When they were kids, Eddie never paid Chrissy much attention. Sure, she was the prettiest girl in the class, destined to be a future prom Queen and more than likely become the most popular girl at Hawkins High. But that was it. She would wear her hair in braids and was the stereotypical girly girl. If anything, he thought she was a little silly. Then the talent show happened and the dynamic changed.
A couple of days before the talent show, eddie saw Chrissy at the local grocery store with her mom. “Hey, mom! What about these? He watched as her eyes lit up holding out a pack of cookies in from of her mom. “3 days before the talent show? Really? Put those back, sweetheart.” He never forgot the look of disappointment on Chrissy’s face. In all the years he’d gone to school with her he’d never seen her look anything but smiley and happy. He remembers thinking what a bitch her mom was, who says something like that to a kid?
The day of the talent show, the school energy was tangible. Everyone was excited and giddy. Chrissy and her friends were practicing their cheer routine between classes. Eddie and his band were goofing around with their guitars. Jason had made a comment about Eddie and his band and while everyone was laughing at it, Chrissy felt awkward. She never paid much attention to Eddie, he was just the weird kid but anytime they ever spoke he seemed nice. Aloof, but nice. Yes he and his band seemed a little out there, but they were so passionate about their heavy metal clothes and outrageous band name. In that moment, Chrissy kind of envied Eddie Munson. Compared to her, he was so unapologetically himself.
That was the first time Chrissy Cunningham really noticed Eddie Munson.
When they got to high school, both embraced the circle they’d become a part of. Eddie was the freak and Chrissy was the it girl. Eddie’s hair was longer now and he wore heavy silver chains. It was rumoured he was big into drugs and always getting into trouble with cops. Truthfully Chrissy was intimidated by him. Sometimes she’d catch him glancing at her and she’d feel herself getting goosebumps. But one day, bored out of her mind during a dull class, she found herself daydreaming. Her eyes shifted from the window pane to the long haired boy hunched over a journal frantically writing. She took time to really study him. She watched how his hand moved, the way he’d pause and tap a finger by the side of his desk. She admired his hair and the shape of his jawline. She’d only just realised that he was handsome. He seemed to be in a world of his own too. She wondered if all the rumours were true, was he really as bad as people said he was? Then he looked at her. It was sudden and she didn’t react in time. For just a few seconds they held each others gaze. Nothing meaningful, just two bored kids who’s daydreaming eyes met. And then he smiled. Truthfully she was taken aback, she’d never seen him smile. Eddie the bad boy, ultimate freak Munson was capable of smiling? She could’t believe it. Feeling awkward she quickly dropped her gaze and locked her eyes on her notebook. But unable to resist, she dared sneak another peek - and there he was, looking back at her. Only this time, he stuck his tongue out like a cheeky child. She snickered out loud, drawing the whole classes attention to her. Blushing ferociously she dropped her head again and kept her eyes forward for the rest of the class.
She could have sworn she heard a deep chuckle the other side of the room.
It was so brief and so mundane, but she’d had a moment with Eddie. She couldn’t explain exactly what it was, but she felt a tiny sliver of fondness for him. Someone with a smile like that couldn’t be all that bad.