Summary: Who would have thought that a Freak would give a Superhero humanity.

A/N: I know this isn't really getting on with the plot, but I like developing Mads' relationships with the MCs. Fight me.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. As the author I do not always agree with the actions the characters take. There will be mentions of sensitive topics, read at your own risk.


October 7, 1983

Warmth and camaraderie. Two feelings Mads was unaccustomed to experiencing, yet here she was, head resting on her arms as she watched the theatrics Eddie performed upon his DM throne. It was really a prop the Drama Club's storage room, but Eddie had petitioned the school relentlessly to be able to have a space for his other precious baby in his life besides his band, The Hellfire Club. Fed up with his constant pestering, the administration allowed them to use the Drama storage room for their weekly meetings. Mads was completely unsurprised at how persistent her new friend could be.

He'd kept his promise to be at the motel bright and early to pick her up Tuesday morning. In fact, he was early enough for Mr. Wilson to catch him pulling into the empty space in front of Mads' room. The older man had rushed over, looming above Eddie with fire in his eyes as she was exiting her room.

"Who are you and, what do you want, son?" Mr. Wilson demanded of the now startled Eddie.

"I-I… I, um–" he stuttered, at a loss for words for once, looking over to Mads for help.

She cursed under her breath and hurried to his side, her dark blonde hair brushed back into a low ponytail – the shorter layers fluffing out comically – and the ever-present dark circles under her eyes even more pronounced.

"Sorry Mr. Wilson," she apologized, voice hoarse. "This is Eddie, a classmate. He's supposed to be my guide this week."

"Classmate huh," Mr. Wilson repeated, regarding Eddie with blatant suspicion, who nodded vigorously in agreement with Mads. "Where's the Kawasaki?"

"It's at school," Mads told him, holding up her helmet. "I wasn't feeling good yesterday and Eddie offered to give me a ride 'cause I was a bit nervous to drive back. I'm sorry I didn't let you know he'd be coming to get me; I'm not used to telling people things."

At her explanation, Mr. Wilson's posture relaxed somewhat and he held out his hand to Eddie, who gave it a nervous shake.

"James Wilson. My wife and I own the place," he introduced himself.

"Eddie Munson…" Eddie said hesitantly.

"Munson, eh? I know your uncle. Works at the plant."

"Yeah, that's him."

Mr. Wilson eyed the two of them before nodding a curt goodbye, then walking off toward the office. He stared pointedly at them – cleaning his sawed-off shotgun no less – as they drove off. Eddie hadn't been angry, in fact he all but forgot about the encounter when Mads presented him with his vest, dry and free of stains. She was an expert at getting blood out of things.

After that, he'd all but claimed her as his new best friend, dragging her along to his band practices, inviting himself over to smoke and do their homework together – though not much of it was really completed. Mads started feeding him extra because he'd mentioned his uncle wasn't around to cook much; she had more than enough to share.

That was how she ended up with the Hellfire club that Friday evening, listening to Eddie's monologue about whatever monster they were battling. He'd all but forced her to create a character – an elven mage named Arwen the Disgruntled – and join their campaign, to everyone's chagrin or displeasure.

A yawn escaped her and she stretched her arms over her head, leaning back in the hard-backed wooden chair she'd been sitting in for what felt like hours. After a few seconds of silence, Mads realized all eyes were on her, much to her discomfiture.

"Are we boring you, Lady Arwen?" Grant asked, appearing put out.

"Nah," she drawled, stretching her arms forward onto the table in cat-like fashion, leaning into them with a mischievous smile. "Just pulled an all-nighter for that stupid history exam this afternoon and I'm beat."

"Yeah," Jeff joked, winking at Eddie. "I'm sure that's all you two were doing."

Oh. Mads blinked and sat up. Oh.

Ohhhhhhh.

Eddie had the good grace to blush, a look of displeasure darkening his features. The Club thought they were going at it. Like that. But Eddie liked Chrissy Cunningham, that itty-bitty cheerleader with the Barbie ponytail, not Mads and her witchy-woman vibe. And she actively encouraged him in that crush, even if Chrissy was with that preppy dork Jason Whatever-his-name-was.

Besides, he'd not even tried to touch her since he pulled her off the picnic table. He also had his pick of girls – she quickly found out – usually older and less concerned with school politics who liked that he played guitar and… Well, usually wanted to fuck. Not that Mads was judging.

"We're not… We don't, I'm not…" Eddie floundered, campaign forgotten in the embarrassing turn of conversation.

"It's cool Edmund," she joked, pushing back her chair with a screech, her skirt's hem flouncing around her boots as she sashayed past Gareth to stand behind Eddie's chair, ringed fingers clawing the back of his throne. "Let 'em think what they want. I gotta head out, got work in the morning."

"'Kay," he agreed, glowering at his now contrite looking friends. "Still see you at the Hideaway tomorrow?"

"Wouldn't miss it." And she strode away, hands deep in the pockets of her heavy biking jacket. A pleased grin broke out over her face as she heard Eddie's normally animated voice growing louder with each step. The Club's wails of agony followed her out of the building and into the cool night air.

With her skirt tucked securely around her, Mads rode off into the night. She hadn't attempted to find the Lab, or a way in, since that day in the woods. All she remembered from her escape was that it was deep in the forest, surrounded by tall fences and barbed wire. Peter, with the memory of their mutual betrayal and his attempt on her life, was the easiest anchor. He'd left scars on her deeper than the ones on her neck.

Dr. Brenner would be the next obvious choice, but she couldn't bring herself to find him on the off chance he'd recognize what she was doing and send people after her. The only reason she had even gone looking for Peter was that she was still under the impression he had his powers blocked.

Hanging out with Eddie had been a respite from that. Sure, it was avoidance in its purest form, but she didn't care. She finally had a friend, after all this time… She finally had someone who liked her and wanted to hang out with her. Someone who didn't use her, though her skills in… "persuasion" had doubled Eddie's profit from his "side business" considerably, earning them both a good chunk of pocket money.

It was easy to think she could just live out her life here for a little while, maybe settle here and grow old, fucking around with Eddie until they both kicked the bucket. But that was just her childlike naivety talking. The desire for peace and stability. It wasn't for her. However, she couldn't help but feel like she no longer wanted to hurry along her appointment with the grim reaper.

Red and blue lights began flickering behind her and the sound of a police siren wailed loudly over the roar of the Kawasaki's engine. Her first thought was to gun it and bolt out of there, but Mads wasn't on the run anymore and it would be easy for the cops to find her in this small town. And if the officer was in league with Dr. Brenner, then… She'd melt his brain, simple as that. It had to be done on multiple occasions.

So, instead of speeding off into the night, Mads pulled over on the side of the road, letting her engine idle. The cruiser pulled off a little ways behind her and the officer got out. He was a big, hulking man. Immediately Mads felt like cowering as he sidled up to her bike with his ticket pad out.

"I'm Police Chief Hopper," he introduced himself gruffly. "Do you know why I pulled you over tonight?"

"He has a mustache like a walrus…" Mads thought deliriously, her fingers flexing around the bike's handles, ready to gun it at a moment's notice.

"I'm gonna ask you again kid, do you know why I pulled you over tonight?" He was tired, frustrated. He didn't want to be here anymore than she did. Obviously not after her, or in league with Dr. Brenner.

"No," she replied shortly. "Are police chiefs even supposed to pull people over?"

A deep, tired sigh and he seemed to deflate. Not physically, but he didn't seem so intimidating or mean. Maybe she could give him less of a hard time.

"I'm gonna take off my helmet, Chief," she told him, reaching up to slowly remove the protective gear, settling it in her lap. "What did you pull me over for?"

He looked her up and down for a minute. Whatever he saw must have softened him somewhat because he shoved his pad into his back pocket, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Speeding," he said. "And yeah, we can."

"Oh," she replied.

"Big 'oh', kid."

The cool night air ghosted over her legs where her long skirt had ridden up and she shivered. It was a nearly moonless night and the only light came from the cruiser's and the Kawasaki's headlights, or far spaced streetlights. Chief Hopper stared her down for a minute longer before releasing another deep sigh.

"Look, I've never seen you around before so I'm going to assume you're that girl the Wilson's have set up at the motel, right?" He said, and though it was phrased as a question, it very clearly was not.

"Y-yeah, that's me… I can get my ID if you want…" Mads said, reaching slowly toward her jacket's inside pocket. At the officer's nod of assent, she pulled out her wallet and showed him her license. It was fake, of course, but a very good fake.

He inspected it for a second, then motioned for her to put it away. She did so quickly, fidgeting with her helmet as he pondered on what to do next.

"Listen," he huffed, rubbing a hand over his tired face. "I'm gonna let you off with a warning since I'm good friends with Jamie and you seem to have had a rough go of it lately."

Mads opened her mouth to thank him but he held up a finger to cut her off.

"Don't let me or another one of my officers catch you speeding again, especially in the dark on that bike." He finished with a wag of his finger which was still pointed at her.

"R-right, yes Chief. Thank you, sir," she said, placing her helmet over her head again and waited for him to return to his cruiser before driving off, slower this time.

Damn, that was close. She could have gotten a ticket, or worse, the chief could have been in league with Dr. Brenner. Probably not, since he didn't try to arrest her and let her go easily. Every other operative sent after her had orders to capture on sight. She usually broke their necks or turned their brains to mush before they could. Kali had liked that vicious streak in her.

Would Eddie still want to be her friend if he knew? Mads found that she didn't want to know the answer to that question as she parked her bike one spot over from her room. Her heart-rate picked up as she stepped through the door. No, she really didn't want to know.


October 8, 1983

"Madison, this is Joyce Byers," Donald Melvald introduced them when she made it to work that morning. "She'll be overseeing your training."

After introductions were finished, he left her with the older woman. Joyce was pretty, if not a little harried looking Mads observed as she picked at her long fingernails. And the way she smiled at her reminded her of Pam Wilson.

"It's nice to meet you, Madison," Joyce said, holding out her hand for a handshake.

Gulping silently, Mads steeled her spine and reached her own hand out. Shit. The store suddenly felt twenty degrees hotter and her hand began to tremble as it reached Joyce's. The tinkling sound of her rings and bracelets knocking against each other created a chaotic melody in her own ears. Joyce must have sensed her discomfort because she quickly, but gently withdrew her hand before Mads could touch it and gestured for her to follow with a smile.

"Don wants you to start out with the stocking and inventory for now," Joyce explained, showing Mads where everything was. "But you'll be up to working the registers in no time."

Mads thanked her with a tentative smile and got to work, Joyce observing her until she got the hang of things. The morning dragged, but the older woman was happy to lend a hand or a piece of advice which made it a bit more pleasant. Mads also was to help clean the store, so when there was a mess – which there were plenty of – she was there to sweep, mop, or whatever was needed.

It was nice to people watch a bit. To see the citizens of Hawkins, amuse herself by picking their brains from a distance. Luckily for her, mind reading was an ability she could turn off when she chose, and she used it so carefully her nose didn't even bleed once. She also thought it could be helpful in hearing any gossip about the Lab without asking people outright – which would be suspicious – or without searching like she did last time.

If she were being honest, the thought of searching like that again was terrifying. Even to trace it in her own memories filled her with fear; that time was so connected with 001, she was afraid of opening that connection again. Hopefully she could find the Lab, and how to infiltrate it, another way.

Breaks and customers came and went and Mads had found nothing out about the Lab's location, nor had anyone who worked there come into the store that day. She figured they may even shop and live out of town in order to keep suspicion low. But she would keep listening in, at least until she could think of something else. Something would have to slip somehow.

At the end of her shift, Mads had her arms laden with things she wanted to purchase for her room. Patchouli candles to hide the smell of weed, a couple of books, and a sewing kit. Joyce was still manning one of the registers, so Mads took her items to that counter. From what she knew, Joyce had been there since the store opened that morning. She must need the money if she'd not clocked out by now.

"Hey Sweetie," Joyce greeted her with her motherly smile. "How'd the first day go?"

"Fine, thanks," she smiled at the older woman and placed her things on the counter. "I'd like this stuff please."

"Sure thing." Joyce began ringing up Mads' purchases and bagging them for her.

"D'you know a place I can get a good cassette and VHS player for cheap? The ones here are kinda out of my budget…" Mads said sheepishly.

"Oh, yeah, the Radio Shack sells used and refurbished electronics with their new items," Joyce explained as she finished up. "Or the thrift store, but I think you'll have better luck with Radio Shack."

"Thanks," Mads said gratefully. Yes, purchasing things to keep in a room she would never return to after the Lab was destroyed seemed silly. Obsolete even. But she wanted them, as much as she wanted to live in that tiny motel room with Eddie as her best friend and the Wilsons checking on her for the rest of her teenage years, maybe longer.

She was absolutely baffled that she no longer wanted to die as much as she used to.

"You're going to the high school, right? Have you met my older boy, Johnathan?" Joyce asked as Mads gathered up her bags.

"Yeah." Mads smiled awkwardly. "He's the kid with the camera, right? I only have one or two classes with him though."

"Oh, too bad. I'd love for him to show you around," Joyce groused and Mads wondered if she was matchmaking already. She wasn't interested. "Have you made any friends yet?"

"One." Mads eyes glazed over wistfully as she thought of Eddie.

"That's good! I always say one good friend is better than a bunch of acquaintances," Joyce said encouragingly.

"I think you're right. Goodnight Joyce," Mads saluted her and Joyce returned the gesture with a serious expression. The older woman must be a good mother, though Mads wouldn't know either way.

From Melvald's, Mads headed straight to the Hideaway. Her stuff would be safe, locked up in her saddlebags. It wasn't anything worth stealing anyway. She'd make Eddie go with her to the Radio Shack after work tomorrow to get the VHS and cassette players. They probably wouldn't fit on her bike.

By the time she reached the pub, Eddie and the guys had already set up and were tuning their instruments, the sounds of a Van Halen cover following soon after. Like last time, Mads took a place at the bar, smiling guilelessly at the scowling bartender.

Also, like last time, he slapped down the beer list. "You gonna order a drink this time kid?"

A dark shadow loomed over her from behind and the bartender's scowling face blanched. He stepped back with a slight tremble in his gait. Mads risked a peek over her shoulder to find the mustachioed police chief from the night before, to her horror.

"Aren't you supposed to check ID?" He asked in that same gruff voice he's used when he pulled her over.

"Ye-yes," the bartender stuttered, snatching up the tap list as he scurried off to the other end of the bar where he made a show of asking the next person to order a drink for their ID.

"Just so you know," Mads said to the glowering police chief. "I wasn't going to order anything."

"Sure kid, in a place like this anyone would be tempted to do something they could get away with." He smiled wryly, taking the empty seat at the bar next to her.

"If I were to drink," she continued as though he hadn't sat down. "I'd do it at home. I'm not about to risk killing myself driving anywhere on my bike, which is what would happen since it's a bike and not a car. And my name is Madison, not 'kid'."

The surly police chief's wry smile turned genuine, amused even, as Mads explained this to him. He didn't seem like such a bad guy, not like the pigs in Chicago.

"That's a smart idea, Madison. Though you shouldn't be drinking at all, or admitting to the hypothetical to an officer of the law," He laughed.

"Gonna slap the cuffs on me now?" She grinned, holding up her wrists.

"Nah, too much paperwork."

"Nice."

A bubble of laughter escaped Mads' lips as she twisted in her seat to show Eddie she was fine. Though he was occupied by his performance, his zeal from last week was curbed by his watchful eye on her and Chief Hopper. Even after her thumbs up, his usual energy didn't return.

"Your boyfriend worried? I'm not taking you to the station yet." Hopper joked, waving over the bartender, who reluctantly returned.

"Best friend," Mads corrected. Eddie wouldn't mind holding that title, she thought.

"Right," Hopper amended ordering a plate of nachos and a burger before turning to her. "Want anything kid?"

"Nah, I can get my own food." She shrugged, watching Eddie with an encouraging grin.

He was still keeping an eye on her, which she was grateful for, but his enthusiasm was slowly returning. They really weren't bad; Eddie had a wonderful voice and the guys all practiced regularly to sound as good as they did.. She could get used to this, sitting here every Saturday and watching him play. This idyllic sense of comfort was making her soft.

"C'mon, kid," Hopper urged as his own food came out. "Loitering is technically a crime. Besides, Jamie would have my ass if he knew I'd pulled you over the other night. Let me make it up to you. He doesn't have to know a thing about it."

"Fine," Mads begrudgingly agreed, grinning at him. "Since you're twisting my arm here, I'll have a burger and a soda."

The bartender took her order to the back and returned with a soda, scurrying off before Hopper could bite his head off about something else.

Sharing a meal with a cop was not something she thought she would ever do, but here she was. Coming back here was changing her, and as she listened to Eddie's clear voice belting the lyrics to a song she wasn't familiar with, she wasn't sure if it was for the better or not.


October 10, 1983

By the time Monday rolled around, the "Apple Incident", as it was dubbed by Hellfire, had spread all over the school. Mads' nerves grated to the wire at the whispers and odd looks from any of the students who actually cared enough to gossip about such a stupid topic, which, in a town like this, were a majority. And worst of all, the story of her blood covered freakout in the woods had spread too. That kid must not have cared to share that he was out there buying weed.

Lunch was a flurry of activity, as usual, and Mads sat in her designated spot at the trademarked "Freak Table" listening to Eddie tell stories like he always did. She did her best to ignore the stares and whispers, never more thankful that she could turn off her mind reading ability. Still, she was hyperaware of her surroundings. Of the whispers, the stares, and the ever-present smell of sweat and body spray that seemed baked into the cafeteria's very foundation.

The apple, to everyone else, seemed to come from nowhere, but as Mads' hand flew back, snatching it from the air before it hit the back of her head, she knew exactly who had thrown it.

Juice trickled down her hand from the holes her long nails had pricked in the fruit's thin flesh. All eyes were on her again as her head snapped to meet the eyes of Tommy Hagan from a few tables away. She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Mads," Eddie hissed, scrambling to his feet as she stalked her way over to the other table. He was too late.

"I think you dropped this," Mads said sweetly, holding the apple out to Tommy, who smirked nastily at her.

But before he could take the fruit or make an offensive comment the loud squelch of it smashing in Mads' hand filled the mostly silent space.

Juice splattered all over his face, his hair, and his clothes. Mads hadn't fared much better than last time, but had concentrated most of the spray onto Tommy who jumped up, shouting profanities.

"Here," she crooned, shaking the pulpy mess from her hand onto him.

Eddie reached them just as she slung the last remnants of the apple onto the seething Tommy. "Mads, let's just go…"

"Yeah, freaky bitch," Tommy bit out, attempting to loom over her threateningly. It didn't work. "Listen to your freak boyfriend."

Mads' smile widened into a glittering, dangerous grin and she leaned in towards Tommy, ignoring Eddie's pleas to return to their table.

"Watch what you say to me, Hagan," she whispered, gazing deeply into his eyes. "I could crush your fucking skull."

With that, she pulled back, sending a wink to the boy from the woods who had been sitting next to Tommy. She'd learned who he was, Steve 'the Hair' Harrington, a popular boy who was the dream boyfriend of most girls at Hawkins High. Mads was at a loss for why though, he seemed… insubstantial.

He gulped, dark brown eyes blinking rapidly up at her, no doubt remembering her feral display from last week.

"Steve, right?" She asked, flashing her teeth at him.

"Y-yeah," he stuttered.

"Tell your boyfriend not to throw his food."

The silence that encapsulated the cafeteria up until that moment erupted in a cacophony of laughter, shouting, and cursing. The latter mainly from Eddie and Tommy, who lunged for Mads, only to be pushed back into his chair by Eddie, who then grabbed Mads by her juice covered sleeve, dragging her from the near riotous cafeteria in spite of her protests.

"Let me go!" She shouted when they were halfway down a deserted hallway, attempting to tug her shirt from his surprisingly strong grip. At least he wasn't touching her skin.

Whirling on her, Eddie released her sleeve as though it burned him. Every line in his body trembled and his eyes were simmering with anger, and a little bit of shame for grabbing her like he did.

"What the fuck were you thinking, Mads?" He demanded, running his non-sticky hand through his hair. "Do you want them to target you? Me? The guys? God, all one of them has to do is touch you and it'll send you into a fucking panic attack or you'll beat the shit out of one of them and get expelled!"

"They won't," she protested confidently, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance.

Yeah, she hadn't thought about him and the guys getting involved because of her, but it had felt so good to smash that apple all over Tommy's stupid fucking face.

"Yes Mads," Eddie insisted darkly, leaning closer to her. "They will."

Flashes of light interrupted any retort she could have uttered, causing them both to flinch. They both turned toward the source of light to see Johnathan Byers standing there with his camera raised.

"The hell, Byers?" Eddie snapped.

Mads on the other hand, had frozen. Johnathan had taken a picture of her. Who knows what he would do with it… But it could get in the hands of Dr. Brenner and then she would be caught. Bye-bye hair, bye-bye bike, bye-bye best friend she had the privilege of arguing with.

"Destroy that," she demanded, voice soft but threatening.

"What," Johnathan said, confused. "Sorry, I just wanted to document what happened back there… it was pretty cool."

"Yeah, that's great and all," Mads continued, stalking toward him rage and feline grace in every step. "But I want you to destroy that negative of me."

Eddie, who was just as confused as Johnathan made to stop her, but halted right before he grabbed her. He wasn't about to upset her further by touching her again. But holy fuck, she'd created a big mess for them.

But seconds after she had spoken, willing all the forcefulness she could into that one command, Jonathan's eyes glazed over and he began to flick open the film compartment.

"No!" She shouted, throwing her hand up, and he stopped. "After you develop them or something. I don't want you to ruin your other pictures."

"Right," Jonathan agreed, lowering the camera. His voice sounded hollow and cold, so unlike his normal soft tones. "I'll get rid of it then."

"Thank you," Mads whispered, lowering her hand, and he was released from whatever spell he had been under.

With a sheepish smile, Jonathan retreated from the hallway back toward the cafeteria. Mads could feel Eddie's eyes on her and she did not want to deal with his bullshit right now. Tommy Hagan and his bitchass friends couldn't touch her – or her friends – because she wouldn't let them. She'd taken out tougher people with just a flick of her wrist, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"Mads," Eddie whispered, reaching towards her, but faltering before he did.

"They won't touch us," she insisted, hands clenching into fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. "I won't let them."

"What can you do? You're just… I don't mean to sound like a dick, but you're just a girl, Mads. You're tiny," he said tenuously.

"I'll do what I did in Chicago. They come near me, us, and I'll kill them."

The fuck did she just say?

Mads was already halfway down the hall, headed towards their next class when Eddie's brain caught up with his ears. He shouted at her to stop, to wait, to just talk to him, but she just flounced off in that infuriating way of hers when she thought she was right, or invincible, or both. The thing was, he wasn't even mad at her. Sure, he was upset at what she did, but he could hardly blame her for standing up for herself.

He was just worried. A little for himself, the coward that he was, but mostly for her. Eddie already knew Mads was a little unhinged, but that display in the cafeteria, and whatever the hell she did to Byers… that was concerning to say the least. The worst thing was, he didn't know how to help her. She wouldn't even tell him what was wrong, why she'd uprooted her life in Chicago so abruptly to come to a shitty town like Hawkins.

But seriously, what the fuck was he supposed to do with that?


By Home Ec., Eddie still wasn't talking to her, just staring like he had after the last "Apple Incident", twisting his hair the way he did when he was embarrassed or pensive. He wasn't even writing silly things in her notebook or throwing pieces of balled-up paper at her. This was becoming a pattern Mads didn't much care for. But she could hardly blame Eddie for being upset or confused, she had been a pain in the ass since she met him.

The teacher droned on and on about the importance of basic sewing skills and how they could literally save your life in some cases. All Mads could think about was that her first best friend ever probably hated her guts now and wouldn't want to talk to her anymore. That and she'd purchased a sewing kit recently, which had been lucky she supposed. The only lucky thing today.

Mads and Eddie both knew how to sew already, the former having to keep her previously small amount of clothes from disintegrating, and the latter had to figure out how to get all the patches on his vest somehow. They weren't paying much attention, both reflecting on their conversation earlier in the afternoon and the peril they both believed they brought to their friendship.

The shrill ring of the bell jolted them both from their thoughts and they made eye contact. Mads chin began to wobble, much to her dismay, and Eddie's face clouded with remorse. But before they could attempt a heartfelt apology or attempt to comfort one another, one of their classmates interrupted them.

She was a tall girl, pretty, with apple cheeks, warm, bespectacled brown eyes, and red hair. Or, at least Mads thought she was pretty. She even smelled pretty, sweet like the bag of brown sugar she'd eaten spoonfuls of the other night when she couldn't be bothered to bake something.

"Madison, right?" She asked, holding her books to her chest and smiled at Mads' nod of affirmation. "I saw what you did in the cafeteria."

"And?" Mads snapped, gathering up her own books. She was becoming annoyed with the gossip factory they called a school. Her existence was not theirs for entertainment.

"I thought it was pretty cool…" the girl hedged, smile faltering.

Well shit. Guilt again washed through Mads like a tidal wave and she faltered, dropping her course book.

"I got it," Eddie mumbled, kneeling to pick it up off the floor.

"Thanks…" Mads whispered, without turning around, then said to the girl, "I shouldn't have done it. He's a bully and I gave him another reason to screw with me and my friends."

Eddie, who had grabbed her book, froze midway to handing the book back to her. She didn't want to know what he was thinking. Her head was pounding with all the perfumes and noises filling it up, not to mention the stress of arguing with Eddie. She just wanted to go home.

"Well, I always think Tommy needs taking down a few pegs, I'm Barb by the way," the girl continued, smiling again.

"Yeah," Eddie agreed, placing the book back on top of Mads' stack. "He does. Mads is kind of a badass like that."

A lump formed in her throat, clogging her ability to speak. Her chin wobbled and hot, wet tears formed in her eyes but she refused to let them flow. They had apologized to each other with more than an apology, or the words "I'm sorry". They had acknowledged the other's side of the issue and used some small amount of compassion, which was difficult on Mads' end. Becoming attached to this boy was the stupidest and the best thing she could have ever done.

"I just wanted to let you know that," Barb said with a final smile before leaving the classroom.

Mads, unable to bring herself to hug Eddie when he stepped around their shared desk to face her, dropped her books onto the hard surface, burying her face in one hand to hide her tears while grabbing onto the hem of Eddie's jacket sleeve.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not… there anymore," she breathed when she was able. But it didn't seem like she was talking about Chicago.

"I'm just worried about you…" He mumbled, embarrassed by her sudden, uncharacteristic display of affection. "You are my best friend after all."

She looked up at him with those big, shining eyes full of such comically fat tears that he nearly burst into a fit of laughter. He couldn't hold back the grin that showed his dimple though.

"You mean it?" She asked, blinking furiously to stave off tears.

"Cross my heart," he replied, miming the action with such intense seriousness a smile finally crossed her face.

Had she been able, Mads would have taken him by the hand and gripped it until his fingers turned purple. But as it was, she gathered up her things for a second time, wiping her tears as she held the hem of Eddie's sleeve. For now… for now this was good.


A/N: I was gonna say kiss kiss fall in love but they're just friends (in my ff canon) and Mads' can't touch him yet anyway lmaooo

The title for this chapter was taken from the song and studio album "The Bargain Store" by the Queen Dolly Parton herself released in 1975.

Thanks for the follows, favorites, and reviews! I appreciate each one!

This is the "mixtape" I created for this fic. It's not entirely period accurate, but I feel like these songs fit the theme of the show and characters.

playlist/2w0Fg6UPmVvj5L3EIMRYfw?si=d8e38810c96f4875