*

I walk to Eddie's house as he showed me where it was a few days ago and am greeted by the lovely face of Sonia Kaspbrak.

She looks disgusted when she sees me.

I grin. "Hey, Mrs K, is Eddie here?" I wink and look behind her.

"No, he's not and why are you still here? I thought you were meant to be gone back to Derry by now." She rolls her eyes.

"Didn't you hear the great news? I'm moving to Hawkins. I'll be around a lot more." Her eyes go wide and she looks horrified. I grin again and push my glasses back up to the bridge of my nose. "Where is he?" She sighs.

"He's at some friends house. He begged me to stay last night." She walks inside and slams the door shut right in my face and I roll my eyes. What a lovely woman.

I walk out to the street and kick rocks. He's probably at Dustin, Lucas, Will or El's house. On my way back to mine, I see him and he waves and smiles. I smile back and my eyes light up.

He walks faster and hugs me and smiles.

"Hey Ed's." He rolls his eyes at the nickname.

"If you keep doing that, your eyes will get stuck and they'll constantly be staring up at the sky." He makes a face and rolls his eyes once more. I wink at him.

"I just had a lovely encounter with your lovely mom." His eyes go slightly wide.

"What happened?"

"She's very delighted to see me and can't wait to see me more. She told me how miserable she was without me and that me moving back is a miracle."

"I'm guessing it's the complete opposite of that?"

I nod and he smiles.

"Wanna hang out?" I grin at him.

"Sure, but I can't for long." I nod and we begin walking by tall buildings and big, leafy trees with colourful varieties of flowers growing beneath them.

"So, who's house were you in last night?" I ask him.

He smiles sheepishly. "El and Will invited me over, we had lots of fun. It was at Wills house. He drew an awesome picture of El and I."

"Cool! Maybe you and I could have a sleepover tonight?" I look at him eagerly.

"I'd love that but.. my mom probably wouldn't let you stay and tomorrow we start school." He looks at me sadly. I shrug.

"I can sneak in and then who cares that we have school tomorrow? We can go to bed early."

"Finee." He rolls his eyes and smiles slightly.

I smile back and he looks down, smiling. He's adorable.

*

I'm walking to Eddie's house and I'm nearly there. Then, I see him, Henry Bowers across the street. I know that because I was hanging out with Mike yesterday after Starcourt Mall and he pointed him out to me and told him he's the schools bully. He didn't see us yesterday.

I make eye contact with him and then quickly look away. His stare lingers on me and I walk faster to Eddie's house. I climb up the ivy covered walls and tap on the window lightly.

He looks over and opens it.

"Hey Ed's." I kiss him on the nose and flop down on his bed.

"Don't be too loud!" He gives me snake eyes and then turns around.

"I have a surprise for you!" He smiles and sits on the bed.

I sit up and look at him expectantly.

"Yeah? What is it?" I ask eagerly.

"Well..Bev and I arranged plans. She's coming to Hawkins on the weekend!" He smiles widely.

"What!? Really??" Bev is definitely my best friend after Stanley. Don't tell the others.

For the rest of the night, Eddie and I laugh and talk. Quietly, of course. His mother can't know I'm here. He confides in me, telling me how nervous he is for tomorrow with his first day of school here. I tell him I am too but I assure him Mike, Will, El, Dustin and Lucas will be looking out for us. He seems satisfied with that and nods.

He then insists we go to sleep at 9:30 and groans because he was meant to go to sleep at 9:00. I laugh and agree but only for his sake.

-

I'm so excited! Bev is coming over today AND she can meet the others! I just know she's gonna love Will, Mike, Dustin, El and Lucas. They're really cool. We decide to wait for her at the bus stop near the mall.

-

"BEV!" I grin and run towards her and hug her. She hugs me back and then hugs Eddie.

"HEY! I can't believe you just left us like that, Richie! We miss you both! We didn't even get to say goodbye." She looks at me as she says the last sentence and I smile sadly.

"Sorry Bevvie." She smiles and hugs us both again.

I can't wait for her to meet our friends.