The first day of senior year was nothing short of boring, how anyone survived in this town was beyond me. There really was nothing to it and it was just overpopulated by the same old classic cliques that I can't stand, in any corner of the world.
The only nice part was having my cousin attending the same high school, though he is a grade below me and some what of a dork. It was better than no friends at all, we were always super close whenever his mom would visit or my family would come down here.
It was like the ultimate cousin hangout after not seeing each other for months. Always something to catch up on, trouble to get into.
I had kind of filled him in over the weekend about the party, well with out all details. I did tell him I hooked up with someone, that's about as far as I went with that.
A lot of it was complaining about how much I hated Hawkins already and internally complaining about the fact I couldn't get Eddie out of my mind, I'd never tell that to my cousin though.
I seat myself across from my cousin Dustin at one of the tables with in the cafeteria, the chattering among students giving me a head ache.
"So first day, how is it?" Dustin picks at his food, almost too happy about me attending Hawkins high "I hate it," I merely say, looking at my own tray of food which didn't look the least bit appetizing.
"It's not that bad," He scoffs, "I nearly fell asleep in math." I point out as I open my soda can "Well its math, no one likes math." He has a fair point, but somehow this math class was extra boring. The teachers voice could put anyone to sleep.
"Where's your friends?" I ask after taking a sip from my can as Dustin looks around with a light shrug "Somewhere around here," He fixes his button up Hawaiian type shirt which isn't buttoned up at all.
I scan the sea of people for familiar faces, I know Steve - he's also a senior. So far we have one class together so that offers me some comfort, I know OF Mike and Will but only met them once or twice in passing while visiting Dustin and his mom.
They were also super young then, practically babies so I wouldn't be able to spot them if I tried.
As I look out among the crowds of teens and soon to be graduates, a familiar Jean jacket catches my eye. I bow my head and bring my hand to my forehead to hide my face, like it's the brim of a hat. "Shit! Is that Eddie Munson?" My eyes dart in the direction of the jean jacket
Dustin turns around slowly to follow my eye line "Yeah.. why?" He asks slowly, completely confused as his brows knit together. "That's the guy I hooked up with!" I whisper to him, my stomach dropping.
"No," Dustin hung his head to the side in horror, "Not Eddie.. anyone but him!" His voice was loud, I nearly lunge over the table to put my hand over his mouth "Shh!" I scold, "What's the big deal?" I ask quietly
Besides now going to school with the guy I just hooked up with "He's my friend," Dustin states, a look of disgust on his face. I could not figure out how in any world Dustin and Eddie would be friends.
"Oh no," I mutter, watching Eddie turn around and walk towards our table. Trying to cover my face the best I could, which probably looked more suspicious.
"Hey Henderson," Eddie swoops down beside Dustin, crouching with his arm over Dustin's shoulder "Whose your new friend?" He says in a sing-songy voice, looking over at me as I try to bury my face in my hands "Wait.." Eddie starts slowly,
Standing up and sitting on the edge of the table with his feet on the cafeterias bench "I remember you," he grins as I look up at him, completely caught and no where to hide. "Beth, right?" Eddie tries to make sure he's correct as he points to me
"Her names not Beth," Dustin's brows pull together "It's Alison, well Ali.. she kinda gets ehh about being called Alison.." the rate at which Dustin's mouth was moving and not stopping made me want to jump over the table and strangle him.
I shot Dustin a death glare, my lips pulled into a tight line, so badly wanting to go off on him. "I wasn't worth a real name huh, or uh.." Eddie pauses, taking the bun off my tray and pulling it apart "Telling me you were sticking around, not just passing through."
He was clearly getting enjoyment out of this, it was probably the most fun he had all day "Not in the rule book," I shake my head, refusing to meet his eyes. "So did you come back for round two?" His grin nearly reaches ear to ear as he puts the piece of bread he pulled off into his mouth.
"The first time was unsatisfying enough," I groan, rolling my eyes as I watch Dustin's eyes dart from Eddie to me, bewildered by what was taking place
"Really? That's not what it sounded like when you were moaning my name." Eddie's grin grew wider, I shrunk back in place.. feeling my cheeks flush "Oh my god," I mutter in embarrassment.
Eddie stands up on the bench, wiping his hands together to rid of the crumbs. I make the extremely stupid mistake of finally locking eyes, ugh those beautiful amber brown eyes - nope, I hate him. I try to remind myself.
"Actually," he starts.. looking down at me with his stupid, smug, perfect face. "It was more like," Eddie thinks for a moment "Oh fuck, Eddie." He mimics the sound of my moaning from our encounter.
My body felt like it was on fire with shock and embarrassment. Dustin breaking out in a roar of laughter as Eddie jumped off the bench, a devilish look on his face. "Shut up," I snap at Dustin.
Huffing to myself as I grab my tray and head as far away from that situation as I can.
"Hey, sorry I didn't get a chance to say hi earlier." Steve follows behind me as we exit our English class, both heading to our lockers which are in the same row "It's okay," I shrug, giving him a small smile.
"It's not like I'm going anywhere," I laugh as I open my locker, glancing over at Steve in his plain greyish blue shirt, his hair somehow messy yet perfect at the same time.
"What are you doing after school? Maybe we can catch up?" He suggests, switching his books out in his locker "Dustin and I are going for a ride, well.. he's biking. I'm skating," I say as I swap my own books,
"Mind if I join?" A dark brow arches as I weigh my head side to side "Sure," I give another small smile "If you can keep up." I tease as Steve rolls his brown eyes, letting out a soft laugh "Oh whatever."
"Do you know where the history class room is?" I look around, still trying to figure out the schools lay out. Steve nods, a stray dirty blonde hair falling into his face "Yeah, I'll walk you." He says as he sweeps the hair back.
Walking side by side with Steve as I spot Eddie coming out of another class we were passing, almost bumping into him.
I hang my head down low to avoid further conversations, only because I was worried about getting sucked in and the hate facade would slowly fade away.
The day had dragged on but school always did for me as I'm sure it did for most, it wasn't anything special. Much more boring than the town I moved from and still trying to get use to a new place with new people.
I miss my friends, my old life. I miss having people to turn to all day, now I'm stuck with making new friends of my own. Though I've thought why even bother, I'm going to be out of here by summer and hopefully out of Hawkins after graduating.
Dustin climbs in the passenger seat of my car as I throw my bag in the back seat, seeing Eddie approach my car slowly while twirling a ring on his finger
"Are you avoiding me?" He's blunt, straight to the point.. a hint of worry on his face. "Not everything is about you, Eddie." I say in a monotone, pretending to fiddle with my bag so it looks like I'm busy.
"Ouch. You really got a bite to ya," his hand flies to his heart mockingly, "that's something you should already know." I quip, shutting my car door and leaning against it
"No, that's something you should know.." his finger points to my collarbone which was now covered in bruises shaped like bite marks from Eddie. Having to get creative recently with what I wear so they aren't visible.
A winning smile taking Eddies face as he pulls a cigarette pack out of his pocket, flipping it around in his hand repeatedly. "What, are you caving already big shot?" I challenge him, is that why he kept trying to talk to me?
His dark brows arch as he chuckles in amusement "if you want round two, all you have to do is ask." He pulls a cigarette out of the carton and places it between his lips
"Oh, I wouldn't have to ask." I widen my eyes in a flash, narrowing them after with a grin on my face. "And why would that be?" He's still amused, clearly drawn in as he brings his zippo up to his cigarette, using his other hand to shield the flame from the wind.
"You'll be begging me soon enough," I whisper up to him, he closes his zippo and shoves it back in his pocket - his eyes widening in shock "Oh shit," he laughs, awestruck as he takes a drag of his smoke
"Maybe I've finally met my match," Eddie says approvingly "We'll see who breaks first," he smirks, both of us making a deal with out saying a word. "It'll be you," I say confidently, taking the smoke from between his fingers and having a puff from it.
I blow the smoke out of the side of my mouth, Eddie's jaw nearly on the floor. Completely speechless that I keep taking him by surprise. Little does he know that I thrive on challenges and maybe this would get him out of my mind.
"Have fun," I wink, handing the cigarette back to him and rounding the back of my car to get in the driver side "Uh.. yeah, you too?" It's like a question as he speak.. Still flustered, man I love having him totally wound up.
There truly was nothing better than watching a guy squirm and with Eddie..
it was a really good look on him. God damn it, I'm suppose to be making myself like him less.. not like him more.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.. ugh.
After dropping Dustin off, though he only lives two blocks away.. I drive myself home. Parking in front of our new house and getting my book bag out of the back seat, planning to meet up with Dustin and Steve after dinner.
"How was your first day at school?" My mom sounding like a child as she basically coos at me like I'm a baby. I let out a loud breath, dropping my bag by the door "I'm eighteen mom, not five." My tone is dripping with attitude,
"When's dinner? I'm heading out with Dustin and Steve after," I say as I place my one shoe on the heel of my other shoe, sliding it off. "About an hour," she nods repeatedly, her hair barely moving from all the hair spray in it.
"It's nice you and Steve are hanging out, he's a really nice boy." My moms motives are completely see through, I fake a gag "Don't start, please." I nearly beg, heading up the stairs to my bedroom "Don't be so dramatic," she scoffs, waving a dish towel at me.
My mom was always trying to set me up with 'nice boys', to say I was over it was an understatement. Just let me live my life woman, jeez.
I pop in a mixed cassette tape into my radio that has a cassette player attached, turning it up to max volume and flopping down on my bed, arms behind my head as I stare at the popcorn textured ceiling above.
You give love a bad name by Bon Jovi filling my room and my brain as I move my feet to the song in thought.
Surely I didn't like Eddie.. right? It was some fluke of a feeling that rose up for a brief moment to never be seen again, right? It had to be, I hate him remember. Well, I'm trying.
After dinner I grabbed my skateboard and headed to Dustin's place, Steve was going to meet the two of us there.
We didn't really have a destination in mind, just being one with the road.. living, existing.
"I'm here, loser." I playfully tease Dustin as I ride up to his driveway "thanks," he laughs, shaking his head at me "Me too," I hear a voice behind me, turning around to see Steve coming up the drive way on his own bike.
"Now time to take over Hawkins," I nod slowly, a mischievous look etched on my face. Both boys looking at me like I had three eyes "Or just.. like.. have fun. Whatever." I mumble. "You're something else," Steve chuckles, riding out into the road as I follow behind on my skateboard and Dustin follows on his bike.
The cool evenings breeze flowed through my hair, my thin black and dark grey striped sweater keeping my arms warm. My legs weren't protected by much as my dark wash blue jeans were torn and shredded by at home customizations.
I grab on to the back of Dustin's bike, using it to catch some speed on my skateboard as he zig zags around, laughing maniacally.
The three of us stop in an empty parking lot of a plaza by our houses, most of the stores closed for the night. Taking the opportunity use the free real estate and do some tricks, the guys on their bikes and me on my skateboard.
"Hey can I try?" Steve hops off his bike, ditching it on its side as he points to my skateboard. I flip it up into my hand, eyeing him then the board with a bemused grin "Go for it," I merely say, handing it over to him.
Keeping my eyes on Steve while having a hand over my mouth, knowing this was going to be good, Dustin gives some cheers of encouragement. "He's totally going to eat dirt," I mutter to Dustin, stifling a laugh "Ohh yeah." Dustin says in agreement.
I pick up Steve's bike and get on, it being a little bit higher than comfortable. "Here.." I say, riding a circle around Steve as he gets on the skateboard, "hold my arm," I extend my arm out in a straight line as he grabs on to it.
Slowly pushing his foot on the ground to get the tiniest bit of speed, I was mainly doing all the work.. pulling him along while on his bike. "Okay, I think I got it." Steve nods confidently, his hands letting go of my arm faster than I expected.
He in fact, did not have it. Instead it sent him flying off the board and rolling over and over again, almost a foot away.
Dustin runs towards him as I come to a sudden halt on the bike, dropping it down and running behind Dustin "Safe to say skateboarding isn't my thing," Steve groaned in pain, rolling over so his back was flat against the ground.
"If it helps, the wipe out kind of looked cool." Dustin smiled like a child, eyes lighting up like he was harnessing the power of the sun. "It helps," Steve groans again, slowly bringing himself to his feet.
"You should let Dustin teach you," I point over to Dustin as he grabs the board, getting on it and cautiously riding it. His arms out to steady himself, he wasn't the best skater nor a pro but he did a hell of a lot better than Steve. "See, not that hard." Dustin brags.
It took a lot of practice to get Dustin to the level he was at, be it a birthday, Christmas, family picnic.. each time consisted of me teaching him.
"Yeah. Yeah. Whatever." Steve wiped away at the knees of his light blue jeans, getting dirtied from the fall. "I vote going to the store," Steve points across the plaza at the only convenience store in the lot, "Okay but you're buying," Dustin giggles as he gets on the bike.
Steve and I share a glance as he rushes on to his bike and I pull myself up on his handle bars. Holding the skateboard in my lap with one hand and the handle bars with my other "Not if we beat you there, Henderson!" Steve yells out as we take off after him.
Steve comes to a side skid as I nearly fall off the bike, a van coming into the parking lot with very erratic driving and nearly crashing into us.
I hop off the bike "Of course, it's the freak." Steve scoffs, now walking his bike up to the store door. I watch as Eddie gets out of the driver side and a girl gets out of the passenger side.
Eddie and I lock eyes for a brief moment, he looks at Steve with hatred while I look at the girl with envy.
This time nothing is said. Just a mutual gaze shaded that was akin to disbelief.
Okay, maybe that would make it easier to hate Eddie Munson. Yet.. we owed each other nothing, it was a one night stand.. that was it. Sure we added a small bet into it afterwards but neither of us were tied down to each other.
And yet I still couldn't help but feel jealous, envious.. hurt. Maybe if I make him cave…
No. I shake my head. You're not dating him, you're not getting involved. Maybe make him cave for a round two, that's it.
At least that was the lie I was telling myself.