted to let him out of my sight again. "Would…" I sighed. "Would it be alright if I slept here tonight?"

Chris smiled. "That would be heavenly." He then put his arm around me as he lay the gun far away from us. "Sleep tight, Joe," he whispered.

I lay my head on Chris's shoulder and whispered, "Good night, Chris," as I fell asleep, breathing in the scent of Winston's coming from Chris's shirt.

I had never experienced a night more beautiful, and I never have since.