Why Him? || Steddie

Chapter 17

-Steve's perspective-

       As we were walking I couldn't help but look at Eddie. Something must have happened to elicit such a strong reaction. I just...couldn't figure out why.

       "I'm gonna quote a wise man." Eddie said while turning his head towards me "'take a picture it'll last longer'"

       I felt my heart skip as I hurried and looked away. I guess I wasn't being as discrete as I thought.

      "Hey...it's alright Harrington I know I have looks that could kill." He teased "but I know that's not why you're looking at me"

      I sighed and shook my head "I shouldn't have been I'm sorry."

       "I'm fine, Steve." The metal head placed his hand on my shoulder. "I promise"

      His hand lingered there for a while. His rings were still cold and I could feel them through my shirt but I didn't care.

     I felt a smile creep onto my face as I looked at Eddie. His eyes were shining in the moon.

     Why was he so... attractive? I don't know what's going on with me. I mean...I'm not attracted to guys but...Eddie... he's been making me feel...like how Nancy did.

      I didn't think anyone could make me feel that way again, but he did.

       We stood in silence looking at each other. It was a nice break from the stress we've been through. Looking at him felt like a breath of fresh air. He was safe. We were safe.

      "Uh, guys?" Dustin snapped us out of it "Are we still going to see where this compass is guiding us or what?"

      We quickly separated.

     I looked down and coughed. "Uh yeah dude let's go"

       Dustin shook his head and lightly pushed me forward "you're the guide.... against my best wishes."

      I looked down and moved forward to where the compass was pointing north to. "We ever consider this thing might just be broken?"

      Dustin scoffed and kicked rocks up behind me. "I know it's not broken it's less than a week old!"

       I sighed and continued on the path. It felt like we were getting no where. We've seen these trees before.

      "Looks like we're back at the lake. Great." Eddie sighed and held his hand out to the body of water.

       I sighed and handed the compass back to Dustin. "We're back to where we started."

      Dustin looked ahead. "Isn't this where Patrick...ya know?"

      Eddie nodded "I mean you saw it too."

         Dustin touched the water with his hand. "What if... this was where the entrance was to the upside down?"

        I raised an eyebrow. I was trying to be nice to this kid but I gotta admit I was confused.

       "When the demogorgan came from the upside down it would leave an opening. What if the deaths are leaving an opening as well?"

       That would... make sense.

      "If that's the case, we need backup."

       Robin sighed and lifted up her walkie talkie "Lucas?"

     It took a moment for there to be a response "yeah?"

      "Can you get Max and Nancy and meet us at the lake?"

       There was a long pause. "Sure but there better be a reason behind it."

       "There is... we'll explain later."

       There wasn't a response but we hoped that Lucas was on his way.

      "We should probably find the boat." Eddie says while starting to walk ahead.

        "Oh uh, yeah let me help you." I awkwardly mumble before following his lead.

       "Where did we fall in? Do you remember?"

      "Not really. Must've been close to the edge we got out kind of fast."

      Eddie nodded and walked ahead.

       "Hey Eddie...if you ever need someone to talk to...I'm here for you, alright?"

      "Yeah, I know Harrington. Thank you."

      I ran my hand through my hair "I mean it though."

      Eddie turned around slowly "thank you, Harrington."

      I raised an eyebrow but decided not to push it any further.

      "You still confuse me..." Eddie spoke up after some silence. "One day you're cold as ice, and the next you want to be my best friend."

       I knew it must be confusing for him. In my mind, it made perfect sense. What I felt for him scared me. The fact that I said it out loud was even worse. But for him, it was like I avoided him out of the blue.

       "Yeah...I'm sorry man I... I can't explain why I did that..." I sighed. It's my fault that we're so awkward.

       "No it's all good I just... most people that avoid me hate me...for good reason, I'm a freak... but you don't. That's what confuses me."

      "I'd never hate you." I blurt out without thinking. Was that too forward?

      "I'm glad." Eddie says while grinning. "I'd never hate you either...at least not after what we've been through."

      I couldn't help but smile. Even after what I did...he didn't hate me.

       "Thank you."

        Eddie nodded.

       "Oh! There it is!" Eddie pointed to the upside down boat on the water. We ran up to get in.

       Eddie turned the boat right side up and got in first. He held out his hand "come on, let's take this bad boy to shore for the gang."

      I took his hand anxiously and got in. Eddie handed me a paddle and we started to row to shore together.

       He really... was something else. He had every right to hate me. Yet, here we are. Rowing together. Sitting awfully close.

        "You found the boat!" Henderson smiled.

       "Took us a while...but yeah!" I smiled back before realizing the rest of the gang was here. "Oh hey guys"

        The group awkwardly waved.

       "Let's go see this opening." Nancy said confidently before stepping into the boat.

       "Yeah...let's...let's go."