The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 32: Where Is He (+15K views!)

A/N: I'm going to be honest with you, I love this chapter because it's going to lead into Chapter 33 and I have something very exciting planned for that instalment...

P.S. thank you so much for the 15K! I cannot believe it, I'm so honoured. Thank you for your continued support.

*****

Video tape in hand, Eddie could barely contain his grin, as his mind drifted to thoughts of your date tomorrow. He tried to picture the look of surprise on your face, that would surely grace your features, when the big reveal finally occured but his memory could not do you justice. He would just have to be patient and wait until the next day to witness your reaction.

Aware that his time spent talking to Robin had overrun slightly, the brunet was eager to return to his truck and drive back to Hawkins High to pick you up. He hoped your first therapy session had been successful and not too arduous an experience but he was prepared and armed with an endless amount of hugs and sweet nothings, should you need them.

As he fished his keys from his pocket, his heart sank, as he heard the familiar beep from his pager sound, notifying him to a new message. Looking at the small screen on the digital device, he was conflicted at the sight of the code. He wanted to ignore it, he really did but duty called. It was not the kind of summoning he could simply push aside and return to later. With a growl in frustration, Eddie looked back towards the video store behind him.

Through the glass window, he frowned in the direction of golden boy, Steve Harrington. Perfect Steve, with his pearly white smile, kind nature and undeniable good looks. Hate was too strong a word to use, especially since he was your friend but Eddie could not deny that there was an envy to be felt, whenever he thought of Steve. And a slight attraction but Eddie was secure enough in his sexuality, to not be concerned about that aspect of his feelings towards Steve. It was that indisputable desirability that the video store employee possessed, that really irritated Eddie and made him feel irrationally resentful, whenever their paths crossed.

Eddie was also somewhat ashamed to admit, that his soured emotions, also steamed from a deep-rooted self-consciousness. For a majority of his life, he had been negatively compared to people like Steve. All throughout High School, Steve Harrington had been King, while Eddie had be forced to assume the role of Court Jester. Except everyone used to laugh at him, rather than with him. The irresistible boy next door, with his white picket fenced house and suburban upbringing- he was certainly your equal and by societal standards, a way better match than Eddie would ever be. You deserved someone like Steve who had his shit together- with his normal job and phenomenal hair- not be with some local freak, who needed to rely on selling drugs to make a living. But by some miracle, you were not in love with Steve Harrington and your admission to your romantic feelings the night before, was evidence enough.

Unfortunately, the harsh comments had left Eddie with a bitterness, he wished he could shake because in all honesty, Steve was generally not a bad guy. He had once been a smug asshole but something had forced him to change his ways and while Eddie was not privy to what that was, there was no denying that Steve had undergone a personality transplant and was now tolerable to be around.

When his pager beeped again, this time with a more urgent message, Eddie knew that he would have to merely swallow his pride. While their relationship with one another was strained, Eddie did his best to be amiable with the other brunet. More for your sake than his. However, he was not sure what he had done wrong, but Steve seemed to be more hostile during Eddie's latest visit to the store. There was a newfound steeliness in his greetings and a look of annoyance that overtook his perfect features, whenever Eddie was around. Of course, this did not aid Eddie in his affability towards Steve. In fact, it made him all the more reluctant to ask a favour of the high school graduate.

Nonetheless, the thought of you waiting at school, only for him never to arrive, made the brunet's stomach twist in knots. His shoes might as well have been made of cement because each retraced step was more reluctant than the last.

It was the second time in two weeks that he had been late, you thought anxiously, as you sat patiently on the curb, outside of Hawkins High. Your therapy had ended some time ago and you had hoped that when you left the premises, Eddie would have been waiting for you with open arms, as he had promised you, when you had parted after your brief 'see you later'. After which, he had headed towards the parking lot and you, to Ms Kelly's office. His tardiness was not your main cause of concern but in actual fact, it was the reasoning behind his delay, that had your knee bobbing up and down with nervous energy. The last time he had been behind schedule, he had attended a late night drop off and then overran at Hellfire Club. You wondered if he had gotten a message on his pager?

The little, venomous voice in the back of your head, attempted to convince you that, something simply dreadful must have happened to the brunet, to keep him away. That something being supernatural and with very, very sharp teeth. You shook your head slightly, to free yourself of the unpleasant thought. The upside down was contained, you had to remind yourself, as your hands curled into fists, the sharpness of your nails, leaving crescent-shaped indents on your palms. Eddie was not Bob, his throat would remain intact. Eddie was not Bob, his throat would remain intact. Eddie was not Bob, his throat would remain-

"Hey, are you okay?" the unexpected question caught you off guard, you had not meant to yelp in surprise but the sound escaped your lips before you could stop it.

Vicky regarded you with a quirked eyebrow and a look of confusion. There was an awkward pause beforw she finally burst into a fit of giggles. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Hahaha! I didn't mean to scare you."

Her laughter was clearly infectious because in time, you too were doubled over and struggling to regain your composure. When you eventually were both able to catch your breath, she reasked her previous question. "Anyway, uh, I was just checking if you were alright? You looked a little distressed there."

"I, um..." you considered what exactly you could say as a reply. "I was just getting a bit worried, my pick up is late. How come you're still here?" you were surprised to see Vicky still on the school premises, there was no band practice that afternoon, so technically she should have been home by now.

"Oh! I had a committee meet." she explained with a smile. "We ended up overrunning, so I'm just heading home now." The red head took notice of your freshly bitten nails, as you nervously drummed your fingers against your thigh. You were clearly still uneasy about your ride being delayed. "How late are they?"

Your cheeks reddened in embarrassment, not wanting anyone to think badly of Eddie. He already had a notorious reputation and you did not want to stoke the flames further. But lying was pointless, your current situation was only worsening your nervous disposition. The sun had started to set and soon, the world would be shrouded in darkness. The mere thought of being out after hours, had you feeling an icy cold panic settling in your bones. "An hour." you begrudgingly murmured, breaking eye contact, as you cast your gaze to the floor.

"Huh..." she said awkwardly, checking her watch to note the current time. "In that case, would you like a lift?"

It was some time later, when Steve finally pulled up outside Hawkins High. The dying light of the sun, had the world bathed in it's firey rays. And it was to the burning landscape, he parked the car and cursed at the sight of the vacant premises. He had been so smug, when Eddie had asked him to pick you up once your detention ended and yet, here Steve was, equally late and you were no where to be seen. He had meant to abandon his post at the video store earlier but there had been a sudden influx of customers, making it impossible to getaway.

Staring up at the sky, he groaned in displeasure. Any minute now, it would be dark out and the brunet was no stranger to your discomfited feelings about the night-time. He hated the idea of you walking the streets, trying to get home, scared out of your wits. Whike most physical wounds healed, trauma from the upside down always had a way of lingering, poisoning your mind in some way and yours had manifested into a fear of dark.

With a final expletive, the brunet sped away from the school, in search of your wandering form. Eyes scanned the blur of sidewalks and trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of you. Steve needed to locate you as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would have to face the wrath of Eddie, who was undoubtedly going to kill him when he found out that you were missing.