𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐬

THIRTY-SIX: pretty please.

    

     DESPITE PROMISING HE wouldn't treat Rhys like a one time thing again last Friday night, Eddie had gone home early the next day before the blond could wake up and avoided him for the rest of the day and on Sunday, didn't even answer his texts or calls because he needed to be alone with his thoughts. Really think things through. Again.

So when Monday came and he was waiting outside Scoops Ahoy for Steve and James knowing they'd most likely show up together, he sighed and adjusted his hair as the pair came walking towards him with iced coffees in hand and stood up straight. "Hey." He says a bit awkwardly when they got closer. "Hey." The two say in sync then nudge one another. Cute, Eddie thinks then sighed.

"I'm sorry... I know that doesn't really excuse anything I said or did. But I'm so sorry. And I... hope we can be friends again?" He says and James sighs, looking away. "I don't know, I'd have to think about it." He says, crossing his arms and Eddie's brows furrow but he nods understandingly. "Steve?" He looks at the Harrington who frowns at him.

"You're dead to me." He joked and Eddie scoffed, looking away with a small smile. "Wow. That's not really something nice to say to someone you made out with." He said as he grins wider now and Steve rolls his eyes, sipping his coffee. "Wait, why are you apologizing to Steve?" James pointed between them and Eddie raised his brows. "What?" He says and James shrugs. "I--I don't see how me and you being together affected him." He says as he now looks to Steve for answers.

"Being dishonest when me and Steve are so close." Is all Eddie says before glancing at Steve and smirking coyly as James furrows his brows, glancing at Steve who nods softly. "Yeah. Munson and I are basically besties." He said, looking back at James who isn't so convinced but nodded, looking at Eddie.

"What's done is done... we're on the same page, right?" He said and Eddie nods. "We should've stuck with it the first time we said we're not... the red string or whatever silly little gimmick you said." He shrugged and James frowns. "The red string is so real." He said, then shook his head as Steve nods quickly.

"Red string's real, Eds." He says and Eddie just grins widely. "Whatever, weirdos... we gonna open up or not?" He asked and Steve unlocks the shop's door, heading inside where the three of them got changed. Steve headed out first, to set up the front counter as Eddie looks at James. "I'm sorry I've been such a mess. You didn't deserve that. Neither did Rhys." He says and the taller just nods.

"Yeah, yeah, no, you're right," James turns around then sighed. "But... it has been hard, you know? So... I get it." He smiles sympathetically and Eddie nodded softly, looking away. "Yeah." He whispers, fidgeting with his rings and letting out a sigh.

"But you know, you're like totally into Steve, so..." He smirked slightly and James furrows his brows. "What? No. I--I was serious--" "And I'm also serious." Eddie looks back at James then he sighed. "Look, you don't have to deny it anymore, okay? There--there isn't anything between us, on my side or yours. And it's okay. Really." He smiled softly.

"Eddie..." James frowns. "It's okay, Jamie." Eddie insisted then shut his locker door gently before crossing his arms. "And I wasn't lying when I said he's a good kisser. You're totally missing out." He said as he leans against the locker and James roll his eyes, shutting his own locker. "You're so annoying."

"Yeah, but you like that about me."

The two joined Steve in the front, James standing by the Harrington, "so, where is Robby?" He asked as he helps him stock up the milkshake cups, small, medium, large. "Oh, you know... she's sick." Steve looks at him and the Hopper squints his eyes. "Why that tone?" He asked quietly and Steve chuckles. "She stayed the night at Nancy's all weekend so she's probably stuck to poor Nance like glue." He says and James chuckles.