#Voice Solutions

[sinchvoice]

Driving Business Growth with Voice API Integration: Key Strategies and Considerations

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of today, use of VOIP Services and integration of voice functionalities into applications have become a strategic requirement for companies striving to improve operational efficiency and user interactions. Choice of Voice APIs and strategies significantly impacts the quality of voice interactions, as well as the scalability, security, and overall user experience of the applications.

Here are a few important strategies and considerations one must keep in mind:

Voice API must have a robust set of features to meet the diverse requirements of an application.  Vital features to look for include comprehensive analytics, text-to-speech conversion, call control capabilities, advanced speech recognition, as well as interactive voice response (IVR) systems.

The effectiveness of Voice APIs is largely determined by their speech recognition accuracy and audio quality. Hence, prior to selecting an API, it would be prudent to assess its performance in multiple conditions to ensure a seamless user experience.

Scalability is a key consideration for a business, and the API they use must have the capacity to handle increased user engagement and call volumes without compromising on the service quality. It would be prudent to select providers that ensure high reliability and flexibility in scaling, so as to careering to the evolving demands of a business.

Companies that target international markets would need Voice API for Business with global reach and multilingual support is essential. Such an API would allow them to serve a wider audience, while breaking down language barriers and fostering global connectivity.

How well an API fits into your current setup is crucial. If it works smoothly with your existing tech tools and has straightforward integration steps, it can greatly cut down on the time and money needed for development.

[fonadain]

Explore Fonada's comprehensive guide on Voice calling APIs Solution, covering essential concepts, best practices in India. Enhance your understanding of seamless API integration and streamline enhance your customer engagement, and drive growth. Discover the power of Voice and take user engagement to the next level with Voice interactions. For More Information visit our webpage: https://www.fonada.com/calling-api

[tanlakarix]

How a Voice API Delivers a Better Customer Experience.

As customers form relationships with voice commands, these user interfaces focus on providing a terrific opportunity to tailor their engagements and connections with customers. Texting, social networking sites, and email are all ways for businesses to communicate. Communication is essential to the success of any business.

It's all about engaging clients from all over the world, whether for business or pleasure; communication methods vary. Conferencing, chat messaging, video calling, phone calls, and other methods are all possible. For any of them, an in-app voice API can be developed.

How effective are voice assistants?

The two basic processes involved in machine-driven voice interaction are speech production and speech recognition. These functions are carried out by applications using a variety of APIs and technologies. The voice recognition stage of the process focuses on sound analysis, speech filtering, and digitalization of speech in a computer-readable language.

For this function, developers use specially designed algorithms that make use of cognitive science concepts. Machine learning, which trains a machine on how to change its interpretation of human speech, improves the entire process. The language can subsequently be shown as a written document or as a verbal response using a synthesized voice by the system.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Voice API for Customer Experience?

Using speech APIs, you may recognize and assist your consumers, allowing you to solve their problems. Whether a customer contacts you through your website, app, or another channel, collecting contextual information allows customer service representatives to understand who the caller is and why they are calling. Through contextual communication, your staff can personalize each client engagement, which speeds up the resolution process and lowers the need for orientation.

Customers can use voice APIs with automated speech recognition to accomplish critical self-service operations such as placing orders or validating their identities. This function provides rapid and easy help to consumers all over the world.

What role does a voice API play in improving call quality?

APIs could help organizations improve the quality of their mobile, VoIP, and landline calls. Voice APIs may still deliver exceptional service even during peak hours or as the business grows. Customers will never have a jerky or unreliable connection because of these performance enhancements, which increase customer support quality.

Instead of beginning from scratch or waiting for expensive circuits, speech APIs require little to no coding, making them easy to integrate into your app, website, and other digital platforms. Telecommunication networks and this adaptive technology can coexist as needed. It's a low-cost way to improve the user's calling experience because you only pay for what you need.

Impact of Voice Assistants across Industries

Services for making reservations.

Managing traffic at peak travel hours becomes tough for transport businesses. Customers can be offered packages via voice assistants based on filters such as domestic or international packages, travel budgets, and so on. Artificial intelligence-powered voice assistants may potentially recommend the most popular travel offers. If a product must be customized, a voice assistant can easily route the call to the right customer service representative.

eCommerce

Several e-commerce organizations employ voice assistants to answer critical customer care obligations such as informing consumers of their refund status, order delivery date, or assistance with their purchase process, among other things. These duties assist customers in the purchasing process and in selecting the best product.

Healthcare

In the healthcare industry, phone conversations, text messaging, team video chats, and one-on-one calls have all been employed. Communication is essential at all levels, whether scheduling an appointment or reviewing patient test results. APIs have greatly improved business communication.

The voice API, among other things, provides automation, personalization, and security, all of which can improve the customer experience.

Now, let's look at the voice calling API's impact on business development and why it's become such an important tool for increasing customer experience and business success.

Automation

Companies can use Voice API to automate client interactions, lowering total wait times and improving the speed and efficacy of customer service. The Voice API enables businesses to create interactive voice response (IVR) systems that handle common client requests like checking account balances and arranging appointments. Businesses can improve the overall customer experience by automating these conversations so that customer service professionals can focus on answering more difficult questions.

Security

Voice API's security capabilities help improve the customer experience by protecting user information and eliminating fraud. By utilizing speech biometrics, businesses can use the speech API to develop a more convenient and secure customer authentication procedure. Organizations can also utilize Voice API to watch and monitor for fraud and suspicious behavior, reducing the likelihood of data breaches and securing client data. Businesses can boost client pleasure and confidence by providing a safe network for engagements.

Conclusion

Customers desire to interact with businesses through voice technologies. They have higher expectations for quick and courteous support. People prefer a relaxed discussion to a transactional exchange. Voice APIs enable beautiful and engaging customer engagement. Voice APIs are a critical tool for improving customer experience.

Contact us at:  marketing@karix.com.

For More Info Visit:

[jewreallythinkthat]

Something I really don't understand is this obsession the anti-Israel crowd (in the West) have with death and martyrdom. All they care about is dying, and often killing for their cause; I see nothing about building a better future that isn't based on the murder of 9 million Israelis.

It's easy to die for a cause. The challenge is living to make a better tomorrow.

[adelarsims]

he is a princess

[godfrey-the-chaos-duck]

@emeraldcity1900

ya mean this clip

(praying this doesn't get yeeted off the post for violating The Mouse, this was done with my shitty screen recorder lmfao)

[gauntletqueen]

Smash Bros announcer: WAYNERADIOTV GNOME!

garbled wiimote speaker: you have failed the challenge

In celebration of the final chapter :>

[no-eyes-yet-but-vibing]

I could not work in a laboratory, you expect me to be in a room full of chemicals and expect me not to drink them? What if they have a nice texture and taste?

[existence-is-a-liminal-space]

same people that reblog shit about there being no morality in death or how their against punitive justice will say that killing the league was the best end for them. y'all hear how you sound, right?

[quietwingsinthesky]

i hope in future multidoctor crossovers that ten and thirteen both get lumped into being the emo phase doctors. embarrassing cringe ass emotionally constipated idiots. putting them at their own table in a corner while the other doctors judge them about it (<- also so terrible at emotions but at least theyre subtle about it.) theyre both pouting, bundled up in the giant coats, refusing to acknowledge each other.

[itsmissing]

the way Riderman's scarf covers up his face in one chapter of Spirits is so cute...

[sinchvoice]

Enterprise Voice Solutions from Sinch India provide businesses with reliable, secure, and cost-effective tools for voice communication. Our solutions are tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Our Enterprise voice solutions include audio conferencing, VoIP, and toll-free numbers, so businesses can communicate with customers and employees from anywhere.

[3lliesan]

A fun thing I think would be neat about having a Yuu in good relationship (platonic or not) with Jamil, is if Yuu is someone who's not used to self-care and works until they run out of fuel...

Completely different problems from taking care of Kalim.

Yuu: Jamil, let me go.

Jamil restraining this workaholic: No, let me handle it.

Yuu: You need to take a break.

Jamil: Look in the fucking mirror-

[tanlakarix]

What you should know about Missed Call Service and Voice OTP

With the support of Voice API platforms, you can now employ compelling voice messaging solutions for your organization that can be easily scaled and customized. These platforms can assist you in automating voice notifications for low-balance changes, suspicious activity warnings, password resets, and other functions that contribute to client loyalty and satisfaction with your brand. You can even get missed call solutions through such API platforms, among other things.

Missed call services are increasingly being used by organizations all over the world for a variety of purposes, ranging from client verification to the promotion of services or products. It is frequently used to perform surveys or pools. In this approach, a phone number is typically promoted to clients using platforms such as websites, social media, SMS, emails, and others. Customers only need to make a missed call to this number to provide feedback, register for the product or service, look for special offers, and more. The missed call system is extremely convenient for both businesses and customers.

In today’s fast-paced world, few customers have the time, even if they want to, to engage with brands. As a result, they are continually looking for the simplest, most economical, fastest, and most convenient ways to communicate with a company. In this circumstance, missed call service is an excellent communication tool. It is a very convenient means of communication that is completely free of charge.

Missed call solutions are used in a variety of ways by modern commercial companies, including:

Verify authenticity: Companies that deal with food ordering or e-commerce frequently require their customers to leave a missed call from their registered number to check the order and the consumer.

Increase reach: Because missed calls are free, businesses may reach even the most remote areas, such as villages and small towns. It can be a good source of quality leads for a variety of businesses.

Feedback forms: While feedback is essential for business progress and advancement, getting input from customers is not always easy. Feedback is often limited in many circumstances. Because of its low cost and ease of use, the missed call system has the potential to increase the sample size of this feedback process.

How does voice-based communication work?

Voice-based communication strategies utilized by modern corporations can take several forms. Many businesses use voice-based OTPs in addition to outbound and incoming calling services. One-Time Password, or OTP, is a two-factor authentication (2FA) procedure that generates one-time passwords to provide an extra layer of security to messages. When the delivery of an OTP SMS fails regularly, voice-based OTP Services come in handy. During the OTP verification procedure, a customer can also initiate the generation of an OTP Voice. Most businesses utilize voice OTPs for:

Authorization: Voice OTPs are critical in granting third-party access, such as allowing delivery agents into secured areas.

Authentication: Voice OTP verification is excellent for exceptionally secure transactions such as product or service registration and net banking.

Transaction verification: By validating high-value transactions with the use of a Voice OTP service, businesses can better safeguard their consumers from financial fraud.

Resets: Voice OTP can be a safe and simple way for clients to recover access to services after changing their email address or password.

Account reactivations: Using a secure IVR OTP sequence is an excellent approach to greet consumers who are resuming their services with a company.

Voice-based communication strategy for enterprises

A professional communication plan is essential for all businesses. While emails, social media, and texting are certainly useful for engaging with leads, an increasing number of businesses are looking into Enterprise Voice Solutions to speed up their communication strategy. To engage with their clients in an innovative, engaging, and user-friendly manner, they often use Voice API systems that offer voice calling, conferencing, and missed call services. You can govern your inbound calls and convert more calls into income by employing these Voice API solutions effectively. It may even allow you to integrate call tracking into your existing software platform to eliminate data silos.

Advantages of using a voice messaging system for business

Increase in business engagement level.

Voice calling capabilities enable a more personalized customer experience. Some of these systems even handle vernacular languages. As a result, your clients can interact with your company in the language of their choice. This method dramatically increases corporate engagement and ensures increased customer satisfaction.

Easy to scale.

Voice API systems enable your company to connect with carriers across borders. This is a big benefit for businesses that cater to worldwide clients or customers. With the support of these platforms, they may easily scale up their communication approach.

Time-sensitive voice OTPs

Many voice systems enable the sending of OTPs. They ensure the timely distribution of crucial and time-sensitive information around the world via calls. Voice-based OTP, like traditional SMS OTP, is a two-factor authentication method. It is a reliable and timely notification solution that ensures messages are sent securely to consumers’ mobile phones on time. It is commonly used for utility passwords and notifications.

With clever outbound calling services, you may rapidly send prerecorded messages of phone calls to thousands of mobile numbers at the same time. It facilitates the delivery of real-time information to target customers. Inbound voice solutions, on the other hand, assist you in answering routine caller questions on your own by automating the process and decreasing the call load of agents.

For More Info: https://www.karix.com/products/voice-solutions/

[infiniteglitterfall]

pretty please, my fellow progressives

Could we please all keep in mind that the concept of "The Jews In General, or A Specific Type Of Jew, Controls Education, Government, Media, and/or Banking", is a longstanding antisemitic trope?

And most of all, that it is false??

No, a marginalized group does not also control education, the government, the media, and/or banking?

No, Jews do not secretly control these things and just pretend to be marginalized? No, Jews have not secretly been accumulating power since the Holocaust, granted by too-generous gentiles, out of pity?

No, it isn't better if you just mean a specific subgroup or kind of Jews. It's still specifically Jews.

It's like when people who hate trans/queer people are fine with rich white cis gay men. So they think it's not bigoted to blame "people with blue hair and pronouns" for the downfall of society.

We all know this means, "I only see some of you as human like me. You have to speak and act a certain way to count. Everyone in your group has to pass a test to get into the Good group."

Doesn't work.

Sure, it gives them plausible deniability to the people who matter to them. But everyone else can see exactly how they feel.

We've all known for years that it's bad to think of a marginalized group as having some "good ones." Rein it the heck in, please.

Because YES, all of those examples are ones I've seen implied, or stated outright, over and over, within the progressive community. This month alone.

[skepsiss]

Modern problems, Modern solutions pt 5

Ooph, it took me a while to get this out. It's a bit of a "transitional chapter" that involves quite a few 3rd parties. I think it's important to see how Eddie feels about all of this and what he thinks has happened. I also think it's pretty realistic for there to be this sort of "divergence" of who is on whose side. Not that I think that's smart or practical, just that is how everything seems to go in High School. Everyone has to take a side, even when the people involved don't want anyone to take a side.

Time for Robin to get maud.

TW: The D-slur (for lesbian), general verbal tussling, lots of insults, lots of swearing.

Pt1 Pt2 Pt3 Pt4 Pt5 Pt6

- - -

Eddie was miserable for the rest of the weekend and had been in a sour mood when he got to school on Monday. He was so short-tempered he had even snapped at Wayne even though he had quietly apologized for it later. Still, more than anything Eddie hated that he was going to have to see Steve at school the next day. They didn’t have classes together, and he had no reason to interact with him if he didn’t want to, but even the idea of seeing his face in the hallway made his expression twist. What an absolute total shit. Steve knew how to be pleasant, how to be nice, and vaguely allude to being your friend, but everything was surface level. He didn’t actually care how you felt–that was a given–but he just didn’t want to make enemies either. It was this snide, fake way of existing, and that bothered Eddie more than anything. Here he was trying to be genuine, and all he had gotten for it was insulted and mistaken for being someone else. Framed as if he was the asshole, or the weirdo in the situation–every situation. Steve had been trying to apologize as if the insult of an apology over something like that would make everything okay. Eddie felt like an idiot. Like a loser. For whatever stupid reason he had thought that Steve didn’t see him that way. 

There was no one at that party that was even remotely in the same social circle as him and now that he thought about it that sort of felt like that was done on purpose. It had been a mistake to show up to the party at all. They were probably all laughing about it behind his back now.

Eddie slouched around the school for most of the day and kept his head down in fear of having to deal with the jock crowd. He had been short with more than a few people, but he couldn’t find it in himself to feel bad about that. He didn’t want to give anyone even the smallest chance of an in to make fun of him. He didn’t want to hear even the tiniest jab and he sure as hell wasn’t going to tolerate having to talk to Steve Harrington if it came to that. Eddie’s attitude changed a bit at lunch when he opened his locker and an envelope fell out. There wasn’t much to the letter really, just a simple note that read ’for the weed’ with 30 bucks inside. It had made Eddie frown, but at the very least he felt a bit relieved that he hadn’t been swindled. It didn’t cure his bad mood, but it made him feel a little less on edge for the remainder of the day. It was still no secret that some people seemed to be giving him side-eye as he walked down the hallway, even if no one was doing anything overtly hostile. 

Nothing happened day one, and Eddie felt grateful for that, but he still felt like a tool for thinking for even a split second that Steve and him were compatible. He hadn’t really liked Steve, it was just a fantasy really, even if the fantasy had involved a lot of assumed mutual attraction. It was stupid and he could see it as that now; thinking about it just made him mad. Tuesday was worse; Tuesday was worse because even though most of the day had been benign Eddie hadn’t gotten away home free at the end of the day. It had caught up to him in the parking lot of the school as he had tried to shuffle away from Hawkins’ High. It had caught up to him in the shape of Robin Buckley. Eddie had made it to the far side of the parking lot–far enough away that no one in their car could run him down if they had a mind to do it–but to his surprise, he could see Robin hoofing it towards him. It was club day so seeing Robin out here made it especially odd but he barely had time to register that as he noted the stormy expression on Robin’s face. “Eddie,” he said sternly, not raising her voice any louder than normal. She wasn’t talking as if she was just trying to get his attention, no, there was an edge of anger there as if she was his mother or something. The tone made Eddie sneer slightly and he turned away from Robin to continue walking. “Eddie! I��m talking to you,” Robin said firmly, not quite putting her hands on him, but cutting in front of him to make him stop walking. “I don’t want to hear it, Buck–” Eddie tried, only to get caught off as he watched Robin cross her arms and step into his path once again. “No, you’re listening to me, you’re listening to everything I have to say,” Robin interrupted and Eddie did take pause because of her expression. She looked pissed as hell–face red, the bags under her eyes especially dark–and the rhythmic chanting of the old saying ‘hell knows no fury like a woman’s scorn,’ rang through his mind. “I thought I’d give you a chance to apologize on your own–be a decent person about it, but you didn’t do squat on Monday,” Robin continued, which made Eddie’s expression twist with frustration. “Apologize–” he tried to interrupt, not beyond starting an argument. “Listening for once in your goddamn life,” Robin cursed, keeping steady eye contact, “people make mistakes, Eddie, I get it and you’re a prickly person, whatever–” “Hey–” “What. Ever! Listen! I’m trying to give you some grace here, and you’re lucky that Steve would be pissed at me if I flayed you, so you’re going to settle for listening to what I have to say because sure as hell he isn’t going to say it,” Robin huffed, her teeth bearing a bit. Great. So, this was about Steve. Eddie wanted to hear what she had to say even less now and he sidestepped Robin again only to have her walk after him, not deterred in the least. “You know for years I’ve been thinking oh, Eddie isn’t actually a bad guy, he just projects that image to get people to leave him alone, but then you turn around and do this bullshit? How dare you, how fucking dare you pull something like that and then walk around school on Monday with a chip on your shoulder–” “How dare I?” Eddie asked, whipping around to jam a finger in Robin’s face. “How dare I? You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Buckley.”

“I sure as hell do,” Robin retorted, seemingly not intimidated enough by Eddie to back down despite the glassy look in her eyes. She was standing her ground and it probably helped that she and Eddie were the same height. She was a tall girl and was potentially stronger than Eddie if he thought about it–not that he was ever going to hit Robin, but jeez her expression made him wonder if she was going to be the one to throw a punch. “Your tough guy appearance and devil-may-care attitude isn’t going to do shit for you, Eddie. Steve is too nice of a guy to say any of this to your face, so I’m going to do it instead. How dare you. How dare you look someone in the eye and laugh at them when they’re trying to tell you something. You think it’s funny? You think it’s funny that Steve has been nothing but nice to you and because he’s an underclassman–or whatever fucking reason–you think it's funny to totally spit in his face? Be a total dick because he made a mistake and thought you were a decent fucking person? I regret sticking my neck out for you. I regret defending you and encouraging Steve to talk to you–you’re such an asshole! I thought you were better than those posturing cliques that toy with people’s emotions for the drama of it all, but you’re not. You’re the exact same as them,” Robin yelled, her voice not loud enough to carry across the parking lot, but loud enough to sound livid and have passersby look in their direction. 

Eddie didn’t understand what she was getting at, but it was making his face red with anger and embarrassment. He was being reamed out. Why the hell was he being reamed out? So, now he was being gossiped about behind his back and having Robin Buckley of all people curse him out? He was being framed as the asshole? “What the hell are you talking about?” Eddie snarled, feeling his chin bunch up with the effort of not crying. He hated that he cried over every goddamn thing, and his attempt to control his tears was the only thing stopping him from yelling back properly at Robin.

“An apology isn’t nearly enough, but at least it’s something,” Robin continued, ignoring Eddie’s protests, “don’t even think about showing your face at Pride Club cause we sure as hell are not going to support anyone being a goddamn bully.” “What the hell are you talking about!” Eddie yelled again, finally raising his voice loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. “You’ve got absolutely no idea what you’re talking about! I don’t want to go to your dumb fucking club ever again anyways. You’re all a bunch of hypocrites. Fucking ‘love and acceptance’ my ass–” “Good! Then don’t come!” Robin shouted back stubbornly. “Sounds great to me!” Eddie declared, throwing his hands up in the air. “Have a great time patting yourselves on the back for being the world’s most gullible dyke.” “You’re a fucking asshole,” Robin chewed, “bye, prick!” “Good riddance, fucknut!” Eddie shouted loudly as he backed up and away from Robin, posturing. He saluted high into the sky only to turn around and flip Robin off as he walked away. She didn’t prolong the interaction and Eddie stole a quick look over his shoulder to see her storming back towards the school. What a piece of work. He was pissed that Robin had been turned against him–not that they were friends or anything like that, but it felt especially sinister to hear from her what tale Steve was spinning about that night. So, he was the bad guy, huh? He was the asshole in this situation? Figures. Steve was a tool. A complete and utter cunt lying to people about what went down and painting himself as the victim in the situation. Why not though, huh? Why not throw your weight around and make everyone else pick your battles? It was easier that way anyway. Eddie was going to be obliterated from the inside out and Steve wasn’t even going to need to lift a finger. 

–

Eddie skipped Hellfire club later in the week, choosing to mope at home instead which got an angry slew of texts from the guys. He had ignored those too and had only emerged when Wayne knocked on his door declaring that Jeff had come to see him. The visit was under some guise that he needed help playing a part of a song he was trying to perfect. Eddie had seen through the rouse almost instantly but he hadn’t said anything. The conversation had naturally moved towards why he was so upset 20 minutes into Jeff’s visit, but Eddie had been grateful to do something with his hands in the interim. He had sneered and scowled, not wanting to talk about it and not wanting to be made fun of, but Jeff had seemed earnest in his attempts to pull the truth from him and eventually Eddie told him everything. 

He didn’t go so far as to say he had liked Steve or anything like that, but he was the same as any guy and he thought Steve had maybe had a thing for him. That seemed far-fetched now, and he had just been holding out to maybe get lucky or something like that–he didn’t go into detail and it didn’t seem like Jeff wanted it anyway. The conversation was clipped and lacked real emotion until Eddie got to the bit about why he was pissed. He didn’t hold back either: telling Jeff how Steve had gotten drunk and then obviously started to flirt with him because he thought Eddie was someone else. How that had been a blow to his ego, but whatever; the real injury had happened when Steve had tried to make light of it all and Eddie had tried to offer a sympathetic ear, but that had blown up in his face. Steve had called him cruel for even asking and had acted like Eddie was pathetic for even trying to talk to him about it in the first place. How cruel it had been for Steve to be pretending this whole time to like him, even just as a friend. That had pissed him off, made him not like Steve, but the worst of it was the fact that he was spreading rumours about him now. He was already a social pariah, what was gossiping about how pathetic Eddie Munson was going to do to him for the rest of the school year? Jeff, in his defense, had tried to keep up as Eddie had explained everything lightning-fast with wayward details. By the end of it all Jeff seemed properly bothered by it as well and had commented on how stupid and lame it was that high school was so clique-y. Steve was an asshole. Steve should have realized that Eddie was just being nice. It was weirdly suspicious that he invited Eddie to his party when there was no one there that he knew. 

Pretending this whole time to be interested in friendship for God knows what reason. And he had come onto him? Only to act like it was a joke in the end? What a tool. What an asshole. What a jock.

Complaining had made Eddie feel a bit better and Jeff getting mad on his behalf felt good. He was being defended properly and he liked that. It wouldn’t matter that much when they had to go back to school the next day, but it at least made Eddie feel like he wasn’t storming into battle without an army at his back. Maybe they were weak and lacked numbers, they were never going to win against the leagues of popular kids, but at the very least Eddie didn’t feel alone in this fight.

Days passed and the news had spread fast through Hellfire. Eddie wasn’t upset about that at all, in fact, it saved him from having to explain everything and he genuinely wasn’t sure he would have been able to talk to Dustin and Will about this. He wanted them on his side and if they remained neutral he’d be fine with that too, but the last thing he wanted was to hear them defending Steve. 

Blissfully, nothing had been said to him and Eddie’s spine had stopped tingling once the week ended. He didn’t feel like everything was staring at him, even if Robin had glared at him every time they crossed paths in the hallway. That was the best things were going to get though and Eddie had no interest in entertaining the rumour-mill.

In fact, he had made it all the way to next Thursday without incident. Or at least ‘incident light’. He had seen Steve in the hallway once or twice, but they had pointedly ignored each other or simply walked down another hallway once they made eye contact. 

Hellfire was on Thursdays and though Eddie’s mood was still low, it felt as if it could be helped along by seeing his friends and maybe throwing a few difficult encounters their way. “That isn’t true!” Someone yelled, and Eddie perked up as he walked down the hallway. 

The school was mostly empty since the last bell, 20 minutes ago at least, and it was odd to hear someone yell this far away from the main classrooms. They hosted Hellfire in the classroom beside the theatre and for ‘special events’ they even got to use the theatre itself. Regardless of all of that, no one really came this way in the school unless there was a performance on or they were here for Hellfire. 

“That’s not what I was told!” The yelling continued and Eddie frowned as he slouched forward. Were the guys having a fight over something? Great. He didn’t want to have to deal with that. He didn’t want to entertain someone else’s emotions when he had simply been looking forward to an easy hang and some D&D. 

Eddie rounded the corner towards the theatre and his expression soured as he saw Robin and 2 other girls talking to Dustin, Will, and Jeff. Talking was a generous word even, they were straight up yelling at each other. 

Eddie stopped where he was in the hallway, not eager to enter the fray, but unfortunately, he was spotted before he could turn tail. “Eddie!” Dustin exclaimed, jabbing his arm toward Robin and getting everyone else to look at him. “Tell them what you told Jeff!” Eddie bunched his shoulders up and frowned deeply, feeling his skin crawl when Robin turned to look at him. He did not want to deal with this. “It doesn’t matter! I don’t care about that–it’s real low though to tell Will he can’t come to Pride Club,” Robin exclaimed, glaring daggers down the hallway at Eddie. “What?” Eddie asked sharply, bunching his shoulders up more. “I never–” “He didn’t bane me,” Will interjected, his voice sounding shrill with anxiety as he spoke. “It’s my choice.” “Your choice because it was heavily implied, or your choice because that’s actually what you want?” One of the other girls with Robin asked, crossing her arms. “Whatever, let them do what they want,” Hannah scoffed, which made Robin shake her head.

“No, that’s so shitty. I’m not going to make you do anything, Will, but know that you’re still welcome, you don’t have to quit just because–”

“Oh, so Will is welcome but Eddie isn’t?” Jeff interrupted. Robin shot him a harsh look and he seemed to back down a bit. “This is why it matters!” Dustin yelled again, “I think you have it all wrong–Steve won’t even talk to me about it!”

“That’s his choice,” Robin replied, pursing her lips, “I’m not here to share his business with everyone.” Eddie clenched and unclenched his hands as he stood in the hallway, feeling frozen to the spot as everyone slung angry words back and forth at one another. It was hard to keep up with and it was making his anxiety spike as he listened to Dustin and Jeff trying to defend him, while Robin and the other girls tore him apart. 

High school was so fucking stupid. This was all so fucking stupid. 

Yeah, fuck this. 

Eddie turned and started walking in the opposite direction. He could walk to the parking lot without passing anyone in front of the theatre; the last thing he wanted to do was walk past any of them. He’d just go home. He’d just crawl back into bed and wait for the blissful ignorance of sleep. “Eddie!” Dustin was yelling at him but he wasn’t turning around and he sure a hell wasn’t going to Hellfire today if he was going to have to sit there with this atmosphere hanging over him. 

He made it as far as the doors before Dustin caught up with him, huffing hard as Eddie pushed his way out into the parking lot. “Eddie–wait up,” Dustin puffed, grabbing his arm as the door swung shut behind them. Eddie jerked away, his anger flaring as he wrestled with the fact that he wasn’t going to ever get a moment of peace ever again. Not as long as he was in school and he had 8 more months of this bullshit to deal with. “Fuckin’ don’t, okay?” Eddie sputtered, not actually mad at Dustin but not having anywhere else to direct his anger. “I’m done okay, I’m done with this bullshit. I’m done. She wants to harass all the guys outside of Hellfire every day, be my guest. I’m going home, I’m not dealing with this bullshit.” “She’s leaving, you can come back,” Dustin explained, which only made Eddie huff a laugh. His limbs felt like rubber as he swayed, not wanting to leave but not wanting to stay either. It was all such bullshit. 

“I’m going home, Henderson,” Eddie lamented, rubbing his hand over his face as he lingered. He didn’t want to walk all the way home but he’d have to hang out here longer if he called Wayne for a ride. “What happened?” Dustin asked, which made Eddie groan as he forced one foot in front of the other and started walking. Dustin didn’t let up and started following him across the parking lot towards the forest behind the school. 

“You know–Jeff told you I’m sure,” Eddie grumped, stuffing his hands in his pockets and rolling his shoulders. “Yeah, but–” Dustin tried, not stopping Eddie but keeping pace with him, “--that doesn’t sound like Steve.” Eddie laughed incredulously, rounding on Dustin and sneering at him.

“What? You think I’m lying?” He asked, trying to keep his eyes from prickling with emotion. 

“No!” Dustin declared, almost too vehemently, “It’s just–maybe you both have it wrong. I don’t know! Steve can be a real idiot sometimes, but–but, when he messes up he owns up to it! He doesn’t–he isn’t vindictive like this.” “Yeah well, tomato-tamato, 'cause I’m living proof that isn’t true,” Eddie huffed, frowning deeply. He didn’t like hearing Dustin defending Steve, but at least he wasn’t making Eddie the one at fault for it all. “No, it’s just–Robin won’t talk to me about it, and Jeff says you told him that Steve was like… tricking you, man? Setting you up for some kind of joke and making fun of you or something like that?”

“Something like that,” Eddie confirmed nonchalantly, not wanting to talk about this, “seemed like it at least. Pretty much called me a villain for telling him he could talk to me honestly cause he was like… upset about something. Said I was cruel.”

Eddie stared down his nose at Dustin, not wanting to budge on this. Dustin didn’t seem convinced, but he was frowning as well as he listened to what Eddie had to say. Dustin was a smart kid, and Eddie could see the gears in his head turning. 

“It just doesn’t make sense…” Dustin lamented quietly. They stood like that for another minute before Eddie turned and continued walking. “Are you…” Dustin started, not following Eddie this time.

“Yeah, go on without me. I’m going to go fall off a bridge to my demise, Belrog style,” Eddie grouched, throwing his hand up into the air in some kind of wayward goodbye. He could practically hear Dustin frowning, but he didn’t turn around and Dustin didn’t follow him. That was both a relief and a disappointment, but Eddie didn’t let himself dwell on that as he marched home on the edge of another breakdown. 

Pt6