Under One Condition || Eddie Munson

chapter one

AUGUST 25th, 1985

"Holy shit," I breathed as my alarm blares loudly. I could hear my heart beating in my ears as I wipe the cold sweat from my forehead.

Another fucking nightmare.

Annoyed I slam my hand down on the alarm next to me and fling myself out of bed. The first day of senior year was already off to a bad start. I sighed glancing at my reflection in the dirty mirror that hung on my door. Dark circles sat under my eyes, contrasting against my pale skin.

The sound of a car door slamming shut caught my attention. I walk over to the window to see my mom sluggishly walk to the front door. Deciding to get ready before I greet her, I pull on the outfit I picked out the night before.

"Honey, put some make up on to cover those circles," my mother stated as she peeked her head through my door. Rolling my eyes, "good morning to you too, mom." I picked up the concealer lying on my desk and shook it in her direction. I hear a sigh and my door clicked shut again.

She was right, of course; I definitely need to cover up the circles that sat under my eyes. Sitting down at my vanity, I apply my usual make up look: dark eyeliner, minimal foundation, and dark red lipstick. I unbraided my hair and ran my hands through it.

Good enough.

Opening my door I hear the usual chatter of my mom and twin brother. Taking a deep breath I head into the kitchen to grab something to eat.

"Always with the dark make up, Sis," Steve states with a smile. With a smirk I reach for his perfectly styled hair, "always with enough gel to drown someone, brother." Steve shrieks as I mess up his, at least, an hours worth of work. Fake pouting at his reaction, I take a seat next to him.

I hear a sniffle and glance over at my mom, "oh my babies have grown up so much." She had tears in her eyes and was covering her mouth to silence a sob. Steve smiled at her, "mom, we'll always be your babies. No need to cry." Shaking her head, my mom grabbed a tissue to wipe away her tears. Steve was always better at comforting people. I half smiled at my mom and rest my hand over hers.

"Okay! Enough of my pity party. Pictures!" Mom exclaims. Groaning, Steve and I stand up to please my mom. We walked in front of the fire place to pose. After mom was done nearly blinding us with the flash, we decided to head to school.

"Rock, paper, scissors." I held out my hand in the shape of scissors as Steve holds his hand out in the shape of paper. "Ha! I win, guess we're taking my car," I smile with victory. Steve rolls his eyes as he turns to walk out the front door.

I swoon as I start up my car. A 1967 Chevy Impala. Steve chuckles next to me as I clutch my heart, dramatically. "Let's go, loser."

Pulling up at the familiar house, I honk the horn twice. Nancy Wheeler comes running out of the house, her younger brother right behind her. "Need a ride Mike?" I called out to the lanky kid. "No thanks! I'm meeting up with the party at the arcade after school," he replies as he grabs his bike. Nancy hopped in the back seat, "Steve how do you always lose rock, paper, scissors?" I smirk over at my brother. He always does the same pattern, scissors and then paper. Steve huffs but doesn't respond. Nancy and I share a look before laughing.

"You look good, Aspen," Nancy says with a smile. I had lost a bunch of weight since she saw me last. I smile back at her through the rearview mirror, "thanks, Nance."

The ride to Hawkins High was filled with chatter between Steve and Nancy. They had been together for the past 2 years, and in my opinion, they were end game.

I parked in my usual spot, glancing around to find for Robin and Barb waiting by Barbs car. Waving at them I quickly step out of the car, locking it after Steve and Nancy get out. Robin and Barb walk over to me. "DAMN GIRL," Robin yells loudly, "IF I WASN'T WITH BARB, I'D BE HITTING ON YOU RIGHT NOW." I laugh and shake my head at Robin, going to hug them both. I was a little sad knowing this is our last first day of school all together. Nancy and Barb were in the grade below us, they'd have to start school without us next year. We all walk into school together; Robin and I compare schedules as Steve and Nancy try to talk Barb into going to Billy Hargrove's back-to-school party.

"C'mon Barb! It'll be fun!" Steve said, in a pleading voice. He knew Nancy wouldn't go if her best friend wasn't. "Aspen will be there, and you know Robin will go if Aspen does," Steve continued. Barb, not really interested in the conversation anymore replies, "I'll think about it Steve." Steve, happy with her response, dropped the topic.

To be honest, I'm only going to please Steve. He dropped a lot of his old friends when he and Nancy got together. Good riddance too, they have bullied me my whole life. Of course, Steve doesn't know, or he'd try to pick a fight. The kid can't fight to save his life and I don't want to nurse him back to health once he gets his ass kicked.

The sound of cheering broke my thoughts. People were standing in a circle in the middle of the hall. A fight on the first day is practically tradition at this point. Pushing our way through the crowd, we see Tommy Hagan on top of another kid. I glance at Steve, knowing he was about to break up the fight.

"Ladies! Please, it's the first day of school. No need to fight," a voice stated loudly. This caught Tommy's attention, "want to take his place Munson?" Tommy slowly stood up, to face the older boy, who stood there with a smug smile. "No, but seriously Hagan, beating up a freshman is low, even for you," Eddie stated. Tommy didn't back down until he saw a teacher push his way through the crowd. "You won't be this lucky next time Munson," Tommy said with a malice smile.

I turned away from the scene in front of me and started towards my first class of the day.

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AHHHHH. The first chapter is done. I'm honestly not sure when I'll start the next one. If this picks up any traction, I'll definitely continue. Let me know!

I know Barb is dead, but please let my little heart dream :') she deserved better.