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Pity: the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others.
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"No way," Richie whispered. "You did not!"

Eddie nodded slowly, a small smile painted on his lips, "I saw them live three years ago." He told Richie his story, who was listening intently to every word.

"Green Day are probably so good live. Well, they seem it." Richie commented. "I wish I could go to their next tour but I can't." He said, dodging the fast paced students flowing in the opposite direction to him.

Eddie shrugged, "Don't have the money?" He questioned lightly. Richie just shrugged back in response. He did have the money but, well- that wasn't the point. "Oh well, Rich, there will be others."

Rich. That's a new one.

The two were walking to Geography, rather slowly as well. Their chatting definitely slowed them down, much to the rest of the groups annoyance.

"Come on," Stan whined at them. "You're such slow walkers."

"I honestly give up with you two already." Bill chirped in.

Stan sighed, tugging on Bill's arm softly, "Let's go on, yeah? They'll be talking for hours no doubt, and it won't be our fault that they're late for Geography. I certainly don't want to be, Miss Shaprio already hates me enough."

Bill mumbled a reply, along with the others chatters, before walking on with Stan faster to Geography. Yet, Eddie and Richie were oblivious to them even calling them out. They didn't even hear Stan's comment or Bill's remark. It was like they were in their own dreamland.

Eddie and Richie were late to Geography. Well, according to the school if you turn up anytime after the bell goes you get classed as 'late' which Richie found extremely unfair. What if you needed to go to the loo? What if you need to get something from your locker? Surely they'd allow that?

"And where have you two been?" Miss Shaprio asked them both as they stumbled into the classroom, still laughing at one of Richie's crazy (but made up) stories. Miss Shaprio came off as strict and harsh, but really she was caring. She only does what the school tells her, even if she doesn't agree with it.

Eddie cleared his throat, "Sorry we're late Miss. Richie here," He paused and pointed to Richie. "Is new so I was just pointing things out and...stuff." Eddie trailed off, lying completely. Miss Shaprio's face softened and she pointed to a spare seat.

"Sit there then, is that okay Richie?" She checked. He nodded before sitting down, hearing some of the boys make cheeky comments. Luckily enough for him, his seat was at the table in front of Eddie's.
What a coincidence.

Miss Shaprio looks sweet in Richie's opinion. She has dark brown hair, and black skin. She's quite short also, Richie noticed that he was nearly taller than her. Then again, he is freakishly tall.
She seemed really nice, and for some reason Richie took an instant liking to this teacher.

With Eddie sat behind him, his newfound friends in this class and a nice teacher, Geography surely won't be too bad.

The day had passed by really quickly, and before Richie knew it, it was time to go home. The rest of the group said their goodbyes as they live in a completely different direction where Richie's auntie lives. Where he lives he should say, but he didn't.

Richie felt happy, at least. His main goal for coming over here was to feel normal and to feel happy, and he feels like he's achieved it. Sure, every five minutes he's somehow reminded about what he is doing, but then he just thinks to himself - hey, it's for their own good that they don't know, right?

For his own good.

Richie sighed loudly as he realised he really needed to pee. Like, right now. He cursed to himself as he walked back into the school, attempting to find the toilets as he was sure he wouldn't make it home in time.

Where did Jayden say the toilets were again?

He spent a while trying to find them, and he admits to himself that it would have been quicker just to have ran home. Luckily for him he found them, quickly did his business and then left.

Richie looked up to see the familiar backpack he saw today. Eddie's. What was he doing at school? Shouldn't he be home by now? Running up to catch up with him, a smile found his way onto his face. But it soon disappeared.

Eddie was crying.

Tears were falling down his face rapidly, and Richie didn't know what to do. He'd never ever been in this situation before.

"What's wrong?" He squeaked out, unable to find the right words.

"I don't want to talk about it," Eddie whispered. "It's just some guys, I'll be fine. They're gone now."
That's when it clicked just exactly what Ben meant when he said Eddie was going through some things. Maybe Eddie was bullied?

"Does it happen often?" Richie asked, hoping he was right. "You know..."

Eddie just looked up and scoffed, "You've been here a day and there's already drama," He muttered. "Wait that came out wrong. I didn't mean that you start the drama I-"

Richie cut him off from his rambling, "It's okay, I know what you meant."

Eddie smiled, "I'll tell you another time, I have to go this direction so. Yeah. It was really nice to have you at school today, Rich." He admitted.

Richie smiled back, "It was nice to be here." He glanced over to his direction, where a few boys in their year were walking away.

Eddie looked over his shoulder, "Sorry. Looks like you're going the same direction as the guys I was talking about. Don't go that way. Go another. Trust me." Eddie told him.

"It's fine," Richie assured him. "I can handle myself."

Eddie sighed, "Just be careful, okay? They're bad news." Worry was all over his face, and Richie just wanted to lean forward and kiss his cheeks.

Seriously, what had gotten into him?

With that, Eddie turned around and started to walk home. Richie felt his heart drop once he noticed how sad Eddie really was, his shoulders dropped and head down. Checking that Eddie was gone, Richie walked towards the boys Eddie had warned him to stay away from.

"Hey," He shouted. "Wait! You guys!" They all turned around, a scowl on each of their faces. And, wow - Eddie really did mean it, these guys did look like bad news, "You need to leave him alone." He said confidently.

They looked at each other and sniggered, "Really? Why would we do that? Trying to save your little boyfriend are you?" They taunted.

"Because I'll pay you. I'll pay you guys to leave Eddie alone and treat him like a human being." Richie told them.

He had loads of money, he might as well do it for a nice cause. A million thoughts crossed through his mind. Was this wrong? Paying someone to be nicer to your friend. Almost in like Mean Girls 2 where-

No, it's not like that. Eddie will understand. Or never find out. There's a difference.

They looked at him curious and deceiving, "How much?" One with a mullet asked.

"How much do you want?" Richie answered back confidently, proud of the authority in his voice. "You can name the price."

They all smiled sickly, and Richie started to wonder whether he had said something wrong that they might be able to manipulate, "Deal." One of them said, making a few of the other guys nod their heads.

"Only if you promise to never hurt Eddie again, and to be his friend, then we have a deal. You just have to pretend to be his friend." Richie clarified.

Richie smiled to himself with pride when they nodded. Eddie wouldn't find out about this, or the lies he's told already, or even his secret. He really was a good friend.

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