Eddie and Y/n walked alongside each other with Watson trailing a little ahead of them on his extended leash that was secure in Y/n's hand.

The two talked about everything and nothing, about what may lay ahead of them next year at school, favorite teachers, hobbies, summer activities, but, as you may guess, Eddie left out a few little details.

"So, have you and your friends made up yet?"

Eddie shook his head. "No, not yet. I really hope we do soon, but i think they're all mad at me."

"Why would they be mad at you?"

"I- my mom pissed them off. Pissed me off, too. Like, I know she's trying to protect me, but I feel like I can't breathe, y'know? Like I'm-"

"Trapped?"

Eddie paused and his face flushed.

"Y-yeah," he mutters.

"You've gotta stand up to her then, Eds. She can't treat you like that!" Y/n said as she held Watson back from barking at another dog walking by.

Eddie smiled at her response.

"I know. But she's done so much for me-"

"Eddie, what good has she done you? She keeps you at home, shelters you. She gives you fake scenarios to mess with your head! Give me your pills-" she held her hand out, halting her steps.

"Huh?"

"Your pills, give them!"

He scrambled around in his fanny pack and reached for his bottle of pills, shakily handing them to her.

"These are placebos!" she yelled, pushing them into his chest, making him stumble backwards.

"What does that me-"

"They're bullshit, Eddie! They are empty throwbacks!" she said, grabbing his hands in her own and holding them closely to herself.

"You have to believe me, Eddie," she said, squeezing his hands.

He flushed a bright crimson as he felt soft tears prick his eyes.

"I-I believe you, Y/n."

She let out a sigh and realized the proximity between the two was closer than she thought, backing her red face away from his and dropping her hands at her sides.

"Th-thank you. I'm sorry, I just hate when my friends are hurt. Mentally and physically," she laughed softly, gesturing to his cast.

As they continued to walk, the big dog at their side, the atmosphere seemed to become lighter after their little conversation.

"Eddie-Spaghetti!?" a voice shouted from behind them.

Y/n turned around to be met with a curly haired boy with freckles and big coke bottle glasses.

"Damn, this your girlfriend, Eds?"

"First of all, don't call me that. Second, what do you want?" Eddie asked, irritated.

He never downplayed the 'girlfriend' comment. Y/n let these thoughts consume her attention as the boy with glasses waved a hand in front of her face.

Watson barked and happily licked the boy's legs.

"Oh- sorry, uh- I'm Y/n. I know Eddie from Bio."

"Well hello, 'Y/n from Bio'. I'm Richie but you can call me yours~" he winked, kissing her hand as she raised it up to shake his.

She cringed and pulled a fake smile.

She quickly removed her hand and discreetly wiped it on her clothes, her dog still happy and trying to jump on Richie.

His voice raised a couple octaves as he looked at the puppy.

"And who is this!?" He petted the dog, smiling.

"This is Watson," she smiles.

Eddie looked at her with a fondness that crossed his face more often than it did when he was with his best friends. He knew had, at this point, become smitten with her, and for anybody on the outside, this much would've been obvious.

He hated how much he started to like her, but he couldn't stop himself wondering what it could be like if they were together.

"Wait- I thought you and your friends had a 'falling out'?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, no. Some of us just didn't know how to move on from the past and ended up being an ass. That's all," Richie sneered to nothing in particular.

Y/n could tell it wasn't Eddie, which was good.

"Well, I have to go continue my training," Richie said, giving Y/n a wave and patting Eddie roughly on the back as he walked past.

"Training?" Y/n asked Eddie once Richie was out of earshot.

"Streetfighters."

"Ah, makes sense."