Angelica "Freak Two" Munson

Chapter 58

She places a firm hand on the knob, pushing the door open, "Hey, babe."

"Hey, Robin."

Angie scoots over slightly to make room for Robin to sit.

She sinks into the mattress with a sigh.

"Let me guess," She fiddles with a loose string on her sweatpants, "You're here to tell me to stay."

"No," Robin denies quickly, "I'm just here to talk– and comfort my friend."

"Well, what do you wanna talk about?" She asks, not meeting her gaze.

"Just anything." Robin shrugs. When Angie doesn't jump to speak, she grabs her friend's hand to gather her attention, "What's bothering you?" She adds.

Angie laughs softly to herself, "What isn't bothering me?"

Robin wants to laugh with her, but it's impossible to miss the pain behind it.

As her laughter dies down, Angie's expression fades to a solemn one. Her eyes quickly gloss over despite her attempts at keeping her emotions in check, "I'm really struggling right now, Robin." She admits sadly.

Her heart breaks at the sight of the poor girl. She grasps Angie's hand once more and gives it a small squeeze to signal her support.

"After everything in November, I was in a bad place mentally." She explains, "I couldn't walk, and Tommy wouldn't get off my ass– not that he ever really left me alone– but I just didn't have the strength to fight him off anymore. I couldn't sleep because my nightmares kept me up most nights... Hopper paid my hospital bills, which I definitely appreciated. Steve kept me company– well until he left, too." She sniffles, "And it wasn't like I was alone. I had Eddie and Nancy and Jonathan. I was surrounded by people, but I still felt so... alone."

Robin tears up at her testimony.

"I honestly didn't know how I was gonna make it through... eventually, I was able to pull myself out of it, but I've never been the same." She states with a small shrug, "And what makes this shithole of a situation worse is that I'd take anything to go back to those few months because they seem so blissful compared to how I feel right now." She admits, her voice breaking.

"Ange," Robin pulls her into an embrace, tears clouding her vision, "I'm so sorry."

Angie pulls away slightly, wiping away her stray tears, "It's not your fault, Robin."

"I know," She admits, "But I just feel bad for leaving you to deal with this all alone. I mean, it's been over a week since the mall fire, and I was so wrapped up in my own problems that I didn't even come and check up on you until now." She sniffles, "I should've at least called."

"Robin, it's okay–"

"But it's not." She interrupts, "I should've known better. I-I should've come and been here for you."

"Robin–"

"Gosh," She scolds herself, still rambling, "I've just made this whole thing about me! I'm so horrible!"

"No–"

"You know what? I'll be right back."

"Wha– Robin?" She calls after her as she abruptly leaves the room.

After about a minute, she comes back into the room, stripping her shoes off her feet.

Angie observes her, "What are you doing?"

She takes off her jacket and throws it on the chair in the corner before getting back on the bed, "I'm spending the night."

"What?" She stares in confusion, "Robin, you don't have to do that."

"You need someone to be here for you– someone that understands at least most of what you went through." She pulls the covers up over the bottom half of her body, turning the lamp off, "I'm not very good at this kind of stuff." Robin admits, "so I'm just going to be here– for you– if you need anything."

Angie tears up a little at her friend's determination. After a moment of silence, she whispers, "Thank you, Robin."

She smiles softly in the darkness, "Of course."

They lie in silence. Neither one of them knows if they should speak what's on their minds.

Angie knows that Robin must be dying to ask questions. It's just in her DNA to be curious and desperate for answers.

After tough contemplations, Robin sighs, turning to face Angie in the darkness, "Are you really leaving?" She whispers.

"Yeah," She replies softly, "I think I am."

"When?" She asks, pain lacing her voice.

"By the end of the week," She states, "I think Eddie wants to leave on Friday morning."

Robin nods, although Angie can't see it in the pitch black room.

"I'm gonna miss you." Robin admits painfully.

Angie breathes heavily at her friend's confession, "I'm gonna miss you too."

"But..." Robin begins hesitantly, "If you really think you need to leave, then I'll let you go."

She holds in an unsure chuckle, "Robin, I'm not leaving for good. I'll be back."

"Yeah, but it'll never be the same." She sighs.

Angie knows deep down that Robin's right, but she doesn't know how to cope with it any other way– nobody ever showed her– nobody ever showed her this much support.

She's always been surviving on her own. Even when she was surrounded by people, she hid it well enough that they didn't even notice that she was struggling.

The more she thought about it, the more she thought that at least a small part of her didn't even want to leave. She just wanted something better than her current reality. She was desperate for an escape– an escape from her pain.

She was heavily conflicted because she always convinced herself that no one was affected by her coping mechanisms. She could leave and be at least semi sure that they'd be okay if she was gone for a little while. Now, it was obvious that there were people who wanted her to stay– wanted to see her and help her. She couldn't lie to herself anymore– even if that option always seemed easier.

But she did know one thing: leaving this time was going to eat her alive.