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

Jocks? More Like Jerks

Eddie and I haven't spoken much since the night he spent at my house. We are at least civil in passing and in class, but he seems almost distant. I can't say I blame him. Ever since that incident in my bathroom my head has been reeling with a million questions. I've been trying my best not to worry about it and luckily there has been a lot going on at school to help keep me busy. The local October Festival is tomorrow and most of the student body has been working on helping out with preparation for the opening. A lot of the school clubs are opening booths to help raise money for their activities and I have volunteered to help Robin and her friend, Nancy Wheeler, with getting posters made, printed, and distributed throughout the school.

Nancy let me know this morning that one of the banners we had put up in one of the hallways had gotten destroyed by some Sophmores and she needed me to put a new one up. So I headed out with the heavy banner tucked under my arm, only struggling through the crowd of students slightly until I made it to where the old banner still clung to the wall, torn and tattered. Luckily, the ladder had already been bought down and was propped against the wall for me so I guickly set it up and got to work taking the old poster down.

Once I crinkled it up and threw it in a nearby thrash can I climbed the ladder again, tacks in hand to hang the new sign. The hallway starts to clear as people head off to their next class. I have a hall pass in my pocket from the Journalism teacher excusing me from being tardy so I take my time. As I reach up and try to make sure the banner is even, a chuckle sounds from below me and I glance down.

Jason and Andy look up at me smuggly, their hands tucked into the pockets of their letter jackets. I groan internally. I haven't had a bunch of interactions with Carver and his goons but the few that I have had have been unpleasant.

"Hey there, freak," Jason calls and I roll my eyes. How original. Just because I like metal and dress a certain way, I'm a freak. He calls Eddie a freak too. He's honestly the most annoying person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting.

"What do you want Jason?" I ask. I try to take a step down but his hand shoots out and he grips the ladder, a sick grin spreading across his face. Andy looks up at me, a wicked glint in his eye as he circles around and grabs the other side of the ladder.

"Oh nothing much." He says nonchalantly, his thumb drumming on the ladder and sending vibrations through it. I don't like this and my stomach sinks. I grip the top of the ladder tightly and brace myself for something awful. The hallway is deserted now, everyone is in class except for us.

"I was just wondering if I shook you hard enough would you start acting like a normal girl?" His grin is truly evil as he looks up at me and I gulp. He nods once to Andy and they started shaking the ladder fiercely. My knuckles turn white and I scrunch my eyes shut as my stomach lurches. My teeth chatter and I try to clamp my mouth shut so I don't bite my tongue, but I wind up biting my lip in the process. I yelp and lose my footing slightly, sliding down a peg and hitting my chin on the top of the ladder. Jason and Andy laugh loudly as I let out a cry. I can feel tears building in the back of my eyes and I try my best to hold them in, not wanting them to see me cry. I gasp as my anxiety builds.

"HEY! KNOCK IT OFF!" I hear someone yell and the shaking stops. I regain my footing and open my eyes to see Eddie walking down the hallway, fury painted across his features.

"Well if it isn't the King of the freaks," Jason laughs. They set down the ladder and I quietly sigh with relief. I start to take the steps down it slowly while they are distracted, not wanting to be up here anymore. "Come to save the princess."

"Leave her alone, Carver." Eddie warns. I get to the bottom of the ladder and move away from it and them, putting some space between us. Eddie's eyes search my face, some of his anger softening.