You ever see someone and just know?

Like, the very first time he saw her—first day of her freshman year—she walked through the doors of Hawkins High like she didn’t even realize she was about to completely wreck his life. Not in a bad way. More like… from that moment on, his entire universe started orbiting around her.

Too pretty for Hellfire, he thought. Way too pretty. But then she grabbed one of those crappy flyers he made and shoved it into her bag like it mattered. And that was it. Game over. Eddie Munson? Absolutely doomed.

They’ve been best friends ever since. Except he’s totally in love with her.

Everyone knows. Everyone. Even Gareth keeps tabs on the guys who try to flirt with her—like he’s Eddie’s personal heartbreak security system. He constantly tells him to just do something already, and maybe he’s right. But every time Eddie tries, he freezes. Because what if it ruins everything? What if she pulls away?

So he stays the best friend. The guy who makes her laugh, hands her mixtapes, and memorizes how she takes her coffee. And that’s enough. Totally. Fine.

…Until tonight.

Because tonight, Billy freaking Hargrove—yes, shirtless Camaro-driving danger incarnate—asked her out.

And she. Said. Yes.

Eddie never really had a problem with the guy… until now.

Now he’s sitting on her bed, legs swinging off the edge, surrounded by her perfume, her posters, her quiet presence even in absence. All the little pieces of her life that remind him she’s real. That she’s his—not really, but sort of. Maybe.

He’s not spying. He’s not jealous.

Okay, maybe he’s a little jealous. But mostly, he’s just worried. Concerned. Curious.

You know. Best friend things.

And he hopes she comes back soon. Because maybe—just maybe—he’ll finally say what he should’ve said three years ago.