Converse | Eddie Munson x OC x Billy Hargrove

Chapter 8

"I guess winter break starts now." I mumbled. There was no way I was going back to school after that episode.

Eddie and I were seated in his van, outside of my house, a couple houses down. The adrenaline high was wearing down, and now I was cradling my knees to my chest. His hand covered his mouth, elbow propped onto his dash, chin in his palm. He seemed to also be taking in what he'd done- where he'd ended up. We were both out of our element. Just tomorrow, the whole school would be abuzz with how I, Lana Harrington, projected prom queen, Hawkins princess- had been rescued by dangerous bad boy, local metalhead, freak, Eddie Munson. The only answer I could truthfully conjure up, I didn't like. Eddie and I were becoming acquainted- we were getting closer to knowing each other.

Hell, knowing what people said about Eddie had started to bother me.

We knew each other, now. So what was our projected path? Would I ditch him? Would he ditch me? Would we try to be unlikely friends, ruin each other's social circles? Would we stay cautiously acquainted allies?

I didn't know. But I didn't see him how I used to- the freak, dangerous bad boy part, at least. He was animated, passionate, funny- calculatory. He was actually a pretty good guy- as good as guys got, at least.

"You wanna stay for dinner?" I asked carefully, trying to seem nonchalant.

He broke from his thoughts, meeting my gaze with his big, curious brown eyes. I returned the look evenly.

"Harrington, did you just invite me on a date?" He teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Just call me Lana, Munson."

He did that thing where he took in my full figure, slow, as if scanning me for falsification. Then, he cracked a boyish smile. Cheeky guy. "Okay, Lana."

Instantly my cheeks felt fiery. I cleared my throat. "So anyway- you rescued me. We have food. Steve cooks tonight but we could get a jump on it-"

"Steve'll be home?" He asked skeptically, fiddling with his rings.

"You not a fan of Steve?" I retorted quickly, maybe a tad too defensive.

His eyes rolled to the ceiling thoughtfully, and he trailed a finger across a mysterious stain. I scrunched my nose up. "I dunno, man- he's not been the biggest fan of me,"

"Well," I hummed lamely, "I guess that's fair. He's kind of an ass sometimes- to other people. But he's a good guy. Like- really, though. If he hadn't basically raised me, I wouldn't be what I am today.

Eddie snorted, and I gave him a sharp stare. He froze up, hands snapping up in surrender. I wanted to snip at him- but I knew I hadn't been the kindest to him, either. I sighed instead.

"No, like, really, though. My parents aren't ever around, so it's just me and Steve, making dinner, taking turns driving, rationing allowance- to survive. Since forever, really. What we know, we learned from each other."

He was watching me seriously, now, taking in every bit of information intently.

I shook my head. "Anyways, Steve's a good guy. I know how to drive because of him- even though he fought me the whole time- and I don't know how many guys he's beat up for me-"

"Well," Eddie interrupted rigidly, "that part's not very comforting,"

"Why, you gonna give him a reason to beat you up?" I retorted quickly, squinting my eyes at him. I couldn't help the way my words tumbled out next. "Gonna try and get into my pants too, Munson?"

He tucked his bottom lip in between his teeth thoughtfully, then released it with a shake of his head. "Nah."

The intense bubble hadn't popped, though. I remained steadily in place.