The Sound

Part 14 - Eddie

Jules and I had settled into a icy tension over the next couple of shifts – my feelings were still hurt from the day she agreed to go out with Steve.

It had been so fun being nice to her – I had even managed to flirt with her a couple of times, my flip-flopping stomach almost getting in the way. I was looking forward to the drive after our shift – I thought that I could even grab a new cassette she might like.

When I had walked back to Alan's office, he was pacing, frantic about something. I laughed at the state of him, and he grinned.

"So, you and Jules? I heard you invited her to your concert last night."

I smiled, scratching the back of my neck bashfully.

"Yeah. We even hung out after."

"Yeah? So, what's next? What's the plan?" I felt like I was back with my uncle, another one telling me to strike while the iron was hot.

"I'm not sure, I don't want to push it with her—"

"I think you should push it," Alan interrupted. I looked at him, confused. He shrugged. "You're making good headway – I think you should absolutely push it."

I watched him, confused, but feeling braver by the second. Alan hadn't steered me wrong yet. I nodded, deciding that I was going to see if she wanted to hang out after our shift. Maybe by the time my party came around, she might go with me.

My stomach dropped when I saw Steve with her, asking her the exact question I had wanted to ask her. I was so upset – angry that he had taken away my drive with her, my plans with her. Angry with myself for just now deciding to be nice to Jules and take a chance. Angry with Jules for agreeing to go out with Steve, even though it seemed like she didn't want to.

So, I did what I did best – I went back to being Mean Eddie.

I was even being mean to Alan – he had been the one to encourage me and made me feel like I could be brave. It was unfair, but I felt small and stupid.

Steve had called me earlier in the day – he wanted more details on the party I was hosting tonight. He told me that he and Robin were going to pick up some booze, and to let me know if I wanted anything special. I told him I was fine with anything – I wasn't looking forward to the party anymore, no longer having a reason to have made it up. Steve had made sure to invite anyone and everyone.

Jules tried to slink by me, not wanting to incur my attention that had been negative as of late. I winced, feeling guilty. I wanted her to want to be around me again, to want to talk to me. Mean Eddie was in full control, though.

"Are you coming to the party tonight?" I blurted out. I surprised myself – maybe Mean Eddie didn't have total control. She looked up at me, shocked.

"I mean, sure, if you'll have me," she replied nervously, turning beat red. I nodded, snapping my head back to the inventory list in front of me.

"If you want to. It should be fun," I was trying to control my pounding heart. Maybe tonight would be iron striking time. She hadn't talked about her date with Steve – maybe it didn't go well?

"Okay, sure," she answered. I glanced over at her – she was smiling brightly, something I hadn't seen in days. It made my stomach flip.

The tension was less strenuous for the rest of our shift, but my anxiety was growing. I now had a reason for my party, a reason I wanted to go.

~~~

I paced around my trailer, suddenly critical of every corner of it. Uncle Wayne came out of his room, waking up for his shift. He smiled at me.