Thorns / Eddie Munson & Billy Hargrove

01

Here we go again. Another day in this living hell. It's bloody Tuesday, which means it's practice day. My mom forced me to attend the schools track team and God I hate it. I don't necessarily hate the sport, I just really hate the people that I'm surrounded by.

My mom has this ideal vision of me. That I'm this perfect grade A student, who joins the track team, who spends all of her time studying and finds prince charming. Well guess what, I'm certainly not. I might appear this way, but it's only a trick to please my mom.

"Hey Valerie!" A familiar voice screams at me, from down the hallway. I turn around, and my eyes catches Nancy. Nancy Wheeler.

"What's up?" I ask, as she runs up to me. She's dressed similar to me. Long brown pants, a white sweatshirt, a brown belt along with black sneakers. Her notebook and books are in her hands, as always.

"What are you up to today?" She asks, looking down at her own hands, which are fumbling with her notebook.

"Ehm, I'm not doing anything really. I do have practice later though" I sigh.

As we are walking down the hallway, people are gathering in different groups. It's clear to see how people form groups, with people who resemble themselfs.

I look over at a certain group of people. They are the type of people, who will always be the victims of bullying, done by the sport jerks of the school.

Nancys little brother is one of them, I believe that his name is Mike. Mike is surrounded by five other dudes. They're all wearing the same white shirts with 'Hellfire club' written on it.

One of the dudes looks up and his eyes catches mine. His eyes are the same color as wood. They are as dark as when wood gets hit by heavy rain.

His long curly hair is falling down, framing his face. His eyes runs up and down my body and as our eyes meet again, he raises an eyebrow and our glances separate.

"Valerie! I asked you something!" Nancy's voice drags me away from my own thoughts.

"Oh, sorry. You were saying?" I ask, as I turn around to have one last glimpse of him.

"I asked you, if you and Billy would care to join me and Jonathan, for a date at the arcade tonight?" I can feel Nancy's glare at me, but my eyes are still set on him.

"Seriously. Who are you looking at?" She exclaims looking the same direction as me.

"No one" I nearly shout, as I turn around.

Nancy raises her left eyebrow.

"Do you know him?" She asks, her eyes are now locked on me.

"Who?"

Nancy stops, turns around and points his direction.

"Eddie. Do you know him?" I can tell that she stopped walking, because her voice is lower and weaker than before.

I continue walking down the hallway, as I scream "No Nancy, I don't!"

Eddie. That's his name, apparently. I've seen him before, I've just never realized that he attends this school. I think I once saw him at local pub, where I work. Which means he most be 21.

I do remember Billy telling me about this Eddie, who attended Hawkins back when Billy did. But Billy graduated 2 years ago, it can't be the same Eddie.

"I'm sorry Nancy, but I do have to hurry! I got practice in 10!" I shout, as she tries to catch up on me.

"Will you be at the arcade? 9 PM!" Nancy is still running behind me, trying desperately to make me say yes.

"I will talk to Billy!"