Second Chance

TW: implied abuse?

Eddie had his book in hand while he walked out of class excited for lunch. Instead of paying attention during the lesson, he had been brainstorming new ideas for the campaign. Hopefully the rest of the club would be intrigued to hear about them.

When he turned one of the corners that led to his locker, he happened to run into someone else. All of the sheets of paper tucked into his book scattered in front of him. He hurriedly gathered them all before anyone else noticed. 

"Watch where you're going freak." Someone spat at him as he grabbed the last sheet of paper. It didn't take a genius to recognise who it was. He tried to refrain from eye rolling since it would only make matters worse. 

Luckily for him not many people had witnessed the incident since they were all busy engaged in their own conversations along the hallway. The only people who were paying attention was the person he had run into and her little posse. He wasted no more time lingering around them and rushed off as they all snickered to themselves.

There were some people at Hawkins High who definitely needed an ego check. They thought that they ran the school and that everyone loved them. Well newsflash, no one did. Especially that very group that had just called him a freak. Y/n's group. 

He wanted so hard to look past they're constant bullying and teasing. He wanted to believe that they only acted this way because maybe something was wrong at home or that maybe they had a good reason for being assholes. But all he knew was that he couldn't wait to graduate and leave them behind. 

———

It was late at night, around eleven according to Eddie's watch. He had been staying up to work more on the campaign. 

The last thing he expected was someone to be knocking on his door. It couldn't have been Wayne since he was working very late tonight. Who knows, it was possible that he had gotten off early.

Dropping his pencil onto the countertop, he went over to the front door. The second he opened it he attempted to shut it but the person who had been knocking pushed the door back open with their hand.

"Please don't close it on me." They begged, still keeping their hand firmly in its position so Eddie couldn't close it. "I really need a smoke or some weed, I've got money."

It took a minute for Eddie to reply, he was just surprised to see the Y/n standing in front of him at this time of night. He was also a little reluctant to let her in since it wouldn't be a surprise if this was a prank. But then again it would just be a deal right?

After making up his mind, he stepped aside allowing her to enter which she immediately did. They went straight to his room, where he flicked the light on before heading to his drawers to search for what she needed. Once he found it he hopped up, heading back over to her.

"Here you go." As he held it out for her, he noticed a couple bruises and cuts on her face. He was contemplating whether or not to mention it but decided against. She was probably here to forget about whatever happened for a little while. "It's fine, this one's on the house."

"Are you sure?" 

He nodded in response, digging through his pocket until he found his pack of cigarettes. Handing one to her and grabbing one for himself, he picked up his lighter on the bedside table. Lighting his own cigarette, he followed Y/n to his front door.

"Do you mind if I just stay out here for a bit, I don't really wanna go home." She admit, suddenly finding the ground interesting. Ashamed is what she felt, being so vulnerable around someone she had bullied for years. At this point she wouldn't even be mad or surprised if the next day he told the entire school how she had shown up at his trailer all beat up and desperate for drugs. 

"Yeah sure, you want some company?" 

"Why not." She sat down on the steps, lighting her cigarette before taking a drag. They both sat in silence, staring at the empty street in front of them. It was so peaceful compared to her house where all her parents did, was argue. If only she could stay here forever but that wasn't possible. The longer she stayed, the angrier her dad would be when she got home. Plus Eddie probably hated her and would never let her stay any longer than she was now.

"I'm sorry by the way, I never meant the things I said about you." Y/n said a few minutes later, breaking the comfortable silence that they had fallen into. Apologising was the least she could do after everything she did to him. What happened at home was no excuse for the way she treated people at school, especially Eddie. 

"You're not a freak, you're probably the coolest person at our school. Like the heavy metal rockstar style, with your cool hair and how you don't care what people think about you." She went on, laughing at herself knowing how bad she was when it came to compliments. "I'm making a fool of myself, sorry."

"Don't sweat it sweetheart." 

"Well uh, I should probably get back before my dad realises I'm gone." Y/n got up, dusting her pants. The last thing she wanted was to leave, dreading her dad's reaction if he caught her sneaking back in. "But thanks for the smoke and the escape." 

"Wait!" Eddie blurted out, mentally yelling at himself right after. What was he doing? This was the girl that had been tormenting him. But then again, he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to her. Everyone deserved a second chance right? "Stay here, at least for tonight until we figure something out. I don't want you anywhere near him."

She was considering it for her safety but she'd been selfish enough wasting his time and imposing on any plans he had. When she refused his offer he kept on asking. Eventually she agreed and followed him back into the trailer towards his room.

"I've got a spare mattress, so you can sleep on my bed for the night." He pulled the mat into his room, flopping it down by the foot of the bed. 

"I'm not gonna kick you off your bed Eddie!" 

"You're my guest, it's just common courtesy." This man was seriously a gentleman, it made her feel even more guilty every second that she spent with him. 

Knowing that she couldn't argue with Eddie, she hesitantly got under the covers of his bed. Only then when she sunk into the comfort of the bed, did she realise how tired she had been. After the light turned off, she lay down on her back so she could stare up at the roof. 

"You seem to surprise me more and more, you know." Y/n whispered but just loud enough for him to hear. 

"Why's that?" He questioned. By the tone of his voice, she knew he was smirking. 

"Well, considering that I've always treated you like shit and yet here you are giving me free weed, a place to sleep and now your own bed." 

"I believe everyone deserves a second chance." He answered which immediately brought a smile to her face. But then the guilt would just eat her from the inside again. "Goodnight Y/n."

That was the last thing she remembered before falling asleep. It was probably the best sleep she had for a while. Whether it was because of the company or the fact she knew her dad couldn't hurt her for now. 

Although it was difficult to get up the next morning. She had been so tired lately all that her body wanted to do was go back to sleep. The only thing that got her up was Eddie offering to drive her to school. Again it took a while for her to agree but she got into his van and they drove off.

"Wait, can you just drop me off here please, I'll walk the rest of the way." Y/n asked, giving him a tight lipped smile. He nodded his head before she got out and waved goodbye.

Part of him was hoping after last night, things would change but that probably wasn't going to happen. Things were going to go back to normal where she treated him like he was nothing. At least he had tried.

———

Most of the day he hadn't seen Y/n around. Maybe it was for the best, it meant he wasn't getting bullied. But then again, he couldn't get rid of the part of him that really wanted to talk to her. There was just something about her that made him want to try to and help her.

Now it was lunchtime, the rest of the club weren't at the cafeteria yet, so Eddie was sitting there alone chowing down on some pretzels. That was until he felt the presence of someone else approaching and taking a seat beside him, their food tray slamming down onto the table. When he looked up he couldn't hide the shock on his face.

"Hey Eddie."

"What a surprise." He grinned at her but his smile vanished in a second when her other friends walked over to them. 

"Y/n, what are you doing with the freak?" One of them asked, glaring at Eddie. "Was he annoying you or anything?"

"No, actually." She replied, glancing at her friends before looking back at him. "I was just gonna ask if he wanted to hangout later again."

Her friends definitely didn't expect that answer nor did they like it. They just stood there for a few seconds, confused as to what was going on. There was no way she was hanging out with him. Eddie on the other hand was glad Y/n had stuck up for him. Maybe he was wrong about her, maybe she could change after all. 

All she needed was a second chance.


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