Chapter Text
December 13th, 1984
Hawkins, Indiana
Hot air filled the room as he exhaled another long, drawn-out breath. His chest was heavy, his ribs pushing down on his lungs like they wanted them to pop. It was exhausting having to think about every breath he took, but it was worth it because every time air filled his lungs and he closed his eyes, he got to see the face of what he could only assume was an angel.
He didn't know who he was looking at or why they seemed so familiar, but he knew that seeing her face and hearing her voice elevated his high to a level that he didn't think was possible from such a mild hallucinogen. It was constricting, suffocating, and strangely euphoric.
"Eddie…" A soft whisper echoed into his ear.
Mouth agape and unwilling to move, Eddie relished the feeling of fingers weaving through his mop of unruly curls, nails scratching at his scalp as they made their way down to the nape of his neck. Every touch sent a shiver down his spine and a strong pulse through his forehead. It was so intense, maybe even too intense. "Who… you?…" He mumbled, too encased in his trance to string together a proper sentence.
It was confusing. Eddie was sure he was alone in his room, smoking alone like always, but here he was lying on his back being straddled by the mystery girl he couldn't quite put a name to. His face was so close to hers, yet he couldn't touch it. She was right there, and he just had to watch her exist.
"Eddie…" She whispered again, though her voice now sounded deeper and a little squwakier.
"Hmm…" He groaned, the pounding in his head becoming more and more painful.
"Eddie…" the voice spoke again, only this time it sounded older and shakier.
"Edward!"
"MR MUNSON!"
Startled by the scream, Eddie's eyes shot open, darting around the room to find himself in an empty classroom, or an almost empty classroom. "When did I get here?" He asked himself as he met his teacher's gaze. "Mr Munson, if you plan on passing this class and graduating, I'd suggest that you sober up before taking a test." Ms O'Donnell pointed down to the empty piece of paper in front of him, a saggy scowl resting on her face. "This is me sober." Eddie replied, still trying to get a grasp on his surroundings. He glanced up at the clock, the hands resting between 12 and 1. "How was it already midday?" He thought to himself.
"How unfortunate…" Ms O'Donnell sighed, drawing a big, red F in the middle of his test. "Get out of my class." She demanded, showing her student the way out. Eddie skrewed the paper into a tight ball, lobbing it into the trash on his way out.
The hallway was busy, students big and small running to the cafeteria before all the good food ran out. For Eddie, everything was a blur, just one big blob of colour that flowed in one fluid motion. His senses were silenced; every bump to the shoulder sent mind-numbing static down his spine. He could hear mumbled conversations around him, but only one voice stood out.
"No, you can wait like everyone else." A girl exclaimed at the end of the hall. Eddie recognised the voice instantly, but couldn't find the face to match. He lifted his head higher, peaking over the crowd to find the source of his curiosity. He found her, sitting at a table at the end of the hallway, surrounded by a couple of freshmen.
Finding the will to move, Eddie pushed through the horde of students trudging towards the girl at rapid speed, though he slowed as he reached his destination. "Oh shit…" He whispered to himself as he finally got a good look at the girl he'd been chasing in his drug-fueled dreams. All this time, he thought he'd imagined her; the idea that someone so perfect in his mind could exist in real life was mind-blowing.
Her hair was just like he remembered, but fluffier and shinier. Her lips were glossy with pink lip gloss and moved in the most attractive ways, but what he really couldn't keep his eyes off of was her hands. He watched her fiddle with the envelopes in her hands, her fingers stroking the folds and corners with a subtle tenderness. He remembered the addicting feeling of those very hands tangled in his hair, and even if the memory wasn't real, that didn't mean it was any less impactful.
"I don't know what is hard to understand about this! People give me letters, I read them, ensure they're appropriate and hand them out when I've approved them! No one gets shit before I check them, no exceptions!" She snapped, snatching the letters out of the boys' hands. "For all you know, it's not even for you guys. Maybe there's another Lucas and Dustin who people like a lot more than you two."
"It says Sinclair on it! How many Lucas Sinclairs do you know?" Lucas argued back, pointing an accusatory finger in her face. "Doesn't matter. Last time I gave out letters without checking, someone was trying to buy drugs, and I was almost expelled." "How did you almost get expelled for someone else buying drugs? Would you not just get detention?" Dustin questioned with rising suspicion. "Oh my god, who cares?" Y/n groaned, throwing her head back in frustration.
Looking past the boys in front of her, someone caught her eye. "Edward!" Y/n shouted, immediately catching his attention. "Can you please take your freaky little children and go back to basement dwelling or whatever it is you do at your demon society." She demanded as she slapped away Dustin's sneaking hand. Eddie was a little stunned that she not only acknowledged his presence but also called him by name. He was sure he'd never seen her before, at least not in person, so the idea that she could point him out in a crowd sounded absurd.
Despite all this, he stomped forward, slinging his arms over the boys shoulders, he smiled at each of them respectively. "I thought I taught you two better. Two months of campaigning and you haven't learnt a lick of patience, how disappointing." Eddie lectured the pair, mocking them subtly. "I'll see you guys tonight, though." Eddie added. He waited for at least one of them to take the hint, but as they both remained in place, he realised he'd need to be more direct. "That was code for piss off." He restated, patting both of them on the chest.
"Fine, tonight. okay!" Lucas huffed as Dustin pulled him along. "I'll drop it off." Y/n agreed, waving him off as he disappeared into the halls. "Sorry for calling you into that. It's Edward, isn't it? Did I get that right?" Y/n asked, flicking from annoyance to her usual charming smile in an instant. Picking her pompomed pen up off the desk, twirling it in her fingers as if she was trying to catch his attention.
"Yeah, it's Eddie." He crossed his arms over his chest so she couldn't see how hard he was breathing. He still couldn't quite believe it; it was all so strange and made him wonder if he was still up in the clouds, yet to come back down to earth.
"So I have to ask…" Eddie started, desperately trying to find a way to keep the conversation going. "What exactly is it that you do?" To say he was familiar with Y/n's mail service would be a lie. He's been going to this school for six years, and he's never seen the little setup at the end of the hall. It must have been new. It was well presented, a mix of greens, oranges and white, stacks of envelopes (some empty and some full), and a submissions box. Not to his personal tastes, but he could appreciate the efforts.
"Letters for peace. People get to write anonymous letters to classmates, saying something positive, or confessing something they can't say in person. It's meant to spread positivity, but sometimes things get a little… cruel, so I proofread to make sure it stays friendly. It gets me extra credit, and I know everyone's business, pretty sweet gig." Y/n explained, growing a little red in the face. Something about explaining her peace and love campaign to the scariest guy in her grade was embarrassing, yet she continued. "I also accept donations. I'm raising money for the families of the Starcourt fire victims. That I don't benefit from." She sighed, pulling out her empty donation jar from beside her.
"And you were almost expelled for this?" Eddie questioned, confusion overtaking shock. "No, I mixed up my envelopes. Gave my set-up to the wrong guy, and good old principal almost expelled me, something about intent to buy illegal substances. I'm shocked I'm still here if I'm being honest." Y/n knew telling this story to a random classmate was almost as stupid as the plan itself, but she wasn't worried. Based on the way he was looking at her, Y/n was sure he wasn't looking to get her in trouble.
In Eddie's eyes, this was fate. It was the perfect set-up for his fantasies to become something more realistic, and he wasn't stupid enough to pass up the opportunity. "Don't bother writing a letter next time." Eddie took Y/n's pen right from her fingers, sliding an envelope over as well. "Come here, I'll have something for you." Handing back the pen and paper, Y/n read it over.
"Park bench in the woods, 5 pm."
Understanding the proposition, Y/n slyly slid the paper past her collar and under her bra strap for safekeeping. Piling up her stuff in her arms, Y/n walked around from the table. "I got some work to do, but I'll see you then." She agreed, leaving Eddie behind as she skipped off down the hall.