Chapter 6: Rockin' Friendship
[Previous Chapter]
It had been a little shorter than a year since the Demogorgon fight. Since Will came back, and Eleven disappeared. YN's arm had healed up fully, with three jagged scratches on her left arm, and a jagged hole-shaped scar on her right shoulder. Not to mention the small puncture wounds on her ankle. Her hair was slightly longer, tied up in a ponytail with her bangs curled and pinned to the side.
"By Dustin! Be careful!" YN yelled as she stood at the front door, her hat slightly lopsided as she tapped the brim against the doorframe.
Dustin waved his hand back at her before he went on his bike, peddling towards Mike's house.
She sighed softly, moving back into the house and shutting the door softly. She paused, turning towards the basement door before walking towards it. As she opened it, she felt the familiar cold shifting through her body. She tensed her jaw, jerking the handle and swinging the door open.
---
[HAWKINS 1973]
"Daddy? What's that?" YN asked as she leaned up on her tippy toes.
He sighed and shook his head. "It's nothing Dare-Bear. I'll show you it when you're older, alright?"
YN stared up at him with her eyes glimmering with curiosity as he grinned down at her.
"How much older?" She frowned.
He chuckled, lifting her into his lap, and closing the leather-bound book. "When you're 12, at least. Depends on if you remember it by then."
She giggled as he poked her stomach, ticking her. "I'll remember! I will!"
He grinned and sighed softly. "Alright. I'll show it to you then."
---
The police lights were shining around the Henderson household. YN looked ahead, a dull look in her eyes. Her hands were stained with blood, along with her nightgown. Her mother crying hysterically with Dustin in her arms. YN looked over at the door, where a stretcher carried out a large black bag.
YN stared at it as it moved passed her, being loaded into the ambulance.
The tear stains on her cheeks were covered with new tears as she cried again. Her voice was scratchy as she called out for her father. Her mother's hand tightened around her shoulder before YN collapsed onto her knees.
Her father was to be buried a week later.
---
[HAWKINS 1984: PRESENT TIME]
I flick on the light switch, looking around the basement for a moment. Turning to the desk, I inhale sharply as I remember the blood that had been on it. Leaving a permanent stain. I lift my hands onto the desk, my fingers just brushing against the wood before I close my eyes tightly.
Inhaling slowly I open my eyes and look down at the desk. I take a small step back, bringing my fingers to the first draw. I pull on it, frowning when it doesn't move. I kneel down, pulling one of the pins from my hair out and bending it. I stick my tongue out slightly as I try to wiggle the pin into the lock's sweet spot. Grinning when it pops, I slide the draw open, pulling my hairpin out. I frown slightly when I notice an obscene collection of pens and a few scattered pages of paper.
I pull out one of the papers, smiling as I flip it over, seeing a drawing of me and Dustin. I put it down, reaching back into the draw, huffing when the papers are trapped under the pens. Grabbing them at the handful, I drop them on the desk, pushing some back as they start rolling back to the edge of the desk. I pull out another piece of paper, another drawing. Of me holding Dustin after he had been born.
I smile widely as I put it down on top of the other one. I freeze when I see the next drawing. No colors, but black shading. I pick it up hesitantly, exhaling lightly.
It was of me. When I was in a coma. I looked peaceful but sick. And the lines in this drawing were sharp and dark. Unlike the other drawings.
I shakily put it down on top of the other drawings before I hear the sound of rapid knocking coming from above. I pull out my inhaler and walked up the stairs quickly to see who was at the front door.
I pull it open and my eyes widen in shock to see Eddie grinning at me.
"There she is, I've been knocking for an hour. Half tempted to crawl in through your window to come to check on you." Eddie fiddles with his denim jacket as he looks at me.
I scoff, crossing my arms as I lean against my doorway. "Oh really? And what do I owe the pleasure of being visited by the great and powerful Eddie Munson?"
He grins widely before he leans against the opposite side of my doorway, crossing his arms. "I was wondering, if the dear Rouge would like to join me and my mini group, at a concert this weekend in the town over."
I blink for a moment, before grinning and nodding my head. "I think I can manage to get a cover for a night or two. Who are we seeing?"
He sighs in relief. "Judas Priest is touring with a few other bands. I didn't actually catch who they were, but I figured it would be enough to just see them."
I uncross my arms and nod my head. "Alright, definitely." I look up at him before noticing the smudge on his left cheek. "Hey, you got something right there."
"Here?" He asks as he rubs his cheek, but in the wrong spot.
Laughing I shake my head, reaching up. "Here, let me."
He stills as I brush my thumb against it, feeling it flake off. As I pull away, I look down at my thumb, rubbing it against my index finger.
"Uhh, thanks." I nod my head, looking up at him before he rushes off to his van.
"You're welcome!" I yell back, confused as to why he left so quickly.
---
I bounced on my toes as I check my watch, gritting my teeth as I wait for Dustin.
"Dustin! Hurry up! We're gonna be late!" I yell through his door just before he opens it.
"I'm ready, I'm ready!" He brushes past me, sprinting to the door.
"I call shotgun!" He yells as he jumps down the steps.
"NO!" I chase after him, hitting the top of the car as he closes the passenger door, grinning at me.
I glare at him as I swing the back seat door open, "You're not safe Dustin, I'll get you-"
"Enough you two! Or there will be no movie."
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms as I hit the back of my seat with a thump. "Fine."
I glare at Dustin through the side door mirror, to which he grins and shows off his front teeth that had finally come through.
"What movie are you watching again?" Mom asks as she looks at me through the mirror.
"The Neverending Story Mom." I grin before adding. "Don't worry, it's totally PG."
She hmms before driving towards the movie theater.
---
"I can't believe they killed the horse," I mumbled as we walked out of the movies, Dustin nodding at my side.
"We don't tell Mom about that, right?" He asks, and I nod in agreement.
I look down at him for a moment before messing up his curly hair with a grin.
"It was a good movie though Dusty, not a bad choice."
He grinned up at me and nodded. "Yeah, it was."
---
I huff as I dig through my closet for something to wear to a metal concert. I take a moment to glance in the mirror. A plain black shirt and some ripped jeans with combat boots could pass.
I groan before I hear a knocking at my window. I turn around, my eyes widening as I see Eddie grinning at me through the glass. I shake my head, and move to the window, opening it.
"I thought we had agreed to meet down my street?"
He grins, his overgrown mullet shaking as he laughs. "Yeah, well I had figured since you were five minutes past your pick-up, you were in trouble." He glances down at me and grins a little wider, "And turns out I was right."
Gaping at him, I scoff and push his shoulder. "I am perfectly fine! I don't know what you're talking about-"
He lifts his foot inside, ignoring my protests as he sits on my window seal.
"Sweetheart, you're gonna stick out like a soar thumb. Even though the black shirt is a nice touch-"
I hit his shoulder. "I think I could pass-"
"Dare-Bear! You're going to be late for your slumber party with Nancy!" I hear Mom yell through the door.
I groan as Eddie grins at me, his brows shooting up.
"It's fine Mom! I'll be out in a minute!" I yell back before Eddie snickers.
"What?"
He looks at me, a teasing grin on his face. "Dare-Bear? That's adorable."
I glare at him with my lips pressed together. "Shut up or I'm going to push you out the window."
He glances over his shoulder, then looks back at me. "Not like it's a long fall-"
I plant my hands on his shoulder, pushing him out, but his hands catch the window frame. He looks at me with his eyes wide and shock written over his features.
"You really pushed me out-"
"You said it wasn't a long fall!" I hiss back.
"Dare?"
I look over my shoulder frantically before I remember that I had locked my door.
"I'm alright Mom! Just stubbed my toe!"
He chuckles softly and I turn back to him and nudge his shoulder.
"Get out of here, I'll be out in a minute."
He shakes his head and I feel my lips turn down in confusion. "Not with you looking like that."
Shaking my head with a small smile on my face. "I don't have anything else Eds."
He pauses for a moment, then his hands drift to the bottom of his shirt. A Judas Priest shirt I now realize, and he pulls it over his head. I gape at him in shock as he throws it at me. Pulling it off my head I look at him in confusion.
"So you fit in. Don't worry, I have something else." He climbed out the window and grinned at me. "See you in a few Dare-Bear."
I glare at him before he runs off the lawn, turning the corner behind our next-door neighbor's fence. Glancing down at the shirt I smile, closing the window and the blinds.
---
"Be back tomorrow!" I hear Mom say from the kitchen as I make my way out of the house.
"I will! Bye, Mom! Bye Dusty!" I wave at him with a grin before he looks up at me in confusion.
"Whose shirt is that?" He asks.
My eyes widen, and I glance over at the kitchen. "A friend's Dusty, don't worry about it. I'll tell you later."
He frowns and nods. "You better."
Grinning I nod, saluting quickly causing my hat to be brushed upwards. "Got it Dusty. Be back later!"
I hop out of the door, letting it shut behind me before I run across the front lawn. I turn to the right and smile as I see Eddie's van just at the end of the block. I double-check my jacket pocket for my inhaler and my wallet before I sprint to the van.
"Open up, it's the police!" I yell into the passenger window, laughing as I see them jump.
I raise a brow as Eddie shoves Gareth in the back, leaning over and opening the passenger seat.
"I thought you had another shirt," I say as I hop inside the van, noticing the lack of a shirt under his denim vest.
He grins, his eyes flashing to mine as he starts up the engine. "Why? Disappointed that I'm wearing the vest?"
Scoffing, I shake my head with a smile. "No, I just think that if anyone is gonna stick out, it'll be you."
He laughs as I turn in the seat and wave at Jeff and Gareth. "Hey boys, been a while since I've seen ya."
Jeff nods and Gareth grins lightly. "Yeah, last saw you in the campaign. You kicked Eddie's ass by winning so quickly. I don't think he's recovered just yet either."
I chuckle as I notice Eddie giving Gareth a death glare. "Yeah, I think so too. I mean, why else would he stop hanging out with me?"
He glanced at me briefly before looking back at the road. "Well, I had to readjust my crown, since you knocked it off-kilter. Plus, I've been thinking of what to do for our next campaign."
"Hmhmm, sure. Not just ignoring me because of your bruised ego."
---
I wipe the sweat from my brow as we walk back towards the van. The whole experience was awesome. I glance over at Eddie, who was grinning like a maniac. I laugh as I remember when the band had finally walked across the stage. How everything seemed to just buzz to life. I hear a distant voice shouting something, and when I turn to my right, I notice they were selling tour shirts.
I grin and jog past people, and stop in front of the stand. When they ask me what I wanted I pointed to one of the shirts that had caught my eye. I look over my shoulder, noticing Eddie and the other two walking toward me. I turn back to exchange the cash for the shirt, thanking them quickly.
I walk back to Eddie as he looks at me in confusion before I shove the shirt at his head. "Payback."
He pulls it off before grinning down at the shirt.
---
Dare yawned as she looked up through the windshield at the night sky. She glanced back through the van before sighing. "They fell asleep."
Eddie glanced at her before looking through the mirror and scoffing. "Not surprised. But I am that you're still awake."
She laughs looking at him. "Yeah, well I've always had trouble with falling asleep."
He looks over at her, his brows furrowed slightly in concern. When she noticed his stare she shook her head with a scoff.
"It's fine. It's something I've had since I was a kid. Mom says I got it from my Dad." She pauses before shuffling through his glove box.
"I think you're supposed to ask before you grab people's things." He chuckles as she pulls out his cassettes.
She smiles and shakes her head, reading the titles. "I've never been good at doing that. Just, shoot and ask questions later type of gal."
He raises a brow as she opens one of the cassettes.
He laughs as the sound of Meatloaf plays through the speaker, somehow still not rousing the sleeping pair in the back of the van.
"Didn't take you for a meatloaf fan." He said over the music before she pushes the skip button.
"I wouldn't say I'm a major fan, but I do have a favorite song." Dare grinned as she stopped and let the song finish, moving on to the next one.
As 'Dead Ringer for Love' played she grinned widely, looking over at Eddie.
"Really?" He asked, "This is you're favorite?"
She nods her head. "I don't have a reason. It just is."
He scoffs with a smile as she begins to mumble the lyrics to herself.
"You got me begging on my knees, c'mon and throw the dog a bone." He sings half of the tune as she turns to him.
She grins. "A man he doesn't live by rock 'n roll and brew alone."
"Baby, Baby!" They sang together before the chorus came.
"Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew. They don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you!" They smiled as they bounced to the sound. "Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew."
Eddie turned to her. "I know that you and I, we got better things to do. I don't know who you are, or what you do. Or where you go when you're not around."
"I don't know anything about you baby." "But you're everything I'm dreaming of."
Dare grins and bobs her head to the song. "I don't know who you are, but you're a real dead ringer for love."
Eddie paused as he gazed at her from the corner of his eye, his grin still frozen on his face. His face grew warm as she made eye contact with him, still singing along with the song. And his heart skipped its normal synchronized beat.
---
"Bye Eddie! Thanks for taking me with you. It was awesome." Dare grinned as she stood in front of her house.
Eddie nodded his head "It's not a problem, I'm glad you could come with. And thank you. For the shirt."
She nodded her head before taking a step back. "I should sneak back inside, I'll see you later?"
He grinned. "Of course."
She smiled and nodded to herself. "Alright. Goodnight Eds."
"Goodnight Sweetheart."
Dare smiled as she walked across her lawn, glancing back at him before pushing her window open. As she climbed in, she heard him pull away from the curb, and drive away. She sighed softly as her feet landed on her floorboard, and she closed the window behind her.
With a click, she jumped as her lights turned on. She turned around, she found Dustin standing in her doorway holding a hockey stick that had been Dad's.
"What the shit Dustin! You scared the fuck out of me." She hissed at him before he pointed the hockey stick at her.
"Oh, I scared you? You scared me! I thought you were the Demogorgon or something!"
She paused for a moment before sighing heavily, leaning back against the window. "I'm sorry, I just got back."
He frowned and lowered the stick. "I thought you were sleeping over at Nancy's?"
She inhaled as she looked down at Dustin. She shook her head, crossing her arms. "I lied, to Mom. You can't tell her, alright?"
Dustin nodded his head, moving to sit down on her chair. "So where were you? And who were you with?"
She smiled as she moved to her bed, sitting cross-legged on the end.
"I was at a concert. A metal concert." She explained, his face falling to a frown at the metal concert. "Yeah, I know. It wasn't your type of stuff. But it was, awesome Dusty."
She grinned widely and he smiled. "Really?"
Nodding her head, "Totally. It was like, having a shit ton of candy, and soda. And you're on the sugar rush, but you're on it until the end of it. And even afterward, you still feel it. You can still hear the music drumming through your ears, going along with your heartbeat. It's amazing."
He stares at her with wide eyes, his mouth pulled into a smile as she giggled. "I think you would've liked it."
He nodded. "Maybe I would've. But who did you go with?"
She waved her hand. "One of my friends, Eds. He had a spare ticket and offered it to me."
He raised a brow. "Eds? Are you sure he's just a friend?"
Dare grinned and pushed him lightly in his arm. "Shut up. And yes, he's just a friend Dusty."
Dustin grins, "Yeah sure he is."
"Oh shut up!"
[Next Chapter]
9 notes
·
View notes