The Ballad of Eddie Munson

Worship the Leader

After a weekend of fantasies and self-affliction, Lissa decided the tension was wearing off. She put on a pair of button-fly jeans and a loose fitting sweater. She was confident this was the least attractive outfit she was willing to wear to school. She placed her hair in a tight bun. Yeah, this is good. Modest.

—

At school, Lissa's mind was focused on her studies. She spent lunch reviewing flash cards for AP Biology with a classmate and gossiping with Becky. Lissa felt freedom from her prior feelings until Becky showed her curiosity in Eddie.

"So what's the freak really like?" She leaned over the table, trying to whisper.

Lissa did her best to reveal any emotion. "I don't know, we only talk about English. He's ready to be done with this place, too."

"John said Chad saw him coming onto you." Her eyes wide with curiosity.

Lissa hoped her cheeks weren't as red as they felt. "I think Chad's just jealous that our dates haven't been going well." Lissa sparked a turn in conversation, relieved Becky's focus was off Eddie.

—

The last bell rang at 3. She bit the inside of her cheek, her nerves getting the best of her. She made her way through the hall of students rushing to leave school to Mrs. O'Donnell's room.

She shared pleasantries with Mrs. O'Donnell, letting her know she could report back to Principal Higgins that Eddie's studies were going well. "He won't be an A student, but he should pass." Pleased, Mrs. O'Donnell left.

The silence of the room was defeaning as lissa waited in anticipation. She sat in the teacher's seat and stared anxiously at the doorway. She looked down at her watch, not even 5 minutes had passed. Oh god, I'm so early. She attempted to distract herself by reviewing notes.

Eddie arrived early, shyly standing in the doorway. He watched her for a brief moment. The flyaway strands of hair loose again in her face. Her cheek pushed into her sleeve covered palm. She looked comfortable in the loose fitting sweater. There was a softness to her look today, he felt his stomach knot.

Lissa looked up to check the clock and noticed Eddie staring. He waved, his jacket moving to slightly reveal his Hellfire shirt beneath. He clutched her notebook tight as he walked to the desk, losing the nerve to bring up Friday. "As promised, teach." He tossed it on the desk, ignoring the tension.

Oh, good. Good. Normal. Let's be normal. She took a soothing breath and opened the cover. The first page was full, she flipped, and flipped again. She looked up at Eddie. "You wrote - a lot."

"What can I say? I have a lot to say when it comes to DnD." he rocked back on his heels.

"Let me see how you did."

"Okay." Not moving.

She paused, "You can sit down."

"Oh, no way, I'm too nervous."

Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him. "Nervous?"

"Yeah, I wanna know what you think. Like now."

She laughed lightly. "Okay, okay."

He toyed with his wallet chain and paced before the desk. He noticed she'd finally the last page, he chewed the tip of his thumb. She closed the notebook and he leaned on the desk, capturing her gaze. "Yeah? How bad is it?" He didn't let her respond before he began to spiral. "It's really bad. Oh, never mind. I might as well be a jock. Dumb as a rock." He paced again.

Lissa smiled and leaned back in chair. "Eddie, relax I liked it."

He stopped, her validation setting off a spark within him. "Really?"