FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY EDS

Chapter 1

One Thursday afternoon, Edd was waiting outside Peach Creek Junior High. The front door slammed open and out came Ed and Eddy. The Eds started walking to the cul-de-sac.

"Man, I thought we'd never get outta there!" Eddy complained. "Who invented detention anyway?"

"I told you and Ed it wasn't wise to use the art room's printing press to manufacture counterfeit money, Eddy," Edd scolded. "It's a strict violation of school code."

"Ed's the violation," Eddy retorted. "I'm sick of school. When's summer vacation gonna start?"

"Not for another three months, I'm afraid," Edd answered, causing Eddy to groan.

"Let's go to my house, guys," Ed suggested.

When the Eds arrived at the cul-de-sac, they headed over to Ed's house and made their way to his room. Edd was now working on various homework assignments while Ed and Eddy were watching TV.

"Seen it. Seen it. Seen it. Seen it," Ed repeated as he kept changing the channel.

"You know, Eddy, when I agreed to this home study group, it was with the understanding that everyone would do their fair share," Edd pointed out.

"If me an' Ed did any work, your grade average would go down the tubes," Eddy reminded.

"Seen it," Ed said as he changed the channel once again.

"Why me?" Edd complained.

"Anything good on, Monobrow?" Eddy asked.

Ed stopped at a channel where a commercial he liked was airing. "Cool! It's that commercial about Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends."

"That place is lame," Eddy commented, offending Ed.

"Is not,"

"Is too,"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"IS NOT!"

"IS TOO!"

"GENTLEMEN, PLEASE!" Edd interrupted, fed up with Ed and Eddy's arguing. "I'm trying to concentrate!"

Edd continued his homework. Eddy scowled and folded his arms as he and Ed started watching the commercial. It featured Foster's and the numerous imaginary friends who lived there.

"Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends is a wonderful, funderful imagination habitation," a female voice said during the commercial. Eddy made a 'blah blah' gesture with his hand. "We provide food, shelter and a warm heart for imaginary friends looking for a place to call home. So if you know of or have an imaginary friend that desperately needs a home, then come on down to Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, where good ideas are not forgotten."

When the commercial ended, Eddy thought about all the freedom the imaginary friends at Foster's had.

"Those imaginary friends sure are lucky," Eddy said to himself. "They don't have to go to school, they don't get homework or detention-" Just then, an idea sparked inside Eddy's head. "That's it!" he exclaimed, standing up and grabbing the attention of Ed and Edd. "Guys, I just found the solution to all our problems."

"Eddy's got a plan, Double-D!" Ed exclaimed.

"Here we go again," Edd said in annoyance. "What's your plan this time, Eddy?"

"If we were imaginary, we could live at Foster's and do whatever we wanted," Eddy explained. "Think about it; no school, no homework, no adults tellin' us what to do. We'd be livin' the easy life!"

"I've always wanted to visit Foster's," Ed mentioned.

"But, Eddy, we're not imaginary," Edd argued.

"True, but the people at Foster's don't know that," Eddy countered.

"Are you suggesting we lie to them?" Edd asked suspiciously.

"Well, yeah. How else are they gonna let us move in?"

"Then, I want no part of this, Eddy,"

"But, Double-D, it'll be fun," Ed begged.

"I refuse to deceive the good-natured residents of Foster's," Edd said adamantly as he folded his arms.

"Oh, really? How 'bout I blow the whistle on what's under that hat of yours, Double-D?" Eddy threatened.

"You wouldn't dare!" Edd shouted, taken aback. Eddy gave him an evil grin while Ed gave him a sad face. Edd groaned and reluctantly said, "Very well. Count me in."

"Yay! We're goin' to Foster's!" Ed cheered.

"When do you suggest we leave, Eddy?" Edd asked.

"First thing in the mornin'," Eddy answered.

That night, the Eds visited the Foster's website and found the house address, which was 1123 Wilson Way. They also found a map to Foster's and discovered that it was only half an hour away from Peach Creek.

The next morning, which was Friday, instead of going to school with the other kids, the Eds left Peach Creek and began their journey to Foster's. Edd, who strongly disapproved of the fact that they were skipping school, tried to convince Eddy to wait until after school to go to Foster's but Eddy didn't want to wait that long.

"I can't wait to get to Foster's," Ed said excitedly.

"I can't believe we're skipping school," Edd complained. "Not only are we breaking the law but my perfect attendance record will be ruined as well."

"Get over it, Sockhead," Eddy retorted. "Once we get to Foster's, school will be a thing of the past."

When the Eds arrived at Foster's, they stared in amazement at the house as they walked towards the gate entrance.

"Well, here we are. Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends," Edd announced.

"What a huge house," Ed commented.

"Welcome to our new home, guys," Eddy said. "Let's go inside and get settled in."

The Eds entered the front yard through the gate entrance and started walking down the long sidewalk towards the front porch.

"How do you plan on tricking the owner into letting us move in, Eddy?" Edd asked. "We have no qualities resembling those of imaginary friends."

"Sure, we do," Eddy replied. "Just follow my lead. I got it all figured out."

After stepping onto the porch, the Eds walked up to the front door. Eddy knocked on the door and waited for someone to open it. He grew impatient after ten seconds of no response.

"What's takin' 'em so long?" Eddy complained.

"Maybe, no one's home," Ed guessed.

"Patience, Eddy," Edd advised. "It's a large house after all so it may take some time for someone to open the door."

Just then, Mr. Herriman opened the door.

"Finally!" Eddy shouted in annoyance.

"Good day, gentlemen," Herriman greeted as he tipped his hat. "How may I be of assistance?"

"IT'S THE EASTER BUNNY!" Ed exclaimed as he bearhugged Herriman and startled him.

"Unhand me, young man!"

"Ed, let him go," Edd ordered.

"It's not Easter yet, stupid," Eddy reminded.

"Oh, sorry," Ed said as he released Herriman.

Herriman took a deep breath in an attempt to regain his composure after being grossed out by Ed's stinky armpits. Edd and Eddy noticed something odd about Ed's interaction with Herriman.

"Check it out, Double-D. Ed's not sneezin'," Eddy pointed out. "I thought he was allergic to rabbits."

"Excellent observation, Eddy," Edd complimented. "Ed must be immune to imaginary rabbits."

"Never in all my years have I been treated with such disrespect!" Herriman scolded Ed. "When was the last time you showered?"

"Please excuse him, sir. He adores animals,"

"Yes, well, although I'm flattered, I would appreciate it if he wouldn't hug me again. Now, if you will please state your business,"

"You gotta help us, sir," Eddy begged. "Our creator gave us up and now, we're lookin' for a place to call home."

"Here at Foster's, we shelter imaginary friends, not children," Herriman informed.

"But we are imaginary. We just look human,"

"Nonsense! Unless you can prove you're imaginary, I can only assume you're human,"

"We can prove it! Honest!" Eddy said confidently. He turned to Ed and Edd. "Stick out your tongues, guys."

The Eds stuck their tongues out at Herriman. Edd was the last one to do it since he was more reluctant.

"Ah, green and blue tongues. So, you are imaginary. Very well then. Please follow me into my office," Herriman instructed. He figured the Eds were telling the truth since he knew multicolored tongues were a trait some imaginary friends had.

The Eds followed Herriman inside the house and into his office. Then, they gave him their names and filled out the required paperwork, which Eddy complained there was too much of.

"Welcome to Foster's, Masters Ed, Eddward and Eddy," Herriman said once the paperwork was done. "I am Mr. Herriman, the Head of Business Affairs."

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Herriman," Edd replied.

"Likewise. Now that you've completed the paperwork, I shall arrange a tour for you," Herriman offered. He turned on the intercom and spoke through it. "Miss Frances, your presence is requested in my office immediately."

Soon, Frankie came into the office. Eddy's jaw dropped the moment he saw her.

"These imaginary children would like a tour of the house," Herriman informed, gesturing towards the Eds.

Frankie looked at the Eds with confusion. "How can you tell they're imaginary? They look human."

"Yes, but unlike other humans, they have multicolored tongues,"

"Oh, okay. C'mon, guys," Frankie instructed, motioning the Eds to follow her. The four of them left the office. "Whatever that bunny says is wrong. The name's not Frances, it's Frankie."

"It's nice to meet you, Frankie. I'm Double-D and this is Ed and Eddy," Edd introduced.

"Are you single?" Eddy blurted out.

Frankie stared at him awkwardly. "Why?"

"Just asking,"

"Okay. So, I guess you guys want a tour of the place?" Frankie asked, trying to change the subject. The Eds agreed to the tour. "Cool. Follow me."

Frankie gave the Eds a tour of Foster's. The Eds were fascinated by all the rooms the house had and all the imaginary friends they saw. After the tour, Frankie showed the Eds their new bedroom, which had a bunk bed and a single bed in it.

"Thank you for the tour, Frankie," Edd said.

"You're welcome," Frankie replied as she headed for the door. "Let me know if you guys need anything."

"Sure thing, sweetheart," Eddy flirted.

Frankie stared at Eddy awkwardly again. "What did you just say?"

"Nothin',"

"Whatever," Frankie said as she left the room.

Eddy walked outside the room and watched Frankie walk down the hallway. She's even hotter than Nazz, he thought. Once Frankie was gone, Eddy reentered the room.

"I can't believe it! They actually fell for it! What suckers!" Eddy exclaimed.

"Eddy, I feel guilty about this," Edd complained. "We shouldn't be taking advantage of these nice people. It's wrong."

"Relax, Double-D. What they don't know won't hurt 'em,"

"What do you propose we do now?"

"Let's go meet some imaginary friends," Ed suggested.

"We might as well since we're here," Edd agreed.

"Alright, let's go," Eddy said.