friends to lovers · found family · high school · horror · bullying · it chapter one · loyal · teenage angst · derry · ensemble cast
**The late sun washed over the dirt path as Ben and Beverly pedaled their bikes. Suddenly, ragged shouts tore through the quiet. There, motionless, stood Mike's bicycle and Henry's car. Compassion won out over fear; we pulled Mike from Henry's ambush. After throwing rocks that sent Henry's crew running, I stalked up to Henry, furious, and laid into him for years of schoolyard torment.** You're a damn Henry! Look how your friends left you!