sparks | henry creel

030

My intentions were never for them to think I was purposely ignoring them. After I climbed back through the window, I layed on my back for another few minutes as I waited for Henry to get out of his shower. I've actually never seen anyone enjoy shows as much as him. Obviously I've never been there as he's in the shower, but it's funny watching him get ready for one. He likes the idea of twenty minutes of the day where it's just him, and soaking hot water. I don't know.

"So, what did you guys talk about?" He asks, running his hand through his hair as he comes out of the now foggy bathroom. "Uhm, nothing much."
Eyebrows? Raised.
He doesn't ask anything more, though. I'm surprised he didn't snoop around and listen into our conversation. "I'm thinking of asking Max if she wants to get breakfast with me tomorrow," I say quietly. "Yeah, that's a great idea," he agrees, sitting down on the floor.
I was going to ask if he was going to sleep on the bed with me again. But instead decided on the nonchalant answer. "You could sleep in the bed, you know." I shrug, hoping I wasn't being to... Creepy?

"Oh, well, believe it or not I kind of like sleeping on the floor. It's less... Cramped?"

Is he calling me fat? I guess that wasn't his intentions because his eyes immediately light up. "I didn't mean it like that. What I mean is, while I'm in the bed, there's the comforter, the sheet, the pillows, and you, all in a small bed. But when I'm on the floor it's just me and a blanket and a pillow."

"You could've just said I was the problem." I scoff, turning over.

"Ugh, Heather. You know that's not what I meant-"

"It sure as hell seems like it," I murmur as I shut my eyes.

I knock on the front door. Since Maxs mom works nightshift, I'll only have to worry about waking one person. The door opens and what looks to be a angry Max looks to be standing in front of me, but once she realizes who it is her eyes soften. "McDonald's?"

I'm eating my sausage-egg biscuit as she eats hers. "So, is the old Heather back?" She suddenly breaks the silence. "Yeah, I guess she is." I smile. "Thats amazing. Can I tell you something?"

I nod.

"Last night, we were all sitting down and enjoying pizza. Henry was there of course, and suddenly Eddie asked him a question about you. And I swear to you Heather, nod even Eleven or Mike get that look in their eyes when asked about one eachother. His eyes got dark, so dark, and I swear I could see a smile form on his face. He likes you, and you deserve someone like him, no matter what Eddie says or Steve or your grandma, who I'm sure doesn't even know he exists."

I was really hoping the conversation of boys wouldn't be brought up this morning. But it was. And now max is the second person to talk about how Henry likes me.

"I don't know, M. I mean, we've hardly know each other that long."

"Yeah, well, I mean look at El and Mike. Mike's known hes loved El since the second he's laid eyes on her. And she was bald, skinny as can be, and only wearing a yellow Tshirt covered in grease," she makes her point. "Well, what if you're right? It's not like we can.. you know, date."

"And why not?"

"Well... I... I mean, we've hardly made it through us being friends. My grandmother's starting to notice foods going missing more often and that the water bill has been going up." I take another bite of my biscuit, confident on my case. "Then just eat out more often. And have him take showers at Dustin's."

"I don't have a job, and neither does he."

"Then bug Steve for money."

"Steve's working a minimum-wage job so he can go on dates. I don't think he's going to want to pay money so I can go on dates."

"Look, Heather. I just think you need to allow yourself to have fun, and be a teenager, you know? Have a boyfriend. Sneak out with said boyfriend. Have fun."

I wanna say that the last time I had "fun", or atleast tried too, I got sexually assaulted. But that wouldn't be the truth, because I smoked the weed to try and calm down, which obviously didn't work.

"I don't know, Max. Do you remember when we used to have those long conversations about wanting to get out of Hawkins? How the only reason we became friends in the first place is because we both arrived in Hawkins at the same exact time, and wanted to leave at the very same time? The only way I'll be able to achieve those goals and wishes is if I get a scholarship. And I can't get a scholarship If I don't focus on school, and I can't focus on school if I have a boyfriend -"

"Okay, yeah, I get it. But you're only sixteen, Heather. You still have Junior year and senior year to work on those scholarships."

I sigh, knowing deep down she's right. But does Henry even want to get into a relationship right now? With me? I mean, sure, he's awfully flirtatious and we've exchanged quite a few different kisses, I just don't know if he's going to want to be in a relationship with me, right now. I mean, hell, he just got out of a building he was trapped inside for years, for most of his life- does he even know what relationships are? What dating is?