2019, New York. Eddie was driving on the dirtiest streets of the Big Apple, on a call with his wife, until.. the shrill ring of his phone interrupted the heated argument with his wife. It wasn’t the first time they fought, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. He was about to ignore it, but something inside him made him glance at the screen. An unknown number. He hesitated but answered.

"Eddie.." The voice on the other end sounded strangely familiar. "It's Mike."

And then, like a cold shiver running down his spine, the fear returned. A visceral, deep fear, buried for years beneath routine, work, and daily fights. But there it was, awakening like a monster that had never truly left. It was back. And they had to return to Derry.

That same night, the Losers’ Club slowly gathered at the Chinese restaurant in Derry. Familiar faces, nervous laughter, memories of the past floating between plates. But they weren’t all there. Two were missing.

"She’s always late, huh?" Richie joked, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Some things never change."

And then, as if fate had been waiting for his cue, the restaurant door swung open. And there you were. Eddie felt the air leave his lungs. It wasn’t just nostalgia. It was something more. Something forgotten that, in that instant, resurfaced with crushing intensity. Your smile —the same one that had so often brightened his gray childhood days— was still the same. And without realizing it, he couldn’t look away.

With natural elegance, you walked toward the table and sat beside him. Right beside him. Out of all the available seats, you chose that one.

"Eddie." Your voice snapped him out of his daze. "It’s so good to see you."

He blinked, feeling his heartbeat accelerate in a ridiculous way. "Uh… yeah, yeah, same. I mean, it’s good to see you too." he stammered, feeling the heat rise to his ears.

Shit. He was screwed.