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“Thank you, Hawkins, for another wonderful day, it was Y/N from the Squawk, I bid you a good end of the day, and I’ll see y’all tomorrow morning. Jimmy, you’re on air.”
You remove your headphones, placing them to the right of your screen monitor. It’s precisely five past four; you’ve just finished your shift at the radio. You love your job, especially during school breaks, as you get to cover many more kids-related fun activities so parents can know how to keep their precious offspring busy while at work or doing adult activities.
You offer Jimmy, your boss and colleague, a small “goodbye” before running out of the Squawk. Robin and Steve are waiting for you, both arguing over whatever happened on the way to your workplace. You greet them with a bright smile.
“Hey! So, ready for tonight?”
“It’s only four in the afternoon,” Steve replies with a shrug. “We’ve got plenty of time before we even start getting ready.”
“Speak for yourself,” Robin and you scoff, making you both laugh.
Being friends with Robin means that you get the chance to spend the time before parties prepping at her house, just like girl friends did when you were in high school. You never quite had the chance to experience it, so you were more than happy to try it with Robin. When you told her, she even started ranting about what she would do to make it even funnier and more interesting than the party itself. And she nailed it. It’s like an after party but before.
So that’s why you both go to Robin’s four hours before the beginning of the party. Steve drops you before returning to his very own house. You see Nancy arriving in her car, pulling into Robin’s alleyway. It has been your idea to invite her. At first, you were worried that she would be boring and upsetting, but she was so eager to share girls’ moments with you that you found her pretty cool. So, now it’s your thing to the three of you. A girls’ meeting before the party.
You’ve learned so much from everyone during those moments: about relationships within the group, little details about each of them, big moments from before you arrived. Nancy told you about Barbara, her best friend before she had to move out of Hawkins.
You were glad you asked Nancy to come as you’ve started to appreciate her more than at the beginning now that you’ve learned more about her. What Jonathan told you about her also helped, and you stopped seeing her as a strict young shrew. Now you understood that she only ever tried to be better than anyone else because she knew what she wanted and wouldn’t let society dictate her life only because she was a woman. You would never tell her, but you were starting to grow admiration for her.
Girls’ meetings are also the moment during which you share your feelings with each other. Robin told you about her growing feelings for Vickie while Nancy explained why she was scared to lose Jonathan when entering university. You’ve never had real experience as you only had one night stands here and there and no boyfriend nor girlfriend, but Robin and Nancy seemed to appreciate your philosophical approach on their matter.
One day came a subject you never could anticipate. Eddie Munson. It was Robin who started rambling about music while doing her makeup then turned to face you. Big eyes, slight grin. You knew what that meant. A snoopy question nothing prepared you for.
“So, with Eddie. When did he ask you out?”
“What?”
“Come ooon Y/N! We know that you and him…”
Robin tried to find her words with gestures, using both her hands to communicate and show two people… being closer and closer? You couldn’t quite get it. Or, to be honest, you didn’t want to admit nor think about what she could imply.
“You’re together, right?” that was Nancy. She never seemed to be like the straightforward kind of woman, but during the girls’ meetings it was as if she were a totally different person.
Except you’d rather avoid Nancy’s directness, especially at this moment.
“What? No!” you didn’t want to rush your answer nor feel heat in your cheeks but there you were. The girls exchanged a knowing look.
“You know, we won’t shame you.”
“He’s hot.”
“Even hotter when he plays guitar.”
Hotter than hot when he smokes while playing guitar for my eyes and ears only, you thought, but would never admit it. Your cheeks are red enough to sell you out. You didn’t even listen to their rambling about Eddie, but you did listen again when Nancy suddenly felt serious again.
“But if you want to keep it a secret, it’s good for us, we won’t say a thing.”
“Everyone kinda already thinks that you both are a thing, though.”
“Let’s say both of you eclipsing for a moment during each party gave us a hint.”
Your eyelashes fluttered. You couldn’t believe it. They had it all wrong.
“I just have a hard time staying in a party near loud music and chatting without like… a pause? Sometimes I just need time alone for a smoke. That’s all.”
“And you hinting Eddie to follow you is your definition of being alone?” Robin probed.
“He gives me weed, that’s all.”
“As if you don’t always have a bag on you,” Nancy insisted.
“Not the same dealer, we share to taste.”
Robin and Nancy looked at each other then rolled their eyes at the same time.
Today’s girls meeting seemed to start great. Nancy asked you for philosophical references, needing some for her university entry paper. You gladly helped her while doing Robin’s hair. Philosophy’s your thing, you spend your time at the library reading philosophical books.
“So,, you and Eddie, still not a thing?” Robin asks suddenly, making you choke on the water you were drinking. “At least admit that you like the guy!”
You blush instantly. You know you can’t hide anything from them.
“He’s nice with me, and we get along pretty well as we have a few topics in common. That’s all.”
“Quit the philosophical talk for a second, would you? And tell us the truth.”
Nancy doesn’t even try to stop Robin. You just sigh, defeated.
“He’s really great and good-looking and I like our friendship. Happy?”
“You want more,” this time, Nancy’s the one talking. “You’re just like me when I was convincing myself I didn’t like Jonathan.”
“Then, Y/N, what’s stopping you?” Robin squeals.
“He can’t possibly like me back.”
“Wrong,” Nancy and Robin exclaims together.
“How can you be so sure?”
Robin rolls her eyes and looks at Nancy. The latter has a soft smile and pats your shoulder.
“During most parties, he only looks at you, he seems at ease only when you’re around. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak or if you aren’t near him, as long as he can see you. I also overheard Mike and Dustin talking the other day. Dustin said that during D&D sessions, Eddie always overreacts to whatever your character does. Didn’t quite understand everything but apparently you even got Eddie’s fantastical winning story for your character Dustin never even got.”
You take it all in. But you still can’t believe that Eddie could feel the same way.
“I regularly help Eddie with D&D stories. Told him about an idea and he promised to work on it, hence why I had this winning story. During parties he’s just waiting for me to go outside to smoke with me.”
Nancy and Robin look at you quite defeated.
“Okay Y/N i-know-better Y/F/N. Just know that we’ll be here to tell you ‘we knew it’ the day he kisses you in front of everyone,” Robin said, wiggling her eyebrows.
You can’t believe Eddie would have feelings for you, let alone thinking about him kissing you. But at least the girls start chatting about a new topic.
–
Smoke fills your lungs while music plays in the background. It’s so soft you can hear the lapping of the water.
You’re at Reefer Rick’s with your friends for a summer party. Reefer Rick isn’t there but Eddie opened the door as he’s the key keeper while the true homeowner is away. It’s around two in the morning when you ditch the group to stay on your own near the lake, enjoying a quiet moment before returning with your friends.
The night’s so peaceful, here, away from downtown Hawkins. You love being there with a few friends, good music, alcohol and weed. This is your idea of a perfect night.
Summer has a different taste: your friends are free on their holidays, the group can go out together again, and you always have something interesting to share so you never run out of conversation topics. The teenagers also come for advice, which Steve loves to give, even though Robin and you sometimes have to nudge his sides with your elbows so he doesn’t say something idiotic.
Even Eddie’s D&D sessions are different during summer. Longer, more thrilling than ever, like a full movie sometimes lasting for three entire nights. Pulling all-nighters and working the next day proves to be exhausting but Eddie lets you sleep a bit at his place before the sessions begin. Maybe that’s one reason why you’re starting to develop feelings for the man.
He’s always been caring towards you, remembering your pizza order and always coming outside with you to smoke when he grants a pause during D&D nights,, just the two of you chatting about things people your age talk about.
But more importantly, he always manages to make you smile and laugh. He truly understands you. So, soon enough, you naturally started to come to him when you needed advice. Those conversations quickly drifting into philosophical discussions, fueled by whatever you had to smoke.
However, even if you love this little group and their energy, you sometimes need to be on your own for a few minutes, away from all the agitation. You need your alone time, only letting your cigarette to keep you company at first.
After a few party nights, Eddie started to come with you. Initially, he didn’t come right away, waiting a bit before joining you. But then you gave him of sort of signal so he would know it was the time when you needed some fresh air. And he tagged along.
His presence wasn’t a burden as you exchanged cigarettes or joints in silence, side by side; but far enough apart so you wouldn’t touch each other. Still, you quickly began to crave physical contact, so one night you stayed closer to him, letting your elbow brush against his. You felt his gaze on you, but neither of you ever said a word about it.
This party night is no different. You stare at the lake, Eddie next to you, your elbows touching in a familiar way. You close your eyes and listen to the waves slowly reaching near your feet. It’s warm enough for you to bathe, but you don’t feel the need,, you’re just enjoying the soothing sound. Soon enough, you open your eyes again, watching the water while listening to it.
Eddie and you both stay side by side like this, without a word, for a little while. You always enjoy Eddie’s presence, it’s reassuring, soft, calm. You never thought you could feel at peace near him but here you are, and you can’t quite grasp what to do with that feeling. Sure, Eddie’s a fun loving guy, but he’s still Eddie. Is it safe for you to let your feelings for him grow? Does he feel the same?
As if in answer, he silently hands you a small bag of weed. You don’t need to hide here, so you just take the bag absentmindedly, as if in auto-mode. At first, you don’t notice the handwritten message on the bag but when you start opening it to roll a joint, you can’t miss it,, it’s written in his shaky but still neat handwriting. You’ve seen his handwriting plenty of time,, mostly on D&D notes or music sheets; but this one feels different. You pause, not sure if you’ve read it correctly.
‘want to go out on a date?’
It’s so soft, so small, barely fitting on the bag. Your heart jumps. Yes. Maybe? Yes, absolutely. You know the answer, but it’s like the cat’s got your tongue, as you can’t quite wrap your head around his question. You wonder if it really comes from him or if he’s just the messenger. You want it to be the first option,, it’s his handwriting, after all. Besides, it’s been your thing,, handing each other a bag of weed whenever you’re together.
So you slowly turn your head to look at him, the bag still in between your fingers. He’s waiting for your answer, looking at you with a small smile, lips slightly parted and puppy eyes, as if silently saying “please, say yes”. And you know this is exactly what he’s thinking. But you stay like this for one more second, just to appreciate the fact that he tried to be romantic in his own way.
“Of course, Eddie, yes.”
Simple words but their effect on him is immediate and powerful. A large wide smile spreads on his lips and he immediately pulles you into a hug. You hold him tightly, as if to let him know that you feel the same way. It seems to work because you hear a soft ‘thank you’ from him, making you chuckle.
Everything’s peaceful and intimate in this moment, you’re used to being just the two of you at some point during parties like this, but this moment feels utterly different; in the best way ever possible. So you try to push aside your nagging insecure thoughts, only to focus on the untamed curls resting against you.
Because with Eddie’s eyes only on you, you feel good, and all you want is for him to feel the same.