Chapter Text
Chapter 01
Evie
Evie Harrington must be desperate if she's willing to let a sophomore set her up. Then again, she has a problem saying no to Dustin, even when his suggestions are bat shit crazy.
Straightening the hem of the green floral dress that Robin helped pick out, she fidgets for what seems like the hundredth time tonight, which makes even less sense.
In high school, she had no problem getting dates. Hell, she even pretended to be in a relationship with hard ass Billy Hargrove—who was actually the world's biggest sweetheart once you got past his prickly persona—just to get some guys to back off. It suited them perfectly. It gave her peace, but most importantly it allowed Billy to stay in the closet for the remainder of their senior year. The second they graduated they split up and he went back to California to be with his longtime boyfriend.
Then, she started getting bombarded with offers. But that hadn't appealed to her. Dustin, in all his astute wisdom, had pointed out that those guys weren't worth her time or attention. They were all flash and no substance. Dustin was very serious about her deserving more and if he wasn't such a little shithead she might have been touched.
Okay, fine. She was. But she wasn't going to tell him that.
Dustin was several years younger than her and the only relationship he has been in is long distance. Yet, he managed to psychoanalyze her dating history. Again, she wishes he were wrong, but honestly, she wouldn't know a functional relationship if it hit her in the face.
She flattens her hair, idly wondering if she should rethink this farce. It's not like she needs anyone in her life. She is perfectly content to be single right now. But she still sits in the parking lot outside Mel's diner, the appointed place of her blind date.
Dustin claims that he has the perfect person for her and she... well, to be honest, who wouldn't be a little curious to see the so-called perfect match. Besides, it's not like she could do any worse. The guys within her social circle were assholes and users. For once, she'd like to be with someone who wants her for her. Not Evelyn Harrington, heiress to a fat trust fund and her family's fortune.
Alright, that's enough. She's spent enough time in the parking lot. It's time to do something.
She slides out of the car and heads into the air-conditioned diner.
Mel's is one of her favorite places to eat in Hawkins. It was reminiscent of the 1950s, complete with a jukebox in the back corner. It also happened to be conveniently located between the arcade and video store. Another benefit was that its seldom crowded on a Friday night, so she could always get a table.
"Take a seat anywhere, hon." Cheryl, the waitress, calls from behind the counter.
Evie nods and glides towards her favorite booth by the window. It offers a perfect view of the video store, which eased her nerves.
It was her safe haven. Maybe because it allowed her to be herself. Or, because it reminds her of her favorite people.
The cushions crinkle and crack under her shifting weight. She rests her forearms on the checkered table and peaks at the clock.
Five minutes remaining until Dustin arrives. The little menace didn't want either party to know who the other was and he genuinely believed they were dense enough to go up to the wrong person. Though, a small part of her is uneasy by that bit of information. The old her, the superficial bitch, questioned how compatible they would really be if they wouldn't go for each other based on sight. But the new her knew that it wasn't fair to judge someone for their appearance. This guy deserved a fair shot.
Realistically, she's convinced it has more to do with needing a ride to the arcade and less to do with the date itself.
"You're dressed nice," Cheryl hums, interrupting her thoughts.
"Hmm?" She tears her gaze away from the clock as the words settle over he. "No, I'm actually waiting for... well, I don't exactly know his name. It's kind of a blind date."
Cheryl's eyebrows rise. "Really? I thought those were things gals my age got peer pressured into by their married girlfriends."
"Apparently not," she shrugs before leaning closer to the woman to whisper conspiratorially. "This is my first one. Got any advice?"
"If he gives you the creeps, then don't go anywhere alone with him." The waitress nods, tapping her chin with a pen. "And make sure to wear some spanx. You may not need them, yet, but it's a challenge for any man to cop a feel or do anything else with those on."
"Oh great," she smirks. "What about exits? Is there a me-shaped window somewhere I can crawl out of if things go bad?"
"Yeah," the waitress jerks a thumb towards the bathroom. "There's a good one in the ladies room. It's seen its fair share of customers."
"Noted," she nods.
Now, there are more things to worry about, and the date hasn't even started. Not only is she wearing the wrong underwear, but she's never climbed out of a window. She's pretty sure that's something you should wear pants for.
"Now," Cheryl pulls out a pad of paper. "Would you like something to drink while you're waiting?"
"May I have a coke?" She asks.
"You got it, hon." Cheryl smiles, walking away from the table.
The waitress disappears into the back just as the bell above the door jingles. Dustin's voice is the first thing she hears as he prattles about his Susie and how they met. The affection is evident, something she can't help but find sweet.
"And how does this help me with my date? The one you set up," a somewhat familiar voice drawls. "Which isn't weird at all."
The sarcastic bite brings a smile to her face. It's exactly how she felt when Dustin pitched this date, though she had refrained from saying it out loud.
"I'm just saying you need to find your Susie," Dustin replies.
"And what makes you so sure this girl will be my Susie?" Mysterious yet familiar voice drawls. "I mean she could be another... Nope, not going there."
"Just relax," Dustin says, getting closer to her table. "She's my best older-platonic-girl-friend and you're my best older-platonic-boy-friend."
Yikes. Where does Dustin come up with this kind of... A little light bulb goes off in her head at that comment. Dustin, as much as she loves him, doesn't have many friends. To be more specific, he has only one older male friend and that is...
"Munson," she breathes just as they come into view.
The three times senior, who just graduated last month, stands next to Dustin. She can't focus on the little menace. All her attention is on him.
Despite being June, Eddie still wears the same leather jacket and old Dio vest. The only difference from the last time she saw him is the missing Hellfire t-shirt. There is a Metallica one in its place.
His dark eyes meet her, absorbing her into the depths of a bottomless pit. A girl could easily get lost in eyes like those.
No, stop. This is Eddie Munson.
"Uh dude," Eddie stage whispers to Dustin. "You really should have told me that my blind date is Barbarella."
The reference is surprisingly lost on Dustin, who considers himself a connoisseur at science fiction and fantasy pop culture, but it does snap her out of the reverie, and she can feel her cheeks warm.
That particular Halloween costume... It was a fragment of one of her least favorite nights and for Eddie to remember such an event. Well, it's downright mortifying.
"I don't exactly remember what your costume was," she bites back, resorting to catty attitudes to deflect. "Was it wannabe rocker or drug dealer?"
It's a low blow, she knows, but that night is one she'd rather not be reminded of. Ever again.
"Ouch, Harrington!" Eddie mimes being stabbed in the chest. "You may not be in high school anymore, but you certainly haven't lost that bitchy mean girl attitude."
She opens her mouth to reply, but Dustin quickly cuts them off. "Guys! Stop!"
They glance at Dustin, both seeming to pick up the squeaky crack in his voice. It might have been cute if her blind date wasn't Eddie.
"Look little dude," Eddie sighs, tearing his gaze away from her. "I appreciate the attempt, but I don't think Evie Harrington is my Susie. No offense."
"None taken," she replies with a shrug. "I was going to say the same thing."
At least they could agree on something.
"Oh, come on, I know you guys have issues or whatever from high school, but that was then, and this is now." Dustin should never give pep talks, ever. "I know you guys would be perfect for each other if you just put your shit to the side."
She leans in Eddie's direction to not so subtly whisper. "Can you believe the ego of this kid?"
"It's the tone, right?" Eddie replies as the corners of his mouth quirks up.
Dustin's eyes dart back and forth, then he points a finger at them. "See? You're already bonding."
"Dustin," she sighs, preparing to dissuade him from this but the little menace isn't having it.
"Come on," Dustin whines, giving them a pleading puppy dog expression. "Can't you just try it out? I mean, it's only dinner."
Eddie and she share a glance. They don't even have to speak to know that they are going to give into the little menace's request.
"Alright you little shit," Eddie huffs. "I'll try, but only if Evie's game."
Dustin and Eddie turn to her. The little menace gives her that puppy dog look, interlocking his fingers together to plead.
She sighs. "We do have to eat."
Dustin smiles in triumph, loudly pumping his fist into the air. "YES! This is going to be awesome."
"Yeah, yeah," Eddie rolls his eyes. "Weren't you supposed to meet the others at the arcade?"
Dustin freezes mid celebration to check his watch, hissing. "Shit!"
Of course, the little menace can plot a date, yet a prior commitment like meeting his friends just happens to slip his mind. Some genius.
"You better get going," Eddie states, nudging him in the direction of the door.
"Will you and the others be needing a ride home?" She asks before Dustin can high tail it out the door.
It wouldn't be the first time she had to chauffeur the group. Plus, it'd give her an early out if this date does go sour. Eddie looks like he was going to suggest the same thing. Unfortunately, Dustin dashes any of those hopes.
"No, no. Mrs. Wheeler is going to pick us up and we're all going to spend the night at Mike's playing DnD," Dustin informs them, then glances at Eddie. "Don't worry, I won't use my character from Hellfire."
"You better not," Eddie points with a stern expression. "I've got something planned for Sunday's gave and you'll need all your hit points."
"Wicked," Dustin grins, then winks at them both, not subtly at all. "Have fun you crazy kids."
Dustin races for the door and they both subconsciously turn to the window, watching him cross the street. He disappears into the arcade.
Eddie and her face one another, both stumped on what to say. He stands and she sits in silence. A long moment drags between them.
"So..." Eddie sticks his thumbs through his belt loops and rocks back on his heels. "Are we really going to do this? Or were we just lying to the kid?"
Something about the expression on his face makes her heart lurch in her chest. Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow after all, one she's intimately acquainted with, and for some reason she can't accept the out he's clearly offering.
"I was being serious," she waves to the opposite side of the booth. "Why don't you have a seat?"
Surprise flickers on his face, but he hides it behind a mask of an easy-going smile. She notices the gesture doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"So, please don't take this the wrong way-" He starts before Cheryl comes by to deliver two glasses of coke.
Cheryl pulls out a notepad after setting the glasses down in front of them. "What can I get you kids for dinner?"
"Umm," Eddie says, looking for a menu.
There's a couple tucked behind the condiments. She passes one to him, earning a small nod of appreciation. While she peruses the menu, she orders her usual burger and fries.
"I think I'll have the same," Eddie decides.
"Good choice," Cheryl nods. "I'll pass this off to the cook. It shouldn't be more than ten to fifteen minutes."
Silence fills the air as Cheryl departs. Neither of them speak and instead stare across the table at one another. His fingers tap rhythmically on the checkered tabletop. Needing something to do, she unwraps her straw and sticks it in her glass, but she doesn't drink. She merely stirs the ice around until the silence becomes too overbearing.
"So, what shouldn't I take the wrong way?" She asks.
He looks startled by her question. "What?"
"You were asking me a question before the waitress arrived," she explains.
"Oh, that. Right," he nods, slowing his fingers. "I was wondering why you, Evie 'the Hair' Harrington, would need a sophomore to set up a date. I mean, have you looked in the mirror lately? You could have any guy or girl you wanted."
Her instinct is to deflect by parroting the question back, but ultimately it serves no point. She's not going to be rude, but that doesn't mean she has any intention of impressing him. It's not like her previous dates where she's trying to prove herself. This is Eddie Munson. He's just him and she's just her. Who cares what people think? There's a bit of liberation in this moment, being here with him.
"Honestly?" She leans forward in her seat. "The guys I've dated before... They treated me like some sort of trophy to be won. A thing to have on their arms... to look pretty without a single thought in my head, but that's it. Once the challenge is gone and they've gotten what they wanted, they'll leave for something new and shiny... another fresh and exciting challenge. Does that make any sense?"
"Actually, yeah." Her mirrors her, leaning on bent elbows. "The few girls I've dated. They see me as a tool to piss off mommy and daddy... or they just want to experience the thrill of being with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. They don't see me as a person, but rather as a phase or a... a..."
He gestures a hand through the air as if searching for the right word.
"A little footnote in their lives," she supplies.
"Exactly," he nods.
And for a brief moment, silence settles again. They look at one another as if seeing the other for the very first time. Idly, she wonders what he sees when he looks at her. Probably some sort of harpy; she's certainly acted the part. Guilt sinks low in her belly. She spent so much time trying to fit in that she went along in disliking him without ever questioning why or bothering to get to know him.
Maybe, she could try again. If he's willing.
"Eddie," she states. "I owe you an apology for all the years I've been a bitch to you and for snapping at you earlier. It was wrong of me, and I have no excuses for my past behavior."
Surprise flickers behind those dark eyes of his, but it vanishes, and he offers a smile. Not a fake one this time, but an honest smile that is sweet and soft. It twists her insides into little knots.
"How about I make you a deal?" He states, then elaborates. "Everything that's happened between us up until this moment will stay in the past and we're just two people having dinner."
"Not a date?" She arches a brow.
"Are you kidding?" He gasps in shock. "We just met and you're asking me out?"
It's impossible to hold back her chuckles at his dramatic antics. "Fine, fine. We're just strangers."
"Hello," he says, holding out a hand to her. "My name is Eddie Munson."
She slides her palm into his grasp, secretly marveling at how his hand engulfed hers. "Hello, Eddie. I'm Evie Harrington."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, seeming to genuinely mean it.