86' Baby - Eddie Munson

8.

Monday, February 24th

The classroom buzzed with an energetic energy that usually followed lunch. Groups of friends huddled together, using every second before class to catch up on any gossip they might have missed at lunch.
"Good afternoon, everyone." Mrs. O'Donnell entered the room, struggling to keep the tower of books and various papers she carried balanced. "Please, take your seats."
Alex didn't have to turn around to know that the seat behind her remained empty. It came as no surprise since it often was. What did come as a surprise to her was the disappointment she felt towards the vacant chair. Mrs. O'Donnell carefully set her large pile on her desk,
sighing triumphantly.
"Shall we get started then?" She asked, walking back over to close the classroom door. She gave the door a decent shove, but right before it latched, a silver-clad hand reached out and caught it. Alex's disappointment faded at the sight of the familiar rings. "Sorry I'm late, Mrs. D." Eddie pushed open the door, flashing Mrs O'Donnell a guilty smile as he squeezed through the small opening. "Take a seat, Mr. Munson." She ordered, unamused by his tardiness, Mrs O'Donnell firmly shut the door behind him. Alex's eyes followed Eddie as he silently shuffled his way over to his desk. Without paying her any notice, he dropped his backpack to the floor and slipped into his seat.
"Alright, now that everyone is here, let's get started." Wasting no time Mrs. O'Donnell picked up where they'd left off last Friday and Alex immediately began taking notes, she'd never made anything less than an A and with only one more test before finals, she was determined not to ruin her current track record, except on this particular day she was finding it exceptionally hard to pay attention. Between Ashley Cooper's constant leg bouncing and the screeching air vent blasting arctic temperatures directly above her staying task oriented was presenting quite a challenge. she also found her mind preoccupied with the individual seated behind her. The fact that Eddie hadn't acknowledged her wasn't what bothered her but rather that she cared in the first place. They weren't friends, they were bearly acquaintances, so why did it matter? Pulling herself together, Alex did her best to ignore her surroundings and pay attention to the equations up on the board. Things were going well until around forty minutes into class when Alex felt a light tapping at her elbow. Glancing down, she saw a small piece of paper held between Eddies' two fingers. Without looking back at its deliverer, she snatched the note, quietly unfolding it to find scratchy, lopsided handwriting.

"I showed up."

After writing a reply, she folded the paper back up and discreetly twisted her arm behind her to hand it to him. He gently pulled it from between her fingers, making sure Mrs. O'Donnell was facing the board before reading her response.

"Nice job! You did the absolute bare minimum."

Stiffiling a laugh at her sarcasm, he quickly scribbled down a response and almost immediately held the note back out to her. At this point, Alex had completely given up on taking notes. She surrendered, and distraction had won. Alex unfolded her newest message, careful not to draw any attention to herself.

"Aren't you happy to see me?"

Alex fought the urge to roll her eyes. She could see the smug look on his face without turning around. Using his words from lunch against him, she jotted down her answer and returned the crumpled piece of paper to him.

"Is that your way of saying you want me to be?"

A few moments later, Alex felt his touch on her arm, and their fingers brushed against each other as the note passed between them. She unfolded the small square to find one word.

"Maybe."

Alex stared down at the crooked handwriting, unsure of how to respond, She knew he was most likely messing with her, but that didn't stop her cheeks from turning a light shade of pink Much to Alex's relief, Mrs. O'Donnell chose that moment to address the class. "Alright, before we dismiss, I have everyone's grades from last week's quiz." Picking up a stack of papers from her desk, she began handing them out around the room. Alex slipped the evidence of her and Eddie's conversation into the pocket of her binder just as Mrs. O'Donnell placed her results on her desk. "Well done, Ms. Clark."
Alex silently celebrated the red one hundred written on the top corner. A few moments later, the bell rang throughout the school. "I'll see you all tomorrow, class dismissed." Mrs. O'Donnell returned to her desk as everyone began gathering their thing to leave. Alex reached down to put her notebook in her backpack as a pair of white Reeboks came into her view. "How'd you do on the quiz?" She looked up to see Eddie waiting on her, both hands shoved into the pockets of his vest. "Good, you?" She asked, rising to her feet. "Aced it."
"Oh, did you?" She chuckled, pulling her backpack over her shoulder.
"Absolutely. what class have you got next?" He asked as they started making their way out. "AP government." His nose scrunched up.
"Gross. Well, lucky for you, I'm heading that way." He reached out to hold the door open for her.
"

After you." He grinned, motioning for her to pass him. "Lucky me." Alex teased as she walked out into the hallway. As he moved to follow her Mrs. O'Donnell's voice called after him. "Mr. Munson, can I speak with you for a moment." His shoulders dropped as a frustrated sigh escaped him. "She probably wants to congratulate you on acing the quiz," Alex whispered. "Shut up." He hissed, trying his best not to smile. He stared at her for a moment before turning back into the room. "I'll see you around, Walker." He called as he let the door close behind him.
Standing alone in the hall Alex knew full well that it was none of her business what was being said on the opposite side of the door and despite her conscience yelling at her to walk away, she ignored her better judgment and she leaned in towards the door. Although muffled, Alex could still make out Mrs. O'Donnell's voice.
"I'm sure you know why I've asked to speak with you."
"I have a few guesses."
"Mr. Munson, you are a hairline away from failing this class, and as I'm sure you're aware, if you are unable to graduate this year, you will not be permitted to return Hawkins High." An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air. "That being said, you are also equally as close to passing this class, something I believe you are fully capable of doing."
"I'm trying Mrs. D." The defeat in Eddie's voice was unmistakable, making the guilt of her complete disregard for their privacy hit her like a train. She stepped away from the door, leaving their conversation to continue. Ashamed, she turned and made her way to class.