This is for you Chrissy

A Place To Sleep

MAX's POV:

Chrissy and I made plans to meet up after the game. She seems to be really shaken up from everything. I didn't want her to be alone, at a chaotic after party, and least of all, at home

I told Lucas I wouldn't be at his game, and I intended to keep that promise. I try pacing the school halls for a good hour, but I find no relief to my anxiety. I know my mom will be pissed if I randomly bring Chrissy home. I think a part of her is ashamed of our trailer, but that's the least of my worries right now.

I jog my brain or any good ideas, but i seem to be having a mental block. I feel as hopeless as Dustin trying to find a sub for Eddie's stupid campaign.

Wait, that's it! I think Eddie is in the same trailer park as me, he's just across the street. Chrissy can camp out in his van or something. He seems like a good enough guy.

Now all I need to do is wait for the game to end.

I tap my shoes anxiously on the linoleum tile floor outside Hellfire's room. Even from across the school  I can hear the piercing screams from the basketball game. I'm sure by now the cheer squad has done at least a few victory routines. And I'm sure that if this game goes well, Jason's gonna make another stupid sappy speech after spring break all about how he wants to "inspire" Hawkins with people who died in an alleged mall fire. 

CHRISSY's POV:

This game is taking too long. I just want to get out of here. It's so loud, and I can feel eyes on me as our team somehow flawlessly does a human pyramid.

When the game's finally over, Max and someone else came up to me.

"Chrissy, I know you can't stay in my trailer, but Eddie here has a van you can sleep in so that you don't have to go home."

"You'd let me do that?" I ask astounded. How could someone I barely know be so willing to help me. A massive part of me knows I don't deserve it. That I should just suffer, but I guess Max isn't letting that happen.

"Sure thing, but I may ask for a favor in the future."

"No big deal," I force a smile despite all that's going on. Eddie drives us in his van back to the trailer park.

"Chrissy, is it ok if I leave you here?" Max asks.

"Yeah. Thank you so much for all your help Max. You're a hero," I smile at her. She waves and walks away to her trailer.

"So, Chrissy, let's get you set up," Eddie says, opening the trailer door, "we're gonna get'cha some blankets and a pillow. He walks over to a closet almost overflowing with supplies. He picks out a pillow with a black case and two blankets.

"I don't know how you feel about blankets, so I got you one light one and one heavy one, hope that's ok." He hands me the pile.

"It's perfect. Thank you Eddie."

"Sure thing, Chrissy." Eddie grabs a Walkman off of his shelf and brings it out with us.

"What's that for?" I ask.

"I don't know, I just thought I'd let you borrow it," he answers sheepishly, "I guess whenever I feel agitated by something it helps to listen to a song."

I smiled at him, "that's so true. Music is so helpful sometimes." I sit down in the back of the van.

"You know, this isn't the first time we've like, hung out," he tells me.

"It isn't?"

"Yeah. Remember in middle school, it was the talent show." I feel awful because I can't seem to remember.

"I'm sorry, I—" he jumps up.

"It's ok Chrissy, I wouldn't remember me either," he muses. I stutter trying to explain myself.

"You were doing a cheer routine," he mimics a few basic cheer moves, which I laugh at, "and I was playing a song with my band." 

The memories come flooding back, "Corroded Coffin! With a name like that how could I forget it!"

"I dunno Chrissy, you're a freak." I gasp, pretending to be insulted. Both of us are rolling on the floor laughing.

"Thanks for cheering me up," I giggle.

Eddie smirks at me, "Chrissy, you should know that Max didn't tell me everything that was up, but I know a few pieces. I know it's bat shit crazy for you right now, but it will get better. Ok?"

"Yeah, ok!" a warm smile creeps across my face. 

I try my best to sleep, but I keep tossing and turning, so eventually I start to rummage through my backpack.

After feeling around it for a good two minutes I come up with a gift bag from when Starcourt mall was open. Gosh that feels ancient. I take the tissue paper from the bag and inside find a small cassette tape. I insert it into Eddie's Walkman and turn it on. At first I don't hear anything, but then 'Material Girl' by Madonna comes on. It turns out it's a cassette for Like a Virgin, Madonna's album from 1984.

At this point it's late at night, and I can feel sleep overtaking me. Slowly the last shrivels of my consciousness fade away into a dreamless sleep.