Teaching | Eddie Munson

The Book

Victoria was driving through Hawkins, basking in the warmth of the sun hitting the side of her face through the window. It was almost November, however the weather seemed to forget how it should work. It wasn't typical for this time of the year, however, with everything that happened to her in this town, this temperature deviation was just a minor abnormality, which she actually enjoyed.

The girl stopped her car in front of Family Video and sighed deeply before turning the engine off. The perspective of Robin tormenting her with questions about the situation with Eddie from the previous day wasn't appealing, however when Max asked her to return the tapes on her way to work, Victoria couldn't refuse as it would only cause suspicious looks from her sister. She knew that Vic would never miss an occasion to hang out with her friends even for a few minutes. So now she was standing in front of the Family Video's door with a few tapes in her hands, trying to look as unbothered as possible.

The surprise she felt when she entered and Robin was not there was quickly replaced by a relief. At least she wouldn't have to talk about the awkward encounter from yesterday. At least not now.

"Vivi!" An excited voice greeted her. She laughed at that sound. No one else called her that and honestly, she had no idea how or when Steve came up with this nickname, but she did not really mind it.

"Stevie!" The girl squealed with a small laugh escaping her mouth as she was crushed in a tight hug by the boy. Damn, when did this scrawny kid get so strong?

"Wasn't expecting you here today." Steve finally let go of the girl and went back behind the counter.

"I wasn't planning on coming, but I have a shift in the bookstore today. Wanted to drop some tapes on my way there." The girl waved the tapes she had in her hand, to which Steve just motioned to the end of the counter. Victoria nodded and placed them there.

"Robin's not here?" She asked, trying to make the question sound casual, however the shakiness in her voice was revealing her inner panic caused by a potential confrontation. It did not go unnoticed by the boy.

"She had some band thing and needed to leave sooner." He shrugged and when Victoria thought she was safe, he opened his mouth again. "So, she told me you're hanging with Munson now." Steve brought up, also sounding pretty casual about it, however the look he was giving the girl clearly indicated suspicion.

"No I am not." Victoria responded way too quickly and sounded way too defensive about it, which only raised the suspicion in Steve. "I helped him with English and that's all. We're not hanging out." She added, shaking her head.

"From what Robin said it looked like there was something more to it." Steve insisted, crossing his arms and looking at the girl as he was trying to read something from her facial expression, however the only thing he could decipher was irritation.

"There is not." Victoria recited each word firmly, looking straight into Steve's eyes, which seemed to convince him as he shook his head and smiled, visibly relieved.

"Good, I wouldn't want you to spend time with him." He laughed and took the tapes from the counter. His reply was met with a harsh look from Victoria who took a step closer to the counter, leaning on it with an angry grimace on her face.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Harrington?" She raised her brow at him. "You're not my father to tell me who I can or cannot hang out with."

"You said you're not hanging out with him." Steve reminded her, however her reaction made him regret it almost immediately.

"Because I'm fucking not!" Victoria lashed out and took a step back, trying to calm herself down by taking a deep breath. When she looked back at Steve, he was still standing in the same spot with a concerned look on his face. "Even if I was, you would have no right to tell me not to." Vic pointed out, trying to not sound so offensive anymore.