Atomic | Eddie Munson

19

This chapter into Katherine's past. You have been warned.

Katherine felt a pit in her stomach as she stared at her ceiling. She knew what day it was. November 6th, 1985. It was the two year anniversary of when Will Byers went missing in the Upside Down. 

She turned to look at the clock. She was dreading going to school today—that whole week really. Katherine sighed as she got up, pulling herself together slowly. It was a Wednesday, and she had a quiz for her calculus class, so there was no reason she could skip that day. 

Katherine put barely any effort into her look that day, going fairly light on her makeup. She wore a pair of sweatpants and a Henley shirt that she stole from either her dad or Steve, she couldn't remember. 

Once Steve dropped her and Robin off, they coasted through their days as usual. Though through most of it, Katherine was very low energy. 

She took her calculus quiz, flying through it with ease. Katherine sat with Robin at lunch as usual. She struggled to make conversation today. Robin could tell that something was going on with her, but decided not to pry. Katherine rested her head on the table and took a nap for the rest of the period, only to be woken up by Robin when the bell rang. 

Katherine walked to English with Robin and walked to the back of the room to her seat. Eddie slid into his seat a few minutes later, just before the bell rang to signal the start of class. A piece of paper landed on her desk.

Are you okay?

When she turned to him, Eddie was staring at the board, which had their assignment for the day written down. Ms. O'Donnell was out for the day, so there was a substitute, and that meant busy work. 

Just tired.

When she knew the substitute was looking away, she passed the paper back to him. He scribbled down a response and handed it back.

Want me to take you home after we finish this assignment?

She handed the note back a few seconds later.

Yes please.

The two worked quietly, not partaking in any of the conversation that was floating throughout the classroom. If Nancy noticed her twin being uncharacteristically quiet from across the classroom, she didn't say anything. 

Katherine and Eddie finished their assignment about halfway through the class and were dismissed. They walked side-by-side as they left the class and went out to the parking lot. They didn't talk at all, but they kept their pinkies locked. The contact, though small, made both of them feel better. 

In the van, Eddie kept the radio on a low volume and held Katherine's hand. He gently rubbed circles on the back of her hand, much like she does to him to calm him down. Katherine just rested her head against the window and closed her eyes. She felt the familiar winding of the roads as Eddie drove her home, and opened her eyes when she felt him turn into her driveway.

"Do you need anything? I can get you soup or snacks or something?" Eddie offered. Katherine thought for a moment before shaking her head. 

"I'll be okay, but thank you. I'll see you tomorrow, hon" Katherine said before pressing a kiss to his lips. 

"Call me if you need anything," he responded. Katherine nodded and got out of the van, and walked inside, up to her room. She immediately crawled into bed and closed her eyes. 

By the time she woke up from her nap, the sun was starting to set. Katherine picked up her phone and dialed the number she had grown very familiar with over the past year. On the third ring, someone picked up.