Chapter Text
I gave myself a once over in the mirror. My usual get up. Jeans, a graphic tee and a flannel. I was already sure this year was gonna be hell. On top of Grant and Jeff leaving I had to retake Junior year. How the hell was I supposed to pass when the whole world was kind of ending or at least Hawkings felt that way. I checked on my mom who worked the graveyard shift at the hospital last night and headed off to school. She’ll probably still be asleep when I get home.
The whispering began before I could even get to my home room. All about how Eddie might not be a killer but he’s still not innocent. How glad they are that most of the hellfire freaks are gone. I spend multiple classes just trying to keep my head held high but my mouth shut. When lunch rolled around I thought about skipping but my mom was worried enough. If I start skipping the first day she’d freak out.
I sat alone with my mystery meat sloppy joe. Dustin and Wheeler sat down across from me and to my surprise Will Byers next to me. Last I heard, he disappeared to California.
“Hey,” Dustin said. Him and I were in weird territory. I know he knows more about the ‘ earthquakes ‘ but he won’t budge.I just give a nod.
“ So Friday after school meet us at my place” Wheeler whispered. I’ve never been to the Wheeler house ,I wasn’t sure I wanted to start now.
“ why?” I asked. He mounted something and I looked at Dustin. Who also mouthed something. they look like a couple of fish swimming through water in slow motion.
“D & d,” Will said. I remember him as a kid a little but it’s been years since I really looked at him. He had the same hazel eyes and looked as timid as ever. Though he certainly had grown out of the scrawny era of his life. Apparently hasn’t outgrown the bowl cut. No, it’s longer now and kind of shaggy. With any luck he’s trying to grow it out.
“ Ok yeah that’s good. Will you be there? ” I said, keeping eye contact with Will.
“Yeah though I’m a bit rusty” he said looking away.
“ you’ll be alright,” Mike said.
“No He‘ll be great, '' Dustin said. It was nice to not eat alone. Lunch actually became the most bearable part of my high school routine. By the time Friday rolls around, I was actually really excited to go. I knew Eddie had agreed to do one last campaign.
As I pulled up to Wheeler house I saw a row of bikes. The Wheeler house is nice, way nicer than my mom's apartment. I took my rings and wallet chain off along with my flannel. I wanted to be presentable. I knocked on the door and Nancy opened it. I totally forgot she’s mikes sister.
“Basement this way” she directed me toward the steep stairs. I could hear Dustin laughing and Eddie doing his Elvis impression. The basement was set up with an old dining table me all chipped in on and whatever chairs we all scrambled together. Looks like the only people missing were the Sinclair siblings. I sat next to Will who was sketching something.
“What cha drawing?” I asked. Mike looked up from his binder but said nothing.
“It’s for Jane my sister” he flipped it so I could see. It was butterflies. All labeled. They were really detailed.
“ She’s been trying to learn all the names and how to say them,” Mike adds. Right, Mikes dating her. Kinda odd dating your best friend's sister but who am I to judge. I was trying to come up with something else to say when Lucas and Erica walked down.
“Gather round children” Eddie said. He spoke about a lot. It started with making sure we knew this was the last campaign he was gonna DM for us. Then he went on to tell us all about how this was the biggest and best campaign he’d ever come up with, the theme was Angels and Demons. leave it to Eddie to be accused of being in a murderous satanic cult , and then choose the theme of the campaign after it.
Then Eddie turned and pointed at me and Wheeler. “You two are my first choices for the new DM. One of you can forfeit or you can both come up with campaign ideas and then we’ll see who wins” he was always dynamic.
“I’m down” I said.
“This will be great” mike said.