Eddie: Oh hey, you can sit here.
I had made it to lunch. After what seemed to be the longest two classes of my life. I spent the whole time stressing over if I could hold a normal, non awkward conversation with him and his friends.
As I stood by the table he shooed some people down so I could sit.
Eddie: Alright guys this is Ashley. She's wayyyy cooler than all of us so be careful.
Mike: Well no shit, what's up Ash.
Ashley: Oh the usual, you know. Making friends with more nerds, who all seem to be younger than me.
Dustin: Hey man, we aren't nerds, we just have hobbies that don't particularly align with yours, or really anyone else here.
Dustin was always at the Family Video. We've had some good conversations. Of course he's only there to argue with Steve a few hours at a time. But he's a nice little guy, I just give him a hard time.
Eddie: You aren't older than me, I can guarantee that.
Ashley: Are you not a junior?
All the guys laughed.
Eddie: I'm a senior.
Ashley: Why are you guys laughing?
Mike: Because somebody's over stayed their welcome at Hawkins High School.
Eddie: Can it, stick man.
Ashley: What do you mean?
Dustin: He's what one might call...
Eddie put his face in his hands.
Mike: A super senior.
Ashley: Oh?
Eddie: I'm not fucking stupid, I'm just over it. But hey, I'm army crawling my way to a D in Ms. O'Donnel's. And then I'll get out of this shit hole.
Ashley: How old are you?
Eddie: 19, I'm only back one year. But these little shits act like it's the end of the world.
Ashley: Well I'll help you pass if you need anything. I've never had a problem with that type of stuff.
Dustin and Mike seemed to be hitting each other like children under the table.
Dustin: Ahem, so, Ash are you gonna be at Family Video after school, I was gonna stop by and see Steve, maybe stick around for a while.
Ashley: No, I'm actually hanging out with Eddie.
Dustin: Oh?
He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head at Eddie.
Dustin: Well you guys have some good, safe, fun.
He held a big smile and talked in a high pitched voice. Mike picked at food and looked awfully amused. I could kind of tell that they were surprised Eddie and I were hanging out. But there was obviously more to it that I didn't know. After a few moments of silence, I felt the need to break it.
Ashley: So, are you guys going to the game this Friday?
Eddie: Fuck no.
Mike: I think me and Dustin will. Lucas is on the team.
Ashley: I was a thinking of going, it could be fun. Plus it's been a while since I've gone to one.
Dustin: Oh yeah since you and Jaso—
Mike kicked the shit out of Dustin's leg.
Mike: What the hell is wrong with you man?
Ashley: No, uh, it's fine. It been a while since me and Jason broke up. He doesn't really bother me anymore.
Dustin: You sure you don't wanna go Friday?
Eddie: I'm sure, I have stuff to do anyways.
Mike: Like what? Jerk off to some magazine?
Eddie: Shut up Wheeler, I have a deal. That's what I have to deal with.
Dustin: Gross.
Eddie: Money is money, and hey, I'm pretty good at doing it.
Mike: Yeah until you get killed.
Eddie: The children of Hawkins aren't murderers, they're broke stoners.
The bell rang to go to class and everyone gathered their things.
Eddie: See you after school Ash.
He called me Ash, that's what all my friends called me, and it makes me happy to hear him say that.
I went off to my next class to tell max everything. With every step I had the feeling that I couldn't walk fast enough. I couldn't wait to tell her.
When I made it there I was out of breath and I slammed down at the desk.
Ashley: Max I have to tell you everything.
Max: Jesus, what is it? Calm down.
Ashley: I think I like someone.
Max: Oh really?
Ashley: And I think he likes me back.
Max: Okay tell me everything.
I told her about how we met, and how lunch went. We also discussed what might happen after school.
Max: So just food and the record store? You don't think anything exciting might happen.
Ashley: Hey, it sounds fun to me.
Max: I mean I know. But also make sure you're safe, like make sure he doesn't have any dangerous weapons on him. Check out his car. And you know.
She started to mumble.
Max: Make sure you use like, protection if you—
Ashley: I'll stop you right there. Not happening. I don't even know if I like him yet.
(That's a lie.)
Ashley: I just need to get to know him first.
Max: That's probably good, just make sure he's nothing like Billy.
Ashley: Oh of course not, I wouldn't have even given him the time of day in the first place.
Max: Good. I get concerned for the girls he hangs out with. I don't know, I just feel like he's not treating them right, and like, he's probably traumatizing them or something.
Ashley: I don't know Eddie that well, but ai know him well enough to know that he's not like that.
Max: I hope you guys have a good time together. I'm so excited for you!
Ashley: Me too, just nervous about like not being awkward or anything.
Max: Honestly, you're the least awkward person I know. At least you can carry a conversation. When Lucas first tried talking to me he could barely form a sentence. He went on and on about his nerd shit. Luckily he was cute enough or whatever.
Ashley: Well I'm glad you guys figured it out, you're cute.
Max: Whatever, he's still a nerd.
