Why Him? || Steddie

Chapter 41

As Eddie got closer to his locker, Max and Lucas slid out of the way to try and not cause a panic. They knew that Eddie wouldn't be able to see the cruel words on his locker. The only benefit is that no one else besides us four knew that as well.

Eddie slowly started fumbling with his combination for a few minutes before he gave up with a sigh and turned to face behind him. Luckily I was right where he had turned. "Steve can you help me? I can't get my combination for anything."

There was a few mumbles from the crowd around me that I passed as I walked closer to him. I decided that the best course of action would be to avoid them and go for Eddie's lock. "What's the combination, Munson?"

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together slightly. "Kinda cold the way you asked...but uh 10.25.18."

Eddie started to hop a little on his crutches causing me to look up as I hit the last number on the combination and pulled on the handle to open it. "Do you need your wheelchair? I brought it just in case. I can go out to the car and get it..."

Eddie shook his head. "No. That'd cause more people to look at me, Harrington." He softly sighed before starting to walk again. "I hear them you know...maybe it's...best I just...see you after school, yeah?"

I felt my heart drop. "Eddie, I... you know that's not what I would want. I'm prepared to spend the whole day with you to get you readjusted."

"No I...I'm a freak, Harrington. You were just pitying me and giving me a ride here. I get it. I'll leave you alone." Eddie's crutches clicked as he walked away slowly down the hall.

I just stood there. Frozen. Is this really what he thought I thought of him? That he was some pity project for me? That wasn't true. I never...wanted him to think that. I had never thought that of him. Why am I not chasing after him? I could probably catch up.

I saw him up ahead push on the bathroom door to get in with one of his crutches. I'd have to talk with him there. It can't wait until after school. If he felt that way, it needed to be corrected, and right away.

I slowly walked over to the bathroom door to push it open slowly peaking my head through. There I saw Eddie just standing there with a smile.

"Is that you, Eve?"

I couldn't help but feel confused. He was angry with me, wasn't he? I didn't mean to be cold. It was more so a strategy to not allow them to take advantage of him... which failed. Why was he smiling if he was upset?

I slowly started to head into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. "Yeah. It's me Eds. Look if I upset you... That wasn't my intention. That would never be my intention. You mean the world to me and... god why are you smiling even harder now you're confusing me, Munson."

Eddie started to make a noise similar to a sneeze as he hunched his upper body forward. Then slowly started into a laugh. "Dude. I'm totally fine. I promise...I take it that my acting is getting better, Stevie?"

I felt my heart ease up. "You were...acting, Eds? It felt so real..."

"Yeah... That's kinda the whole point...Robin actually ended up being a great teacher" Eddie laughed again before using his crutches to come closer to me. "We can't have them know that I can't see, Steve. They'll take advantage of the fact that the 'murderer' can't see them attack. I know what they did to my locker. They wouldn't shut up about it when I was by it. If they can do that... imagine what they can do once they learn that I cannot defend myself. I'd be screwed, Harrington."