'Cause that was as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen.
-Eddie Munson, "Stranger Things", season 4, episode 7
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Spring 1986.
The book of the week was The Shining by Stephen King. Just another novel about mental tripping and unspeakable horrors by an author Joanne knew very well. She had read many of his works out of curiosity, not as a pleasure, and had gone as far as betting how many chapters it would take before rolling her eyes because of a particular quote, action or paragraph.
Hawkins High School library in Hawkins, Indiana, was a well-stocked one, the very proof of how valuable the young students' knowledge was for the elders. Joanne was standing in the "horror" section and it took her only a bunch of seconds to spot the black-spined hardcover of The Shining. When she grabbed it, she nearly burst out laughing before the cover picture of Jack Nicholson's creepy smile. She indeed lost her own bet by rolling her eyes. She had expected it to happen past the point of the main characters' arrival at the Overlook Hotel, but the only sight of Old Jack pushed her to give up.
«I hope to part with you very soon» she said to the book. «I doubt we'll ever get along.»
She reached the desk. Emily Lane didn't even look up and checked the book out while chewing gum. Joanne peeked over her shoulder.
«Not too many people around today» she pointed out.
A pink bubble came out of Emily's fuchsia lips and it popped instantly. «Everyone is at the gym to celebrate the Tigers» she explained flatly. She gave her the book and resumed her obsessive chewing.
«Great» said Joanne with heavy sarcasm. She was glad to avoid that kind of silly stuff.
Emily's significantly made-up eyes went wide. «Hey!» she exclaimed to someone behind Joanne. «You are not allowed to read magazines outside the library.»
Joanne turned around only to catch a glimpse of a guy facing away from her as he walked through the entrance door. He was also arrogantly shaking a magazine in one hand and carrying a black lunchbox in the other. A second later, he was gone. Even though he never showed his face, his silhouette was unmistakable.
«Eddie Munson, that satanic beggar» snarled Emily. She sighed in frustration and blew a new bubble out of her fuchsia lips.
Joanne adjusted the glasses on her nose and left Emily, her bubble-gum and disgusting big mouth before the first bell rang.
*
By lunchtime, Joanne had read ten chapters already and was bored to death. After finishing her meal, she sat at the cafeteria table with her Book Club friends pretending to listen to their conversation about Stephen King's genius mind when their attention was drawn by someone speaking out loud.
«But as long as you're into band... or science... or parties... or a game where you toss balls into laundry baskets...?»
Joanne stared at Eddie Munson speaking and moving frantically as he walked on a table with his relaxed and characteristic pace.
«Let's ignore him» said one of her outraged Book Club mates. «He's a psycho.»
Just then, Eddie provocatively sneered at His Majesty Jason Carver, who was staggered. Joanne couldn't help being amused, she adjusted her glasses and refocused on Charlie Newton's nasal voice repeating their weekly schedule.
Eddie caught her eye again a few moments later. Strangely enough, that young man embodied a mix of someone craving to be ignored and someone constantly seeking the attention of others. As he mentioned to his Hellfire Club friends about being close to graduation, his and Joanne's eyes met briefly.
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An unambiguous sign of true love (Eddie Munson)
Fanfiction"'Cause that was as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen." -Eddie Munson, "Stranger Things", season 4, episode 7 Will Eddie Munson ever get such a sign for himself? Joanne Mulligan is a model student who has feelings...
