𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒 | eddie munson

part three 🏳️‍🌈😂🎩

I wake up the next day an hour late. My first thought was Eddie Munson.

I spend my time getting ready, not caring about missing my first few classes. I'm already late, so there's no point in rushing. Today I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt, since it's kind of hot outside. I do a little bit more makeup than the day before, and put a little extra effort into my hair, all while thinking about Eddie.

I end up getting to school at 10:35, during a break between classes. I have history next, also known as my least favorite class. The teacher wasn't welcoming at all and didn't give me any help on arriving halfway through the semester, which means I have to talk to other people.

Halfway through the class, I can't take it anymore. If the teacher keeps talking in that monotone voice for any longer, I will get up and slap him.

I interrupt him, "Excuse me, can I go to the bathroom?"

He glares at me and I couldn't care less. "Sure, but be quick Julia."

I rush out of the classroom, trying to escape whatever the hell that is. I go into the bathroom but just lean against the wall for 10 minutes while fiddling with my rings and thinking about my friends from home. Eventually I decide to go back in the class before Mr. Robles thinks I'm skipping, but when I'm walking out I see Eddie.

Shit.

I run back into the bathroom, hoping he didn't see me, but of course he did.

"Julia! Was that you?" He yells from down the hallway. I stay silent, hoping he'll give up. He doesn't.

"Julia I know I saw you. Come out of hiding," He says in a sing-song voice.

I'm still quiet.

I hear his footsteps getting closer to the bathroom. Surely he won't go into the girls bathroom, right? Wrong again. He walks in and he sees me, then laughs.

"You don't need to be scared of me, Julia. I don't bite." He says with a wink.

"According to Jason, I do need to be scared."

"Jason Carver? Are you kidding me? Don't listen to that spaz. He probably just wants to get in your pants." He's obviously annoyed. I hit a nerve.

"Him and Chrissy are dating. And why do you care about who I listen to? It's none of your business." He takes a step closer to me.

"Jason is a dick. And I don't care. I just think it would help if you hung out with the right people."

I step closer this time. "You obviously care, Eddie." Neither of us say anything for what feels like an hour. I can't read the expression on his face. "I need to go back to class, you should too. We wouldn't want you to fail your senior year again." I say, finally breaking eye contact. I start to walk out of the bathroom and accidentally brush against his shoulder. My breath hitches as he turns to watch me walk out. I go back to class and can't think about anything else for the rest of the period.

----

The lunch bell rings at 12:30, and I walk as slowly as possible to the cafeteria. Chrissy told me I can sit with her and Jason, but that almost sounds as bad as sitting with Eddie and his club. When I get there, Chrissy waves for me to go over to her, and I almost do. I turn around and see Eddie watching me, then turn back almost immediately. I sit with Chrissy and don't say anything to anyone.

I look over to Eddie almost every other minute, and every single time he's looking right back at me. I decide to maintain eye contact after a while, just to see how confident he can get. I look over and stare, and he does the same. Adam and Dustin try talking to him, but it's almost like we're the only two people in the room. He stands up and starts walking towards me, but the bell rings and everyone immediately gets up to go to their next class. I'm almost glad he got interrupted.

I'm walking out and chatting with Chrissy, then she looks at me confused and takes me over to the side of the room.

"Julia I'm going to ask you a question, and you have to answer me honestly."

"Uh, okay? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I don't think. But.." She hesitates. "Are you and Eddie Munson a thing?" She honestly looks concerned for me.

"What?? Chrissy. No. No. No. Definitely not. Never in my life. I would rather jump off of a bridge than get anywhere near him." I'm being very nervous, she can tell.

"Are you sure? Because you kept staring at each other at lunch, like super intensely. And I heard him talking to that guy Adam in second period."

"What? What was he saying?"

"Oh my god." She looks a mix between disgusted and surprised. "You totally have a thing for him. I can't believe you. Eddie? Eddie 'the freak' Munson?"

"I do not! I know nothing about him. he's just..." I can't think of any words to describe him that won't be a dead giveaway for my developing crush on him.

"He's just what? Weird? A drug dealer? A satanist?"

"Chrissy, you said it yourself - he seems nice."

"But the rumors! At least a few of them have to be true." She throws her hands up in the hair, doing an exaggerated shrug.

"Rumors? You said you didn't know anything about him!"

"I don't! Except for the fact that he sells drugs to freshman, he worships the devil, and will definitely break your heart."

"None of that can be true!" Maybe the drugs part. "Also, he won't break my heart!"

"So you do have a crush on him! I knew it!" She says triumphantly.

I roll my eyes and start walking away. "Bye Chrissy!"

She laughs and walks the other way down the hallway. I'm trying not to smile, but it isn't working. Chrissy's right. I'm falling for the freak.