ghosting

INTERMISSION ONE: PART FIVE

the freak

1983

Eddie Munson was 16 when he first met Xavier. The younger boy was hiding behind the school smoking a cigarette, hiding from Tommy H. He watched as the boy let the cigarette hang from his hand and as the smoke flew up. He remembers his heart beating fast, and thinking about speaking to him. It wasn't until later in the school year they had their first true interaction.

march 1983

Tommy Hagan was being more of an asshole than usual. He was swearing up and down that Eddie was up charging him for the weed (he was) and that he needs to lower it.

"Tommy Tommy Tommy," tutted Eddie. "I am not upcharging you, I swear this is what I charge."

Tommy scowled and went to open his mouth before another voice spoke.

"Hagan can you just pay what you have to pay and get the fuck out?"

Both boys jumped and turned to the voice. Tommy's scowled deepened.

"Henderson."

"The one and only Hagan," replied the boy. "Pay and leave, I want to get some to and you're holding up the line man."

Eddie knew that there was really no line. He had never dealt to Henderson. Hagan slammed the money onto the table and snatched the weed from Eddie and pushed past the younger boy. He giggled as he waved goodbye to him and turned to face Eddie.

"So Munson," he spoke. "How much is your weed really?"

november 1983

Eddie watched as Xavier and Byers' walked into the school, bent over each other and whispering. From afar, he noticed the small smile his boyfriend had as his friend told him something (not really sure of the exchange between both boys). Eddie's insecurities were eating him from the inside out. He rubbed his forehead and sighed softly. He could see from the corner of his eyes that Tommy was antagonizing Xavier again, he grumbled as he shoved things into his locker and yelped (although he would always deny it) as Gareth walked up to him and frowned.

"Maybe you should just tell him," the younger boy said.

"There's nothing to tell him." Eddie retalited.

Garaeth sighed and shook his head. "You're going to lose him if you don't-"

"Im not."

He turned back to see Xavier nodding at Jonathan and watched as Garaeth walked away. The older boy nudged his head towards the bathroom and smiled as his boyfriend agreed to see him in a few. He waited a couple minutes after Xavier entered to follow the boy and watched as his face lit up.

"Hey pretty boy," Eddie told him.

"Hey yourself handsome," replied Xavier.

Eddie walked towards Xavier and cupped him by his jaw and leaned down to kiss him. He felt as Xavier smiled into the kiss and as his hands snaked their way towards his neck and curls. Eddie moved his arm to hold Xavier by his waist, his other hand still holding the younger boys face. They pulled away after a while, their foreheads touching and their breath being shared.