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‘86 Graduation.
A few months after the events of Vecna.
A few months after Eddie’s death.
Steve had asked the school if he was granted, or allowed to make a commencement speech at graduation for those who lost their life’s in the school year. Mostly, he did this for Eddie. Dustin had asked of him, saying Eddie said it was his year. ‘86 baby.
Granted of it, after the whole school knows who Steve was, he used it to be able to talk. To tell people what happened. For the past months, Steve had a rave of papers he written, many drafts he worked on at work, at home, in his car, anywhere. Just to get the right words. He worked on it for months.
And here he was. He wore his best suit, one he wore to Eddie’s funeral, with Eddie’s vest slipped over it, It was a meaningful case. The way he wanted to look good, kissing the forehead of the man he loved and could never tell, and saying a goodbye without words.
Just a simple ‘I love you’
Steve was nervous. He was nervous to speak in such a audience, parents and kids. Anyone who could hear him. Steve had been pacing back and forth, as the principal talked. He waited to hear his name. Then it came.
“We have a very special guest speaker tonight, many students know him as he is a graduate of Hawkins High. I will present to the stage, Steve Harrington.”
Steve had rubbed his hands and fixed his hair, “here goes nothing.” He walked onto the stage and waved at the people who clapped, they were loud, and it was louder as the butterfly’s and sickness in his stomach rose.
He made it to the stand and looked over the class with a smile. “Hello Hawkins high! It’s nice to see some familiar faces up here…Um…” he had pulled the paper out and stared at it. “I came here, to congratulate you, and also, speak about the ones we lost this year.”
He rubbed his hand at his chest. It hurt. “We lost many students this year. Chrissy Cunningham, Fred Benson, Patrick McKinney, Jason Carver…and Eddie Munson.” He felt his heart hurt. Burn at the mention of his name. He swallowed. He heard some boos at his name. It made him shake his head.
“We all love and miss them very much. I came here in particular to talk about my friend, Eddie. I know, weird, Steve Harrington friends with Eddie Munson? No way…but it’s true. Eddie Munson was not a freak, Eddie was not some weirdo, mean, ugly soul. He saved me more times I can count.” He breathed in and he felt those tears prickle at his eyes. Closing his eyes he heard some other booing.
‘He was a murderer!’
That’s when he started to cry. “No. No! You’re wrong! Eddie Munson, was a kind gentle human. He could never hurt anyone. Sure he has a certain type of music he likes, or a certain game he played. But in my years of sitting here in Hawkins, seeing all the kids, Eddie was just…he was just someone who struggled as much as we all did. Eddie was beautiful. Kind. He saved me in the end, saved a lot of kids life’s, in attempt of risking his own. Eddie saved me.” He rubbed at his stomach, those scars he got left behind.
“Eddie had a hard life, but he didn’t let it drown him. Never. He left people behind, his uncle, who loved him more than anything after he took him in. Even some kids here, his friends, Dustin, Mike, Gareth, Jeff, and Vince. The kids who cared more about Eddie than anything. The kids who loved him. Understood him. He left behind his new friends, Nancy, Robin, and Me.” Saying that he could barely speak. His voice was shaking.
“He left me, with the very same vest I’m wearing. It’s all I have of him. It’s the same vest he gave to me when he saved me, after I almost died. He risked it all, just to save me. And he did again, fo save all of us. Eddie…Eddie is no murderer. It’s not in his nature. All he ever did, was love, and care for people who he didn’t even know, or knew very well. Eddie, and the others aren’t here to graduate. They never will get too.”
He wiped some tears, taking a moment to breath.
“Some words from his and my friend, was that Eddie say ‘86 was his year. His year he was gonna walk this stage…and he can’t. He can’t…so I am up here. Today. To accept Eddie’s diploma. As he couldn’t…I will walk across the stage in his memory because Eddie deserved this. He deserved to be able to do this. After everything. He deserved this more than anything…it’s all he every wanted. So in my, his friends, and his family. I accept his diploma.”
He turned to the principal, who had tears rolling down his face. Steve was trying to collect himself, but his breathing was hitching, he was trying to stop, wipe the tears as he was handed Eddie’s diploma. He just shook. Unable to breathe.
The principle came close and hugged Steve as he hugged him back. He whispered small, ‘I’m so sorry’ to him as Steve tried to catch his breath. After a few seconds, he pulled away and just gave him his smile. Opening it and smiling more.
Edward Munson,
I hear-by congrat you for graduating highschool of 1986. We appreciate all your hard work into these years.
Signed,
Principle Hikens
Steve smiled and closed it. Then walked off, people had cheered, clapped, he walked by as he saw people crying. Some just gone, crying like he was.
And all he did was pull it close to his heart.
Steve had taken no chances and quickly drove to Eddie’s grave site. Parking and getting out and he walking up, Smiling, he placed it on his grave.
“Congrats Eddie. 1986 was your year. I miss you…and I really hope you know, I love you.”
Steve leaned down and kissed the grave stone. Then walked away rubbing at his arm.
Eddie Munson
September 7th 1966 - March 26 1986
Loving Nephew, Friend and Lover.