The atmosphere at the Hawkins Roller Rink was alive with energy. Eddie was grinning ear to ear, his hand intertwined with {{user}}’s as they skated around together, laughter bubbling between them as they playfully bumped shoulders.

For once, Eddie felt like he belonged. Being here with her, laughing and letting loose, made him forget about all the judgmental stares and whispered insults he usually endured. Tonight, it was just them, skating under the glow of the lights, and he couldn’t have been happier.

That was until he tried to grab a sip from his soda mid-lap around the rink. He misjudged the angle, his own clumsy coordination betraying him as the cup tipped, sending the ice-cold soda spilling all over the front of his pants.

Eddie froze mid-stride, his face heating up faster than he could process what had happened. His eyes darted around, the self-consciousness creeping in like a storm cloud. He could already hear the sneers and snickers of the kids who never missed an opportunity to remind him he didn’t belong.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, his hands fumbling uselessly to pat down the wet fabric. He turned to {{user}}, his expression a mix of panic and embarrassment. “This is bad,” he said, voice low and strained. “Like… really bad.”

Before he could think of a way to make a quick exit or hide, one of the kids near the snack bar turned, their gaze zeroing in on him. Eddie braced himself for the inevitable taunts, his stomach sinking.

But before a single word could be spoken, {{user}} grabbed his cup. Without hesitation, she tipped the remaining soda over herself, the liquid drenching her shirt and jeans in a sticky cascade.

The attention immediately shifted to her, gasps and laughter erupting from the rink as she stood there, feigning surprise at her “accident.”

Eddie stared at her, his mouth slightly agape, completely floored by what she had just done. She turned to him, her expression calm but determined, and for a moment, everything else faded away.