change of pace

assumptions

chapter four

Eddie walked me to my class before taking off to his since final bell was about to ring. I made my way to my seat to the back and pulled out my textbook.

"Okay everyone, I thought we would do something a little different today to allow you all to get to know one another. Let's split into groups of three, and begin talking about the project you will have due before Thanksgiving." Ms. Kerry announced to the class.

I hated group projects. I always end up being the one who finishes the entire thing because no one else will do it. Everyone began splitting into groups, first spotting their friends and then whoever else they found tolerable. People avoided me like the plague, so I sat with a kid named Robbie, who gets treated like shit every day because of how he looks.

"Ew, don't let her sit with you. She's been with the freak since yesterday." spat Cathy, a cheerleader.
"Silence, Cathy. I suppose we have one absent today, so you and Robbie I'm sure will work well together." Ms. Kerry said. She was a nice teacher, I'm just not fond of physics class.

Ms. Kerry passed out supplies for our projects and Robbie, who is a God at physics, helped explain everything and offered to do the more tedious tasks of the project. He's a sweet kid, it sucks how he can't catch a break from the rest of these assholes at Hawkins High.

My other two classes were boring. I dozed off in third period, only to be awoken by the bell signaling it was time for fourth period. I rushed my way to class and found Eddie waiting by the door for me.

"I think this is the earliest I've been to any class." He says shoving something back in his bag.
"Nice change of pace, now you won't have people on your back. Well, teachers, of course." I said leaning against the lockers with him. We had a few minutes until the bell rang.
"Since you're an official member of Hellfire now, you have to sit with us at lunch." Eddie smiles at me.
"Oh no, because I was really looking forward sitting at that grimey little table in the back alone!" I joked.
"Well now you get to sit at ANOTHER grimey little table with US!" He says laughing. The second bell rings.

We make our way towards the back of the class and Eddie chooses to sit in the seat next to me this time. The kid who usually sits there walked in waiting for him to get up but Eddie hissed at him instead. I think that's more of a reason they call him a freak. Mr. Traleck glances at the two of us making conversation and sighs.

"You're gonna love 'em. They're not as great as me, of course. They might take some time to...adjust to having a new member." Eddie says leaning over the desk divide as much as he could to face me.

Class begins, and Mr. Traleck keeps his eyes on Eddie the whole time, who was being well-behaved despite claiming the seat as his. When the teacher would turn around to write something on the board, Eddie would roll his eyes every time. Class went by quick, since it was mainly explaining the reading we had done the night before. The bell rang, and students began rushing for lunch as Mr. Traleck was trying to get his last bit of announcements out. Eddie waited for me to pack up my things before we exited, but Mr. Traleck asked me to stay behind.

"Head to lunch, Munson." Mr. Traleck said walking towards me. Eddie exited the room and shut the door, but I saw through the window he was waiting. "Jessica, I don't want you getting caught up with that boy. You're a smart girl, and I don't want him affecting your achievements."
"Mr. Traleck, I'm not going to let Eddie affect anything. I find this conversation to be a disturbing accusation against both myself and Eddie." I said offended.
"That's not what I meant, Ms. Lawson. It's just, his third time doing senior year. I don't want you to follow the same road."
"Thank you for your concern, but I can handle it myself, sir." I said before walking out. I shut the door angrily.
"What happened?" Eddie said concerned.
"Unprofessionalism. Ignore it." I said waiting for him to start walking.
"Well, alright. Lunch time it is, baby!" He began walking and I stayed close.

We got to the lunch line and Eddie smelled the food that was prepared for us. "Smells FANTASTIC! Doesn't it? Fine cuisine." Eddie joked. We grabbed our food and he led me to the lunch table. Three kids sat there staring me down. Eddie shot them a look and they stopped.

"Hellfire, Jessie. Jessie, Hellfire." Eddie says as he takes a seat.
"This is the new recruitment?" One with reddish hair said. Gareth.
"I don't know, I can put up with her." The pale one, Grant, said laughing. I got uncomfortable and Eddie glared at him which resulted in the kid practically choking.
"Yes, she is one of our recruits. I have my eye on a few others. But I am concerned to make my over to them since you all can't learn to be friendly." He says through his teeth. They all sat up properly.
"Don't worry about it Eddie, nothing's going to happen." The last one said, he smiled kindly at me. Jeff, who I had biology class with last year, although we never spoke.

Eddie stood up and headed over the table in the back where most of the freshmen sat. He practically startled the three of them that were sitting there talking to each other. You could tell by the looks on their faces they were terrified, and Eddie stayed intrigued. I watched him confused, and he looked up and made eye contact with me smirking. Then back down to the freshmen. Eventually he made his way back over with a cocky walk, proud of himself.

"What they say?" Jeff asks.
"They'll say yes." Eddie sat staring at them with his hands folded. I looked over at the kids who were frantically discussing and back at Eddie who kept his eyes locked on them.
"But if we're starting next week, we need to ge-"
"I'm working on it, dipshit. Have you even finished your sheet?" Eddie snapped his attention to Grant.
"I, um, no."
"Then maybe you should be focusing your attention on that." He glared at him, glanced at me who was concerned, and quickly changed his expression.
"Most of us at this table have one year left, hopefully, at least. We need to keep Hellfire alive, and those boys over there are the ticket to it." Eddie says before taking a long sip of his soda can.

The bell rings and we start to grab our things. As the others walk off, Eddie stays behind with me and waits. The three kids he probably traumatized began awkwardly walking over.

"Here's our answer, sweetheart." Eddie mumbles smiling menacingly.
"We'll do it." The curly haired one says, extending his hand out for shake in which Eddie obliged. The other two stood behind him looking at each other.