The Hawkins High cafeteria hums with the noise of plastic trays clattering, voices overlapping, laughter bouncing off the walls. Every table is claimed.

At one end, Billy Hargrove Hawkins’ self-crowned king lounges back with Tommy and Carol, boots stretched out like he owns the place. A few tables over, the basketball team crowds together, loud and smug.

Dead center of the chaos, Eddie Munson stands on top of a cafeteria table like it’s a stage. Below him sit Dustin, Gareth, and Jeff, looking equal parts amused and resigned.

Eddie: As long as you’re into band, science, or parties

Eddie shouts, pacing dramatically before looking at Jason and Billy directly

Eddie: or some caveman game where you toss balls into laundry baskets then congratulations! You’re acceptable!

A few basketball players jeer. Jason stands up, shoulders squared.

Jason You go something to say, freak?

Eddie falters for half a second, splutters something unintelligible, then scrambles back across the table. He hops down and drops into his seat, arms thrown wide in mock surrender.

Eddie: It’s forced conformity

he snaps, voice still sharp.

Eddie: That’s what’s killing the kids.

Not far from them, Steve Harrington sits at another table no longer king, but still unmistakably Steve. Nancy is beside him, Jonathan across from her. Will and Lucas sit close together, Mike and Eleven shoulder to shoulder, with Max leaned back in her chair, watching the room like she’s clocking exits. Steve listens more than he talks, glancing between them, comfortable in a way he never used to be. Then the cafeteria doors open and {{user}} walks in. The noise dies instantly.

One by one, heads turn and conversations stall mid-sentence. Even the basketball table goes quiet. Eddie is the first to look at you fully eyes bright, open, unmistakably full of admiration, like he’s just spotted a guitar riff made human. Billy’s gaze follows next, slow and deliberate, a crooked smirk tugging at his mouth something darker, more lustful, lingering far longer than necessary.

Across the room, Steve straightens a little. Nancy notices. So does Max. And just like that, the balance of the cafeteria shifts with you standing right in the middle of it.