The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 59: Robin of Arc

A/N: I know, I know. I didn't update in forever.

Trigger warning: Bad mental health, toxic relationship and forced PDA.

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Several Days Later.

There were two facts that needed to be immediately noted about Robin's morning shift at Family Video. One, she was bored out of her mind. Two, things were about to get a lot more interesting.

Despite it being a Saturday, the store had been dead. People had better places to go, people to see. No one wanted to rent a movie and imagine a different world to their own, when there was one full of life just outside their front door. The young woman wished that, she too had the luxury of doing anything, other that rewinding VHS tapes and restocking the shelves but alas, to be a good friend, sometimes you had to cover the odd shift here and there, when there was a potential mental health crisis occurring in California.

Over the duration of her shift, Robin's mind drifted to thoughts of you more than once. She wondered with morbid curiosity what had possessed you to call Steve so late into the evening. All the video store employee knew was that, there was something downright troubling about your tearful request for your friend to join you in California.

When you had abandoned dreary Hawkins for a sunnier climate, Robin had sincerely wished you nothing but the best and hoped you would be able to flourish, without the memory of the Upside down to plague you on the daily. And despite her usual pessimism, maybe this time her fears were misplaced. Perhaps the reasoning for your call was something minor, like homesickness. However, Robin could not pretend to be so ignorant. The time to miss what had once been had long since passed. Whatever had happened in California...had to be bad enough for you to ignore Eddie's calls.

You may have broken his heart once but to do it for a second time, after only just reconciling? That was not your modus operandi. There mere idea of hurting Eddie so coldly and cruelly was completely out of character for you. No matter how much it hurt to see him moved on to someone knew, Robin was convinced that, you would at least try to remain civil with the brunet and forge a somewhat stable friendship, even if you two could not be together anymore.

The sound of the front door chiming upon opening, pulled the young woman away from her worried thoughts and just like that, in walked her afternoon's entertainment.

Chrissy Cunningham.

Oh, and Jason Carver but the video store employee only had eyes for the doe-eyed blonde, who had changed out of her usual cheer outfit and opted for a pastel number, which Nancy would have surely called the height of fashion. To Robin, Chrissy just looked uncomfortable. Like the garment was not one she would have picked for herself. It was too fussy and riddled with lace that looked like it itched. Robin knew the dress well. She had one in a similar style, sitting abandoned in her own wardrobe. It only ever saw the light of day when her Mother demanded it be worn. It was not clothing, Robin had concluded after several uses, it was an ornamental prison.

Eddie had mentioned only so much to Robin about their fellow classmate but it was enough to deduce that, despite their social statuses, the two women were not dissimilar. Both had tenuous relationships with their Mothers and both had survived their fair share of monsters. Although Robin was certain that her's did not walk around wearing a basketball jacket.

The video store employee kept watch from her spot behind the checkout desk, behind a strategically placed towers of VHS cases. Through the eyes of an unsuspecting onlooker, the farewell between the two blondes, could have easily have been perceived as a parting of high-school sweethearts. When Jason placed a tender kiss to Chrissy's blushed cheek and murmured, "I'll meet you back here in half an hour, babe", anyone would have thought that the pair were so utterly in love but Robin knew better. She took note of what others would likely have missed. She observed with narrowing eyes, as Chrissy flinched at the romantic contact and the way Jason's hand tightened on her waist, as he kept the cheerleader in place.

At the sight of the pretense, Robin was instantly transported back to the night of the bonfire at Lover's Lake. She had made a promise to Eddie to do what she could to help the blonde and upon seeing her with Jason now, Robin knew she needed to do everything in her power to keep that vow. No one deserved to be stuck in a manipulative relationship, especially someone as sweet-natured as Chrissy Cunningham, who was the literal personification of Bambi.

Upon hearing the door chime once more, Robin dared to emerge from behind the VHS stack, already formulating a plan in her mind. Her Mother had often berated her for involving herself in matters that did not concern her but Robin had ignored her chiding so far, so why was she going to start listening now? There was a damsel in distress and she wasn't going to wait for a Knight on a white horse to save the cheerleader. Metaphorically speaking, Robin was going to pick up the sword herself and slay the dragon. Although, the thought of slicing Jason in half was a comforting one.

Chrissy had been oblivious to the other woman's stare. It was not until she finally sighed and turned her attention away from the empty doorway, that she realised her forced goodbye had not been a private matter. Instantly, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Public displays of affection were something the blonde often wished to avoid. However, her current boyfriend had to uphold his reputation of being a doting boyfriend, so irregardless of how she felt, Chrissy had to partake in the lie. "Oh, hi." an awkward wave accompanied a bashful greeting.

Perhaps it was the hint of blush, the sheepish gesture or even the hint of a smile that played on her lips but there was an innocence to Chrissy, that reminded the video store employee of you. Whatever it was, it made Robin's heart ache at the thought of you suffering alone in California. She just hoped that Steve and Nancy had now arrived and were able to help you in any way they could. Seeing you mirrored with the blonde, only made Robin more determined to ensure that, no one else in the town of Hawkins ever felt lost, alone or scared ever again and that meant starting with her fellow classmate. "Hi." she smiled as warmly as she could muster, knowing that things were about to get way more interesting at Family Video.