This Year is My Year

Uninterrupted

I loved dating Eddie Munson.

He was so surprising, always catching me off guard with his romantic gestures and thoughtful actions. I loved when he showed up at the diner, grinning as he leaned over the counter to kiss me hello.

"Aren't you supposed to be in algebra?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. He acted surprised, putting his hand to his chest.

"Are you saying you don't want to see me?"

"I'm saying I'd like you to graduate before Dustin," I joked back to him, and he leaned in again, kissing me deeper. It caught me off guard when he pulled away.

"What was that for?" I smiled.

"Just for being my girl," he grinned as I set his chocolate milkshake in front of him.

He had settled into a cool tolerance with Steve over the last couple of weeks, not completely welcoming him, but also not icing him out. I liked having my friend back but was still wary of him. Robin was thrilled to have the gang back together.

"So, what are you doing tonight?" He was Nervous Eddie, again, and it made my heart catch.

"I assume I was going to see you," I smiled, putting my elbows on the counter and rested my chin on my hands. He flushed.

"I was thinking, if you wanted to, maybe we could do something special tonight?" he was fumbling with his hands. "Just us."

I smiled.

"What were you thinking?"

"Well, I was also thinking that maybe I could surprise you?" My heart softened. He looked at me with his puppy dog eyes and I nodded. "Okay, cool. I'll pick you up at seven."

He was grinning wildly again and sipped his shake.

"Bye, princess," he leaned back in for a kiss and I met his lips. He kissed my nose before walking to the door. I waved goodbye, and he blew me a kiss. I felt like my chest was going to explode.

I loved dating Eddie Munson.

---

I stared at my closet, trying to decipher what to wear. He said it was special, but what did that mean?

I settled on a sundress, light and comfortable. I pulled my well-worn Keds on and looked in the mirror, studying myself.

My hair had grown over the last three months, but I didn't have the impulsive need to change things like I used to. I traced the hickeys on my neck, smiling as I got to his favorite one. I would have normally hated it when a boyfriend did that to me, feeling like they were branding me. But I loved that Eddie did it, wanting me to carry something of him, letting everyone know that he was mine and I was his.

I put my small hoops through my ear and looked to the clock. 6:52PM. Eddie was probably already here.

I grabbed his jacket from my desk chair – it was getting too warm to wear it, but I never missed a chance to wear it for Eddie since I knew how much he loved it. I stepped into the living room and saw Dustin grinning like a madman. I smiled back at him.

"What are you being all squirrelly about, buddy?"

"Oh, nothing. I just got to help Eddie with the surprise for you." I smiled, appreciative of how excited my brother was for me. I ruffled his hair and turned to the door when I heard Eddie's knocking. I opened the door, smiling as he looked down at me.

He was in jeans that weren't ripped for once, paired with a button up flannel. I was surprised as this was incredibly formal for Eddie. He smiled at my face and leaned in for a kiss.