Looking down at her lunch tray, Chrissy eyes the food with disinterest. The peas in the top corner get a halfhearted jab from her fork as she pushes them around. They're soft. Mushy. Straight out of a can and left in a pot of water for too long. She's not going to eat them anyway. No one really does. And not from lack of liking them, either.
"Chris?... Chris? " The brunette sitting across the table leans forward, waving a hand in her face. Oh, yeah… She's supposed to be helping. Not playing with food. Or zoning out.
"Yeah, I think that would be really sweet! Go for it." She smiles brightly, getting back on her game. Distantly, she could hear Charlotte talking about wanting to do something special with her boyfriend for their six-month anniversary. It's not like she's entirely gone. Part of her is still here.
"Really? I'm glad you think so too. I was a little worried it's a bit too much, you know?" Charlotte giggles, kicking her feet under the table. To feel so excited over a little milestone that she can barely contain herself… It's kind of cute.
The other cheerleaders always ask for her opinion. What about this boy? Is this outfit cute? Or how about this one? Be honest, does it look good on me? Should I go to this party? When is a good time to go to next base? Is it better to be flirty or play hard to get with this one? Even girls who aren't cheerleaders ask for advice. And she always does her best to answer them. The only thing is that she won't say anything to hurt their feelings. Well, at least not purposefully…
Now, it's too draining. The reserves of pep and cheeriness are low. Her well is drying up. There doesn't seem to be anything to change that, either.
Chrissy takes a deep breath to calm down, hoping to block out all the loud noises coming from every direction. The table she sits at is always too full of other students. Friends. Fellow cheerleaders. Jocks. Anyone who matters in the school's hierarchy. Some underclassmen that want to rub elbows with the seniors... And many of them want her attention. Normally, that's no big deal. She always thrived as a social butterfly. It comes with the territory. But today, it's driving her up a wall.
The last two days were rougher than usual. She could barely sleep all weekend. No thanks to her father. All during the night, he paces up and down the halls. Moving things around. Rummaging through old boxes. Not once did she hear his bedroom door close. Asking questions is useless. He either ignores her and keeps going, or comes up with different ways of telling her to get lost.
Something is going on… It's enough to keep him up at night. Which in turn, is keeping her up too. This is affecting both of them. But he won't give her any answers. Not even a hint. Maybe he made a terrible business choice and is trying to find a way to fix it? Or maybe there's an issue with one of his clients? Money problems? Are they in some kind of trouble?
The list goes on and on, but she can't put her finger on it. Not without some snooping around. Then again, can she even handle that right now?
No.
Chrissy glances at her lunch, then toward the girls sitting on either side. They're busy talking to some of the jocks and not paying attention. One of them eagerly took over listening to Charlotte's plans. Perfect. The attention isn't directly on her at the moment. Quickly and discreetly, she takes a few of the fries and chicken nuggets left untouched and slips them onto their trays. They can eat them. She can't manage it. Just looking at it is making her queasy. And she doesn't need anyone noticing a full meal being thrown out once the bell rings. People talk and that's the last thing she needs to top everything off.
"And that's why you're all a bunch of frauds." She picks up on the tail end of what must be another rousing lunchtime speech. Jeers and boos come from all over the cafeteria. He's done it this time. Even the bookworms across the room are angry.
As expected, Eddie's standing on top of his chair with that shit-eating grin while one of the senior football players fires back from a nearby table. And he always takes it in stride. Holding himself confidently and mocking them with just his expression alone. That's what it must look like to genuinely not care what people think. She doesn't know any other person who can insult every group in Hawkins High and laugh it off with no concern for any repercussions.
A teacher walks by carrying a lunch tray with an exasperated look. The unlucky one put into an unenviable position… She takes a few steps to the side to put as much distance between her and the 'freak table' as possible, watching the back of Eddie with distaste. "Mr. Munson! Chairs are not meant for standing on. Can you just sit down and eat your lunch? Please?"
"Hmm? " He dramatically turns on the seat, stamping his feet and making extra noise just to rub it in a little more. Ms. Carrigan appears visibly uncomfortable and annoyed with him but as a teacher—an authority figure—she's compelled to say something. "Well, what an object is meant for and how it's used aren't always the same… But! Since you said 'please', I will take your humble request into consideration."
"What an asshole. I think someone's mommy isn't giving him enough attention at home." Chance snorts, shaking his head before snatching a nugget from his girlfriend's tray. She slaps his hand as he reaches for another.
"Ain't that the truth. That freak's loud and obnoxious but I gotta admit, he's got good shit." One of the guys sitting behind them leans back in his seat, butting in. The party kids' table. Most of them get along pretty well with the jocks and cheerleaders. After all, they have something in common. Drinking and having fun. The key difference is how often and far they're willing to go.
"Yeah? You think you can get some for tomorrow? We got everything but—"
Chrissy tries to ignore the conversation going on around her. They've been talking about it for days now. Noah's parents are gone until Friday, so he's having a little party at his place… On a Tuesday night. Nothing sounds better than having to wake up for school with a hangover.
Getting alcohol is simple. There's always someone in the group who has an older sibling or friend willing to buy it for them. And a few places are willing to look the other way on the legal drinking age issue, depending on who the kid is. Anything else is a little harder. At least, that's what she's heard.
'I wonder how many people buy stuff from him?'
The cheer captain scoots closer to the table to get a better view since Chance's big head is in the way. With how short she is, it's hard to look over with the others around without making it too obvious. That works. It gives her a clear view of the 'freak table'. A bunch of students from different grades that often wear that black and white club shirt.
The Hellfire Club… if she remembers correctly.
Their leader is back in his seat, no longer addressing the cafeteria with grievances on conformity and authority. Just talking animatedly with some underclassmen sitting at the table. She observes him curiously, thinking about the interaction they had Friday. It's been stewing in the back of her mind since. Part of her wants to ask some questions but the thought of approaching him is too nerve-wracking.
'He'd probably think I'm a weirdo.'
Like having a sixth sense, Eddie looks over and to her horror, makes eye contact. Caught right in the act… She stiffens up, not sure of what to do. He doesn't turn away or visibly reacts. Just returns the stare, seemingly unbothered. Cool as a cucumber. That might be even worse than getting a 'what the hell you lookin' at' expression.
"What about you, Chris? You comin' tomorrow?"
"Huh?" The question snaps her out of it. She tears her gaze away from the wild-looking guy across the room and back to the others at her table.
"Are you coming tomorrow? To Noah's party?" Charlotte chimes in, sounding hopeful. The group looks at her expectantly. Everyone who's anyone in school is going… And now she's being put on the spot. "At least go to this one. The year's almost over and it'll be harder to get everyone together after that."
She's not wrong. They'll all be graduating in a few months. Some are going out of state for college. Others will be closer but it'll still be a hassle to get together. And that's if they don't have new friend groups by then. Everyone will move on to bigger and better things. But she just doesn't feel like going. Not with what's happening.
'Maybe it's for the best?'
"We should go, babe." Chrissy's eyes widen and she looks up, seeing the guy standing right behind her. Jason. He leans down to plant a kiss on her forehead. She smiles and grabs his hand, pulling him closer. "I'm sure your dad will be cool with it if he knows I'm driving."
"That's true…" She taps a finger against her chin, feigning deep thought to drive up their anticipation. It's rare for her to go to these 'events'. That only makes it a bigger deal when she does. Lends it more weight, socially. Even more people will want to attend if team captains will be there. "I'll ask him after practice. If he says yes, I'll come."
"Great. Let me know." He grins, giving her shoulders a light squeeze. "I'll catch you later. Got to talk with the coach."
"...Okay." Just as quickly as he showed up, he's gone. The chatter around the table resumes, filled with excitement for the party tomorrow. It's not the same for her. This is more like an obligation than anything. A chore. Something to drag herself to and put on a good show so others won't start asking questions.
Sighing, the cheer captain suddenly feels drained all over again. And a headache coming on. She reaches up and gingerly rubs her temples, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure. Everything will be fine. It all works out in the end. Always does.
Glancing around the cafeteria for a distraction, Chrissy sucks in a sharp breath when she meets those dark eyes once again. Eddie's still gazing at her from across the room. Was she the only one who quit the staring contest from a few minutes ago? Apparently. But it's the look on his face that really confuses her. With his brow furrowed and lips pulled into a firm line, he doesn't seem happy in the least.
'Is he mad? Did I irritate him?'
This time, he's the one to quit. The Hellfire leader leans back in his chair and drags his attention toward the little snack bag in front of him. She can almost hear the 'hmph' just from looking at his agitated movements.
'Yep…'
The black Jeep Cherokee's parked beneath the streetlight when she reaches the porch. As always. With a warm smile, Chrissy waves at the blond-haired man in the driver's seat that's watching to make sure she makes it in safely.
It's sweet. Not many other boyfriends will do that.
'I'm lucky to be with someone like Jason.'
Closing the front door, she kicks off her sneakers and carefully sets down the rest of her belongings. It's quiet. Really quiet. Not that it's a bad thing. Better than getting yelled at right off the bat.
'Is he still at the office?'
That wouldn't be surprising. He's always doing something. If it's not work-related, then it's some kind of social event. Whatever helps the family's standing in the community and allows them to establish and strengthen connections. The balance between the two has changed in the last year and a half, though it's still a priority.
She wanders down the hall to see if he's in his study. From the opening beneath the door, the light is off and it's locked. Not in there… It's tempting to just go upstairs and relax her aching muscles, but there's no point in putting this off. He normally wants to be left alone when it's late and is extra cranky in the mornings.
"... Dad?" Chrissy hesitantly calls out as she passes room by room, searching the first floor. The parlor, study, kitchen, pantry, his bedroom, and bathroom are empty. All the noise she's making would've definitely gotten a response by now if he was here.
'I'll just ask him in the morning…'
Wonderful. Now that's going to weigh on her mind all night. Jason and the others are expecting an answer, and will no doubt want one first thing tomorrow.
"Whatever… " There's not much that can be done. She saunters past the den and abruptly stops when something catches her attention. A bright fabric that stands out against the neutral colors her mom decorated the room in. And in all the worst ways. That awful tangerine orange shirt she's been itching to toss into the fireplace for a while now.
'There he is.'
So, he was here the whole time. Relaxing on the La-Z-Boy recliner in the den. That's strange but okay.
"Dad, why didn't you—" Something's not right. Stepping further into the room and closer to the chair, she freezes after getting a better look. Confusion and alarm take over, seeing a beige cloth pressed against his nose with red splotches all over it. "What happened?!"
Chrissy rushes next to the recliner and kneels down to take a better look. How did he get a bloody nose? The urge to help—to do something—completely overshadows any other thoughts or usual worries. She reaches up towards his hand but doesn't know what to do. What can she do?
'Does he need a doctor? Did he get hurt?'
His eyes flash towards her, then to the mantle above the fireplace lined with picture frames. "Nothing." He says dismissively. Shifting against the recliner, he leans in the opposite direction. Away from her. "Just… go do your homework or something."
"What?!" The shock and hurt are apparent as he waves her away with his free hand. Is he out of his mind? "Let me help—"
"Chrissy ." She stills, tearing her eyes from the rag to the floor after hearing that tone. He's mad now. "It's nothing. Like I said. Now go make yourself something to eat or head upstairs. Don't worry about the chores."
"... Right. Okay…" Pushing up off the rug, she tries to calm the quivering in her lip and the lump forming a few inches below that. It's probably nothing serious. Just another instance of her over-reacting.
"What did you want?" He says tiredly right before she disappears for the night.
"I, um…" This probably isn't a good time to ask. Oh, well. "I wanted to see if it was okay to go to a little get-together after school tomorrow… Everyone from all the sports teams will be there. Jason's the one that asked me to come. He said he'll drive me there and back…"
"Jason? Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Now you got what you wanted, so get going." With an exasperated grunt, he settles into the recliner and tilts his head back. It must still be bleeding.
"Thanks, Dad," Chrissy mumbles weakly before striding out of the den. Aside from the obvious, it's really odd that he didn't ask for any details. Who's going to be there? Where is it at? Are there going to be any adults present? How long? There won't be alcohol or anything, right? A barrage of questions to deal with that make it almost not worth even trying.
Trudging up the stairs, she can't help feeling down. Useless. Completely helpless to change the current situation in this home. But, at least there's something to look forward to now. It's been a while since she's gone to a party.
'This is good… I should try to make the most of it.'
"Well? "
"Well, what?" Chrissy murmurs, closing the door of her locker and facing the two girls. It should've been obvious what this is about. Neither are very good at hiding their emotions. Everything is right there on the surface. Especially Natalie, a junior on the cheerleading team.
"What did your dad say? About the party?" The redhead questions, squeezing her history book tightly. They seem really anxious to know… But does it really matter?
"He said I can go." The sentence was barely finished before they started jumping and clapping, then grabbing onto the sleeves of her jacket. Surprisingly, their enthusiasm is a bit contagious. Her lips curl up into a smile as she joins in on their little celebration. This is nice. Like some of the energy that's been zapped is slowly coming back. Maybe this will be good for her.
"Okay, okay… I'll see you two at lunch. We can talk more about it then." It's hard to pull away from them but she has to. They give each other a hug and part ways, and she hopes this little ball of happiness stays put for a little while longer.
At the same time every week, Chrissy takes the same route through the halls with one place in mind. She always takes the long way, hoping that nobody notices her going through that door. No one knows she comes here. Not even Jason.
'Clear.'
The cheer captain keeps her head low to avoid making eye contact with anyone and quickly strides into the room, swiftly shutting the door behind herself. Maybe a little harder than necessary.
"Ah, Chrissy. Right on the dot." A woman sitting at the desk smiles, beckoning her to sit down. The guidance counselor. The first thing she always notices about Ms. Kelly is her dark hair. Curly, thick, and full of body. So much volume… It must be a pain to tame but looks great.
"Yeah, " she breathes out, taking a seat on the other side of the desk. Her eyes wander around while deciding how to start this appointment off. The peach walls and blue rug sure are a choice. That thought pops up every Tuesday while sitting here.
"So, let's start off with the most important question. How are you feeling today?" Ms. Kelly already has everything prepared. The file with Chrissy's name on it sitting off to the side. A pad of paper right in front of her that's halfway used from all the notes taken during these meetings. And a cup with a dozen pens, pencils, and highlighters.
"Well, um…" Her knee starts bouncing involuntarily. "To be honest, not… great. I'm having some issues. Different ones. Not really sure what to do about it."
The counselor's eyebrows draw together as she leans closer to the desk. "Did something happen since our last appointment? Or, can you describe to me what you're experiencing?"
Chrissy pauses for a moment to figure out how to word this properly. As far as she knows, nothing will leave this room. And Ms. Kelly has always been so kind and tries to help the best she can. "I'm, uh… I haven't been sleeping well. At all. And having problems eating. I just don't feel hungry. Like, I can eat a little here and there but then feel nauseous after that. I was worried this was a… I don't know. Subconscious relapse? If that makes sense? And these headaches just come out of nowhere…" The tips of her fingers dig into her thigh, realizing that she's rambling again.
"Chrissy, you don't have to stop. Do you remember what I told you before? In this room, you can let it all out. Even if it takes an hour. Don't worry about that. Just tell me everything so I can try to help. We'll figure this out together, okay?" She says calmly, looking back up to her after jotting down a few notes.
"Yeah… Okay. So, I also have been getting these headaches out of nowhere. Maybe it's from not getting enough sleep or food. I'm not sure. Basic things just seem harder to do recently. I think… it might have to do with my dad. He's been acting kind of strange lately."
"In what ways?"
"He, um…" She purses her lips together. Ms. Kelly knows a lot about the situation with her parents. They've been the subject of many appointments over the last two years. This time, it's a bit embarrassing. Her father has always been a prominent member of the community. What's been going on is very different from being a controlling parent or some name-calling. That, people wouldn't really mind. The rest could mess with the family's image if any of this got out.
'But it won't. It's fine.'
"My dad's just acting… weird. Like, staying up all hours of the night, digging through old stuff. He might take a nap in the den or his study for a little, but then he's back at it again. Definitely more irritable than usual. You know how he is… I asked him about going to a party and he couldn't care less. He just wanted to be left alone. I don't know. It's all so off. And he won't tell me anything ."
"It sounds like both of you are going through a lot." The counselor sighs and lays down the pen, clasping her hands together. "There are many layers to this. When a parent is having issues, it eventually starts affecting their child in various ways. That's what I believe may be happening here from what you described."
'So dad's part of the problem? Surprise, surprise…'
"In order to resolve this, your dad might need to reach out for help as well. One member of a family can't do all the healing work on their own. It has to be a group effort. I know it must have been very difficult to keep going after your mother passed on… Perhaps the accumulated stress from working all the time and bottling everything up the past year and a half is finally taking a toll on him?"
"Maybe…" She reaches up to bite on a nail, wondering if that might be the case. Is he having a mental breakdown? Could that be the reason for the extra helping of misery in the house?
"Here! Have some… It's so good."
"No, no! I can't!" The cheer captain cries, moving her red cup out of the line of fire.
"Pshht! Fine. More for me." Charlotte pouts, only to shrug it off and pour more into her own cup. She won't stop for anything, even if it means making a mess. Her hips keep moving, swaying to the music as she tries to see how much the cup can hold just before spilling over.
There are more people here than she expected. Most of the sports teams. Party kids. Plenty of juniors and seniors from Hawkins High. College students. Adults she doesn't know… Everyone packed in and around this home in the heart of Loch Nora.
Red, blue, green, and yellow lights shine down from the ceiling, making the first floor a whirlwind of different colors. Empty bottles of beer, wine coolers, liquor, and mixers line the counters, alongside bowls with chips and other snacks. Two coolers packed with ice sit on the kitchen floor. The lids left wide open and filled to the brim with more beer and soda cans.
A large stereo sits in the corner of the living room with a friend of Noah's leaning against it, making sure no one messes with the tracklist… again. ABBA, Prince, Wham!, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, Queen, Bowie… All the top mainstream artists' songs blast throughout the house.
'I'm glad I came.'
Chrissy takes another sip of the drink she's been nursing for the last hour. Just for appearances. The red cup only has soda in it, but no one outside her immediate friend group needs to know that. Some of the other cheerleaders headed straight for the homemade wine coolers, a mix of pricey white wine and 7Up. The wine likely came right from Noah's mom's stash… But no one here cares about that. Whatever trouble he gets into later is not their problem.
"I love this one!" Amber yells over the music when 'Love is a Battlefield' starts playing. Her honey-colored eyes look glassy from throwing back drink after drink. The juniors always overdo it. Probably to show off in front of the seniors and college students. "It's… It's my turn, Chris." When she grabs her hand, Chrissy goes along with it. Why not? They've all been dancing together for a while now, anyway.
Once they start moving together, it becomes apparent this isn't going to be easy. The blonde whips her head around, twisting and turning while keeping an iron-tight grip on the head cheerleader. People standing nearby look over in amusement.
'Not good…'
"Okay, okay." She chuckles, leaning back to avoid getting hit in the face. No one needs a broken nose, especially from a Pat Benatar song. Not on her cheer team. Grabbing onto her wrist, she patiently coaxes the junior into following her movements, so there's at least some kind of rhythm going on between them.
"Y–You're good at this," Amber shouts when they're close enough.
"Thanks. I used to take classes way back."
"I hope I'll be good at this, too." The girl runs a hand through her long hair with a frustrated groan. "I don't think so. It's a lot… A lot. You're always… good at this. It's not fair."
'What the hell is she talking about? Dancing?'
"Come on… Let's get you some water." Natalie swoops in and grabs the drunk cheerleader's hand, attempting to lead her away. The redhead shoots Chrissy an apologetic look as she guides her friend through the throng of partygoers.
'What was that?'
It didn't seem like it was just about dancing. Then again, alcohol can get people to say weird things. Or open up about how they really feel. Maybe a mix of the two. This is just another reminder of why she doesn't drink. God knows what would come out if that happened.
"I need a breather." She whispers to herself, trying to get to the sliding door that leads outside. It's hot, stuffy, and too crowded in here. And being short only complicates things. Maneuvering between the moving bodies and furniture is a task in itself. After getting jostled around and almost tripping over a cooler, she finally makes it through the kitchen and to the door.
The chilly air feels heavenly against her heated skin. Little puffs of fog float up as she sighs, enjoying the change. It's so dark out now. They must've been here for at least two hours by this point. Maybe a little more.
Even out back, there are plenty of people hanging around. Some by themselves with a drink. Others are in small groups, laughing and talking.
"Chris!" A familiar voice calls out. Turning around, a hand motions for her to come over. Jason. Sitting with a bunch of other people on patio chairs by a long table. So this is where he disappeared to… Along with Noah and the others who couldn't stop talking about this party in the cafeteria the last few days.
"So this is your girl, Carver?" A dark-haired guy says from across the table when she approaches them. He's unfamiliar. Definitely doesn't go to Hawkins High. Maybe a college student?
"Yeah. That's her, all right." Jason smirks and pats his lap. "Here. Sit down." As soon as she does, an arm snakes around her waist, giving a light squeeze. Satisfied, he goes right back into the conversation they must've been having. "As I was saying, with Regionals coming up soon—"
'Ah. Basketball talk…'
Chrissy can feel her eyes glazing over. There are only so many times a person can hear the same talking points before their mind wanders off. It might be more interesting for those not directly involved, but she hears about it on a daily basis. The cheer team goes with them to every single game. Home and away. She knows the schedule and current scores of the season like the back of her hand.
That reaction is a little disappointing… This is something Jason is genuinely passionate about. It's her job to cheer him on every step of the way. His wins and losses are also hers. Yet she can't help looking around instead. Finding that their voices sound muffled as they're tuned out.
'This was easier before. What's wrong with me? Maybe I am a terrible girlfriend?'
"What's that?" Another squeeze draws her attention back to him. She raises a brow, not sure what he means. " That ." He taps a finger against the bottom of the cup still grasped in her hand. His voice low enough that the others can't hear him.
"Just some soda."
"Let me get that lighter." Jonah, one of the party kids from school, gives Noah a nudge and puts his hands out expectantly. The other pulls out what looks like a rolled cigarette. But it definitely doesn't smell like one when he lights it.
It reeks.
"C'mon. Puff, puff, pass… Don't chief it, you goober." It gets passed from person to person in the row, only skipping over members of the Hawkins basketball team. None of them are foolish enough to try it with their captain sitting there. She can almost hear that little saying he's drilled into them a million times, especially since taking a leadership role.
"Alcohol's fine, but anything else is crossing the line. Repeat it back to me."
"Here." The person sitting beside them reaches out to hand it to her. The pungent, skunky scent is impossible to ignore. She eyes it curiously, watching the smoke drift into the air.
Before Chrissy can move or respond, Jason sits up and grabs it from him. "She doesn't do anything like that. Just pass us next time." And hands it over to the next in line. He's visibly annoyed, dropping back against the seat with a huff.
"Yeah, God forbid you jocks loosen up a bit. Maybe it'll help you relax. Ride that sweet cloud for a little. What's the worst that can happen? Get the munchies and fall asleep?"
"Knock it off. I said 'no'. We don't do that."
A small internal conflict arises within her. On one side, a tiny voice says that he's doing the right thing. Being a good boyfriend. She doesn't do anything like that. He probably wanted to save her from potential peer pressure or an awkward situation. On the other, maybe that decision should've been hers?
"I'll be back." Pushing off his lap, he tightens the hold on her waist and gives her a questioning look. Bathroom. She mouths the word, and he lets go, nodding in understanding.
Something about that just doesn't feel right. It's not like Chrissy had intentions of partaking. But he ripped that option away before she could even react. No say in the matter. Just like at home. Her lips are perfectly capable of forming 'no thank you' on their own.
"I'm being stupid…"
Looking back, Jason already dived into another conversation with the guys at the table. His attention's elsewhere. He probably won't notice right away if she takes too long. One mention of basketball and they'll be on that subject for a while.
Maybe even until it's time to leave. And from the looks of it, that won't be until it's super late. Or really early in the morning. Not that she'll get much sleep anyway… So it doesn't actually matter. As long as there's enough time to get ready for school.
'Darn it…'
The words on the page slowly start melding together, becoming a blur of black ink. Chrissy frowns and blinks a few times in frustration. It doesn't get any clearer. Trying to follow along in this textbook is hopeless.
She tries to focus on the little image in the bottom left corner but that's not any better. The more she stares at it, the heavier her eyes are. Maybe a few minutes won't hurt? Better that than nothing at all. Not like there's much of a choice. Her head keeps bobbing up and down and it's too much of a struggle to hold it up…
"Chrissy?... Chrissy?... Miss Cunningham?! "
A heavy book slams against the desk's surface, causing Chrissy to jump out of her seat. She shouts, her eyes wide as saucers as she looks around wildly. It takes a second to realize what's going on and notice the entire class staring. At her. A few snickers come out from other students.
"Enough, Zach. Keep it up and I'll send you to the office!" Mr. Nocito turns to scold the loudest one. "It's not funny."
'Oh, God!'
This is humiliating. Everyone's eyes are on her and the teacher. Some smirking. Others show sympathy, knowing what it's like to have Mr. Nocito on their asses. She tries to calm the trembling in her limbs from the sudden shock.
Thankfully, the bell rings.
Without waiting to get reprimanded, Chrissy snatches her textbook and bookbag. Not today. Slinging it over her shoulder, she quickly pushes past other students to get out of the classroom as quickly as possible.
"Wait, Miss Cunningham! I want to have a word with you." Mr. Nocito calls out but she keeps going, her head hanging low. She rushes down the crowded halls, hoping to get away from the mess that was left behind. This might be the first time in high school that she actively ignored a teacher. Or got in trouble. This will end in a write-up and possibly detention.
'I don't care…'
That's it. She heads straight for the girl's bathroom. Pushing open the door, a sigh of relief leaves her lips seeing that it's empty. Good. Some privacy… Hopefully it stays that way. Walking towards the sink, she turns it on and splashes some cold water in her face.
"What's going on?" Chrissy whispers, staring up into the mirror. This isn't like her. She looks tired. Stressed. Is that what others see, too? And to top it all off, there's a home game after school.
"What's the worst that can happen? Get the munchies and fall asleep?"
Maybe… That might help? Would it? Last night presented an opportunity to try it but she couldn't. Not with Jason there. He doesn't approve of that. Getting drunk is perfectly fine and everyone does it but pot is crossing a line. The 'gateway drug'. If a person will do that, then what's stopping them from trying something stronger? At least, that's what some believe.
'He's just looking out for me.'
Thoughts race through her mind as a slim finger taps against the side of the sink. Once wouldn't hurt, right? It's not like she'd make a habit out of it. Just enough to relax, get some sleep, and eat something. Let the stress melt right off her shoulders. Let herself float on that little cloud Jonah mentioned.
'How do I get some?'
Leaning closer to the mirror, she squints at the reflection looking back at her. Asking anyone from the party last night probably isn't a good idea. They might tell Jason. All the people she knows are mostly mutual friends or acquaintances with him . Or they're connected to someone who is. That's out of the question.
"That freak's loud and obnoxious but I gotta admit, he's got good shit."
"Of course! " Chrissy smacks a hand against her forehead, wondering why that didn't come to mind. How can she be so stupid? The answer was right there the whole time.
Eddie Munson. The resident dealer of Hawkins High. And someone who is not friends with her boyfriend. They don't even run in the same circles. It's perfect. All she has to do is find him when no one is around and ask if he'll do it.
Next period is Ms. O'Donnell's class. The only one they share . Until recently, she barely realized it because he's either skipping or sleeping in the back row. Waiting until school's over to ask might be tricky with everyone around and he won't be expecting her to suddenly pop up like that. If he's not in class and if she tracks him down, this can hopefully be done discreetly.
'I'm going to do it… I'm going to skip my first class and look for Eddie.'
This was a bad idea.
Turning another corner, Chrissy quickly glances back and forth before darting across the hall. No one's around. Thank goodness. Still, she probably looks ridiculous. Crouching past classrooms and walking alongside walls, hoping that nobody sees her.
This little mission seemed perfectly fine when she cooked it up in the bathroom but there's one major problem… After finding Eddie, she has to talk to him. Not just answer a question or two with some lame response. No. Like, actually walk up to him and strike up a conversation. That interaction on Friday alone fried her nerves to a crisp.
'I can do this.'
Four places can be checked off the list. Slinking by Ms. O'Donnell's class earlier, she carefully peeked through the door window and didn't see him there. Next was the area near the parking lot. Some students go there to smoke or skip since the teachers are all mostly inside. His van's out there but not him. The other spots were the boiler room and janitor's closet, though it's mostly for people looking to hook up. Doesn't hurt to try…
'What about the boy's bathroom?'
No way. That's going to be a hard pass. Even if he was in there, it's not worth it. But where else could he be? Goofing around in a different class? She taps her foot in frustration, wracking her brain for possibilities.
"Ah!" Lighting strikes. She's got it. Took longer than it should've, but oh well. If this isn't the place, then it's a lost cause. Just not meant to be. And it's not too far, either.
The stairwell on the left side of the building… Most students and teachers use the main one that's closer to the center of the building. It's wide and open, making it more convenient to get around. The other is a different story. But it's a good spot to hide out since it's not used as often.
'Should've checked there first.'
Staying low and alert, Chrissy rushes to the far end of the second floor. There are no classes in this corner. That makes this easier. When the old metal door comes into view, she can feel the tension building up inside her. If he's not here, she'll call it quits and just wait until the bell rings to go to next period. Act as if none of this happened.
Creeping up to the dingy little window, she pushes up onto her tippy toes to peer through. Being short sucks… It's higher up than the regular classroom doors. The stairwell lighting is dim but good enough to take a quick look around.
Bingo.
There he is. Lounging across a couple of narrow steps with a cigarette dangling from his lips and a big, strange-looking red book in hand. One with a monster on the cover. He seems completely absorbed in it, lazily flipping a page with a ringed finger.
'Okay… Just take a deep breath and go for it.'
Chrissy goes to do exactly that but the moment her hand touches the door, she freezes. Is this okay? Or a really bad idea? Probably the latter. Maybe it's better to just go back and cut her losses now.
'No, I got this. There's nothing to be afraid of. Just go in, ask, then leave. No biggie. I'm the cheer captain. If doing a routine in front of tons of strangers doesn't bother me, then neither will this. And he's not even that scary.'
Steeling any resolve left to go through with this, she slaps the sides of her face and lets out a deep breath. Ready... It's now or never.
Barging through the door and marching across the concrete floor, she stops just a few feet away from him. He doesn't react. Just keeps reading while humming a tune and tapping his foot against one of the steps. She gives the book blocking his face from view a sharp look and clears her throat.
Nothing.
"Ahem." Still nothing. Some of the confidence she built up in the hallway seeps out with every passing second. Is he ignoring her? Hiding in the bathroom is sounding a lot better right about now. "Um, Eddie?"
A long arm reaches out from behind the book with a lit cigarette between its fingers. He taps the long ash from the end, letting it fall down the rest of the stairwell. This guy really doesn't seem to have a care in the world…
"... Eddie?" She says his name louder this time.
"What, man?!" Dropping the book down against his chest, he sits up and yanks off a set of headphones. "Can't you see I'm—" When his eyes land on her, they fly open in surprise as his jaw drops. A mix of confusion and shock. "Chrissy…? " He whispers in disbelief, more to himself than to her.
Realizing he's gawking, Eddie stubs out the cigarette and quickly hops to his feet, letting the book fall onto the ground. "My bad." He laughs, casually striding down the last few steps to her level. "Thought you were someone else."
If she wasn't so nervous, it would actually be impressive how he went from being completely taken off guard to acting laid back and confident in just a few seconds. Even she can't pull that off so organically. The guy's a natural, from the slight smirk to the hands buried in his back pockets as he leans back. Cool and collected.
"So, ah… What are you doing here, Cunningham? Skipping class?" He grins, cocking an eyebrow. There's a hint of skepticism. Like the idea of her ditching class is ridiculous on its own.
Out of the corner of her eye, she notices his foot shifting back. A beat-up old white sneaker knocks the monster book to the side. Out of view. He coughs and moves to cross his arms over his chest, drawing her attention back to him.
Now that she's here and Eddie is standing just a couple of feet away, another slight problem dawns on her. How does someone ask for pot? Without looking stupid? Especially to a person they barely know? Like, 'hello fellow student, can I purchase some marijuana?' probably won't cut it. She'll sound like a dweeb or narc.
"I, um… wanted to ask you…" Chrissy's heart is two seconds from imploding. Or maybe that's her stomach. "A–About, uh…"
Most people would've probably told her to just spit it the hell out by now. Instead, he leans against the railing and keeps his gaze fixed on her. "Ask me about what?" It's not annoyed or impatient like she expected. His voice is low… curious, even.
'Do it, dummy. Stop making a fool out of yourself.'
"I wanted to ask you about, um… getting some… you know ." She instinctively reaches for a loose lock of strawberry blonde hair to grab onto, twisting it between her fingers.
If Eddie seemed shocked before, that's nothing compared to now when it finally registers what she's beating around the bush about. His eyebrows almost disappear up into that messy mop of dark hair as he stares at her in stunned silence. She shifts on her feet, trying to contain the growing discomfort with this entire situation.
"Are you asking me for grass, Cunningham?"
Hearing it out loud makes it seem all the more bizarre. She shyly nods, a little worried about how he's going to react. Is he going to make fun of her? Tell her to kick rocks?
A few excruciating moments go by as Eddie looks from her to the wall, his eyes flickering back and forth. "Okay… Yeah." He lightly grazes his chin with a long finger. "I, uh… I have it, just not on me right now. But I can get it to you when school's over."
"There's a home game today. It doesn't start until 4, so I have a little extra time in between." A direct pathway links her thoughts and lips, and she just blurts it right out. No stuttering or hesitancy. He seems willing to do it. That's encouraging enough.
"Right." He bites the side of his lip and glances up toward the ceiling. "Do you know… that old little picnic area in the woods? Behind the football field?" She silently nods again when his eyes land back on her. "Meet me out there after school."
"O–Okay. I'll be there." This still might be a bad idea, but she's already come this far. No backing out now. Chrissy throws him a ghost of a smile and quickly turns away, having no clue what else to say to him. This is enough. Her limbs are rigid and awkward as she walks away, not daring to look back.
'Great…'
It's a done deal. She did it. Even if it was painful on her end. Now all that's left to do is slog back to the bathroom until next period and finish the rest of the school day. Then afterward… Maybe some peace of mind and a good night's rest will be within reach.
All Chrissy can do is hope everything works out. It has to. Otherwise, she might just lose it.
A/N: So, the next chapter will definitely be very Eddie/Chrissy-centric. It's what I've been looking forward to getting to. These first two chapters basically just set up what Chrissy's current life and situation are like. If it's not entirely clear yet, I've taken some liberties with her family and the timeline. Her mom passed away a year and a half ago, there's no little brother, and the dad is kind of a mix (plus some) of her parents in the show. I'll delve more into that in upcoming chapters.
I'll also answer a few questions I've received in DMs, especially since doesn't have tags or anything like AO3. Yes, Vecna's in this story. His curse is a bit different though. All I'll say for now is that he likes to take his time a lot more than the show's version. And this is canon divergence. The Duffer Bros gave me a toy and I'm going to pull it apart and reassemble it in a way that tickles me.