This is a sequel to Under the Hat. There are some parts where you need to read the first story to understand, but for the most part, I think it could be read on its own. Anyway, here's chapter 1!

And as a side note, there is some OOCness and sorta AUness.


Double D stole shy glances at the blue haired creature. She was ever so beautiful. He had been secretly studying her in school, not paying attention to the teacher. He had started coming in later so that he could sit by Marie. He still did his work, to be sure, but once he had sped through his work, he would pretend to read, actually looking at the girl beside him.

He had never felt this way before. Ever since that tender kiss, he wanted to be near her. But Ed and Eddy would be horrified to find this out, so Edd hadn't given in to the desire. The bell ran, startling him, and Marie was gone. He packed his things up and walked out, turning his head this way and that to see if she was still around. He just saw her turn the corner down the hall.

"Double D!" Eddy barked and Edd jumped.

"Yes, Eddy?" the boy asked after he'd registered who'd spoken.

"Geez, what is your problem lately?" the shorter boy muttered.

"I…nothing...Just headaches," Edd lied.

"Why do you have those anyways?"

"Because of the incident with the vase, I presume."

"Vases are pretty!" Ed exclaimed.

"Yes, well, we had best gather our things for our next class."

Double D lagged so badly this time that he almost got a tardy, but he got his place beside Marie. He quietly did his work then covertly began to stare again. Suddenly she held out a note. He swallowed. Note passing was strictly forbidden, especially in Math class. But…was it for him? He was at the end of the row, so…

He took the note quickly and unfolded it when he saw his name printed on it.

What's your deal? You're sitting by me an awful lot. Why? You hate me.

Edd felt guilty for his past behavior and neatly wrote out his answer.

It's complicated. And I don't hate you.

Marie's hair prevented him from seeing her face. The note was handed back after a minute.

What do you mean by complicated?

Edd blushed. Must I write this out to you? Can we not talk about it?

Fine. Mom's taking Lee and May shopping today then taking them out for dinner. I'm doing worse than them in school so I have to stay back and study. You can come over and we can talk.

Tell her I'm coming over to help you study.

Okay.

And that was that. For only the second time in his life, he was going willingly to the Kanker residence.

After school, Edd told Ed and Eddy that he had tutoring to do before he hurried in a circuitous route to the trailer park. He paused behind a trailer and watched as the three females left their home. He waited five minutes to be sure they weren't coming back then hurried up to the trailer and knocked on the door. Marie opened the door.

"Boy, you're quick."

Edd smiled nervously and nodded, walking in at her prompting.

"Now, I thought we'd start with English. That is one of my strongest subjects and—"

"We're not studying first. We're talking first," Marie said sharply.

"Must we?"

"Yes." When Double D didn't answer, she continued. "Now, what did you mean by complicated?"

"It's just…complicated, that's all."

"What?" Marie was starting to sound impatient.

"I…You kissed me and I liked it," Edd finally blurted out.

"I've kissed you plenty. What makes that kiss any different?"

"It was different," the boy said emphatically. "You weren't trying to smother me with kisses. You understood that I needed comfort and you gave it in a way that you knew how and that I understood. It was nice and soft and kind, stuff I've never really associated with you. But I now know that you can feel that way, and I…I really liked it. It made me feel funny. So…yeah, that's what's complicated."

Marie stared at him. "But I wasn't trying to get you to like me."

"That's part of what made it so nice," Edd admitted. "Please don't hate me."

"I don't hate you. I like you. A lot. I kept trying to show it, but you didn't want it."

"Because you were smothering me. I wasn't ready for that kind of relationship, but now I am."

Marie's eyes lit up. "Are you saying you're going to be my boyfriend?"

Edd grew more nervous. "I…I suppose if you'll have me. But tone it down a bit. No more suffocating me with kisses and hugs. I won't mind doing that stuff with you, but not on the extreme level that you seem to want."

Marie nodded. "Okay."

"One more thing…can we keep this from Ed and Eddy? I just…they'd probably die of shock."

"So would Lee and May," Marie admitted. "So is this our little secret?"

"For now, yes."

"We need a kiss to seal the deal," the girl said slyly.

Edd blushed and nodded. They moved closer and just before their lips touched, they banged their foreheads together. They gasped and pulled back.

"Sorry," Edd muttered.

"Eh, no biggie. We gotta learn somehow."

They tried again, and it was a sweet, tender kiss that made Edd's insides dance in glee. They pulled back, both of them red.

"Now, English!" Edd exclaimed, clapping his hands together to ease his shyness.

They spent a few hours doing Marie's schoolwork. Many furtive glances were stolen, and every time their eyes met, they would blush again. They did manage to finish their homework, and they kissed once more before Edd left for the day. He felt elated and skipped home. His mother noticed his attitude as he sat down for dinner.

"Good evening, parentals!" he said with a smile. "My, my! This spaghetti looks delicious."

"You're certainly in a good mood. Any particular reason?" his father asked.

"Oh, no reason," Edd lied, leaning his elbow on the table as he ate.

Both his parents stared at him. "Eddward?" his mother asked slowly. "Are you feeling alright?"

Edd looked up. "I couldn't feel better if I tried," he replied.

Edd watched his father's face twist into a knowing smile. "Oh really?"

"Yes."

"So who is she?"

Edd's heart nearly stopped. "W-what? What makes you think it's a she? I mean, just because it is doesn't make it so…" Edd realized what he'd just said and sat there blushing. He was actually surprised that blood wasn't oozing out of his skin yet, what with all the blushing he'd done that day.

"Ooh, you met a girl?" his mother gasped.

"No," Edd ground out, suddenly not hungry anymore. "I've known her a while."

"What changed things?"

"I don't want to talk about it. It's complicated."

"But—"

"Leave the boy alone, Margaret."

"But Brian, can't a mother be curious?"

"Yes," Edd's father said. "But just because you're curious doesn't mean he has to answer you. Let him alone."

"Oh, fine. But I must know her name."

"Only if you promise you won't tell Ed and Eddy," Edd said quietly.

There was a pause. "Alright. Who is she?"

"Marie. Her name is Marie."

"And that means?" his father asked.

"Wished-for child, rebellion, or bitter," Edd replied.

"Ooh, does she match her name?" his mother asked.

"In some ways. But I don't care. She's amazing anyway, though she does need some help with her academic studies, in which I am happy to assist her."

"Good. Education is very important. Now, let's finish dinner."