Darkness on the Edge of Town

Chapter 1: The Diner

You pulled off your helmet and tucked it under your left arm. Setting the kickstand in one swift motion before ascending upon the short staircase that led to a diner right on the outskirts of Hawkins. You opened the door and quickly take in the scene. Making your way to the counter and seeing a familiar smiling face. "Well, I'll be damned. Is that really you?" the old man behind the counter quizzed. You set your helmet on an empty barstool and plopped down with a grin. "Its me, Dennis. How have you been?" Dennis raised his eyebrows, "How have I been!? How have you been New York?" Dennis exclaimed, coming over with a cup of coffee and cream. He sets the coffee down before you and you reach out for the sugar and begin to stir. "I'm okay Den." You said. "I'm here." "Well, shit, I see that." Dennis chuckles. "Why are you here? What brings you back?" Dennis asked sliding a menu your way. You took a sip of coffee. Terrible you thought with a smile. "Work. Gonna be here a few months." you reply. You order yourself a sandwich and sip on the terrible coffee gratefully. You got in late last night with the moving truck. You were exhausted and would have spent the day in bed, but the weather was too perfect and begging to be rode in. You jumped on your Harley and headed to the local spot you always used to hang out at. Right here at this counter, drinking terrible coffee, bullshitting with friends, and driving Dennis nuts. You scanned the diner, taking in the scene. Nothing had changed. Same old men in the far booth drinking their terrible coffees and reading the paper. Same tired waitresses running too and fro with orders. You turn slightly to your left where the PacMan machine sat along with the record player. You noticed a frizzy head of dark brown curls behind a rock magazine. Your heart leapt out of your chest and you turned back around, cheeks red. Dennis noticed a change in the air around you and peeked over your shoulder to see what had you riled up. "Ah," he began. "still?" Your face reddened deeper and you lowered your eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about Den." you said as you picked at your sandwich. How could you eat when the only boy you ever loved was mere feet away from you? You thought of him often in New York. Wondered what he was doing. If he was seeing anyone. If he knew you existed. When you heard the news from your mom about him being involved in some sort of crime, you scoffed at your mom immediately. "Eddie!? Eddie Munson? The kid who plays fantasy games and is in love with that guitar of his? You're absolutely joking Ma, you have to be." you remember telling your mom on the phone. "Kid looks scarier than he is Ma. There's no way. He wouldn't hurt a fly." you continued. Your mother continued to fill you in on any more news involving him over the course of the next 6 months. You were relieved when he was cleared of any charges and became an innocent man. Now here he was, as beautiful as ever, sitting in the booth to your left, engrossed in an article as you struggled to breathe. Dennis just smiled and shook his head, clearing your plates. "What do I owe you?" you asked, pulling out your wallet and reaching for a twenty. "Doll, this is on me. And here-" Dennis pulled out a brown paper bag and handed it to you. "Your favorite dessert. Welcome home." You smiled warmly and went around the counter to hug the man, thanking him. When he returned to the kitchen, you left a twenty where you were sat, grabbed your helmet, dessert, and walked out.

Dennis came out and saw the twenty. "That little..." he started "Hey. Munson. Eddie. Do me a favor, quick.' Dennis said. Eddie looked up warily "Yeah?" he responded. "Run this out to the girl on the Harley. Tell her that her money is no good here." Dennis stated. Eddie nodded and took the money and walked out, scanning the lot. He saw you leaning on your bike, about to place the helmet onto your head. "Yo, Harley Davidson!" he called.

You looked up and froze.

Holy shit. Holy shit you thought. You took a quick deep breath, put on your best sultry smile and responded, "Yeah?" "Dennis said your money isn't good here." Eddie said handing the twenty back. You rolled your eyes and thanked him. "Such a pain in my ass still." you muttered. Eddie stared at you "Don't I- don't we- didn't we?" he stuttered trying to figure out where he knew you from. You smiled at him while his inner wheels were turning. "Holy shit, Hawkins High! Class of 85?" he clapped his hands. "Thats me." you winked. He smiled "What brings you back here?" You tucked your hair behind your heavily pierced ear "Work" you replied. Eddie admired your piercings, your leather jacket, tight black pants, and insane looking boots. He brought his eyes back to your face before resting them on your red lips. He blushed and said "How's it feel to be back?" Your body was on fire. Was he really checking you out? Remain calm, cool, collected dammit you thought to yourself. "It's weird, for sure. Thankfully I'm not staying in Hawkins itself. I'm not that far from here. Couldn't stand the thought of having to live in town again." you shook your head. "I hear that." Eddie said. "I myself moved out here not that long after..." he trailed off. You nodded, knowing what he meant. "You, uh, still play guitar?" you asked. Eddie's face brightened up "Totally." You smiled warmly at his excitement over his beloved guitar. "Hey, uh, there's this bar not that far from here. Up this road, a left on Nelson, and on your right. It's called Shelley's. Would you want to, I don't know, catch up one day?" he asked while fidgeting with his fingers. You tried not to shout and jump up and down. "Shelley's. Yeah. Shit, I used to drink underage in there years ago." you laughed at the memory. "Yeah, so did I. I think we all did." Eddie laughed with you. "Here," you said reaching into your wallet and pulling out a card. "My number is on there. Give me a call. We'll set something up" you tried to sound cool and sultry. Eddie's eyes lit up as he held the card in his hands. "I will definitely be doing that." he smiled widely. "I'm looking forward to your call, Eddie." you smiled flirtatiously. Eddie nearly melted.

Was this happening?

"As am I, sweetheart." he winked. You placed your helmet on and started your bike. "I"ll see you around." you said. "Yes. You will, Harley." he smiled to himself at the nickname he gave you. You took off down the road, leaving Eddie a blushing, excited mess. Eddie walked back into the diner, and sat at the counter. Dennis looked at him, then at his hand and grinned. Eddie smiled back, confused at the old mans expression. Dennis mentally high-fived himself, his plan worked.