The bells on the door suddenly began to ring, signalling that yet another person had arrived at the diner. As reflexes, Eddie looked up from the burger he was eating to see who it was. Dustin did the same before returning his attention to his plate of food before him. It was a girl around Eddie's age, one that they both didn't recognise. 

"Have you ever seen her before?" Eddie asked, leaning over the table to Dustin who was sitting across from him. The boy just shook his head, glancing at her once more. 

She took a seat by the front counter, scanning the diner and all the decorations and posters around. When she looked behind her she caught a curly head boy with an Iron Maiden shirt already staring at her. She gave him a tight lipped smile before turning back around. Soon after one of the workers approached her, asking what she wanted.

"Just a chocolate milkshake, please." There was a board in front of her with the menu and daily specials.

"Won't be long."

The girl Y/n immediately took a sip of her drink, saying thanks afterwards. She wanted to savour the taste since it would probably be the last nicest thing she got. Her money was tight and she had to use it wisely till she got a job here. The drink was like a small reward celebrating surviving another day while barely making it through.

Almost a year ago she ran away from her home. She couldn't take it anymore. Her parents had her life all planned out for her, even who she'd eventually marry so they could maintain their reputation. It wasn't what she wanted but they didn't care. So one night she packed some necessities and money to last for a little while before leaving for good. 

It wasn't easy, sleeping in her car or if she was lucky enough, an old mouldy motel room. But she didn't regret it, not a single thing. She may have been hanging on by a thread all the time but she was free. And that was worth it. 

"I see you're hiring." Y/n said, grabbing the attention of the older worker who walked over. They were most likely the owner of the cute diner. 

"Yeah, we are actually." The old man replied, leaning on the counter with a smile on his face. "You interested? We're kinda desperate."

"Oh really, I mean yeah that would be great." Right now more than anything she needed money. And she just got a great opportunity to make some. 

"Alrighty! Could you start tomorrow?" 

Y/n nodded her head, a grin plastered on her face. Maybe this town wouldn't be so bad compared to other places she'd been to. After their conversation she continued to drink her milkshake, catching the boy behind her glancing her way whenever she'd turn around. Then once she was done, she left the money on the counter before heading back to her car. She would probably drive around town and see what this place had to offer. 

————

It was her first day on the job, she was wearing one of the spare work uniforms that John the owner forgot about. He had also made her a quick name tag for her to wear till he got a proper one.

John made a deal that at the end of the day she would get any food that was left over since she agreed to closing up most days. It was great considering her living condition. She couldn't afford a place to stay let alone food to eat. 

Around lunch time the same dark, curly haired boy from yesterday showed up, taking a seat at the same booth. He had many different tattoos on his arms as well as rings on his fingers and was quite a good looking guy if she was going to honest. 

"Good afternoon, what can I get for you today?" Y/n asked, a bright smile covering her face. 

"Uh just a medium hot chips and coke please."

"Alright, won't be long." Writing it down on her small notepad, she rushed back to the counter to place his order. She then served some other customers near him before returning to grab his food and drink. "Here you go."

He thanked her, clearing his throat just as she was about to turn away. "You're new to town right? Y/n?" 

She glanced down at her name tag then back up the boy sitting there. "Yeah, I am."

"Just wondering cause we don't get a lot of visitors." He said, his cheeks turning red since he didn't think through how to keep the conversation going. It also didn't help that her beauty was making it hard to focus on anything else. "Plus, I think I'd remember a pretty girl like you."

"Um, thanks.."

"Eddie." 

"Thank you Eddie, you're really sweet." He smirked, noticing the blush that spread across her cheeks. At least he wasn't making a fool of himself. "I should uh, get back to work."

"Right."

———

It had been a couple weeks since her first conversation with Eddie. After their encounter he had showed up at the diner pretty much everyday, sometimes just to order a drink. 

Although that was the best part of her day. When he sat down at a booth and continuously flirted with her when she gave him his order. He was the sweetest guy she'd ever met, never failing to make her day. 

Today she had a day off which would allow her to explore the small town a bit more. She was a little bit disappointed that it meant she wouldn't be able to talk to him but it was only one day, she'd see him tomorrow.

After driving around for a little while, she ended up at this building that kind of looked like a club. She was in a mood for a drink anyways and she had gotten her pay check that same day. One drink wouldn't hurt right? Who knows, maybe she'd even make a friend or two.

Parking her car on the side of the road, she entered the busy building. For a town like this, it was packed with people around her age. She tried her best to push past people to reach the counter but it wasn't working out that well. Someone ended up bumping into her, causing her to almost trip over her own feet and bump into someone else.

"I'm so sorry." She apologised, trying to speak over the noise as the person turned around.

"Don't sweat it sweethea- Y/n?" He cut himself off, recognising the girl standing in front of him. 

"Eddie, hey!" Honestly, she was glad that she had run into him and not some other stranger. She had been wanting to hangout with him so they could push past the subtle flirting. There was no denying the fact that she had developed a small crush on her daily customer. 

"Wanna get a drink?" He asked, shoving his hands into his pocket awkwardly.

"Yeah sure, I was planning on it anyway." They made their way to some empty barstools, taking a seat beside one another before ordering their beverages. 

"So, what brings you to town?"

"Ran away, you know, the usual." She joked, causing Eddie to let out a low chuckle until he stopped himself. 

"I shouldn't be laughing right?"

"No, no it's fine, I'm glad I did." Y/n continued to tell him about it, not going into too much detail. Just that she'd traveled around a lot, how she was finally free and that she definitely didn't regret it. 

"So how long you planning on staying?"

"I'm not sure, a couple more months."

"Well then maybe I could show you around town properly?" He offered, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. If that meant she would be able to spend more time with him and get to know him better than she'd gladly accept.

"I'd love that." Eddie was about to reply until they were interrupted by someone speaking on the microphone across the room. 

"Eddie, wherever the hell you are, hurry up man." It was some random guy wearing a black and red plaid shirt waving an electric guitar around in the air.

"You're in a band?" 

"Yes indeed I am, but uh, enjoy the mini concert. I'll pick you up during your lunch tomorrow, if you still want that tour?" Y/n gave him a thumbs up as he sent her a wink before he rushed towards the stage. 

———

It had now been just about six months since she arrived at Hawkins. They had definitely been some of the best months of her life. 

Eddie kept his word, picking her up during lunch times or whenever she was free to take her around town. It was great having a tour guide so she wouldn't get lost going to the shops or going for walks. He even told her random facts about Hawkins, it was adorable.

And about two months after their run in at the bar he asked her out on their first official date. He took her to the movies and payed for everything. Then they continued to go out on dates at least twice a week. And if one of them were too busy he'd sit at the diner and talk to her when she ate the leftovers for dinner. 

For example today, Y/n had to cover a double shift since one of the other workers had something come up last second. She was disappointed to say the least, Eddie had planned them a date and then she had to cancel. Instead now she was scrubbing cheese off tables because people couldn't be any neater. 

It was nearly 10pm which meant closing time was soon. Then she could eat and go back to her motel. Hopefully her colleague would be back tomorrow.

 Suddenly the door swung open causing her to look away from the stain. Her face then immediately lit up as she wiped some sweat off her forehead.

"How's my girl holding up?"

"God, I'm exhausted, double shift is not fun." Y/n complained, throwing the cloth down on one of the tables before slumping down beside Eddie who was sitting at his usual booth. "I'm sorry about our date."

"Don't worry about it sweetheart." He pulled her in for tight hug, placing a kiss on her hair. "I know how we can make up for it."

"And how's that?"

"We can watch a movie at my place and cuddle all night." Y/n nodded her head eagerly, kissing him on the lips before resting her head on his shoulder. Not long after her smile faded and Eddie noticed. "What's wrong princess?"

"This is the longest I've stayed in one place." She answered truthfully, giving him a sad smile. "Usually I stay a month or two at the most, I guess sometimes I'm still scared my parents will somehow find me."

"So why'd you stay here longer?"

"Well I guess there's something about this town that's different, you know maybe someone special." She explained, hinting that he was the reason why she hadn't ran away from Hawkins. "Being here with you has felt the most like home than anywhere else."

Eddie didn't know what to say, it made his insides turn with joy knowing that he could be that for someone. That someone could care about him that much to not leave regardless on how much they wanted to. 

"I love you Y/n." He finally managed to blurt out. They happened to be some of the most important words he could possible say to her, but he meant it. 

"I love you too."

He pulled her in for another hug rubbing her back before whispering into her ear.

"My little runaway."