MATILDA, eddie munson.

017.

FEBRUARY 21ST, 1986
📍danah's diner
14:16 PM

walking into the mainly empty diner, eddie was immediately greeted by a middle-aged woman with beautiful mocha skin, and bright hazel eyes.

"my favorite customer," she said, putting her take of wiping down tables on pause.

"my favorite diner owner," eddie responded. "how are you doing?"

"i'm good, hun," the woman answered, before her eyes landed on matilda. "now, who's this pretty lady and why have i never seen her before?"

eddie laughed awkwardly. "danah, this is matilda. mattie, this is danah," he introduced the two women.

"it's a pleasure to meet you, matilda," danah grinned.

"you too," tillie replied politely.

danah gestured them towards an empty booth near the window, allowing them to take a seat. there were only a few other customers, all enjoying burgers and shakes. "what can i get you both today?"

"can i get my usual?" eddie smiled, as the woman wrote the order in her notepad. "and for this pretty lady.. what do you want, mattie? did you want the reece's one or a different flavor?"

"reece's is great, thank you," matilda replied.

danah nodded, scribbling down tillie's order as well. "i'll go get those made for you. won't be too long," she said, walking away.

matilda turned to eddie. "how did you know reece's was my favorite?"

"you told me," eddie answered. "remember? that time in history when we were bored and just asking each other random questions, i asked what your favorite candy was, you said reece's because the combination of chocolate and peanut butter is simply unbeatable."

"i know, i'm just.. surprised you remembered. it seems like such a while ago," she said, a small grin present on her face. "do you just remember every conversation you have or something?"

"only conversations with you."

— 📻🪐🏹 —

FEBRUARY 21ST, 1986
📍 danah's diner
14:43 PM

she sat sipping on the last of her milkshake, listening to eddie talk about his band's recent gig. she adored the way his eyes lit with passion when he talked about his music.

"and yeah, i know, a crowd of eleven people isn't much, but it's our biggest yet. and everyone has to start somewhere, right?"

matilda nodded in agreement. "definitely. just keep persisting, who knows. maybe you'll be the next guns n' roses."

"that's the dream, baby," eddie sighed in contentment. he looked down and saw the time on his watch, saddened by their time coming to an end. "we better get finishing up."

tillie nodded, standing up. "i just need to use the bathroom," she told him. "do not pay for me, okay?" she said in a warning tone, walking towards the toilets.

"do not be doing anything other than peeing, okay?" he hollered back. "if you're in there for more than three minutes max, i will kick the cubicle door down, got it?"

"aye, aye, captain," she pushed the door and entered the bathroom.

eddie grabbed their empty glasses and headed towards the counter, placing them on top. "how much do i owe you, d?"

"six-fifty," the woman replied. "and the promise that you won't hurt her."

eddie dug the money out of his jeans pockets. "i promise," he said. "and if i happen to break that promise, come find me at the trailer park and kill me in my sleep."

"will do," danah nodded, taking the money and putting it in the register. "i was watching you guys over there talking. she's a keeper."

"i know," eddie said, running a hand through his hair. "believe me, i'm going to keep her for as long as possible."

the woman smiled at the boy. "oh, how i wish to be young again," she commented.

just then, matilda exited the toilets, heading towards them. "you didn't pay for me, did you?" eddie raised his hands in defense. "eddie!"

"i'm sorry," he laughed. "i did tell you earlier it was my treat."

matilda crossed her arms over her chest. "fine. but next time, i'm paying."

"aye, aye, captain," eddie mocked, making the girl roll her eyes in fake annoyance.

"well," danah started, watching the teens. "it was really nice to meet you, matilda. i hope to see you soon."

"you too," the blonde replied.

"and eddie," the older woman added. "don't break that damn promise."

— 📻🪐🏹 —

FEBRUARY 21ST, 1986
📍hawkins high school
14:57 PM

they pulled into the school parking lot a few minutes early, leaving tillie time to thank her friend.

"thank you so much for everything today," she told him. "seriously, thank you."

"my pleasure, princess," he replied with a smile. "i'm happy you're feeling better."

"yeah, well that's all thanks to you," the blonde told him. "you make everything better."

they stared at each other for a moment, before tillie leaned forwards and planted a kiss to his cheek. "thanks again. and sorry for the mascara on your shirt. it will wash out, i promise."

"i don't know," eddie furrowed his brows. "i might just let it stay there. a nice souvenir of today, huh?"

matilda opened the door of eddie's van, stepping out. "you're so weird sometimes, you know that?"

"i remind myself that on a daily basis," he told her, as she closed the car door. "see you tomorrow, princess."

"see you, weirdo," matilda grinned, watching him pull out of the carpark, as she began to head to her own car.

seconds after she'd climbed in, chrissy arrived, straight from cheerleading practice. she got in the passenger seat and looked at her sister.

"well, someone's smiley."

— 📻🪐🏹 —

someone take me to a diner to get milkshakes when i'm sad pls

no but where do i find an eddie? do you think they sell them on ebay or??

anyways this is the longest chapter to date so go me!!

this is not the end of danah she will turn up a few more times do not worry! i adore her.

WORD COUNT — 1918.