The Strangest Thing

Chapter One: The Favor

It was only noon and there he was making an absolute ass of himself on the cafeteria tables. I watched as Jason cringed at the sight of Eddie sticking out his tongue, with his devil horns up high, just taunting him.

I rolled my eyes, just another pissing contest between dumb boys, I thought to myself.

It looked like tensions were rising so I made the wise decision to leave before anyone started fighting. Jason was already a pretty scary guy and Eddie would always just rile him up a little more than usual. I grabbed my tray and made my way towards the trash cans to dump the weird grey slop I'd been served before heading to the library. Just as I was making my way out of the cafeteria double doors I bumped into Chrissy.

"Oh y/n, I'm so sorry!" Her voice was shaky, she looked like she'd just seen a ghost.

"Chrissy, it's all cool, don't worry about it." I tried to ease her mind by giving her shoulder a slight squeeze.

She let out a sigh of relief but her peace was short lived as the terror sank back into her eyes. I was starting to get worried about Chrissy, she'd been acting strange for a few weeks now. Chrissy and I have been friends since Sophomore year. We met in history class when she convinced me to join the cheer squad because as she put it "anyone can do it with just a little practice, you'd be such a great addition to the team". From that day forward we'd been inseparable. I just knew something was off with her but she just wouldn't tell me what the problem was. I'd tried to talk to Jason about it seeing as he is her boyfriend but he just brushed me off, typical jerk move.

But this couldn't be ignored any further, if Chrissy was in some sort of trouble I needed to be the one to help her.

"Chrissy, are you okay, is something going on?"

My question shocked her back into reality, "No, nothing, I've just been anxious is all". She feigned a weak smile.

"Is it because of the math exam coming up? I was actually going to go to the library to study a bit now if you want to tag along." I tugged at the sleeve of her cheer sweater.

"No, it's not that...it's...you know what nevermind." She looked down cautiously as if whatever was bothering her could hear her.

"Have you tried talking to Miss Kelley? You know after I got my rejection letter from Princeton I was totally in a funk and she really helped me out, maybe she could help you?" I tried to pour as much kindness in my tone as possible.

"Yeah, she's great but I think I need stronger help." She looked up at me with pleading eyes.

"Oh Chrissy, you don't mean?"

"Oh come on y/n, can't you please help me? I know you've bought stuff from him before for Jason's parties." She clasped my hands in hers and puffed out her bottom lip.

"Do you really want me to go talk to Munson for you?" I sighed.

She enthusiastically nodded her head, bringing back memories of the old Chrissy, the one I knew before this dark cloud fell over her. In that moment I was torn, I did not want to talk to Eddie at all but I also really wanted to help a friend. I analyzed all the thoughts running through my mind at a mile a minute.

"Fine. I'll go back in the caf' and tell him to meet us in the woods."

"The woods?!" Chrissy's voice cracked.

"Yeah, that's were he does all his deals but don't worry I'll be right there with you. We can skip study period." I smiled at her to try to put her mind at ease.

I pushed open the doors to the cafeteria determined to help my friend deal with or escape whatever problem she was facing. I looked back at Chrissy and gave her another smile. She simply mouthed the words "Thank you" as the doors closed behind me. I made a beeline directly for Eddie's table trying not to draw too much attention to myself. If I knew anything I knew that I had to make this deal as discrete as possible, two cheerleaders buying drugs would not be great for our image.

I was doing pretty well keeping out of everyone's line of sight until Eddie looked up from his table and caught me hiding behind one of the pillars. I motioned with my hands for him to make his way over to me. A goofy grin spread across his face as he excused himself from his little hoard of dorks. His grin didn't disappear as he approached me, if anything it grew.

"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" He said in a hushed tone, trying not to draw attention to us.

He smelled of leather and denim, it was honestly pretty pleasant. If I wasn't trying to set up a drug deal I might have allowed myself to take in the scent for just a moment longer but no I was on a mission for Chrissy.

"Look meet me in the woods, I need a favor." Favor was code word for drug deal, Eddie always made it clear that, that was the verbiage he preferred to use for his small side business.

If he was shocked or surprised by the interaction he didn't let on at all. He leaned against the pillar and eyed me up and down.

"A favor? You haven't needed one of those in a while, what's the occasion? Is Jason throwing another one of his raggers after the balls and laundry baskets game?" He chuckled sarcastically.

"One, that's none of your business and two, Chrissy and I just need to get some stuff from you, okay?" I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eyes. I was far too aware that this probably wasn't the best thing for Chrissy but it was the only thing I could do to help.

"You've got to be shitting me, you and THE Chrissy Cunningham are going to be buying weed from me?" The excitement in Eddie's voice was palpable.

"Shhh, can you keep your voice down!" I chastised. My heart was beating so fast, I really didn't want to risk being seen talking to Eddie. It would raise too many questions that I just simply didn't have the answers too. 

An apologetic look washed over his face, it was as if he could tell how nervous I was. However, his slick smile soon returned.

"Well seeing as you are in such...dire straights it seems, I would be happy to help. I'll meet you and Chrissy in the woods but please lets make it quick. I think some of the teachers are on to me. Just know that now you owe me one." I watched as he chewed the inside of his cheek.

Is he...nervous?

"Owe you what, a favor?" I asked angrily.

He plastered another obnoxious grin on his face as he nodded.

"Okay peachy. I'll see you out there then and don't waste my time." I spun around quickly and began slinking my way over to the cafeteria doors before he could say another word. I left Eddie leaning on the pillar, alone not that he would mind.

I felt a rush of adrenaline as I ran through the halls of Hawkins High, I couldn't understand why but I felt so alive. Now all I had to do next was go find Chrissy, and make sure I get her all the help I can.