Eddie & Chrissy: What Could Have Been

Chapter Two: Trouble Lurks

The sun was just peeking over the tree line in the distance and shining onto Chrissy's face. The neighbor's dog began to bark and Chrissy winced. She rubbed her eyes and then sprung to her feet.

"Oh my gosh, we fell asleep! Jason is probably worried sick! I was supposed to meet him at the party!" Chrissy hurried to grab her things as Eddie sat up and stretched out his arms. "What time is it?" Chrissy worriedly asked him.

Eddie looked at his watch with one eye open, "It's 5:32," he answered and then dramatically threw his body backwards.

"I have to go. Thank you for everything!" Chrissy exclaimed.

"Wait, let me at least give you a ride," Eddie called out, half asleep, but Chrissy was already halfway down the dirt walkway.

"It's okay! I'll see you on Monday!" she shouted.

Eddie sighed, "Sure you will," he said under his breath.

After hastily jogging home, Chrissy quietly creaked her front door open, hoping not to awake her family. The coast was clear. She tiptoed up the stairs and snuck into her bedroom. It was now 6:12 AM, but she knew Jason wasn't awake yet. He was probably up all night partying after the basketball team's big championship win. She set an alarm for 9:00 AM to call him, crawled into bed, and closed her eyes. She tossed and turned and was unable to fall back asleep. This time it wasn't from the depression or from the terrifying visions that she had been having as of late. It was because she had butterflies, butterflies over Eddie Munson. She really enjoyed the short time that she spent with him. His kindness was such a pleasant surprise, a saving grace if you will. She caught herself smiling and then it was immediately cut short. "Jason," she whispered to herself. She couldn't help but feel guilty for what she was feeling towards Eddie. Jason was a great guy and she cared about him a lot, but she couldn't deny that with Eddie, she felt something different..

This all sounded insane to her when she thought about it. If someone were to tell her two days ago that she would be having these feelings, she would have laughed in their face. Chrissy and Eddie were utter opposites, and yet somehow completed each other. Maybe she had a little crush and that's all, she tried to convince herself that's what it was. Eddie was just giving her attention when she was vulnerable and most importantly, high. Yup, that's it. She told herself that she would get over it, rolled over and finally fell asleep.

On the other side of town, Eddie was moping around the trailer. He too had trouble falling back to sleep over last night's excitement. He was thrilled to receive so much attention from the most popular girl in school, but he didn't feel very hopeful. Eddie knew that if he were to see Chrissy in school on Monday, she wouldn't pay him any mind. That's just the facts, he thought. He fixed himself a cup of coffee, popped an Eggo in the toaster, and flopped onto his bed. He looked over at his BC Rich Warlock guitar hanging on his wall and said, "You would never let me down, would you, beautiful?" Ding! His Eggo was ready, but he wasn't.

Monday rolled around and it was lunch period. Eddie, Mike, Dustin, and the rest of the Hellfire Club sat at their usual table in the cafeteria and relished in the glory of Friday's epic D&D win against Eddie's campaign. Eddie looked around the table at his friends as they reminisced excitedly about their win and, in that moment, he felt thankful for his fellow band of losers. They were really all that he needed. He cut lunch short and headed to his favorite spot in the woods to smoke. To his surprise, Chrissy was sitting at that same picnic table where they met the day prior.

"I was hoping that you would be here," she said shyly and popped up from the bench.

Eddie, trying to play it cool, "Well what are you doing here Princess? Need a fix?"

"No," she shook her head and laughed, "I just wanted to talk to you."

"To me? I'm honored!" Eddie said sarcastically and took a bow. He sat down at the table and drummed on it, "What's up?"

Chrissy looked down and shrugged her shoulders, "I just, I wanted to thank you again and to tell you that I had a nice time Friday night."

Eddie was stunned, but he didn't want to let Chrissy see that, "Well so did I," he smirked at her.

"I'm serious, talking with you is so easy. You don't judge me for what I'm going through and how I feel, or think that I'm a goodie-two-shoes like everyone else does," she said as she looked down at the table distraught.

Eddie quickly noticed this and assured her, "Well no, why would I? I know more than anyone not to judge a book by its cover." She was like a wounded little bird that he wanted to scoop up and rescue.

"What are you doing after school?" she blurted out.

This time, Eddie couldn't hide the shock on his face, "Uhhh, nothing that I know of. Why?" Eddie scratched the back of his head.

"Let's do something!" Chrissy exclaimed and surprised even herself.

Eddie stood up and shook his head, "I don't think that your basketball star boyfriend would like that very much," and planted his hands firmly on his hips.

"He won't mind, we're just friends," she assured him. Saying that aloud felt like a lie, she thought. She hopped up and slung her backpack over her shoulder, "I'll meet you by your van when school's out!" She walked towards the school's main building. Chrissy couldn't stop smiling as she walked out the woods and back into the sunlight. What was she thinking? This was all so exciting!

Eddie, confused, yelled out to her, "Ah, okay," and sat back down on the bench with his head in his hands. "What on Middle Earth is going on!?" he exclaimed and jumped up from the bench.