Against all odds || Stranger Things 4 | Hellcheer

Chapter 8

Eddie wakes up with a start, Chrissy still curled up against him. He was having a very pleasant dream - in which they were in a similar position but she had her tongue in his mouth and her hand in his pants... - and he can't help but be disappointed he didn't get to see the end of it. That's until he realizes what woke him up : Chrissy is breathing fast and moving her head like she's having a nightmare.

Before he can do anything, her eyes snap wide open as she let out a cry. Without thinking, he pulls her back against him and runs his hand on her hair. "It's okay, you're okay..." he murmurs while forcing his brain to forget how bad he wants to kiss her!

The radio is still playing - is that Nat King Cole? - and Eddie gently pushes Chrissy to get up and holds out his hand to her.

"What are you doing," she asks, wiping her face with the sleeve of her sweater.

"I'm asking the prom queen for a dance, obviously!"

She stares at him before shaking her head with a chuckle. He smiles encouragingly until she takes his hand and stands up. Before he can do anything about it, she wraps her arms around his neck. A slow dance it is then...

He puts his hands on her back and they start rocking in the middle of the living room. Somehow, the distance between them vanishes by the end of the song and she has her face nested in the curve of his neck. He rests his chin on the top of her head and allows himself to stroke her hair, trying not to think too much about the way her breath feels on his skin.

*

Chrissy knows she shouldn't behave like that. First cuddling with a boy that isn't her boyfriend, sleeping in their arms and now dancing so close...Her mother would definitely not approve! But they're not doing anything wrong, are they? This is a platonic, friendly relationship, nothing more.

Except if it was, she wouldn't have nightmares about the rest of the school finding out...If it was, she wouldn't constantly compare Eddie and Jason and certainly not come to the conclusion that she feels way better with the first than the latter. She tries to convince herself this is only because Eddie is helping her through some bad times, but her heart knows there's more to it.

He's stroking her hair in a slow and regular pace that soothes out the last remnant of fright. She let out a soft moan that makes him tense for a split second. The music on the radio changes to an old rock'n'roll score, but they ignore it.

"You, uh...You're having a lot of nightmares?"

She can feel the vibrations of his voice through his chest, and because she's still under the hypnotic influence of his strokes, she nods.

"Is that what scares you?"

"...Yes," she whispers.

He pulls her tighter. No, she shouldn't feel that way for Eddie Munson, but she does.

*

Eddie didn't ask more about the nightmares and Chrissy is grateful for that. She still expects a monstrous vision at any moment but so far, Eddie has been able to keep her mind off of it.

They spent the rest of the night and part of the morning crafting her DnD character until she offered to have breakfast at her place. At this hour, she's confident that her family and most of the street just went to the Sunday morning service so she tells Eddie to park right in front of the house.

She feels strange as she closes the front door behind him. She's never been alone in this house with a boy, not even Jason. It shouldn't be exciting, it's just a breakfast with a friend. Maybe this is what it feels like to step outside of the box everyone - she included - has tried to fit her in for her whole life.

She glances at the staircase - something she finds herself doing a lot now - before inviting him in the kitchen. They keep talking about random things while she makes pancakes. She has the biggest laughing fit when Eddie improvises a terrible cheerleading routine for her.

He looks completely out of place with his ripped jeans and whatever band t-shirt he's wearing but there's something inspiring in the way he doesn't seem to care at all. He's not scared of being who he is and she likes that. A lot.

Unfortunately, time flies when around people one like... The pancakes have all been eaten, more laughter has been shared, along with the promise that Chrissy will give Eddie a private cheerleading lesson before the end of spring break.

With a heavy heart, she walks him to the door. Her family will be there soon and she still needs to get rid of the black nail polish. He turns to face her and says, "I guess I'll see you around, then."

He's already stepping down from the porch when she impulsively catches him back and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He turns the brightest shade of red, she suppresses a laugh, but her "thank you" is interrupted by a familiar voice shouting...