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THE REALIZATION OF this was frightening — especially to Pauley and Eddie as they've never experienced anything like this before — the group of friends left leaving Eddie and Pauley alone again. "So..." Eddie said after a few minutes of silence, the two stood on opposite sides of the boathouse. Being trapped in a place like this for a while with your crush was difficult and Eddie knew that he soon would yell out saying that he had feelings for her — he had feelings for Pauley and he had to tell her. "So..." Pauley repeated but before either of them could say anything else — they heard shuffling from outside, "Shit." Eddie hissed as he went over to Pauley and the two quickly tried to hide — Eddie grabbing the make-shift shank.

The door creaked and it seemed as someone was pushing on it, trying to get in. "Oh shit." Pauley whispered before the door opened with a loud bang and in stepped the group of friends with bags of food and other necessities. Dustin gave them a smile, "Delivery service." He announced — Pauley and Eddie both let out the breath they were holding. The two go over and grab the plastic bags and ruffle through them — Eddie grabbed a box of cheerios before ripping it open, he began eating handfuls of the cereal before he grabbed a bottle of root beer and began to drink it. Pauley on the other hand saw a box of snack cakes and opened it, she began eating them, one after the other as Dustin began speaking, he exhaled. "So, we got, uh, some good news and some bad news." He looked between them, "How do you prefer it?"

Eddie spoke for both of them, his mouth full, "Bad news first, always." Pauley nodded along with his words. Dustin sat down next to them, "All right, bad news. We tapped into Hawkins PD dispatch with our Cerebro, and they're definitely looking for the both of you." Dustin squinted his eyes as he pointed at Eddie, "Also, they're pretty convinced you killed Chrissy and kidnapped Pauley — courtesy of Pauley's brother going to the police to file a missing persons report." Pauley groaned, "Oh god, he's gonna kill me after all this." She looked at Dustin, "And the good news?" Robin answered, "Eddie's name hasn't gone public yet." That caused Eddie to groan, "But, if we found out about you two, it's a matter of time before others do. And once that gets out, everyone and their shallow-minded mother is gonna be gunning for you Eddie." Robin explained.

"Hunt the freak, save the new girl, right?" Eddie asked and Dustin nodded, "Exactly." Eddie groaned again as Pauley laid her head on his shoulder — trying to bring some comfort to the both of them. "Shit." Eddie mumbled but Dustin spoke again, "So, before that happens, we find Vecna, kill him, and prove your innocence." Eddie looked at the teen, "That's all, Dustin? That's all?" He was, of course, very skeptical of this plan. "Yeah.. no, that's pretty much it." Dustin confirmed and Eddie closed his eyes — his brows furrowed — he was in complete disbelief. "Listen, I know everything Dustin is saying sounds totally delusional, but we've actually gone through this before." Robin explained before backpedaling slightly, "I mean, they have a.. a few times, and I have once. Mine was more human-flesh based and theirs was more smoke related, but bottom line is, collectively, I really feel we got this. We usually rely on this girl who has super powers." Steve cut in, "But those went bye-bye so.." Robin continued, "So we're technically in more of the—" Max cut in, "Kinda..." Dustin finished for them all, "Brainstorming phase."

Eddie looked at all of them — as did Pauley — both now having little faith in both of them. "Brainstorming." Both of them repeated causing Dustin to stammer out a response, "There... there's nothing to worry about." Eddie scoffed before police sirens could be heard from outside — Pauley instantly grabbed Eddie's arm out of fear. "Shit." She mumbled before they looked at the others. "Tarp." They all said in unison and the two went back into the boat — Eddie first then Pauley — the two laid there as Dustin covered them with the tarp before leaving, the police sirens getting louder and louder.

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Hours went by and it was now nighttime. Eddie now knew that this was a life or death situation — but if not death, it would be prison — he had to tell Pauley about his feelings for her. Pauley was flicking through a magazine the group of friends had brought them, and she looked so beautiful. Eddie on the other hand was standing in the corner, trying to be as nonchalant as possible as he looked at her. "Hey." He blurted — the other words he wanted to say getting stuck in his throat, Pauley looked up and smiled, "Yes..?" She questioned before closing the magazine. "Um... so, what do you think about um, shit, I just think it would be easier if I came out and just said it but, the words just keep getting stuck in my throat and — I'm rambling now aren't I?" Pauley couldn't help but laugh at his words, she nodded, "Yeah, kind of." Eddie felt the warm blush that covered his face. He took a deep breath before exhaling, he took off his denim vest and leather jacket, "Is it hot in here or is it just me?" He asked as he fanned himself before sighing.

He looked at Pauley, "Look I just, I — oh fuck me." He mumbled before his eyes widened. "Oh, no that's not what I was gonna say to you but like I guess it correlates to it, actually, let me shut up cause I'm making it worse aren't I?" Eddie asked her and she giggled, "Kind of, but, you can tell me anything, y'know? Just say it quickly — like ripping off a band aid or something.." Pauley reassured and her words soothed Eddie, "Okay, okay.." He took a deep breath before he blurted out what he's been meaning to say ever since he met her those few months before this, all those moments where it was just two of them, where they would be looking into each other's eyes for a split second before one of them would look away with a bashful look on their face — Eddie walked over to Pauley and kneeled down in front of her, "Okay.." He repeated one more time — he grabbed her hands in his own before he finally said it — what he's been wanting to say but just keeping it deep down in his heart.

"I like you Pauley Barrymore — more than anything I've ever liked, more than Dio, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and even D&D — I like you so much that at moments I felt like I would pass out from just how much I liked you, and I understand if you don't like me back but I just need to say it, especially if we're dead tomorrow or I die or get put in jail." Eddie confessed and Pauley couldn't help but laugh. "Is that.. is that a good reaction or.. ?" Pauley nodded with a few more giggles before she pulled him by his collar and placed her lips on his. Eddie pulled away from her with a smile.

"Oh that is a good reaction."

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