1 Losers and A Loner

RORY

"Mom, I already told you, I can't go and make friends with people in this town. Almost all of them have family problems, except me. And basically most of the students are boys and you said my phobia will be kicking in"

I yelled at my Mom asking for the 35th time ever since I started coming home from school. She can't help it, she probably wants me to get comfy here, but I can't. This town isn't like any other town. Missing reports are drastically rising specially this time of the year.

"Okay fine, but Rory, you should learn to make friends.  We've been living here for like 7 years and you still haven't got one yet. Find a friend who's a girl"

My mom hugged me and kissed my head. I sighed and sinked into the hug. She pulled away so I walked to my room. I shut the door and played some loud music. I am February Martins, as in the month, my Mom calls me Rory. A 12 year old and I have what you can call Androphobia. It's the fear of men.

But I don't clearly showcase my fear, no one even knows what I'm afraid of. And besides, for my past 7 years here, not a single student or kid spoke to me.I've been living in Derry, Maine for about 7 years. I've done my researches about Derry, and believe me, instead of it scaring me, I am actually curious of what's the phenomenon happening here.

Something plastered on the post near my house caught my eye. Its a girl covering up the Missing Poster for Betty Rimpson with another missing kid.

"I'll be back by dinner Mom, love ya"

I changed into my pants and a plain black shirt and headed out. I headed to the sewers with my flashlight in my left and the other with the poster.

"God, this smells like my cousin's diaper. Fuck"

With my clothes I tried covering my nose but failed, so I groaned and continued looking for clues. Till I heard footsteps.

"Where's the poison ivy?"

I heard a slightly pitched voice coming from the entrance of the sewer pipe. I slowly walked back to the opening.

"Holy shit, is that a ghost?"

The glasses boy rudely pointed at me while I appeared from the inside of sewers. I stared eye to eye with the boy holding a flashlight.

"W-W-W-What are you d-doing here?"

The flashlight boy asked while he stammered. I walked past him and didn't replied. I was finally outside when I heard them spoke again.

"Aren't you guys coming?"

"No. That's gray water"

"What the hell is gray water?"

"It's basically piss and shit, so I'm just telling you. You guys are splashing around millions of gallons of Derry pee"

I stifled a laugh. Not before I was completely far away from them I heard one of them said.

"It's Betty Rimpson's"

I instantly turned around and walked back to them. I lifted up the poster and asked.

"This is her, right? Betty Rimpson?"

The four of them stared at the poster I was holding. The boy wearing glasses walked up to me and grabbed it. This rude bastard. Ugh.

A sudden splash of water surprised the five of us. It was a boy with chubby red cheeks. He looked beat up.

Of course the five of us helped him since we are not dorks. And the other left to grab some medicine.

"Why are you bleeding from almost everywhere?"

I asked,left here with glasses boy and chubby cheeks.

"I could ask you the same thing, why are you in that sewer earlier?"

Glasses boy asked with his arms crossed.

"Wait, you can't be hunting for food like jungle woman?"

I did my very best not to be pissed off but my middle finger automatically rose up as I rolled my eyes.

"I am not asking you, and please, I'm afraid of boys and hate boys so don't go near me dickhead"

Why is it that of all people to meet, it had to be this group of boys? Ugh. I should be afraid.

"Do I look like a fucking bacteria? And I ain't listening to you, I'll be standing firm right here"

He stood beside me and moved his eyebrows up and down. I felt a weird feeling in my stomach.

I take back my word about not feeling anything. I don't wanna say it's not fear that I'm feeling right now so I'll just assume it was my phobia.

"Get away from me psycho, you make me sick"

I exclaimed but then he smirked and held my hand tight.

"My name is not Psycho, it's Richie Tozier sweetie"

I rolled my eyes and groaned, torn between embarrassment and hatred of his obnoxious-ness.