Chapter Text
Mike set down the last box in his new room.
Unlike back in Hawkins, this room was much smaller. The room was bare with white paint peeling off the walls and lacked any personalization that made it his . This wasn’t his room; it was merely a room that belonged to him. There were no movie or band posters, picture frames, or any of Will’s drawings hung up. He sighed and pulled a picture frame out from one of the boxes. He brushed his fingers along it with parted lips and a distant gaze as he stared at the image of The Party altogether. He already missed them and hadn’t even been here for a day. He sighed as he slouched down and closed his eyes, clutching the picture to his chest.
“Mike?” He looked up to see Nancy lingering in the doorway with an uncertain and pitying expression.
“What,” he snapped and bristled. He didn’t want her pity. He crossed his arms over his chest and placed the picture back into the box.
“I know this is difficult–”
“Do you? You’re acting as if you could care less!”
“Don’t,” she hissed and stepped further into the room. “Of course, I care. I’m just not wallowing in my misery like you. I had to leave my friends and boyfriend behind. You think this is easy for me?”
“I…”
“Listen, Mike. No matter what, this is our new home. We have to make the best of it.”
“I know. I – I miss Hawkins.” She sighed and sat next to him. “Derry doesn’t feel like home. This house doesn’t feel like home. I miss my friends, Nance. I just... I just want to go home.”
“I know,” she said as she wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “It will get easier, and you’ll make friends and settle in. It might take time, but–”
“Nancy, Mike! Come downstairs! Our family is here to greet us.” They looked at each other with identical grimaces.
“Great,” he muttered and stood up.
“I heard there’s a boy your age. Richie, I think? Just try and get along with them – they’re family.”
“Yeah, I’ll try...” He frowned and left his new room. He turned and went down the corridor leading to the stairs. It felt unnerving walking through the barren hallway, void of any pictures or decorations. It was so unlike a home that it was eerie. He walked down the stairs and paused when his eyes landed on the boy Nancy was talking about.
Richie? Whatever his name was, it didn’t matter. What mattered was how similar they looked. They shared the same facial features and jaw structure, looking identical even. The only difference was their hair and noses; the other boy’s hair was curlier and shorter, and his nose was sharper. “Holy shit, I have a doppelganger!”
“Richard, language!” He finished descending the stairs and shuffled awkwardly on his feet as the other boy gawked at him. “Oh my. Karen, our sons truly do look alike.” His mom looked at both boys with a bemused smile. “Anyhoo, this is Richie and I’m Maggie. It’s wonderful to meet you, Mike. Karen has told me so much about you!” Maggie brought Mike in for a tight hug, and his nose wrinkled at the aroma of alcohol radiating from her.
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Yo, doppelganger. Are you my evil twin or some shit? The Losers are going to get a kick out of this!”
“Why am I the evil twin? Shouldn’t you be the evil twin,” Mike asked with a frown. He didn’t share Richie’s amusement or astonishment. On the contrary, he already hated the other boy. “And who even are The Losers?”
“My friend group.” Mike looked Richie up and down with a judgmental gaze. The other boy’s curly hair was unruly and disheveled, his washed-out jeans were muddy, and his glasses were broken. They were taped together tremulously, and a stupid grin was on his face. Mike despised him. “We should prank them! You could pretend to be–”
“No thanks.”
“Why don’t you boys go play outside,” Maggie suggested with a smile. He shot a pleading look to his mother, but she only shrugged her shoulders. “Richie could show you around.”
“That is a wonderful idea, madame. Allow me, señor Miguel. I know the best sights to see!” Mike sighed at his cousin’s horrible Spanish accent and followed him out the door. When they were outside, Richie turned to him with a smirk. “What’s up your ass, Mikester? Miss your girlfriend or some shit?” The word “girlfriend” made his expression falter as he crossed his arms across his chest.
“No. I just don’t like you.”
“Well, do you have a girlfriend?” Richie looked him in the eyes with a challenging smile.
“I…That’s none of your business.”
“So that’s a no.”
“Stop asking!” Richie leaned back and put his hands forward in a placating gesture.
“Sore subject. I got it. So no girlfriend?”
“Richie!”
“Chill, man! I’m asking cuz you’re a catch, and the girls will definitely have the hots for you. If you’re single, then–”
“I’m not doing anything involving girls. Piss off, four eyes.” Mike had no control over the words escaping his mouth. Why didn’t he just say yes? Why didn’t he just mention Jane?
“Four eyes,” he repeated with a grin. “Fine! Fine, I’ll lay off. But don’t come crawling back for advice. Richie Tozier is the ultimate womanizer; I know every trick in the book.”
“Whatever," Mike rolled his eyes. "Are you going to show me around or something?”
“Oh, yeah! Of course. I–”
“Richie? What are you doing on my street?”
“Big Bill! Mike, this is Bill. Bill, meet Mike. I’m visiting family. Mike’s my cousin; he just moved here.”
“Nice to meet you, Mike. I hope Richie hasn’t been giving you a hard time.” Mike glanced at Bill and felt some of the stress leave his body. Bill seemed responsible and mature – a stark difference from Richie. His appearance was put together, and he was rather handsome. All in all, he felt like Bill was trustworthy.
“You better watch your back, Stuttering Bill!”
“Stuttering Bill?” Mike’s brows furrowed as he looked between the two boys. Bill didn’t seem to have a stutter. What was with the nickname?
“Billy here, used to have a stutter.”
“Oh. Bill, is Richie a womanizer? He said he was, and I just... Don’t believe him.”
“A womanizer,” Bill repeated as his face scrunched up and he burst into laughter. “That’s hilarious. How could he be a womanizer when he’s head over heels in love?” Richie’s smile fell, and he glared at him with a frown.
“Eh? Richie’s in love?” He didn’t seem like the type of guy to be in love, especially not in a devoted way.
“No! Shut the fuck up, Bill! This is why you get bullied and your dad hates you. I’m not in love with anybody,” he said and turned to Mike with a strained smile. “Don’t listen to this idiot. Now, about that tour. You ready?” Mike blinked at the abrupt change in topic but decided to let it go.
“Um, yeah. I guess.”
“Then let us depart!” He followed after Richie with a grimace as he wondered what he did to deserve this.