“Just One” Derry, Maine – 1986

The sun was setting behind the trees near the Barrens, casting the sky in streaks of pink, orange, and soft purple. Fireflies had just started to blink around the tall grass, and the air smelled like damp earth and pine needles.

You and Bill were sitting side by side on a thick tree stump near the edge of the stream, shoes off, feet dipped into the cool water. The other Losers had gone home hours ago, but neither of you were ready to leave yet.

Not when the world felt this quiet. Not when your hearts were both beating this loudly.

Bill was sitting close. Closer than usual.

His knee brushed yours every now and then, and each time, it felt like a spark shot through your whole body. His hand rested beside yours in the grass, so close that you could feel the warmth of his skin.

He hadn’t said much in the last few minutes. He kept glancing your way, then back at the water, then back at you again.

You could feel your heartbeat in your throat.

He cleared his throat softly. “C-Can I tell you something?”

You nodded. “Yeah, anything.”

He took a breath. “I’ve n-n-never liked anyone the way I l-like you.”

Your heart jumped into your chest. “Really?”

He nodded. His voice dropped a little, suddenly quieter, more vulnerable. “Y-You make me feel like… like I’m not broken. Like m-my stutter doesn’t matter. Like I’m just… me.”

You didn’t say anything right away — not because you didn’t want to, but because you were afraid your voice would shake. Because you felt the exact same way.

So instead, you reached for his hand.

He looked down at it, then back up at you. His eyes — those soft, kind eyes — held yours for a long moment.

Then he leaned in.

Slow. Careful. Like he was scared he might mess it up.

His lips barely brushed yours. Gentle. Shy. So soft it almost didn’t feel real.

But then you kissed him back. Just for a second. Just enough.

When you pulled apart, he was blushing like mad, and so were you.

He gave a tiny smile. “That… that w-was my first kiss.”

You smiled back. “Mine too.”

For a moment, neither of you moved. You just sat there, hands still tangled together, feet in the stream, the sky burning above you, the whole town of Derry fading away behind the trees.

Then Bill whispered, so quietly you almost didn’t hear it:

“C-Can I kiss you again?”

You nodded.

And he did