Master of Puppets [ EddiexReader | Stranger Things ]

From the Fire

It was a regular Friday for you, cheerleading practice was over and you were finally about to leave school and get to take off the mask.

Ever since your mom passed three years ago you've felt like you've been leading a double life, you wake up, go to school, hang out with your fake friends, pretend to care about a dumb game, and take extra curriculars that would look good on college applications.

Your dad walked out on you and your mom when you were around five and it was three years ago when she was hit by a drunk driver. It's taken a lot of therapy and time but you're doing as okay as expected living alone at 17. The only thing that keeps you going is promise of freedom and leaving this small town. After you had to sell your home once you couldn't afford the payments you settled into a small but cozy and affordable apartment. With no other family around and your mom not leaving you with much you're pretty busy with work, school and keeping up the facade of a normal high schooler. A scholarship is just within your reach and you only have to keep it up for a few more months until you can get out of this town.

Luckily for you family video isn't the busiest of video stores and working there seems to be the only thing that keeps you sane. You've become very close with Steve and Robin since starting there 5 months ago and whenever you work a shift without them you can often get a fair bit of studying in.

Steve and Robin often keep you grounded, you don't know where you would be without them. It's because of them that you've been able to drift a little bit away from the basketball team and cheerleaders without becoming a total social pariah.

It was while you were going through the changes of these past few years in your head that you spaced out. Before you could realize it you had walked straight into the resident 'freak' Eddie Munson himself. You collided with the long haired dungeon Master with an audible "oof"

"Hey prom queen, why don't you try and watch where you're going huh?" Eddie stated in an matter of fact kind of way.

You managed to choke out a quick apology before looking up into his chocolate brown eyes.

Eddie Munson was an absolute enigma to you, you could never predict a single thing he would do. He was in a few of your classes and if he wasn't talking about DND with his 'sheep', he was riling up the basketball team, talking about metal, scheduling after school deals, or just being straight up chaotic. He would basically be doing anything but paying attention. He was loud, always had the attention on himself, never cared what anyone thought and was totally free.

You couldn't deny that he has crossed your mind before. You always had a bit of a secret crush on him, he was very much your type - not that you would admit it to anyone. You both also had a lot in common - again, not that you would ever admit it. You both had very similar taste in music, loved horror movies, had a fondness for fantasy books - specifically Lord of the Rings, and also enjoyed the occasional joint. You could talk about your interests with Steve and Robin but they were the only true friends you had so most people had no idea you even knew who Metallica were and you were more than happy to play along for the next couple of months.

Looking into Eddie's eyes you were momentarily frozen as your heartbeat sped up before you managed to apologize for the second time and look away after what felt like a year. You didn't normally get hot and bothered by guys your age but there was something about him that just made you want to lose control, forget about college, forget about appearances, smoke some weed and let him have his way with you.

Eddie smirked down at you when you stared up at him and managed to squeak out yet another apology. He could tell he had an effect on you but he presumed it was the usual effect he had on most of his classmates, intimidation with a little bit of fear.

"Don't worry princess, the big bad freak doesn't bite. Unless you want me to" he said with a wink. He walked away before your brain could even comprehend what had happened. When your heart finally stopped trying to jump out of your throat you managed to shake your head and continue to your car.

This evening was going to be great, it was the first Friday you were off in a while and you were planning on getting snacks while you waited for Steve and Robin who were both off at 9. It was assumed that they would be getting the movie and it was also assumed it would be a horror movie as it was your turn to pick the genre. You let them pick the actual movie but you hoped it would be Little Shop of Horrors, they both knew you've been dying to see that one.

Once you reached your car threw your bag in the back seat excited to be free for a couple of days when you sensed a presence behind you. You silently grumbled to yourself before plastering a friendly smile on your face before turning around.

Much to your chagrin you realized it was Jason Carver. The basketball team captain himself and the thorn in your side. Although he was with Chrissy you knew that he once had a thing for you and it made you nervous. You weren't a stranger to attention from guys, especially the ones on the basketball team but Jason always managed to unnerve you. He reminded you of your old preacher when you used to go to church and his smile always seemed to be hiding something sinister in it. To say you didn't like him was an understatement. But you felt you could keep up the charade of at least enjoying his presence for a few more months, the finish line was almost in sight.

"Hey gorgeous, saw you talking to Munson, he giving you any trouble?" The way he spat out Eddie's last name sent shivers down your spine. Jason always seemed like he was just waiting for an excuse to harass any student he felt was a little different and the resident metalhead was always at the top of his list.

"Hey, n-no, I actually just wasn't watching where I was going and walked straight into him. Thanks for checking in though. Hope you have a good weekend!" You stuttered a little trying to ensure he knew Eddie didn't do anything and tried to change the subject.

"Okay good, if he does let me know" he said with grim look in his eyes. "Listen, if you're not doing anything this weekend a few of the guys were planning on having a part-"

"Thanks so much for the invitation, but I've got a whole lot of school work to keep up on. Click has been really dishing it out! Hope you and Chrissy have fun though!"

At the mention of his girlfriend his lips tightened into a less than genuine smile. "Thanks, I'm sure we will. Just remember to have a little fun before we graduate." He smirked and walked away.

You let out a breathe you didn't realize you were holding and got into your car, thankful for the opportunity to leave this hellhole for the next two days. Even if you had to work tomorrow it was much more relaxing than maintaining the facade you've been keeping up.

Driving home your thoughts kept drifting to the curly haired metalhead, especially as you popped in your favourite mixtape and the starting cords of Metallica's For Whom the Bell Tolls drowned out through the speakers of your car.