It was early the next day, not even noon yet when Richie got a call. It was the weekday so his parents were at work, leaving him home alone. When he watched his mom and dad get ready a few hours ago, he couldn't help but snicker to himself. Does his dad really trust him enough to keep himself in check for his own punishment? He could leave and his parents wouldn't have a clue.

"Hello?" Richie asked when he picked up the ringing phone.

"Richie!" It was Bill. "Yeah?"

"W-what did you d-do to Eddie?"

Richie's stomach dropped. "What?" He breathed out. "I didn't do anything."

"Really? B-because Eddie's at my house right now a-and he's used his inhaler several t-times in the last ha-half hour."

Richie grasped for something to say as his eyes searched the walls of his living room. "I can't tell you."

"He says h-he can't tell me."

Richie narrowed his eyes. "Who are you talking to?" He asked. "Ben."

"Ben and Eddie are there? What is this? Are you having a party without me?"

"Well, y-you could be here. Then- Then we won't be having a-a party wi-without you."

Richie sighed and leaned against the table. "I actually can't come. I'm on house arrest."

"W-why are you on house a-arrest?"

"Ask Stan and Bevvy, they know. Are they there too?"

"Yeah, e-everyone but y-you and Mike are- are here." Wow. Richie felt included.

"Well, yeah, just ask them," Richie said. He breathed in and adjusted the phone in his hands. "..Is Eds okay?" Bill fell silent as he moved away from the phone. Richie waited and looked up at the ceiling, desperately trying to fight back the tears.

"Yeah, he says he's fine." Richie closed his eyes and nodded. "Okay. Tell him not to say anything about what happened."

"What d-do you mean, Richie? Not to tell us what?"

"Just do it, Bill!" He heard Bill sigh and move away from the phone again. Far away yelling was heard and Beverly came onto the line.

"Richard!" She said. "Oh fuck," Richie muttered. "I know Stan and I gave you a free pass yesterday, but we have a right to know what the hell is going on," she said.

"Yes, I know that. But what happened is extremely personal and I want to tell you guys, not him." Richie's foot tapped the floor repeatedly, the anxiety trying to express itself in some way. "Please tell him not to tell," Richie begged again.

Beverly fell silent and Richie was afraid she left him on hold again. It's happened before. Richie and Beverly were on a call and Richie was being stubborn about something and Beverly left the phone unhooked, forcing Richie to wonder where she went.

"Bev?"

"That's me," she said. "Is Eddie gonna tell?" He asked again, his voice small.

Guilt punched Beverly in the gut when she listened to his pleading voice. "I.." she trailed off and glanced to her group of friends who surrounded the couch. Both of Eddie's hands were plastered to his knees, his inhaler in his lap.

"Everything would be fine if.. fucking Richard didn't go and mess everything up! I'd still me living with my mom and everything would be normal! Everything would be normal-" Eddie rambled on until his voice cracked, tears pooling in his eyes.

"Wait, hold on," Beverly said and put the phone against her chest. "You're not living with your mom?" Eddie's frantic eyes snapped up to hers. "I didn't say that." Bill nodded and rounded the couch to face Eddie. "Yes you did." Eddie quickly shook his head. "No! I don't know what you're talking about."

"Beverly!" She quickly put the phone back to her ear. "Yeah?" she asked as she watched Eddie try and deny what he said.

"I fucking heard something! I fucking heard Eddie's not living with his mom anymore!"

Beverly breathed in sharply and turned around so her back was facing the couch. "No one said that."

"Beverly I'm not fucking stupid. Tell me what's happening."

"I'll tell you what's happening if you tell us what happened."

Richie closed his eyes, a tear falling down. Emotions raged inside him, fear, anxiety, frustration.. he was getting overwhelmed. He moved to the wall and slid down it. He pulled his legs up to his chest and pressed the phone to his ear.

"I can't." His voice cracked. His fucking voice cracked. He mentally kicked himself and shuddered when Beverly didn't say anything. Richie didn't want to say anything. The two sat in silence, phones pressed up to their faces.

"I won't make you tell," Beverly reassured. "Or Eddie."

Richie let go of a breath. "Fucking thank you." Beverly hummed in response. Richie looked up to the ceiling and breathed, calming his nerves. "I'm sorry, Beverly. I know you and the others got your panties in a bunch over this shit." Beverly snorted. "Yeah, we really do."

Technically, if Richie really wanted to he could leave and go to Bill's. But, that's only if he wanted to. He had no desire to see his friends because he knew that would only lead to questions of what happened. His fingers twitched with annoyance, he loved his friends, but their prying was getting on his nerves.

Eddie on the other hand.. Richie ached because he couldn't see him. He's the reason Eddie is freaking out. He kissed him, he scared him.. he gets the blame.

"Rich, I have to go." Richie breathed in and nodded. "O-okay.." He swallowed and closed his eyes. "I love you, Bev. Platonically." He heard her giggle from the other end. "I love you, too. Platonically. And we're getting answers soon."

"I.. yeah, sure. Whatever," he lied.