Shot in the Dark (An Eddie x Y/N Story)

Cooperation

"Can you at least try to be civil?" Dustin asks the next morning as we are getting on the bus. I roll my eyes as I climb the steps behind him. We argued most of the night last night and over breakfast this morning about Eddie.

Dustin has been very adamant about him being a good person and even though I had a semi-pleasant experience with Eddie during the pep rally I'm not too terribly convinced. Following the pep rally, I saw him selling weed to a few jocks by the dumpsters towards the back of the parking lot and it balanced things back out for me. Sure, selling weed or even smoking it doesn't necessarily make you a bad person, but Dustin doesn't need to get mixed up in all of that.

Dustin has always been the light of my family's life; the golden boy. He's so smart, funny, and kind. As his big sister, I have always done what needs to be done to ensure his future is secure. Like going to live alone with dad, being the scapegoat for our parent's marital issues, and growing the hell up way before I should have had to. I've never once blamed Dustin and I don't envy him. I know he has a lot riding on him as well. I just wish he understood my frustration a little bit more. I don't want to see him throw everything away because he gets wrapped up in the wrong crowd.

I sigh heavily as we take our seats on the bus and he turns to me with his eyebrows raised, expectantly. Dustin has got to be the most stubborn person I know and I know he won't stop until I at least try to see things his way.

"Fine," I grumble. "I'll try. But you also need to start looking at things from my perspective and really reevaluate your friendship with him. If I continue to have an issue with him, me and you are going to have it out."

Dustin holds his hand out, offering a hand shake to seal the deal and I shake his hand once. He grins as he turns to look out the window and I shake my head, exasperated.

Once we arrive at school, Dustin jogs off the bus and I see him run across the parking lot towards Eddie's van. Eddie is leaning against the hood, smoking a cigarette. He smiles down at Dustin at his approach and offers him a high five. Dustin leans in and talks urgently and Eddie's eyebrows shoot up as he listens. He's wearing a similar outfit to the one he wore yesterday; ripped jeans, band t-shirt, leather jacket with his battle jacket over it. The only difference is his hair is in a low bun today. His eyes glance up as Dustin talks and meet mine and I hastily look away. I pull my own leather jacket closer to my chest as I walk towards the entrance to the school.

It's the first week of October and the weather seems to have changed almost overnight. The leaves are already changing and the air is crisp and chilling. I decided on a long sleeved V-neck Black Sabbath shirt today tucked into dark washed jeans. I dug out my leather ankle boots and my leather jacket. I went simple with my makeup and only put on silver hoop earrings. I braided my hair so it wouldn't fly around and tangle in my face. I felt cozy.

When I got to my locker, Steve Harrington was leaning against it and I froze, my hand clutching the strap of my backpack tightly. I begrudgingly stepped forward and he straightened.

"Y/n, hey," he greeted with a small smile. I didn't smile in return, just waiting for him to continue. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to walk to first period together?"

"I think I'm alright," I say coolly and he looks at me momentarily confused.

"Listen," Steve says and lays his hand on my shoulder and I flinch. He doesn't move away though, his eyes holding mine. "I understand what I did yesterday made you uncomfortable, but you have to know I only did it because I thought you were interested."

I go to turn and speak, my mouth opening when a throat clears behind me. I turn to see Dustin and Eddie standing behind us. Eddie is looking at Steve, steel in his eyes and his jaw set. Dustin glances between Eddie and Steve confused. Steve finally drops his hand from my shoulder.