The One That Got Away

Chapter Thirteen

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For the rest of the journey back to Hawkins, Monica slept on Eddie's shoulder. She didn't know why she was so exhausted. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or everything was finally catching up to her.

Steve stopped the trailer at a field just on the outskirts of Hawkins so the group could prepare their weapons. They couldn't really do it in the middle of town, or back at the trailer park with the stolen trailer.

Nancy and Max worked on guns, Erica and Lucas made spears while Eddie and Dustin made shields. Steve, Robin and Monica sat outside the trailer, the three of them working together to make the petrol bombs.

Steve was rambling on about some guy he and Robin had seen at The War Zone.
"Steve, I don't care," Robin cut him off. "And you shouldn't either with everything that's going on. In the face of the world ending, the stakes of my love life, feel spectacularly low."

Steve gave her a sad smile like he understood. The conversation was finished.
"But what about yours?" Robin turned to face Monica.
"Huh?" Monica hadn't really been listening to anything the two had been talking about. Her mind was else where, her eyes drifting from the glass bottle in her hands, to Eddie, then back to the bottle. She couldn't help but watch him with Dustin.

"Come on," Robin rolled her eyes playfully. "We've all seen you and Eddie."

"Oh." Monica started to blush again. 
"Is there actually something going on there, Mon?" Steve asked sitting forward, genuinely interested.

She let out a sigh. "I don't know," She started. "Sometimes I think there is. We have these moments sometimes, you know? I like being around him I guess." She felt totally exposed. This was like a conversation her and Chrissy would have. They'd have a sleepover, watch a movie and talk about boys. Just the usually girlie stuff you'd expect at a sleepover. She suddenly just felt sad. She was never going to experience that again. She cleared her mind, not wanting to dwell on the negatives too much.

She didn't tell Steve and Robin about her kiss with Eddie. She wanted to keep something to herself, for now at least. It felt special.

Monica looked over to Eddie and Dustin again and smiled. They were both just running around, messing about with the shields they'd made. They were both complete nerds she couldn't help but think to herself. She got up and walked over to them both just as Eddie was asking the Sinclairs how the spears were coming along.

"What do you think?" Dustin asked, waving the shield around in front of him, showing off their creation of trash can lids and nails.
"Impressive." Monica nodded with a smile, sitting down next to the curly haired boy.

"We've got a spear coming along just for you, Mackenzie." Eddie told her, throwing his arm around Dustin.
"Well I hope they work," Monica said. "No way am I getting attacked by one of those bats again." She looked down at her arms, still wrapped up in pieces of her skirt.

"We won't let them." Dustin let out a grin. He ran over to Lucas and Erica, assisting them on the final touches with the spears.
"Feeling okay?" Eddie asked, dropping his shield next to Dustin's.
"Yeah, I guess." She nodded.

Eddie studied her as she messed with the shield he and Dustin had made. She'd been quiet recently, but he understood. The last week has been hard on her. He moved to sit next to her, closing the gap between them. She smiled up at him, instantly feeling better. What was it about Eddie Munson? As soon as he was near her she felt all her worry slip away. Which was ironic, she should be more worried around him. Every cop in town was after him.

"Nothing going on my ass!" Dustin scoffed as he made his way back over, looking down at the pair. Monica laughed, burying her face into Eddie's chest. Maybe it was obvious they liked each other. Was there any point in hiding it anymore?

"Come on, we need to get ready." He took Monica's hand and led her to the trailer. The older teens and Dustin were prepared to be fully kitted out, since they were the ones going back into the Upside Down. Monica headed to the bathroom and changed into the camouflaged cargo pants and padded vest they'd all bought.

"I got something for you." Eddie said as Monica returned from the bathroom. He dug around in the pocket of his leather jacket.

"I actually look cool for once," Monica smiled as she saw herself in the mirror, looking at the bandana Eddie had wrapped around her head. "Hey, we're matching." She looked up to see Eddie's matching bandana and Hellfire top. He smiled back at her.

"Monica, I wanted to ask you something," He spoke, looking into her big blue eyes. "It was just a thought so don't feel like you have to say yes or anything-"
"Spit it out, Munson." she laughed as he rambled on. He seemed nervous, which was unlike him.
"Well, when this is all over, I want to take you out. As in a date. If that's something you'd be interested in. Like I said you don't-"
"Eddie," Monica cut him off again. "I would love to go on a date with you." She smiled up at him. He smiled back, cupping her face and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. She never thought she'd be agreeing to go on a date with Eddie Munson, but she couldn't be happier.

It suddenly dawned on her this could be the last time her and Eddie were alone together for a while. She hoped their plan was going to work, without anyone getting hurt. Or worse. It made her feel ill at just the thought of losing someone, especially Eddie. She wrapped her arms around Eddie and held him close.

The sun soon started to set and everyone was back in the trailer. It was silent as Steve drove to the Victor Creel house, everyone was too nervous to talk. Eddie kept hold of Monica's hand tightly, he didn't ever want to let go of her. He hated that she was coming into the Upside Down with him, but she was stubborn and wouldn't be told what to do.