Chapter Text
A blast of warm air hits my face, a harsh contrast to the freezing Indiana air outside. A small bell rings as the door to the video store closes behind me, three heads turning in my direction. One face I immediately recognize, memories of my first year at Hawkins flood back as I remember his cocky smirk and arm around Nancy Wheeler.
"Welcome to Family Video." The girl beside him says, boredom laced in her greeting.
"Thanks." I reply, heading to the aisles of movies. My hand trails along the shelves, scanning over the titles until I find the one I'm looking for, Carrie. As my hand reaches for the box, an uneasy feeling hints at my stomach. I look back to the front counter and see two pairs of eyes quickly look away. Keeping my eyes on them, I grab the tape and return to the counter.
"Carrie...pretty spooky." The girl smiles as she rings me up. "It'll be $3." I hand over my money and take my tape.
"Thanks." I say with a small wave, leaving the the video store and beginning my walk home. The soft crunch of the snow beneath my sneakers brings memories back, clutching tight onto my tape as I hear his voice in the back of my mind. A sharp wind causes me to pause, turning back suddenly and seeing what seems to be a tall figure behind me. My breath gets caught in my throat, staring off at the figure as it slowly begins to fade to nothing. I shake my head, laughing softly at myself as I turn the corner to my street.
I hate always believing he's still here. I didn't think missing him would make me this crazy, I feel like he's all around.
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A deep sigh escapes my lips, wrapping my blanket around myself as I sit on the couch. The opening scene begins to play, already losing focus as I feel tears well up in my eyes. The last time I watched this movie was with my brother. I think back to our movie nights, the only time I could drown out the sounds of my parents yelling was when I was in the den with the TV turned up. I watch with tears streaming down my cheeks as the girls chant and throw things as Carrie, her crying along with me for a different reason.
I wipe my eyes, grabbing the remote and shutting the TV off. The black screen shows my reflection, my eyes puffy and eyes glossy. I wrap the blanket around tighter, the chill of the room getting stronger.
Maybe I am losing it...