Eddie wasn't one for parties, especially ones thrown by his fellow high school peers. It wasn't like he was invited. The only time he did get any sort of invitation was if they were trying to buy some of his products. Even then, he made his deals behind the school in the woods. Yet, Jensen apparently was a master of persuasion, as she had convinced him that they should check out at least one party during their high school careers.

Here he was wasting his Friday night at a party for the rich upper class of Hawkins. If he was going to go to a party, it would be at Rick's. That was more of his scene. Just weed, music, and them playing cards or video games. It would not be a house of walking orgies and men puffing their chests showing off their arm candy or how fast they could down their beer.

Besides, he had a bone to pick with Jensen, as he was confused when she became friends with Steve "The Hair" Harrington. She had left his side as Steve had roped her into playing beer pong. Eddie almost felt sorry for the poor bastards that wanted to test Jensen's aim. He was pretty sure that was why Steve had roped her into being his partner. He also knew Steve had broken up with Nancy Wheeler. He was confused when Steve set his sights on Jensen.

Eddie wasn't blind or dense. He may be the town Freak and everyone knew that he and Jensen were attached at the hip, but people loved to try to grab what they believe was unattainable. He knew girls wanted to use him for a night of indiscretion so he was sure it was the same with the boys. Yet, boys would brag. He had been subjected to a lot of locker room talk before he started skipping gym. So he knew that there were only a few girls on the unattainable list that the boys in his class wanted to break. In the number 1 spot was Nancy Wheeler and number 2 belonged to Jensen. However, that ranking swiftly changed once Nancy got with Steve and Jensen took that number 1 spot.

He shook his head at the slight irritation building within him.

Eddie ignored the burn of the alcohol as he gripped his lunch box tighter. Jensen may have made the point that coming to the party could also fatten his pockets. He had already made an easy $200. He was definitely going to start overcharging these people.

However, the music was becoming too much for even him. The smoke and smell were giving him a headache. He found his way outside and took a big gulp of fresh air. He was ready to leave. He wanted to go home and see his sweetheart. Be in the comfort of his posters and crowded room.

Due to the chilly weather, thankfully, no one was outside. He sat on a lounge chair by the pool in peace. He took out a cigarette and sucked on it greedily, and relaxed as the nicotine calmed his system. He would smoke, but he was already drinking and he drove here. He couldn't get fucking plastered despite how much he wanted to.

He didn't know how long he was out there as he stared into the black inky night when Jensen's voice broke through the silence.

"I've been looking for you for the past 20 minutes."

Eddie sucked on his cigarette. He had been out here longer than 20 minutes. He knew that much. He didn't bother to reply.

Jensen scoffed. He saw her in the corner of his eye as she walked down from the porch. She was graceful in her Doc Martens. However, he should have known something was up with the fact she traded in her usual attire of denim and band tees for a nice green velvet dress he believed was too short, in his opinion. At least she had some fishnets on underneath. She traded in the Converse for leather.

"Who pissed in your Honeycombs?"

Eddie snorted. "I didn't know you and Steve Harrington were friends."

She folded her arms across her chest. The movement pushed her dress and her cleavage was on the verge of spilling out of its confinement. "Max is friends with Dustin. Dustin is friends with Steve."

"Hmmm."

"Don't do that."

"Do what?" He pressed.

It wasn't as if Jensen owed him anything. She was free to do as she pleased. Yet, they both couldn't deny there was something.

"You're not being fair," she accused.

Eddie's eyebrows flew to his hairline. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Like you don't entertain all those girls that look for a thrill who come to the Hideout."

Eddie didn't know what to say to that. Sure, he flirted. If smiling at girls were flirting. But he learned a long time ago that he wouldn't allow himself to be used in the past. He knew most of the goody two shoes loved using him as a night for indiscretion. To be a dirty secret. But it was hard to take girls home from the Hideout if he had to take Jensen home afterward if he wanted to. He didn't want any other girl besides Jensen, but Jensen was his friend. His best friend and he didn't want to ruin that because he caught stupid feelings.

He scowled as he stood from the chair and flicked his cigarette into the pool. "So you were flirting with him?"

Jensen shook her head and rushed back upstairs to the party.

"Hey!" Eddie shouted after her.

She ignored him as she went back inside and made a big production of slamming the sliding door hard. He grumbled under his breath and ignored the looks being thrown their way as she worked her way between the bodies.

He latched onto her arm and pulled her close to his chest. He opened his mouth, but he snapped it shut as he peered down into her whiskey eyes. She was taking deep breaths and her pupils were blown. That certainly wasn't the reaction he was expecting.

"Hey, Freak it seems she doesn't want to talk to you."

Eddie looked over his shoulder to find Tommy Hagan peering at him. Most likely alcohol courage. Tommy talked a lot of shit, but Eddie had yet to see the man back anything up.

"Fuck off," Eddie growled.

"Besides, who even invited you? Looking for more victims of your cult?"

Eddie rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to engage in this petty bullshit.

"Let's just go, Eddie," Jensen said.

Tommy seemed to realize who Eddie was holding onto as the white knight in shining armor turned into the wicked witch.

"Yeah, you should go. No one wants your used up dirty whore anyw-"

Tommy didn't get to finish his words as Eddie whipped around and slammed his metal lunchbox into Tommy's face.

Even the music couldn't hide the sickening crunch of Tommy's nose. There was a scream and gasps of shock throughout the room.

Ignoring the blood pouring out of his nose, Tommy lunged. They both fell to the floor. Tommy landed a good punch to his ribs that knocked the air out of him. Tommy smirked in triumph when he landed a good punch to his face, and he felt his lip split. He was going for another punch when he watched as Jensen punched Tommy across the face.

Eddie coughed for air as he got up, but he should have known a domino effect was going to happen. The jocks were looking for their chance to get a hit at him. Jensen's eyes widened and it was the only warning he got before they tackled him from behind. Another person grabbed Jensen to keep her from joining.

Eddie elbowed his attacker and turned to get a punch before a fist caught his jaw.

However, the party became a panic when the house was flooded with red and blue lights. The fight was forgotten as everyone worked to scram. He shouldn't have been surprised the cops would rush asap to a house in this area. He knew most were worried about the cops telling their parents. He was the one with a bad reputation and drugs.

Jensen grabbed his metal lunchbox and his hand as she led him to the backyard.

"Fuck, are you okay?" Jensen asked as they rushed down the steps.

Eddie spit out the blood that was pooling in his mouth. He nodded his head as they rushed into the woods. The air was bitter against their exposed skin.

Jensen was unsure of what happened. Usually, Eddie would avoid fights. Of course, there were a few scuffles here and there, but he tended to sidestep fights as best as he could. Jensen knew that maybe she was asking alot of Eddie to go to a party filled with people that weren't necessarily friendly. Yet, Steve had asked her to come and she wanted to say no. However, she felt bad for the boy as she heard from Max through Dustin how hard the boy's breakup with Nancy was going.

At first, she thought Steve was trying to use her as a rebound, but she soon realized the boy was just trying to find a friend. She had come to realize how incredibly lonely he was. So a friendship was slowly forming and maybe she forgot to share that detail with Eddie. Especially as it was only recently that Steve had been making changes to his personality.

"Hey, Steve and I are just friends."

"You can be friends with who you want, Jen," Eddie replied. His gaze stayed firmly focused on the dark woods ahead of him.

"How many years did you just lose saying that?"

Even in the dark, she knew Eddie rolled his eyes.

"How's your hand?" He asked softly.

Jensen looked down at her hand. She winced as she flexed. "Probably bruised a couple of knuckles."

Eddie stopped walking and turned towards her. His hand gently grabbed her sore hand. She knew he couldn't see much in the moonlight, but the thought made her cheeks warm especially when he pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles. Intimacy with Eddie was changing. Every touch he initiated brought a warm feeling to her belly. She found herself staring at her friend for long to long to be considering platonic. Besides, she hasn't forgotten what he told her in the summer when he taught her how to roll a joint properly.

"Better?"

"Much," she replied. "How's your lip?"

"Hurts. Maybe a kiss will make it all better?" He teased.

Her boots gave her some height that she normally didn't have so she didn't have to stand on her tippy toes too much. She watched as Eddie froze as she leaned up. He seemed to have stopped breathing. Her eyes shuttered shut as she pressed as gentle kiss to the split. It couldn't even be considered a kiss in her opinion. She grounded herself by fisting Eddie's shirt as she leaned back on her heels.

"Better?"

"Do you kiss all your friends boo-boos?"

"Only yours," she replied.

Eddie grinned, but immediately winced as it tugged on the cut on his lip. "Shit."

Jensen grabbed Eddie's hand and began tugging him along, "Come on, let's get you home, tough guy."

"You know green is a pretty color on you," Eddie told her.

"I can say the same for you," she replied cheekily.