Welcome To Hawkins

13

"We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" plays softly on the radio as I drive. Practicing had been a longer affair than reasonably necessary; the ice had melted in the trunk, requiring us to take more time up at the gas station a mile from my parent's house.

"So--" Eddie taps his fingers against the windowsill, the light at Main Street turning red as we approach, "That was interesting."

I slowly bring the car to a stop in front of the crosswalk. A family of three walks in front of us when the pedestrian crossing signals them. The little girl is holding both of her parent's hands, skipping happily between them.

"It was ya know-- practice. Like you said, so..." I answer lamely, still watching the family cross to avoid looking at Eddie.

He's quiet for a moment. I hear him shift slightly away from me, "Yeah. Practice."

"Is something wrong--?" I ask as the light flashes green. More silence as I gently press the gas pedal.

"Nope, not a thing."

The Disc Jockey's voice interrupts the awkwardness that has built up between us. "Next up is one of my favorites! Here's "Stuck with You" by Huey Lewis and the News!"

"Listen," I sneak a glance over at Eddie, "My aunt-- Deb, she's the one who is going to get suspicious if she thinks anything is off. She's oddly snoopy-- She and her best friend Karen Wheeler are this weird team when it comes to finding out scandalous shit people do around here. I just wanted to warn you she's going to be sort of overbearing."

"Good thing we practiced," he says half-heartedly.

My hands tighten on the steering wheel, feeling guilty for shooting down his attempt to talk about the kiss like that. "It's going to require-- more than ya know, a quick peck on the lips."

I look over at him. Another wave of guilt washes over me, seeing how deflated he looks compared to when we woke up... or after that second impromptu kiss.

"I promise it won't be so weird when we go home. I--" I try not to apologize profusely for what I've put him through with this whole facade. "I hope that we can do that?"

"Definitely," Eddie smiles tightly, insincerely.

"Okay..." I turn into the driveway, turning the ignition off.

We collect the groceries from the trunk, Eddie following me into the front door to the kitchen.

"You're back!" Mom tilts her head, "Where have you been? You've been gone for over an hour."

"We stopped at the Dairy Queen," I open the freezer to set down the ice.

"Oh, that's nice," she directs a smile at Eddie as he sets down the brown bag.

"Yeah, it was," Eddie grins back, looking more... Eddie-like when talking to my mother, "Do you need any help--?"

"Oh, no, dear," Mom waves him off, "We're all ready to go when you two are. You're not wearing that, (y/n), right?"

"No, mom," I laugh, "I'll go change." Before I leave the room, I press a kiss on Eddie's cheek. Just for effect... only for effect. I hope.

Changing into the dress mom bought at the mall, I brush on some makeup. For the heck of it, not for any other reason. Nope, just for... fun.

"I look fine," I say into the mirror, dabbing on some tinted lip gloss. Turning away from the mirror before I can fuss over myself any longer, I exit the room.

Eddie's still talking to my mother, having weaseled his way into helping her saran wrap her various salads and desserts.

"...All of (y/n) 's cousins are much younger. My brother is fourteen years younger than I am, and he and his wife have three darling children." Mom talks his ear off, but he doesn't seem to mind. Actually smiling along with the conversation.

Pausing in the doorway, I watch them interact, feeling those butterflies float inside me.

"(y/n)," Mom glances over at me, "Would you be okay if we all drove over together?"

"Oh, uh," I look over at Eddie. He shrugs, "Sure. That works."

"Well, if there's nothing else you need me to do, (y/mn)... I think I'll go change." Eddie tugs my elbow as he exits, pulling me towards the bedroom.

"What do you think?" I turn, giving him the 360. Eddie shakes his head, a bit of pink staining his cheeks.

"You look beautiful," he chokes out after an uncomfortable amount of time.

I grin, "You think so? I don't know why mom keeps insisting on dresses--"

"I like them. You never wear dresses." Eddie's blush intensifies. He moves his arm to scratch at the back of his neck, looking down at the ground instead of meeting my eyes.

His reaction fills me with those... feelings again. "Should I start? I mean, at home--?"

Eddie breaks his eye contact with the floor, a weak smile on his face, "Not saying what you normally wear isn't hot, but if you wanted to throw in a few of these, you wouldn't hear any complaints from me."

My heart thumps in my chest. Did he just say I'm hot or what I wear is hot--?

"Oh..." I laugh, fidgeting with my fingers. A moment of silence passes between us.

"You look so-- nice. Did you--?" He clears his throat, "Pack anything nice for me? You know, so we uh-- go together or whatever..."

"Well--" I move to look through his suitcase, "Luckily for you, I thought there could be a chance my mother wanted everyone to wear more formal clothing..."

"I swear if you're about to pull out khakis, (y/n)--"

"You won't kill me over khakis," I smile, handing him the trousers.