Hell on Earth

Chapter Sixty - Corroded Coffin

Cynthia downed the rest of her Coke as Eddie and the band got off the stage. It was a large crowd tonight; there was ten drunks instead of the usual five. She got up and headed to the back where Eddie had parked his van. When she got there, Eddie and the others were loading the equipment into the car.

"Great show tonight guys!" Cynthia said as she leaned on Eddie's van. "You guys were amazing!"

"You say that every time, Smart Ass," Eddie teased her.

"That's cause it's true, Hair Band," Cynthia said.

"I'm surprised at the crowd we brought in tonight," Gareth said. "It's usually never this busy."

"Yeah," Jeff said. "I think they had a buy one get one free special on the drinks."

"Don't bring down the mood, Jeff," Eddie said as he loaded his guitar into the car. "Look, we're good. We're really good. The town of Hawkins just doesn't appreciate our sound."

"Well, that's a problem considering that's there where we all live," Gareth rolled his eyes.

"I have a plan over the summer," Eddie said. "I'm working out some things out, but it's looking like we'll have some gigs lined up in towns outside of Hawkins. It'll be a way for all of us to get more exposure for the band."

"When were you planning on telling us this?" Jeff asked.

"When I figured everything out," Eddie said as he wrapped his arm around Cynthia. "You guys in or not?"

All of his friends looked at each other before turning towards Eddie and saying, "Totally."

After another half hour of shooting the shit, everyone went their separate ways. Eddie and Cynthia headed towards her house. Cynthia picked at her nails while she hummed one of Eddie's songs.

"I thought you said you didn't like metal," Eddie said.

"I don't," Cynthia said.

"Then why are you humming one of our songs?" Eddie asked.

Cynthia turned and looked at him, "Because I like your songs."

"Is there a difference?"

"I guess not," Cynthia looked at the road. "Maybe it's just because I don't want to miss a word you say."

"No you're the one who should be writing songs, Smart Ass," Eddie teased.

"Don't tempt me," Cynthia shot back.

Eddie pulled up to Cynthia's house and parked the van, "I believe this is your stop."

"Come inside," Cynthia said. "I don't want you to leave yet."

Eddie turned off the van, "Ok."

They got out of the car and walked inside. Her mom wasn't home yet, but she could hear Dustin playing video games in his room.

"I'm home, Dustin," Cynthia poked her head in.

Dustin looked over his shoulder, "How was Eddie's show?"

"Totally metal, Henderson," Eddie stood in the doorway. "Next time you should come."

"Really?" Dustin asked with a smile.

"No," Cynthia said as she looked at Eddie. "He's a freshman in high school."

"All the more reason he should come," Eddie looked at Dustin. "I've been doing worse stuff since I was his age." He looked back at Cynthia. "Besides, you come to my shows."

"That's different," Cynthia said.

"No it's not," Dustin said. "It's just a concert."

"And there's no way that you can pass for 21 and sneak into the bar where they play," Cynthia said.

"What?" Dustin said. "You've been sneaking into a bar to watch him play." He looked at Eddie. "You guys play at a bar? That's awesome!"

"It's the only place that'll let us play," Eddie said. "And your sister gets in because she comes in with us. If you come with us, I'm sure we could get you in."

"Really?" Dustin asked with a smile.

"No!" Cynthia said again. "There is no way I'm risking my ass to sneak you into a bar. If Mom found out she would kill me."

"She would kill you if she found out you were sneaking into a bar," Dustin pointed out.

"As long as I don't die or get pregnant, Mom's been letting me do whatever I want," Cynthia said.

"Which is total bullshit," Dustin said.

"Agreed," Cynthia nodded. "But that's what a guilty conscience will get you."

"So," Eddie looked between the siblings. "That means we can take him?"

"Oh my god," Cynthia said. "You're hopeless." She grabbed Eddie's arm and dragged him out of the room. "Night, Dustin."

"See you tomorrow, Henderson," Eddie said.

"Is he staying the night?" Dustin asked.

"Undecided," Cynthia yelled from the hall.

"Oh god!" Dustin yelled from his room.

"We're not going to do anything!" Cynthia yelled. "I have a little thing called class! Goodnight!"

"Night!" Dustin yelled.

"You might have class, but I don't," Eddie whispered in her ear.

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to let you fuck me in this house with these thin-ass walls," Cynthia said as they entered her room.

"Probably right," Eddie said as he sat down on her bed. "You're mom would probably kill me. Dustin would probably just be scarred for life."

"So," Cynthia sat on Eddie's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You guys are going to be heading on tour?"

"That's the dream, baby," Eddie smiled at her. "With luck, we'll get noticed and get out of this town. Maybe we'll stop by Purdue in the fall when you're up there."

"I haven't been accepted yet," Cynthia said.

"Cynthia, you're getting in," Eddie said. "They'd be stupid not to take you."

"You could come with me," Cynthia pushed his hair out of his face. "There's still a lot of time to fill out applications."

"No place would take me," Eddie smiled sadly. "No one wants a three-peat senior coming to their school. Especially ones who probably aren't going to pass their last ditch effort to get a high school diploma."

"You're not going to fail," Cynthia said.

"Literally everything else suggests otherwise," Eddie said.

"How about a deal?"

"What are your terms, Smart-Ass?"

"I make sure you pass your classes and walk the stage and you apply for at least one college," Cynthia offered. "Scratch that. You have to apply for something. It can college, trade school, or a job. Anything. Eddie, I love you, but do you have any plans for after high school except touring?"

"All right, Smart-Ass," Eddie kissed her. "You've got yourself a deal. I expect all A's then."

"I said that I would help you pass not that I can work miracles," Cynthia giggled.

Eddie wore a face of fake shock, "You wound me."

"You don't care enough about school to get A's," Cynthia said.

"Very true," Eddie smiled. "What's the point anyway? It's just where people go to get their dreams crushed and molded into the cookie cutter shape that society wants them to be."

"There's the Hair Band I know and love," Cynthia kissed him. She pulled away. "You do realize part of passing your classes is being on time to them."

"No," Eddie gasped.

"Yeah," Cynthia nodded. "Starting tomorrow, you're coming to school on time."