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lowaltitude · 7 months

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Caffeinate | Eddie Munson, Coffee Shop AU

— Stranger Things. — One shot. — x Reader (Y/N)

❪ FEM! she/her ❫ ❪ prompt: ‘I write a bad pick up line on your cup every time i’m your barista’ AU ❫ Altitude

───── ❝ description + disclaimer ❞ ─────

𖥻 Eddie Munson x FEM!reader, Coffee Shop AU, in which Edward “Eddie” Munson is the barista who’s casual flirty remarks you can’t seem to just brush off as nothing more than banter. OR in which Eddie‘s temporary job making coffee became a delight when he began flirting with a regular customer

𖥻 rewrite of this work from a year ago.

𖥻 No connection to Stranger Things series timeline. y/n references star wars like twice lol. slow burn? not smut or fluff, just crushing. only other title i could come up with was For Whom the Bean Tolls 13.3k words

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Seated in the cozy corner of the quaint town coffee shop, I found myself almost alone, a scene that mirrored many of my previous visits. Yet, on this particular day, a subtle shift in my surroundings caught my attention. My gaze drifted from the pages of the book I had been attempting to immerse myself in, the words blurring as my thoughts twisted.

I had lost count of how many times I had retraced the same sentence— My mind was captivated by the presence of the new barista. This coffee haven had been a constant during my journey through high school, a place of solace, but I had never fathomed the possibility of someone like Eddie Munson stepping behind the counter. The notion of him becoming an integral part of this familiar setting was beyond my imagination.

My focus was drawn to him, my eyes fixed on his form as he underwent training. Eddie, a person I had only observed from afar in the halls of our school, was now the center of my attention. His curly hair artfully gathered into a bun that teased with a few misbehaving curls springing free and brushing his face. The sight of him absorbed in learning the mechanics of the coffee machine, guided by the experienced hand of the regular barista, held an unexpected allure, a captivating scene that held me spellbound.

Little did they know that they were in the midst of instructing none other than Eddie Munson, a person often labeled as an outsider, an anomaly. As they patiently guided him through the art of crafting a cappuccino, oblivious to his more… clandestine activities, the irony was thick. Unbeknownst to them, Eddie's reputation extended beyond this cafe, as he covertly conducted his business within the wooded confines behind the high school.

Eddie's enigmatic nature didn't seem to waver even in this unexpected role. A Dungeons & Dragons pin, proudly pinned next to his name badge on his apron, showcasing an aspect of his identity. It was as if he refused to suppress his true self, boldly displaying his interests for all to see.

A subtle smile played on my lips as I observed him, absorbed in his task. The sound of spilled milk was accompanied by a muttered curse, his voice carrying across the sparsely populated shop. His authenticity was palpable, his frustration creating an oddly endearing picture that contrasted with the pristine surroundings of the coffee shop.

"Y/N," the voice of the other barista broke through my thoughts, jolting me back to reality.

"Yeah?" I responded, my voice coming out almost as a croak. Eddie wasn't someone I actively observed. Amidst the backdrop of girls swooning over Steve Harrington and now Billy Hargrove for the past few years, I had never really paid attention to the fact that Eddie possessed an allure of his own. His reputation had always preceded him.

"Need another drink?" They motioned towards Eddie, who remained engrossed in the milk frothing task. I shut my book, shifting my focus. "Eddie," their voice called out, capturing the young man's attention. I approached the counter, feeling his gaze on me as I did.

"Right," he replied, pivoting fully to face me. His eyes met mine, causing an unexplainable dryness to form in my mouth.

I had never shared a class with Eddie; he was a year ahead of me. To be precise, he held a two-year seniority over me. However, due to his recent failure to advance past senior year, he was about to join my class. It marked his third attempt at conquering that final hurdle.

"Good afternoon," the boy greeted. Though his badge read 'Edward,' the name seemed foreign, as everyone I knew referred to him as Eddie. It almost felt like he would correct me endlessly if I ever dared to call him Edward.

Resting his hands on either side of the register, he patiently awaited my order. It was a familiar routine, even though I almost always found myself drawn back to the same choice I couldn’t help but look over the menu board. His coworker stood casually beside him, a knowing smile directed my way. They had grown accustomed to my preferences, considering it was almost always them who took care of my order.

"Could I please have a large iced coffee?" I sighed, my gaze drifting over the tempting pastries displayed nearby. "And add a donut to that."

Eddie's soft chuckle resonated through the air as his fingers deftly captured the donut, and I watched with a tinge of excitement dancing within me. Swiftly, he nestled the pastry into a paper bag, extending it toward me. My eyes fixated on his hand for a fleeting moment before I reached out to accept the offering.

A slight twitch coursed through him as our hands brushed against each other, an unexpected yet oddly thrilling sensation. With the donut now in my possession, I handed over the money, my gaze lifting to meet his. Mesmerising eyes, a deep shade of brown, seemed to pour into mine, leaving me momentarily captivated.

"Um, a name for the order?" he inquired hurriedly, his focus returning to the task at hand as he fumbled to grasp a plastic cup.

"Y/N," I replied, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "I'm a regular, you'll be seeing this face often."

"Of course," Eddie responded, his hand moving confidently to write my name on the cup. In that moment, a single curl of hair made its escape, falling gently across his forehead. It was a sight I hadn't witnessed before; the owners must have made him to tie it back because I had never seen it out of his face. "It'll be ready soon."

"Thanks," I murmured, my voice soft as a breeze, feeling a mixture of anticipation and self-inflicted embarrassment. Stepping back, I shuffled toward my table, a gentle internal groan accompanying my fleeting moment of blush-worthy interaction.

Eddie didn't possess the same kind of conventional attractiveness that Steve Harrington exuded, nor did he boast the notorious reputation for winning over hearts like Billy Hargrove. In all honesty, the limited knowledge I held about Eddie leaned more toward the unfavorable side.

Still, I was aware that he led the D&D club and played the guitar. Gareth, one of his friends, happened to be a classmate of mine, though our interaction had been limited to a single conversation during an English assignment.

Gareth was a likable guy; his company was enjoyable, and he radiated kindness. Unfortunately, it seemed that others often treated him with a disregard that he didn't deserve.

From across the room, Eddie's voice called out my name. The space was compact, rendering his need for a louder tone unnecessary, as the small establishment rarely experienced a heavy influx of customers.

With the freshly brewed coffee now before me, I hoped that its invigorating aroma would help me reclaim my focus on the study materials laid out in front of me. I had managed to maintain my concentration since arriving after school, until the very moment Eddie walked through the door. Donned in a leather jacket with a flannel tied casually around his waist, he had effortlessly captivated my attention.

He nudged the iced coffee across the counter, his hands seeking refuge in his pockets as I made my way back. Lifting the drink, I narrowed my brows, my gaze shifting to the cardboard sleeve snugly hugging the cup. My eyes scanned the hastily scrawled message:

Oh, can you feel that? There is definitely something brewing between us.

For a few fleeting moments, I remained locked in contemplation, my gaze darting between the message and Eddie's face. A tension lingered in the air as he swallowed audibly, his throat clearing with a subtle rasp. The unease seemed to propel him into motion, and he pivoted on his heels, feigning engagement in some other task.

I brought the straw to my lips and spun on my toes, making my way back to my table, the thought of diving into my studies beckoning me. Eddie's first endeavor as a barista had resulted in a rather impressive cup of coffee, subtly personalized with the inclusion of a cheesy yet endearing pick-up line.

Sinking into my chair, my lips curled into a faint smile. My stomach danced with nervous anticipation as I glanced once more in Eddie's direction. It required a concerted effort to redirect my attention back to my studies, as his presence seemed to take away a significant portion of my focus.

After drumming my pen on the open notebook for another five minutes, I conceded that my essay wouldn't see completion today.

‘Definitely something brewing between us.’ I mulled over the words. It was a clever coffee pun, but there seemed to be an undercurrent of significance behind it. His reaction when our hands brushed suggested to me that it wasn't just a throwaway line. Yet, I doubted he was genuinely interested in girls at this point.

Closing my books, I reminded myself that summer was a mere three weeks away. Boys could wait. Prioritizing my pending tasks was essential to ensure I could unwind and make the most of the upcoming break. With the launch of the new Starcourt Mall, my summer promised an escape from the confines of our quaint little town.

Stuffing my belongings into my backpack and grabbing my partially consumed drink, I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder. "Bye," I uttered, fatigue lacing my voice as I waved to the baristas who were diligently cleaning the counter. The chime of the door's bell accompanied my departure.

Approaching my home, I noticed the sun had nearly surrendered to the horizon, casting the world in a dusky glow. My coffee had dwindled as well. Popping open the trash can's lid, I removed the cardboard sleeve and slipped it into my back pocket before depositing the plastic cup into the bin. With a final glance at the remains of my coffee, I turned and entered my house.

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A span of ten days had passed since Eddie's first day at the coffee shop. Over this period, his presence had grown more pronounced as he eagerly took on additional shifts. Each time, a fresh message adorned the cup he handed to me.

Words are not enough to espresso how cute you are.

Do you need more sugar or am I sweet enough?

I’ve been thinking about you a latte lately

I had taken to discreetly tucking these cardboard sleeves into my bag before leaving the shop. Safely nestled within my desk drawer at home, they served as small mementos to prevent them from slipping away from my possession. I recognized that these messages likely held no actual meaning, yet they kindled something within me. While I couldn't determine whether he practiced this gesture with all orders or solely mine—since I seldom witnessed other customers' cups—the personal touch made me feel valued.

Our paths crossed a few times at school since, brief moments during lunch when Eddie would be seated with his friends. Our gazes would occasionally connect as I passed by, but any potential conversation never transpired. I often yearned to speak to him on days when his happiness radiated so evidently or when he displayed an undeniable level of cuteness.

Clutching my books firmly against my side, I adjusted the backpack slung over my shoulder while stifling a yawn, my steps leading me closer to the entrance of the coffee shop.

Pushing open the door, the delicate chime of a bell welcomed me in. With a determined effort, I mustered my best smile for the familiar faces that greeted me, attempting to conceal the inexplicable fatigue that seemed to hang over me. It baffled me how, despite being just 4 pm, I found myself still yawning. The day hadn't even been particularly demanding; it mainly consisted of attending classes and occupying a seat in the library during the free periods.

Allowing my bag to slip to the ground near a table, I gingerly placed my books on the surface and retrieved my wallet. "Afternoon," I greeted with a yawn, my hand moving to rub at my tired eye as I approached the counter.

"Good afternoon," Eddie responded with a warm smile, his actions swift as he seized a cup and jotted down my name before I even had the chance to offer it.

"Could I get an extra shot today? I feel like I've been hit by a land speeder," I half-joked, trying to inject a touch of humor into the request.

Eddie's laughter filled the air, and he responded, "So you're a Star Wars geek, huh? I wouldn't have guessed."

A playful curiosity tugged at me, and I quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? And why's that?"

Eddie's gaze slowly traced up and down my form, a smile forming on his lips. His nonchalant shrug left me momentarily flustered. I averted my eyes, allowing my hair to cover my face, creating a flimsy veil that concealed my reddening cheeks. Passing him the money, I retreated to my table, textbook open before me.

Pen in hand, I began jotting down notes, stealing a glance only when the bell above the entrance chimed. An all-too-familiar figure sauntered in—none other than the infamous Steve Harrington. His reputation wasn't entirely accurate; I had briefly tutored Steve a few months ago. If he wasn't on the brink of graduating, we might have formed a friendship.

He scanned the surroundings, his gaze landing on me as he sent a small, enthusiastic wave my way before proceeding to the counter. Steve's surprise at encountering Eddie in this setting was noticeable, evident in the slight tenseness that crept into his demeanor as he placed an order for a to-go drink.

"Y/N," Eddie called, placing the cup onto the counter for me. My excitement propelled me to my feet, and I moved eagerly to retrieve it, offering a polite greeting to Steve as I did so.

A smile graced Steve's lips. "Good to see you."

"Yeah, you too," I affirmed, my fingers tapping nervously against the cup in my hands. Anticipation gnawed at me—I was eager to unveil the message Eddie had penned. "Weren't you searching for a job? Did you manage to find something?"

A smirk played on Steve's lips, and he replied with a hint of swagger, "Oh, indeed. You're looking at a certified professional frozen dessert sales associate." He tugged playfully at the collar of his shirt, exuding a mix of confidence and amusement.

I gave a nod, my lips forming a contemplative purse. "So, your gig is selling... ice cream?"

"Exactly," he sighed, a hint of resignation touching his tone. "Scoops Ahoy, over at the new mall."

A smile played on my lips, and I responded, "I'll definitely swing by sometime." My attention shifted as Eddie set a cup before Steve, momentarily distracting me from our conversation.

"Thanks, man," Steve acknowledged, a nod of gratitude directed at Eddie. He retrieved the hot beverage, his gaze returning to me. I couldn't help but find it peculiar—despite the onset of summer's heat, Steve had chosen a steaming cup of coffee over any other option. "Catch you later," he concluded before turning to leave.

Steve practically bolted through the door, prompting the other barista to materialize seemingly out of thin air. "Who's that?" they queried, their curiosity evident.

I jumped slightly, my hand instinctively flying to my chest. "Jesus, you scared me," I exhaled, attempting to regulate my heartbeat.

"He was so cute," they gushed, a dreamy tone underscoring their words.

"Steve? Well, yeah, he's good-looking. But it's not like I have romantic feelings for him. He's just a guy I used to tutor," I explained, my gaze shifting to Eddie, who was busy arranging fresh pastries in the display.

"Hot and not the sharpest tool in the shed? That's my kind of guy," they quipped with a smirk.

"Hey, if you're interested, why not ask him out? He’d probably be into it." I suggested nonchalantly before returning to my table. I cast a glance at the cup, excitement bubbling within me, as the message written on it came into view.

This must be decaf, cause you're just dreamy!

My attention remained glued to my books for a solid hour, but soon the rising temperature began to make itself felt. Despite the air conditioning's persistent hum and the continuous supply of ice water handed over by the staff, I felt as if I were on the brink of melting.

Eddie emitted a low, almost reluctant groan, succumbing to the heat as he finally removed his leather jacket. Engaged in wiping down a nearby table, he caught my attention, his form-fitting shirt revealing intriguing tattoos on his exposed upper arms. A guitar pick necklace peeked out from beneath his collar, adding to his enigmatic charm.

I chewed on my lip, determined to curb my wandering gaze. He wasn't even engaging in anything particularly 'sexy'—it was the effortless allure he exuded in the course of ordinary tasks that held my attention.

As my study notes began to incorporate a sketch of one of his tattoos, I realized I'd been captivated by a mythical creature inked on his upper arm. My focus lingered for too long, leading my hand to unconsciously doodle on the paper.

"Do you need more water?" Eddie's voice interjected, causing me to look up from my paper toward the counter.

"No, thank you. I'm good," I responded, flipping the page, closing my book, and sliding it into my bag. Standing, I gathered my belongings. "I'll catch you on Monday," I murmured, my head slightly bowed. The prospect of meeting Eddie's gaze again felt almost overwhelming. I feared that another look could render me completely weak in the knees, causing me to collapse onto the floor. His hair had succumbed to the humidity, forming a frizz around his face; glistening beads of sweat adorned his skin, and his cheeks held a rosy hue, all of which only heightened his magnetic appeal.

The weekend stretched ahead with little to occupy my time other than lounging about. It was as if staring at the clock might coax it into halting its progress, leaving me trapped within the ceaseless heat.

With the arrival of Monday, I made a resolute decision: I was going to strike up a conversation with Eddie at school.

What was there to fret over? I had no reputation to guard, and given that it would take place in the bustling halls, the notion of Eddie peddling drugs right then and there wouldn't even cross anyone's mind. I hope.

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I navigated the bustling hallways, my eyes scanning for Eddie. Our paths typically intersected around this time, but maybe the scorching weather had prompted him to change his routine. As lunchtime arrived, I resolved to seize the opportunity to talk to him, even though my usual tendency was to enjoy my meals in the library or outdoors.

I devised a simple plan: casually stroll past Eddie's table during lunch, offer a friendly smile, say, "Oh, hey Eddie," give a small wave, and continue walking. It seemed like an inconspicuous way to catch his attention.

Entering the cafeteria, I was momentarily taken aback by it all. Collecting my thoughts, I took a deep breath and scanned the room. Eddie and his friends were engrossed in conversation at a table, my gaze fixed on him.

Focused on my approach, I failed to notice Steve at the table behind Eddie. Just as I drew close, Steve's voice rang out, "Y/N!" His enthusiastic wave caught my attention, and I abruptly halted, finding Eddie merely an arm's length away.

"Uh," I turned to Eddie, then swiftly back to Steve, my smile wavering slightly. "Hey."

Steve was quick to offer a seat, pulling out the chair next to him with a grin. "Do you want to sit with us?"

"Really?" I glanced fleetingly at Eddie, sensing his eyes on me as his table fell into a hushed silence.

"Of course."

With a cautious step, I took the vacant seat and exchanged smiles with Steve. He introduced me to the others at the table, marking me as his friend. The back of Eddie's chair brushed against mine, and I could feel his gaze lingering on me. Amid the chatter and laughter emanating from his table, his voice remained elusive.

Steve chatted energetically, making an effort to include me in the ongoing conversation. However, I found myself mostly reticent, contributing only sporadically to the discussion.

My food remained largely untouched, my focus divided between my plate and the chatter from Eddie's circle of friends. Amid the exchanges, Steve's voice managed to cut through the noise.

"Y/N?" Steve's voice pulled me from my daydream, and I hummed in response, meeting his gaze. "We're having a party tonight, and you're invited," he extended the invitation with a grin.

"A party? On a Monday?" My skepticism was tangible.

Steve chuckled. "Yeah, it's not a crazy kind of party—just a chill evening by my pool, with some music and a few drinks."

I pondered for a moment. "Um…"

Leaning in a bit closer, Steve reassured me, "You don't have to drink."

I considered his offer, a tentative smile tugging at my lips. "Sure. I'd love to."

"Great," Steve's smile widened, and he gave my hand a reassuring pat on the table. With a soft sigh, I turned my attention back to my meal, determined to engage more actively in the conversations of Steve's friends.

As the school day drew to a close, I lingered in the bustling hallways, enveloped in a newfound camaraderie with some of Steve's friends. Their easy conversation made it feel as if we had been acquainted for years.

I waved to them as we parted ways, heading in opposite directions. My steps carried me toward the coffee house, where Eddie's car was already parked at the front. Hastily, I tried to tame my frizzy hair and blot my perspired face before entering the establishment, greeting Eddie with a warm smile.

Eddie glanced up from the book he had resting on the counter, his hand reaching for a cup as he swiftly scribbled my name onto it.

"Hi," I greeted, a smile gracing my lips as I reached the counter. Fidgeting with my thumbs, I met Eddie's gaze.

"Saw you at school today," Eddie remarked as he began preparing my coffee. I sucked in a sharp breath, my anticipation building as I awaited his next words. "With Steve Harrington," he continued, laughter evident in his voice.

I tilted my head slightly, a question in my eyes. "Why's that funny?"

"Just that he's him, and you're..." Eddie's voice trailed off, his expression becoming guarded.

"What do you mean?" I pressed, genuinely curious.

"Steve is a self-centered jerk wad, I can’t understand how you’d be his friend" Eddie replied with a wry smile.

I raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised by his assessment. "Didn't know you knew him," I commented nonchalantly, taking the coffee cup and making my way to a seat. As I settled in, I pondered the conversation, realizing that while Steve might have a reputation, openly voicing it felt a bit harsh.

Exhaling softly, I lifted my cup to my lips once more, taking a sip of the coffee before my eyes turned to the small note adorning it.

I better cut back on caffeine because my heart beats fast enough around you.

A fleeting smile graced my lips as I read the note, but soon my attention shifted to my backpack. With just a few days left of the school year, there was little left for me to occupy myself with. Taking another sip of my coffee, I rummaged through my bag in search of something, anything, to keep me engaged.

"Are you bored?" Eddie's voice floated over from his spot behind the counter.

"Kind of," I admitted, biting the inside of my cheek. "And I forgot my walkman. Maybe I'll just head home."

"Why leave when it's so nice here?" Eddie quipped. However, the reality was that the coffee shop felt stiflingly hot. My drink seemed to be more ice than coffee, courtesy of Eddie's efforts to combat the heat. Despite the air conditioning's presence, the temperature inside seemed to be unrelenting. I noticed another customer across the room, fanning themselves as they read, which only emphasized the sweltering conditions.

"Oh, definitely," I sighed with a hint of sarcasm, shuffling my belongings back into my bag. "This place is a paradise." My hair found itself pulled into a hasty ponytail, and I resorted to fanning my face with my hand before returning to my coffee. Eddie's smile caught my attention, and I raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "What?"

"Hmm?" he responded, his gaze quickly shifting elsewhere.

A warm flush spread across my cheeks, and I instinctively turned to gaze out of the expansive front window. I wondered if Eddie had been looking at me, or if his focus had been elsewhere. The uncertainty added to my mild embarrassment.

Letting out a sigh, I swiveled slightly to glance at the wall clock behind me. The thought of heading home and collapsing on the couch seemed increasingly appealing, but the prospect of trekking the twenty-minute journey under the blazing sun felt like wandering through a desert in search of water. Maybe it was time to retrieve my bike from the garage, providing a more efficient means of transport.

"Checking to see how much time you have left before being at Harrington's?" Eddie's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention once again.

"Huh?" I furrowed my brow, a small groan escaping as I realized his implication. "I actually forgot about that." The realization brought about an internal wince. Steve had told me to be at his place by 7, still hours away. "Eavesdropping during lunch, were you?" I quipped, a half-smile tugging at my lips.

"You're hardly ever in the cafeteria," Eddie shrugged, a playful grin tugging at his lips. His casual response taking me by surprise. "And let's just say Steve's friends are quite vocal."

I sighed. “They really talk so loud.” The smile on Eddie’s face got bigger before he started laughing.

Eddie had noticed my absence from the cafeteria? The thought was oddly flattering, causing an involuntary smile to bloom across my face. In an attempt to conceal my amusement, I hastened to finish off the last of my coffee. Eddie's laughter danced in the air, further brightening the moment.

"Eddie," the other barista called out with a sigh, emerging from the back area and tying their apron around their waist. "You're done for the day."

Eddie wasted no time, a triumphant Yes! slipping from his lips in an almost hushed tone. He promptly vaulted over the counter, earning a reprimanding comment from the other barista, which he seemed to brush off.

He disregarded the comment, tugging the tie from his hair and allowing his curls to cascade freely around his head. He shed his apron, leaving it on the counter, and retrieved his keys from his pocket, twirling them idly on his finger.

"Someone's excited," I murmured, discreetly tucking the coffee slip into my bag before hoisting my backpack onto my shoulder. I offered a quick wave to the other barista before heading for the exit. Eddie jogged over, holding the door open for me. My gaze lingered on him for a moment before I walked through the door.

Outside, he stretched his arms overhead, capturing my attention as his muscles flexed. A gulp caught in my throat as he rubbed his eyes, his gaze eventually locking onto mine.

"Um, bye," I managed to say, taking a few steps before I was halted by Gareth's appearance on the sidewalk.

"Hey, Y/N," Gareth greeted with a warm smile, taking the keys from Eddie's hand as he acknowledged me. Meanwhile, their two other friends were steadily approaching Eddie's white van.

"Hey," I responded, tilting my head slightly as I observed the process of unloading equipment from the van. Amps, guitars, and a drum kit spilled out onto the pavement.

Gareth heaved the kick drum up onto the sidewalk, and Eddie pushed open the door to the adjacent bar for his friends. "You're performing here?"

"Every week this summer," Eddie replied, a note of pride evident in his grin.

"That's… pretty cool," I remarked, genuinely impressed.

Eddie shrugged nonchalantly. "It's a daytime slot. They don't want underage kids performing for the drunk crowd, apparently. But it's a start."

Gareth returned from inside, grasping a guitar case and placing it in Eddie's hands before turning his attention to me. "Are you planning to watch?"

"She's got other plans," Eddie chimed in, his voice slightly muffled by the guitar case pressed against him. He began walking into The Hideout, leaving me on the sidewalk as I averted my gaze to the ground.

A slight frown crept onto my face, but I attempted to shake off the twinge of disappointment. "Right. Actually, I'm headed to a party," I gestured animatedly with my hands, taking a few steps back to avoid the influx of band members hauling equipment.

Gareth hummed, stepping closer to me. "I'm sure Ed would've loved it if you stayed." He studied my face, his gaze narrowing slightly as if searching for a reaction. His assumption appeared to be correct, given the slow smile that graced his features. "You've got some time."

Blushing, I stared at Gareth with a slightly open mouth, taken aback by his remark. He walked over to Eddie's van, retrieving drumsticks and an amp before closing and locking the vehicle. Gareth handed the drumsticks and keys to me, then waited for me to open the bar's door for him.

Tightening my lips, I took a sharp intake of breath and held the door open for Gareth. He gave a nod in the direction of the small stage situated in the far corner of the bar. I followed him, glancing around as I entered. The bar was already populated with a few people, some appearing rather inebriated. The bartender eyed us cautiously as he cleaned a glass.

"Keys?" Eddie's voice sounded as he detected our presence behind him. Gareth looked at me, and I shifted to hand the car keys to Eddie. A slight jolt passed through me as our hands brushed against each other. Nervously, I clutched the drumsticks to my chest. Eddie turned around slowly, his gaze descending to meet mine. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, then cleared his throat, eventually focusing his attention on one of his friends.

Feeling slightly embarrassed by the encounter, I hurriedly climbed onto the stage and knelt beside Gareth as he set up his drum kit.

"I should probably go," I murmured.

Gareth rolled his eyes, continuing to adjust his cymbals. "No," he stated simply.

"Wow, your powers of persuasion are truly impressive," I replied sarcastically.

Gareth swiveled on his seat, hunching over slightly with a blank expression. He stared at me, then glanced beyond me at the other three boys who were whispering among themselves. With a sigh, he placed one hand on my shoulder and took the drumsticks from my grasp.

"Go if you want, but we're only doing three songs tonight," he shrugged nonchalantly before standing up and going to converse with the rest of the band, leaving me alone on the floor.

After a brief moment of silent contemplation, I descended from the stage and claimed a seat at the bar. I ordered a glass of water from the bartender as someone took the stool next to me.

"Smart choice," the man commented.

"Chief Hopper," I acknowledged, looking at him.

"Y/L/N," Hopper greeted, waving to the bartender as he ordered a beer. "What brings you here?"

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure."

As the band members made some noise on the stage, a few more patrons entered The Hideout. Hopper sighed and lowered his head, focusing on the stage. "Jesus."

"What's wrong?"

He took a swig from his beer, glancing sideways to get a better view of the stage. "These idiots. You're not dating one of them, are you?"

"No, sir."

He hummed in response, taking another sip of his beer, and settled in to watch Corroded Coffin as they began their first song.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

As the band wrapped up their final song, the bar had grown more crowded. Chief Hopper and I had been engaged in light conversation, clapping when appropriate, and I did my best to mask any visible reactions to Eddie's singing and guitar playing. However, I suspected that Hopper had noticed how I reacted during the second song, where Eddie seemed to moan one of the lyrics.

The band members filed past, carrying their equipment out to the van. Eddie lingered behind, stopping at my seat.

"Heya Chief," he greeted casually.

"Munson," Hopper replied, giving the boy a once-over.

"You were good," I chimed in quickly, my fingers nervously fiddling with a loose thread on my pants.

Eddie chuckled. "I doubt a lot of people agree."

Hopper gestured with his beer bottle and drained the last of his drink. "I definitely don't." He placed some money on the counter, then adjusted his pants as he stood. "It was loud, that's all I have to say."

I watched as Hopper left, leaving behind an awkward silence with Eddie. In an attempt to fill the void, I picked up my glass and finished the water, then adjusted the straps of my backpack and got up from my stool.

Eddie and I navigated through the crowd, eventually reaching the front door. We paused as we encountered Gareth and the others.

"Well, you guys were really cool. I'll see you some other time," I offered a quick thumbs-up before attempting to walk home. However, Gareth stopped me.

"You're walking? In this heat?" He draped an arm around my shoulders, and I sensed Eddie's subtle tension. "I'd offer you a ride, but my mom's car doesn't have much room." He trailed off, observing a car as it pulled up and the other boys headed towards it.

"It's fine," I insisted, Gareth shrugged and walked over to the car. I resumed walking, head down and hands tucked into my pockets.

"I could drive you home," Eddie said cautiously, breaking the silence. "Or to Steve's, if that's where you want to go."

“I…” I found myself staring at Eddie, struggling to find the right words to decline his offer. With a gentle sigh, I managed to give him a soft smile. "Are you sure?"

A faint twitch appeared at the corners of his mouth, and he nodded in response. Eddie closed the van's back doors and moved towards the passenger side, holding the door open for me.

Climbing into the seat, I noticed an array of cassettes, guitar picks, and various Dungeons & Dragons items scattered around his car.

"Sorry about the mess," he muttered as he settled into the driver's seat. I picked up a small figurine from among the items.

"Hand-painted?" I inquired, and Eddie nodded enthusiastically. I studied the figurine more closely. "There's so much detail."

"Can't be a disappointing DM; my boys need good-looking stuff," he explained. Eddie started the engine, and the stereo kicked in at a loud volume. He hurriedly turned it down, apologizing quickly before placing both hands on the steering wheel. "Which way?"

Carefully placing the figure back in the console, I looked at him. "Maple Street."

With a nod, Eddie looked over his shoulder, his hand resting on the back of my seat as he reversed out of the parking spot.

The drive was mostly quiet, with only the soft music playing and Eddie tapping his hands to the rhythm. I wasn't sure if Eddie wanted me to start a conversation or if he preferred silence. Maybe this whole situation was too awkward. After all, we weren't exactly friends.

"So, you're not going to Harrington's party?" he finally broke the silence.

"I might. It's still early," I replied, gesturing towards my house. Eddie pulled up, leaning forward to look out the window at my home. "Thank you for the ride, Eddie."

"Anytime," he grinned. I opened the door, and he placed his hand on my arm, causing me to glance back at him. "Seriously, Y/N."

I smiled at him, and he hesitantly withdrew his hand, letting it drop into his lap. I waved as I stepped out of the car and quickly closed the door behind me. Peering through the peephole, I watched Eddie drive off. He paused for a moment before restarting the car, the white van jerked forward, and he turned up the music before driving away.

When he was no longer in sight on my street, I dropped my backpack on the floor and flopped onto the couch, burying my face in a cushion and letting out a groan.

"Hey, Eddie, it was great sort of hanging out with you today, and by the way, I think you're really attractive," I mumbled into the pillow. "Stupid."

After a couple of hours of trying to avoid the heat, I finally rolled off the couch and changed into something more suitable for the party, making sure to wear a swimsuit underneath.

I walked into the garage, shuffling boxes aside and pulling out my bike. It hadn't been used since last summer, but the tires weren't flat and it wasn't covered in cobwebs, so I happily wheeled it out onto the road.

The ride to Steve's house took around 7 minutes by bike, a much better option than the 15-minute walk. Music was already playing as I arrived, so I left my bike on the grass and headed inside.

"Hey!" one of Steve's friends greeted as they opened the door for me. "You're Y/N, right?"

With a nod and some polite conversation, I followed her to the backyard where Steve was. He walked over to me with a welcoming smile.

"Thanks for coming. And, you know, sorry I didn't try to be your friend earlier," he said with a sigh. "Bad timing to fix that now."

"Are you looking forward to graduation?" I asked, as it was only a few days away. Hawkins High graduates left on Thursday, just before the official start of summer break.

"Not really," he shrugged. I nodded slowly, and Steve changed the subject. "That coffee place you go to is nice."

"Isn't it?" I smiled. I’d loved that Cafe for years and nobody ever seemed to notice, it was always just another place people passed by.

"Didn't you say freak Munson works there?" One of the guys chimed in.

I felt a slight frown forming, and Steve seemed to catch on.

"Maybe that's a bit harsh," he said, looking at me and lowering his voice. "Sorry."

I blinked a few times, feeling a bit puzzled. "What? Why are you sorry?"

"Because you and Munson… you know."

"I don't know."

"Really? I thought there was something going on."

"Why would you think that? He just makes my coffee."

"Because you're beautiful, and he spends all his time getting paid to stare at you," Steve explained, walking off to grab a drink.

One of the girls laughed, having overheard what Steve had said. "Stop flirting, Steve'o."

He rolled his eyes and glanced back at me. "Idiots."

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Graduation came and went, and summer officially began. I pedaled my bike toward the mall, narrowly avoiding being hit by Billy Hargrove as he carelessly sped down the street.

I started to genuinely enjoy Steve's company. It felt similar to the times we'd hang out during my tutoring sessions with him, except now I didn't have to explain big words as often. We would have probably stayed friends from that point on if he hadn't started dating Nancy Wheeler.

I locked my bike on the rack and pulled my hair out of its ponytail, shaking my head before running a hand through it.

"Woo!" A voice hollered. Turning, I was greeted by Gareth strolling towards me with his hands in his pockets. Eddie was a few steps behind him. "That was hot."

Eddie briefly frowned, glancing at his friend before looking at me. "Hey."

"Hi," I said breathlessly, locking eyes with Eddie.

After a few moments of silence, Gareth rolled his eyes. "Nice bike."

"Thanks?" I shrugged. "Need something to ride around."

Gareth smiled slowly and scratched the back of his neck. "I'm sure Eddie would let you ride."

Eddie smacked his best friend on the back of his head, sparking an argument between them. I took a few steps back, putting my hands in my pockets, and turned to walk into the mall. The air conditioning hit me as soon as I entered the doors, and I took a deep breath, letting the enticing scent of pretzels from a nearby stand wash over me.

"Oh, that smells so good," Eddie said softly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, looking over my shoulder to see Gareth rubbing his arm as if he'd received a solid punch.

Eddie shrugged, walking alongside me carelessly. "Shopping. Loitering. Whatever else we're meant to do in a big mall."

I nodded and looked up at one of the maps, scanning it to find where Scoops Ahoy was located.

"What’cha looking for?" Eddie asked.

"Scoops," I muttered, smiling when I found it and pulling my backpack off. The boys watched as I took out my camera from my bag and headed towards the escalator, sharing a confused glance before following after me.

The boys stayed a few steps behind me as I walked into the relatively empty ice cream parlor. "Oh wow," I muttered, glancing at Steve. "What are you wearing?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Steve replied.

"You look cute," I shrugged.

"Do you mean 'cute' in the way girls say it about puppies and babies, or 'cute' like you'd want to date me?"

I pursed my lips, taking a moment to think. "Puppies and babies."

Steve groaned, and the door to the back room swung open. "Too loud, doofus."

"Hi Robin," I smiled. Robin waved and picked up her ice cream scoop, waiting for me to order something as I began to look over the flavors.

"You know each other?"

"Steve… we've gone to school with her for, like, forever."

"Yeah, but I didn't even know you."

"That's because you were self-obsessed," I said simply. Steve put a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt. "I can't pick."

"Bubblegum?" Robin suggested, raising an eyebrow.

"Sure." I watched her scoop it carefully into the cup, and then she handed it to Steve. He poked a tiny plastic spoon into it. As he held it out for me, I unexpectedly blinded him with the flash of my camera.

Steve opened and closed his mouth for a few seconds. "Wha… What just happened?"

"You look like a doofus, I need to make sure it's immortalized."

Steve groaned and leaned against the counter. "You know you're being followed, right?" His poor customer service skills began to shine through as he took a bite of my ice cream.

I snatched the cup from his hand, quickly passing over my money. "I'll catch you later," I nodded to Steve. He gave me a tired thumbs up, and I turned around just in time to narrowly dodge someone who had lined up behind me, accidentally bumping into a table and I made the choice to protect my ice cream from dropping instead of steadying myself.

Eddie stepped forward quickly, one arm snaking around my waist as he helped me stand up straight.

"Shit," he muttered, his arm gently brushing against my exposed skin. He was so close I could feel his breath hit me.

"Who's the doofus now?" Steve mocked.

"Still you!" Robin chimed in. Steve huffed and turned to attend to the next customer.

"You alright?" Eddie's brown eyes seemed to search my face. Voice soft, feeling like we were the only 2 people in the world.

My mouth felt dry, but I managed to spit out the words. "I'm fine."

Eddie smiled down at me, and Gareth cleared his throat loudly. "If you’re done canoodling…"

Eddie quickly moved away from me. To distract from the awkwardness, I raised an eyebrow at Gareth. "Who the hell says 'canoodling'?"

"Me."

Eddie, Gareth, and I walked and talked for an hour before Gareth decided he was ‘starving’. We headed to the food court and took a seat at a table as Gareth went to order.

Eddie was beside me, his knee and arm touching mine, both of us just looking ahead and not saying anything.

With a deep breath, Eddie turned to me. "You and Harrington are pretty… friendly now."

"Yep, we're friends. Just friends."

"Oh," Eddie said, and I couldn't quite read the look that flashed across his face before he turned to look ahead again. Another long silence enveloped us, and I found myself staring at Eddie's side profile until he spoke again. "I guess... I just know Steve's reputation, and how he acts with pretty girls. So I thought, maybe..."

He turned to look at me, our eyes locking, and his words trailed off as he seemed to forget what he was going to say. My face felt like it was on fire. He thinks I'm pretty.

Suddenly, a bright flash caught our attention. I blinked and snapped my focus to Gareth, who was sitting across from us with his tray of food. "Sorry," he said, putting my camera back down on the table.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Seated in the coffee shop, Eddie poured my coffee while I idly read a book. Instead of calling my name as usual, he jumped over the counter and walked over to my table, holding two cups. "Can I sit?"

"Your job isn't to 'sit,' Eddie." I pushed the seat across from me out and closed my book. He pushed a cup across the table, and I spun it around to read the note. A smile played on his lips as he noticed how much I actually enjoyed his terrible puns and jokes.

No amount of coffee could keep me awake as you do.

We sat in silence, and I could feel Eddie's eyes on me, but I just kept my head down.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Eddie whispered gently.

I glanced at him while sipping my coffee. "Sure."

"I hate coffee," he admitted, taking a sip. "This is basically 90% milk and sugar, at least."

"Well, I must say, even if you don't like it, you've got a talent for making it taste good," I remarked. Eddie chuckled softly, and we lapsed back into a tranquil silence.

"We're, uh," he started again, swallowing hard and catching my attention. "Gareth and I are thinking about going to the pool tomorrow."

I nodded, sipping my coffee. "Oh, that'll be nice."

"Do you want to come?"

We'd talked more and more in the cafe over the summer, and we'd run into each other and just hung out for a while. But he'd never asked me to hang out with him. It was always just a coincidence. "Sure."

Eddie softly smiled and sipped his coffee. "I'll pick you up at 11?"

"Sounds good." I felt like melting. Gareth would be there, but he clearly had some push to get me and Eddie together, so I trusted that he'd be pretty aloof and I'd basically get to spend all day soaking up the sun and chatting with Eddie.

The bell above the door rang, and Eddie got up to serve the new customers, two of the kids Steve was friends with. They ordered some pastries, and as the boy paid, the girl noticed me. She thought for a second before recognition ran across her face.

"Y/N, right? You're Steve's girlfriend," she said, making the boy snap his attention towards me so fast I thought he'd break his neck.

Eddie slowed his movements.

"Yes, and no. Y/N, Steve's sort of new friend," I awkwardly smiled at her.

"Right." She nodded, the boy now staring at me.

He blinked a few times. "You're friends with Steve Harrington?"

"Unfortunately." My comment made Eddie snicker, and I noticed his shoulders relax. Whenever someone else mentioned Steve, I'd noticed Eddie would tense, not wanting to look at me. Was he afraid I liked Steve? I kind of hoped so.

"He's pretty cool."

"Yeah, I heard about him letting you guys sneak into the theater. Who's this Dustin kid, anyway? You?"

"No, I'm Lucas."

"Max." The girl tiredly waved. "Dustin's still at his nerd camp."

"Steve talks about him a lot. His whole vocabulary is basically just: dating, Dustin, and occasionally, sports."

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Anxious, I sat beside the door, fidgeting with my hands. The clock had just struck 11, and I awaited Eddie's arrival with nervous anticipation. Dressed in my swimsuit, I had prepared by packing cold water bottles, snacks, and sunscreen in my bag. I was fully equipped and ready to go.

The sound of music reached my ears as Eddie's van pulled into the driveway. I wondered if he would come to the door, or if he would opt for the 'honk the horn and you come outside' approach. Without fully pondering it, a knock sounded at the door. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door calmly.

"Morning," I greeted, observing Eddie's nervous rocking back and forth on his heels.

"Hi," he responded with a friendly smile.

Lifting my bag from the floor, I slung it over my shoulder. Gesturing towards his car, Eddie stepped back slightly. As I locked the door, he positioned himself beside me. We walked side by side to his vehicle, our hands lightly brushing against each other a few times.

"Where's Gareth?" I asked curiously, noticing that the fluffy-haired boy was absent from the passenger seat where I had anticipated seeing him.

Opening the van's door for me, Eddie clarified, "He's meeting us there."

I hummed softly and settled into a seat. Eddie's van had been tidied up, with only a few Dungeons & Dragons figures occupying the cup holder.

"I hope the pool isn't too busy," Eddie sighed as he started the engine.

I chuckled, responding, "It's summer; it's bound to be bustling."

"I don't want to take my shirt off in front of that many people," he protested, his pout catching my attention.

"Too bad you're already committed to going to the pool. No escape," I playfully retorted.

"We could always do something else," he suggested, and I could feel my heart rate quicken at the idea.

"But then you'd just be leaving your best friend behind," I pointed out.

He shrugged casually. "Eh, who needs him."

I bit my lip and shook my head, diverting my gaze to the window to hide the blush that had crept onto my cheeks.

Eddie let out an overly dramatic sigh as he maneuvered into the parking lot. "I guess I need him."

After parking, we walked towards the entrance, where Gareth was already waiting, leaning against the wall.

"You took forever," he groaned.

Eddie rolled his eyes, and the three of us entered the facility, engaged in casual conversation until we discovered a suitable spot in the shade to set our belongings down.

"Later, dorks," Gareth teases as he dropped his bag unceremoniously and sauntered toward the water.

Eddie situated himself, sitting down with his hands behind him and his legs stretched out in front.

"I thought you were planning to take your shirt off," I playfully remarked.

"Patience," he grinned, a hint of bashfulness in his expression. "I need to gather some courage."

"You, Edward Munson—"

"Eddie."

"You're not feeling courageous?" I arched an eyebrow, and he confirmed with a nod. "I didn't expect that. I suppose the image of you in my mind is more audacious."

I swiftly pulled my shirt over my head and stepped out of my shorts, placing them in my bag while pretending not to notice Eddie's either sudden appearance of sunburn or the unmistakable blush spread across his face.

Upon reaching the water, Gareth swam over to me. "Don't leave him by himself."

"He's your best friend; you should be with him," I suggested, gesturing towards Eddie's spot.

"He wanted you here, so I'm pretty much just a bystander," I raised an eyebrow, and Gareth let out an exasperated groan, dramatically throwing his head back. "He deserves this for thinking those dumb puns were a good idea."

"Well, I actually enjoy the notes on my coffee," I frowned, and Gareth shot me a look.

"Seriously? You like those?" I nodded. "Well then, are you stupid?"

"That's not very nice."

"Okay, so you are stupid. You," he playfully pushed me back toward the edge of the pool, "go talk to Eddie. Tell him you want to kiss him or whatever embarrassing thoughts you have about him when you're alone."

I gasped. "What the fuck, Gareth?" He shooed me away, and I climbed out of the pool, pushing my wet hair back from my face as I started walking. However, I was interrupted by a whistle.

"Oi, Y/L/N!" Billy descended from the lifeguard chair.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not going to respond to 'Oi' Billy."

"But you just did," he smirked, stopping in front of me and subtly flexing. "You a strong swimmer?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I can offer you private lessons," he shrugged, adjusting his aviators.

"How many girls has that line worked on this summer?" I questioned.

"A few, but uh," he looked me up and down, "I think this one could be the winner."

I crossed my arms over my chest and instinctively stepped back from Billy. "Please don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you want to devour me."

Billy took a step closer, his hand on my arm and a sinister grin on his face. "I've got a lot of thoughts about what to do with you."

"She said stop," Eddie's voice came from beside me. I instinctively moved behind him as he glared at Billy.

"This doesn't concern you, freak."

"Y/N is my," he hesitated, "friend. And you can't act like a dick and expect girls to suck yours."

I blinked a few times, looking up at Eddie and stifling a laugh at his words.

Billy furrowed his eyebrows. "You're lucky there are witnesses, Munson," he said, knocking Eddie's shoulder as he walked past.

"Here," Eddie took off his shirt and handed it to me. I pulled it on and looked back at him. Eddie had tattoos on his chest: a face of some kind and a spider. He took my hand in his, our fingers intertwining as he led us back to our belongings. "What a jerk."

"It could have been worse," we sat down, and I continued to observe the tattoos. "You took your shirt off," I blurted out before thinking.

"You needed it more than I did."

"I do have my own shirt, Eddie."

"But you look good in that one," he smiled, his gaze fixed on me. Our eyes locked again, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. I noticed him inching a little closer to me, and in an attempt to calm my nerves, I clenched my fists. "Ow," Eddie winced, withdrawing his hand from mine and rubbing it.

I had forgotten that we were holding hands. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"It's okay," he laughed.

Gareth approached us, dripping wet, and his shoulders starting to turn pink from the sun. "I may have forgotten sunscreen."

"I got you," I said as I rummaged through my bag, pulling everything out and arranging it in front of me. Eddie picked up a few items, examining them, and my camera's flash went off as he took a picture of Gareth standing hunched over, his hair stuck to his forehead.

When I reached the sunscreen, Gareth poured a generous amount onto his hands and quickly spread it on his skin before tossing the bottle back to me and heading back into the water.

“He’s so stupid” Eddie laughed, still toying with my camera.

"And you’re any better?" I giggled, taking the camera from his hands. Eddie struck a pose, and I captured a photo of him. A smile automatically adorned my face when Eddie reclaimed the camera and instructed me to smile.

"Absolutely flawless," he grinned, causing a blush to creep onto my cheeks.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Eddie had started calling me regularly. We would have long conversations, and with each new detail I learned, my fondness for him grew. He'd casually mention things like, ‘You're going to love my Uncle Wayne. He's got this collection of mugs that I'm excited for you to see.’ It was as if he just naturally assumed that I would be around.

We had reached the midpoint of summer, and Eddie and I continued to spend time together, with Gareth in the vicinity, occupied with his own activities.

As we stepped out of Steve's car and headed towards the coffee shop, he playfully shoved me. "Watch it, Harrington," I retorted with a mock glare.

The bell above the door chimed as I pushed it open, Steve nonchalantly slipping his hands into his pockets as we entered the coffee shop.

A series of crashing sounds resonated from the back of the shop, and suddenly, Eddie emerged from behind the counter. His apron was loosely tied around his waist, and he struggled to brush his hair away from his face, a hair tie between his teeth.

"Hey, you're early," Eddie remarked, his voice slightly muffled by the hair tie. I chuckled, leaning against the counter and stealing a quick glance back at Steve.

"I'm here at the same time I am every day," I replied with a casual shrug. Steve nodded in agreement, his gaze wandering to the wall clock.

"I was just hoping to—" Eddie started to say, but he paused as he pushed his curls out of his eyes and tied them back. He seemed to notice Steve standing behind me and greeted him awkwardly, "Uh, hi."

Eddie glanced between me and Steve, a hint of discomfort evident in his expression. He carefully reached for a cup, keeping an eye on Steve as if he wasn't pleased with his presence. Hoping to what?

"Not even letting me pretend to look at the menu anymore?" I quipped, playfully leaning onto my toes to peek into the back kitchen. "I need another barista."

Almost as if on cue, a voice growled from the back area of the coffee shop, shouting, "EDDIE! What the hell did you do back here?"

Eddie's response carried mock innocence, "What do you mean?" He shot me a look, and I chuckled, stepping away from the counter. Steve briefly scanned the menu before speaking up.

"I'll just have the same," Steve shrugged, not entirely concerned about the menu.

"He's paying for both of us," I chimed in, causing Steve to snap his head in my direction. Eddie suppressed a laugh, and Steve begrudgingly retrieved his wallet and handed over the money.

As I waited by the counter, I asked Eddie, "You playing tonight?" Steve wandered off to explore the café.

"Yeah," Eddie half-smiled as he prepared the two iced coffees. I nodded, glancing around to see where Steve had gone. Once the drinks were ready, Eddie slid them over to me.

"Thank you," I grinned, feeling a slight shiver down my arm as our hands briefly touched. "I'll see you later, yeah?"

Eddie nodded swiftly, and I called out to Steve. Both of us left the café, Steve taking a cup from me. As we settled into his car, I examined my cup, my brow furrowing as I realized it was blank.

Steve settled into the driver's seat, and I took his cup from his hand as he went to take a sip.

"Dude," he protested, giving me a perplexed look. "We got the same thing, why did you take mine?"

Blank. Both cups were blank. "Uh, I wanted the one with more ice," I hastily lied, passing one of the cups back to Steve.

He seemed skeptical but didn't press the issue. After a sip, he placed the cup in the tray and started driving in the direction of my house.

Steve waved goodbye as I walked up my driveway, and I entered my house, sinking into a seat in front of the television. The show playing on the screen didn't capture my attention; instead, I found myself fixated on the condensation droplets trickling down the sides of my plastic coffee cup.

After finishing the drink, I headed to the kitchen to dispose of the empty cup in the bin. Then, I made my way to my room and collapsed onto my bed.

There sat my camera on the dresser, a reminder that I had yet to check the photos I'd had developed. Shaking off my lethargy, I retrieved the envelope from my backpack and settled onto the bed to go through them.

Among the photos were shots of the coffee shop, various locations around town, Steve, and the moments we had shared with his friends. I couldn't help but smile as I came across the picture Eddie had taken of Gareth during our first pool outing, the one of Eddie that sent my heart racing, and the shot of me taken by Eddie himself.

But the last photograph in the stack was something special. It captured Eddie and me at the mall, a snapshot from the early days of summer. Taken accidentally when Gareth was handling my camera, resulting in a slightly tilted angle.

In the photo, Eddie and I were seated side by side, our gazes locked in an intimate moment. My cheeks were flushed, and now, looking at Eddie's expression, I realized he was blushing too.

"Gareth, you wonderfully dumbass," I muttered to myself. I placed the other photos down on the bed and began searching my room for a pen.

I don’t need to have caffeine in my system, you manage to make my heart jump.

Satisfied with the message I had chosen, I rushed around my room to spruce up my appearance and feel more presentable. The relentless heat made everything cling to my skin, but that was a minor concern. After checking the time, I hurried outside with the photo in hand, jumping on my bike and pedaling toward the coffee shop.

As I approached The Hideout, the sound of Corroded Coffin's music grew louder. A few people were scattered around outside. I locked my bike, keeping my head down, and made my way to the bar door. Inside, I ignored people calling for my attention and giving me strange looks. It felt like the first time I had come here, Chief Hopper seated at the bar.

"Hopper," I sighed, approaching him.

He raised an eyebrow as I stopped near him. "Exactly how often do you come into this establishment?"

"I'm here with a purpose."

"Munson's band?" He sipped his beer and glanced at his watch. "I've seen you running around with him for a while."

"Well, I mean..." I awkwardly laughed and shifted my weight.

"Not my business," Hopper muttered, placing his now-empty bottle on the bar and getting up. He strolled away, leaving me standing alone at the bar, nervously toying with the edge of the photo in my pocket.

Eddie thanked the crowd for listening to their performance, and a few people clapped, making him smile with pride. Gareth, having spotted me, got up from behind his drum set and walked over to me with a smile.

"Usually Eds tells us when you're coming. Did you like the show?"

"Always do," I smiled, although I hadn't really been listening today. I was too nervous, not sure if Eddie would interpret the note correctly.

"Hey," Eddie raised an eyebrow as he approached us. "No Steve?"

Gareth slowly backed away, walking to join the rest of the band as they packed up their equipment.

"I think he has a date tonight, actually."

"Oh, and are you... okay with that?"

"Of course, I am," I laughed. "My friends deserve to be happy. Steve's not very lucky in the relationship area anymore."

"Really? Steve Harrington has trouble with girls?"

"All the time. It's pretty much all he talks about," I said, reaching to pull the photo from my pocket. But just as I was about to do so, Gareth came back over to us.

"All good to go," he announced, passing Eddie his car keys. "Y/N, you want to come to Eddie's tomorrow?"

"Uh, tomorrow?" I glanced at Eddie, who was just looking at his friend.

"Watch a movie with us," Gareth suggested, giving Eddie a significant look. They seemed to have a silent conversation before Eddie turned his attention back to me.

"Yeah, you should come," Eddie said.

"Oh, sure," I replied with a smile.

"Eddie will call you with the details," Gareth said casually, slinging an arm over my shoulders. Eddie reached forward, pulling his friend's arm off me and giving him a stern look.

We walked outside together, the other two guys already engrossed in conversation by the van.

I headed toward the bikes, pulling mine off the rack and groaning when I heard the familiar sound of Billy Hargrove's car engine pulling up beside me.

"What is it this time?" I asked. He had made various attempts to pick me up since the incident at the pool, showing up at my house, the cafe, the mall, Scoops Ahoy, and even once at Steve's house.

"Let me drive you home," he smiled, reaching across the car to open the passenger door.

"I'd rather you ran me over," I replied, turning back to the guys who were all watching intently.

"Come on," Billy growled. "It's just a ride, nothing serious... And if you so feel inclined to seek more, I won't complain."

"And when I don't?"

"Oh, you will," he said confidently.

"Will my bike fit in your van?" I asked Eddie, a little concerned about what Billy might do.

"We can fit it," one of the guys said, opening the back doors and making space by moving some of the band equipment.

"Come on," Eddie reached his hand out, and I took it, while Gareth grabbed my bike and shot a disapproving glare at Billy.

Gareth loaded my bike into the back of the van, and Billy revved his engine before speeding off down the street.

"Thanks," I mumbled, looking down at mine and Eddie's intertwined hands.

"I said I could drive you anytime," he shrugged, "I really meant it."

I smiled at him, carefully dropping his hand and walking over to the other boys. I climbed into the back of the van, sitting with two of them in the cramped space while Gareth shut the doors and walked around to the passenger seat.

We chatted and joked as Eddie drove, stopping at the first house.

"Bye, Jeff," I waved, and he gave me a small nod, picking up his guitar and climbing out of the van to head home. I really liked talking with Eddie’s friends, it seemed to me like they followed Gareth’s lead and kept referring to me and Eddie as an item.

We made it to my house, and I bid the three boys farewell before heading inside. Eddie's van stayed in the driveway until I had closed the door, and I saw his lights pass by the window.

An hour passed as I waited by the phone before it finally rang. "Hey, Eddie," I said as I put the receiver to my ear.

"Ouch, why are you never that eager to talk to me," Steve asked, and I frowned a little.

"Oh, Hi Steve." I shook off the sad feeling that maybe Eddie wasn't calling because he didn't want me there. Maybe he was just friendly, and I'd been reading into things. "I'm always happy to talk to you, but…"

"You love talking to Munson. I get it." Steve yawned on the other line. "I was just calling to ask what you were doing tomorrow."

I felt like I was grinning from ear to ear. "Hanging out with Eddie."

"And Gareth," Steve laughed. "Told him you want to have his kids yet or what?"

"I do not want to have his kids, Steve Harrington," I reprimanded.

"I'm pretty sure I read in your diary that—"

"You read my diary?!"

"No, but now I know you have one," He cheered. "Do you draw little hearts around Eddie's name in there? Oh, you definitely write about how amazing it is to be my friend."

"I have a list of ways I think about killing you in there," I said in a faux-serious tone, Steve laughing lightly.

"Come by my house if you get sick of being around Munson and his boyfriend tomorrow," Steve said simply. "And when he calls, count to 3 before you pick up."

Steve hung up, and I put the phone back in the wall, sinking back into my chair and looking at the ceiling. The phone started ringing again, and I excitedly went to grab it, stopping myself momentarily. "One… Two… Three!" I answered. "Hello?"

"Y/N?"

"Oh, hey Eddie," I said as casually as possible.

"Gareth is coming over at 3 tomorrow, is that good for you? We're just watching some movie I picked up at Family Video."

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll be there."

"Cool," He said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Cool," I whispered back

"So, did you enjoy tonight's show? I didn't think you were coming."

"I wasn't, I mean, I missed most of it, but yeah, I think you're really talented."

"Me?"

"Yeah! You look so cool when you're on stage, it's like a version of you that's not letting fear kick his ass... No offense."

"Please," he laughed. "Tell me more."

I twirled the phone cord on my finger and started telling Eddie how great I thought he was at performing. He seemed so unafraid, and I only got glimpses of this fearlessness. When he held his guitar, he was a new man.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

I went to the store and slowly walked the aisles, picking up different mugs and deciding which one I liked the best. Once I had made my selection, I got back on my bike and rode across town to the trailer park.

As I dropped my bike on the grass, and smoothed down my clothes, I pulled the mug's small gift box out of my backpack and knocked on the door. There was a light ruckus inside before it swung open, and Eddie hurriedly smiled at me.

"Hey," he leaned against the doorframe, and I blushed, looking up at him. "Gareth's not here yet, but you can come in. Sorry, it's kind of a mess."

"You weren't kidding, your uncle really likes mugs," I said, looking around the small space. I held up the gift box, and Eddie tilted his head to the side.

"What's that?"

"It's for him"

"He's not here right now, but I'm sure he'll love whatever it is."

"It's just another silly mug," I muttered, putting the box on the table. Eddie and I stood in silence, looking at each other.

"Do you... want to see my room?"

"Um," I blinked a few times, not expecting that question. "Sure."

Eddie led me down the hall and showed me his room. It was messy, cluttered, and dark, but it felt cozy. It suited him. Eddie kicked at some clothes on the ground, moving them into a small pile.

"Sorry, I guess you're supposed to clean your room before girls come over," he muttered.

I laughed, looking at his little things when the phone started ringing. Eddie excused himself, leaving me to my own devices as I chuckled at the 'World's Best Mum' mug on his bedside table with a red marker used to cross out 'Mum' and write 'Dungeon Master' in smaller letters.

Eddie started arguing quietly with the person on the phone, and I peered out of his bedroom. "Everything okay?"

"It's Gareth," he said bluntly, holding the phone out for me.

I slowly walked out to the kitchen and put the phone to my ear. "Have you not left yet?"

"I'm not coming."

"Huh?"

"Go. Canoodle."

"Nobody says that," I protested, but he'd already hung up. I looked at the phone in confusion, and Eddie took it from my hand.

"Nobody says what?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, it's just the way he um..." I couldn't think up a lie. "All he said was 'Have a groovy time,' and I don't think anyone says 'groovy' anymore."

"Can't believe he's sick," Eddie shook his head. Sick, yep, that's what he was. Sick in the head, maybe.

"I should probably go then."

"No!" Eddie said quickly, and I stopped moving completely to look at him again. "You're already here, stay for the movie."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, friends do stuff together all the time." Friends, because that's what we are.

Eddie pressed play on his VCR and threw himself down on the couch, looking over at me expectantly.

I sat beside him, our arms touching, but I couldn't look at him. Even when we talked, I just looked ahead at the TV set.

"Do you always sit like you're being interrogated?" He joked.

I turned to give him a quizzical look. "Interrogated?" I laughed, relaxing a little. "Not everyone is a menace like you."

"A menace?" He snorted. "You mock the stuff Gareth says, but you need to update your vocabulary."

"Well, I'm sorry that my vocab isn't, like, totally tubular, Edward."

"Eddie," he corrected quickly, making me laugh. With a sigh, I moved back and sat comfortably on the couch, Eddie smiling at me from my peripheral vision as I continued watching the movie.

"Can I help you?"

Seemingly caught in the act, Eddie looked away quickly and cleared his throat. "This movie isn't exactly what I pictured it to be."

"Mhmm, and why's that?"

"It's very... musical. I thought it would be scary."

I looked at him in amusement. "Did you think that it was a horror movie just because it's called Rocky Horror?" He nodded sheepishly, and I smiled. He's so cute.

Moving in my seat, I inched a little closer to Eddie, getting a bit nearer each time I could until he noticed. His hand brushed against mine, and he pulled it away before looking down at my hand.

"If you wanted to be this close to me, you should have just asked," he laughed.

I smiled at him. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Just saying, we could have moved things to my bedroom."

"Oh, you mean that mess you kicked around?" I raised an eyebrow and tried to hold back my grin.

"Hey! I wasn't expecting a girl to go in there," he pouted. "Would have cleaned it for you." Eddie patted my leg in a friendly, joking manner, looking back to the TV and leaving his hand on my thigh. “I really like having you as my friend, Y/N”

Right, Friend. I sat through the rest of the movie with my heart pounding so loudly in my chest that it was ringing in my ears. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but I couldn't. I couldn't risk ruining our friendship by saying, ‘Hey Munson, I have a crush on you!!!’ and having him reject me.

When the credits rolled, Eddie stood up and walked over to the VCR, stopping the movie and looking back at me.

"I should get going now, huh?" I tried to clear my head, getting up and slinging my backpack over my shoulder. I opened the door and looked back at Eddie quickly. "Bye."

"Wait, what?"

"I'll see you later, got to go."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, not at all. It's just, uh, it's getting late, you know? Bye." I walked quickly to my bike, stood it up, and pedaled out of the trailer park.

I rode my bike home in silence, throwing it carelessly on the lawn when I got home. I dropped my backpack on the floor and walked to my room, ignoring my family's questions.

Sitting on my bed, I looked at the different photos stuck on my wall. With a soft smile, since I wouldn't be giving the photo to Eddie, I could at least stick it up for myself. I made my way back to the front door, picking up my backpack and digging through it blindly. I huffed and tipped the bag upside down, watching the loose change and miscellaneous items fall to the floor.

"Shit," I muttered. "No." Did it get stuck to the gift box? That fucking mug!

I pulled open the door, set on racing back to Eddie's and taking the photo. But there he was, standing outside the door with the photo in his hands.

"You did my thing," he said, his voice soft and breathy.

"It's stupid," I reached to take it from him, but Eddie pulled his arms back.

"Why is it stupid?" He frowned at me. "What did it really mean?"

I sighed. "That I think you're cute, I don't know. See? It's stupid." Frustrated, I ran my hands over my face.

"Why is that stupid?" He asked again.

"Because it just is, I don't know, Eddie," I sighed and looked at him. "Can I just have it back?"

"No, I want to keep it."

"What?"

"Because it's not stupid," I raised an eyebrow, and he laughed. "But clearly you are."

"Hey!" I protested, confused. "Why are you laughing?" Was it that hilarious that I had a crush on him? I was younger than him. Maybe he thinks of me as just some kid.

"Y/N," he said slowly. "It took me one note to think you felt something at all, but you didn't understand anything from the fifty I've given you?"

"You're just friendly."

"I'm really not," I looked up at him finally. "Y/N. I think you are amazing, and everyone else sees it except you. I like you."

"I... like you, too?"

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"A," I blinked a few times, swallowing the lump in my throat. "A statement."

"Good," Eddie huffed out a breath, and in an instant, his head ducked down to mine. My eyes widened as I felt the warmth of his lips against mine before slowly closing them and moving so I could wrap my arms around his neck.

His kiss was not like those in movies or books; it was the primal desire that lives in us all. Eddie cupped one hand on the side of my face, moving closer so our bodies were pressed against each other. He embraced himself rather than hid as a copy of those romantic idols as he kissed me.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

bonus epilogue kinda:

Eddie opened his locker, and I raised an eyebrow at the picture of us. "I don't remember that having a cigarette burn and a stain."

He looked at it and back at me. "Clearly, you're remembering wrong."

"Of course I am," I laughed, pressing up on my toes to briefly kiss Eddie. I went to move away, but he wrapped his arms tightly around me.

"Nope," he said against my lips.

"I have class," I said simply, still kissing him and melting against his chest.

"Skip it," he suggested.

I shook my head, and he groaned, letting go and pouting at me. "I see you every day; you can survive 45 minutes while I go to Chemistry."

"Not true, some days you hang out with Steve. And half the day when I get to see you, I'm pouring you drinks," he protested. "Besides, we have our own chemistry."

"You're not funny."

"What are you two doing?" Gareth asked as he approached us.

"Canoodling," I replied blankly, earning an unimpressed look from Gareth.

"You're not funny," he retorted.

Eddie laughed, and I lightly elbowed his side before looking back at Gareth. "Let's go."

"Bye, Eddie," Gareth said, slinging his arm over my shoulders as we turned away. Eddie quickly stepped forward to remove it.

"Stop that," he said simply, and Gareth and I laughed as we walked down the hall to our class.

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