This Year is My Year

That's How Horror Movies Start

"Critical hit!" I bellowed as Y/N threw the natural twenty, saving the team and helping them win the campaign. The boys stood, cheering, and celebrating her. She laughed, giving them high fives. Dustin gripped her into a hug, screaming with joy.

I was nervous when we first started playing, tripping over words and making small mistakes. Once I started the story, my confidence grew, and I was able to pull it off. She was distracting - grinning at me when I looked at her, laughing with the boys, and playfully touching them when they teased her.

That drove me crazy.

Was she like how she is with me, with everyone? Of course she was, I was stupid to think I was special. She was the special one, and I was Eddie the Freak.

As the game went on, she committed to truly playing. She needed some coaching from Dustin, but she pushed through every time. She beamed with pride when Dustin played, creatively coming up with actions and maneuvers. I loved watching her.

The celebrations died down, and everyone started packing up. Jeff and Gareth were the first to leave, and said a quick thank you to Y/N.

"Of course! It was so great to meet you guys. I've heard so much about you, I feel like I already know you." A lump of jealousy rose in my throat. Of course she's heard of all of us - how could I expect that Dustin only talked about me? I hated how I felt in that moment - small and petty.

"Y/N - I'm going to Mike's tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Dustin, what am I going to do on a Friday night without you!" She whined, laying the guilt on. He laughed.

"I think you'll manage." Dustin and Mike walked out after giving her hugs.

Then it was just us.

I could hear my heart pound in my ears as I pretended to organize my notes, my back turned to her. She came up beside me, starting to help. Her closeness made my heart beat harder.

"Eddie? Did you hear what I said?" Her saying my name snapped me to attention. I looked down at her, locking in with her gaze. She smiled, her eyes crinkling. My stomach flooded with butterflies.

"Huh?"

She laughed, placing her hand on my arm. Her touch was electrifying.

"I said, Mr. Munson, that you are an incredible storyteller. I had so much fun tonight. Everyone is right about how talented you are."

A smile split across my face and I blushed. I looked back down at my notes and put them in my bag.

"Oh, uh, thanks, Ms. Henderson," I nervously stammered. "I think you're being too nice, but thank you."

She squeezed my arm and my face got even more flushed. I needed to say something nice to her.

"You were great, too," I busted out. You idiot.

"Well, thank you," She took her hand off my arm. I missed it immediately. "Needed a lot of help from Dustin, but I'll be better for next time!"

Next time. She said it like she wanted to come back. I crammed my nerves and butterflies down.

"You were great this time, too, though. And you'll need a Hellfire shirt for next time - we have a strict dress code." I attempted to play cool, committing to seeing her again. She smiled as we started out the door.

"I can tell. I think Dustin lives in that shirt you gave him." We slowly started down the hall. I wanted to walk as slow as possible, savoring the one-on-one time with her.

"Yeah, he's a mess," I offered. The main thing that tethered us was that goofy kid.

"He really adores you, Eddie, you know?" My stomach flipped.

"'Eddie'? Does this mean our relationship has progressed?" She let out a sparkling laugh. I loved being the reason why.

"Oh, man - slip up on my part." She grinned at me. "But maybe I'll promote you to Edward."

"I'll take it." I decided to take a risk - nudging her with my side as I teased her. She leaned into me. The risk paid off.

We got to the parking lot, the cool night air making me aware of how flustered I was. She took a deep breath. I watched her as she closed her eyes and smiled softly.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Oh, my thoughts are worth at least a quarter, Mr. Munson." She kept her eyes closed, her smile growing. I couldn't keep my smile back.

"Ouch - demoted already?" She laughed and opened her eyes, looking to me.

"I'm just glad to be home. Traveling was fun. The stories are cool. But being home, seeing how Dustin has grown into this," she gestured like she was trying to find the words, "This whole human. With confidence and his own thoughts and group of people."

I smiled. That kid was great.

"And so much is because of you. How you helped him find a place here. It was just so fun watching him tonight." She dropped her gaze and my face flushed again. We sat for a beat.

"I'll take that quarter now." She cut through the growing tension, making me chuckle. I feigned looking for change, patting my pockets dramatically. She laughed again, playfully pushing me. My face hurt from how much I was smiling.

"Well, Edward," she started walking away, "It was great to see you in action tonight. Thanks for letting me join."

I watched her walk towards the parking lot, confused as my van was the only car left in the parking lot.

"Wait, how are you getting home?" My concern cut through my butterflies.

"Oh, I'll just walk!"

I rolled my eyes and started after her. I caught her arm. She turned, surprised.

"Ms. Henderson," I looked her deep in her eyes, "There is no way I am about to let a lady start off into the dark night alone. That's how horror movies start. I'll give you a ride."

I dropped her arm and walked towards my van. I turned once I got to the passenger side, wanting to open it for her. I turned, and she hadn't moved. Her eyebrows were raised, a look of bemusement across her face.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"And this isn't how horror movies start?" I laughed at her remark, opening the door.

"Maybe, but the villains aren't normally as handsome as me." She started towards the van, and turned her head to me before getting in.

"I guess that's true." My heart burst as she sat and I closed the door behind her. She called me handsome. Or, well, she agreed with me when I said I was handsome.

I'll take it.