Believe It Or Not (An Eddie Munson Story)

Harrington

Eddie's POV:

"I've got an appointment after school today, so I'll have to go straight there after the final bell," Ripley says sadly, her blue gaze looking up to meet mine. The warning bell for the final period has already rang and I resist the urge to pull her closer to my chest, unable to ever really get enough of her. "I shouldn't be long though so you can spend the night tonight if you want."

"You know I always want that," I tell her with a sigh. I pull away a little, holding her at arms length. "I guess I've been meaning to catch up with Dustin."

"There you go," she whispers, moving back forward to give me a quick peck on the cheek before turning to go to class. I watch her go, not caring that the more I wait, the later I'll be to my own class. Once she passes beyond the classroom door, I take my time to my final period. The teacher gives me a dirty look as I take my seat several minutes after the lecture has started, but she doesn't do much else. I sit in my seat and stare out the window, thinking of what Dustin and I should get up to while Ripley is busy and before I know it the bell rings, signifying the end of the day.

I walk out to the lot, in search of Dustin's ball cap covered dome and spot him across the campus, talking animatedly to Mike and Will. I jam my hands in my jacket pockets as I approach them. Mike spots me first, his eyebrows raising and he inclines his head in my direction, making the other two boys turn.

"Hey Eddie," Will calls, smiling up at me. "Where's Ripley?"

They look around me as though I'm hiding her away somewhere and a part of me wants to laugh. Granted, she's small enough to be tucked behind me, but why would I do that?

"What? Am I not good enough anymore?" I ask, schooling my voice into an annoyed tone. Will blanches and looks over at Mike and Dustin for assistance and I watch as they all scramble, trying to find the right words. I cross my arms over my chest, waiting.

"It's not that we don't like you just as much," Dustin amends. "We are just so used to seeing the two of you together."

"Yea," Mike assists. "It's just weird to see you without the other. It's like a wizard without a staff or an archer without a bow. Like a piece is missing."

Their words are making me feel extremely sad and almost hallow, which I tell myself is ridiculous. Ripley is only going to an appointment and I will see her tonight! There is no reason to miss her this much! These idiots just made my miniscule feelings boil over and now I'm wallowing. I glare at them and they blink rapidly back, completely clueless.

"Come on, Henderson," I sigh, choosing to not even elaborate. "You're keeping me company while Ripley is busy."

Dustin nods before patting the other two boys on the back. They wave apprehensively at us as we walk to the van. Once we are settled in and driving out of the school lot, I turn to Dustin with a cigarette in my mouth and a smile on my lips.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask and he grins.

"They've got this new store in the mall that's supposed to have D&D miniatures we could take a look at for Hellfire." He suggests and I nod, enthused by the idea.

"I knew there was a reason you are my favorite," I beam at him and he chuckles. Metallica blares through the speakers of the van and I watch from the corner of my eye as Dustin nods along, making me feel very much like a proud big brother.

The mall is surprisingly packed for a Monday night and it's difficult to find a spot. It takes a few laps around the lot before ultimately I settle on a shitty space in the back and Dustin and I hop out, trudging towards the entrance.

We decide to stop at the arcade first, really in no rush to go home. Ripley didn't give me a time frame for when she would be done and Dustin's curfew isn't until ten on a school night anyway. I don't plan on keeping him out until then, but it is nice to spend time with him since it has been a while.