Stranger Things

The cookie smell wafted welcomingly into her nose as she pulls open the oven door, The chocolate chips were plentiful, and she could see it was hot enough that it would practically melt over your tastebuds. She smiles, slipping on an oven mitt before taking the pan out.

What was supposed to be a day of tears and emotional eating turned into a productive day of baking and dressing herself nicer than she even had for school, and that was because she had tried to dress to impress Eddie. The thought saddened her a little, but she remembered Steve and the night he had planned for them and it didn’t hurt so much anymore.

While the cookies cooled, she removed her apron and went to grab some tupperware to fit it in before she pulled the phone off the receiver and dialed. It rang for just a minute before someone picked up.

It was the typical pizza joint greeting until, “this is Gareth, what can I get started for you today?”

Her mouth ran dry and she suddenly lost the ability to speak. Gareth was there when Eddie had started talking about her and much like the other Hellfire club members aside from Dustin and Mike, he didn’t jump to her defense. Would he recognize her voice? How embarrassing would that be? Should she just play stupid?

“Hel-” She quickly slams the receiver back down and picks it up, dialing a different number.

“Harrington residence!” Steve sings.

“I need to know if this is progress or not,” she starts, twirling the cord between her fingers. “Say Eddie’s friend works at the only pizza place Hawkins has, is hanging up before saying anything a good or bad thing?”

“Well, it’s not great,” Steve said. “But A for effort, love, no worries! You’ll get better. Comes with time, everything is still a little fresh, I mean it happened just today at lunch.”

She nods in agreement, glad she once again turned to Steve with this.

“Man, does this mean I’m not getting my Sausage Lovers’ Pizza?” he complains jokingly.

“In short of you making the call and requesting only non-Hellfire Club members deliver it, probably not,” she says, stretching the phone as far as it could go so she could start carefully placing the cookies into the tupperware, still hot and soft in her hands.

“I can make it happen, just get over here already,” Steve groans.

“Okay, okay, I’ll only be a minute. See you there,” she huffs, hanging up the phone and placing the plastic top onto the container. With her cookies safe and secure, she turns off the oven and gives her kitchen a once over before retrieving her car keys and leaving.

The night was still very young, the sun hadn’t even disappeared yet, painting Hawkins in a heavenly orange glow. Her car was in its typical place parked at the far end of her lawn. She opens the door and places the cookies down before hoisting herself up into the driver’s seat.

Pulling out of her drive, she takes the familiar route to Steve’s home, one hand on the wheel and the other keeping the tupperware steady.

Things tonight were going pretty good thus far. She’d been trying to keep her mind off of Eddie and all the awful things he’d said at lunch, knowing if she’d dwell on it it’d just make her feel worse. She didn’t wanna focus on that, she wanted to think about the night ahead of her that she’d get to spend with one of her best friends. Eating junk food and watching all the silly movies he liked. That sounded a great deal better.

Her old car sputtered and coughed as she ascended the lean hill that led up to Steve’s house, still perched at the top with the same intimidating hedges, walls, and the glow of his swimming pool he still neglected to properly take care of. Even still, it’s a welcoming sight.

She parks off the driveway, not wanting to block him or his parents from coming in and out, switching off the car and taking the container of cookies up towards the front doors.

She doesn’t get the chance to knock before Steve opens it, grinning down at her.

“My, my, my, what brings you here?” he asks.

“You gonna invite me in or let me freeze on your doorstep?” she sniggers. He clears his throat and holds his hand out expectantly. Rolling her eyes, she shoves the container into his chest and pushes past him. 

“I was actually offering you a hand inside, jerk!” he calls over his shoulder. He shuts the door and follows her into the living room where the fire was already going and he had the movie paused on the TV. Blankets were piled haphazardly on the cushions along with two pillows from his bed from upstairs and the coffee table was pulled suspiciously closer. She can’t help but smile. He knew her legs couldn’t stretch as far as his to reach it, so he’d adjusted it without telling her. 

“Wow, you really go all out for a casual movie night with your friend,” she says, turning back to him. He blushes in embarrassment, but he still smiles. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble, Steve, honestly.”

“Give me a break, I needed the reason to strip my bed. Bed bugs,” he says dramatically, lifting the comforter and holding it threateningly towards her. She yelps and jumps out of the way. He starts laughing. “No, but...look, I wanted you to forget everything that happened earlier today. Show you how you should be treated, even if it’s just by little ‘ol me.” 

Her heart swelled. “Thank you.” 

He shakes his head as if to tell her not to worry about it. He takes the cookie container and places it on the coffee table, walking around and flicking the light switches so the only thing keeping their faces illuminated was his abnormally big television screen his father swung for two Christmases ago. 

“The pizza should be here any minute,” he says conversationally as he goes to finally sit on the couch. He pats the spot beside him invitingly. “I don’t wanna have to pause the movie again, so pop a squat and entertain me for a little, would ya?” 

She nods and goes to sit down, instantly raveling herself up in his comforter. It smelled like him, and she was sure if she accidentally nodded off she’d get a mouthful of Steve Harrington’s glorious hairs plucked off his head from tossing and turning throughout the night.

“What movies you gonna burden me with tonight?”

“Bold talk for someone who didn’t have a hand in sneaking them out under Keith’s careful watch with those nifty security cameras he’s got installed.” Steve said. “Nothin’ special, though. Figured I’d appeal to your frilly girly senses, managed to snag Sixteen Candles and Footloose. But, just to clear my eyes at the end, I also nabbed Gremlins.”

“Seriously?”

“Hey, I gave you Molly Ringwald and Kevin Bacon, gimme a little leeway.”

“Fair enough.” 

Steve pats her head, turning so she’d face him. “How you feeling?”

“Fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” she says defensively. He shakes his head, throwing an arm over the back of the couch and sneakily sliding his hand over her shoulders to tug her into his side. She doesn’t reject the contact. The closeness actually felt a little nice. He smelled like the video store. That was a strange thing to say, but Family Video did have a pretty distinctive aroma. 

“He’s a dick,” Steve said again. “He doesn’t know great you are. And once he realizes it’s gonna be too late. You’re not boring, otherwise I wouldn’t have you here with me. Understand?” She nods and he kisses the crown of her head. “Stop getting mad over people who don’t have any kind of control over your life, alright? Especially not Eddie Munson.”

“Hard not to. God, it just sounds so pathetic. I want someone to be crazy for me, to want to constantly talk to me or think about me or wondering what I’m doing. And...I really wanted it to be Eddie for some reason. And there’s always wishful thinking, you know? Like you just hope and that’s enough because there’s just certain things you don’t wanna find out. And then...I did. I looked behind the curtain,” she rambled. 

Steve doesn’t seem to know what to say to that. Really, she didn’t even know if she wanted him to add his two cents. That was just her flaunting her wounds like she was best at. Unfortunately for Steve, he was really easy to unload on because she knew he’d still be there after. It’s what made him so great. 

“Is it narcissism? Or just loneliness?” 

“Being human,” Steve gives the hidden third answer. “I feel shitty that he made you feel shitty.” 

“Why?”

“Because you shouldn’t be feeling shitty at all. Of all people, you know?” Steve said with a shrug. “It just surprises me someone like him could do this to someone like you.”

“Someone like him?”

“Come on, don’t make me say it,” Steve scoffs. 

“Well no...you brought it up, Steve, just tell me.” 

“Well, Munson’s pretty...out there. I remember when I was in school, he’d just always be makin’ a complete fool of himself or he’d be mixing it up with the wrong crowds because he’s into that drug shit. He sold to me once, you know? But it was just weed.” Steve said. “When you told me you were seeing him I didn’t really believe it at first. That someone like him...could win over someone like you. It just didn’t make any sense. So the fact you’re taking this so hard, it’s...a little daunting.” 

She didn’t know how to take that. Steve was clearly telling her she was way out of Eddie’s league and his words shouldn’t be bringing her as far down as they were. But that thought kind of angered her. She didn’t believe in leagues. She supposed the idea of it was just the remnants of King Steve still clinging to his subconscious, that some people were capable of attracting some people and not others. Or however they worked. 

At the same time it was strangely comforting that he saw her this way, that...she was this unattainable being that someone like Eddie goddamn Munson could possibly think she was less than.

Before she could try to find the words to explain that to Steve, the doorbell rang. The pizza was here. 

“I’ll get it,” Steve says softly. 

For the rest of the night, they didn’t talk about Eddie again. She never got to tell him how she felt about his view on Eddie Munson and how he thought his words should(or, in her case, shouldn’t) affect her. Maybe that was a good thing. It seemed like whatever negative feeling about herself that she had, he had a way to counter it. 

Nevertheless, she did have a really good time. Steve had kept things relatively normal, he made her laugh, he dropped a piece of pizza on the couch and she had to watch while trying not to laugh as he furiously dabbed it with one of his mom’s good towels. 

He really did make her forget. Steve was a friend, a real friend to her tonight. 

By now they were lounging, back to cable TV as she was slowly being lulled to sleep by the repetitive commercials and their incessant ramblings as they tried to get bored housewives to buy their products. Then Steve’s phone rang, startling them both into sudden consciousness. 

“What the hell?” he grunts, stumbling to his feet. He was a little unsteady, having just been asleep. She reaches forward and stands him upright. 

He makes it to the phone and practically rips it off the receiver. 

“Harrington resi...” he trails off into a yawn. “Harrington residence....yeah....yeah, she’s here. Why? ...So? ....Relax, Henderson, I’ll just...Jesus.” He turns to her. “It’s for you!” 

Confused, she gets up. She grabs the phone from him. 

“Hello?” she says cautiously. 

“Jesus, there you are! You realize how hard you are to track down?” Dustin’s voice said, irritated. 

“Dustin? What’s the matter? Is everything okay?” she asks, worried. 

“Yes! Yeah, it’s just....I didn’t see you at lunch, you know? I got worried. I tried to call you as soon as I got out of Hellfire about an hour ago and you didn’t answer, so...kind of called around until I could get ahold of you,” Dustin said. 

Her heart swelled. This kid was a good one. 

“What’re you doing at Steve’s?” he asks. 

“Oh, um...Steve invited me to watch some movies and I fell asleep.” she said. That was technically the truth. She decided not to mention that the purpose of movie night was to help her forget Eddie’s cruel words. 

“Oh, really?” Dustin asked, suddenly sounding like he was grinning. “I didn’t know you and Steve liked to host movie nights without us.”

“I don’t follow,” she said. 

“Don’t let me interrupt you guys. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Lunch was pretty weird without you,” Dustin said. 

“I doubt that,” she said, turning to give Steve an apologetic look. He shakes his head as if to tell her not to worry about it before trailing back towards the couch probably to fall back asleep. 

“No, really. I think I prefer the dynamic with you around. Things get weird...um...Eddie today was weird.” Dustin said. She was tempted to to press on, get Dustin to come out and repeat what Eddie had said but decided against it. “You’ll still sit with us again Monday, won’t you?”

No. She definitely did not want to sit at that table again knowing the truth. What was worse, she couldn’t bare lying to Dustin. She really wanted to avoid talking about this, but it seemed like she didn’t have a choice. 

“Actually, Dustin...I was there...today. You guys just didn’t see me,” she said. Before Dustin could question her now intentional absence, she continued, “I overheard what you guys were talking about.”

There was a long pause on his end. 

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what his problem is. B-But you heard Mike and I, right? How we...”

“You have nothing to prove, Dustin, this isn’t on you. And honestly I can’t even be mad at Eddie. He’s more than welcome to his opinion. I just don’t think I can sit there knowing he doesn’t think much of me. I’ll still be able to see you guys, I’m not gonna completely avoid...that would be childish. I think I’ll just sit with Robin o-or Nancy.” 

“Maybe I can talk to him! Get him to apologize!”

“He has nothing to apologize for, Dustin, don’t do that,” she said sternly. “It’s fine, Dustin! This doesn’t change anything! I just think some space would be good.”

“Okay,” Dustin said, noticeably disappointed. “I gotta go. I have to meet Lucas and Mike tomorrow at the arcade. Maybe you can meet us there?”

“Yeah, maybe,” she said. “Night, Dustin.” He wished her a goodnight and, at last, she hung up the phone. She glances at the clock hung up on the wall, wincing at how late it was. She walks back towards the living area where Steve had made himself very comfortable in the little blanket and pillow fort they’d unintentionally made. 

“Everything good?” he asks sleepily. 

“Perfectly fine. Um...it’s getting late, Steve, I should go.”

“What? Why?” 

“You probably wanna get some shut eye and I don’t need to burden you with my problems any longer. Thanks so much for tonight, though, Steve. It really helped.” 

Steve scoffs, rolling his eyes. He lifts up the comforter he had covering the lower half of his body. 

“Come on,” he said, leaving little room for argument. “It’s too late anyway. Robin crashes here all the time.” She hesitates for a moment, then moves around the couch to curl up beside him, surprised at how warm he was. He covers them both up and shuts his eyes again, as if this was completely normal. And why shouldn’t it be? They were friends. Close friends. Close friends had sleepovers. 

She turned over to politely give him some space and not be all up in his business. She pulls the comforter up to her chin and shuts her eyes, trying to calm all of her swimming thoughts. Tonight was about forgetting Eddie Munson. Tonight was about fun. 

With that, she slowly drifted off to sleep again. 

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜

Dustin hangs up the phone a little harder than he should have, clearly upset. Eddie, Mike, Lucas, and Jeff remained unburdened by his sudden hostility, all lazily lounging in Dustin’s living room as they watched his Friday the 13th copy he convinced Steve to let him rent despite his age.

“Who the hell was that that kept you so occupied?” Mike asked as he rejoins them, taking back his spot. Dustin doesn’t answer at first, accepting the bowl of popcorn offered to him by Jeff. After swallowing two handfuls, he gives it back and glares pointedly at Eddie. The metalhead doesn’t notice at first, too into the film to notice Dustin had even left in the first place. 

“Steve was hosting a movie night, too,” he says instead, out of nowhere sporting a not-so-nice plot. He loved Eddie, respected him. He considered Eddie to be one of his best friends, but he knew he screwed up big time with her. And Dustin wanted him to get a little taste of his own medicine. “Wasn’t alone though.”

“Buckley keeping him company?” Eddie asked, eyes still not moving from the screen. So he was listening. Good. 

Dustin smirks and looks at Mike. “No, you won’t believe who he’s got spending the night there with him.”

“Not my sister,” Mike said, looking green. 

“What? No, man, she wouldn’t do that to Jonathan! No, it was...” Even Jeff had to look away from the movie. 

“Steve and her? Really?” he asks. 

Eddie, at last, seemed to finally look away from the TV screen. He didn’t look distraught, but he wasn’t exactly too keen on the news either. Good enough, in Dustin’s opinion. 

“I didn’t know she and Steve were going steady,” he said. 

“Eh, they’re not. Figure it’s a first date kinda thing. I actually think I interrupted something when I called,” Dustin said. Eddie’s eye twitches. “Decided to leave them to it. I’ll bug Steve tomorrow on the details when he goes to work.” 

“Good for Steve,” Lucas chuckles from the beanbag, his smile quickly disappearing when Eddie’s head shot towards him. “I mean...wow...pretty surprising stuff. Uh, Jeff! Can I get some popcorn over here?” 

“I guess that’s why she wasn’t there for lunch,” Dustin continued. “Think she wanted to go visit him at the video place.”

This shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. 

Things could’ve ended far worse than they actually did. Hell, most of the couples in their school tended to make breakups as dramatic as possible, normally painting one half of the relationship as some kind if irredeemable monster, if not to paint them as this sympathetic martyr, than just to save face that it actually hurt. 

In her case, Eddie Munson told her they just weren’t a good match and he wanted to be friends again instead. That was as healthy as they could possibly get. And in the best case scenario, too, she’d still be able to have him be a part of her life. She didn’t think she could stand the thought of seeing him in the halls and not being able to acknowledge him. 

She’d fallen hard and fast for Eddie, embarrassingly so. 

Given the heavy duty of designated driver for the little hooligans she’d somehow decided to adopt with Steve Harrington, she’d gotten accustomed to waiting in the high school parking lot, her nose pressed into the creases of her current novel while she waited for them to finish their important campaigns, all procured from the brilliant mind of Eddie Munson. 

She’d known him before then, too, but only in passing. He’d often make a big spectacle of himself in the cafeteria just to bug the other students, and he held the record as super senior. But she’d never even talked to him until she saw him walk the boys out after a seemingly successful campaign, his arms wrapped tightly around Dustin and Lucas’ shoulders as he praised them.

He’d acknowledged her when he got to her car. 

“My fair maiden,” he’d said, “I apologize for the delay.”

She’d blubbered out some kind of half-hearted response, good enough to make him laugh, and that made her heart go a million miles a minute. 

It didn’t take long before she’d gotten the courage to ask him out, even if it was just for coffee. He was surprised, but he agreed. 

It had been nice, he even drove her home after. She probably should’ve seen the signs then because he didn’t suggest a second meet up, she had instead. And he’d agreed.

It was about a month before they made themselves official, in Hawkins High language, practically married. But it really just meant she got to hold his hand between classes and get quick kisses goodbye when it was time to separate, somehow always on her cheek than her lips. 

She’d thought their dates were fun; it was a lot of pressure since he always left it up to her, never having any other idea than lounging about her home and just watching TV. But she was the one who thought of renting movies for horror marathons, figuring it was up his alley. She thought of bowling and drive-in theaters and picnicking near the quarry for its desolate atmosphere, another thing she figured was right up his alley. 

But things came to an underwhelming end when Eddie approached her at her locker on some random Thursday to tell her things just weren’t working out and he wanted to stay as friends. Despite how much even that had hurt, she agreed. She didn’t want to make him do anything he regretted. 

She could still be friends with him, happily so. That meant she could still sit with him at lunch, hear his outlandish tales, and be able to admire him from afar, even if she was no longer able to touch him and hold his hand. 

“Be honest,” she’d heard Gareth say as she approached with her tray, “what really happened? You know, most guys woulda killed to be able to take her out, the fact she stuck around for months is surprising enough.”

Eddie shrugs, chewing absentmindedly on a pretzel he’d brought. She would pack him lunches when they were together since he always forgot and resorted to eating prepackaged things instead. Since they broke up, it seemed like old habits really did die hard. 

“To tell you the truth,” he starts rather dramatically, “no substance. Pretty face, nice voice, real sweet, but God, boring as all hell.” He runs a hand down his face. The other boys seemed surprised. Dustin and Mike share a look, but say nothing, clearly waiting to hear more. Because there was no way it could be just that. There had to be more. They knew her better than anyone, had been through so much with her. What could be the real reason Eddie broke things off?

“And?” Dustin coaxes.

“And what?”

“Dude, seriously?” Mike scoffs. “She wasn’t interesting enough for you?”

Eddie shakes his head. “Look, she’s a great gal. And I know you guys are super close, which is awesome, but we just weren’t the best match. And I felt like shit that she was putting in all of the effort when I wasn’t interested. Now she’s free to...I dunno...find someone boring, too.” He sniggers, elbowing Jeff beside him trying to get him to laugh, too, but he could see how upset Dustin and Mike were. 

Luckily, for her sake, they didn’t notice her standing there, having overheard everything. Spinning right back around, she’d ditched her tray onto one of the trash bins before leaving the cafeteria completely before there was a chance anyone could see her tears. 

God, it shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, she thinks again. He was more than welcome to have his own opinion, but why did it have to be something like that? 

He was right, she wasn’t exactly Chrissy Cunningham or Heather Holloway, being this huge spectacle that made every new day more exciting than the last. All things considered, sometimes too much excitement frightened her. Having risked her life at least once a year for nearly four years now made her yearn for the more simple things. It was stupid of her to think Eddie would want the same. Eddie Munson, who liked to make scenes in the cafeteria and rock out in a bar with his band. He didn’t crave the simplicity of life like she did.

She didn’t go back into that cafeteria for the remaining of the lunch period. In fact, she’d decided to skip the rest of the day completely, knowing she shared three periods with Eddie and right now she really didn’t want to see him. She just wanted to get away, leave herself to her own thoughts to try to calm down. 

Well, that really only lasted for ten minutes because she found herself pulling into the small parking lot into Family Video. She spots Steve’s car at the far end and knows he’s inside. It was childish of her to go running and crying to Steve Harrington, who she knew would take her side and say all the cruel things about Eddie that she couldn’t bring herself to because she really just needed someone on her side right now. Aside from Dustin and Mike, of course. She wouldn’t forget how they jumped to her defense. 

The little bell rings at the top of the door as she walks in, startling Steve into consciousness, who seemed to be snoozing on the edge of the counter, drool pooled across his forearm. He wipes feverishly at his face and blinks unfocused in her direction, trying to situate himself quickly into his customer service face.

“Welcome to Fam-Jesus, you scared me,” he cuts himself off when he at last realizes it’s her. Confused, he turns to glance at the clock hung up on the wall. “Don’t tell me school’s out already? You beat Robin here.”

“No, I’m playing hooky,” she shakes her head, unsteadily moving towards the counter. 

“What? You? I’m sorry, am I still dreaming?” Steve asks dramatically. “Since when do you, of all people, ever skip class? I’d sooner believe Nancy doing it than you.”

“Just...needed a break s’all,” she says with a shrug, looking around. “Keith not here?”

“Nah, he’s off today. Something about a new graphic novel he’s been dying to get. Says he’d have to wait overnight just to get one of the first editions. I don’t know, I don’t really listen to him unless he’s handing over my check,” Steve said. She leans up against the counter, trying to act casual. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t things be okay?”

“Well, for one, having to clarify that things are supposed to be okay when asked if everything’s okay is a pretty big indicator that things aren’t, in fact, okay.” Steve says with a laugh. “So everything’s not okay, then?”

“Everything’s okay,” she lies. “I just...can I ask you something?”

“Yeah?”

She isn’t sure how to come out and say it without sounding stupid. Better, she can’t figure out a way to come out and say it without sounding completely pathetic. But this was Steve, he was the king of asking her embarrassing things. He even called her once at three in the morning to ask how long you were supposed to leave cookies in the oven for. The follow up question was how to get the burnt smell out before his mom came home. 

“Am I boring?”

Steve tilts his head. “Huh?”

“Am I boring, Steve? Am I boring?”

“No? Who gave you that idea?” Steve snorts, like he thinks it was a foolish thing to ask. “Whoever it is clearly hasn’t seen you handle a crowbar.” He was referencing when she’d nabbed a crowbar from the junkyard lot to fend off the demodogs with him, all to protect the little ones in the bus. She doesn’t want to remember that right now, not when it makes her feel cold inside. 

“Nobody, I just...I dunno, I just think that maybe I’m not as exciting as, like...you o-or Rob or Nancy or, hell, even Jonathan.” 

“Nonsense, you’re a badass! True story, you know I wouldn’t say that about just any...” Steve trails off, finally really looking at her. “Hey...hey, why are you really askin’ me that? Something happen? Someone say something to you?”

“No, Steve, I was just asking.”

“You’re lying,” he accuses. “Who was it, was it Byers? Nancy? Not Robin...”

“No! No, Steve, they didn’t say anything, please just drop it. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Steve’s face eventually relaxes, having realized he knew exactly who she was talking about.

“Munson.”

She shakes her head. “Stop it, Steve.”

“What did he say? I thought he just wanted to be friends, where’s all this coming from?” he asked. There were too many questions being thrown at her. She doesn’t want to cry, especially not in front of him, but as soon as she feels her cheek dampen that was it. Soon she was burying her face in her hands and trying to stop the little whimpers from coming out.

She doesn’t notice Steve leap easily over the counter. He pulls her close, shushing her quietly. 

“Hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset,” he says. She sniffles, wrapping her arms around him. He’s petting her hair, kissing the crown of her head, trying his damndest to get her to calm down and talk to him. He was the perfect person to come to, she now realizes. Her subconscious knew Steve was the answer.

When she finally stopped crying, he at last let her go, giving her some space.

She rubs the tears from her eyes and wipes the tears on her jeans.

“Want me to kill him?” he asks jokingly. She laughs. He smiles again. “What happened? Can you tell me now?”

She told him what Eddie had said, the real reason he’d broken up with her and how she ran from the cafeteria and came here. Steve was reasonably upset, but he didn’t want to make it all about pounding Eddie into a pulp, he knew she needed her friend right now and he was prepared to be just that.

“Hey, screw him,” Steve scoffs, throwing an arm over her shoulders and pulling her back into his chest. “You’re far from boring, believe me, and honestly if you ask me you could do so much better than Eddie Munson. The guy picks his nose. I saw him once. It was gnarly.”

She’s laughing again, playfully hitting him. 

“Thank you, Steve,” she says, “I’m sorry to dump all this on you, I just needed someone to talk to, you know?” 

“Well, you came to the right guy. I can’t tell you it gets much better from public humiliation, but I can tell you that you find much better shit to focus on. Like this obviously stellar job. Robin. My new stereo I saved up for. And...well, you.” He playfully flicks her nose. She wrinkles her nose and swats his hand away. “Eddie doesn’t know what he’s talkin’ about. But I know he’s gonna kick himself in the ass when he realizes he lost a girl like you.”

“Yeah, you’re just saying that ‘cause you’re my friend.” 

“Not true, I also wanna bug you for your famous cookies.” Steve winks.

“I can bring them to you tonight, then.” she said, patting his arm. “I should get going. Um...you clearly are very busy and I don’t wanna keep you from doing your job.”

“I know, such a bad influence. The gateway rebellion was skipping class. Now it’s job defiance,” Steve chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey, um...if you want, when you come by tonight, maybe you could stick around? Was gonna rifle through the back, borrow some flicks to waste my evening away. Free to join me if you want? Robin flaked out on me, says she’s doing some band practice with Vicky. Didn’t ask for details.”

She thinks about it and smiles. “Sounds like fun. Girls’ night.”

“Invitation rescinded!” Steve shouts, turning away. 

“No, I’m kidding, I’m kidding, stop!” she protests, giggling. “I’ll bring cookies and pizza, Steve. I’ll be there.”

“Alright, then,” Steve said. “Um...hey, don’t worry about Eddie, alright? He’s just being a dick. And honestly, apart from his relationship with the rugrats, he’s still gonna be a dick. He missed out on a girl like you. Clearly he’s a martian.”

“Doesn’t mean much when I’m from Hawkins. But thank you, Steve. I’ll see you tonight,” she says, squeezing his hand and finally leaving the store back to her car. She left feeling much lighter than she had going in. He was right. Forget Eddie. If he thought she was so boring he clearly didn’t need her around him. She had other friends, friends like Steve.

Smiling to herself, she climbs into the driver’s seat and turns the key into the ignition, hearing the engine roar to life.

He brings her smaller hand up to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it, tugging her back pack strap further up his shoulder as he lets her lead her into the thick cover of the trees, maneuvering habitually under and over low hanging branches and overgrown roots. She’s rambling about something or other, he honestly wasn’t sure. 

He was surprised when she found him at his locker between third and fourth period, looking anxious and almost scaring him for a minute.

“I wanna go,” she whispers dramatically, looking around like she was afraid someone would overhear.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” he asks, on alert. 

“Nothing, I just...I don’t wanna go to class, I wanna leave,” she whispers again, tugging insistently on his sleeve. “But I don’t wanna get in trouble.” He wants to scold her for frightening him like that, but he can’t help but laugh instead. He tugs her close with a gentle hand on the back of her neck, kissing the crown of her head. 

“Let’s go,” he says instead, taking her bag from her and grabbing her hand. That was how they ended up here. He lifts her hand high up into the air when he sees she’s about to trip on the same embedded rock that she trips on every time. He’s able to help her avoid it.

“But I just didn’t wanna do the quiz,” she concludes her story, turning to him. “Are you okay with skipping? I hate that I pulled you away, too.”

“Yeah, you’re a real bad influence,” he jokes. She snorts and playfully pushes him. He dramatically clutches the spot where she touched, gasping for air. “Alas, the striking blow as eternally wounded me! How can I recover?”

“Oh, ha-ha,” she says. “I barely tapped you.”

“Quite the contrary, my love, I think you left a bruise.” Eddie said, pulling the collar of his shirt to peek inside. 

“We’re here!” she chirps, letting go of his hand to race towards the small table, their spot. He smiles affectionately, seeing her take a seat in her usual spot, smiling pleasantly at him and patting the spot next to her. 

“You’ve convinced me” he says. He disposes her bag carefully onto the table, slipping his long legs over the bench and pressing himself up against her side. She giggles fondly, leaning her head on his shoulder. 

“What’d you bring me for lunch?” he asks, tugging on the back pack and unzipping it. She swats at his hands as he begins to dig through it, running his hands over notebooks and a few novels he knew she was thumbing through during study hour. Sure enough, he finds a small plastic container and pulls it out. 

“Strawberries?” he asks with a laugh.

“And blueberries,” she says defensively, grabbing the container from him. 

“Sounds good, open ‘em up.”

She smiles and obliges, popping the top and setting the container down so he could pick at it. She goes to grab for a strawberry, and he swiftly swats her hand next, grabbing it and holding it up. She smiles coyly at him, going to grab it. Quickly he holds it out of reach.

“Eddie.”

“Baby,” he sings. “let me, please?”

“I can feed myself.”

“I know you can, I just like feedin’ you is all. Now, say ah,” Eddie insists. She rolls her eyes, but she obliges. He pops the strawberry into her mouth, keeping it between his thumb and forefinger so she could only bite off the tip. She smiles, chewing. He takes the other half and finishes it. The sweet taste bursts on his tongue, but he can’t help but focus more on her, licking her lips and reaching for a blueberry next. She holds it up to him, her intentions pretty clear. 

He grins and he takes it from her, catching her index finger between his lips. She lets it linger for a moment before slipping it into her mouth next, sucking off the excess juices. 

“Shit, babe,” Eddie sighs, watching her closely. She giggles. “That the real reason you wanted to play hooky? Huh?”

“Not the only reason, I also got really hungry,” she says, reaching for another strawberry. He catches her wrist, his grip tight but not tight enough to hurt. She looks innocently up at him. “Something wrong?” 

“Depends,” Eddie mumbles, dipping his head low to press soft kisses up the column of her throat. “Still hungry?”

“Not for strawberries,” she sighs, angling her head so he’d have more room. 

“No? Not for strawberries?” he coos, lightly running his tongue across her jaw. This close, her perfume was much more intoxicating, making him a little hazy, like he’d just lit one up right there beside her. “What’re you hungry for, baby?”

“Don’t make me say it,” she protests. 

He stops as sudden as he started. 

“Eddie!” she whines.

“Hey,” he says sternly, using his free hand to grab her by the jaw, trying to get her eyes to focus on him. “Hey, you know me, sweetheart. I won’t do anything unless you tell me what you want. Not a mindreader.”

“No, you’re just a tease,” she grumbles. 

“What was that?” Eddie asks. She huffs, her perfect lips puckered up by the way he held her. He was tempted to lean down and claim them, but he wanted to get his way. He would get his way, he always did. Sometimes she just needed a little coaxing. 

“I want you,” she says pathetically. “I’m hungry for you.” 

“Well, why didn’t you say something?” he mocks. He suddenly stands, hoisting her up onto the table. She squeaks in surprise. “Think we should make sure you’re nice and ready before we jump into the main course, yeah?” 

“Yeah, yes,” she says eagerly. He laughs, at last granting her a kiss. She tastes like strawberries and blueberries, especially her tongue. He grunts, gripping at her waist as a way to ground himself, slotting his knee between her legs, balancing himself on the bench best he could. They’d done this before, but he still sometimes struggled with his footing. He still couldn’t forget the time he fell off when she’d wanted to be on top. She had enough sense to catch herself on the edge of the table, but he wasn’t so fortunate, trying to ignore the ants biting at his bare ass.

Still, you learn from your mistakes. 

With her mouth distracted, he rubs his hands up and down her abdomen, catching the top of her skirt. He remembers the small hook in the front, having removed this garment three times before. He seemed to get quicker every time. He was almost tempted to ask her to leave it on, but he really wanted to see her completely bare to him. 

“Please, Eddie,” she pleads against his lips, trying to lift her hips to help. He doesn’t thank her. This was his job and his burden, she shouldn’t have to lift a finger. He’s nice enough to leave the skirt beside them and not on the grass where there were still ants. Her underwear was thin and lacy, nothing she’d usually wear to school. Clearly she had planned all of this. That little nervous act she’d played by his locker didn’t feel so authentic now. 

“Naughty girl,” he chuckles, hooking his thumb on either side and gently pulling down. She lifts her hips for him again, but this time he settles with shoving them into his back pocket. She goes to protest, saying she couldn’t go home without them, but the scolding is lost on her tongue as he leans down and spreads her thighs with his hands, exposing her lower half to him. 

She squeaks and hides her face when he leans down and takes a deep sniff. She hated it when he would do that, it was embarrassing and gross, she’d claim. He always reminded her if he was willing to put his mouth on it, taking a sniff or two shouldn’t be that much different or intimate. 

“God, you’re so wet,” he whispers, his lips brushing hers, making her flinch from the contact. “What’s got you like this, sweetheart? S’just me? Hm? Thought about me taking this sweet pussy with my mouth? Or was it my dick? Which was it?”

“Either, Eddie, God! Please do something,” she begs, tired of the waiting. 

He decides he can’t be crueler for much longer, not when he had her this close to his mouth. Fuck the strawberries and blueberries. He was sure nothing was as sweet as her pussy. 

He bends forward and licks up a thin stripe. She shivers. 

“Keep your legs spread,” he commands, releasing her thighs to open up her lips further for him, giving him the beautiful sight of her clit, her little hole waiting to be filled. She whimpered above him, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. This was now just between him and her aching pussy. 

Without much else to stop him, he at last buries his face deep inside, sloppily moving his tongue around her hole, dipping it inside occasionally before moving up and sucking her clit into his mouth, greedily keeping it between his lips as he shakes his head. That always made her go crazy. Sure enough, she was crying out, her hands flying to the back of his head and lightly tugging at his hair.

He groans, releasing her clit and moving back to her hole, slurping whatever she had to give, just the taste of her enough to get him high, thinking of nothing other than trying to go deeper, trying to get as much of her on his tongue as possible. All the while she was a moaning mess above him, throwing her head back, trying to keep her thighs spread like he’s asked of her.

“Eddie...God, Eddie,” she cries, bucking her hips, begging for more friction. 

“You taste so fucking good,” he manages to get out before he’s suckling at her clit again, grazing it with his teeth. “Think I could just spend the whole day eating your delicious pussy. Get my face nice and wet, huh? All you’d be able to taste on my lips is you.” 

“Eddie,” she whines. 

“Gotta get you ready for my cock, baby, make sure you’re nice and open so it doesn’t hurt. Wouldn’t wanna hurt my baby, never,” he mumbles, slipping a finger inside with little trouble from how messy he’s made her. She gasps and keens, moving her hips as a way to get him to move. And it was just his finger. 

He gives into her as he always, though. He moves his hand fast, still playing with her clit with his mouth. After a while he’d add a second finger, then a third. By the fourth her pussy is making nice little wet noises, almost louder than her noises. That was always one of his favorite things, when he can just hear how wet and messy she is. 

“Eddie, I-I’m close,” she whimpers. “I’m so close.”

Quickly, he slides his hand from her as well as his mouth, taking a step back. His face is nice and shiny now from her essence, and his hand is almost dripping. 

“W-Wait, why?” she cries. 

“I know, baby, I know,” he coos again, reaching for his belt and undoing it. “Usually I’d love for you to cum all over my face, but my dick wants to get wet, too. You want that? My dick?”

“Mm, yes, Eddie, I want that,” she says, nodding her head. 

“Yeah, I knew you would. Need something nice and big to fill you up, make you feel nice and full, huh?” he asks, unbuttoning and at last pulling out his hard cock. He stifles a whimper at how sensitive it is. Just from eating her pussy it’s already rock hard. With what she left on his hands, he uses it to stroke himself, balancing himself back on the bench and yanking her down so her hips dipped over the edge of the table. 

“Put it inside, Eds, come on,” she says. “I know you want something nice and tight, too. You need to cum, too.”

“Fuck baby, hang on a sec,” Eddie says, trying to catch his breath. It would always catch him by surprise when she’d talk dirty. It was so different to how she usually was, so innocent, so sweet. But his girl was really naughty, you had to watch her. 

Eddie taps his dick against her pussy, catching her clit and making her twitch. 

“Stop teasing,” she begs him. 

“Sorry, baby, couldn’t help myself.” Eddie laughs, at last pushing himself inside. It takes him a moment to adjust, let alone her. It was always so hard to hold back and resist from pounding into her. She was this tight, wet channel, so damn hot and perfect for him. And maybe one day he would. Maybe one day he’d say fuck it and just take his pleasure for himself, use her as nothing more than a cock sleeve. 

But her blissed out face and the way she clung to him made him realize making her feel good felt better. There was nothing quite like it. 

“You good?” he makes sure to ask. She can’t speak, so she nods. He chuckles and kisses her, at last moving his hips. She moans into his mouth, hugging him tighter. He moves a little faster, finding a good enough pace that has him grunting and crying out into her mouth. “O-Oh, fuck. Yes, that’s it, baby girl. Fuck, so tight. So hot. Such a good pussy.”

“Eddie,” she babbles. It’s all she can say. He leaves her lips at last to look down and stare where they were attached, his cock disappearing and reappearing, always wetter than previous. His balls slapped soundly against her as he moved faster, taking one of his hands to rub at her clit. 

She cries out louder, her voice nearly echoing off the trees as she grips the edge of the picnic table, spurring him on to thrust harder, to now pinch her clit so she’s writhing and begging him to let her cum. All she wants to do is cum, he needs to let her.

“Why should I, baby?” Eddie asks. “We’d have to stop. And I don’t wanna stop, I wanna keep fucking you.” 

“Ed-die,” she sputters. “Let me cum, baby, please. I need it so bad.”

“Nah,” he says, grinning maliciously. “I wanna cum first.” 

“Eddie!”

“Let me cum first, baby, let me paint your walls and then I’ll let you cum, cum all over your dick,” he promises. She whines. But he can’t hear it over the ringing in his ears. He’s moving faster, harder, he has to grip her hips just to keep her from moving up. “That’s it baby, just let me use you. Get me to cum and you will, too.”

“Inside, Eddie, do it inside!”

Eddie groans loudly, hips stuttering as he feels himself empty deep inside her. It’s all hotter now, his juices mixed with hers, but he still needs to fulfill his end of the promise, and soon he’s quickly slipping out and bending down, reattaching his mouth to her clit and slipping two fingers back inside, both to keep her plugged up and help her along. 

She practically screams, bucking her hips harshly into him as he keeps her clit inside his mouth while his fingers do the rest of the work. Soon he feels her clench hard around him and her cries have turned into little whimpers. Her hips were even twitching. 

“Mm, fuck,” he says. “That was...”

“Yeah,” she says with a small laugh. “Eddie...Jesus, you were...”

“Try not to feed my ego right now, babe, I’ll need a minute,” Eddie laughs, hoisting his jeans back up over his hips. She carefully sits up, but she’s a little wobbly. He quickly puts a hand across her lower back. “Hey, give yourself a minute there, love.”

“You’re probably gonna have to carry me back, you know,” she warns.