based on a text post by @justsheerfilth1 @mantorokk-writes and @edsforehead
eddie munson who just got a job as a school bus driver as he plans his music career. he only did younger kids as the older ones annoyed him too much, usually just taking his route in the mornings and afternoons.
you’re a kindergarten teacher, just a year or two out of college, but having been a teachers aid for years before that.
when eddie got the call for a field trip to the aquarium, he was bummed at the thought of sitting in the food court without being able to leave, but felt lucky when his middle aged coworkers said they had to go to a farm for the 4th graders and a trash yard for the 3rd graders.
still, as much as he tolerated the job with his headphones in his walkman, he tried to grit through the drive to the school at 6:30am.
the small children were in scattering groups of excitement, with some jumping up and down, listing facts about puffer fish, as some yawned with the cheek pressed against the leg of a chaperone.
the principle walked towards the bus door, tapping it as eddie put it in park, pushing his blaring headphones down.
“good morning, eddie,” principle matthews said, his dress shoes tapping on the steps, “i know you’re scheduled to be at the trip all day today, i wanted to thank you again and note we did provide an extra ticket if you’d like to walk around with the students.”
he resisted the scoff, politely nodding and thanking him for the ‘generous’ offer. he wished he’d packed an edible beforehand, the fish would’ve looked like they were from space.
the school was small, only having two kindergarten classes, with an older teacher, mrs kingston, who had been there since eddie was small, and you, who he had yet to meet.
mrs kingston lead her small army forward, helping them sit in their assigned seating. as the number of kids on the bus outweighed those out, eddie examined the sea of bopping heads, feeling the energy of their wavering emotions.
“good morning everyone!” your voice rang, standing at the front of the bus, making all eyes avert to you, including eddie’s.
“now, i see a few friends here, but let’s make sure we’re all here.” you crooned, voice gentle, but not baby-like, “when i call your name, raise your hand and tell me one type of fish.”
as the children listed off, he couldn’t help but look at you, your eyelashes kissing your upper cheeks and pen tapping the small clipboard.
you had turned to eddie to introduce yourself, shaking his hand before taking your seat at the front of the bus beside a girl much smaller than the rest. her eyes were like saucers at the noises and sights, fidgeting in the worn plastic seats.
the chatter turned to shrills of excitement when you all pulled into the aquarium parking lot, sprinting towards the workers who lined everyone in groups.
eddie watched as you guided the kids throughout the exhibits, kneeling down when one had a question or seemed frightened by the creature. the small girl from before shrieked at the sight of the squid, running to hide behind eddie’s legs.
“darlene, i don’t think mr. munson appreciates being used as your hiding spot,” you smiled, “squids are friendly, this glass is out here to keep them safe.”
he blushes at the official name, “it’s alright, i was scared of squids too.” he laughed, making darlene smile, slowly removing herself from his knee and holding his hand.
he walked silently, not sure what to do with his newfound ‘friend’ but was too focused on you to contemplate it too much.
“you’re really tall,” darlene stated, looking up at him while rocking on her mary janes. he nodded, pursing his lips with a shrug, swinging their joint hands gently back and forth.
before they could enter the petting section, it was lunch time, a fine assortment of sandwiches, goldfish, and small sea animal shaped cookies. the adults got food from a local fast food joint.
you and eddie strikes up conversation between bites of fried chicken, finding more similarities than you intended. born and raised in hawkins, lived with relatives growing up, and loved music.
“my music taste is messy,” you giggled, dipping a fry into honey mustard, “i like everything from beethoven, madonna, sam cooke, to metallica-“
“you like metallica?” eddie asked in shock, noting your floral dress and flats made him suspect everything, but that.
nodding and wiping your mouth with a napkin, you swallowed your bite, “i lived with my grandparents and older siblings, they were fans from the beginning and a lot of their songs have memories. i saw them on tour in ‘88.”
“no shit!” eddie gasped, covering his mouth when he received a glare from an employee, “i was at that concert too, had to get tickets pretty far away, but so worth it.
“it was an incredible show!” you agreed, smiling, “i got pit tickets from my eldest sister, but she said it was only because the only man i talked about was kirk hammett and she didn’t want me to die an old maid.”
he grinned, heart fluttering at the revelation that he had much in common with the rockstar.
the rest of the day, he snuck in side conversations with you, finding out your favorite movies, songs, jokes and books. he hadn’t had a crush since high school, usually getting rejected and/or laughed at.
he had almost given up, but when you walked off when the kids were long gone, slipping your phone number into his palm, he was glad he didn’t. as his shaky hands pressed the numbers in his small apartment, he couldn’t help, but chuckle.
only he would find a girl in fish tanks and bus stops.
ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ
i wrote this in one sitting on my phone so sorry bout that
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