Chrissy and Eddie Prom of '86

Eddie and Chrissy Prom of '86

It was an unseasonably warm day at Hawkins High School. Still early spring, the temperature had spiked to over 80 degrees, and since it was a Friday, most of the students had trouble concentrating. The teachers had opened the double doors at the end of the hall, letting in the warm sunlight and faint smell of cherry blossoms from the trees outside. Already distracted by the weekend activities looming, the students had trouble focusing with the warm breeze blowing through the corridors. Nearly everyone was looking forward to the event of the year, the senior prom, which was scheduled to take place in a few days. Guys were gathering the courage to ask girls out; girls were fussing over last-minute preparations like hair and makeup. This was an important moment in their lives, one which they would cherish forever, and everything had to be perfect. Everyone was in good spirits this day, moving quickly from class to class, eager to get the day over with, except for Chrissy Cunningham.

After a meager lunch of only a few over ripe grapes, she excused herself from the table where her friends all chattered about their dresses and went to meet Jason her boyfriend at the football field. For some odd reason, she was feeling incredibly anxious and couldn't take anymore of her friend's constant chatter. Jason would make her feel better and chase this nagging feeling of nervousness away.

Arriving at the outdoor basketball court, she watched the young men practice, taking note of each one of them, her eyes searching for her man. Her eyes darted back and forth, looking for his familiar face, but it was no where to be seen. The coach called for a water break and the group gathered near the fence. Spotting one of Jason's friends, Patrick, a underclassmen, she waved him down and he came running over to her.

Taking off his helmet, he gulped down a bottle of water. "Hey Chrissy, what's up?"

Leaning against the fence, Chrissy lightly rested her hands on the metal bar it was warm with the midday sun. "Patrick, where's Jason? I wanted to say hi to him before lunch break was over...and make some plans for tonight."

Patrick crudely wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm. "Oh uh, he told coach that he was going to skip this practice and take a early lunch. We all thought he was going to be with you." Patrick gave her a concerned look. "Is everything alright?"

Chrissy smiled. "Hmm? Oh yeah, I am sure that I must have missed him in the lunch room. You know how crowded it gets in there." She took a few steps away from the fence. "I bet that he decided to eat outside since the weather is so nice. I guess I better hurry back, I don't want to miss him!" She waved to Patrick. "Thanks though. I'd wish you good luck with the game tonight, but since Hawkins High is undefeated, I don't think I have to."

Patrick raised his half empty water bottle to her. "You and the girls keep cheering for us, and we're sure to win! See you tonight, Chrissy!"

"Bye!" Waving cheerfully, Chrissy walked away, her pristine white sneakers crunching loudly on the gravel. Her stomach churned and rumbled. Was it from not eating enough for lunch, or was it this nagging sensation that something was wrong that wouldn't go away? She couldn't tell which. It wasn't like Jason not to be at practice, and if he had plans with her, he always stuck to them, he was good like that. Practice was very important to him, and for him to skip it was very out of character. She wondered if she had done or said something wrong in homeroom this morning that upset him. Her mind raced, trying to think of their brief conversation before the bell rang and they went their separate ways. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. They spoke of the plans for Prom, what flowers he was to get, what time he was going to pick her up, she asked about the opposing team that they were playing against at the game later that night. Nothing out of the ordinary. Why hadn't he been at practice? Did she just miss him in the cafeteria after all? Did he get sick and have to go home? What could it possibly be? Did she upset him in someway ? She had to know, it was killing her.