Converse | Eddie Munson x OC x Billy Hargrove

Chapter 9

The air was fucking palpable.

To work backwards, Steve had blown off the handle, then I'd pulled him aside long enough to beg him not to say anything shitty. He shouted something shitty anyway to Eddie, over my shoulder, but then I pleaded and promised to explain later, and he gave up, slipping into a frustrated, silent frenzy in the kitchen. He got to work chopping vegetables viciously, while Eddie and I had taken to sitting in the living room, flicking MTV on to disguise the awkward twist in the room. I'd actually enjoyed watching MTV with Eddie for a while- he knew every song, and apparently how to play every song- because he air-motioned how to play all the best solos. All the while, Steve scowled, lap apron in place.

Finally, now, we were seated at the kitchen table. The pasta had been divvied up, and we were all skirting around the elephant in the room to the point I felt I could hardly breathe.

Steve finally flicked his fork between the two of us, disapproval dripping from his mouth, like a parent. "So, are you two dating or something?"

"What?" I raised my eyebrows, maybe coming off a bit too shocked.

"Dating, us?" Eddie laughed, maybe a little too hard. I gave him an offended glance, but ignored it.

"No, no," We took turns denying, Steve looking between us with murderous intent.

"Then what the hell is happening in my house?" He snapped, wedging a tomato into his mouth angrily.

"Friendship, drama-king." I huffed, forking some pasta.

Eddie was shoveling heaps of pasta into his mouth, in what I assumed was an attempt to be unavailable in the conversation.

"With him?" Steve wasn't buying it.

"It's been known to happen," Eddie defended nonchalantly, food obscuring his words a little. "Hey, this expensive-ass pasta is actually pretty good-"

"Why are you friends with a middle-schooler?" I snapped back, shoving a forkful of food into my mouth.

"That's- that's different." Steve jabbed back. "And you know why it is."

"That is a little weird." Eddie agreed quietly, mouth still full of food.

"Would you butt-out?" Steve shouted at Eddie.

"Don't talk to him like that!" I hollered. "We don't have any friends. You ever notice that?"

Steve looked like I'd revealed his weakness in front of his biggest foe. His eyes were wide and he was giving me the dirtiest look I may have ever received. He waved a hand at Eddie, as if to say- not in front of him! "I have plenty of... acquaintances- that are my age and look forward to seeing me."

"I don't." I quirked my head, not bothering to call out his weak bullshit. "You ever wonder why we have no friends?"

"We're popular, and they're intimidated-" He reasons. But he's losing steam. He's just fighting me, like he always does, just to be contrary.

"It's because we suck." I enunciate.

"I think you guys are entertaining-" Eddie tries, taking a swig of beer.

"Bro, shut up." Steve points a finger at him. "I'm gonna toss this carrot right at your-"

"Dude." I beg. Steve's eyes roll upwards, his mouth becoming a thin line. "I think... I want a fresh start."

"And that- that's who you chose?" He blinks rapidly, nostrils flaring, pointing at Eddie.

Eddie's mouth was full at the time Steve chose to point at him. He lamely peaked up, pesto crusting on the corners of his lips. He tried to stay very still.