#december 1985

US Vogue December 1985

Linda Spierings wears a natural golden Russian sable jacket by Bisang Furs for the Tepper collection, cut like a relaxed cardigan, with horizontally worked pelts, broad square shoulders, and a fuller, more seductive silhouette. Hair, Didier Malige. Makeup, Margret Avery. Trousers, Zoran. Earrings, Isaac Mane-vitz for Ben-Amun. Gloves, Aris Iso-toner. Bracelets, Martha Bloom. Charm bracelet, X-Anne. Tights, Ralph Lauren. Shoes, Stephen Kelly.

Linda Spierings porte une veste en zibeline russe dorée naturelle, signée Bisang Fourrures pour la collection Tepper, coupée comme un cardigan décontracté, avec des peaux travaillées horizontalement, de larges épaules carrées et une silhouette plus ample et plus séduisante. Coiffure, Didier Malige. Maquillage, Margret Avery. Pantalon, Zoran. Boucles d’oreilles, Isaac Mane-vitz pour Ben-Amun. Gants, Aris Iso-toner. Bracelets, Martha Bloom. Bracelet à breloques, X-Anne. Collants Ralph Lauren. Chaussures, Stephen Kelly.

Steve checked the clock. He’d only been at the party for 20 minutes and he already wanted to leave. It was Christmas eve and he was sick of the party. The truth was Steve hated Christmas. He grew up in a big house with an absent father and a mother who didn’t care about anything more than her image. Christmas was a bland affair with a fake tree and a nanny opening gifts with him, Steve had lost belief in Santa Claus by age 7 and the only anticipation he felt was for the holidays to be over. He had never really felt at home in his large empty house but countless high school parties weren’t home either. Steve didn’t really feel at home anywhere. He walked through the crowd of warm bodies, jumping to the music and making out against the walls. He’d graduated a year and a half ago and there was no need for him to go to these high school parties but he’d dragged robin along and said it would be fun so he had to stay for a little longer. He weaved his way through the crowd to find the kitchen- and the booze. He grabbed a beer from the cooler but put that aside when he noticed the broken lock on the liquor cabinet. He pulled out a bottle of vodka and poured it into a solo cup. He took a large sip of the drink, wincing at the taste. He sauntered out of the kitchen hoping maybe he could find someone who wasn’t a violent jock or stupid cheerleader. He walked through the various rooms until finally he found Robin. She was hanging out with an odd group of people. Chrissy Cunningham was the first. A senior at Hawkins High, and a cheerleader. She was making a flirty face at robin. Next to her was a mother cheerleader sucking face with her boyfriend who Steve recognized as the school band’s Tuba player. Then, lastly, sitting back out of the circle, examining his nails, was Eddie Munson. Steve’s eyes stopped on him. He didn’t know much about Eddie, they’d been in the same grade for Steve’s senior year but Eddie had been held back and was now a senior with Chrissy. He ran Hellfire Club, and thus Dustin was obsessed with him. They had only spoken a few times—When Steve would pick Dustin up from Hellfire —but Steve never stopped hearing about how cool Eddie was. Also, Eddie was hot. Not obviously, most people would look at him and say he was a freak but if you looked past the presumed scariness Eddie had gorgeous blue eyes and a really nice ass. An ass that Steve looked at more than he would like to admit. He didn’t have a crush on Eddie, no he just found him aesthetically pleasing.

“Steve!” Robin shouted, beckoning him over. “Stop staring at my friends and come sit.” She patted the space next to her. Steve drank the last sips of the Vodka he held and walked over. Everything was a little bit fuzzy but he had a good tolerance so he wasn’t that drunk yet. 

“Um, Robin.” Steve said quietly. “I think I'm gonna go.” Robin looked at him, eyes narrowed. “Ok..” her gaze flashed to the cup. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Vodka.” Steve whispered, like it was an inside joke.

Robin gaped. “There’s no way you're driving yourself home,” she said matter-of-factly. “I’ll take you just..” She looked longingly at Chrissy. “Give me a second.”

“No..you should stay and have fun.” He waggled his eyebrows, Robin blushed and Chrissy grinned. 

“I’ll drive him.” a voice to Steve’s left said. He turned to see Eddie blushing. “I’m bored here anyways.” He turned to Robin and Chrissy. “Be safe,” He said and Steve laughed which made Eddie look at him. His heart beat with anticipation but he wasn’t sure what for. Eddie stood up silently, and Steve tried to follow but stumbled. Eddie stopped and wrapped an arm around Steve’s waist to steady him. They walked through the party like that and made their way out to the street where Eddie’s truck was parked. He helped Steve get into the passenger seat then walked around to the driver's side. They drove in silence, arriving at Steve's house five minutes later. Eddie parked the car and waited for Steve to get out. Steve didn’t.

“Are you excited for Christmas?” Steve asked, out of the blue.

Eddie looked at him. “I can barely handle the anticipation.” “Every year Uncle Wayne and I eat blueberry pancakes and watch the Christmas specials on our crappy TV.” He looked at Steve. “It’s not much but it’s ours.” Steve smiled, a bit sadly.

“My parents are barely ever home on Christmas morning.” He said. “My fathers out on some business trip and my mother leaves at 7 am.” He opened his door and got out of the car, not wanting to see the look of pity in Eddie’s eyes. He walked to his house and started to turn the key in the lock when he heard something behind him. He turned around and found himself facing Eddie’s chest. Eddie didn’t say anything. Steve looked up and their eyes met. There was a spark of electricity in the air and Steve froze. They just stared at each other for a moment. Until Eddie leaned forward and pressed his lips against Steve’s, uncertainly. Steve stayed there shocked then pulled away. 

“I’m sorry.” Eddie started shakily. But Steve just opened the door and pulled Eddie inside. He grabbed the taller boy by the wrist and brought him up to his bedroom. They kissed and kissed and for the first time in his life Steve felt at home. Eddie felt like home. And he went to bed full of excitement for Christmas morning. To wake up next to the boy he’d just spent an hour making out with. Maybe he did like Eddie Munson.

@steddieholidaydrabbles