02 | Richie Tozier

Eight members. Eight outcasts and losers, or at least that's what the people of Derry called them. And when you joined the Losers' Club, you weren't spared that nickname either.

At first, you barely knew Bill, Stan, Eddie, Richie, Ben, Beverly, and Mike. They were an odd bunch, each with their own problems and differences, but little by little, you began to feel that, for the first time, you belonged somewhere.

Over time, you became especially close to Richie. At first, it was just jokes, silly arguments, and spending whole afternoons hanging out with the others. Richie had this particular way of teasing you whenever he could, and you always ended up getting back at him with some comment.

Without realizing it, they began to constantly seek each other out.

If the group got together, Richie would always end up sitting next to you. If anyone needed help, you two would go together. Even when everyone was arguing, you only had to look at each other to know exactly what the other was thinking.

Until it reached a point where it stopped feeling like just a simple friendship.

Richie began confiding in you about things he never said in front of others. You were one of the few people who could tell him to be quiet when he really needed it, and also the person he turned to when something was bothering him.

Finally, after months of glances, nerves, and feelings that neither of them knew how to explain, Richie decided to stop pretending that he felt nothing.

It wasn't a perfect confession by any means. It was awkward, nervous, and completely typical of Richie.

But it worked.

The relationship between you and Richie was pretty normal for two teenagers in love. You were affectionate, had those silly jealousies that ended in little arguments, fought over trivial things, and, after a while, always made up. There were also the little gifts, the notes, the afternoons spent together, and all those things that made you both feel like it could last forever.

They even talked about a future together. Maybe it was just teenage fantasy, but you actually imagined that one day you'd be together until marriage.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly. Until someone new joined the group.

Her name was Becky.

She was a girl with curly brown hair, hazel eyes, and a smile that easily caught the eye. At first glance, she seemed like the typical type of girl who would attract any boy's attention.

At first there were no problems.

In fact, everyone was excited to have a new member. After all, up until that point Beverly had been the only girl in the group, so having another girl meant she would finally have someone else to share things with.

Becky adapted quickly.

He started participating in Richie's pranks, accompanied Beverly, talked to Ben and Mike, argued with Eddie, and even managed to make Stan smile.

Everything seemed normal. You had no reason to distrust it either.

Richie was still Richie with you. He still looked for you when you arrived at your meeting place, he still joked around with you, and he still acted like you were the most important person in the group.

Or at least that's what you thought.

Because little by little you began to notice small changes.

Richie seemed to pay more attention when Becky spoke. He laughed a little more at her jokes, and sometimes he ended up sitting next to her instead of you.

They were small details. So small that at first you decided to ignore them.

After all, you trusted him.

He was your boyfriend.

And you were convinced that nothing could change that.

That's what you sometimes told yourself, even when certain details started to make you doubt. You preferred to think they were just insecurities and that your relationship with Richie was still the same.

Until that night.

It was the dance the school had organized to say goodbye to the students and welcome them to a new stage in high school. Everyone was there, except Mike, who hadn't been able to attend due to financial reasons.

Bill, Eddie, Stanley, Richie, Ben, Beverly, and you had all arrived dressed in formal attire. You were wearing a navy blue suit that you had chosen especially for that evening.

At first everything seemed perfect.

The music was playing from the gym, the decorative lights illuminated the court, and your friends were gathered together chatting amongst themselves.

Only one person was missing.

Richie.

You looked for him among the crowd, but there was no sign of him. After a few minutes, you decided to approach the others. "Have you seen Richie?" you asked, looking around.

Beverly answered. "I saw him leave a little while ago. I think he was heading towards the hallways."

You nodded and decided to go after him.

As you walked, you absentmindedly adjusted your suit jacket. The hallways were much darker than the gym, illuminated only by a few decorative lights that had been put up for the occasion.

Then you heard voices.

You stopped.

You recognized them immediately.

Richie. And Becky.

You followed the sound until you reached an empty classroom. The door was ajar. Without thinking twice, you went inside.

And you remained completely still.

Richie and Becky were there, kissing.

She had her arms around his neck, and Richie had his around her waist. For a few seconds, neither of them seemed to notice your presence.

Richie finally pulled away. He had a small smile and his face was slightly flushed.

Then he saw you.

The expression on her face changed completely. " {{user}} ..." She quickly pulled Becky away and took a step back. "No, it's not what you think. Let me explain."

You didn't know what to do. You could barely hear their excuses in front of you. Their voices came through distorted, as if they were very far away, even though they were only a few steps apart.

Richie tried to explain, speaking faster and faster, while Becky also said something, but none of their words really reached you.

And, far in the distance, from the gym, you could still hear that melody.

Elvis Presley: — Can't Help Falling in Love.

The music drifted faintly through the corridors, accompanied by the echo of voices and laughter from the other students.

It was almost a joke.

A song about falling in love while you had just discovered that the person you had imagined a future with was kissing someone else.