eddie
"no rich! don't touch that!"
i whisper shouted, scurrying over to where richie was playing with the clay teacup we'd made together in third grade. i shook my head fondly as he gently placed it back on its pot plate.
"sorry spaget head."
he slurred, causing me to giggle.
"spaghet head?"
i questioned with a raised eyebrow. richie nodded affirmatively, pointing his finger at my face as he spoke.
"it's short for, uh...eddie."
before i could question him any further, he took a step towards me and leaned in close, his nose touching mine. the close proximity was unexpected and sudden, causing me to blush furiously and choke a little.
"what are you-?"
"shh,"
he placed a finger over my lips, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again and smiling goofily. his glasses were digging into my forehead, but i daren't complain.
"you have a very pretty face ed's. like a fairy princess."
i couldn't help but smile at the softness of his words, ignoring my own internal torment as i gently pushed him away by his shoulders.
"thankyou richie but i don't think that's true."
i sighed, smiling sadly as i tried to accept the fact that i'd never hear these words if richie was sober. he frowned, pushing up his glasses with his middle finger.
"it is true. you're the prettiest princess i've ever seen!"
he spread out his arms to emphasise his sincerity, and i didn't have the heart to disagree with him again.
"well thankyou, you're very pretty too. let me find you something to wear."
i quickly tried to change the subject, but to no avail. richie's eyes lit up and his hand came to cover his mouth as he gasped dramatically.
"do you...do you really think that? you think i'm pretty?"
he asked, as if he was afraid to hear the answer. i coughed awkwardly, rummaging through my drawers.
"well uh, yeah. i do. you're very pretty rich, prettier than anyone i've ever seen."
i decided i would take advantage of the fact that there was a chance richie may not remember this conversation come tomorrow, letting everything i wanted to say to him slip down the slope of my tongue and safely fall onto the carpet beneath.
he didn't respond for a few moments, but instead stared at the wall with his mouth in a small 'o' shape. when he finally did take in what i'd said, a large grin smothered his features and refused to let them go.
"woah...that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside ed's."
i stopped still for a second, pondering his words.
did richie feel the same as i did towards him?
"what do you mean by that?"
i questioned nonchalantly, taking my time to pick out a decent shirt for him to wear to bed. richie tapped his chin with his finger as if he were deep in thought.
"you make my tummy feel nice, all nice and warm."
i swallowed down any nerves as i delved deeper into the connotations of his words.
"what about when i do this, what does this make you feel?"
i asked cautiously, gently placing my hand on the side of his face as i looked him in the eye. he blinked a few times, lifting his own hand and trailing his fingers lightly against the back of mine. i felt his cheek grow warm beneath my palm.
