Darker Things (Eddie Munson)

The Dance

Wayne walked past the bathroom on his way back from collecting plates and glasses from Eddies noisy room. The door was open.

Eddie was fixing his hair in the mirror with the teensiest spray of hairspray that he could get away with. Wayne smirked as he walked by, he'd never seen Eddie that concerned about how he looked before.

Wayne walked into the kitchen and placed the dirty items on the side, then returned back to the bathroom doorway. He stood watching Eddie for a moment, who started fiddling with the collar of his black shirt to make it stand up, then started to tie his tie.

"What?"  Said Eddie, not taking his eyes off his reflection, in a tone that sensed he was about to take some stick.
Wayne wasn't used to the novelty of seeing Eddie in a shirt, although he had insisted on keeping his black jeans, even though they weren't his usual ripped ones.

"You look good, son" was all Wayne said, earning him a softer look from his nephew
"But you can't do a tie for shit! Come here!"

Eddie rolled his eyes as Wayne took over, taking the opportunity to light a cigarette.
"Fucks sake, do you have to?" Wayne mocked a choke as Eddie blew smoke out into the bathroom.
"Yeah I do!" Eddie said with a grin "I'm nervous"

"You've never been nervous about anything in your life, boy" Wayne said dismissively as Eddie laughed.

Wayne knew that Eddie normally avoided events like this completely. He surmised that someone had caught Eddies eye, but he daredn't ask about it.

The thing was, he was nervous. There was a reason that he was going to this stupid dance, and she made him even more nervous, but she hadn't spoken to him in weeks.

"Be good, and if you can't be good, bag it!" Wayne said as Eddie walked out of the door, trail of smoke behind him. Eddie didn't look over his shoulder as he raised his middle finger to Wayne and hopped in his van.

Wayne laughed and shook his head as he closed the door behind Eddie. For the 18 years Eddie had been in his life he had watched him grow into a true individual and for the 12 he had lived with him they'd truly grown into family, however unconventionally. He just hoped he finally graduated high school this year. 

"Why couldn't we have done band practice tonight instead?" Said Jeff, moving around his starchy bow tie in discomfort so it would sit better against his collar.
"My thoughts exactly" said Eddie, who was jiffling less but was still completely out of his comfort zone. Although he would rather die than admit it.
"But.......I believe we are here to help Gareth the great slake his lust for Tanya"
Gareth shot Eddie a look halfway between excitement and nausea.
"I just hope she shows" said Gareth, exhaling heavily and wiping his already damp forehead.

'Yeah I do too' Eddie thought to himself, but he wasn't thinking about Tanya.

They staked out a corner of the hall where they could just hang whilst people arrived through the doors, checking out who was there. Everyone else sat in the chairs, Eddie sat on the table.
"Munson! .....didn't think this would be your scene?" Lucas observed wryly as he walked by

"It's not Sinclair, but sometimes we have to suffer for friends" he said theatrically holding out his hands out with a shrug.

He'd only been there 15 minutes and he was already wanting a cigarette. Eddie hopped off the table
"Just going for a smoke"

As he walked out he passed Tanya going in, wearing a dress of pure pink horrific confection. She was clearly looking for Gareth.
"Your knight is this way, milady" he gestured in the direction of their table. Tanya looked up at Eddie like he might eat her whole. He terrified her and he knew it.
"Oh, ok, thank you" she squeaked, much to Eddies amusement she turned the same colour as her dress.

Outside Eddie perched his behind against the railings near the hall doors. Far enough away so he didn't have to talk to anyone but close enough to observe who was arriving, one of his long legs was planted on the floor as he lit a cigarette and took in his surroundings.

"I didn't think you owned any other clothes other than your Hellfire shirt" said Nancy as she walked by. Eddie gave her a sarcastic smile and an eye roll
"Nice to see you too, Eddie!" She smirked.

At the end of his cigarette there was no sign of her. Fighting a feeling of something Eddie didn't realise was low-key disappointment he took a deep breath and went back into the hall to see what other disappointments awaited him.

The lights had been turned down low and the music turned up, there were a few girls dancing together but no couples as yet. Everyone needed a warm up, and there was nothing more horrifying than waiting to see who would ask you to dance. Eddie felt sure he was safe of not being asked by anyone.

He sat back down on the table
"Eddie, look at Gareth"

Jeff had a weird grin on his face.
Tanya and her friend were queuing to get a drink, Gareth was standing with them too, but they were ignoring him. It was so awkward you could feel it across from where they were sat.

"One does not simply ignore Gareth the great!" Eddie said in a booming English accent, which made them all titter.

"Jeff, come with me" Eddie instructed.
Jeff knew better than to argue.

Gareth saw them approaching, first with intrigue in his face, then fear. He knew Eddie far too well.

Tanya and her friend stopped talking as Eddie and Jeff approached them.
"Excuse me ladies" Eddie said, bowing gallantly,

"My good friend Jefferson here is too scared to ask if he may have the next dance with this lovely lady" he gestured towards Tanya's friend
"Erm, oh, erm, yes, ok"'she stuttered.
Jeff was so stunned that she said yes that he didn't know whether to punch Eddie, or kiss him!

Eddie who knew that his work there was done, gave Gareth a look that said 'there you go' as he walked away and left Tanya to talk to him, and Jeff to talk to her friend.

As he was congratulating himself on his genius, walking backwards towards his table to observe his triumph for longer he walked into someone as he turned around. It was her.

"Fucks sake Eddie! Watch where you're walking!"
"Oh hi Pen!" He said innocently to her. He turned around to face her whilst still walking backwards to the table.
"You remember my name, then?" He said sarcastically. Pen narrowed her eyes at his cheek as he turned his back on her.