Not Afraid Anymore (Henry bowers)

Chapter 23

Bikes were piled up on the bike rack and some were even leaning against the wall, screams of joy filled the room, and much to Richie's disgust Streetfighter had a cue, he thought he was undefeatable but then a boy that looked very familiar turned high fiving another standing behind him. 

"Maybe we should come back there are too many people" I suggested hoping Richie would agree and leave, 

"come one just let me have a few games and then we'll go back promise" he replied keeping his eyes locked on the game, whilst Eddie was trying not to get stuck in the younger kids running in and out on a sugar high.

Finally, the line got shorter and the familiar boy was still standing by the game, quarter after quarter was lined against the bottom of the screen for people holding their place for the next game, Richie had to wait for one more game before he could hold his place, which is something he's not used to but this is the time he's been 'training' for his whole life.

"I've been waiting for this moment my whole life please Zav, I need to hold my place as street fighter champion, I've never lost a game and this dude looks like good competition," Richie said finally making eye contact but breaking it when someone shouted, 

"FUCKING HELL, what the fuck are you a robot or something? I mean Richie Tozier's good but holy shit man I think he needs to fight you for being the best, you've nearly beaten his record of twenty wins in a row" a random kid shouted stepping away from the game,

 "ALRIGHT, move Richie Tozier here, reigning champ, I came to hold my place if you don't mind" he announced making his way to the front of the line with me trailing behind him, that's when I noticed the boy, it was Connor, Henry's younger cousin. 

The expression on Connor's face went from excited to panic when Richie stood next to him, still, Richie hadn't noticed who he was and it seemed as if he didn't care. 

 "Hey I remember you, we played against each other not that long ago and you kicked my ass," Connor said sliding in the quarter, 

"and this time I'll kick your ass again" Richie replied, "and this time your cousin isn't here to yell at me 'cause there is a shit ton more people in here than there was when he had a go at me for being gay" Richie continued, 

"you are gay aren't you? so then Henry wasn't wrong" Connor corrected, 

"okay just get on with the game I wanna go home," Eddie said gripping onto my arm, 

"fine just let me kick this guy ass" Richie spat. 

The game felt like it went for hours, back and forth over and over again, still, none of the two had won, 

"alright Richie just call it a tie so we can go home, the others are probably back and Eddie and I really want to go home," I said yawning, Richie ignored me pulling his power move on Connor giving Richie the win, 

"Finally, I win again, you played well Bowers," Richie said extending his hand out, but Connor slapped it away, 

"I see why my cousin hates you so much, self-centered asshole, I was having fun and I think your friends would if you weren't around and being so controlling against them" Connor explained storming off. 

The arcade emptied quickly once Connor had stormed out, following the crowd Eddie and I started heading home with Richie straggling behind us, 

"guys slow down, please" Richie complained, 

"Richie shut up okay the whole world doesn't revolve around you and why don't you speed up? I don't care If you're tired" Eddie snapped, I could tell that Richie was thrown by Eddie yelling at him but someone had to do it.