To The End || EDDIE MUNSON x READER||

On The Edge of Normal

While walking the halls to my class, I pass by Max and decide to turn around to talk to her.

"Hey, Max," I call, and she pulls off her headphones, looking at me with a slight frown.

"Hi," she mumbles quietly, not meeting my eyes.

"How have you been?" I start, but instantly feel stupid. It's such a surface-level question. "Actually, forget that. I hope you're feeling better though," I finish awkwardly.

"Shitty," she mutters, her tone flat. "How about you? You haven't really talked about Tyler."

I pause. The mention of Tyler always stings. My stomach twists, but I try not to show it. "Well, I try to keep as busy as possible so I don't have to think about him," I say, maybe a little too quickly. It's true though—the more I stay occupied, the less time I have to replay that night in my mind over and over.

Max doesn't say anything for a moment, just chewing on her lip as she stares ahead.

"I couldn't say the same," she finally mutters, her voice thick with emotion.

Before I can respond, the first bell rings, signaling us to head to class. "We should talk more," I suggest, hoping to catch her outside of school soon. She nods silently as we head our separate ways.

I really hope she starts to feel better soon. She deserves some peace.

In class, I sit down at my usual spot, and that's when I notice Eddie—he's in my homeroom. He's the one who always sits behind me. How did I never notice that before?

"I didn't know you were in this class," I whisper to him as I turn around to face him.

"I didn't know you were here either," he replies with a grin, his eyes lighting up when he sees me.

The teacher starts collecting assignments, and Eddie passes his to me. I glance down at it for a second and notice some questions aren't filled out. It's none of my business, but it still makes me raise an eyebrow.

"If you ever want to do an assignment together, I'd be cool with it," I say, turning back to him with a small smile.

"Oh, yeah, good idea," he nods, looking genuinely interested. We both settle in to do our work, the conversation fading into a comfortable silence.

After class, I walk out with Eddie, but we're stopped by Andy, a popular guy on the basketball team, and Lucas, who's a bit quieter, though still a jock.

"Sorry, Eddie, I'll talk to you later?" I ask, glancing up at him as I step away to join Andy and Lucas.

"Of course," Eddie smiles down at me, but I notice the brief, almost imperceptible glare he shoots at Andy. Something about it makes me feel like there's a story there, but I don't ask.

"Alright, what's up?" I ask, turning to face the pair.

"We've got our first basketball game of the season," Lucas says with a nod, looking a little nervous but excited.

"And we want you to come watch," Andy adds, handing me a ticket. "This Friday?"

"Yeah, at six," he finishes, his tone casual but eager.

"I might be busy," I respond, trying to sound like I'm not making excuses. "But I'll see if I can."

Andy shrugs, already walking away. But Lucas steps forward, his expression softening.

"Can you tell Max about it?" he asks quietly, almost like he's afraid to ask. "Here's a ticket for her too," he whispers, slipping another ticket into my hand.