perfect storm

Chapter Two | Eddie Who?

February 3rd, 2022, 6:45 AM

a blast of heat swept over my face and body as my boots hit the tile floor. thank god for central heating. i passed all my friends on the way to my class. Nancy and Jonathan were at the lockers, looking like they were in deep conversation. lovebirds. i touched Jonathan's jacket sleeve to get their attention and waved to both of them. they smiled, waved back, and returned to their conversation. a couple minutes later, i saw Steve at the water fountain, trying to woo a girl from our grade. i rolled my eyes, and while laughing, i said, "hey, Steve!" he snapped his head up, seemingly surprised that ANYONE would interrupt him trying to use his charm. 

"oh, hey Ruby, 'sup?" i nodded and he returned back to his important mission. sometimes i wonder why it's so hard for Steve to get girls now. or guys. it used to be effortless for him. honestly, anyone rejecting him is insanely stupid. he's one of the most genuine people i know and he deserves the world. that's why he's one of my best friends. i finally made it to my geometry class, walked in, and looked at the board. new seating chart. awesome. why does our teacher insist on changing the seating arrangements when people talk? the kids in here are going to talk no matter where they sit. whatever. i scan my eyes across the paper taped to the whiteboard, looking for my name. found it. Ruby Quinn. last row, second seat from the left.

 good thing i have glasses, jesus. i always used to sit in the first two rows. i made my way to my new seat, plopped my bag down, unzipped it, and took out my geometry binder. i set it on my desk, put my bag on the floor, and sunk down in my seat. god, i was so tired. i barely slept last night. Jack wouldn't stop barking at literally nothing. i was fighting to keep my eyes open when someone else walked in and looked at the board. 

why do i recognize him?

 isn't his name Eddie? i only remembered his first name because his style was so identifiable. he always wore black jeans with knee rips (twins), a really cool pants chain, and a leather jacket with a denim vest draped over it with really cool heavy metal pins. he had this long, slightly frizzy, curly brown hair. he also constantly wore this Hellfire Club t-shirt that was the name of his Dungeons and Dragons club. how do i know that? if you paid any attention in the lunchroom, he always sits with his friends and talks about it. i guess he's in a band too but i don't know the name. the other day he actually made this huge scene making fun of the jocks. they didn't like it (obviously) and started calling him the usual names any entitled person would call someone they know nothing about. it was pretty fun to watch, actually. anyway.

 why didn't i remember his last name? i probably saw it on the seating chart but i wasn't paying attention. he looked around and started walking towards me. he walked closer and closer and finally sat down. right next to me. no fucking way. did i somehow manifest this by taking two seconds trying to remember his last name? as i was in my head, he interrupted me.

 "hey. i guess we sit next to each other now." he said, cracking a small smile and putting his bag under his desk. "you're Ruby, right? i've seen you around. i'm Eddie. Eddie Munson." he said, while sticking his hand out. so THAT'S his last name. truthfully, i didn't expect him to do that. i was a little surprised. kinda dorky. i shook his hand. i noticed his right hand had a cool ring on his ring finger and a silver chain bracelet. he pulled away and i glanced at his left. he had the coolest silver rings on his three main fingers. a cross on his pointer, a pig face on his middle, and a skull on his ring finger. my eyes widened. "dude, your jewelry is fucking badass!" i said. i immediately recognized my mistake and recoiled as the teacher yelled "LANGUAGE!" i looked at her and said "sorry!" while half smiling, hoping i wouldn't get in trouble. thankfully, she just sighed and went back to her computer.

 i looked back at Eddie and his face was completely lit up. "thanks!! you want one?" he said, seemingly half joking. was he really this comfortable with me already? i laughed. "no, no. they're yours! maybe i'll borrow one another time." i said, really eclectic that he liked me already. he raised an eyebrow. "another time?" "well, yeah, we're sitting next to each other in this class now so obviously we're going to become besties." i said, matter-of-factly. he giggled. yes, giggled. "alright, well, i guess i can look forward to this class now." was he flirting with me?

 i looked away so he wouldn't see me blush. i didn't notice it before, but he really was very attractive. his eyes were a light brown, and his nose and lips complemented each other perfectly. why weren't girls into him? actually, now that i think about it, they probably thought his D&D club was satanic or some bullshit. imagine not taking two seconds to look into something before judging someone.. anyway. from our first interaction i could tell that he isn't the person everyone else thinks he is. he's actually super cool and this class is going to be way better now. 

"by the way," he started talking again, interrupting my thoughts, again. i looked up at him. "i like your outfit." aww. "thanks!! yours is really cool too." i said, just realizing now how similar we really are. "okay class, quiet down now. we have a pop quiz." the teacher said while standing in front of the class. i looked at Eddie and we both rolled our eyes and paid our attention up to the front.