Things Change // Eddie Munsion

Chapter One

"Alexandra Estelle Nicholes, you are going to be late for school if you don't hurry up!" Mom yells at me from downstairs.

I groan, rolling my eyes as I finish lacing up my adidas sneakers. I check my outfit one more time in the mirror before running downstairs. I have half an hour to make it to school, and I only live 10 minutes away? Pfft. Easy.

Mom glances up from her paper, her eyebrows raised, "You're wearing that?"

"Uh, yeah, why not?" I shrug, "They're new jeans, so they're a little tight, but they'll loosen up."

I swivel my left leg out, eyeing the seam that runs up my outer thigh before repeating the same action on my right side.

"I'm talking about the rips in your jeans. It's mid October; it's chilly outside." She pauses for a moment, flipping the paper over, "You know, you wouldn't have to worry about your pants being tight if you'd do Weight watchers like me."

I roll my eyes, "Really? That again?"

Her eyebrows raise, and she sits straighter in the chair, "Yes, really. I have already lost 10 pounds. You saw your grandmother and great grandmother; fat runs in our family."

"I don't think being fat is an inheritable family disease." I scoff. "Plus, that didn't start until their 50s, so I'm told."

"Regardless, getting an early start is the best. Anyway, hurry up and get breakfast before you're late."

"You said I was going to be late, remember? Plus, it's not very weight watchers to eat carbs for breakfast." I shrug.

I quickly walk outside and close the door behind me to prevent further interaction. I quickly slide in the cold, leather seat to turn on the ignition and set my thermostat to defrost. As soon as the car comes to life, heavy metal blasts from the speakers. The sudden change in decibel shocks me enough that I jump, and my head collides with the roof.

Once I regain my senses, I speed off toward Hawkins High. Two Metallica songs later, I drift into the school parking lot with an extra 10 minutes to spare. I eject my copy of Ride the Lightening from the tape deck, grab my Walkman from the passenger seat, and put on my headphones.

As I exit my car and begin to walk across the parking lot, the faded, red van, which belongs to Eddie Munson, crookedly parks in two lot spaces.

'Of course that jackass would park like that.' I think to myself.

I watch as four guys exit, all wearing some form of metal head garb. Eddie is wearing an Iron Maiden shirt that I have in my closet, but wouldn't dare to wear here. I don't know what reputation I have, if any, but I can't risk it.

I trudge onto home room and make a b-line for my seat near one of the back corners. Eddie and one of his friends are always sat next to each other behind my desk.  Always so alive and animated, throwing his hands in the air as he speaks. His friend seems to laugh at everything he says.

I roll my eyes. He's so full of himself... Why do they seem so enthralled?'

Ever since I was completely embarrassed by his public declaration that I couldn't play D&D, I have crossed him off my list. It wasn't just the D&D, however, it was me foolishly believing he had a crush on me. His rejection brought me back to reality.

I had only been at Hawkins for a couple of weeks at that point. After being ex-communicated by my former "friends," aka the cheerleaders, I was excited to have friends. Let alone the aspect of a guy, who is so similar to me, showing undivided attention. Especially without appearing to have an ulterior motive. But, of course, I was wrong.