we both matter, don't we? | stranger things

5. Operation: Child Endangerment

There's many pros to being your own boss. Good salary. Flexible hours. Unlimited sick days. Following your own rules, and breaking them, too. Not going to work on a Monday just because you need to keep a distance from the mess going on in your small town.

It's now Tuesday, and Freddie rides to Starcourt, having slept like a baby yesterday.

Sometimes you just need to step back; assess the situation, decide what's best for your mental health. Based on what she's seen, both with her eyes and her powers, she knows shit should hit the fan soon. Maybe in a few days, maybe weeks. Billy is somehow related, Dustin and Steve might be onto it, and it won't be long until the others figure out what's going on.

Oh, how much she loves being able to avoid it.

Kids laughter welcomes her as she places the lock on her bike, securing it in place. She raises the volume of her music, starting to walk towards the entrance.

Freddie stops on her tracks before another bike runs into her.

The owner, Robin, quickly drops it to the floor and raises her hands, —Fred! Sorry, didn't see you, I'm in a rush! —

True to her words, she runs to the entrance, disappearing in the sea of people. Robin had a bunch of papers in her arms; maps, Freddie noted, maps with the layout of Starcourt.

Not her problem.

Making a mental note of not going into Scoops Ahoy unless there's a fire, she drags her feet across the mall, swimming through people like a shy shark passing by a pack of fish. Some customers, deep in their minds, keep thinking about others who have been acting weirdly. Drumming her fingers to the rhythm of Iron Maiden's "The Trooper", she completely ignores them. To any outsiders she might look more relaxed than usual. And she will make sure her peace is not interrupted.

Today's visitors come and go, some talking to Fred, some buying the new A-ha tapes. Chrissy came by for about an hour. Eddie, with his fixed guitar, came to buy a new pick. The day has been perfectly quiet for a Tuesday, and Freddie smiles.

Inside Scoops, she sees Steve and Dustin arguing with Erica Sinclair, Lucas' little sister.

Jesus Christ. —Maybe I should leave the town for a few days. Have some fun upstate, discover new adventures. —

Mr. Clarke, teacher at Hawkins' Middle School, nods. —It can get pretty boring in Hawkins. I took a sabbatical year after graduating and went to New York, I recommend it. —he places an Aretha Franklin tape on the counter, —But, honestly, out there you won't find people like the ones in Hawkins. We're rare. —

Steve and Dustin take Erica to the back of Scoops Ahoy.

—I feel like I need a break from the rare. —

Lunch break comes fast, dictated by the exact second Freddie feels hunger. There's a great chinese food restaurant quite near her store; Imperial Panda. Sweet and sour chicken with white rice is what she always chooses, and this time is not an exception.

—You know, maybe I should visit China... —she learned how to use the chopsticks very easily, and has mastered them by now, —I've never left America. Going to a different continent would be a great way to break the routine, I think. —

Guy, struggling with his own chopsticks, looks at her from his seat. —You do know they're like, communist, right? We don't love them that much, hon. —

She shrugs. —Whatever. I'm not good with politics. —

—Vacations would be good for you, though. Have you even taken any since you got the store? —when Fred shakes her head, Guy nods, —Makes sense. You deserve them. Maybe visit Europe, or South America. —