Me And The Freaks

Seven.

Luna was standing at her locker exchanging her books. She glanced up at the photographs inside and sighed as she turned them around. She was around thirteen or fourteen when she realized she had stronger feelings for Eddie than just friendship. Of course she didn't want to believe it and knew it would just fizzle out. That's what crushes do, especially when you're so young. 

The past couple of years had passed and every time she saw him she still got butterflies. The way he strolled down the hallways, his head held high yet his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. The way he hung on the chairs in the cafeteria as if he didn't give a fuck about what people thought of him. His smile and the way he looked at her if they ever exchanged eye contact.

She tried for so long to actually stick up for him when he was dealing with bullshit from people at school. She wanted to join in and shout at them too like what he did, but his sarcasm just sliced through the assholes like butter. He didn't need defending yet she still felt like shit.

 She shook her head, zipped up her backpack and grabbed a book before shoving her bag inside the Locker.

"Afternoon Miss Martin" A voice spoke into her left ear. Luna turned and watched as Eddie leaned against the closed locker beside her and smiled.

"Hey" She bluntly said before closing over her locker.

"Shit day?" He then asked her as he examined her demeanor. 

"Look if you don't want to talk to me anymore, just tell me. I get it, but you don't have to stand me up." Luna told him.

He stared at her for a moment as he twisted his ring round his finger as he made a sorry face.
"Is this about the other day?" He asked, as if he wasn't interested.

"Ugh" Luna tutted as she turned on her heels and began to walk away.

"Oh come - Luna!" Eddie called after her. He began to jog after her then took her arm softly, bringing them to a stand point. "Luna, come on" he sighed. "I told you I'd talk to guys" He shrugged as he dropped his hand from her arm.

" - And they weren't interested. I get it, but you could've told me" Luna gripped onto her book tighter.

"Actually no. Something came up, and last I checked we don't have each others numbers anymore" Eddie raised an eyebrow.

"We don't..." Luna trailed off as she thought for a moment. 

"I'm assuming you either got a new one or deleted mine" Eddie nodded.

Luna raised her eyes to him from the floor and shrugged. "Is that what you did? Deleted mine?" She asked a little hurt.

Eddie looked at her as a smile curled at the ends of his lips.

"No..." He then chuckled. "I actually didn't. I just assumed you'd have a different number, it has been four years." He nodded.

"In fact I do." Luna admitted. "I'm sorry" She then shook her head.

"Hey, don't apologize. It was a misunderstanding" Eddie smiled at her. "I actually would like to hang out though...if you still wanted too?" He asked.

Luna smiled at him and nodded.

"I'd really like that"

"How about after school? Grab some food or something?" He asked.

Luna thought for a moment as she smiled. "Do you still like turkey burgers?"

"Love em! Not had them in a hot minute though" Eddie narrowed his eyes with some suspicion.

"Do you want to come over for dinner?" Luna quickly asked him.

Eddie's face lit up. "Does Lois still make a mean turkey burger?! Man I missed those..." He trailed off as he looked around for a moment.

He and Luna laughed as she nodded. "Yeah, my mom does. I can text her? An extra place at the dinner table?" She asked.

"I don't want to impose..."

"You're not! My mum and dad...actually ask about you." She admitted to him.

Eddie widened his eyes with genuine surprise. "No..." He then shook his head.

"Yeah. At some point every week, they always ask how you are doing" Luna told him. "My dad more often than none."

"And what do you tell them?" He dropped his head to one side as he stared at her.

Luna sighed as she nodded. "That you're doing good...I hope." She bit bottom lip.

Eddie looked over her face as he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, doing good." He told her.

The first bell for class rang disturbing them.

"So. I'll get you after school?" Luna asked him as she raised her shoulders slightly.

"I'll meet you there, I've got my truck. Still same place?" He asked walking backwards and pointing at her.

"Same place." She nodded.

"I'll see you later" He nodded and winked before he turned and headed off.

"See ya" Luna sighed as she watched him walk away.