Work Text:
"I can't believe you're actually taking Politic Science as your minor".
"Well, that's what I said I would do, isn't it?", Beverly shrugged, throwing her recently emptied can of soda in a near bin.
"I honestly thought you were joking - Richie followed her back into the building, his hands buried in his pockets - Dealing with two careers at the same time sounds like a fucking nightmare".
"I couldn't say yet, Rich. I'm actually heading to my first Politic's class, and Communication's ones have been great so far, so..."
"You know you've got all my support as always, but I stand to my belief that you're absolutely nuts".
"The feeling is mutual - she chuckled, nodding towards the left hallway - This way, I think".
After a quick look around they managed to find the classroom in which Beverly had her upcoming class scheduled at, and since there were quite a few minutes left for it to begin, Richie decided to keep her company a little while.
"So, uh... How have your classes been...?", she ventured, a slight dubious tone lingering in her voice.
"I haven't seen Connor, if that's what you want to know - Richie seemed to guess the implication beneath her questioning right away - Fortunately. That's one of the many perks getting a new job has brought to me: lesser classes scheduled, lesser chances to stumble across him at one of them".
"Great - Beverly sighed in relief - I'm so glad to hear that..."
"Anyway, I don't want to talk about that right now, really. This whole thing got me fucked up for almost a year, I don't want it to ruin this semester, too".
"Of course - she waved her hands apologetically - I'm sorry I brought that up... Let's talk about nicer things".
"Yeah, and speaking of nice things, what is up between you and Benjamin, our fellow bartender? Last time we were at Bill's you couldn't stop flirting with him and giggling like a highschooler", Richie inquired with a condescending smirk.
"W-What? - Beverly's eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned bright pink in a second - What the fuck are you talking about? I wasn't flirting with him, I was just being friendly, that's all. Besides, he's not my type".
"You're joking, right? - Richie cocked an eyebrow - Come on, the guy is fucking hot. I mean, he's not exactly my type of fella either, but I'd for sure let him dive in my pants if given the opportunity just for the sake of giving my self-esteem a boost, no question".
"Richard, stop it already. I'm not interested in him that way. He's too... I don't know. He's too perfect, too good to be true. There must be a catch".
"And what if there isn't? I know we've both had bad luck in matters of hooking up lately, but I guess not everyone out there are fucking assholes. And that's saying a lot, coming from me - Richie cut short for a moment, pensive - You know what? Let's go to Bill's next Friday. You'll have the perfect excuse to suck on his gorgeous face, you will thank me later".
"I won't suck on his face! Nor any other part of his body - she interrupted him before he coud even open his mouth to rebutt with one of his signature innuendos - I do want to go to Bill's, though, so I accept the offer. I've heard there will be a homecoming party going on that day".
"Great, so it's all set - Richie grinned in approval, reaching for his backpack and pulling out his discman - Are you carrying any CDs with you, by chance? I've been listening to New Order for two days straight 'cause I haven't packed any others and I have the memory of a goldfish".
"No, I'm not carrying any with me right now, sorry - Beverly pouted - I can call you later tonight to make sure you pack a different one for tomorrow's adventures".
"What would I do without you reminding me how to operate like a proper functioning adult...?", Richie winced, patting her shoulder with exaggerated affection.
"I don't even want to think about it - she chuckled softly and glanced at the classroom door - Alright, I think you should get going... My class' gonna start anytime soon, and I want you to make it on time to eat something before work. And no, a cup of black coffee and a smoke won't do the trick".
"Alright, Maggie - he joked, before hooking his earphones around his neck and placing a quick kiss on her cheek - Good luck with your new classmates, I hope they don't suck".
"Thanks Rich, I'll see you later".
And so he walked away undoing the same path, not because he was in a rush, since he could easily get to the video store in less than fifteen minutes by car. The mere thought of stumbling across Connor at one of the hallways while being on his own terrified him; he knew he had to leave the building as soon as he could, in order to avoid every possibility for such an undesired encounter to take place.
Right before walking around the hallway corner he stopped to skip a few songs forward, and it was only then, in the brief silence between one track and the next one, when he caught Beverly's high pitched voice in the distance, bringing his attention and causing him to look up and back in her direction. She was talking to a guy, Richie noticed, who was coyly accepting something that seemed to be a piece of paper or a Kleenex from her, he couldn't quite discern, for his defective eyesight could be unreliable sometimes.
I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
a sudden sense of liberty
Richie stood there for a few more seconds, observing attentively at the whole interaction across the hallway. He knew more than well how socially flirtatious and extroverted Beverly was, but it was for sure a shock to witness how she'd just managed to make a new friend from her new class in less than a literal minute. There, he thought to himself with cheeky satisfaction, she'll have a new boy to entertain herself with for the next couple of weeks.
But for some reason, Richie couldn't stop thinking about that doe-eyed guy for the rest of the day, evening, and night, especially after a quick phone call with Beverly once he got home back from work, in which she informed him that Edward, or Eddie (that was the guy's name) would be joining them that Friday at Bill's Bar.