Confident

Nothing Else Matters

Trigger warning: mentions of physical assault/homophobic slurs

Song: Nothing Else Matters by Metallica

November 4, 1993

The losers disperse out of the restaurant and continue home in separate clumps. Eddie is still quite upset from last night events, but he's asked to be taken home tonight. He'll have to face her at some point. Might as well be sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately when the two got to Patty's, all parking spots were already taken. This led them to park a block away. The two don't really mind. They enjoy walking hand in hand, no matter the distance.

"The first game is tomorrow. I'm nervous. I don't want people to look at me weird."

Richie smiles slightly while squeezing the boy's hand. "Don't be nervous. You're going to do great. What does your uniform look like?"

"They asked if I wanted a skirt. I felt odd about it, but I took one anyways. But I also have black and orange shorts that match. My tank top is the same. It's weird, though. Because there's a few other boys on the team. You know what their uniforms are?"

"What?"

"They're just black tee shirts with a tiger. And they have orange gym shorts. I suppose it's because they're just there for lifts and stunts, but still."

"Well would you rather wear that? I'm sure you could ask."

"Oh no. God no. I'd rather wear what I have. But that's not the point. The point is that I'm going to be the only cheer cheer boy. Not to mention I'm a flyer."

Richie's eyes widen at this information. "You are?"

"Well duh. I'm the second smallest on the team. Katy is the only one shorter."

Richie almost asks about what his mom has to say about all of this, but then decides better of it. Instead he settles on a short response. "Cute."

Eddie snorts while bumping into the boy. "Whatever."

Just then the two hear a bang. They both jump. Each turn a head in different directions. They see nothing, though, and continue on. But as soon as they turn to the front they're face to face with a tall man. He's shorter than Richie, but he's still got muscle. He's also bald and wears a wicked smile.

Richie scowls slightly before grabbing Eddie by the arm and leading the two away. Unfortunately it's not that simple. Soon another man is stood before them. And then another. They're surrounded.

Richie, being the trash mouth he is, pops something off. "Would can I do for you gentlemen?" That same British accent is back.

Eddie smacks him slightly. Their fingers are no longer laced out of fear. These people are trouble and both boys know. So Eddie decides to clear his throat and start. He knows it'd be better than Richie taking the lead.

"Sorry about him. Is there anything we can do? Are we in your way? We can be out of here in a hurry. I promise." Eddie smiles gently at all three of them. He even sees one man almost smile back.

The other two stand with their arms crossed and scowls on their faces. "Our problem is a couple of fucking fairies taking over our town."

Both Eddie and Richie heat up at this statement. Eddie tries to remain calm, but Richie seems to make this hard. "I've lived here my entire life."

Again, Eddie smacks his side. "I'm sorry if we are disrupting the peace, sir. We'll be on our way now. I'm sorry for any inconvenience." Eddie yanks on Richie's arm more harshly than intended.