The Eddie Munson Tape Dates

Metallica, 'Kill 'Em All'

Ever since Trent had come back home, Eddie had been extra protective. However, whilst he knew you could handle the situation yourself, it didn't mean he wanted you to deal with it alone.

From what Eddie had talked to you at length about in the past, you were reasonably sure this wasn't a jealous or insecure thing. But just in case it was, you'd kept true to your word and continued to do little things for Eddie every day to make sure he knew how very important he was.

You'd found a book in the library and started leaving him little notes folded up into different things, but once you'd learned how to fold a dragon, it's all you wanted to make. So you left them on his locker, the handle of his van door, and his bedroom window so he'd see it when he woke up. Unfortunately, as Eddie patrol became more frequent, it was harder to hide them as a surprise.

It wasn't even like it was that much of a change. You saw one another every day in some capacity, but when he appeared to be running himself ragged to walk you, in-between classes, you had to put a stop to it.

"Hi", he bent down with his hands on his knees out of breath, blinking as if dizzy, "Phew, I don't think I've run that far or fast in years" he takes out his water and takes a few glugs, at the same time extending his hand to you.

"Babe, you can't keep doing this." You say quietly, pointing further down the corridor, "My next class is literally there. Where is yours?" You didn't want to embarrass Eddie or want him to feel bad. You just wanted to let him know everything was fine and for him to not wear himself out.

"Er....kinda near where I came from..." He says tentatively.

"So you are gonna potentially be late now because of me? No, honey. This has to stop. You're doing so well this year, right? " You say, intertwining your fingers with his, taking his hand, and walking him back towards his class.

"Eddie, he'll be gone soon enough. He's not gonna hang around here for long. Right now, he's enjoying all the hero worship he's getting from being the college guy with his high school friends. Which just says to me he's not thriving at college at all. Which is sad for him, but you know, a delicious sort of instant karma from my perspective" you can't resist a little evil giggle.

Your Mom always said not to wish bad things on people, and you hadn't wished it, but you weren't going to pretend it didn't feel good to see him struggle after what he did.

"That laugh, I don't think I've ever heard before." Eddie says, nearly spitting out his water, "That was nearly looney toons Witch Hazel levels of maniacal."

"And this is exactly why you don't have to do this, ok? Because if anyone comes at me, I will just, you know, turn them into a bug, or do some of our cult chanting at them," you offer and raise your non-occupied hand in the air wiggling your fingers and making spooky noises and faces at Eddie.

"Keep it in the circus, Freaks!" A yell comes down the corridor. You both stop dead in your tracks, turn slowly, and stare unflinchingly at the noise source. You both stare, with deadpan expressions, until the letterman jacket wearer gets nervous and runs away.

You continue to walk a little further down the corridor and excitedly grab Eddie's shoulders, "Did you hear that??? Did you hear what he said to me??" A gigantic toothy smile spread across your face, "I'm a freak! God, I can't wait to tell Mama. She's gonna be so excited!"

Eddie lets himself be jostled around by your excitement, and he simultaneously looks confused and delighted. He takes your hand back into his, "You. Are. Crazy. And I..." He flourishes his hand to the side and lands it on the centre of his chest "...love you for it."

"Oh, you think that was crazy? You don't even know what would have happened if we hadn't been surrounded by our peers at the time."

"Oh really?" He says in a low voice, raising an eyebrow at you.