Having manners is something I've always prided myself on, especially in comparison to those around me. Very rarely does something happen that would cause me to abandon my polite disposition. However, after a long flight full of screaming children and inattentive flight attendants, I was in no mood to even force a friendly smile. Even if I'd been flying in first class my mood would likely still be sour. This wasn't exactly a trip I was looking forward to. Still, one must do right by their parents, even if at times it seems they only have their own interests in mind. I let out an involuntary sigh as I retrieved my bags and made for the exit. Unsurprisingly, my father was running late. He never did have a penchant for punctuality. Oh well.

I pulled out my phone to see if he'd tried to call me, but found an unread message from someone else.

Eddy: tell me its true

I figured I'd hear from him sooner or later. I suppose he's partially to blame for this in some way. I ignored the text for now and found myself a comfortable place to sit. Dad might still be awhile; the Cul De Sac is pretty far from the airport. I pulled out my laptop and maneuvered to the online class portal. This was my only hope of keeping my education on track for the summer. I truly prefer a typical classroom setting, but it was just not meant to be. I'll bet you want an explanation.

The university I attend is far from home, and you better believe its an Ivy League. I won't get into specifics; one must remember to be humble! But you could say I was finally using my full potential. Although some may blanch at the though of summer classes, I was fully prepared to dive into new courses all summer long. However, my parents dropped a wrecking ball on my plans with one phone call. Just as the winter semester wrapped, they informed me they were going traveling across Europe all summer long. I congratulated them, and even forced myself to refrain from questioning if they are really in a decent enough financial state to do this. I figured they were going to invite me along, and although the prospect of a trip was appealing, I knew it was in my best interest to decline.

They did not offer. Instead, they "asked" if I wouldn't mind coming home for the summer to housesit for them. I informed them that I did in fact mind and even offered alternate solutions! My parents were great friends with other adults in the cul-de-sac, especially the parents of Ed and Eddy. Surely one of them wouldn't mind watering plants and collecting the mail. It was only when my mother responded with "Actually, they're coming with us! We're going as a group!" that I began to put the pieces into place.

The irony was lethal. As children, the three of us were always concocting one scheme after the other, but now the tables had turned. Our parents had planned their dream vacation, but ran into one small snag. None of them trusted Ed or Eddy to be home without them. I suppose I couldn't blame them, considering all the trouble we caused before we were even old enough to drive. So, they came up with the ultimate solution. Oh, we'll just have our son Eddward come home! He's always been the voice of reason. He'll keep the other boys in line!

They didn't need me to housesit. They needed me to babysit.

I have to admit, I didn't put up as much of a fight as I could have. Although I really didn't want to risk falling behind schedule with my studies, I hadn't seen my old friends for quite a while. As long as I focused on my online course work and kept those two out of any major trouble, I'm sure I could survive the summer. Besides, we aren't kids anymore. Surely even Ed and Eddy have matured by now.

I look down to find another text.

Eddy: hey! answer me sockhead!

Maybe not.

Father finally arrived and I helped him load my bags into the car. I refrained from expressing any sort of anger about the situation and just let him ramble on about their trip. Despite the circumstances, I was happy for them. It had been a long time since I'd seen them this happy.

My phone continued to buzz and I decided I'd better respond before Eddy's impatience prompts him to actually call me.

Me: Yes, Eddy. I'm coming home for the summer.

His response was an explosion of emojis: clapping hands, confetti, and dollar signs. Some things never change.

Eddy: ed's gonna freak

Eddy: we gotta throw a party or something

Eddy: the ed's are back in action :)

I fought back a smile. Even though he was probably already hatching heinous schemes, his enthusiasm brought me back to all the good times we had. Looking back now, we really should have been supervised 24/7. Our quest for jaw breakers was incessant, and we roped all the other kids into it too. I probably spent more time outside working on our next biggest scheme than I did in my own room. I still kept everything organized and tidy, of course.

Dad decided to extend the already lengthy drive home by stopping to hit the drive through at his favorite burger place. I declined any of that greasy slop, but did cave for a little milkshake.

As we turned down the familiar road I spotted Sarah and Jimmy soaking up the sun on Jimmy's front lawn. They both were sporting colorful summer attire, which was nice to see. The last time I'd seen them, they'd been deep in a phase of dark colors and piercings. Ed had called it emu, which I had frequently reminded him was a large bird. Regardless, it appeared to have finally passed.

We pulled in the driveway and I could already tell I had my work cut out for me. Ed's or no Ed's, my parents had let their cleaning skills slip in my absence. They had always drilled the importance of neatness into my life with their constant sticky notes, but it seems without me to do the brunt of he chores they'd thrown organization out the window. First thing tomorrow I'll start on those gutters.

I could hardly get a word in all through dinner. Mother and father were elated to fill me in on their grand plans for their dream vacation. Some of it did sound quite nice. It's a shame they won't remember most of it, since they have a passion for consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Oh well. They'll just remember it as an exciting blur.

I'd had to silence my phone as Eddy had continued to bombard me with messages, most of them in all caps. What doesn't he understand about I'll come see you after I have dinner with my parents? They are going to be away for the next few months, after all.

My old room is still looking as spotless as ever, thank goodness. Labels still in place, books alphabetized, and blueprints for hairbrained schemes hidden in the desk drawer. I scoot my old microscope to the side to make room for my computer, checking my online classes one final time. So far, they only consist of introductory remarks from the instructors and spots to introduce ourselves. I, of course, was one of the first students to do so, setting an example for the rest of the class. I try not to brag, but my professional conversation skills are truly impeccable.

"Eddward, you've got a friend at the door!"

I shut my computer and pinch the bridge of my nose. Impatience thy name is Eddy.

Sure enough, I find him leaning against my father's car with his signature grin. The sun has long disappeared and I was holding out hope that he'd postpone meeting up until tomorrow. A foolish idea indeed.

"What took you so long?"

"As I said, I was eating dinner with my parents. I assume you were enjoying your parent's company before they leave?"

"Puh-leeze. I can't wait for them go. Not all of us went across the country for college you know."

I felt a bit of spite in that comment and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Ed and Eddy both hadn't been happy when I first left. Ed had been more open about his emotions as always, but Eddy had been quiet and resentful. I could understand his anger, but we all had known it was coming.

Luckily for me, he seemed to have gotten over it. He threw an arm over my shoulders and led me towards the sidewalk.

"Come on. I've gotta get you caught up."

Eddy's room hadn't changed too much since we were kids. He'd added a few new posters here and there, and his video game collection was pretty impressive, but other than that it was the same. Same lava lamp, same shag carpet, same scandalous magazines poorly hidden under his bed. It was oddly comforting in a way. I could only imagine the state of Ed's room after all this time.

"How's life on your big fancy campus?" His annoyed tone indicated a lack of interest, but I answered anyway.

"It's going very well. I'm excelling in my studies and even joined a few science clubs."

Eddy snorted. "I'm sure you're the smartest nerd in nerdville."

I ignored his snark and swerved the conversation to his favorite subject, himself.

"How's college been for you?"

"Tch. Lame. I barely passed most of my classes. Can you believe it starts to affect your grade if you skip more than three times? What a joke."

No surprise there. Eddy had been about as eager for college as he would be for a cavity filling. I thought he'd have been excited to learn about marketing or management. But I suppose it would take a miracle before he'd regard learning as fun. I should know. I always tried to inform him of the importance of education.

"Thinking about moving on campus next semester?"

"And share a room with some random lunatic? Pass. There might not be a next semester anyway. Maybe I'm better off working at the general store."

Before I had a chance to protest, Eddy donned a grin and changed gears.

"Enough with the small talk. Time for me to educate you. If we're going to pull off any type of scam this summer, you need to be familiarized with the local suckers."

"Oh Eddy, aren't we just a little too old-"

"Hold that thought double D, we've got a lot to cover. Now, where to start."

I tried one last feeble attempt to distract him. "Uh, where's Ed?"

Eddy snapped his fingers. "Bingo. I'll start with big Ed."

Whoops.

"So here's the scoop. There's that big commercial farm on the other side of town, and Rolf joined up with them right after high school. After catching Ed in his chicken coop for the millionth time, ole Rolfy brought the big guy down there and got him a job! You gotta see it, Double D. He's a natural."

I could picture it easily. "Do you work there with him?"

Eddy glared at me. "You're joking right? Me, working with those two psychopaths?"

"Well, where do you work?"

"I work at getting more achievements than my brother in every game. It's a full-time job, believe me. He's got nothing else going on, wherever he is."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Anyway, you're getting me off topic. Ed's usually passed out at home from working all day. He'll probably bang on your door at 8 am once he finds out you're here." He cracks his knuckles and brings me down the list.

"Sarah's still a brat and Jimmy's still her little puppy. Thankfully they've still got school for a few more weeks. Naz is still smokin hot and totally single." Eddy's eyebrow raise would unsettle a blind person. "Johnny works construction with his dad. I don't know where they find hardhats big enough for his head. And before you ask, I've definitely seen him carrying around that piece of wood at least once. Oh, and Kevin's still a complete tool. He works at the mechanic shop in town and makes love to his motorcycle every night."

It was almost disheartening to know that they were all still here, not branching out of our little town to bigger and better things. I suppose we're all still young enough. Plenty of time.

I was afraid to ask, but curiosity got the best of me. "What about the Kanker sisters?"

Eddy made a mock puking sound. "Still living in their trailer. Giving a bad name to trailer parks everywhere." He flopped down beside me on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The silence, although brief, told me he was in deep thought. A rare occurrence; believe me.

"I'm glad you're back, sockhead."

The childish nickname ruined his attempt at sincerity. "Gee, thanks."

"No really. It sucked without you here."

It wasn't often that Eddy spoke so genuinely. Even now I could see he was uncomfortable with the admission. I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad too, Eddy."

The moment didn't last. "Alright, now let me tell you my latest scheme."

Oh boy. It's going to be a long summer.

Wow I am really out here writing an Ed Edd n Eddy fic in 2019.

Favs follows and reviews are always appreciated. Next chapter soon :)