When Eddie woke up, he noticed that Richie was gone and the sweatshirt Richie had on was placed over his bare chest. He took the other sweatshirt back so he could wash it. As the thought popped into his mind, he smiled. Richie cared so much about him and he knew this. Eddie slipped on the hoodie and breathed in the scent of Richie: apple scented shampoo and cigarettes. His small smile faded because he already missed Richie. He heard the phone in his living room rang and he ran to get it.

"Hello," Eddie cringed when his little voice squeaked.

"Didn't know there was a mouse that could talk at Eddie's house." The person on the other line said.

"Shut it, Richie." Eddie giggled slightly, a little embarrassed.

"Come over," Richie said softly which made Eddie's heart flutter. "Please. I wanna cuddle."

"Says the one who broke up with me."

"Damn. You're gonna pull that card."

"Yeah. But also, we have school today dummy. I'll come over after that."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Chee."

"I love you."

Eddie's heart exploded. "I love you more."

"Not possible but okay."

As soon as Eddie hung up and turned around, he saw his mom looming over him with a dazed look in her eyes.

"Who was that on the phone, Eddie-bear?" Sonia, Eddie's mom, said calmly. Yet, her tone scared Eddie. "You love someone?"

Eddie's heart dropped to his feet. He knew he had to lie, because if he didn't, what would happen to him? "M-my girlfriend."

"You have a girlfriend?" Sonia's eyes lit up. "Since when?" She asked excitedly.

Eddie felt like he was going to throw up; he could feel the saliva filling his mouth as he talked. "Y-yeah. We started dating around a month ago."

"Congratulations, Eddie-bear! For years I thought you were a fag."

"W-what?" Eddie felt disgusted. He needed to get out of there fast. Out of Derry. "I need to get ready, Ma."

He quickly rushed out of the living room and into his room before his mom could say anything else. He felt his chest tighten so he lunged for his inhaler that was sitting on his nightstand. The pressure in his chest evaporated, but the sick feeling in his stomach lingered. When he walked out of the hell hole he called home, he saw Richie waiting for him at the corner and felt so relieved he burst into tears.

"Richie," Eddie choked out. Right as Richie turned around, he saw Eddie collapsing and ran over to catch him.

"What the dick, Eddie! Are you okay? What the fuck happened?" Richie held Eddie in a tight embrace as he was sobbing.

"I can't go back, Richie. Please don't make me go back in there to her." Eddie cried, his whole body shuddering.

"I won't, Baby. You can stay with me. I promise." Richie picked up Eddie like a baby, cradling him softly as they made their way back to Richie's house. Richie opened the door to reveal Wentworth and Maggie at the table eating breakfast.

"Richie? What the hell are you doing?" Wentworth asked looking up from his newspaper. "Why is Eddie here? You should be at school."

"No way in hell I'm going to fucking school." Richie said, rushing into his room. Wentworth stood up angrily, but Maggie patted his arm, ushering him to sit back down and leave Richie alone.

Richie gently laid Eddie down on his bed and let Eddie sleep while he sat on the floor, his back leaning against the bed.