I Can't, Eddie... (Steddie)

17

Steve drove home later that evening in a daze. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so at ease. Before Eddie came crashing into his life, the future felt bleak and boring. His parents had been hinting that they would like him to go on the stupid college visit trip for months, and now he couldn't wait to go. Steve didn't actively want to disappoint his parents. There was just so much of his life that he couldn't share with them, and they really didn't seem to care enough to even feign interest. Even so, it brought him even more joy to think that they would be happy too, if only just superficially. When he told them he had definitely decided to go, his mother launched into an excited frenzy discussing which luggage he could take. The trip wasn't for another month, so Steve waved her off and wandered over to the phone.

Is it too early to call Eddie? I never did give him my phone number. I should call. I want to see him today.

Steve picked up the phone and dialed Eddie's number. No one answered. Steve sighed and went up to his room, catching up on his big research paper. After a few hours he tried calling again from the phone in his room, still no answer.

Should I leave a message? That feels too desperate.

Steve examined the phone, willing it to ring and be Eddie returning his call.

Maybe the phone is broken.

"Hey, mom!" Steve called out as he jogged downstairs, poking his head into the living room where his parents were watching television.

"Yeah, hon?" His mom turned around, looking annoying at the interruption.

"Have you used the phone at all today? I think it's broken."

"No I haven't. What makes you think it's broken?" She half stood up and Steve shook his head.

"No, no, don't get up. I'm not sure if it's broken. Let me try calling someone else."

Steve went back to his room and tried Eddie's number again. Still nothing. Then he dialed Robin's number. She picked up after three rings.

"Hello?"

"God dammit." Steve muttered.

"Steve?" Robin asked.

"Yeah. Hey."

"Well that's a rude fucking way to greet someone on the phone." Robin stated, clearly annoyed.

"Sorry, Rob. I thought my phone was maybe broken but this proved that it's not." Steve explained.

"So you're mad that your phone's not broken?"

"Yes."

"Care to explain that further?"

"Eddie's not answering the phone. I've been trying all day," Steve admitted, blushing and running a hand through his hair.

"Well that's disgustingly cute. He's probably busy, Steve. He has the club, his band, whatever else Eddie Munson does for fun. It's Saturday. You can't just expect him to be sitting by the phone all day."

Well that's what I've been doing all day.

"I feel like he would have mentioned having plans yesterday."

"Are you guys at that level yet?"

"I asked him to be my boyfriend yesterday."

Robin made a very un-Robinlike squeal.

"AAAAAH!!!! Wow! Steve, that's great!!! I'm so happy for you both," she gushed.

"Oh, shut up. It's no big deal." Steve lied.

"You're such a damn liar. I bet you're absolutely buzzing inside."

Steve sighed. "Honestly, I am. But now do you see why I'm kind of freaking out that he's not answering?"

"I still think you're overreacting. I stand by what I said before. Maybe he just forgot to tell you. Did you guys hang out at his place? What did you do?" Robin probed.

"Uh," Steve laughed uncomfortably, "we did... stuff."

"Oh. Oh. Gross."

"You asked!" Steve pointed out.

"True. Well why don't you come over here instead of pouting about your dumb boyfriend?" Robin asked.

"I just want to be here in case he does call. I'll come over tomorrow."

"You're such a loser."

"Thanks, Robin."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Steve hung up the phone. He didn't feel any better. He was sure Robin was right, and yet. An image of Eddie's head resting on Steve's chest, looking up at him with his gorgeous dark eyes flashed in Steve's mind. He just knew there was some reason Eddie wasn't picking up.

The rest of the day dragged by with no call from Eddie, and no pickup on his phone. After Steve's tenth call in the late afternoon, he told himself he had to stop. He went to bed early that night, hoping that the next day would be better.

The next day was not better. Steve waited until the afternoon before heading to Robin's house. He only called Eddie three times. Still no answer.

"I feel like I've called at a variety of times," Steve said, pacing back and forth in front of Robin laying on her bed flipping through a magazine.

"Mhm."

"And it's not like he lives alone. Why hasn't his uncle answered? Like obviously the phone is unplugged or I'm being intentionally ignored."

"I still think you're overreacting. Just relax. You'll see him tomorrow for sure, right?"

"I mean I guess," Steve sighed, "I said I would give him a ride to school."

"Such a good boyfriend."

"Shut up."

Robin laughed, shaking her head. "You're so gone, Harrington. It's embarrassing."

"I fucking know." Steve collapsed on the bed next to Robin. They hung out for a few hours that seemed to drag. Once Steve got home, he tried calling Eddie one more time after dinner. Still nothing. So he went to bed early and tried his best to sleep the time away, feeling more and more ominous about what tomorrow would bring.