A Second Chance (Steddie)

Chapter 23

I run out into the parking lot and I see the three of them standing by my car.

"EDDIE!!!"

I watch them all jump at the sound of my voice from across the parking lot.

As I get closer to them, I lock eyes with Eddie and he slowly starts to back up, laughing nervously.

"Munson I swear to god if you even think about running -"

Eddie starts to run to the other side of the car and I break off into a sprint.

Now I'm chasing him around my car in circles.

"St-Steve I told you before!" Eddie wheezes.

He was laughing so much he had to stop running so he wouldn't fall over - which was the perfect opportunity to grab him.

I get my arms around Eddie and squeeze him as I move him side to side like a rag doll. As I'm doing so - I even made him come off the ground a little.

This in turn, made Eddie laugh more - well not laugh , he was trying too - but he sounds like a tea kettle.

I can't help the smile that crosses my features, but it quickly fades.

"Eddie why didn't you use the money!!" I say to him - as I continue to shake him back and forth.

Eddie continues to wheeze as he tries to break free from my hold around him - but I'm stronger - physically speaking - if it wasn't obvious enough.

"I-I already t-told y-ou! I was p-paying for lunch,"

"AND I DID!" Eddie cackles.

"STILL! You should have kept it in the -"

"Steve it's your money! It's rightfully yours because I didn't use it!"

"Eddie that doesn't matter! You should have -"

"Are you girls done bickering? Will and I want to go to my house - but we wanna go to family Video and rent a movie" Mike chimes from the sideline with Will standing next to him, trying to hide his smile.

I stare at the pair long enough for Eddie to break free from my grasp, which took me by surprise and causes me to fumble with my feet - but I luckily don't fall.

As this happens, I can here Eddie laughing again.

I'm about to yell at Eddie again - but I come to a dead stop.

Eddie's smile is reaching from ear to ear as he sticks his tongue out at me and does his well known devil horns - that Dustin would always say how cool he looked -

But I see it differently.

As Eddie did this, the sun was starting to set -

And with the sunset behind him...

Eddie was glowing...

He looks....

"Beautiful..."

"What did you say, Steve?" Mike asks.

I can feel my face burn up, and as Eddie opens his eyes and he locks his gaze on me - tilting his head like he does whether he's confused - I can feel my heart skip.

"Oh um I said - that's a be-perfect idea! Let's go to family video and bother Robin" I say quickly, walking to the car and unlocking the doors.

I turn back towards them and they all look confused before they get into the car.