One true love | Eddie Munson

3 : H A I L E Y

. . .

I woke up really early in the morning. I had to drop my mom off at the job she managed to get at the Fair Mart and at a diner downtown. She was a cashier and waitress, although she started out as a nurse she got most of her years in, but ended up pregnant with me and quit, so she's been working small jobs ever since.

I had gotten ready for school. I was in my cheer outfit that I had to wear Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I didn't always have to wear it on those days, but we had rehearsals those days so it was better to come already dressed so we could get to rehearsing faster.

Mom was making breakfast, which I never ate because to be a cheerleader you gotta maintain your body, or so they say. I've always been on the smaller side so changing my diet to only consist of salads, granola bars, and tons of water wasn't a big deal. Plus, the smell of real food makes me nauseous. I've been to a rehab center once and I got better. Normally during the summer, I don't worry as much. The last month before school starts is when I start worrying more about the foods I put into my body.

"Here, honey, I made you some eggs and I know how you don't like toast, so here are some crackers." My mom said handing me a small plate.

"Thanks," I said staring at the plate and then heading to the table to eat, but mostly just poked at it with a fork

"I need you to leave school a little early because my shift at the diner starts at one"

"I can do that, I have a free space in my schedule at the end of the day. It's for studying, but I normally just go and do stretches out on the field." I explained and finished a third of the eggs on my plate

I washed my plate and prepared my salad for today and my water. I placed my salad and dressing all into a paper brown bag and carried my water in my hand.

"Ready, mom?" I asked as I grabbed the keys and stood by the doorway.

Mom was putting her hair up in a rush and patting down her uniform in the mirror making sure there weren't any wrinkles in it. I did the same thing when I would wear skirts. After, she made sure she was all set and that everything was all turned off in the house we walked out together and got in the car. I was the one driving since I was the one who was going to stay with the car for today.

Driving around in Hawkins was so different compared to Ohio. There were more fields and they were green and bright. It was enjoyable driving through the countryside in the morning, because the air always seemed fresher than the air in the city. Driving at night was worse because of all the fog, but I guess that's another thing I've gotten used to. We got to the grocery store where my mom worked and she gave me a kiss on the cheek before leaving the car and running in to punch in on time. I watched as she ran in before driving to school.

. . .

Once I got there I walked the halls to put my lunch away and walked around trying to find Peter or the cheer squad. The cheer squad found me and we just walked in as a group talking about practice and the next party that was happening at Tina's house because her parents were out of town. It was supposed to be a big Halloween party and everyone's invited. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to go, I was kinda already going to party after party, but that's the life you get when you're part of the popular girls, isn't it. I broke from the group when I saw Nancy. She was in my grade and one of the nicest people I've met and she also shares a love for reading like me.

"Hey Nance" I smiled and walked beside her as we went to the library

"Hey, Hails." She smiled back, "You going to Tina's party?" She asked