You Give Love a Bad Name (EddiexReader)

Cults, Tapes and Wrinkled Essays

From that moment on, Eddie and I became what you would maybe call 'best friends'. We hung out every day at lunch and often after school. He me to his friends and I would go and watch them play at their gigs and rehearsals. He tried teaching me how to play the drums and how to drive. We told each other secrets and kept them for one another. He helped me get out of my comfort zone and be more open about what I liked. He would come to my house so we could hang out or continue working on his Spanish. Dustin would often interrupt, but I didn't mind. He looked so happy talking to Eddie. I knew he enjoyed hanging out with older kids. He became a part of the group too, and eventually invited Mike Wheeler and Lucas Sinclair. That is how the Hellfire club started.

    Eddie asked me for a favor as his 'bestest of best friends', as he put it. He asked me if I could design t-shirts for the new D&D campaign. 'The Cult of Vecna', he called it.

    "It's going to be the greatest and most badass campaign ever made!" His eyes lit up whenever he told me about it. "I'll tell you; it's going to be crazy hard for all of you to survive the ultimate boss." He chuckled.

    "You're insane." I replied.

    "I know! Isn't it great?" He looked at me with those sparkly eyes. "So, can you do it?"

    "I mean, I can try. Just tell me what you want."

    "Okay, I've been thinking..." Then he continued to describe a bunch of elements to put into the shirts. And when I say a bunch, I mean an excessive amount. He said stuff about skulls, daggers, rings, crossbows, dice, thunderbolts, flying demons and... an extravagant load of fire. I was going to make a mental note on it. I didn't. Instead, I squinted my eyes at him.

    "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

    "Sorry. It's just hard for my brain to process all that stupid." I said with a smirk. He was visibly annoyed and started walking away from me. "No, no, Eddie. I'm kidding, I'm kidding." I reached for his arm. "It does sound badass. I'll make the shirts. Give me a couple of weeks and I'll have them ready before the campaign starts."

    "Oh yeah? Are you sure you can manage all my stupid suggestions?"

    "I'm sorry. I was joking. They're not stupid. And with all your suggestions, I can design wicked shirts for the club." I didn't let go of his arm yet, but his expression softened. "And, because my joke went too far, I'll lend you a new mix tape I've been listening to."

    "I want two mixed tapes." He said with a playful frown.

    "Two mixed tapes it is."

    Later that day, when I was at home doing an essay for my Spanish Literature class, I heard a knock on my room's window. My only response was getting startled. Another soft knock.  It was Eddie. I ran to lock my door and then opened the window for him to climb in.

    "What are you doing here?"

    "I came for my mixed tapes. Also, to help you with the design. But Mrs. Henderson wouldn't let me in through the front door. She said you were busy."

    "I am busy, Munson. Besides, I'm not supposed to have boys in the house. You know that. Even less if Mrs. Henderson thinks we're dating-"

    "Wait. She thinks what?"

    "Not important. What were you thinking?"

    "I've only been invited in when she's not around. I thought she would let me in if I asked to see you."

    "It's... complicated. It shouldn't be, but it is." My eyes met his, and he smiled. "Look, I'm a little busy right now. I'll give you the mixed tapes, but I need to finish my essay."

    I started searching for what I had promised, but when I looked back, Eddie was by my desk, reading my essay. I walked towards him and tried to snatch the papers away from him, dropping the tapes in the act. One of his arms pushed me away and the other held the paper on top of his head for him to keep on reading.

    "Munson!" A whispered yell. "Give them back!"

    "Whoa, you really are a genius. This is all in Spanish. And about a book in Spanish!"

    "Well yeah, idiot. It's for Spanish Literature class." I replied while stepping on his foot and taking the wrinkled essay away from him as he recovered. Eddie turned around and knocked a pile of sketchbooks from the desk. "And I'm not a genius. I'm just bilingual."

    "Y/N! Honey? Is everything okay?" Mrs. Henderson called from the hallway.

    "Shit." I muttered under my breath. "Yes! I'm fine! I just dropped some notebooks!" I turned to Eddie and whispered, half scolding him. "You need to leave. Please, Eddie."

    I quickly handed him the tapes and hurried him out the window. He dropped one of them and, out of desperation, I threw it to him. Closing the drapes, I ran to open the door, and there was my host.

    "Are you sure you're okay? I heard a lot of noise."

    "Yeah. I'm fine. I was just studying for my Spanish test, and you know how clumsy I can be." I tried to make her laugh.

    "Okay," she replied. "It's just that, this kid... um he came to visit you and well. I know I'm not your mom, and it's not my place to tell you who to hang out with. But this kid Eddie looks dangerous. I mean, I don't mean to judge the book by its cover, but I've also heard all kinds of things about him. I'm just trying to keep you safe; you know that."

    "I know you're only trying to do the best for me, Mrs. Henderson. I'll be careful. Don't worry."

    "Good. I'll prepare dinner. It'll be ready in an hour." She smiled back at me and left the room so I could continue with my studies.

    I opened the curtains again and saw Eddie walking away. Deep down I knew he heard the conversation through the open window. My desires to run after him were interrupted by the possibility of getting into trouble. Silly, I know. But I was living under Mrs. Henderson's roof. The least I could do was follow, or pretend to follow, her rules.