Suck It Up (Mike Hanlon x Reader Fanfiction)

Chapter 22 (A Pact)

(Y/n's pov)

I ride down the street to Ben's house with my friends. We're going to go see why he wasn't at school today. I wasn't nervous at all. I think he is just sick.

I stop my bike and jump off of it when we get to the house. I drop my bike before walking up to the porch. Stanley rung the door bell and stepped back.

The door swung open to a larger woman in her 40s. She looked down at us with a frown on her face.

"Uh... I-is Ben home?" Bill stuttered. The woman inhaled sharply and nodded. "Ben!" she shouted, making me flinch from the sudden loud noise.

I hear footsteps from inside the house before I see Ben coming up behind the woman. She stepped aside and back down the hallway.

Ben stood in the doorway, pursing his lips. "Your mom seems nice," Richie said sarcastically. Ben shook his head and stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him.

"That's my aunt," he said, making Richie give out an 'oohhh'. We all know that Ben and his mother are staying with his aunt and her son, because of the death of his father. Ben was always unhappy when he had to go home. His aunt and cousin aren't the nicest of people, but at least they have a roof over their heads.

"Why weren't you at school today?" I ask and place my hands behind my back. I feel Mike's hand on my arm, making me smile softly. No one else noticed at all.

"I was packing," Ben responded and licked his lips nervously. I furrowed my eyebrows. "Packing? For what?" Eddie asks.

"My mom saved up enough money to move out of her," Ben said, causing my heart to break a little bit. Another one of the Losers is leaving?

"To w-where?" Bill asks, stepping towards him. "Uh... Rhode Island. I just found out last night. I'm sorry, guys. I had a great time this summer and I'm glad I meant all of you," Ben said sadly, but a hint of happiness in his tone.

"Beverly and you are the luckiest out of all of us," Richie said, straightening his glasses. "I wouldn't say that," Ben mumbles back.

I exhale deeply and grab Mike's hand. He seemed shocked as much as I was at the sudden information.

"Move, Losers!" I voice comes from behind us. I look to see a boy our age seeming annoyed. I let go of Mike and move out of the way with the other boys.

The boy makes sure to bump against Ben's shoulder as he walks past him and into the house. "At least you're getting away from that thing," I remark after the door slams shut.

"Yeah, my cousin is a kinda a monster." Ben smiles softly at me. "Thank you guys for all that you have done with me and for me. I'll leave this place with good memories and scars," he says and places a hand on his stomach, making me chuckle.

I go to Ben and wrap my arms around his shoulders in a hug. The other boys join us and we stand there for a moment, embracing each other.

I slowly back away along with the other Losers, smiling at Ben. "Good luck to you," Mike says and winks at him.

"Goodbye," I say before turning around and walking down the porch with Mike. The boys say goodbye to Ben one by one before joining us.