STRANGEST THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU || steddie

chapter eight: date?

The past couple weeks Steve has not separated with his Walkman, constantly listening to the songs Eddie has given him. Especially after the little moment they shared in the classroom. They have been staying up all night, chatting about the music, and the lyrics, and Steve was surprised to find out that Munson writes the songs himself. Somehow they never had to worry about a dead silence between them, there was always something to talk about, and it kind of scares Steve. He hasn't had a friend like that in a long time.

'Steve, you're giggling at your phone like a school girl, stop it. It's creepy.' Robin winces looking at the boy sat on the bed next to her, a magazine open on her knees. Robin's back rests against the headboard, while Steve is sitting at the edge, facing the door.

'No I'm not!' he exclaims and turns to face Robin, his eyebrows scrunched but a smile still persistent.

'What happened to your face?' she asks, getting up and poking his cheek.

'Oh, get off my ass. And I'm not giggling, it was a manly laugh. I got a-'

'Funny message from Eddie,' Robin interrupted, imitating Steve's voice, 'Yeah, I know. He's all you're talking about.'

'Well, you wanted me to get close to him. You should be happy I'm doing such a great job.' Steve sits up proudly. But what he doesn't mention to Robin is that he starts thinking of Eddie as a friend. A really good friend. They've gotten closer lately; much closer than Steve's gotten with anyone in a long time.

'Well, I'm sure it's more than just a 'job' for you.' Robin mumbles under her breath loud enough for the boy to hear her

'What is that supposed to mean?' Steve turns around to her completely, his face not so bright anymore. His eyes are squinted, staring Robin down.

Robin reaches out to Steve, grabbing his hands. The magazine slides off her legs. 'Stevie, you are the softest guy I've ever met. And trust me, I've met many.' She squeezes his hands in a reassuring gesture, sending him a smile.

'Well, I'm not being much of a softie right now.' Steve replies, his tone darker, as he glances at his phone. The screen lit up with a notification from Eddie.

'Steve, can I ask you a serious question?' Robin's shift in attitude scares Steve slightly, but he nods. 'Don't freak out. I'm not sure where you stand...' Well, that sentence definitely makes Steve freak out. 'Do you have a crush on Eddie by any chance?'

Steve's eyes widen and heart speeds up. He can feel his cheeks warm up, turn a pinkish colour, but he tries to ignore it, as unrecognisable sounds leave his mouth. Finally he manages to let a word out, 'What?'

Robin sighs. 'Steve, I'm not picking on you or anything. Just asking if you're attracted to Eddie.'

'No,' Steve replies immediately, but then gets all quiet and lets our a nervous 'No?' He doesn't know what to think. Now that Robin's words are stuck in his head, he's remembering all the times during basketball practice, where he could feel his pulse speed up slightly when another boy got close to him. Or when Billy Hargrove grinded against him when they were doing one on one. His cheeks brighten up with an even stronger shade of pink.

'Well, I guess I got my answer.' Robin lets go of his hands, leaning back on the headboard. She grabs the magazine, reading through the pages casually, as if she didn't just flick Steve's world upside down.

'This is too confusing.' Steve drops his face in his hands.

'The only reason I mentioned it, is because it could complicate a lot...'

Steve looks at Robin confused at first but then remembers. Robin pays him to hang out with Eddie. 'I'm not into him.' Steve retorts, but he doesn't sound so confident anymore.

Robin doesn't fully believe him, she's seen how Steve lights up when a message from the boy with curly hair comes through. She doesn't ask any more. If he wants to be in denial, there's not much she can do about it. Maybe that's for the better. 'Okay. On that note. I almost forgot, the payment for the last meet up.' She reaches for her bag that's settled by her bed and takes her wallet out. She passes Steve the money, which he takes reluctantly. She sends him a look, one that he interprets as 'You can stop whenever you want.' He smiles.

'Thanks, Robin.'

'Always, Harrington.'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's the evening when Steve gets back home, his thoughts still a mumbled mess from the conversation with Robin. She never mentioned the topic again after that talk, but it was on both their minds. But now that he's back home, the kitchen and small lounge so cold, and quiet, it feels even more lonely than usual. Especially after hanging out with Robin earlier today. Steve puts his phone on the coffee table and makes his way to the bathroom. The phone vibrates on the surface, device set on silent mode.

Steve takes much longer than normal in the shower. Almost as if he's trying to wash away the confusing feelings swarming through his body. He lets his thoughts get lost under the hot water cascading on his head. He holds himself against the wall, water drips off his hair, his eyes closed even though the water doesn't reach them. Thoughts of Eddie and Robin's philosophies cross his mind, and he can't help but agree with her. This is getting dangerous.

Steve doesn't realise when an hour passes. Goosebumps form on his shoulders as the water cools down and that's what shakes him awake. He turns the shower off and gets out, taking his time. He dries himself with a blank white towel, gets dressed and leaves the bathroom, making his way straight to the lounge to get his phone. The device lights up as soon as he reaches out for it, messages from Eddie stands out amongst other notifications.

target:
dude
this is gon sound so weird
but i need ur help
like asap
you there
its been an hour
and ik ur not sleepin
steeve
stevie
harrington

Steve smiles, seeing how the boy spammed his phone in a very Eddie manner. But the last message makes Steve's heart stop, breath getting shallower.

target:
pretty boy?

Steve doesn't know how to reply to that message. It's like his mind short circuited, mouth gone dry. Is Eddie flirting with him? They did get closer recently, but that's much closer than he thought. His fingers hover over the keyboard, hesitant how to reply to the curly haired boy.

steve:
sorry was in the shower
long day
whats up

Well, that might have been a little bit too casual. A reply comes in almost immediately.

target:
are you ok?

Steve feels a pain shoot through his chest. No, nothing's okay is what Steve, wish he could reply, but then he'd have to explain everythign to Eddie. Instead, he goes into Eddie's contact info and changes the name, target starting to bother him. Then he replies.

steve:
yeah dw
just a lot happened
with my friend

He added the last message quickly, to not seem like it was something he made up. Even though he did. It's so much easier to say his problems are his friend's problems. People stop prying when they hear that. Steve underestimated Eddie.

THE pretty boy:
ur sure?
i'll listen even if its abt ur friend

"Shit," Steve whispers and sits down on his couch, placing his face in his hand. He can feel how hot his face is, and realises how deep into this shit he is. "I'm fucked."

steve:
yeah im sure
ill keep that in mind tho
thank you
u did need help with something though

THE pretty boy:
ah yes! i alr forgot
go on a date with me

Steve stops breathing. As if breathing is unnatural for him, Steve just holds his breath, eyes wide and cheeks getting even warmer. He replies, hands shaky.

steve:
what?