Eighteen years later, in July of 2028...
I wake up to the sound of thunder. I glance over at my alarm clock. It's almost time for me to get up. I moan and get out of bed. I turn my light on and get out a deep blue hoodie, a pair of violet leggings, and a pair of orange socks. I get dressed, grab my high tops, and go to the front door. I slip on my high tops and head out the door after grabbing my bag of books. I get outside and grab my bike. I get on my bike and go to the library.
On my way to the library, I pass by the Neibolt well house. I slow down while passing it and look at it. I swear it's watching me. I speed up and continue to the library. Once at the library, I drop my bike, grab the bag with books, and head inside. Inside, I walk up to the checkout desk and smile at Mike, the librarian.
"Hello, Mike. How's it going?"
"Pretty good. You?"
"Oh, I'm doing well." I set the books on the desk and push them towards him. "Turning these in please."
"Okay. Going to check any new ones out?"
"Oh. Of course. You know me." I smile sheepishly and glance down at my arm. I pull my sleeve down. Good thing I'm wearing a long-sleeve.
"You've been acting awkward lately. What's wrong?"
"Oh. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Everything's fine."
"Oh, wow. Penny's here."
I look over and see Beverly. "Oh. Hi, Beverly. How are you?"
"Fine. Perfectly fine." She smiles a smile that doesn't really reach her eyes. "You don't look so great."
"Oh, fine. I'll admit that my Dad's been abusing me again. He's been drinking. He gets really bad when he drinks. He about raped me the other night, but I knocked him out and stayed at my friend's house. As soon as I knew he was gone, I went back home and went to bed. I'm still really tired though." I sigh heavily.
"You need to do something about that."
"I know, but..." I sigh again. "I'm afraid of what will happen. If anything."
"I'm sure. I was afraid at first, but I became brave enough and I ended up going with my aunt." She smiles half-heartedly.
I smile back. I gasp and turn around. "Hey, Mike?"
"Yes?"
"Do you have the second IT book by Stephen King?"
"Yes, I do. Matter of fact, I ordered more than one. And I also ordered another IT book. And you can keep both."
"Like, keep them-keep them?"
"Yes. Keep them-keep them."
"YAY!!" I jump in the air. "WOOHOO!! You're the best Mike!" I run up to him and give him a bear hug.
He pats my head and the other Losers laugh.
"Okay, so does this mean that we can, like, celebrate? Because I really want some cake or something. I mean, I really think we should--"
"Beep beep, Richie."
"Oh. Okay. Sorry." He smiles sheepishly.
I sneak behind him and climb up on the desk. "Ya'll float too," I say, mimicking Pennywise's voice. "Especially you Richie. Oh, and what about Billy? Oh, Georgie would be very happy to see you."
They all jump into action and grab something. I laugh evilly like Pennywise and jump to the floor.
"Time to float, Losers!" I step out of the dark and they all drop the objects they're holding. I fall to the floor, laughing.
"Penny, that's not funny," they all say at once.
I can't stop laughing though.
"Good God, Penny. You scared the shit out of me."
"Good. I hope like hell she did, Richie."
I finally manage to stop laughing and get up off the floor. I walk over to Mike and take up my two new books that I OWN. I squeal and jump in the air. I grab a bag and shove the books into it.
"Thanks, Mike!"
"No problem!"
I race out of the library and pick up my bike. I get on it and put tie the bag on the handle. I turn around and take off. I stand up on my bike and ride with no hand. I shoot them in the air and yell at the top of my lungs.
"WOOHOO!!!"
************
Once I get home, I find the door open. I step inside and shut the door. I gulp and say,
"Dad? Dad, are you home?"
"Penny. Where were you?" He steps out in front of me.
"I was just at the library turning in my books. The librarian gave me these books. He said I could keep them."
He grabs the bag and looks at the books. He hands the bag back and lifts my hair. He leans in and sniffs it. He stands back up and looks at me.
"I never understood why you had to be so different or sick. Your mother loved you dearly. You caused our family to be looked at differently." He sighs. "Go away. I need some peace."
He pushes me away and goes into the living room. I go to my bedroom and set the bag down. I go to the bathroom and shut the door. I lock it and turn to the mirror. I take my hair down and grab a pair of scissors. I put my hands on the sides of the sink and lean in. I look at my hair as tears stream down my face. I lift up the scissors and snip my hair off. I continue to snip my hair until it's like Beverly Marsh's as a kid after she cut her hair. I lift my hand up and touch my hair. I look so different.
I put the scissors up and clean out the sink. I go to my bedroom and shut the door. I lock it and go over to my window. I shut the blinds and go to my bed. I sit down and take out the IT books. I set IT 2 aside and open IT. I start reading.
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