Wake Up / Eddie Munson

2

I could make out that voice anywhere. Robin turned over and stared at the person standing behind me „You know Eddie, this is not funny. Go back to your table and leave us alone." „Oh come on. I'm only joking around and I actually came to apologize. Your brother was very mad at me, Henderson." His usual cocky grin was showing. „Yeah thanks Eddie. You can go now." We didn't really have to talk any more than necessary. „Wanted to leave anyway. Staying at the popular table could potentially ruin my reputation. Oh and have fun watching guys throwing BALLS INTO LAUNDRY BASKETS tonight. Must be really fun." He cupped his mouth and yelled across the whole room. Everyone's eyes were glued to him and he loved it. Being overdramatic during lunch break was his thing.

He actually left though and I heard him mocking Jason. Which was funny, despite the fact we couldn't stand each other. „He listened to what Dustin said? Did I understand that correctly?" Nancy looked surprised. „Respecting his friends is one thing about Eddie that isn't awful. So only makes sense." I said before picking up my bag, „I have to go see Ms Kelley now. See you guys later?" They nodded and I made a beeline for the hallway. Let's see what torturing ideas she got this time.

As I reached her office, I paused before knocking, taking a few deep breaths. „I can do this." whispering to myself seemed to calm me down a little. Still my heart was drumming inside my chest and I felt like throwing up as I heard her voice, telling me to come in. „Good to see you, April. Please take a seat." I pressed my lips together and walked over to the chair in front of her desk. „So how are we feeling today? Any episodes or nightmares?" She didn't even look at me. All she ever did was write in my stupid file. „Nightmares yes but no episodes." „Good. Tell me, was it the same dream as always or did something change?" „Ms. Kelley with all due respect, the nightmare is always the same one and honestly I don't think repeatedly talking about how I saw Billy get murdered, is going to help me in any kind of way. Can we just skip this session? Or just cancel all of our future meetings? I want to forget about what happened that night and burry it in the depths of my mind." snapping at her felt really relieving.

This was the first time ever she ever actually looked up at me. „Anger is a good sign, you know? It's an emotion we can deal with better than sadness and anxiety. You can go if you really want to. All I'm going to do is ask you to blow off some steam. It will help." A good sign my ass. My bag hung over my shoulder in lightning speed and my feet carried me outside faster than I thought was possible. Mom has to take me off those meetings or I will go insane. Dealing with the traumatizing image of Billy my boyfriend getting impaled right before my eyes was something I wanted to do completely by myself and in my own time.

Not in the mood to return to any of my classes I walked out to the table in the woods right behind the school. No one knew about this spot (or so I thought) and it was my best option of peace and quiet. A second after me getting there a twig snatched behind me and I turned around in shock. „Wow there, it's just me. Don't piss your pants princess." Eddie's judging face was the last thing I needed. „Oh you have got to be shitting me." While rolling my eyes I walked over to the table and sat down. „Are you following me now?" „Don't get your hopes up but you are not the only person who knows about this place Henderson." „Mhm but I was here first so find some other place to hang out." I shooed him away with my hand. „Why? I have such great company out here." He plopped down right across from me and I let out a huff. „Dustin was very protective of you today. He snapped at me to go and say sorry. Never seen him get mad before."

I just stared at him with no emotion on my face. „Got spooked for a second. Want to tell me why he got angry with me?" he looked at me expectingly. „It's none of your business Munson. Just drop the topic." „Has it something to do with the meeting with Ms Kelley?" Eddie definitely was getting too nosy. „I said drop it." „Okay, okay! Christ Henderson your mood is even worse than normal." He threw his hands up in surrender. „Will you at least tell me how you know about this place here?" his finger made a circular motion. „Someone found it last year and showed it to me." My eyes turned to look away from the guy sitting across from me. „And that would be? Fancy hair?" „None of your business. That's who." Eddie started laughing. „Feisty. I like it."

„You know Munson, I liked you way more when you were the quiet kid til last year. Now you are just a pain in the ass." „You liked me? Aw this is adorable." and the grin was back. „There is a difference from liking someone and liking someone more than completely disliking them." He stared at me for a few seconds before pretending to stab a dagger through his heart and falling off the bench. „You dislike me completely? Ouch that hurt my feelings." He laughs now standing a few feet away from me. „As if you like me Eddie. You never miss an opportunity to show me how much you hate me." „Hate is a strong word Henderson, don't give yourself so much credit. I just strongly dislike you." „Oh okay that makes it better. Do you mind if I just put on my headphones, so I don't have to listen to your stupid voice?" I sarcastically smile at him. „Do what you please princess. It's not like you care about my opinion anyway." „You're right I don't."

Like earlier in the bathroom I blast Queen on full volume and close my eyes. Only to feel my headphones getting lifted up on one ear and Eddie looking at me strange as I open my eyes again. „What is it now Munson?" „Are you seriously listening to Queen?" „Uhm, yes? You have a problem with that?" „Not necessarily, just shocked you'd be into it." „What did you think I would be listening to something like Madonna or Blondie?" „Yes actually I did." „Yeah well, you don't know me at all. Now if you'll excuse me." I put the headphones back on only to get them taken down again two seconds later. „Would you stop it Eddie." „Why Queen?" I roll my eyes and get up to return to the school. „Hey! Don't just leave. Answer me." I hear him running up behind me. „Because, Eddie, I like them." „But why?" „Oh could you shut up now? Just because, there is no special reason behind it." I pick up my pace to get rid of him. „I don't believe you. There is always a special reason behind liking certain kinds of music."

„Not for me there isn't." „Bullshit." I stop in my tracks and look at him. „Alright. If I tell you will you leave me alone?" A genuine smile appeared on his face and to my surprise that actually suited him quite well. „Yes. For now at least." This made me snort out loud. Not in mocking way or something. A genuine laugh. „I should have seen that answer coming but I'll accept it." His smile got even bigger and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. „So I'm waiting for my answer." „Alright chill. It's because have you seen how hella cool Freddie dresses? And how eccentric he is on stage?" It was Eddie who's laughing now. „What? It's true! Also their music is simply straight up good." „That is the funniest reason of liking music I ever heard." He stated in between laughs. „I was expecting some deep emotional stuff like my dad made me listen to it as I was a child and now that he's gone it's a nice memory." My mouth flew open as I gasped in mocked shock. „Hey! You know he left after Dustin was born. I was two at that time, how on earth would I be able to remember him?" „You're a girl so you never know."

„Hm valid." I nod and start walking again. „Eddie?" „At your service." „Can you do me a favor and tell Dustin to wait for me outside after the campaign you guys have tonight? I want to walk home today." „Just this one time, I think I can do that." „Oh and remind him or he will forget." „Will do." I smile at him and go to open the back door of the school as we were finally back. „Thanks Eddie." He plastered on his cocky grin bowed. I laughed and went inside, maybe he wasn't that bad actually. Also if he wasn't acting like a total douchebag, he was quite good looking. I shook my head at my invasive thoughts. What am I thinking. I won't even start thinking like this.