The Aftermath (Reddie)

56

3rd Person POV

It was Christmas Eve. The snow was falling hard in New York City. The streets were so covered that hardly any cars were driving. All you could see were some dull yellow glows peaking through the white.

Eddie was staring out the window in his apartment. The apartment was Sonia's aunt's, but she had gone and married some rich guy in New Orleans and left the apartment for any family member who wanted it.

There was a small kitchen that led straight into an even smaller living room. There was one bathroom that had a shower hardly bit enough to turn around in. What's worse is that there was only one bedroom, which Mrs. Kaspbrak took gladly.

Eddie's bedroom was a closet. He actually lived in the closet, to say his mother liked that was an understatement. The closet was supposed to hold all of the cleaning supplies and knick-knacks that were eye sores.

His mom had at least emptied those out and added a sterile mattress with a sheet and two flannel blankets. Did he get cold? No. Fortunately there was a furnace in the closet for no apparent reason. But at least he was warm.

Eddie didn't mind the city. He liked being able to blend in with a crowd so easily, he liked not knowing every little thing about everyone. He liked being able to find other people who were gay or bi or anything really, because he felt validated.

But he didn't have any friends. It's not like he wasn't allowed, or he couldn't, but it was like all hell broke loose when he hung out with someone.

His mother would ask about a million questions, it was basically like trying to get in the military.

So he didn't bother.

Christmas break had just started, and Eddie had no one to hang out with. He had already finished all of his homework for the two week break, so now he was spending his time staring blankly out the window, admiring the snow.

The phone started to ring and Eddie jumped at the sound. He raced to it, his mom was sleeping in her armchair and would be pissed if anything woke her up.

Eddie swore and picked up the phone after the second ring.

"Hello?" he whispered.

"Hello good sir," the voice was British and familiar, but Eddie couldn't place it, "may I talk to Edward Jean Lewis Fredrick George Albert Kaspbrak please kind and good fellow?"

"Umm?"

"It's Richie," now the voice was monotone, almost upset.

Eddie gasped. He remembered, how could he forget? Richie was on the phone, the same Richie that had caused him to leave Derry in the first place. The same Richie he kissed and hugged and joked with. The same Richie he read comics in his bedroom with and fought a killer clown with.

Shit, Eddie thought, I fought a clown when I was eleven.

"Eddie?" Richie said again, "Oh fuck is this the wrong number again? I swear if I have to do a British accent-"

"It's me!" Eddie cheered, "It's Eddie!"

"Oh thank god!" Richie sighed, "I've missed you so much Eds."

Eddie smiled.

This was Richie.

Richie was familiar.

Eddie sighed contently, like he was finally breathing again after holding his breath since he left Derry. "I missed you too, god, I missed you so fucking much I didn't even realize it."

He heard Richie's soft chuckle through the speaker. Eddie brought the phone closer to his face.

"How's city life treating you?"