iv. chapter four

BFFS KRISTY && MARY ANNE tuned out Eddie's nonsensical rant about the aids epidemic, and his mom's "friend from New York" who probably didn't even exist and was probably just part of a story to scare him. "—How do you- HOW DO YOU AMPUTATE A WAIST?" Eddie ranted, at this point not really caring about whether anyone was actually listening or not. Everyone stopped in an alley and settled Mary Anne and Ben on a couple of crates.

"My dad will not be happy about this..." Mary Anne said, referring to her appearance. Her whole outfit was covered in dirt, water, and leaves, her socks were ripped, and her hair that used to be two neat braids was frizzy and barely what you would even call pigtails.

"No kidding..."  Kristy commented. Mary Anne looked like she just had a dirt bath— probably because she just did.

"What the fuck?"

Everyone whipped their heads around to see Claudia with a staple-gun in one hand, and a stack of Baby-sitters Club posters in the other. "Why do Ben Hanscom and Mary Anne look like they just got mauled by a bear?"

Mary Anne and Ben shared a look at that comment, coming to the conclusion that they do in fact, look like they've been attacked by a wild animal. "Henry Bowers happened." Mary Anne mumbled. Claudia looked like smoke was about to come out of her ears at this.

"We were just going to the pharmacy to treat them." Kristy stated. "You and Richie can stay here with them, we're going."

"WAIT YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH-"

All of them were already inside. Claudia accepted defeat, and sat on a crate in front of Mary Anne and Ben. "I'm glad I got to meet you before you died- HEY!" Richie yelled from Claudia elbowing him.

"Jesus Christ, they're not gonna die Richie!" Claudia yelled, clearly already fed up with his antics. Mary Anne was dumbfounded at the fact that right after that, Richie was back to making googly eyes at Claudia.

☄︎

Stacey was not happy to be at the pharmacy. In fact she hated everything about it. Down to the fact that Mr Keene was a borderline pedophile. Her mother had to drag her all the way down to the pharmacy that day. Although, Stacey was at least thankful Sonia Kasparak wasn't there with her son harassing Mr. Keene for more medication. The two had a sort of understanding about what it was like to have a smothering mother. It was evident in the looks they gave each other while Sonia was yelling at Mr. Keene.

"What's wrong with you?"

Stacey whipped her head around to make sure whoever that was, they weren't talking to her. Instead she saw Beverly Marsh terribly hiding a Tampax box behind her back, facing the losers club and... Kristy?

"Mom, Kristy is here. Can I say hi?" Stacey asked, bouncing on her heels.

"Sure thing," Mrs. McGill answered, barely looking up from what she was looking at. After a silent celebration, Stacey appeared by Beverly's side.

"The new kid and Mary Anne look like someone just killed them." Eddie blurted out.

Kristy looked like she was about to punch him. "Wait what?" Stacey asked incredulously. She looked like her eyes were going to pop out of her head.

"We need s-s-s-supplies but we don't have enough money." Bill explained.

Stacey thought for a minute. "Don't worry guys, Beverly and I got this."

"Wait, we do?"

"I really like your glasses, Mr. Keene." Stacey approached the counter, turning back to give a wink to Eddie. Beverly nodded along.

"You look just like Clarke Kent!" Beverly said in a sugary-sweet tone. Stacey tried to stifle a giggle.

"Oh, I don't know about that." Mr. Keene chuckled.

"Can we try them on?" Beverly asked. Mr. Keene gladly handed them to the redhead who put them on. "How do I look?"

"Now you, look just like Lois Lane." Mr. Keene smiled at the redhead, making Stacey shudder. What a creep.

"Really? Well here you go-" Beverly purposely knocked over a stand of cigarettes, prompting Mr. Keene bend down behind the counter to pick it up. "Shoot! I am so sorry!" Beverly apologized, before stealing a glance behind her with Stacey, who face palmed as the boys and Kristy dashed for the door in a not-so-clean getaway, dropping a few items on their way out.

☄︎

"Just suck the wound!" Richie stupidly exclaimed while hovering over Eddie, who was trying his best to bandage Ben and Mary Anne.

"I need to focus right now." Eddie answered, clearly annoyed.

"You need to focus right now?" Richie asked, half mocking the boy.

"Go get my bifocals, they're in my second fanny pack."

"Why would you have two fanny packs?" Mary Anne asked as she shifted uncomfortably on the crate she was seated on. She was definitely was doubting Eddie's ability to give her proper medical attention— But at least it was better than nothing.

Standing apart from the group of pre-teens crowded around Mary Anne and Ben were Bill and Kristy. The brunette suddenly felt Bill leave her side, and was instead in the middle of the sidewalk looking entranced. The brunette soon knew exactly why when she saw Beverly Marsh walking down the sidewalk with Stacey not far behind.

"Uhmm, th-th-thanks..." Bill offered a crumpled up dollar from his pocket to Beverly with shaking hands.

"Even Steven..." Beverly said coolly, whilst shaking a pack of Marlboros near her face. "Ben from soc'?" The ginger's expression turned into one of concern, as she entered the alleyway.

"YOU HAVE TO SUCK THE WOUND BEFORE YOU APPLY THE BANDAGE! THIS IS 101!"

"Are you two okay? That looks like it really hurts." Beverly tried to see how badly the boy was damaged, but Ben quickly pulled his shirt down.

"No I'm good I just...Fell." Ben weakly smiled at her, trying to man up.

"Yeah! Right into Henry Bowers!"

"Shut it R-R-Richie!" Bill said, trying to shut up the foul-mouthed boy, who answered with "Why? It's the truth." Richie shrugged.

"Are you sure they got...‘The Right Stuff’ to fix you up?" Beverly gave the smallest of winks. Mary Anne's eyes darted between Ben and Beverly.

"You know w-w-w-w-we'll take care of him." Bill cut in, his stutter intensifying in her presence. "Thanks again Beverly."

"Sure, maybe I'll see you around." Beverly smiled warmly at Bill and Kristy before making her way out of the alley.

"Yeah, we were maybe thinking about going to the q-q-q-quarry tomorrow, if you wanna..." Bill was relieved to have caught Beverly before she could make a full exit, but slowly lost confidence as he reached the end of the question.

"Come? Good to know. Thanks." Beverly finished for Bill smoothly before fully exiting the alley.

"Nice going, bringing up Henry Bowers in front of her!" Stan finally said. "Did you hear what she did?" Eddie chimed in.

"What'd she do?"

"More like who'd she do! I heard the list is longer than my wang!" Richie said obnoxiously.

"I can't believe you guys actually believe that crap." Claudia's eyes narrowed at them, the other three girls nodding in agreement.

"Everyone knows guys make up that shit to seem cool." Stacey shrugged, having had a few rumors about her passed along the grape vine.

"Anyway, Bill had her back in third grade. They kissed in the school play. They said you can't fake that kind of passion!" Richie smirked.

"Yeah, and I was a fucking tree!" Kristy rolled her eyes, remembering the play vividly.

"Now Pip Pip and tally-ho my good fellows! I do believe these two lovebirds require our utmost attention!" Richie commanded in a terrible British accent. "Now get in there and fix him up!"

Everyone got back to work on Ben and Mary Anne.

CHRISTINA!

I am so sorry it has been a long time because I lowkey forgot this book existed (oop) but I'm back!