'86, Baby!

001

"Good morning Hawkins High! Just one day left until spring break! We hope every student has a safe, fun-filled spring break! Remember to hand in your last-minute assignments to your teachers before you leave at the end of the day today!" I roll my eyes slightly at the morning announcements. I look over to Robin on my left who is conveniently sleeping, and Nancy to my right who is zoned out, staring at the clock. 

"Guys...what are we going to do on spring break now that Jonathan isn't coming?" I whisper. Robin pops her head up in confusion. "Did I fall asleep?" She groans, grabbing her forehead. Nancy and I laugh, shaking our heads at her. Ever since last summer and the events that occurred at Starcourt Mall, the three of us have been inseparable. Jonathan was supposed to come to Hawkins to visit Nancy when Mike went to visit El, but he decided not to come. We've become so close, even Steve too, I'm wondering if he has anything to do with Jonathan not coming.

As the bell rings, we all jump up and move to our next classes. As the day goes on we all separate and meet back up again at lunch. I walk into the cafeteria to grab my lunch and see my brother, Dustin, and Mike at their usual spot. I walk over to sit with them while I wait for Nancy and Robin to come in. "I can't believe how old you are Ellie." Dustin jokes as I sit down. "Yeah, I honestly never thought you'd live to see graduation." Mike snickers, high-fiving Dustin. I roll my eyes at their attempts to set me off. "Well, let's just see if your bestie Eddie finally graduates with us." My comment sets the whole table in an uproar as Eddie rolls his eyes at me. What they don't know is how close Eddie and I have gotten over the past few months. If Dustin ever found out, he would kill me. 

A few months ago, while Dustin, Mike, and Lucas were at a Hellfire meeting, Eddie and I ditched to hang out. I've never seen myself getting so close to him, but there's just something about him. I don't know if it's his long curly hair, his big brown eyes, or that stupidly adorable smile on his face, but something about him makes me crazy. I haven't told a single soul any of this in hopes that the feelings would've just gone away...but they did not. 

"I want to spend more time with you, Dustin." I laugh as he runs out the front door. "Well, maybe if you got your head out of your ass, and came to hellfire, like we've all asked you a thousand times, you could spend more time with me!" He yells as he jumps on his bike. "Okay...fine," I say rolling my eyes. Dustin stops, dead in his tracks. "Are you serious?!" He screams, dropping his bike. I nod as he tackles me in excitement. "I'll even drive you, Mike, and Lucas," I say, waving my keys. After a few meetings and campaigns later, I became an avid member of the Hellfire Club. One Friday night, we pull up to the school at the same time that Eddie and his friends do. I park my car next to Eddie's and he smiles at me as he opens his door. "Well, well, well, Henderson decided to join us for another friendly game of Dungeons and Dragons, I see." He sneers. "Are your friends starting to bore you? You're spending more time with us then you are with them." He adds with a devilish smile. "You're lucky I'm here, Munson," I say, scrunching my nose up at him. "Everyone, go set up." He says, sending everyone inside. He stands in front of me as we stand outside, alone in the parking lot.

"So...it looks like it's just us Henderson." Eddie smiles. It wasn't until this very moment that I realized how attractive he was. "So it is." I smile, brushing my hair out of my face. "What do you say we leave this boring campaign behind us and maybe catch a movie?" He says, coming closer to me. I laugh loudly at his question, thinking he's messing with me. Eddie has never been serious around me, literally ever. His demeanor changes as he hears me laugh. "Are you serious?" I stop laughing and look at him perplexed, taking a step back. "I'm as serious as a heart attack." He smiles, taking my hand in his.

"The Devil has come to America. Dungeons and Dragons, at first regarded as a harmless game of make-believe, now has both parents and psychologists concerned. Studies have linked violent behavior to the game, saying it promotes satanic worship, ritual sacrifice, sodomy, suicide, and even...murder." Eddie reads, sending the table into laughter and screams. I find myself laughing along with them when I spot Nancy and Robin out of the corner of my eye. "Bye Nerds." I sneer, jumping up from my seat next to Dustin and walking over to Nancy and Robin.