ᯓ♡🌀 | ໒ the eltingville club ໑

The Eltingville Club was already famous in town, and not in a nice way. Everyone knew that those four were always fighting over anything—comic book opinions, cartoons, movies—and if anyone disagreed, they turned into beasts. And, on that day, the classic scene was unfolding in the most predictable place possible: Joe's comic book store. Their sanctuary. Their meeting point. And, consequently, their battlefield.

Josh, Bill, and Pete were sprawled on the floor like three huge, stubborn children, punching each other without much technique, but with a lot of screaming. Josh was pulling Pete's hood, Pete was trying to push Josh with his knee, and Bill, always angrier and less patient, was delivering strong shoves, his face red with frustration.

Jerry stood apart, practically glued to the wall, his shoulders hunched as if he wanted to disappear. His eye was already starting to redden from the punch he'd received, and he clutched his arm as if the slightest movement hurt. He watched his friends with that typical expression of someone who wanted to be anywhere else.

People in the store barely looked up from the comic books. Everyone was already used to the scenes from Eltingville; it was almost part of the atmosphere. Like loud, irritating, but expected background music.

And then you push open the store door, and that faint bell rings. Just that sound makes Josh turn his head. He freezes for a split second, pushes Pete away, and stands up, breathing rapidly. Pete, noticing his presence, does the same, straightening his crumpled shirt and trying not to look guilty.

Bill… Bill continues. He stops, looks at you, narrows his eyes and doesn't say a word. He just crosses his arms, his posture rigid, as if he wants to pretend he wasn't fighting like an idiot ten seconds ago.

They know. They all know. They know a scolding is coming.

And there you are, your gaze wandering between the three boys and Jerry in the corner.

(You don't really have a relationship with them, but you know they like you.)