It's Coming (Richie Tozier)

One || The Tickle Monster

"Come on, Nate! Get up!" I  groaned softly, shaking my younger brother. "We have to go to school."

"But it's the last day!" He whined.

"Exactly! You can make it. Now come on." The last sentence turned into a giggle as I moved my hand to tickle his armpit.

Nate burst into giggles. "L-Liz! Stop i-it!" He said in between laughter.

"Gonna get up, Natey?" I chuckled, continuing to tickle him as he thrashed around in his bed.

"Y-YES!" He shouted, still laughing loudly.

I pulled my hand away, and Nate sat up. "Want me to pick you out an outfit?" I asked him, going over to his dresser.

"Yes please." He said.

I searched around his messy and unfolded clothes, and threw an at him.

"Dad's downstairs. Momma already went to work, so we don't have to worry about her. Breakfast is also a surprise." I smiled, leaving Nate's room to give him privacy.

I went down the stairs hurriedly, and my dad was at the table with a plate of waffles at each chair.

"Hey, Liza." Dad smiled at me. "Did you get Nathan up?" He asked. "I mean, I'm assuming so. From what I heard, The Tickle Monster paid a visit." He joked.

I laughed softly. "Yep, he's up. Should be out about now. I had to find him an outfit." I said, sitting down across from him.

Dad nodded, and Nate came tumbling down the stairs, and his eyes widened when he saw the waffles on the table. "Waffles! Thanks, Dad!" Nate exclaimed, sitting down next to me.

"Don't thank me, Nate. Thank your sister." Dad chuckled.

Nate tilted his head in confusion, looking to me.

"She woke up early this morning to cook breakfast for us." Dad explained.

"Really?! Thank you, Liz!" Nate grinned.

"No problemo, dude!" I said with a grin. "Now, go ahead and eat."

Everyone nodded, and we had to stop Nate from pouring a gallon of maple syrup on his waffle.

After we were finished, we stood up to grab our backpacks.

"Bye, Dad!" Nate called, while I repeated the same thing.

Before we could leave to grab our bikes, Dad called me over.

"Yeah, Dad?" I asked, lowering my voice.

"Remember, keep your brother safe. We don't need another Betty Ripsom, or Georgie Denbrough in this town." He whispered.

I almost flinched at the mention of poor Georgie. I used to babysit him with Bill when his parents were out. He's such an innocent kid. Despite that, I nodded.

Dad nodded, and I waved to him before going outside with Nate.

"What did Dad want?" Nate asked.

"Just something about school." I lied, and I must admit, I'm a pretty good liar, even to my brother. "Now, let's go get our bikes."

Nate nodded, and we got on our bikes. Nate has a dark blue one, while I have a purple one. We pedaled to school, put our bikes on the bike rack. I smiled when I saw all my friends' bikes lined up. Bill's, Eddie's, Stanley's, and Richie's.

Nate held my hand as we walked into the school, and some people snickered, but I flipped them off.

We came to the spot where we had to separate. I looked to Nate and put my hands on his shoulders.

"Okay, what are the rules?" I asked.

"Don't sidetrack or dawdle, go where you need to go when you need to go." He started.

"Good." I nodded for him to go on.

"Stay with you and don't go off on my own." He continued.

"And?"

"If anyone tries to take or hurt me, scream for help." He finished.

"Good, good." I smiled.

"Elizabeth?" He asked just as I took my hands off his shoulders.

I immediately paid attention, since he didn't use my full name unless he was serious or scared. "Yes?"

"What if... what if I can't find you?" He asked with a small voice.

I didn't expect that. Normally he doesn't worry about that kind of stuff.

"That's a good question. If you can't find me, find one of my friends," I said. "They'll help you."

"Wh-which one should I try and find first?" He asked.

"It really doesn't matter, but try and find Richie first. He knows you well, and you know him well, so he'll be the most willing to help. If you can't find Richie, find Bill. If you can't find Bill, find Eddie. If you can't find Eddie, find Stan." I said.

"What if-" "If you can't find Stan, find a nearby phone and call Dad. He'll pick you up."

Nate nodded. "Before you go, I have a rule for you." He said, a small smile creeping up on his face.

I smiled while raising an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What rule is that?"

"No making out with Tozier!" He said, grinning.

I scoffed playfully. "Yes, sir."

"Good, you're dismissed, Miss Murphy." He said in a decent accent.

"Thank you, Mr. Murphy." I joked.

Nate laughed. "Bye, Sis!" He waved, going off on his way.

"Bye, Little Bro!" I called.

I don't think he heard me, though.