This is the last thing Eddie would've predicted for the Friday night following his most successful D&D campaign. He glanced to his side where Chrissy Cunningham sat, taking another hit of the small cigarette he'd rolled for her. He'd agreed to have her follow him back to his place after his Hellfire meeting and her cheering for the championship game to hook her up with some special K - which he hadn't been able to find - and instead ended up giving her weed after all.
She'd admitted to never trying it before and had asked him with puppy dog eyes if he'd mind showing her how, which is how they ended up side by side on his uncle's second hand couch passing the joint back and forth.
Not that he was complaining. It was just strange. Head cheerleader, girlfriend of the basketball star (and major asshat) Jason, queen of Hawkins High. Yet with all that going for her, she was on edge and jittery. He didn't normally pry into people's business, especially people he barely knew, but he didn't get the sense that she'd be offended if he did pry a little. Chrissy actually seemed nice; unusual for the crowd she ran with, at least in Eddie's experience.
"Soooo," he began, stretching the word out. "How was the game? You cheer them on to victory?"
Eddie did an impression of waving pom poms, similar to how he'd done during their conversation in the woods earlier that day. Chrissy smiled at that. She seemed to smile at Eddie's antics easily. He liked that.
"Yeah, you could say that. How was your . . . thing?"
Eddie chuckled.
"My campaign? It was freaking amazing!"
He set the join in the ash tray on the nearby coffee table as he got to his feet.
"I thought for sure I had them all chickening out but the young Sinclair pulled out an amazing win at the last moment! It was epic!"
He knew he was talking fast and gesturing with his hands as he spoke. Eddie was easily worked up when it came to D&D or music. Most people who heard him rambling on about Hellfire just glazed over. Tuned out.
Chrissy must not be most people though. She looked confused as to what exactly he was talking about, sure. But she wasn't disinterested. In fact, there was a hint of interest and maybe even some amusement in her eyes.
"So it's a game? Like a board game?"
Eddie covered his face with his hands, peeking at her through his ringed fingers.
"Chrissy, Chrissy, Chrissy," he lamented in a muffled voice. He dropped his hands to find her smiling once more. "Not exactly a board game. But yes, to put it simply, it's a game. Like a fantasy game."
"You're very passionate about it, that's for sure!" she said with a grin. But then her smile faltered, just a bit. "That must be nice to have something you enjoy so much."
Eddie noticed her shift in demeanor and carefully resumed his seat next to her on the sofa.
"What, you're not passionate about cheerleading?"
Chrissy shrugged, the motion barely noticeable under her oversized cheer jacket.
"I joined cheer because my mom wanted me to. She was a cheerleader when she was younger, so she wanted me to be one too. I like it and all. And I'm pretty good at it. But I wouldn't use the word 'passionate'."
"Well what else do you like to do? Or just like in general? Movies, reading, music?"
She smirked. "I like all three. But it's all pretty standard. . . the music that's popular right now, the books we're assigned at school, romantic comedy type movies. I haven't really tried anything new or different. I spend time doing the things my mom expects me to do. And the rest of my time is with Jason. I don't even feel like my own person sometimes."
Eddie nodded, taking it all in. He would've never expected Chrissy to feel that way about her life. From the outside, she had it made. Popular, pretty, smart. He never considered that anyone in the popular crowd could be dealing with the pressure to maintain that status. That maybe it was all a show.
"I'm sorry." Chrissy said quietly.
"For what?"
"For unloading all my drama on you. You only agreed to sell me weed, not listen to my life story."
Eddie shook his head and angled his body to look at her better.
"Don't be sorry for that. I don't mind listening to you Chrissy. Besides, everyone should get to try the things they want to. If you wanna try new things, I say just go for it. No offense, but screw your mom and Jason. Hell, it's spring break now. What better time to start? Live a little!"
"My parent are going to be out of town this week . . . I begged them to let me stay home. I guess you're right, I could try something new this week."
Eddie could hear the excitement creeping into her voice. It made him a little sad that something so simple could excite her so much, but he smiled at her all the same.
"You could start by coming to my show Tuesday!" he practically blurted without really thinking. He'd already mentioned that to her earlier today. He felt like asking again made him sound desperate or something. Freak Eddie Munson begging Queen Chrissy to give him some attention.
But Chrissy nodded enthusiastically and said, "Sure! I'd love to."
"Great! We go on at 8."
"Okay great!"
Chrissy glanced around, her eyes landing on the clock above the kitchen sink. Almost midnight.
"Oh gosh, it's late! My parents don't leave til Sunday so I still have curfew. I gotta get home or my mom will kill me!"
She stood, shouldering her backpack and heading for the door. Eddie stood and trailed along behind her. She stopped suddenly and turned to look up at him.
"Thanks for this Eddie. I really needed it. Not just the weed I mean. Thanks for listening to me too. This was nice."
"Sure Chrissy, anytime. It was nice."
"How much do I owe you by the way?"
Eddie waved her off. "Don't worry about it."
"Thank you."
She beamed up at him before wrapping her arms around his waist in a quick hug. She was already down the steps and waving goodbye by the time his brain caught up to what had just happened.
He raised his hand in a wave and shouted, "See ya Tuesday!"
"See you then!" she called out her car window as she pulled away.
Eddie wasn't sure why, but he found himself suddenly very excited for Tuesday night to arrive.
