Eddie doesn't fully understand what love is thanks to his boyfriend, James. He's starting to accept physical and mental abuse as a form of love, like how his mother loves him and now James. Once he meets Richie, he takes on an unknown feeling. This feeling causes his chest to tighten when he calls him Eds. What is this feeling? How do I get rid of it? Richie has loved Eddie Kaspbrak for years. Ever since that adorable germaphobe moved to the hell-hole known as Derry, Maine, Richie has badly fallen head over heels. His best friend, Mike Hanlon calls it a silly crush but Richie can never get his mind off the small boy and his smile.