Teaching | Eddie Munson

The Storm

If a few months ago someone had told Victoria she would be fascinated by the sight of someone playing Dungeons & Dragons, she would have laughed until she cried. Yet here she was, leaning against the doorframe of Wheeler's dimly lit basement, the shadows flickering as a small streak of light illuminated the scene before her. She found herself entranced by Eddie—the guy she used to loathe—now captivating her with every animated gesture as he led the game.

Nobody seemed to notice her presence, which she was thankful for; it allowed her to linger unnoticed, to soak in the excitement radiating from the group. Not that she was particularly interested in the game itself—its intricate rules and fantasy lore still eluded her understanding—but she couldn't deny how much she enjoyed watching Eddie when he was in his element. He was electric, the embodiment of passion, whether he was strumming his guitar, passionately discussing his favorite comic book characters, or, as she discovered just now, guiding his friends through a whimsical world of daring quests. Each moment spent with him added to the ever-growing list of things she adored about this boy.

Eddie was the first to spot her. He shot a quick glance in her direction from across the table, his expression shifting from concentration to surprise. But true to his role as the charismatic Dungeon Master, he only offered her a fleeting smile before diving back into his narration, leaving Victoria momentarily dazed. It was probably for the best; this way, he wouldn't catch her staring at him with an intensity she didn't fully recognize in herself.

Her heart raced as she continued to watch him, stealing glances at the younger boys gathered around the table, their faces alight with excitement. It was a scene straight out of a coming-of-age movie, one that made her smile involuntarily. This was how their evenings should look—immersed in their beloved nerd games, sharing laughter and friendship, like regular teenagers. The only battles they should be fighting were the ones fought within the pages of a game, where imaginary dragons roamed and heroes rose.

"What the hell? You are not allowed here!" Mike's voice broke through her thoughts, his tone sharp and accusatory, jolting Victoria back to reality. She flinched at the intensity of his gaze, suddenly feeling like an intruder in their sacred space. "Did Nancy send you to spy on us?"

"No, I just..." Victoria's voice trailed off as the weight of all the boys' eyes fell on her, making her stomach twist uncomfortably. "Nancy had to leave, and there's no one else in the house." she explained, her voice wavering slightly. Their expressions clearly signaled they didn't care to entertain her presence, only wanting her gone. Except for Eddie, whose amusement at her flustered state was evident as he watched her with a raised brow.

"It won't be long." Eddie chimed in quietly, drawing all eyes back to him. Victoria nodded, forcing a smile that felt awkward yet hopeful.

"I'll wait for you upstairs." she said, the words tumbling out as she stepped back, leaving the boys to their game. As she exited, she caught a glimpse of relief washing over their faces, with Dustin, who looked between her and Eddie with an air of confusion, as if trying to make sense of the dynamics at play.

An hour later, the game came to a close, and the boys began to gather their things. Mike led them to the door, his tone cheerful as he chatted with the others. Dustin, however, lingered behind with Eddie, an inquisitive glint in his eyes as he turned to the older boy.

"Why is Vic waiting for you?" he asked, curiosity bubbling just beneath the surface.

Eddie raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. "We came here together." he replied nonchalantly.

"You came here together?" Dustin's brow furrowed in disbelief. Eddie nodded, unable to suppress a grin.

"And she didn't kill you?" Dustin exclaimed, laughter spilling from him at the thought.