It's Always Been You [Eddie Munson]

XVI

Graduation.

It was finally here.

The class of 1986 were neatly dressed in their graduation gowns along with their little mortarboard, everyone was seated patiently while principal Higgins dragged out his already long speech, I wasn't paying much attention to him, the sight of Eddie seated a few rows infront of me brought a smile on my face, something that he could make me do so effortlessly it hurt, the past week consisted of us just hanging out at my house or him leaving me to go play D&D with Mike and Dustin, which made me seemingly happy to know how Mike had accepted the fact that we were dating and hadn't made it awkward, it brought joy to my heart knowing that they were actually getting closer each time they played, even though the meanings of Eddie and I dating meant that Mike and Dustin would complain if he was 'too hard' on them or wasn't playing by the 'rules' which had me being the one that had to 'talk' to Eddie and tell him he shouldn't be that hard on the boys, a few hours of him explaining he wasn't being hard on them and that he was helping them to be the future of hellfire.

The last couple of days the boys have made it their dying wish to have me at one of their stupid games which I declined every time, it somehow upset them and they went into heavy detail how boring I was and how I didn't have a life, even though while they were playing I took the time to settle the arrangements at California and just make sure things are still good, the lady on the phone seemed so nice and kind it made me wonder if everyone was going to be so nice, the thought of having to make new friends dulled my excitement but I knew if I tried I could get someone to spend my free time with, I would probably be okay if I had to be alone, Eddie and I talked about where our relationship was going but both decided to just end things before I left to avoid any complications,  he had fortunately got a job with his uncle Wayne at the plant, I could tell how excited he was to finally have a job of his own by how he constantly talked about it, how he wanted to move into a small house and get himself a dog as his only friend because I was 'abandoning' him, majority of the time he found a way to make me feel bad about leaving but he said he was okay and understood that I had to do it for myself and he didn't want to get in the way of my future.

A couple of times I doubted my choices but would soon remember it's just for a year and then I'd be back in Hawkins for a while to just see where things take me. "Let the class of 86 rise and get their diploma." One of the teachers voice brought me back to reality as the students around me stood up and made their way to the stage, still in perfect order from A-Z we crossed the stage, I was pretty sure when they called Eddie I was the only one yelling and clapping along with Mike, Dustin and his uncle who were sat in the crowd but I couldn't care less, I was genuinely proud of him he deserved to graduate and have the best luck forward on."Isabella Wheeler." Our science teacher announced my name and i nervously glanced to the crowd before holding up my gown as I walked up the stairs, the fear of falling and tripping made me clench on the gown as my hands started to sweat and I looked at every step as I made my way up, relief swept over me as I finally reached the top, taking Principal Higgins hand in a firm shake with my other hand on the diploma as we smiled for a photo, he gave me a curt nod as I gave him a thankful look making my way off the stage, a grin forming on my face as I realized I finally did it, I was done with high school.