the trailer park / eddie munson

Chapter 37 - Thunderstorm

Your hands mechanically rinse the glass in your hands as your eyes stare at the sticky counter top in front of you. All the low chatter of the guests, the clinking of beer bottles and half emptied glasses and the soft rock music around you slowly turn into a quiet background noise as you're about to zone out. Four weeks went by since you visited Eddie in Greenwood, since his band won one of the biggest band battles and gave their career another kickstart. They're still working on their first record at the studio, but their success at the battle already brought them some radio interviews and even another bigger gig as well, which you sadly couldn't attend because of your work. Eddie calls you almost every day, still excitedly telling you about their progress, new songs they're working on and all the small and big steps they're taking up the ladder of the music business. You couldn't be more proud and do your absolut best to support him, no matter what. The day they had their first radio interview, you set your alarm after working the night before just to listen to them and record it as a memory, the biggest smile on your tired face and your heart pounding in your chest at the sound of Eddie's warm voice as he's answering the questions of the radio moderator. You don't even realize how the same proud smile grows on your lips again just from thinking back to that moment, how you sat in your messy bed after only some hours of sleep, wearing one of Eddie's shirts with the radio right next to you and listening to the lightly nervous voice of your boyfriend, how he's casually talking about his band and their beginnings. And then, they played the song Corroded Coffin won the band battle with. Storm. The song Eddie wrote for you, and they played it on the fucking radio. For the first time ever.

A pair of perfectly manicured fingers moves into your sight, snapping right in front of your eyes and pulling you out of your thoughts. You blink and turn your head to your right, where two warm eyes glance at you. Gabby laughs and lightly shakes her curly hair at your confused look. Apparently she just arrived at work to join you behind the bar, just to find you like that. "You've been rinsing that glass for five minutes already, babygirl, I think it's safe to say it's clean now", she says and laughs softly again, while taking the glass out of your hands and starting to dry it with a dish towel. "Huh?", you blink again and look down on your wet hands, needing a second to come back into reality. "Oh, sorry, I think I kinda zoned out for a second". "Yeah, and you've been grinning like an idiot", she laughs and leans against the counter while looking at you, "I'm pretty sure I know which long-haired metal head was on your mind". You just smirk and shrug your shoulders. "So, how're you doing, my love? Everything alright?", she asks, causing you to lightly roll your eyes and nod. Robin and her started calling or checking on you in person almost every day since you got back to Hawkins. Understandable due to the fact they were the ones who found the drugs in your bathroom a couple of weeks ago, the pills you took in pure desperate to numb the pain of being away from Eddie for the first time and to finally get some sleep. They're worried you'd relapse, now that you're back home, and he's still there to work. Yes, you truly miss him every single second, but you really managed to carry on with your life back at home, and never even thought about taking those pills again. Seeing the shock and worries in the eyes of your best friends when they found them, and the pain in Eddie's when you had to tell him about what you did - those moments really woke you up and you really don't want them to ever look at you like that again. "I'm fine, Gabbs. I really am". Her attentive eyes look directly into yours, she's scanning your gaze for any signs of lies or nervousness. But you're really telling the truth. And she sees it. "Good", she gives you warm smile and turns back around to start her work, "I'm glad to hear that". "Yeah, I mean sure, it's hard to be away from him, it sure is. But, I don't know, I guess I kinda found my peace with all of that now. Eddie's living his dream, and the best I can do to support him, is staying out of trouble and being the home he can always return to". Gabby nods her head, "You sure are his home. And I'm sure you'll guys find a way to work all of that out, Jules". You smile at her before looking through the halfway filled bar in front of you and checking the tables, but everyone seems happy with their drinks and no new guests showed up in the meantime. "Speaking of home", Gabby mumbles, "I have some big news". You raise a brow and look at her, smirking at the excited smile on her face and the glow in her eyes. "What? What is it?", you laugh softly. "Steve and I, we're moving in together!", she squeaks happily while clapping her hands, you gasp and throw your arms around her to give her a tight hug. "What? Oh my god, Gabby! That's amazing!". "I'm so happy", she chuckles into your shoulder, "Oh my goooood, that's so exciting". You let go of her, "How'd that happen?". "My flatmate, she spontaneously decided to study abroad and is moving out end of October. So, when I was talking to Steve about that, worrying how to pay this much rent all by myself, he asked me if I'd be down to have a new flatmate. But, I mean I'm 24 now, I said I'm not sure, not realizing what he really meant. Because I'm an idiot", she laughs softly and shakes her head at the memory. "Well, he took my hand and smirked at me, and then I got it. Apparently, he was talking about himself. Sooo, yeah, we decided to go for the next big step, I guess". "Awww, I'm so happy for you, guys", you sigh and give her another happy smile. Just when you planned on asking her everything about the plans they have for the apartment, some guests give you a sign and you excuse yourself to go over to their table and note their orders.