Direct Messages| Reddie

(4)

Me: Beverly Marsh!
Bev: Richie Tozier!
Me: why tf was I removed?
Bev: because we r planning something
Me: what is it? Y don't I get to help?
Bev: because it's about u
Me: Oh fuck. What did I do?
Bev: Nothing. Ok, u have done a lot but we aren't getting revenge. It will be good.
Me: ugh ok
Bev: remember Eddie?
Me: No Bev. I don't remember the kid you won't shut up about
Bev: I only said that like twice
Me: didn't feel like it
Bev: ur so annoying. Anyway, we're gonna hang out tomorrow and ur coming because he's super sweet and adorable and I love him
Me: Bev. He's not a toy or a puppy. Remember that
Bev: 🖕
Me: what time and where?
Bev: 3 and Bill's. It's gonna be a sleepover
Me: Eddie's spending the night? U barely know him
Bev: if he turns out to be a psycho killer I'm sure anybody can take him down. He's really small
Me: lol ok.

Eddie and Richie's DMs

Bug: I'm having my first sleepover soon. I'm nervous. There's gonna be a lot of people and I don't do good with a lot of people but I can't not go cus then they probably won't talk to me anymore
Me: Bug, calm down. Is there anyone ur closer with than the others?
Bug: yeah I guess
Me: stick with them for the night. If it gets to be too much for u say ur not feeling well and I will come get u and take u home
Bug: u don't even know my name or what I look like
Me: and who's fault is that?
Bug: urs
Me: Oh is it now?
Bug: mhm
Me: guess what
Bug: what?
Me: 2 weeks and 4 days till we have THE ULTIMATE IDENTITY REVEAL
Bug: Oh yeah I forgot about that
Me: how can u forget about something so exciting?!
Bug: because I focus on other things. Like homework or the fact that I'm spending the night with 10 million people that I barely know
Me: you'll be fine. Just stick with that one person for the night
Bug: ok. I hope ur right
Me: I'm always right babe
Bug: mhm sure. I'm gonna go pack. I'll text u later
Me: k. Goodbye my precious love
Bug: god ur so weird

I laugh softly to myself and set my phone down. I grab the cigarettes off my bedside table and go over to my window. I pick up the green lighter and light the cigarette before bringing it up to my lips. I breathe in the smoke and feel it fill my lungs before exhaling. I think about Bug, what he looks like, his name, if his personality is the same in person. I finish off the last of my cigarette and put it out on my windowsill before flicking it out the window and watching it land on the ground. I go outside and get in my rusting truck then drive off to the quarry. I get out of my truck and see a boy leaning against a tree. I get closer and realize it's Eddie.

"Eddie?" I ask. He jumps and opens his eyes. He sees me and leans his head back against the trunk of the tree.

"Hey," he says.

"You okay?"

"Mhm"

"What are you doing?"

"Thinking, I guess"

"You sure everything's ok?" I ask after noticing the tears stains on his cheek and his shaking body.

"Just nervous about tomorrow. Do you know what a panic attack is?" He asks after hesitating, probably deciding in whether to tell me to 'fuck off' or tell the truth.

"Yeah"

"I had one of those"

"What happened?"

"I'm not good with people. I was invited to a sleepover at Bill's. I'm sure you've heard about it. I like all of you but it's just...a lot"

"I get it. If you want, you can stick with me for the night"

"No no, you should have fun. You're not gonna want me to follow you around like a lost puppy"

"We play maybe 1 boardgame, order food after arguing about what to get for about 20 minutes, talk, and watch movies. You won't be stopping me from doing anything. Besides, maybe I want to hang out with you" I explain hoping to calm him down. Bug has texted me during a few panic attacks so I've picked up on a few things.

"Thanks, Richie" he smiles and stands up.

"No problem" I smile back.

"I gotta get home. See you later"

"Bye, Eds"

"Don't call me that" he says getting onto his bike and leaving. I go over to the ledge and sit on it, letting my feet dangle. I feel the warm April breeze on my skin and peer down at the water beneath me. I stare at it at for a few minutes before getting back in my truck and going home.