he wasn’t concerned or afraid. well, that was probably a lie. and ever since georgie he had been particularly nervous every time his friends didn’t show up at a set time. today was richie and bill’s day, they were supposed to meet in the middle of the morning; not too early, or late. a firm 10:00am. but 10:00 became 11:00, and 11:00 became 12:00. he shrugged it off as richie staying up late, playing his atari or practicing a new voice. he would probably meet him on the road as he biked to his house, glasses strewn halfway off his face. but as the tozier’s house neared and neared, he saw no sign of richie. and he couldn’t help but pedal that much faster. he laid silver unceremoniously on the grass as he hopped up the porch steps two at a time, banging on the door, he exhaled. answer, richie, answer. he didn’t like how he was feeling. but maybe he forgot, maybe he made other plans and forgot to call him. he wouldn’t take it personally. maybe he was sick with a summer flu. but when he sees a mess of long hair answer the door, a feminine face looking possibly annoyed his heart felt like stopping. “ wh-wuh-where’s ri-r-r-ric-richie ?? ”
