Y/n was finally back in Hawkins after years. She hadn't seen most of her friends in a while and she missed them greatly.

Of course she loved experiencing new things. Beautiful, busy cities, sandy beaches. Everything really. It was all completely different to Hawkins where she pretty much knew everyone. Out there in the world she knew no one, except for one amazing person she met during her adventure. But other than that she was thrilled to be back. Hopefully everyone would be happy to see her after so long. 

Yes, she was there to catch up with her friends. Although there was also another reason why and she couldn't wait to tell everyone. Especially one of her old friends in particular. 

"Hey James, I'm just going out to catch up with an old friend." Y/n said, walking into the guest bedroom where he was sitting on the edge, slipping his shoes off. He nodded his head, quickly getting up from his spot to pull her in for a quick kiss. "I'll be back later, take care of my parents ok?"

"Of course, have fun!" 

Both Y/n, James and his parents were staying at Y/n's parents house for the week. It was quite cramped and always busy but nothing she wasn't used to. 

"Thanks!" She grabbed her purse and keys before saying goodbye to all of their parents. Once she got into her car she drove off towards the trailer park. After all these years she still managed to remember the way there without directions like it had been just yesterday since she last visited.

Driving around brought back plenty of memories that she had forgotten about whilst away, she was too busy making new ones. She hadn't realised how much she missed everyone, her family and friends.

It only took less than ten minutes to arrive at her destination. Getting out, she locked her car, leaning against it for a few seconds. What was she supposed to say? Would he even remember her? Of course he would, it had only been four years, not forty. Still, how was she supposed to start a conversation. 

Pushing all the negative thoughts to the back of her mind, she rushed over to the trailer door. What was the worst that could happen? 

Taking a few deep breaths in, she hesitated to try and calm her nerves before knocking on the door. At first there was no answer, causing her to start overthinking. Did he even still live here? His uncles car was parked in front but that didn't mean he was still here. 

She was just about the leave until the door swung open, revealing a very familiar person. Their face lit up while they tried to find the words to say something.

"Y/n?"

"Eddie, hi." She breathed out, fiddling with the hem of her shirt nervously. 

"Wow, um how are you? Do you wanna come in? Sorry I didn't know you were back in town." He blabbered on, finally stopping when he realised how he was embarrassing himself enough already. "Can I say you look great."

She looked down at the ground when entering, blush was crawling up her neck, washing over her cheeks. He hadn't changed one bit. Still the same flirty, handsome Eddie she remembered. It was good to know some things never changed.

"Actually I was planning on going to the bar. I've got something important to tell you" 

"Well, I can never say no to an opportunity to go to a bar, or hangout with you." He joked, shoving his one hand in his pocket. "Let me grab my jacket real quick." 

Shortly after he returned with the same jacket on that he always wore in high school causing her to chuckle. His eyebrows furrowed wondering what she found so funny until she pointed to what he was wearing.

"It's still in great condition." He shrugged, heading back to the door as he signalled for her to go first. The second they got into his van, they began to chat about their lives. Eddie and his band were surprisingly still together, other than replacing their rhythm guitarist. They had been playing at bars and small functions. 'Baby steps' he told her and she was proud of him. He'd come a long way. 

"Here we are." Eddie cheered, parking the van right by the entrance. "Ladies first."

"Still such a gentleman." 

He winked at her, hurrying over to the front counter where there was space for the two of them. Not long after they took their seats, a bartender walked over asking them what they wanted. Once he returned with their drinks, Y/n turned on her stool to face him and he did the same.

"So, what's the big surprise you wanted to tell me sweetheart."

"I'm, um engaged." She almost shouted out with excitement, pulling out the ring from her pocket that she'd been hiding so it wouldn't spoilt the secret. Then she slipped it onto its rightful place, wiggling her fingers around. Eddie carefully took her hand in his, admiring the stunning ring that she wore. It was quite something.

"Woah, well uh I was expecting you to tell me you got your dream job, or met a celebrity, definitely not that." He looked back up at her, shock written all over his face. "But that's great, that's amazing! He treat you right?"

"Yeah, he really does." She answered, smiling to herself at the thought of James as she continued to stare at the diamond ring. "What about you? Any special girl you ought to tell me about?"

"No, not really, I mean when I play at gigs, there's always pretty girls watching, no doubt about that, but none of them really do it for me." He explained, tapping the glass of his drink. 

"I'm sure you'll find that girl soon." Y/n assured him, patting his shoulder.

The thing is he had. He had found the right girl, that perfect girl. She was sitting right beside him. The only problem is that she wasn't his, she was some other lucky guys girl and as long as he took great care of her then Eddie was happy for them.

"Yeah, one day." Rubbing the back of his neck, he gave her a tight lipped smile. "Well, toast to the two of you."

"Hm, toast to growing up." She suggested instead so it wasn't just about her. They lifted their drinks into the air, bumping them into each other before taking a sip.

——

"Ok, I think that enough drinking," Eddie protested, reaching for the beer she tightly held onto. The second his hand brushed the bottle she moved it to the other side, teasing him."I thought I'd be the drunk one, now c'mon, let's get you home."

"Noo, I don't wanna go yet." Y/n whined, leaning against Eddie with the drink held up in front of her mouth. Eventually he convinced her to put the beer down so they were able to leave. "I missed you Eddie."

"I missed you too sweetheart." He opened the door, helping her into his van so she wouldn't hurt herself. Afterwards he got in himself, glancing at Y/n to make sure she was buckled in considering how drunk she had gotten. Luckily he was smart enough to keep the drinking to a minimal so she could drink as much as she wanted. One of them had to be sober enough to drive. 

"You know I was in love with you from middle school all the way through to graduation." Y/n confessed some of her words slurring, yet he still managed to understand what she was talking about. 

It took him by surprise to say the least. 

"You're just drunk Y/n, don't give me false hope." 

"Drunk words equals sober thoughts." She retorted, turning to look on him with a smile spread across her face. Unlike her, he didn't find any of this amusing. 

If what she was saying was true then he felt the same. The only difference was he was in love with her his whole life, from when they first met up until now. In fact he was still in love with her even when she was gone travelling the world.

He didn't tell her how he felt because he was afraid it would ruin their friendship since she was his best friend. Then when she told him she was leaving Hawkins he knew there was no point in telling her. So he never did. It was probably for the best.

——

The most beautiful girl stood in front of him all dressed in white. Her hair was styled to compliment her face and she wore light makeup still showing off her natural beauty. She was an angel and no one could change his mind. How could anyone look this amazing?

He tried so hard to hold back the tears in his eyes. Although he didn't need to hide them. Everyone would think they were tears of happiness, tears for his best friend who was getting married to the man of her dreams. But in reality it was because he wished that he was the one up there saying 'I do'. 

Now he had to watch her marry someone else since he was too pussy to confess his feelings. She even said she felt the same way. 

What did he do to deserve this? To have to watch the woman he loved marry someone else, knowing that it could've been different. That he could be the one standing up there with her instead of James. But now it was too late, now he had to watch her marry him