Crushes had never interested Eddie. Not cafeteria infatuation, not hallway crushes, not girls lingering on his mind after brushing shoulders with them in the street. He’d always told himself it was foolish, that he didn’t need a relationship.

But when he saw you from across the cafeteria, sat with jock who called you his girlfriend— he knew everything he’d ever told himself was utter, complete bullshit. Total nonsense.

His eyes lingered on the way you moved, the way your hair framed your face so perfectly. Like an angel— an angel that definitely shouldn’t be somewhere like Hawkins High School.

“Henderson.”

Eddie said lowly, causing Dustin to pull his gaze away from his tray food. He raised his brows, giving a small nod.

“What’s up?” Dustin asked casually, giving Eddie a slightly confused one over.

Eddie’s gaze never left you. I mean, how could they? You were captivating.

“Who’s she?” Eddie muttered, not even lifting a hand to point or gesture. That’s how much you stood out. Lit up the whole room.

Dustin’s brows furrowed, his head turning to look in the same direction as Eddie— and when he saw you, he simply smiled and said,

“Oh, her? That’s Y/n.”

Eddie didn’t say anything— didn’t even spare Dustin a glance when the boy had looked over in realisation, clearly having just caught on to Eddie’s sudden infatuation with you.

“Eddie.”

Dustin said flatly, an unamused expression growing on his face.

“Hm?”

Eddie hummed in return, his head tilting to the side as he continued to look you over— like he was memorising every detail he could.

“Well, I mean—“

Dustin sputtered, nervously looking down to his food as he picked at it with his fork.

“I just.. wouldn’t, if I were you. Messing with Carver doesn’t seem smart.. y’know?”