Richie POV

"Okay, Okay, let's actually read the book now." I said as I composed myself from my high laughter. I stood up and walked over to my friend.

Picking up each of my stuffed animals with care. I walked to my closet and placed them in their hiding place. I still couldn't believe I just told Eddie about my biggest secret... well, minus my crush.

"Man, I feel so foggy. Well like my brain. I keep getting side track." Eddie said from the bed as he laid on the pillows looking up at my ceiling.

"That's the weed dude, it will do that to you." I said as I closed the closet door and walked back to the bed. Placing clover on the nightstand.

"I guess, I'm definitely not high anymore but I don't think I could listen to the book. I'm too giddy." He answered softly. Clearly he felt bad about it.

"That's fine. What do you wanna do? We could go some where?" I asked as I put all my attention to Eddie.

"I don't know. We could just... talk?" He said calmly. As he put his attention to me.

"Okay, about what?" I asked wanting to see if he had something bothering him.

"I don't know... I just want to get to know you." He answered as he seemed to get comfortable.

"Hmm, Oh how about we play a game!" I asked excitedly. A game would be the perfect way to get to know each other.

"Sounds fun, but what game?" He asked as he sat himself up on his elbows turning his head towards me.

"How about, truth or truth?" I asked thinking this was the easiest game to play.

"Truth or truth? Wouldn't that just be like, 20 questions?" Eddie asked raising a confused eyebrow.

"Kind of but truth or truth can go on for hours." I answered trying to ease him into the game. "Okay here I will asked first. Truth or Truth?"

Eddie gave me an annoyed look but answered.

"Truth." He said calmly. I though of a first question that would be easy yet fun.

"Umm, what's your favorite subject in school?" After I asked the question I felt so stupid. That's such a basic question.

"Math. I actually find it fun. Crazy I know." Eddie answered truthfully. "What about you?"

"Oh well. I would have to say English. You know I'm a big reader. I like analyze text and even write shit on occasion." I said trying to not sound like a total dork.

"Okay I have to read one some time." Eddie said quickly be fore continuing. "What is your favorite number?"

I was puzzled by his question. Not because it was confusing. But because I've never thought of it.

"Oh man dude. Umm. Probably 45. I don't know why tho. I just like how it's written." I asked still thinking about the question. "And you?"

"20 all the way. I'm not sure why either. But it always seems like a good guess for everything." He answered as he turned to look at me. "Okay your turn. This is fun."

"Hmm, oh do you prefer dogs or cats?"

"Oh huh. I see more dogs than cats but I've never had a pet so I don't really have a favorite. I've never even pet an animal before. Mom was always strict about that. 'They have diseases.' She would say." He answered with a heavy eye roll. "But, I do wish I could meet a dog. They seem so... fluffy!"

Eddie said the last part with a higher voice. I found this adorable.

"Woah, woah, woah. You've never pet an animal before?" I asked confused. This guy was 16 and never even meet an animal.

"I mean yeah. I didn't have friends till I meet you and the others. And we don't really go to see animals." He answered calmly. "I've never pet an animal, I've only ever seen animals around the neighborhood which are mainly rodents, and I've never been to a zoo."

"You've never been to the zoo! Not even for a Field trip!?" I asked quickly. I was amazed.

"I've never been on a field trip either. My mom is crazy up tight about field trips. She doesn't like me being far like that. I would just stay at school and read in the front office." I was really amazed by his answer.

It kind of hurt me a bit. He missed out on so many little things just so his mother could 'protect him'. It honestly pissed me off. Just then I got a brilliant idea.

I turned to the clock on my bed side and saw the time. It was only 12:30. Damn today was going by slow. But I'm not complaining. I turned back to Eddie excited.

"Get ready we're going." I said quickly, getting my shoes to put them on.

"What? Where are we going?" Eddie asked confused but started to get up anyway. Trying to find his shoes.

"I am taking you to the zoo. It's a 30 minute ride from here on our bikes. Leave your back pack, you can grab it when we get back." I answered calmly as I finished tying my shoes. "Oh but grab your inhaler and stuff. I can carry it if you want."

"What!? Really?" He asked still confused as he found his shoes. "Oh and thank you."

"Yes, really. I want to take your zoo virginity." I froze as I realized what I said. 'What the fuck is wrong with you' was all I could think to myself. 'Who the hell says that.'

"Oh gosh." Eddie said as a blush went across his face as he finished tying his shoes. Getting up and turning towards me.

"Alright ready?" I asked shyly as I tried to push that moment far into my fucked up brain.

Eddie nodded excitedly and we ran down the stairs. The whole way down he was knocking into me and trying to slow me down. But his tiny self was no match for my long legs.

We made it outside and I grabbed my bike that was on the side of the garage. We then started to make our way to his house.

"So when do you need to be home?" I asked him as we walked down the sidewalk.

"Probably, 6:30. I told her I was going to study after school." He answered matter factly.

"Wait, do you need to be there for that?" I asked as I push my bike along side us.

"Nah, I made it up. I can't stand going home anymore. My mom is getting more and more unbearable anymore." He said clearly bothered by it.

"Ah she needs someone like you and your tiny hands to rub her feet." I said trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh shut up. I know she means well." He said wrapping his arms around his body.

"You didn't deny it." I said hip bumping his side. His face got a darker red blush on it. Before he could say anything we got to his house.

We both leaned down behind his neighbors fence in hopes of his mom would not finding us. I leaned my bike on to the grass besides us.

"Is your mom home?" I asked softly. Turning towards him.

"Yeah, she never leaves." He said starting at the yard plotting a plan. "Okay I will run in the back yard and grab my bike. Go to the end of the block I will meet you there." Eddie said slowly getting up, but I stopped him.

"No, bad idea. She will see you ride it away. Or at least walk it in front of the house. Here, you take my bike and go around the corner. I will get your bike. If she sees me she will just think I skipped school." I said picking my bike back up and handing it to Eddie.

"Oh your smart." He said as he grabbed my bike.

"Don't forget beautiful, charming, hilarious-" Eddie elbowed my side before I could go on.

"Oh shh." Eddie said as he started to walk to the corner. "Now hurry up. I'm getting excited."

I smiled at him before I ran around his fence and up the drive way. I made it to the side of his garage and slowed down. I walk to the back of it and looked into his back yard.

It was a plane yard with a small flower bed by the back door and small patio set that sat in the middle of the yard. And right by the door I saw Eddies bike. Went and grabbed the bike and started to walk it around the garage.

"What do you think your doing!?" My heart dropped as I hear Mrs.K's voice. I turned towards the door and saw a very angry mom standing outside of the now open door.

"Ah, Mrs.K nice to see you. Beautiful day out am I right?" I said trying to change the subject.

"Oh it's you. Richie Tozier." She spat my name out like it was a slur. "Skipping school I see. Well, I know your not trying to steal my babies bike are you?" Clearly she didn't like me.

"Me? Skipping school? I could never. I didn't have a final today." I said trying to help my already tainted image to her. "And steal little Eddies bike? I could never." I said smiling a fake smile.

"Oh then why are you leaving with it?" She asked hatefully. I had to come up with a lie.

"Well, you see. I broke it." I said simply. As I tried to figure out the lie in my head. "I broke his chain. He's using one of my old chains right now. But I still felt really bad about it. So I though that sense I had the day off, I could fix it for him before he got home from school. I have the new chain at my house."

I was honestly surprised with my lie. Mrs.K seemed surprised too. She had a confused look on her face as she tried to figure out if I was telling to truth or not.

"Oh. That's actually very kind of you. I guess I had you all wrong. Go ahead and take the bike. Eddie will be gone for a while. He had to study tonight. So you have time to fix it." She said kindly. I could tell she felt bad about her earlier thoughts. "But if your lying I know where you live and will call the police."

"Yes Ma'am, I will be sure to bring it back by tonight. Oh is it okay if Eddie comes over to my house after we study? I studying with him and the others. I want to see his face when I show him his bike." I asked kindly, trailing off a bit. hoping I could give us more time to hang out.

She though about it and the nodded to herself as she though of an answer.

"Sure, but bring him home by 8:30. His bedtime is 9:30." It took everything at had not to laugh at the bed time.

"Will do. Thank you Mrs.K. I will see you tonight!" And with that I walked around to the side of the garage and walked down the driveway again. Making my way to the side walk. It felt like my stomach was doing flips.

I can't believe I just did that.