This Year is My Year

No Fist Fights

Before I could unleash every ounce of my anger onto the blonde demon that entered my home, Eddie scooped me into his arms, and carried me back to my room. I was furious, yelling at him to put me down. He closed the door behind him, and turned to me, holding his hands up as a way to quiet me.

"Get out of my way, Munson; that asshole tortured Dustin for months—"

"And what do you think he's going to do when Dustin's big sister yells at him in the middle of a party?" Eddie's tone was soft and soothing – it infuriated me.

"I don't care – he's a horrible human and I'm going to hurt him for what he's done to Dustin," I was indignant, feeling righteous in my anger.

"Dove, you can't protect him at school," he was being the reasonable one right now, something that rarely happened. His calmness confused me – he was normally the hot-headed one of us, quick to anger and overreactions. This realization made me angrier. I glowered at him.

"Then what are you good for?" I spat each word out, my anger rising like bile. His face fell and I felt an intense rush of guilt. He stared down at his feet and I took his hands.

"I'm sorry, that's not fair," I was feeling a mix of guilt and anger – both at Jason and at Eddie for not letting me defend my baby brother. "I just want to protect Dustin, but it was mean of me to say that."

He smiled softly and pulled me in for a hug. I felt a little better but still had residual anger. Eddie kissed my forehead and squeezed me tighter.

"You're still mad I won't let you fight him, aren't you?" He said this quietly. I smiled, my mood lifting a little.

"Why are you the only one that gets to get into fist fights?" I whined and he laughed into my head. I pulled him tighter.

"You're too pretty to worry about black eyes," he said this softly, genuinely trying to cheer me up. He pulled back a bit to look down at me.

"I know that you want to protect Dustin – I do, too. But people like Jason don't ever treat people right. I promise I protect Dustin at school; I always will. But Jason will be even worse to the little one if you try to fight him in front of everyone," he was still speaking low, brushing a piece of hair out of my face. "And I don't mind fighting Jason at school if you really want to do this tonight, but you'll have to be extra sweet with my black eyes until graduation."

He smiled down at me and my face twisted into a smirk. I nodded and he pulled me back to his chest, kissing the top of my head. I sighed, trying to calm myself down. Eddie was rubbing my back, swaying to the music that was pounding throughout the house.

"Too bad about the shoes," I tried to joke. Eddie pulled back, smiling.

"Just one more reason to hate Jason Carver."

This comment made me laugh, and he kissed me before taking my hands. I followed him back to the party, squeezing his hand tight. I glanced to the living room where Jason was standing with other basketball players, all in their varsity jackets. I glared, hoping to set him on fire with only my thoughts.

"Remember, no fist fights, fair maiden," Eddie had wrapped his arms around my waist, his lips pressed against my ear as he spoke.

I laughed as he started peppering my face with kisses to distract me and smiled up at him. He winked and took my hand to guide me back to the kitchen. I turned once more to the group in the living room and noticed Jason staring at me. He smiled and raised the beer in his hand in greeting. I glared in response, hating that he was even in the same building as me.

We entered the kitchen to many cheers – I smiled at our little group. Robin and Cristina were standing close in the corner, laughing at everything the other one said. I could tell that Robin's mood had lifted significantly, and she smiled at me apologetically when I waved to the two of them.

"Alan – these two are in my band, too!" Eddie was excited to introduce our new friend to the rest of Corroded Coffin. Alan raised his eyebrows and nodded.

"Two more lost sheep in need of musical guidance – good to know!" Alan was teasing Eddie, referencing their discussions from the weekend before. I laughed and Alan winked at me.

"This dress is very different than the last time I saw you!" Alan gestured to my sundress, and I laughed. Eddie snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

"That dress was a one-time thing," I answered.

"But this one is my favorite," Eddie was trying to cheer me up, kissing me on the side of my head. I leaned into him, glancing around the kitchen.

Helena had Steve cornered, offering her drink to him. I couldn't help but smile as Steve stumbled over his words to her, nodding at everything she said. She brushed his bangs back and leaned into him – he blushed crimson, and she grinned. I smiled at the interaction – it made me happy that he was trying to impress this girl.

"Alan wants to smoke," Eddie's words took me out of my thoughts. I looked up – Eddie normally warned me so I could prepare for the smell when he came back. I nodded, pulling him in for a kiss. He was grinning as he pulled away.

"Helena – smokes. Let's go." Alan called this so casually to her – she looked to him and nodded. She kissed Steve on the cheek before following her friend. Eddie stopped when he realized that Steve would be alone with me.

"No fist fights," I offered. He grimaced when Steve leaned against the same counter I was leaning against. I made a face. "I choose you."

This made him relax. He nodded and followed Alan and Helena out the back door. I turned to Steve.

"She's cute."

"No, she's gorgeous," Steve was flustered, and I laughed. He smiled at me, and I leaned into my friend. "I've missed you, Y/N."

"Back at you, Harrington. You were the one who decided to hate my boyfriend," I was teasing – Eddie had refused to tell me what the two of them had spoken about in the bathroom, insisting that "everything was fixed". Steve smiled.

"I'm sorry. Just a lot of weird feelings," he turned to me and smiled wide. "He's a good guy. Loves you for some crazy reason, though."

We laughed together – it was so nice to have my best friend back.

"Did you see that Jason is here?" Steve was trying to change the subject – one that I was passionate about.

"Yes! Why did he come?"

"Lucas was trying to be cool," Steve rolled his eyes. I groaned and leaned back. I was trying not to give into my anger – Dustin was one of the few humans I would murder for.

I saw the backdoor open, Eddie leading the way. His smile made my heart skip.

"Harrington – it is great to see you, man. We miss a talent like you on the team."

My stomach dropped as I looked to my best friend – Jason was shaking his hand. Steve was glaring him, unhappy that he was touching him. Jason turned to me, flashing a smile.

"It's Y/N right? So nice to meet you, finally – I've heard amazing things."

Jason offered his hand to me. I stared at it – why was Eddie the only one allowed to get into fist fights?