Things that Lurk: Chapter 3
Julie Newby was a normal girl. Attending School, worrying about Chemistry tests, working at the Hawk Theatre with her best friend. Until Will Byers disappeared, and everything changed. And her life would never be the same.
November 8 1983
Julie helps Jonathan hang up missing posters, has a run in with Tommy, Carol and Steve, agrees to tutor Eddie Munson and spends some time with her father.
Julie sighed tiredly as she wandered into school this morning. She wasn’t ready to face another day.
She stopped just outside to gather her breath back, and to clear her thoughts.
School was the last thing she wanted to think about.
A shout of her name made her jump.
‘Jules. Jules’ Robin came running up behind her.
Julie turned ‘hey Robs’
Robin smiled at Julie ‘how are you?’
‘I’m good. Worried about Will. But I’m okay.’
Robin smiled sympathetically. ‘you know, that’s what I admire about you, you just care so much about people.’
Julie reached out to grasp her friend’s hand. ‘That’s so sweet of you Robs’
The two friends walked into school together, mindlessly chatting away to each other.
Julie noticed Jonathan standing by the school’s notice board, holding a pile of papers.
‘Umm, I’ll catch up with you in English.’ Julie spoke to Robin, who nodded.
‘Sure, see you soon’
Julie approached Jonathan.
‘Hey. Is this the final product?’ Julie asked.
Jonathan turned around to face Julie, and her heart almost sank at the look on Jonathan’s sweet face.
‘yeah. yeah, this is the final product.’
Julie smiled at Jonathan. ‘Can I… Can I see it?’
‘Of course.’
Julie was handed a missing poster, and she glanced down at it.
Will’s little face stared back at her.
Julie swallowed thickly ‘It looks great Jon. Can I take a few, please so I can hand them out?’
‘yeah, okay, thank you Julie.’
Jonathan handed Julie a pile of the missing posters.
Nancy walked over to the duo.
‘hey. I just wanted to say that we all thinking of you. And that we hope Will turns up soon.’ Nancy spoke to Jonathan.
Julie frowned and thought ‘Whose we?’
She looked over Nancy’s shoulder and saw Carol Perkins, Tommy Hagan, Steve, and Barbara Holland staring at the trio.
Julie rolled her eyes.
Carol spotted her and waved mockingly.
Julie raised her middle finger and smiled.
Three things happened as a result.
Carol’s eyes flashed with pure anger. Jonathan and Nancy sniggered quietly together, their eyes briefly making contact and Jonathan blushed. Steve burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling with something Julie couldn’t place.
Julie and Steve made eye contact, and they smiled at each other.
‘Anyway, I should be going. Class and all that’ Nancy explained backing away.
‘yeah, course.’ Jonathan replied.
‘Good luck.’ Nancy’s voice parted ways, and she returned to Steve.
Julie turned to Jonathan, who remained looking at Nancy leave.
‘I’m heading to Lonnie’s house to look for Will. I’ll see you later.’
‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Julie reached out to hold his arm. Julie knew Lonnie had a complex relationship with his sons, Jonathan most of all.
‘No, it’s okay. Thank you.’
‘Okay. Call me if you need anything’ Julie said, and watched Jonathan exit the school doors.
Julie turned around and headed towards English.
Robin was waiting outside the classroom for Julie, and she smiled at her friend.
‘Hey, thanks for waiting.’
Robin and her fist bumped, and entered English together.
Robin sat down her designated seat at the back of the room, and Julie moved to sit next to her.
The School day passed quickly, and Julie was exiting the school grounds.
She was heading to her bike when she heard a shout of her name.
‘Julie.’ ‘Julie.’
Julie turned surprised at the voice she heard. For there stood Eddie Munson.
‘Eddie?!’ Julie questioned looking confused. ‘Are you okay?’
Eddie panted softly, pausing momentarily, as he wiped his hands on his denim jacket.
‘I’m fine. I’m fine. I just wanted to ask you if you were able to tutor me at some point? Mrs Click is on my case about my history grade, and I know you are in the same class as me, and I wondered if you were interested in tutoring me as you’re the smartest person in that class.’
Julie smiled softly and replied ‘of course I’ll tutor you. How about tomorrow after school? I’m not working then so?’
‘tomorrow is good. say 4?’
‘Four. Good. I’ll see you at yours.’
Julie cycled home quickly, eager to get home.
Her dad’s car was in their driveway, and she smiled softly at this. She placed her bike inside the garage, and entered the house through the connecting door.
‘Dad?’ She called.
‘hi honey, I’m in the kitchen.’ Julie heard her dad’s voice echo through the house.
Julie followed the sound of her father’s voice, and entered the kitchen where she smelled yummy food in the oven.
‘I’m making chicken for dinner. How was your day?’ Bob’s gentle voice soothed her.
‘My day was good, how was yours?’
‘one of my staff members quit. so I’m looking for a part time worker.’
‘Oh, I hope you find someone soon dad.’
Bob smiled at his daughter and thanked her.
‘Okay, let’s eat’
The father daughter duo laughed, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company during their dinner time.
Julie cherished the simple memories she had with her only parent, during this time.
They tidied up together, and Julie wandered up to her room, to finish some homework and then head to bed.
Julie smiled softly and snuggled into her bed, unaware of the events occurring over at the Harrington house, and how this would impact her life going forward.
