Twisted Town | Stranger Things FF

Chapter 4 | Encounters

No ones P.o.V

Billy stopped in front of the library door, checking his reflection in the small window. He adjusted a single strand of his dirty blonde hair before finally entering the library.

It wasn't hard to spot Marci in the fairly open room. After all, she was sitting at one of the tables that were right in the middle of the library. He actually found it quite amusing to know that she would try to teach him something - in fact, he should teacher her. As far as he knew, this girl always kept to herself and hid behind her school books. That itself wasn't a bad thing, but did she even know what it felt like to be alive?

With his hands stuffed into his pockets and a grin plastered on his lips, he stopped in front of the table "Well, if it isn't the over-nerd in person" he couldn't help himself but use one of the many nicknames Tommy called Marci when he was around. Normally, he wasn't the type to bully someone - he was usually just a bystander, not wanting to get into any trouble by participating -, but this felt rather... exciting to him.

Of course Marci had noticed the library door open, but this time, she refrained herself from looking up. She only then moved her gaze away from the smooth wooden surface of the table when Billy spoke up. A quiet sigh escaped through her nose when she heard what he called her. Here she thought that he wouldn't pick on her, considering he always just stood by. What a fool she was "My name's Marci"

For a moment, she wondered why she even told him this. Billy probably knew her name and just called her that for his own entertainment. Marci fixed her glasses as she sat upright, folding her hands right in front of her on the table "Did you bring your history book with you? And a notebook?" she asked him, trying her best to stay as calm and professional as possible. Though she could clearly see that he had absolutely nothing on him, she felt the need to tease him back. At least a little bit.

Billy rolled his eyes, his grin faltering as he patted down his clothes "Ah!" he groaned ironically, forcing another grin onto his face "Seems like I forgot to bring them with me. Well, we should postpone this whole tutor thing then, don't you think? Maybe I'll have them with me next time"

Almost immediately, Marci shot back a grin "I don't think we have to do that" she said, enjoying the irritated look on his face. She bent down and pulled out her own history book and a brand-new notebook. After she set them down on the table, she gestured for Billy to finally sit down opposite of her "Take a seat then"

The young man held back an annoyed groan when he saw her pull out the things that they needed. Of course she'd come prepared! But did she really want to tutor him? He could've sworn that she'd do anything for this to be over as soon as possible, that both of them had better things to do than this shit.

"Okay" Marci started as soon as Billy had sat down "What's the main thing you're bad at in history? Or to be more clear, what themes do you hate the most in that subject?" she asked him, her voice as smooth as silk as she spoke.

She knew that people would call her crazy to want to tutor someone who liked watching her get bullied, but even though Billy acted like a total jackass, she thought that he deserved to be tutored like everybody else - besides, she'd get even more extra points since Billy wasn't allowed to go into the next grade if he failed history.

As Billy listened to Marci talk, he leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms and tilting his head to the side "Everything" he simply stated in an uninterested voice, making Marci fall quiet for a moment.

Everything? Was he serious? Does he even know anything? Marci had to physically prevent herself from slumping back into her chair and moan in despair. With this answer, she could already tell that she'd have to start from scratch with him on the American Revolution - which was the main topic of the next test, which he had to pass.

Marci closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before looking at Billy again "Okay" she began "We're going to be having a lot of tutoring sessions then" she told him with a fake smile, clearly seeing the glint of utter annoyance in his eyes.

---

Alice stretched out her hand as high as she could, her toes throbbing in pain from only standing on them. She jumped a few times, but her fingertips couldn't even reach the spine of the book she wanted. With an annoyed sigh, she finally dropped her arm and stepped back a little to glare up at said book. What could she possibly do? For whatever reason, there was no ladder in the library and she didn't want to climb the shelf in case it would fall over.

She put her hands on her hips and bit her lip in thought. The only thing that came to her mind was to ask the girl she saw when she entered the library. After all, they seemed to be all alone in here. Maybe she could make a new friend along the way as well! But then there was the issue of how to approach her. Alice was sure that the girl knew her - Steve's reputation always preceded her - but she had no idea who she was. The only times Alice had seem her was in the school hallways or outside in the parking lot.

But before she could worry any more about that matter, a familiar voice suddenly appeared next to her "Can I help you?"

Alice abruptly looked to the side and blinked a few times when she saw Eddie Munson standing in front of her "U-Uhm" she stumbled over her own words, making Eddie grin "Could- could you give me that book up there?" she asked him, her cheeks beginning to feel oddly hot. Eddie immediately took notice of the red shimmer appearing on her face and had to suppress an even bigger grin. He didn't want her to feel too uncomfortable. Instead, he nodded politely and easily grabbed the book she was pointing to "M'lady" he couldn't help but joke, bowing as he handed her the book.

The flustered girl let out a giggle and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, holding the book close to her chest.

Eddie could've sworn he felt his heart trying to escape from his chest. He barely knew her and she already began to try and steal his heart.

"What are you doing here?" Alice finally managed to speak, wanting to avoid an awkward silence. With her voice ringing in his ears, Eddie snapped out of his trance and within seconds he had to decide whether he should tell the truth or lie in order not to embarrass himself - which would most likely be the case no matter what he said.

"I was- was actually looking for you" he finally said, ignoring just how stupid that might sound for her right now. His brain was too overwhelmed with comprehending all these different feelings he had flowing through him. He didn't even had the time to feel embarrassed!

The girl in front of him tilted her head to the side and furrowed her brows "Looking for me?" she repeated his words with a rather confusing undertone. Eddie nodded, making Alice blink a few times. Eddie Munson looking for Alice Harrington? He cleared his throat "Uhm, so, I- I was wondering if you'd maybe like to join the Hellfire Club?" he asked her carefully, his eyes holding uncertainty.

For a few moments, Alice just stared at Eddie, not knowing what to say.

'Now you've gone and done it, Munson', Eddie mentally scolded himself, staying as calm as he could on the outside, 'How could you ever think that a pretty and popular girl like Alice would like to join your club just because you saw her read a few fantasy books?'.

But what Eddie couldn't have known, is that Alice was practically freaking out internally. Though not in a negative way, no, she just couldn't believe that her school hallway crush - as she liked to call it - took the trouble upon himself to come find her and ask her personally if she'd like to join his Dungeons and Dragons Club.

'Get yourself together, Alice!', she now scolded herself as well, 'He'll think of me as a complete weirdo if I just keep staring!'.

"That depends" Alice finally spoke up, a faint smirk appearing on her rosy lips once she snapped out of her stare "Do I get one of these shirts as well?"

Eddie shortly looked down, gazing at his shirt for a moment before he looked back up at Alice. A big grin was now visible on his face as a weight was being lifted off his shoulders "You sure do"