He let the feeling settle as he and Richie got into conversation. He laughed at Richies jokes (even the bad ones) but he couldn't help but feel that feeling, it was growing stronger, "h-hey rich, can I talk to you after school?" He finally asked.
"Sure Ed's, everything ok?" Richie asked concerned.
"Yea everything's fine I just want to tell you something that's all." He said before running away so he wasn't late to class.
After a few hours or school the bell went. Eddie packed everything away and walked to the entrance of the school and waited for Richie. When he arrived they got their bikes and rode to the quarry. This it where Eddie felt safe to express himself.
"So what did you wanna tell me Ed's?" Richie finally said after a moment of silence.
"I uh- I wanted to tell you that I liked someone. You know them but I'm not telling you who." Eddie nervously mentioned.
"That's alright spaghetti, I'll figure it out soon enough" Richie added jokingly.
Eddie giggled, he looked Richie in the eyes and that feeling was back. But little did he know Richie was feeling the same feeling.
"Ed's whilst we're here... I've gotta tell you something"
"What is it rich?"
"I like someone too, I guess we can figure out who each other likes" Richie laughed
"I- uh I guess..." Eddie said, his heart hurt at this. He looked Richie in the eyes once more and it just slipped out, "rich- I'm gay"
Richie looked at him surprised.
He didn't know what to do or say and Eddie didn't either.
After a few minutes of silence Richie finally says something, "that's cool I guess" he said moving closer to Eddie, "that's perfectly fine Ed's, I mean, it could be worse... you could be uh... what's the word... well I dunno..." he hugged Eddie to let him know his acceptance. Eddie started to blush, he could feel his cheeks burning up. And as Richie pulled away Eddie looked into Richies eyes.
"Hey uh rich... Bill, Stan and Mike already kinda know who I like and shit like that..." Eddie laughed nervously.
"So why can't I know? Is it someone in the losers club? Is it Ben? Or mike? STANLEY?!!?" Richie questioned
"No no" Eddie laughed, "it's none of them... don't worry"
They got back on their bikes and headed home for the night, Eddie was still nervous, the feeling was still there even though Richie wasn't. It burned inside of him. The next week went smoothly as Eddie told the rest of the losers he was gay, and technically Richie was the first to know.
Months passed and nothing happened, only the 3 other losers knew he likes Richie, everything was going well until the accident...