Grocery Clerk

Chapter six: school pass

I laid there in bed, feeling unmotivated to leave the comfy white covers. I moved my head down so the sun wouldn't blind me anymore.

I felt the bed move as Noah moved around. He leaned on me, kissing my shoulder. "Good morning," he mumbled and kissed my head.

I hummed in response, not wanting to talk. I don't want to talk because my mind keeps going back around and around everything that happened yesterday. I'm still shaken up and haven't even talked to Noah about it. With a small town like Derry, this won't make the news, not anywhere big for that matter. Thank God Noah doesn't watch the news anyway.

I am definitely quitting and finding another job though, maybe a cafe? Maybe the library?

Noah's voice knocked me from my thoughts. "I've gotta leave for a bit," he called to me from the bathroom. "My mom's been calling and nagging me about things lately." He sighed.

I sat up and stretched around. "You haven't mentioned this before?" I said softly.

He was quiet for a moment. "I didn't think I'd actually have to go yet," he said. "I've got to today though, Richie Babe."

I nodded, rubbing my head. "No, yeah. I get that." I yawned.

It was silent for a moment, then he walked out from the bathroom. He was shirtless and in his boxers. These boxers are 'our' iconic I'm-horny-boxers.

He leaned on the door frame. "Let me make it up to you?" He smiled softly.

I sighed, letting a smile pull up on my face.

Noah is so admirably beautiful. And I could use a distraction.

"C'mon," I chuckled and moved the covers back.

•• Eddie's POV ••

I sighed heavily as I laid on the couch. "Are you guys sure you're okay?" Bill asked. Stan and I are at Bill's house, talking about yesterday.

"I'm sure, Bill," Stan chuckled, quickly looking down from his eyes. Jeez, these guys. "Richie saved us." He sighed.

"Richie only brought us back to the bathroom. Then he went rogue and saved a mom and kid." I rambled out.

Everyone gave me a pity smile, sympathy. "Have you talked to Richie since then?" Ben asked.

I shook my head. "No, after we were all questioned, we split. Like, we said a goodbye and see ya, but no. I figured he'd need space. He did have a gun to his face." I explained. I looked down.

"Maybe you should call him up, check in on him. What happened was traumatic for all three of you." Bev said sweetly.

I felt pained. "We should get going. I don't want us to be late for school." I stood up, grabbing my bag.

I felt the tension I created fill the room. They all gave each other a skeptical look and grabbed their bags. We left Bill's house and went on our way to the school house.

It was a rather quiet walk between us, mini conversations coming up. As we continued walking, I drifted behind them.

Should I call Richie and check on him? I don't want to be a bother. What if he's upset with me because I didn't hang around?

I reached the cross walk with everyone and got distracted as my phone buzzed. I saw Richie's name light up.

"Eddie! C'mon!" Stan yelled for me as they walked across the street.

"I'll catch up." I yelled, turning and answering the call

"Richie? Hey," I said.

"Ed's. Shit-you have school! Damnit, I forgot." He rambled. "I'll call you back later." He said.

"No, no! It's okay, I've got some time. What's up?" I asked softly, worriedly.

He sighed for a moment. "I was gonna ask for you to come over. Noah just left for a few days."

"....like hang out?" I asked. "For the time he's gone, in your apartment?" I chuckled. "Sounds like a double life to me, Richard." I said playfully.

"Maybe that's my goal, baby," he said, making his voice low and hot sounding.

I felt a new feeling run through my body. Oh, my god.

I chewed my lip, debating on whether I should go or not.

"I'll be there in a minute." I said.

"You remember the address?" He chuckled.

"How can I forget where Richie, my knight in shining armor, lives?" I joked as I made my way down the street.

We both shared a short laugh. I went quiet for a moment. "You didn't call." I said, picking at my lip, feeling anxious.

"What?" Richie asked confusedly.

I sighed. "After what happened, you didn't call. How come?" I asked, my gut filling with worry.

He sighed. "I wanted to, Eds, so bad. I just felt like we needed space after what happened." He sighed. "I wanted to cope with what it felt like to be at gun point, and I didn't know how you were feeling," he explained.

I nodded. "True. I did need space." I chuckled. "And I felt so worried. I was worried about you so much. I didn't know if you were okay or not after processing what happened."

"Aw, Eddie." Richie cooed.

I was distracted as I heard someone call my name. "Eddie!" I turned to see Stan running up to me.

"Hey, I gotta go, Richie. I'll see you in a minute." I said.

"Don't keep me waiting too long," he chuckled.

I laughed and hung up.

"Where are going?" Stan panted a little. He was in great shape, but not the most athletic person you'd meet.

I sighed. "Richie wants me to come over. Noah is gone for a few days and he wants to see me." I blushed a little as I admitted what I was actually going to do.

Stan nodded. "So, you guys are cool?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, he said he wanted a little time to cope with what happened yesterday is all." I explained.

Stanley nodded. "Eddie, are you seriously going to get caught up on this guy? You barely know him and now you skip school to see him while his boyfriend is gone?" He spoke in a worried tone. Stanley was always worried about me. If it wasn't Bill, it was Stan.

I shrugged. "Damnit, Stan. I don't know!" I blurted honestly. "It just feels different with Richie. It doesn't feel like the other guys! He makes me proud of who I am and like I can do anything. It sounds cheesy, I know, but that's how I feel!" I rambled out.

"Eddie, it's okay." Stan calmed me down, placing his hands on my shoulders. "If this is what you want, okay. I'll be here for you." He smiled.

I smiled up at him. "Thanks, Stan." I gave him a hug. "Would you tell my teachers I'll be out, make sure they don't tell my mom?" I begged. My mom would kill me if she found out what I'm doing.

"Of course. I'll see you later, and give me all the gory details." Stan winked as he pulled away.

I chuckled. "Promise." We laughed as we split ways.