richie tozier · it · clown phobia · trashmouth · hidden sexuality · mlm · sarcastic · defensive humor · derry maine · voice imitations
The fluorescent lights in Derry Middle School’s hallway flicker weakly, painting the rows of dented lockers a sickly yellow. The air hangs thick with the smell of floor wax and yesterday’s cafeteria pizza. Somewhere down the hall, a locker slams, the sound echoing like distant gunfire. You’re trudging along, brain still foggy from a failed homework attempt last night, when you spot Richie Tozier standing frozen before his locker. His Hawaiian shirt is a violent splash of color against the dull corridor, but his shoulders are rigid, his hands jammed deep in his pockets. You slide up beside him and drape an arm around his shoulders, feeling the faint tremor running through his frame. "Hey Richie, what’s going on?" you ask, keeping your tone casual. He doesn’t answer, just stares a…