The Eddie Munson Senior Bucket List

by mr200810

Hawkins High School honor roll student and good girl Annie Cooper gets wrapped up in the world of Eddie Munson after failing as his tutor. She agrees to help him complete his Senior Bucket List as he attempts to graduate from Hawkins High for the third time. Drawn by his charm, and unable to get him out of her mind, Annie can't resist but see where the adventure will take her.

24. The Proverbial Funeral

---

The sun hadn't yet faded the moon when I awoke the next morning. I lingered in the in between, the first few moments when you start waking up but you're not quite conscious. The focus fades in slowly as you start remembering where you are, who you're with, how you feel. My brain recited the details back to me:

I'm in a bedroom, with the boy I love, and as much as I want to be, I'm too cold to stay asleep.

The temperature was dipping lower with each passing morning, and the insulation in Eddie's room wasn't amazing. I could feel the chill coming through the windows. My nose was cold to the touch, and my fingers were just as frigid from lack of circulation. I sought warmth in the most primal way, by pressing myself closer to the body next to me. I tucked my head below the blanket and tested my luck by placing my hands on Eddie's chest. I couldn't help it, he was so warm. I sighed with relief the moment I made contact.

Eddie was a deep sleeper, but the feeling of my frozen fingers couldn't keep him asleep. Oops. He shuddered, but didn't push the cold away. Instead, he pulled the shared blanket up tighter around us and scooted closer.

I watched as his eyes slowly opened, his smile reaching them long before his lips moved.

"I was having the best dream," he whispered sleepily. The sun wasn't even up, and we spoke quietly so as not to disturb the morning peace.

"Oh yeah, what about?" I whispered back.

Well I was in the school, and it was after dark." His voice was groggy with sleep, but even barely awake the first things out of his mouth were taunting and obscene.

"And you were there…" he continued, excited where this was going.

"Be for real." I knew exactly what he was about to say.

"And somehow; we ended up in the principals office…" Eddie's hands were wandering to my lower back as he tested his limits of how far I would let this go on.

"That wasn't a dream, love," I whispered, but he kept going.

"And you were lying on the desk…" he said, closing his eyes and grinning in reminiscences.

"It's not even 7am, are you always like this?"

"Oh I'm just getting started."

"I can't believe you talked me into that," I said, shaking my head. I wasn't ashamed, but it was a completely different matter to be talking about it out loud.

"There was no convincing needed, darling. You were a willing participant last night."

"Haven't you ever heard that what happens after dark never should be discussed in the daylight?"

"The moon is still out, so it's still fair game," Eddie said as a checkmate.

"You are a tyrant," I complained, unserious.

"It's one of my best qualities."

"And your bedhead is impeccable." I weaved my fingers through the messy strands falling around his face.

"You should see your own," he added, mimicking my motions and smoothing my hair.

The morning small talk was silenced as I reached my head up for a simple kiss. I wanted to be completely present, sink into his embrace and forget the world for a minute. I was with the person I loved. I didn't have to hide or suppress that love any longer. The problem is, I have a terrible habit of missing moments before they are even over. My mind began to wander to what comes next when we're no longer safe and alone. What happens when the other shoe drops and I'm forced to confront the circumstances of my life.

I could only play house with Eddie for so long, as much as I wanted to prolong it for forever. Eventually I would have to go home. Eventually I would have to face what happened, and what the new future looks like. I felt myself slipping from the moment, the worries in my mind getting louder and louder.

No longer able to keep it to myself, I shared my thoughts. I pulled away just enough for our lips to disengage, pressing my forehead against his.

"What am I going to do when I actually have to go back to reality and go back home?"

"Why are you thinking about that right now, baby?" Eddie questioned my misdirection. He didn't live inside my head, so my question seemingly came out of the blue.

"I'm sorry, it's not you. I'm always kind of thinking about it… worried about what's going to happen next."

"You don't have to worry, and you don't have to go back there if you don't want to." He ran his hand along my cheek, as if to wipe the worry away.

I didn't want to go back, but I didn't see any other choice. Unless…

"What if we just… left Hawkins?" I let my irrational thoughts get the better of me. I probably sounded crazy, wanting to run away from my problems. But it was an thought that always circled back as a possible solution. Then I remembered how trapped I was in this town, and I would let it go. It never seemed achievable.

"Let's do it," Eddie said without an ounce of questioning my impulsivity.

"Really?"

"Do you know how often I say I'm going to leave Hawkins," Eddie asked, more alert now that I had brought up the possibility of leaving. "And yet I'm still here, on my third attempt to graduate from high school. I'm sick of waiting for my life to start. Let's go."

"We can't just leave…" I offered the idea, and now I was already contradicting myself. How could we, where would we start?

"Sure we can!" Eddie was totally onboard with skipping this town and moving on immediately.

"What will we do?"

"We'll hit the road. I'll sell my songs to the biggest record labels, maybe take the band on tour. You can write your plays and be the next Shakespeare," he theorized, half serious.

"But we're so young." The rational side of me was begging to be heard, giving me every reason not to conjecture these wild ideas.

"And thousands before us have found a way. We can do anything. Go anywhere." Eddie sounded energized by the endless possibilities. Any lingering lethargy was shed as we began to theorize about our future.

"Where would we live?" I asked.

"Everywhere and nowhere. We'll convert the van and hit the road. Explore the coasts. Stop whenever we feel like it." He seemed like he had thought this all through.

"And we'll get a dog?" I asked, starting to indulge in the fantasy. "No nomad-fantasy is complete without a furry companion."

"Two, if you want," Eddie laughed.

It was refreshing to imagine all the possibilities of what my life could be like without restraints. The rest of the morning was spent embellishing this makeshift reality before the alarm went off. We went back and forth asking questions and spinning an intricate fantasy. We would live near the California redwood forests and vacation in Alaska to see the northern lights. It was silly and irrational but also made perfect sense. The only thing we disagreed on was what we would name our dogs. He wanted Ozzy and Zeppelin, I thought Bowie and Stevie were more fitting.

High on the fumes of first love, it no longer felt irrational to say that the possibilities were endless.

We didn't know how, but in daydreaming it all seemed so tangible. I think both of us were clinging to the ideas that were motivating us to get through the mundane moments. And even though it was mostly just fantasy, we both agreed we would graduate High School first before actually making a move.

*

On the drive, my energy was buzzing. We were about to find out if my visage of Kurt remained on the roof, and if so, the whole school was about to participate in my plan of total humiliation. The thought of seeing the look on his face made me downright giddy, and I wanted to find music to amplify my good mood. I opened the glove compartment to find it brimming with a disorganized pile of cassettes.

"What on earth could you be looking for?" Eddie asked, intrigued by my rummaging.

"We are about to bury Kurt, I need a song to get me in the mood." I said as I began rifling through Eddie's collection.

"I dare say you'd be hard pressed to find something that suits your interests. I love you, but the cross-section of our musical tastes is limited."

"I'm sure I can find something," I said, determined.

I flipped over pretty much every cassette that was stashed in that cramped space. It was about what you'd expect: Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and a plethora of other rock and metal artists that made up Eddie's collection. Most I didn't recognize. Maybe he was right, and our music taste didn't overlap at all. I was just about to give up when I found a cassette tucked in the corner that was far more mainstream than I had pegged him for. It had never been played, cellophane still wrapped firmly around the packaging.

"Oh this is perfect for today!" I snatched the cassette and closed the glove compartment as carefully as I could.

"What did you find?" He sounded nervous.

"You never cease to surprise me, Munson." My cheerful tone tipped him off that whatever I found might leave a dent in his precisely curated idea of what kind of music was acceptable and what was garbage.

"What could you have found that warrants this much enthusiasm?"

Eddie had all the curves of the road memorized and hardly had to focus on his driving. He turned to look and the plastic refracted in the light as I waved the cassette for him to see: Tears for Fears album Songs From The Big Chair.

"That's not mine," he denied vehemently.

"If it's not yours, why is it in your car?" My words coated in sarcasm as I began plucking at the corners of the plastic packaging.

"Okay fine, it is mine, but I didn't buy it. Wayne got it for me. I think he got it confused with the Simon and Garfunkel Bookends album, they both look similar."

"You listen to Simon and Garfunkel?" Another shocking revelation from the boy with a very particular music taste.

"No, but at least I can appreciate Simon and Garfunkel. He tried."

"I, for one, think it's a great gift."

"But we don't need to listen to it today," he said, reaching over and trying to grab the cassette from my hands. I leaned back and lifted my arm out of reach, which made him rise up out of his chair to try to snatch the offending cassette.

"Both hands on the steering wheel bud. We don't need to wreck before we even make it to the proverbial funeral."

He moaned, but refocused his attention on the road. I had won this time. I extricated his current self-made mixtape from the stereo and tossed in Tears for Fears.

"You know. It's a short ride to school. We could've totally done it in peaceful silence."

"Where's the fun in that?" I asked as I began forwarding through the first couple of songs on the cassette to find the one I was looking for.

"I told you last night not to ask me to sing this."

"No, you told me not to make you sing Head Over Heels. I wanna listen to a different song." I pressed play to see how close I had gotten to the song I was looking for, My timing was pretty good, when I pressed play I had only skipped the first 2 bars of intro music to the song. Eddie recognized the song immediately and let out a little, really? as I began nodding along to the beat.

"You don't have to sing, but you'll miss out on all the fun!"

I rolled down the window and let the frigid air blow in, wind stroked hair flapping around wildly. Nothing could kill my mood and just hearing the beginning of the song had my spirits up. I held my arms out wide as I sung the first chorus in exultation.

Welcome to your life

There's no turning back

Even while we sleep

We will find you

Acting on your best behavior

Turn your back on Mother Nature

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Eddie said with a laugh during the interlude.

"You can't seriously tell me this song doesn't put you in a good mood," I turned to him, flashing a smile.

"It grates my eardrums. So repetitive and simplistic."

"Oh don't be so dramatic. It's a hit for a reason!" I tapped along on my knees to the beat as the second chorus was about to begin.

"Yeah because a bunch of unoriginal conformists decided whatever plays on the radio must be high art," he groaned.

"Well you're dating one of those unoriginal conformists." I teased, fully unashamed that I enjoyed popular music.

"You're not. People like Steve Harrington are unoriginal conformists. I bet this is his favorite song," Eddie conjectured.

"Come on, Eddie, just enjoy the moment and sing with me. I know you know it!"

"Not by choice," he grumbled. But even with a half assed attempt at being too good for mainstream music, he still broke into the final bit of the song with me.

All for freedom and for pleasure

Nothing ever lasts forever

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Our voices were loud and dissonant, nearly shouting the words and doing our best impressions of the band. By the time the song ended, we were both wearing genuine smiles.

Driving up to school it did feel a bit like we ruled our corner of the world. We joked and laughed the rest of the drive, Tears for Fears was still playing quietly in the background. We played a new game of guessing what kind of albums Steve Harrington had on his shelf. Maybe it was a little unfair, but he was an easy target as a stereotypical popular guy. We agreed that he probably secretly loved the Village People and ABBA, which I could totally see.

We arrived to school early so as to not miss a minute of action as students arrived and saw what was there to greet them on the roof. There was already a small crowd gathered out front. The tackle dummy still stood tall, the little taxidermied rat right where we had left him peeking out of the pants zipper. My handmade sign flapped slightly in the wind, but remained intact.

We had spent the night plotting revenge that would hopefully go in our favor this morning. It was petty, but it felt damn good. Any foreboding consequences were tucked away in the back of my mind, I was choosing to be blissfully unaware that today could be anything but perfect. Nothing could top the oblivious feeling of invincibility that came with getting the upper hand on your enemy.

"Glad to see our little star survived the night," Eddie remarked, pulling his van into a spot near the back.

"Now let's hope he makes it until at least homeroom. I want to know that everyone has seen it."

"Even if they don't, students will be hearing about this for years to come."

Eddie and I walked up to the school, his hand wrapped around my waist. The morning was starting to warm as the sun hit higher in the sky, so it wasn't too cold to linger out front. We began to overhear some of the things that were being said by passers by.

"Wasn't expecting to see Kurt dragged this hard before 8am."

"Whoever did this is a goddamn legend."

"If it weren't for the sign, I could've sworn this was about Jason Carver."

I couldn't even begin to imagine. Because of the drama between me and Kurt, Jason seemed to get off easy. He had been exposed to the majority of the student body after Eddie pantsed at the Homecoming Dance. If this visage was about Jason, I don't know that Eddie would have lived to see another morning. There would have been bloodshed on the front lawn before first period.

I spotted Robin Buckley across the courtyard, surrounded by some of the other marching band kids. We locked eyes for a moment in knowing solidarity as she gave a slight head nod followed by a toothy grin. I returned the smile in appreciation for her help last night. I don't know that we could have achieved the same effect without her, or Steve's pants for that matter. But we had pulled it off, and the reception from the student body was more rewarding than we could have imagined.

Fred Benson, who was on the newspaper staff, had his camera ready and began snapping a few photos. Students began posing and begging for their photos to be taken with the display, but he ignored them. The flash of the camera went off at least a dozen times as Fred snapped the rat from every possible angle. This was one article that would certainly go unpublished, but I was so glad photographic evidence would live long beyond the physical display.

"What do you think it would take for Fred to give me a copy of that picture?" I asked as we walked up to the school.

"I could imagine a thing or two he'd want," Eddie said, slipping his fingers between the waist of my pants and snapping the elastic waistband below.

"This isn't Sixteen Candles, I am not giving him a pair of my panties," I argued, putting my hand over his and freeing his fingers. I clasped his hand in mine so he couldn't do it again.

"Whatever you say, but that would probably be the quickest solution."

"Flattering, but I'm sure I can sweet talk my way into what I want. Let's go," I said, leading the way. "I wanna get a good seat for the show."

We walked across the lawn to get closer to the front. The younger members of the Hellfire Club were already at school. They probably having got an early ride from Nancy Wheeler, who had never been tardy a day in her life. Mike, Lucas and Dustin were gathered in their usual spot at a picnic bench near the front door. We went to join them, the perfect viewing spot for the morning debacle.

"How are you guys enjoying the show?" I asked, tossing my backpack onto the table and stepping up to sit on the top next to Lucas, Mike and Dustin on the bench below. Eddie leaned against the side of the table next to me.

"It's incredible," Lucas said, shaking his head with a smile. He already seemed keyed into the obvious fact that I had something to do with this.

"Wait, was this you?!" Mike asked in disbelief, turning to see my answer.

I held my finger up to my lips, "keep it secret."

"I don't know if that's possible," Dustin added. "I've already heard people throwing around your name."

"Yeah, that's kind of inevitable at this point," I realized.

"But the takedown will be so worth it," Eddie said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Let's just hope the administration has a sense of humor."

With each throng of students emerging from buses and carpool caravans, the crowd loitering around the front of the school got bigger. Once everyone realized who was being mocked, they were eager not to miss the moment when the subject became aware of the display. It was amazing to watch over and over as newcomers realized what was on the roof, guffawed with laughter, and then joined the crowd of waiting witnesses.

Someone must have tipped off a faculty member, because a janitor towing a ladder approached, and a crowd of boos ensued. An actual wall of students crowded together to prevent the ladder from being placed close enough to reach the roof. The janitor grumbled but didn't even bother trying to move the students out the way. He didn't get paid enough to care. The display was protected until at least Homeroom.

Time was running out and Kurt hadn't arrived yet, but the crew at our table grew as Gareth and Jeff finally arrived, completing the Hellfire club. We said quick good mornings, and they both already guessed that we were responsible for the current commotion.

"So Annie, how'd Eddie convince you to pull this off?" Gareth said, stepping around Mike and coming to my other side on the top of the bench. I scooted to the middle to make more room for him.

"Give credit where it's due, this was all her idea," Eddie said proudly.

"Is that true?" Jeff asked. I nodded my answer.

"Ahh I see. We've got a little criminal on our hands," responded Gareth, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"Not a criminal, just a foray in… abstract expressionism, maybe. I think I have a future in phallic sculptures."

"Michelangelo is quaking," Gareth joked, which made us all laugh.

"So how exactly did you do it?" Dustin asked, turning on the bench to face us.

Eddie and I took turns explaining to the group how we snuck back into the school the night before, and how I had pilfered Larry the Lab Rat from Mr. Schmidt's classroom. I intended to leave out the details of our accomplices, and everything that happened once we left the roof, but they didn't ask. But whenever our eyes met, I knew Eddie was just as preoccupied as I was remembering how our night had ended. There was no mistaking the details were on replay in his mind.

"So when do you think the asshole is going to get here?" Jeff asked, interrupting my thoughts.

As if the devil himself was summoned, a black mustang screeched into the parking lot and pulled in an empty spot near the front that everyone else seemed to be avoiding. Kurt came bounding from the vehicle and all heads turned to watch what would happen next. Coming out of a luxury vehicle wearing a pristine Letterman jacket was usually a sign of popularity in this school. But even the perfect look couldn't protect him from the karma coming his way.

The clown had arrived, and the circus was ready for him.

"Time for the grand finale," Eddie said, folding his arms and leaning his back against our table.

"I wish we had some popcorn," Dustin added with a smile that crinkled his eyes.

Kurt sauntered up to the school completely unaware that he was the man of the hour. The amount of confidence in his walk was bold for someone who was about to be the butt of the joke. But he was tipped off pretty quickly that something was up. Anyone within earshot took the opportunity to tease him immediately.

"Hey Kurt, how's it hang?"

"Show us your rat!"

"No wonder he can't keep a girlfriend," were just a few of the things overheard as he walked towards the entrance. He chuckled in confusion at first, but then he saw what everyone was pointing at. Kurt was finally close enough to read the banner and see the statue mocking his stature. The laughter was booming as his face turned from confusion to understanding.

The student body was now a unified force, blocking the way and forcing him to confront the ugly truth. Like there was a silent consensus that Kurt was a pompous ass who was all too deserving of a display of public ridicule. He wasn't immune to the bullying he had doled out for all these years. Even his closest friends cracked a smile, unable to defend their buddy this time.

I saw Kurt scan the crowd for anything; a friend to back him up, a scapegoat to blame for his shame. No friends were coming to the rescue, and something told me he knew exactly who was responsible.

"Here comes trouble," Eddie said, nodding in Kurt's direction as he spotted our table. He wasted no time singling me out and heading our way, nearly pushing students half his size out of the way to get to us.

"Do you think he'll try anything?" I asked, suddenly concerned for my safety. Kurt was unpredictable, and mixed with anger I wasn't sure what reaction we were in for.

"If he does, we've got your back," said Gareth.

"Yeah what's he gonna do, beat up a girl in front of the whole school?" Mike added.

"We don't know what he's capable of, just don't provoke him further," I instructed as he was just feet away.

Kurt was at the table in seconds, big and burly and mad as hell. The seven of us stared him down in various stances, some in ready defense and others in complete apathy. I couldn't imagine how this standoff looked to everyone around us, who were all too keyed into the moment. I could hear the crowd hush as they waited for a fight.

"Annie." He said my name less of a salutation and more of an accusation.

"Kurt." I replied with no emotion. I hated having to face him at all.

"Did you do this?" He motioned to the roof angrily.

"Why would you think that?" I asked, unafraid to look him directly in the eye.

"Maybe because you've been trying to make my life a living hell this past week?" He nearly exploded. I could feel the energy shift, and tried to keep my cool.

"The only person making your life hell is yourself." I replied calmly. "All I did was humble you, the rest was of your own doing."

"Humble me how?! By hitting me at the dance and now telling everyone I have a rat dick?!

It took every ounce of willpower I had to not immediately snicker at rat dick, and that didn't stop my friends, but I pushed through. "Kurt, you keep going around saying hurtful things and spouting rumors and it's all going to come back to you eventually."

"What did I ever do to you that was so bad?" Kurt asked.

"Maybe leading everyone to believe that we slept together and letting the whole school turn on me? Or is your memory as good as a goldfish and you already forgot that happened?"

"It's not my fault that you led me on and now you're acting like a fucking slut."

It didn't matter how many times I heard the word this week, it still stung. Everyone at the table stirred, ready to pounce, but I cut them off.

"I don't know exactly how I led you on when I was only being nice to you. But I guess if I'm a slut, that gives me free will to let everyone know how big of a man you are?" I said, pointing a finger to the limp rat-dick on the roof.

"You know it isn't true." His arms crossed in a harrumph.

"Do I? You're so concerned with your size you forget I never slept with you in the first place. But seeing as how unhinged you're acting, I'd say I hit the nail on the head."

His eyes narrowed, unwilling to actually continue the part of the conversation where he defended his size. I almost started to feel bad for him, until I reminded myself he was the one who brought it to this point.

"You still didn't have to do this." He was at the bargaining stage, and I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of apologizing.

"You could have just as easily confessed the truth to your friends, but you couldn't do that, could you? Wanted everyone to think you bagged me first because that hurts less than admitting that I would be interested in someone like Eddie over you?"

You're not seriously still defending this freak?" Kurt said, motioning to Eddie.

"You might want to be careful with who you're calling freak, asshole." Eddie said, alert but acting annoyed and bored with the whole ordeal.

"You're just scared to admit that Eddie is more of a man than you'll ever be. The truth is, once everyone finds out who you actually are, they leave you. It'll happen every time. So maybe you should hurry along and fix that before you find yourself completely alone." I hoped that would get the point through his thick skull.

"He's a piece of shit and you're a crazy fucking bitch. You belong together." Kurt had nothing substantial to say, so he settled for petty insults. I could tell this pissed off the entire crew.

"Just hurry along man, don't want to be caught with your pants around your ankles," Gareth said, wanting to get in on the verbal warfare.

"What the fuck does this have to do with you," Kurt spat back. Gareth was unphased, ready to fight back.

"These are my friends, asshole. Ever heard that word? Friends? I don't see anyone defending you in your time of need."

It was never more apparent that Kurt was completely alone in this fight. He looked behind him, but no one was willing to step up to the plate and join his team.

"You losers don't want to mess with me, I could destroy you with a snap of the wrist," Kurt spat back.

Lucas, the only fellow athlete in our group, jumped down from the bench to look Kurt in the face. He was shorter in stature, but that was due to his age more than anything. Give him 6 months to a year and he'd tower over Kurt easily.

"One of you against 7 of us? I'll take those chances," Lucas said, unwavering power behind his words. I was surprised by his show of bravery, he didn't have to be involved at all if he didn't want to.

"Yeah, I'd like to see you try," Dustin said, emboldened to join the force. He stood up next to Lucas. Mike also rose to his feet.

"What'll it be, Kurt?" Eddie said, stepping around to stand at the helm of his friends as a proud leader. "At least give me a heads up so I can take off my jacket before we pulverize you."

Glancing around, I realized each of them was on their feet and ready to go. I was protected by an impenetrable force of lovable weirdos who would go down fighting with me, if it came to that. I was touched by how quickly I had been adopted into this group of such loyal friends. When faced with a fight, they were willing to stick up for their own against more than just fictional monsters.

Kurt's stance loosened as he quietly decided it wouldn't be worth it to square up, even if he was the largest among us.

"Screw you, Annie. This isn't over," he said as he turned to walk away.

Emboldened by the protection surrounding him, Gareth couldn't stop himself from getting one last jab in.

"Go find a yardstick, Kurt. Maybe the results will come up differently."

Kurt stopped in his tracks, but knew better than to turn back and fight at this moment.

"You goddamn freaks." he muttered as he walked away.

"I'd say don't trip, but from the looks of it, you aren't hiding much of a hazard," Gareth shouted again as Kurt shuffled away.

Some people on the crowd grumbled that there wasn't more of a spectacle to be had. But louder than that were the laughter and cheers that followed as Kurt sought refuge inside the school. Undeniably, anyone on the front lawn knew exactly who was responsible for Kurt's demise. I would face the consequences later today, that was inevitable. But for now I would revel in the fact that I had successfully wounded Kurt's ego and reputation.

Checkmate, asshole.

Once he was out of earshot our table busted into laughter, laden with relief that the danger was over.

"Did you see the look on his face?" Dustin asked, slinging his backpack on and getting ready to head inside the school. Everyone around us was moving now that the show was over, trying to get to class before the warning bell.

"And how he couldn't even deny that she had gotten the size just right with the rat," Mike added.

"You were amazing standing up to him, Annie." Lucas said with admiration.

"What about Gareth with the deadly clap backs? Where have you been my whole life?" I asked. He had been eager to come to my defense, and for that I was grateful.

"I've been right here, sweetheart," he replied, arms outstretched in offering. "It feels like I've been waiting to take down that dickwad for ages."

"Mission accomplished. But seriously, thank you. All of you. Sorry for involving you in my personal vendetta against that asshole." I was sincere in my appreciation, but they all treated it like it was no big deal.

"Are you kidding, that guy deserved to be knocked down a few pegs. I'm just happy we got to back you up," Gareth replied.

"Yeah, no way we were gonna let him win," Dustin said.

"We're happy to be at your service," Jeff added. "Hey, will you be at Craig Jefferson's bonfire tonight?"

Craig Jefferson was the singular student on the marching band that had successfully integrated into almost every social circle at Hawkins. He belonged to everyone and no one, floating freely from friend group to friend group without ruffling any feathers. It probably had something to do with the fact that he was also filthy rich, but not in a show-offy way. Every fall, he threw a bonfire on his property out by lovers lake. It was the perfect excuse for teenagers to get boozed up and burn shit with minimal consequences. And every year, attendees would leave with not only hangovers, but ridiculous stories of what went down and usually, who hooked up with who.

Amidst the chaos, I completely forgot it was the last weekend in September. In my four years of high school, I had never been to the notorious bonfire. Not that I had ever been explicitly invited before. My friends and I usually preferred to do our own thing, movie nights and sleepovers in the safety of our homes, and would hear all the stories the following Monday. Maybe now was the chance to actually participate in all the elements of High School before it was too late.

"I didn't realize that was happening tonight. Are you going?"

"Yep, it's the last Friday of September every year, before it starts getting too cold. You should come, we've gotta celebrate your victory."

I turned to Eddie. "Should we go?" There was no way I was going to go to a party like that without him.

"Sure, if you want. Craig's party is usually a good way to move some merchandise, and I promised Rick I'd be cleared up by Monday," Eddie mused. Oh right. The phone call that interrupted our movie night. Eddie still had some shit to sell before the weekend was over.

"You've been before?" I was a little surprised to hear that Eddie had attended a cliché high school party at all.

"The kid with the party favors is usually a welcome guest," he explained. "It's not a bad time, surprisingly."

"Then guess we'll see you guys there," I smiled to Gareth and Jeff.

"Yeah, a couple of the basketball guys are going and said I could hitch a ride, so I'll see you guys there too," Lucas said excitedly.

"Lucas, you're going? What about us?" Mike asked, motioning between him and Dustin.

"It's probably best you sit this one out bud," Eddie clapped him on the back.

"And there is no way your mom will let you go to a high school party anyway," Dustin said.

"I would just tell her I'm at your house, idiot, and you say you're at mine," said Mike.

"We have plans, anyway, remember? We told Max we'd go with her to check out some of the new machines at the arcade."

You're going to the arcade?" Lucas asked. There was clearly some tension between the Lucas and Max, and I was witness to Lucas finding out firsthand that plans had been made without him.

"We… didn't think you'd be interested. It'll probably be lame anyway. The arcade isn't as much fun now that we're not like, twelve. Besides, you've got a party to go to." Mike said, insensitive to the fact that Lucas was being overlooked for the sake of their other friend.

"Yeah you won't miss us at all," Dustin said trying to lighten the mood. "You'll be having too much fun at your big high school party."

"Yeah, it'll be cool…" Lucas said, his voice trailing. "I'll uh, see you guys later."

With that he turned to go inside the school. The rest of the group dissolved slowly, saying goodbyes and heading their separate ways to get to their lockers before homeroom.

"I'll see you at the party. Your first shot's on me," Gareth said, the last one lingering.

"I'm not much of a shot girl…"

"You will be tonight!" He said, winking and turning to leave.

I laughed as he sauntered away. He was tenacious and overly confident, but somehow still endearing.

"You've gotta be careful with Gareth, I'm afraid the kid's developed a bit of a crush," Eddie said when we were finally alone. We were meandering towards the door, but in no rush to get there. Our pace was at a crawl as we let other students hurry around us.

"It's just friendly banter," I said, defending my new friend.

"Your version of friendly is quite dangerous," Eddie teased.

"See, you say that, but I've also got you wrapped around my finger. So which is it? Do you love it or hate it?"

"It's incredibly dangerous. Downright deadly," he said, gravitating closer. We hadn't even made it to the front door before we were pulling off to the side to indulge in our last few minutes alone before school. We were just about to kiss when I heard my name being called. I pulled away to see Grace was rushing up to me, our other friend Claire not far behind.

"Annie, hi," she started, short of breath from rushing.

I greeted them both, and Eddie gave a little wave. Every time he was around my friends it was apparent how they didn't actually know each other at all. I made a mental note to fix that as soon as possible. I hated how my life had become so segmented.

"You're later than normal," I acknowledged, seeing that they came from the parking lot. Normally she got to school pretty early.

"My car died, Claire had to pick me up. Can I talk to you… Alone?" She added when Eddie didn't immediately move to leave.

"I'll see you later?" I asked him like it wasn't a given.

"Of course." He then leaned in close to whisper in my ear, a secret only we shared. "I love you."

Those parting words accompanied with a final kiss on the cheek made my pulse flutter, like a shot of serotonin straight to the heart.

"That boy sure does love a secret," Grace said with a hint of contempt.

"Don't hold it against her, she's in love." Claire was always giving me the benefit of the doubt, and for that I was grateful. Let's just say she was much more forgiving than my oldest friend. I matched her sympathetic smile.

I cleared my throat, ready to get to the root of their visit. I began walking into the school as our conversation began. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Please tell me that was you that put the display on the roof. Or don't tell me. I don't know which is worse," Grace started.

"What makes you think it was me?" I asked, crossing my arms and leading the way. Apparently she hadn't seen the confrontation with Kurt out front. Anyone who was there already knew I did it.

"Annie, this has your name written all over it. Grace said as I turned the corner down the hallway where our lockers were.

"Not to mention your literal handwriting in red paint." Claire added, compounding the evidence.

"Shit, you can tell it's my writing? Do you think teachers will be able to tell?" That's the one thing I hadn't actually thought of.

"Your handwriting has stayed the same since 5th grade. But there is no way you did this on your own. Who helped you? Eddie?" Grace wanted to know everything. Did I catch a hint of jealousy that I didn't involve her, even if it totally went against her code of conduct?

"I'm not at liberty to say…" We had stopped in front of my locker and I opened it to grab what I needed.

"Aren't you worried about the consequences when administration finds out?" Claire asked?

"What's going to happen, more detention? They have no proof it's me." I was rifling through the locker with my backs to them, but I could still feel the judgement.

"They don't need proof. Everyone knows it has to be you at this point," Grace accused.

"And why is that," I asked, turning around and letting my locker slam a little too hard. We all knew the answer, but I wanted them to acknowledge that my unfair treatment had driven me to this point.

"People have been talking about you all week," Claire said sheepishly.

"Right. And no one bats an eye when I'm labeled the school slut, but turn the script on a guy and suddenly it's a defamation of character and libel case?" The double standards were absurd.

"Look I'm sorry that you got wrapped up in this. And I'm not saying it's your fault. But you're not doing yourself any favors at this point." In trying to defend me, Grace was really just insulting me.

"Because I took matters into my own hands? Because I refused to be walked all over any more than I already have?"

That doesn't mean you take things one step further until it goes too far!" She argued back.

"Grace, it's just a harmless prank!"

"I don't think it's all that harmless," Grace argued.

"Yeah, who knows what Kurt will do next," Claire added, trying to make a point that I could stand to be more careful.

"And if everyone was talking about you incessantly, what would you do then?" I looked between the both of them, wanting them to actually imagine being me for a moment.

"I don't know? Probably just keep my head down and wait for the gossip to pass," Grace reasoned. What a rational answer for someone who would never have to suffer the consequences of being a school pariah.

"I guess that's the difference between you and me, then."

"You didn't used to be like this. I'm trying to understand it, I really am. But ever since you've been hanging out with Eddie you've been a completely different person." Grace still couldn't accept at her core that I might not be the perfect best friend she had imagined me to be. Instead she resorted to blaming a boy than acknowledging the real problem.

"This has nothing to do with Eddie-" I started, but she cut me off.

"It has everything to do with Eddie! This all started because you were hanging around him. You slapped Kurt because of him!"

"This all started because Kurt is a lecherous creep who couldn't keep his hands or thoughts to himself. And I slapped him because the things he accused Eddie of were dangerous and unfair. Eddie or not, he still wouldn't leave me alone."

"Annie, still. I can't stand by and watch you make mistake after mistake and destroy your life." Grace was fighting with fire, and Claire looked between us worried, like she didn't know how to stop this from getting so much worse.

"Are you saying my relationship with Eddie is a mistake?" My voice dropped, truly disappointed that Grace would pass judgement again when her understanding of the matter was so one sided.

I looked between my friends, waiting for them to confirm my accusations. Claire stayed a quiet bystander to the whole ordeal, but after a moment, Grace spoke.

"I'm saying it might be a distraction that you don't need right now…."

Not that I needed to explain myself to anyone, but I felt fiercely the need to defend Eddie when he couldn't defend himself.

"Do you know that Eddie and his friends have been the only people who truly haven't treated me differently this week because of some stupid rumors?"

"We haven't treated you differently…" Claire tried to say.

"No, just avoided the issue and silently judged me without stopping to ask how I was doing."

They both didn't have an answer for that, because they both knew that what I had said was true. Claire looked guilty and Grace averted her eyes. I continued driving my point home.

"Do you know that Eddie has spent every moment possible trying to cheer me up between what's happening at school and what's going on at home? That he's been the only source of happiness in possibly the toughest week of my life?"

Grace looked up at me again. "What's going on at home?"

Where do I begin? They both knew I didn't have the closest relationship with my parents, but I hadn't told them everything that led to me leaving home for a while. I figured it would be best to be brief, they could learn the rest later.

"There was an altercation between me and my dad. Eventually, the police were involved. I've been staying with Eddie and his uncle this week while things calm down at home." Any detail beyond that and I would be a wreck.

"I… didn't know…" The guilt had caught up to Grace, but I wasn't trying to make her feel bad for something she couldn't control.

"Annie, we had no idea," Claire added.

"Of course not, because I didn't tell you." Grace seemed disappointed to know the truth. That for possibly the first time ever, I didn't go to her first.

"You've always come to me with your problems, ever since we were little kids. What changed?"

"We're growing up. Things are going to change." It made me sad to admit it, but it was the truth.

"I could've been there for you, could've helped you out or something. You could've stayed with me. I just thought you were being standoffish this week. I didn't realize what was actually going on," Grace said.

"And that's not your fault, you've got your own stuff going on at home, I didn't want to burden you with my own problems when your parents are going through a divorce. That's hard enough."

Grace nodded in agreement, tears brimming in her eyes. "I guess we haven't been really good friends to each other lately…"

"No, we haven't."

"Annie, I'm sorry," she said, her composure breaking. She wasn't the most affectionate of friends, but she wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I welcomed the embrace.

"I'm sorry, too. I just… I don't want to have to worry about what you're saying too. I need you on my side. And I still want to be on yours."

Not one to be left out, Claire wrapped her arms around the both of us. She being the mediator spoke next to ease tensions.

"We have a lot of catching up to do. Let's never be cryptic and moody again. If something's happening, we come to each other? Deal?"

"Deal," Grace and I agreed.

"And the next time we need to deal with an enemy, we all get to help out with the public humiliation. Deal?" Claire added.

"Deal," we all laughed, squeezing each other tighter as the final bell went off.

"Time to start taking bets on how long it takes for me to get called to the principals office," I joked as we began walking to class.

"Is it presumptuous of me to say homeroom?" Grace laughed.

"I'm starting my stopwatch now," Claire joked as she turned to go.

There really was no way I was getting through this day without some sort of punishment, so I might as well start preparing myself now.

*

Surprisingly, I made it through Homeroom and first period without being summoned. But my luck ran out, and second period had barely started when the call I knew was coming was announced over the loudspeaker. Shocking it too this long for them to collect me for punishment.

"Annie Cooper, please report to the principal's office."

The chattering began immediately as I grabbed my things to go. A few well wishes were uttered as I walked to the front of the classroom. I could still hear the teacher trying to calm the students down as the door shut behind me.

Anyone who lingered in the hallway stood and watched in solidarity for my march to the principal's office. They knew exactly what was about to happen.

When I reached the front office, the secretary let me know I could go right into Principal Coleman's office. Lo and behold, Kurt was already seated in one of the chairs. I had felt confident I could handle a conversation with Principal Coleman on my own, but Kurt was the big ugly wrench in my plan. Because of course he ratted me out on his own, and was now present for my sentencing.

Kurt didn't so much as turn to look at me when I walked in, but sulked further in his seat. What a gross juxtaposition to the company I had shared in this very room last night. Instead, I was seated next to my enemy and across from my executioner.

"Ms. Cooper, take a seat," I was instructed by Principal Coleman. I did as I was told, first pulling the chair as far away from Kurt as I could manage without seeming rude.

"I suspect you know why you both were called here," He began.

Kurt muttered in agreement but I said nothing, just waited for him to continue. Plead the fifth, or whatever. I didn't have a response that wasn't immediately incriminating, so I stayed silent. Is it too late to ask for a lawyer?, I imagined myself saying. Then I laughed at my stupid legal joke, which came out as a choked cough that I never meant to let out. Principal Coleman narrowed his brow, but continued.

"Normally we expect students to handle personal matters between themselves, but this has gotten out of hand. Now I've heard both of your names around this school more times than I can count this week. I'm not here to ask which rumors are true and which are false, that's none of my business." Even though he claimed to stay out of it, he also took a pause. Like he was expecting a confession, handing me the nails to my coffin.

"We have it on record that you two got into an altercation involving physical violence at the homecoming dance," he continued.

"Principal Coleman, I'm already serving detention for that incident," I reminded him.

"And that should have been enough of a punishment to keep you from future misgivings. But then Mr. Douglas here was the subject of a sick act of targeted defamation, and all signs point to you, Ms. Cooper. Mr. Douglas seems to think that you were responsible for the display that was found on the roof this morning."

I couldn't cope with the fact that all the blame was yet again, and Kurt was made out to seem like the innocent golden boy. As calmly as I could while being fired up, I defended myself.

" Did you stop to ask him why he thinks it might be me. Why this whole feud happened in the first place?"

Principal Coleman didn't have a chance to answer because the phone on his desk rang. When he picked up the receiver, I noticed that it was positioned on his desk differently than we had left it last night… oops.

"Judy, not now-" he said into the phone, but he was cut off. "Munson?…. Send him in."

That could only mean…

The door came busting open and Eddie walked in. Not that I needed rescuing, but I couldn't deny I was happy to see him.

"She didn't do it, I did," Eddie stated without being asked. He was out of breath, I could imagine him running, hoping to make it here before I could confess.

"Is this true, Ms. Cooper?" Principal Coleman asked, unamused that there was yet another person involved.

"I, uhh-" I really didn't want Eddie to take all the blame when I was the one with the idea.

"It's true. I snuck onto the roof last night and did it," Eddie continued, sneaking a quick glance my way that said I better stay quiet and let him do this. Principal Coleman seemed satisfied with the answer that Eddie acted alone. Truthfully it's probably because it was a Friday and he didn't want to deal with much more drama.

"Mr Munson, defacing the school with obscene imagery will not be tolerated at Hawkins High School."

"I see it as more of an art installation myself."

"Be that as it may, we have a zero tolerance for bullying at this school." That was the wrong choice of words, and Eddie wasn't afraid to let him know exactly what he thought.

"Is that so? What were you doing then the last 4 days when every student was making her life a living hell, calling her every vile name under the sun?" Eddie said, pointing back at me. "All because he decided he'd start a rumor, effectively ruining her reputation?"

"I didn't…" Kurt started saying, but his voice trailed.

"No reports were made-" Coleman started to defend his statement.

"But surely you heard something."

"Mr. Munson, this is not the time for arguments."

"He wouldn't leave her alone! No one was letting up! You're acting like we're the ones responsible, but you turn a blind eye when it comes to your prized sports players," Eddie continued.

"So you took matters into your own hands? With an inappropriate display defaming another student?"

"Lord knows you weren't going to do anything to stop it. Call it a crime of passion." Eddie didn't care what Principal Coleman thought about him, and this was a lot less damaging to his reputation than it was mine.

"I've heard enough. I will not tolerate any more of this buffoonery. You all better start acting on your best behavior, otherwise I'll be forced to reconsider your punishment. One week in school suspension, for each of you, starting next week."

We all nodded in agreement, ready to be done with this punishment purgatory. Even Kurt seemed properly humiliated even though he got off easy.

"Ms. Cooper, you are a good girl, a good student. I'd hate to see you go down the wrong path," Principal Coleman said to me.

"Yes sir," I said, although trouble seemed to follow me wherever I went lately.

"And Mr. Munson. I'd like to see you actually graduate this year. Don't make things more difficult for yourself."

"Right on," Eddie replied, also itching to get out of here.

"And Mr. Douglas. Keep your head down and focus on the game. We need you in prime condition for the playoff game against Southwest next weekend."

Of course his focus for Kurt would extend only so far as athletic discipline. Kurt grunted in agreement.

"Now back to class, all of you. I don't want to see you in this office again unless it's for good reason."

Kurt got up to leave first without a backward glance. Eddie offered me his hand and we left together. He let me out of the administration office first with a hand on the small of my back. The hallway was isolated as we stopped to catch up outside the front office door.

"You know, you didn't have to come and rescue me," I said, turning to look at Eddie. But I was so glad he had.

"True. But I couldn't leave you in there alone to take all the blame." He said, grabbing the belt loop on my pants and pulling me closer. "I'm just glad they announced it over the loudspeaker so I could make it there before you confessed."

"Well, thank you. Now we at least we both have to suffer the consequences." My body gravitated nearer as I balanced on the ball of my feet, my arms working their way around his neck. He held me around his waist and I began to wonder how many minutes we had left before the bell cut us off.

"He doesn't want to see us back in that office again, but he doesn't know how badly I'd love to be in there with you again under the same conditions as last night," Eddie leaned forward, his words quiet enough that only I could hear, despite the fact there was no one around to eavesdrop.

"You're joking, but that could've been way worse."

"But it wasn't. A week's suspension should be no big deal. Well worth it considering everything that happened last night," Eddie said, his mouth painstakingly close to mine without yet indulging me in a kiss.

"It was kind of hard to focus in there. I couldn't help but fixate on the fact we left the organization of his desk completely wrong."

"Minor details, darling. And well worth the mental imagery of that room that'll last a lifetime."

"You might have to make it last. You heard the man. I have to be a "good girl" now," I said pouting, practically begging him to follow through and kiss me.

It worked. Eddie brought his arm up from my waist, holding my chin in his hands as he said, "He's right, you should be on your best behavior. Just not with me."

"I love you," I whispered as our lips met. I hadn't said it enough today, and I never loved him more than after seeing him go head to head in my defense.

*

By the time 4th period had rolled around, everyone knew I had been called to the principals office. In turn, everyone was treating me like school royalty. I had already been invited to the bonfire by a dozen different people. I had even promised Craig Jefferson himself that I would show after he personally invited me. I was actually kind of looking forward to the party, but I had to remind myself of the circumstances of the invite.

The tides had obviously turned, and there was a newfound respect bestowed on my name. This phantom popularity was kind of absurd, fake and unwarranted. It's all mob mentality. Did they forget that just earlier this week they were using much more colorful adjectives attached to my name? Now I was being called a hero, a badass, a queen. Someone to cheer on until they found their next false icon.

I smiled and played along, in a way I had brought this on myself. I had wanted revenge on Kurt, whatever it takes. I just didn't expect all the attention to fall right back on me, albeit in a more positive light. It was better than ridicule, but I never asked for this. I couldn't wait until next week when everyone eventually moved on and let it go. The one perk was that Fred Benson said he would give me a copy of the photo, I didn't even have to ask or do some perverted bribery.

At lunch period I invited my friends Grace, Claire and Eve to join us at the bonfire, knowing they would never show up otherwise. None of us had ever gone, and it was our senior year. Eddie offered to take us as designated driver, and as an opportunity to get to know my friends better. We would get ready together at Grace's house and go from there. They all agreed, and I was looking forward to getting things back to normal.

After I finished lunch, I ran into Robin in the bathroom. We actually had a minute to catch up without anyone ever knowing she had been involved last night.

"So… what's the damage?" Robin asked as she was washing her hands, referencing the loudspeaker call to the office heard round the world.

"A week of in school suspension, with Kurt and Eddie," I sighed, folding my arms and leaning against the wall.

"Damn. All 3 of you got the brunt of it. Was it worth it?"

"Oh absolutely. Last night was one of the best nights of my life." I probably had a stupid smile on my face, but I was telling the truth.

"Yeah who knew Vandalism could be such a rush," she laughed, drying her hands with paper towels.

"It wasn't vandalism. More like an obscene, covert art installation."

That's a brilliant way of seeing it. Too bad it was taken down right after homeroom."

"Larry lives in our hearts now," I said, doing a fake sign of the cross in reverence.

"I bet Mr. Schmidt will weld him to his desk to prevent future theft," she joked, which made us both laugh.

"I just hope Steve isn't too upset that he won't get his pants back," I added."

"He'll be fine. So, what time did you all end up leaving last night," Robin asked. The accusation was there, I was just waiting for her to actually say it.

"Not too late after you," I said, not trying to hint that anything had happened. A crowd of grade 10 girls came into the bathroom at that moment and I was grateful for the distraction. But Robin wasn't going to let me out of the conversation that easily.

"Really? Because we waited in the parking lot for a while but you never came out."

"You waited?" I was busted, but tried to keep my cool. To distract myself, I began digging through my backpack. I must have a spare tube of lipgloss or something in here to keep me preoccupied from humiliation.

"Steve was worried about how he'd get his ladder back to his dad, but I told him you'd be too busy to come right out."

"I'm sure we can drop it off after school today," I said, trying to refocus the conversation as I found the lipstick buried at the bottom of my bag.The other girls weren't even using the bathroom, they were just examining their hair and teeth in the mirror while gossiping. If we weren't careful, they'd know everything.

"So what did you do that was so necessary to stay that late in the school?" Robin leaned in close and lowered her voice so only I could hear. She stood taller than me, and was so close I could feel her hair brush against my cheek.

"We just talked," I whispered back, painstakingly focusing on applying the lipgloss.

"And after the talking, what did you do?"

"We…"

"Talked without words?" She finished, certain she already knew the truth.

I ignored her as I tossed the tube of lipgloss back in my bag. I couldn't give away all my cards while we had company. I waited until the girls decided they were properly primped and giggled their way out of the bathroom. Robin had a knowing grin on her face, and I caved as soon as we were alone.

"What gave it away?"

"Aside from the obvious?!" Her voice jumped in excitement with no one to hear us.

"Is it that obvious?!" I asked, checking my face in the mirror. I looked flushed, and clearly I wasn't a convincing liar.

"Girl, it's written all over your face. You are glowing."

"Oh my god." I contemplated splashing cold water on my face like a cliché, wondering if that would help the burning in my cheeks.

"Where did you do it," Robin goaded. The glory in her voice was palpable.

"Is that important?"

"Possibly the most important detail of my life!" She was eating my mortification up like an appetizer.

"You need to get a life then." I readjusted my bag on my shoulder and started walking out of the bathroom, knowing this conversation wasn't over and she would follow me out. The period was almost over and we had to get moving.

"Tell me something I don't know," Robin said, following closely on my heels. "So, where was the scene of the crime? The back of his van?"

"Worse." I was hesitant to say the truth out loud.

"The teachers lounge?"

"Worse," I muttered, rounding the corner of a crowded hallway.

"Worse than the teachers lounge?!"

"Keep your voice down!" I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the sea of students. I leaned close and mumbled my answer in her ear but didn't enunciate enough for her to actually comprehend.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Robin said, impatient for the truth.

I said it one more time, but she still didn't hear.

"Annie, you're gonna have to speak up," Robin urged.

"Principal Coleman's office!" I said through gritted teeth.

Her face changed from shock to utter joy.

"Oh my god! Screw revenge queen, you are a goddamn legend!"

"No one can know!" I nearly covered her mouth with my hand as she was reveling in my shame. I didn't need to draw a crowd when I already had enough attention today.

"What about-"

"Fine. No one except for Steve can know," I interjected. "Because apparently you share a brain and just by you thinking it, he probably already knows."

"We both knew something was going to happen when we left, that much was clear. Just didn't think it would be the 'in principal Coleman's office' kind of something."

"It just sort of happened. Eddie is very convincing, and I am easily persuaded. Or stupid. The jury is out."

"You're a horny teenager, don't be so hard on yourself. So how was it? Forbidden and sexy?" Her eyebrows were wagging in suggestive wonder. I couldn't help but chuckle at her persistence.

"Can at least some of my life stay private?"

"Okay that's fair. At least now you have a story to tell for the next, I don't know, 60 decades? Absolutely legendary."

"Except no one outside of the four of us will ever know, right?"

"You have my word," she said, crossing her heart.

We tried saying goodbyes right there to head to our next class but it turns out we were headed in the same direction, so we awkwardly met back up. Our conversation continued onto the next topic on everyone's minds.

"So are you going to Craig's tonight?" Robin asked.

"Yeah, just about everybody has asked me today. Will you be there?"

"Maybe. I've been trying to convince Steve to come with me, but he refuses to be seen at any more high school functions than he has to. So it's probably a no, and lord knows I won't be able to stomach it without him."

"That's probably for the best. I don't know that I'd be able to look him in the eyes after knowing what he knows after you're done with him."

"Well in that case he probably will come. He's a sucker for gossip. He'll want to ask all about it."

"Please, no," I groaned.

"You know Steve has probably rendezvoused around this school his fair share, maybe you can swap suggestions." It was as if I could count every tooth with how genuine her grin was.

"You're never going to get over this, will you?"

"Never."

The bell rang and it was time to get to our next class. The last thing Robin said before we left the bathroom was, "the principal's office," followed by a hearty chuckle.

I was dying for the word to not get around, but something told me I could trust my newfound friends a lot more than the average student. I was grateful that of all people, we had chosen more trustworthy ones to abet our crimes.

*

The rest of the day passed just as any Friday afternoon. The entire student body slowly descended into disengaged and antsy teens hanging by a thread and begging for the weekend to catch up.

After the final bell, Eddie and I served our final detention for the week. It was torturously slow, as if we were being taunted by the weekend of freedom ahead of us. I didn't want the time to go too fast, though. Next week we had in school suspension to look forward to. Detention this week had at least been an excuse for some quality study time.

We were some of the last students to leave for the weekend. The only ones who remained were the football team, and any lingering scholars who just needed the extra hours of studying before the weekend. There were just a smattering of cars left in the lot. Eddie's van in the back, and I subconsciously clocked that Kurt's mustang was right where he left it out front, and he'd be getting out of practice any minute now.

Waiting in the student parking lot was an unexpected addition: an Oldsmobile station wagon that I was all too familiar with. Foolish of me to be shocked to see him now, I shouldo have been expecting this after the week I'd had. I hadn't followed up on my promise to call my parents back after I had left the house under police supervision a few days ago. Here was the part I was anticipating, although if I was being honest I could have happily taken the whole weekend to avoid this part of my life a little longer.

"Is that?" Eddie began, spotting the man leaning outside of the passenger door with his arms crossed.

"My brother, yeah," I sighed. Chuck spotted me and immediately narrowed his eyes at who accompanied me.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

"I can imagine my parents called. Go wait by the car while I see what's up?"

"Just don't let him take you away," Eddie said, pulling me in and kissing my cheek before going back to his van. My brother may not have been his biggest fan, but Eddie wasn't afraid to show him just exactly how he was a part of my life.

"If he does, just know it's against my will." I bemoaned his departure, but there was no point delaying it. I walked the few paces down the sidewalk towards my brother, defacto undertaker.

"Jesus Christ, you're basically the last fucking person to leave school, and it's a Friday." Clearly Chuck had been waiting since school let out, and was inconvenienced by my tardiness.

"Nice seeing you too, Chuck. What are you doing here?" My brother and I weren't the closest, and I couldn't say I was particularly happy to see him collecting me at his old stomping grounds.

"What do you think I'm doing here? Mom called me."

"Yeah, I figured that much. Have you decided to join our family again?" Ever since Chuck left for college, our problems seemed so far away to him. He hardly felt like family anymore and sometimes I forgot about him completely. That is until he decided to show up at the worst times, like today. The fact that he was doing my parents bidding didn't make me very happy to see him.

"Why haven't you gone home? She's worried sick, she made me drive 2 hours home from school to come get you myself."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not going back there with you." The words were all too similar to some of the last words I had said to my dad, and I involuntarily shuddered.

"Where are you going to spend the weekend?" There was accusation in his words.

"I've been staying with a friend…" I crossed my arms, keeping guarded. I was so over giving him any more of an emotional response than he deserved.

"Oh, get real Annie. They told me you've been staying with Eddie. They're pissed about it. You seriously think that's in your best interest?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but Eddie and his uncle have been the only ones with my best interest in mind."

"Annie, you seriously can't be bunking with Eddie Munson in a trailer park. He's not good for you!" So much for not getting emotional. Chuck was already heated and as is the Cooper way, I matched his energy.

"What's not good for me is being trapped with a ticking time bomb and sitting around waiting for it it to go off while everyone ignores the warning signs!" I highly doubted that Chuck even knew the details of how things got this far, and now I had to be the one to tell him.

"Annie, I get it. Dad's competing for asshole of the century. But you can't just not go home."

"So I go home, and then what? We play nice and things change for a while, until we all start getting comfortable and let our masks slip and then the cycle starts all over again? No thanks."

"Mom hasn't been sleeping, dad is on leave from work. The only reason you haven't been shipped off to Grandma in Fort Wayne is because legally they can't make you do anything." I couldn't believe he was still defending them.

"You're right, they can't make me do anything. And I'll be damned if I end up abandoned in Fort Wayne for his mistakes."

"It's just a couple of months, play nice and get to college and then you barely have to see him again."

"You don't get it, do you? I can't just go home and play pretend like you did."

"Annie what is so bad about going home? I know our family isn't exactly a cake walk. Just lay low, don't provoke him and you'll be fine."

"That's your advice. Don't provoke him? You don't even know what happened and you're blaming me?!" I was a much easier punching bag than Chuck had ever been, and if I went back it would be so much worse. I would be accepting defeat with no clear sign that change would come.

"I know there was an overblown altercation and you got the police involved," Chuck stated matter of factly.

"You're joking," I said with a sarcastic laugh. I looked around the parking lot, desperate for an escape. I could see Eddie was keyed in on what was happening, ready to step in if needed. On the opposite side of the parking lot, a gaggle of jocks was emerging from the football field, sweating and grunting from practice. I tried to ignore them as they piled into their respective vehicles, but it was obvious that Kurt had seen me and was shooting daggers from his eyes.

"And who'd you hear that from? Mom? It figures. I mean, I know she's in denial but the walls in that house aren't that thick."

"What do you mean?" He was confused by my cryptic explanation.

"She heard the whole thing but still sat by and did nothing."

"What are you talking about, what did she hear?"Chuck waited for an answer, dumbfounded by his lack of knowledge. How do I explain to him that while our dad was hitting me, our mom sat quietly in the other room and said nothing.

"I don't feel safe, but everyone is asking me to waltz back into that house like nothing is wrong."

"Just tell me what actually happened!" Chuck exploded, losing patience.

I couldn't answer. Couldn't believe I was defending myself to the one person who should know exactly what our dad was capable of.

Chuck's volume alone was enough to ring the siren that an interference was needed. I saw Eddie approaching us in my peripheral, deciding enough was enough. I hoped by his presence the conversation would come to an end.

I looked around as I waited for Eddie to get closer, and noticed all the cars from the jocks were driving out of the lot, except for Kurt. I seriously hoped he wasn't trying to cause more trouble now that there were fewer witnesses.

Eddie broke the silence when he was nearby. "Is everything okay?" He asked.

"We're fine," Chuck said shortly.

"We should probably get going." Eddie slipped his fingers though mine, giving me a much needed out.

"Can you please let me finish talking to my sister, Munson?" Chuck was impatient now that we weren't alone.

"Don't go," I asked Eddie, tightening my grip on his hand. "Chuck, I can't…"

I was interrupted by a booming voice echoing across the parking lot. Another interruption.

"Hey, Freak!"

Clearly Kurt had set his sights on Eddie to take out his frustration, hands stowed in his pockets. His quiet and subdued attitude in the principals office must've been just for show. We all watched as he came crashing onto the scene of this very awkward family meeting.

"What's this guy want?" Chuck asked, having no clue who Kurt was or why he was approaching us.

"Kurt, just go home," I said, rolling my eyes. "We all were punished equally and I don't have time for this anymore."

"Not before I set this freak straight," Kurt spat towards Eddie.

"What is it this time? I told you earlier you don't want to mess with me," Eddie said.

"You did this, didn't you?" He gestured with one arm wildly back towards his Mustang. "You fucking freak, did you slash my fucking tires?" The other hand was still in his pocket, holding onto something.

"What the fuck are you talking about, I didn't fucking slash your tires?" Eddie was fired up, but legitimately confused by the false accusation.

"First the public display of humiliation, but now you damage my property? Do you really think doing all that would impress this bitch? You can have her." Kurt was tipping over into dangerous territory.

"Seriously what the fuck?" Chuck added, completely out of the loop.

Eddie ignored him and continued.

"Poor Kurt, didn't your mommy teach you that women aren't property? Or did you learn everything you know from your piece of shit daddy?"

Eddie had done it this time, wounded him just enough for Kurt to make up his mind that he wanted revenge in the form of pain.

"You're fucking dead," Kurt said with vehement anger. He was barreling forward, pulling his hand out of his pocket and holding it out in front of him.

I realized too late the thing he was holding.

Kurt had gone feral, sweat still dripping from his hair and eyes bloodshot with rage. He brandished a large shard of glass like a weapon, not caring that his own blood was oozing down his arm from his vice grip.

The glass I had forgotten to clean up in the parking lot from the night before. Left in the front of the parking lot, Kurt must have driven over it this morning in his mustang.

"Hey!" We heard a voice of authority calling from the front door. None of us dared to take our eyes off the enemy ahead.

There was no time to prepare or react. Kurt swung his arm wildly with no clear direction. He seemed unconcerned with the amount of damage he could cause with his makeshift weapon. He may have been aiming for the neck, but Eddie reacted just in time to lean far enough out of the way. The edge of glass made contact with his denim vest, leaving a gash with frayed edges. Saved by the leather layer below, the damage didn't reach below Eddie's clothing.

We couldn't anticipate Kurt's next move. Within a matter of seconds Eddie's switch blade was withdrawn from his pocket, blade exposed. He would have used it too, if not for my bargaining.

Without hitting much resistance with his first swipe, Kurt rocked on his heels and was unsteady on his feet. Now was our only opportunity to mitigate the threat. Simultaneously, Chuck lunged forward to push Kurt off his feet while I grabbed Eddie by the arm and begged him not to use the blade.

"Back the fuck up, man," Chuck said, catching Kurt off guard. He was shorter, but he focused his force on Kurt's center of gravity and knocked him off balance. As Kurt hit the ground, we heard repeated shouting coming from the front of the school as a witness ran to the scene. I've never been so happy to see Principal Coleman in my life.

"Break it up, break it up!" He shouted, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

"Eddie, the blade," I whispered. He sheathed the switchblade before Principal Coleman could see that he also had a weapon. Kurt stayed on the ground, catching his breath and sulking.

"Could someone explain what the hell is happening and why once again it's with you three?" His patience was gone, Coleman was seething.

"The freak-" Kurt began, but Chuck cut him off.

"This asshole came out of nowhere and rushed him with a shard of glass accusing Eddie of slashing his tires", Chuck explained. As the oldest witness and well known alumni, was the trusted source. Kurt didn't dare try to finish his thought.

"And did you slash his tires?" Coleman asked for clarification.

"Not that you'd believe me, but no." Eddie said. He was pissed off that we kept having to explain ourselves to the Principal. If it were up to him, Kurt would have been a lot more injured than a bump on the ground.

"Sir, there was some broken glass left in the parking lot. All the other students avoided it, but Kurt drove over it. We had nothing to do with it, he's just looking for someone to blame."

That seemed to be all he needed to hear.

"Mr Douglas, get off the ground," Principal Coleman instructed. He sounded exhausted.

If it was possible, Kurt's ego was even more damaged than this morning. The shove to the ground sobered him just enough that he shifted from outrage to humiliation.

"I saw you swinging that weapon at Mr. Munson myself. We have zero tolerance for physical violence at this school. You are suspended until further notice pending an investigation."

"Am I still allowed to play football?" Kurt asked. Even at a moment like this he was still painfully self involved.

"Suspension includes no athletic or after school activities," Coleman instructed.

"Yes sir…" Kurt stomped away back to the school without another word, presumably to call for a ride.

"You two," principal Coleman pointed to me and Eddie. "Go home and try to stay out of trouble from now on."

"And the suspension?" I asked. I may have been pushing our luck, but it only seemed fair after him having witnessed an unprovoked attack.

"Rescinded," he declared, turning to go. He walked to his car, as eager as the rest of us for the weekend ahead.

Once Coleman was gone, Eddie turned to me.

"Are you OK?" He asked, immediately checking me over with his hands to make sure that I was not injured. I had been behind him the entire time but he still smoothed my hair and checked for marks.

"Why are you asking if I'm OK, I'm not the one he swung at with a shard of glass. Are you alright?" All the worry and fear I didn't have time to express coated my words now that the danger was over. I ran my hands over front of his chest, right over the spot where the glass made contact.

"This? I'm fine. I've got a few patches at home that will cover this right up." He didn't seem concerned about himself at all.

"This is all my fault," I lamented as I thumbed at the new hole in his vest. "I forgot to clean up the glass last night."

"It is not your fault Kurt is a raging psychopath," Eddie argued, putting his hand over mine that was pressed against his chest.

"Okay would either of you like to explain to me what the fuck was that all about. What does that guy have against you?" Chuck asked, still very confused and annoyed he had to be involved in Kurt's bullshit.

"How much time do you have," Eddie scoffed.

"I'll take the footnotes," Chuck said, disillusioned.

"I turned him down at the dance last weekend and there was an altercation and it all kind of spiraled from there," I explained briefly.

"Wait. Mom said you punched a kid at school. Don't tell me you punched him."

"Why does the whole world think I punched him? It wasn't a punch. It was a slap!" A stupid slap that changed the whole trajectory of my life.

"I didn't realize my little sister was such a badass."

"I take after you I guess. Didn't know you had it in you to tackle a linebacker." I'll be the first to admit I was impressed Chuck was able to take down Kurt so easily.

"You'd be surprised how strong track and field makes you," Chuck said. He had been leader of his 800m relay and had won countless events at track meets throughout high school."

"Thanks for knocking him down. Even a month ago I would have never believed the Cooper siblings would back me up in a fight." Eddie shook his head in disbelief.

"We may be short, but we're spunky," I tried to lighten the mood with some humor. Chuck just rolled his eyes.

"Don't get used to it, that was a one time thing," Chuck said, unwilling to admit to himself that he actually defended Eddie.

"Still. Thanks man," Eddie said, holding his hand out to Chuck as a peace offering. Chuck took his hand and shook it.

I couldn't tell if they were bonding over the solidarity of defending me, but I would take it. There was a deeper understanding between the two of them, inching towards mutual respect. Maybe they didn't hate each other after all.

I realized it was getting to be late, and we should get going. I was the one who broke the silence.

"Chuck, will you be here all weekend?" I asked.

"I'm leaving Sunday morning, we have a fraternity chapter meeting in the afternoon and I have a library date," Chuck said, obvious annoyance in his voice.

"Look. Tell mom I'm sorry for not calling. I'll come over for dinner tomorrow night, we can start there. You can pick me up from Eddie's. Is that okay?"

"I guess that's fine," he said, not wanting to argue. "I'll stall for you a bit longer."

"We have to go. I promised my friends I would be over at Grace's house by 6:30 to start getting ready." Eddie nodded in agreement and we started to walk away.

"Look, be careful tonight, the bonfire can get crazy," Chuck shouted as an afterthought. "And if that asshole Kurt shows up, promise me you'll leave."

"Wait, you know about the bonfire?" I turned back to look at him.

"Annie… Jesus, I ran this school. You think I didn't go to Craig's annual bonfire?"

"I don't know, we never talked about it." So much of Chuck's personal life was a mystery to me.

"Well, there's a lot we need to talk about. Just… have fun and be careful." He slipped back into the car and we watched him start the ignition and drive away.

I leaned my head against Eddie's shoulder, relief catching up to me that our run in with Kurt could have gone so much worse. In turn, he readjusted to hold me in his arms as I took a deep breath.

"You ready to go?" He asked after a moment.

"Screw graduating. I'm ready to drive to California."

---

Some housekeeping!

Unfortunately this story is coming to an end. I hope to have it wrapped up in 2 chapters. I have loved writing it, and can't believe I even made it this far, but I have many plans for the future of the story which requires a significant time jump. The good news is, I plan on continuing the story with a Volume 2! The events will begin around the same time as Season 4. I'll post the first chapter of Vol 2 at the same time as the final chapter of this story, so there won't be any waiting period. I hope you'll join me!