Stepping Stones to Hell

chapter 6

Robin couldn't describe exactly how she felt but it was almost as if she felt lighter. She had been so scared but now that she had said it and now that she knew everyone else was going to know she felt so free. She was no longer keeping secrets about herself.

She had woken up the next morning in a great mood. She didn't even contemplate sleeping in. Instead she got up, showered then started her laundry. She cooked up some ramen she had in her pantry and brewed some coffee. So far she had been fairly productive.

Today was her last day of break, which was bittersweet because it was so short but she couldn't deny she was excited. She really did love touring.

Robin grabbed the pile of mail she had scooped up from the floor when she had arrived home and threw on the dining room table. It was better to go through it now because she would have another pile when she returned.

Most of it was junk so it went straight into the trash. Grocery coupons, car lot sales, more grocery coupons. There was also the movie theater listing that she had subscribed to. She shuffled the stack, looking for the recent one. Maybe she could see a movie.

Toward the bottom of the flyers was the current week. She scanned the list of movies. Jurassic Park was on there and Robin couldn't help being excited, "Yes!" She shouted, wiggling the paper. She had wanted to see the movie so badly when it was released but they had been touring. It seemed as if they had brought it back to show again which was great news.

It was currently noon and the next showing was at five. She wondered if Eddie and Steve would want to go but knew they preferred staying home when they were able to. She could ask Gareth but she knew he would be spending time with Beth. She wondered if Nancy was free or if she'd even want to go. Would it be weird to ask her? They were friends, right? Technically?

She pulled the phone off the receiver then punched in Steve's number. "Hello?" his voice came from the other end.

"Mmm, not you. Let me talk to Eddie."

"Wait, what? What's that supposed to mean?"

Robin leaned against her counter, pinning the phone between her shoulder and ear. "Nothing. It's just that I have a question. If I ask you, you'll tell me no and to just come over for dinner. We need space."

She could hear Steve scoff, "Who is it?" She heard Eddie in the background.

"Give him the phone, Steve."

"No. I'm your best friend. Ask me."

Robin used her free hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Fine. Would it be weird to ask Nancy to go see Jurassic Park with me? Are we considered friends?"

"Well, I mean I guess but..." he trailed off. Robin had already predicted his next words. "Wouldn't you rather come here? I'm cooking lasagna and we are gonna play Battleship later."

"See, I knew this is what you were going to say. Lemme talk to the other one."

"Are you sick of us?" He asked, pretending to be offended.

"What? No, I just- I really want to see the movie. You know that. I told you that. Let me talk to Eddie."

"Hmmm, I don't think so."

"Steve," she warned.

"Hmmm."

"Fine, I'm gonna say it. Eddie hates lasagna."

She knew she accomplished what she intended because she could hear both of them now. "You hate my lasagna?"

Eddie was quick to respond, "What? Me? N-no, I love lasagna. Robin!"

"He doesn't hate your lasagna. He hates all lasagna. He's just too nice to say it."

"Well, fine. I guess I'll cook something else," Steve grumbled but she heard the phone get handed off.

"What was that for?" Eddie chided.

Robin sighed, "He wouldn't let me talk to you. Now. Are Nancy and I friends?"

"I mean, you're both adults and get along... It's not like you have to see someone everyday to be considered friends."

"Do friends ask friends to the movies?"

Eddie laughed, "I think you're overthinking it. I mean, hey. I get it. Wheeler's cute. You're nervous. But for what? You're allowed to have friends? It's not weird to ask friends to hang out. The worst that could happen is she says no because she's busy."

"You don't think she'll think it's weird?"

"It's hard having friends in the industry. Nancy works in media. She gets it. The only way it would be weird is if you make it weird."

"That's my specialty. Not to mention she dated my best friend."

"Okay, and? If Steve and I were to break up you'd still be my friend right? You're allowed to be friends with Steve's exes. They are your friends too. Just ask her."

Robin took a breath. This is exactly why she wanted to talk to Eddie. Steve was her very best friend but Eddie understood exactly how her brain worked and tortured her because he was very similar. "You're right, thanks, Eddie."

"No problem. Now, I have to get off here and go convince Steve I actually love lasagna. Stop calling my house to cause problems."

"I heard that!" she heard Steve yell in the background before the line went dead.

Robin pulled the piece of paper Nancy had given her with her phone number from the kitchen drawer. She starred it for a moment. It is not weird to have friends.

Before Robin could convince herself not to, she dialed the number.

It rang a few moments before she heard on the other line, "Hello?"

"Nancy? Hey, it's Robin!"

"Oh, Robin. Hey! I wasn't expecting you to call so soon. Is everything okay?"

"What? Oh, yeah. It's fine." Robin leaned against the counter, trying to play it cool even though she was completely alone in her home. "I just, well, they brought Jurassic Park back to the theaters. I missed it when it came out because of tour and I was really wanting to go. Eddie and Steve are busy and I am just wondering if you'd be interested in going?"

"Oh! Sure! Uhm, what time?"

"It's at the theater close to Petey's at five."

"That's perfect. It gives me time to wrap up some writing and shower. Would you mind picking me up? I let Mike use my car for the weekend because his is in the shop."

Robin grabbed a notepad from the drawer, "Yeah, of course! Tell me how to get there."

She scribbled down the directions as Nancy explained how to find her house. "Alright then, I'll see you at four thirty?"

"Yeah! I'll be there then. Bye, Nance!"

"Bye, Robs," Nancy laughed and shortened her name the way Robin had done for her.

Robin hung up the phone then fist pumped the air. She was so excited to see the movie but also equally excited to see Nancy again. It was odd. She had thought about Nancy since she had left Hawkins but never reached out or asked about her. She should have known Steve was staying in contact. All this time she could have had another friend. A female friend at that, which she desperately craved. There were some things the guys just didn't understand.

She finished off her mug of coffee then groaned. Now she had to find something to wear.