Things Change // Eddie Munsion

Chapter Three

The red numbers on the small alarm clock, that sits on Nancy's nightstand, blink 7:57. I finish gathering my things for Eddie's so that I won't miss him pulling up.

"You are lucky that my parents are out tonight." Nancy comments.

I refrain from rolling my eyes; knowing she is such a stickler for rules irks my entire being. I truthfully believe she doesn't like me much, especially with Robin and Steve spending time with me.

"Oh, come on, Nance, we all know you aren't straight edge." Robin giggles.

She darts a look her way before resuming the paint job on her toes. "No, I'm not, but I'm also not going to a party with Eddie Munson."

"I'm not going with Eddie, he's just giving me a ride." I lie. I glance over to Robin who gives me that look.

Nancy sits up straighter. "That's basically the same thing! I'm sure he'll push weed on you, or who knows whatever drugs he has, and everyone who sees you will get an idea."

I sling my bag over my shoulder and head toward the door. "I will be fiine, Nance. I've been to parties before, and I know how to say no. I won't be gone that late anyway, just a few hours. See you two later!"

As I descend the staircase, I hear commotion coming from outside. Mike, Dustin, and Lucas enter the house, their playful demeanor caused them to not notice my presence. I watch as they head toward the kitchen, and I take the opportunity to slip outside.

I see the stark contrast of headlights against the dark surroundings. His beat up van hums beneath the muffled sound of Iron Maiden pumping through the dashboard speakers. As I open the passenger door, I cringe at the loud volume, and quickly get inside.

The van smells the same as it did months ago. I remember when I rode with him in the van to pick up snacks, noting a mix of weed and cigarettes. Dustin and Mike were with us, rattling around in the back. It was... awkward, to say the least.

"All arms and legs inside the vehicle?" Eddie asks.

I close the door. "Uhh, yeah, I think so."

He puts the van in gear and speeds off, harshly jerking around the curve, which forces my body to collide with his. Once we're in the clear, I scoot back over, all the way against the door. It already feels cramped in here.

I see Eddie reach for the volume knob, decreasing it to a decibel where we don't have to yell. "Soo, I was going to ask if you could maybeee not mention it to anyone that you're tutoring me. When the project for O'Donnell's is done, I'd like to keep it on the low."

"Oh... okay. Yeah, we can do that." I say, fidgeting with my thumbs.

If only I didn't tell Robin... With the conversation we had, it won't matter if I lie and say I'm not helping him anymore.

"Thank you," he says, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, "Also... I want to apologize for canceling the other day. Sometimes, I can be in my head too much."

I look over at him; his eyes are straight on the road. It's too dark this time of day to make out any of his features. The apology felt genuine, however.

I feel some of the tension in my body release, leading me to readjust myself in the seat. "Thank you, Eddie. I mean that."

A few minutes of silence pass between the two of us, other than the low volume music. It doesn't feel awkward or forced; it's comfortable. Thankfully, that cleared the air between us.

We pull up at the trailer park, passing rows of varying single wides, some nicer than others. A few RVs stand out with small, make-shift patios under the awnings. There are some nice homes, but the majority seem to be worn from the elements. A few are markedly run down by pure neglect.