Cool for the summer.

Lost boy

"Eddie "the freak" Munson! I can't believe a loser like you is still in high school! Oh wait, yes I can." Tommy spits toward me as I walk into my second year as a senior.

"I had to. I'd miss all the tormenting. Adults seem to find it childish. I wonder why?" I say sarcastically, faining confusion as I push past him.

"They probably didn't want you in the real world, that's why they kept you down, freak." He says laughing. I roll my eyes and keep walking.

I walk by the ex-king of the school, my camp best friend, turned somewhat enemy. I feel his eyes follow me and hear a sad sigh. I rush past, knowing if I hesitate near him, I'll fold and actually talk to him.

'I know I shouldn't feel bad that he lost his friends and popularity but I get it. And, I unfortunately still have a soft spot for that jerk-off.'

I keep thinking of little camp Stevie, losing all his friends. But that's not who this is. This is practically an adult, ex-classest bully Steve. I do miss him though, sometimes.

'They brainwashed him and once he finally breaks free he's the one that's punished. How is that fair?' I think before shaking my head and walking into my homeroom.

I pull out my notebook, before mindlessly writing lyric ideas and random scribbles, just waiting for school to properly start.

~

"Hey, E-Eddie?" I look up at Steve standing before my lunch table, wringing his hands together. I look back down at my food. "Harrington! Just because you're a loser now, like the rest of us, doesn't mean you can sit with us." I say upset.

"I, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. For everything. Even the way my mum treated you on the day we got back from camp." He says sadly, my eyes snap up at the mention of camp.

"First of all, that doesn't fix the years of torment I've received from those so-called friends of yours. Secondly, it's fine. The camp was its own bubble. No one seriously thought we were going to be friends. So, ok. Apology accepted. Clean slate. Now leave, we don't like strangers at our table." I say huffing.

"But I just-" "I'm sorry, but people like me don't hang out with people like you." I snarl as he glares at me and turns around stomping away.

"Dude, that was harsh." Gareth says. "Yeah, dude. I thought you said you felt sorry for him." Jeff replies. "Almost, I said I almost felt sorry for him." I say standing up and walking out of the cafeteria, dumping my food on the way.

"What the fuck is wrong with me?" I yell walking through my front door. "I know, it's that I'm so fucking scared of getting hurt again, I'm running. I'm running in the opposite direction of where I want to be." I rant.

I'm not worried if anyone heard me. Wayne is at work and this is a trailer park they're always at least one person yelling, we all just tune it out.

~

"Guys, have you heard yet? Harrington's girl left him." Gareth says walking up to the table. "Damn, that dude can't catch a break. He decides to try and be better and he loses his friends and now his girlfriend." I say in disbelief.

"Almost sound like you care, Eddie!" Gareth says as he sits down. "Yeah, yeah whatever." I reply.

~

I see Steve a few times more before he graduates. He'd watch me before ducking his head anytime he saw me look his way.

~

Here I am, back again at this God-awful school. Trying to graduate, again. "Third time's the charm, right?" I whisper to myself chuckling.

This year, most of the people who hate me are gone, no Steve, no Tommy. I still have some friends by my side and I've heard about some new kids who might be willing to join D&D.

"This is gonna be my year, '86 baby." I say quietly. "Hey, freak! You know talking to yourself is the first sign that you're losing it." Jason says as he pushes past me. I roll my eyes. 'Same shit, different year.'

~

The year was pretty uneventful. I played D&D, this year with new players. I reconnected with and sold drugs to a cheerleader whom I went to middle school with. Actually studied with her help. Past my classes and have finally graduated.

"Hey, to celebrate, let's go get some ice cream." Chrissy says to me before turning to the members of the curse of Vecna who also just graduated with us. "You guys too." We all smile and nod before climbing into my van.

She directs me to the new mall and we all walk into scoops ahoy laughing. "Eddie!" I hear Dustin yell. "Hey, Henderson! What are you doing here?" I ask.

"We're just here to hang out with Rob and Steve." He says pointing to their big group of young teens. I look at him confused before Gerath and Jeff start laughing.

"Come on Eddie, let's go order." Gareth teases. I nod slowly, walking up to the counter as the worker turns around. I come face to face with Steve Harrington wearing a sailor's uniform. I gasp in shock.

"H-hey Eddie!" He smiles. "I heard you finally graduated, congratulations man." "Uh, thanks." I say confused.

"So, what can I get ya?" "Uh, just anything that's good for a long-awaited celebration." I say. Steve nods before getting to work.

I step back towards my friends as they wiggle their eyebrows. The younger group watch on trying to figure out what's going on. I hit Jeff in the arm before he could open his mouth.

"Those are some stupid uniforms." I say as I sit down. I ignore the giggle that comes from Chrissy before Gerath butts in again. "Yeah, but I'm sure you're enjoying it." He says winking.

I go to throw a chair at him before Steve walks in front of him. "Ah, here you go. I call this a sweet release. Chocolate, strawberry chunk and mango." He says placing it down on the table.

"T-thanks." I say looking down at the bowl in front of me. "No problem." He says turning around and walking off. I look over and watch him walk back behind the counter. 'Why are those shorts so tight?' I think, feeling myself blush.

"Looks like time does make the heart grow fonder." Jeff whispers in my ear before taking a spoonful of the ice cream. I slap him again. "Shut up."

I grab a spoonful, gathering all three flavours in one and placing it in my mouth. "Mmhhm. Damn, this is good." I moan.

I hear Steve laugh before I hear a girl from behind him. "What?! You made him your special mix but not me? Your best friend?" She whines as she walks into the staff room to change. I look over and see him roll his eyes and shake his head laughing.

"Hey, Dustin? Who's that?" I ask leaning over to his table. "That's Robin. She goes to school with us. Or, well she just graduated too. She's Steve's work friend, and probably the only friend close to his age. She's cool tho. Well not cool. She's in the school band, but weird, like us." He explains smiling.

I nod before turning back to my ice cream, which is now almost gone. I sigh standing up and walking to Steve as Robin walks back out. She smirks when she sees me.

"Hey Steve, could I get another one, for myself this time." I say yelling the last bit as everyone laughs. "Sure thing, Eds. You want the same thing?" He asks. I quirk an eyebrow. "Uh, sorry!" He says. "Yes, please. I want the exact same thing." I say, not too worried about his slip-up.

-

"Are you sure you want to go back there?" Wayne asks. "Yes, of course, I do. I had so much fun back then." I say packing.

"Do you need me to remind you what happened after you came back?" He says crossing his arms. "I do remember. Thanks for bringing that back up! But if I can help a single kid escape reality even for a little bit it will be worth it."

"This time will be better. Plus I won't know anyone." I say closing my bag.

----------------

Hmm? I feel proud and also ashamed of this chapter. I also wrote some stuff that I'm definitely gonna use out of context.

I hope this isn't too cringe.

Love you

Drew X