"Perhaps a sweater vest wasn't the best choice I could have made today. I should have at least tried to dress like the others."
Eddward looked down at his semi professional attire before pulling his vest down over his collared shirt. He had felt so strongly about this outfit last week when he had picked it out; it was the first day of high school after all, and it was a fresh start for the Ed boys. Now that he was seeing what Ed and Eddy were wearing, he was starting to have his doubts.
"At least Eddy looks confident to start his first day." When Edd approached Eddy at the end of the cul de sac, he almost didn't recognize his childhood friend. Eddward had gone to Space Camp for the summer, having little more than phone call and email contact with his neighborhood friends. Eddy had broadened out a bit; his shoulders finally squared enough to fit into that leather jacket his brother gave to him on his thirteenth birthday. He had shaved the sides of his hair and gelled back the top in the odd pseudo-1970's style that he had picked up from his father's outdated Playboy magazines. Acne marks littered his forehead and slightly darkened peach fuzz had started to line his upper lip; he was determined to develop a mustache as soon as possible. He lifted his fist out to bump against Eddward's.
"About time, Sock head. We were about to go without ya, right Ed?" Eddward returned the fist bump.
"Oh please Eddy, like you would ever intentionally be early for a day of school. Am I correct, Ed?" Both boys turned to their third partner, who had been staring absentmindedly at his torn up converse sneakers. Ed's curly red hair had grown into waves covering his thick eyebrows and freckles littered his face. The green sports jacket that Eddward had grown so accustomed to had been replaced with a Peach Creek Cobblers letterman jacket. Last Eddward had heard Eddy was attempting to convince Ed to try out for the football team. He must have made the cut.
Ed continued to look puzzled for a moment before looking up at his friends and stating "I think I left my socks at home, guys."
Eddward couldn't help but chuckle. "Pretty sure you left your brain at home, Ed."
Eddy just scoffed. "Pretty sure he's never had one to begin with."
Without much more to be remarked, the boys started their walk across town to Peach Creek High School. The boys exchanged events of their time over the summer. Eddy had spent the summer in summer school and claimed to be hooking up with a few girls in the area, but would not mention who. Eddward assumed Eddy was fibbing, perhaps hoping to "start fresh" with a more radical reputation.
When they approached the school campus, the boys could see the other children corralling around the bike rack and the front steps. Nazz had started high school last year along with Kevin and Rolf. Meanwhile Jimmy, Johnny and Sarah were still in junior high across the street. It would be weird to not see them as often as he was accustomed to. Everyone had changed slightly and yet not so much at all it appeared. Eddward was overwhelmed with the lump in his throat. Eighth grade was overflowing with such conflict and insecurity; High school held promises of new beginnings and self discovery and he was anxious to discover what kinds of new starts awaited him.
A high pitched honk startled the Eds into jumping back onto the sidewalk from the street corner. A familiar streak of green and red flew past them, skidding to a sudden halt in front of the bike rack. Nazz was heard cheering with delight; Kevin had arrived.
Red 5'o Clock shadow had taken over Kevin's cheeks and chin, while his hair had been cut short into a slightly grown out crew cut. This was much different than when Eddward had last seen him, with shaggy red waves and a clean shaven face. The football jacket draped over his now square shoulders matched Ed's; they wouldn't have official placements and numbers until initial practices were finished.
Eddward suddenly felt extremely self conscious of his sweater vest.
"Jesus Christ, Sockhead, look at him! Buzzing around on that piece of crap like he owns the joint! Who does he think he is?" Eddy gestured wildly in Kevin's general direction. Eddward started at the redhead thoughtfully; it was a rather good question.
Memories of the previous school year flashed in Eddward's mind. Terrified green eyes staring into his and rough lips…the alluring stench of Axe Body Spray…
Eddward attempted to shake the memories from his mind and put his arm around Eddy's shoulders.
"It's a new year Eddy; a new start. Let us try to reintroduce relations with our neighbors with a positive effort. After all, we have so many adventures to look forward to! There is no sense in dwelling on the past!"
Eddy grumbled the corniness of Edd's statement before ushering Ed and Edd to approach campus.
Eddward believed his statement. He could not dwell on the past. He could not afford to.
The first day of classes filled Eddward with enough academic excitement to wear anyone else down. He had been placed in some AP classes, much to Ed and Eddy's chagrin. Eddward had seriously considered not taking the AP classes, but decided against it come registration time. Ed and Eddy protested, causing Eddward to compromise and promise to tutor them at lunch. They reluctantly agreed.
It was going to be a difficult year without having his friends in each of his classes, but Eddward could not help but at least try to meet the expectations of his teachers and parents. He had been told before the school year had even begun that he would be almost guaranteed valedictorian when he graduates and this piled on many expectations on him from his community.
His reputation preceded him; Teachers had already started pulling Eddward aside to discuss accelerated programs, skipping grade levels and early college acceptance. The packets of information handed to him were overwhelming. Eddward could not help but tuck the impending concerns into a folder for later review. His parents would insist on acceleration, Eddward was sure of it. But it was too early to be thinking so far ahead. The vision of such academic success was almost too exciting to bear, but Eddward was perfectly happy graduating with his friends and his high school class.
The lunch bell alerted students to the cafeteria. Eddy slammed all of his weight into the blue plastic bench by the window. He was peering disinterestedly at his lunch. Ed had already started eating.
Eddward quietly placed himself in the chair opposite Eddy and began to unpack his homemade lunch. The school lunches were too questionable for his tastes, and the discolored items on Eddy's plate only made Eddward more appreciative of preparing his lunch the evening previous.
"Man, I'd kill for a slice of pizza right now…What's a guy gotta do to get some decent food in this school?" Ed looked up from his food.
"We should go down to Cheesy's Pizza guys! Gravy and anchovies on me!" He exclaimed, beginning to salivate at the idea of his favorite pizza parlor. Eddward couldn't help but grimace at the memory of their last gravy and anchovy pizza. Eddy vomited for two days after. Eddward went home without eating that night. They tried to humor Ed. They really did.
"Well Ed, as pleasant of an idea as that is, only upperclassmen are allowed to leave the premises for lunch. Surely as we advance grade levels, we could arrange such endeavors during lunch time." Eddy scoffed.
"No one is going to take us seriously if we wait until we're juniors, Double D. If we're going to make a good impression, we need to start showing everyone that we're not dorky little kids anymore."
Ed gave a wide smile. "Wait until they see how much I have grown!" Eddward raised an eyebrow.
"I am sure we will develop respect from our classmates at our own pace Eddy. History has shown that extra effort on our end often causes more-"Eddy slammed his hands on the table, interrupting Eddward's comment. Eddward jumped back.
"Oh no! We tried that in middle school and look what happened! Nazz turned me down last year and Ed is still a virgin…and those rumors last year about you and Kevin? Super messed up." Eddward felt his face heat up at the memories.
"This year is going to be different. We're older and we're going to be hotter and more experienced than ever this year! We'll show them how much they're missing out by blowing us off! And the ladies will be all over us!" Eddward frowned. Ed seemed hardly concerned about his sexual debut, and Nazz was never going to fall for Eddy. They had nothing in common. Nazz was on student government with Eddward, running for class president. She was a cheerleader and part of the track team. She loved Gossip Girl and reality television. Eddy collects antique records and plays games on his Xbox all weekend long. Nazz would hardly be interested.
"Oh please Eddy! You can't really be serious. This isn't some Seth Green movie that you and Ed watch. This is real life! High school popularity is nothing but a fickle blimp in our lives to come."
"No one is going to mess with us anymore Double D. We're going to come out on top! I'm going to have some money coming in and I'm going to make sure we spend it right! Nazz and I will be spring fling King and Queen, and you and Ed will have ladies draping on your arms in no time!"
Eddward couldn't help but roll his eyes. The last thing on his personal agenda was obtaining a girlfriend, and Ed couldn't seem to care about anything more than food and football. Eddward looked down at his salad wrap lunch, hoping that the conversation can now transition into something less problematic. Eddward racked his brain, searching for a transitional conversation to distract Eddy.
"Oh Eddy! You mentioned that you have some money coming in! Did you get a job?" Eddy smirked.
"Well, you could say that." He hinted with a chuckle. "My brother knew a guy across town and his little brother is taking over his business, so I'm going to be working with him." Eddward lit up and leaned across the table, showing interest. Perhaps this was the conversation they needed.
"That's wonderful Eddy! Employment can be quite fulfilling! Tell me Eddy, what kind of work would it entail?" Eddy crossed his arms and grinned.
"Oh, you know sales. I know I'll be good at it!" Eddy smirked before looking over to his left. "Perhaps you should get a job, Ed." He commented. Ed looked up from his meal.
"Had one all summer Eddy! Construction with my dad! Dad wants me to focus on football this year. Yup! He says the gravy train is calling! Yum!" Ed paused before standing up. "I'm getting seconds." He stated before walking off, empty tray in hand.
"Jeez, Ed's a human garbage disposal I swear. He'll eat anything." Eddward could not argue.
"Hi guys!" Eddy and Eddward eyes jumped up at the sound of the feminine and cheerful voice of Nazz. Eddward had to admit that she was developing into a stunning young woman. She still kept her hair cut short and her smile bright. She beamed as she quickly pulled out a flyer from her purse and handed it to Eddward.
The flyer was colored neon yellow with highlighter pink lettering; Hideous, in Eddward's opinion. It was information regarding Nazz's birthday house party at the end of the month. Since Nazz's family renovated their home, the cheerleader would find any excuse she could to throw a house party. Eddward had been invited to some, but had only gone to one, her "End of the School Year Bash" in May, before he left to camp. Eddward peered up at Eddy, whose brow was beginning to moisten with anxiety. Nazz did not appear to register Eddy's body language and continued.
"It's on the 30th- a Saturday! You should totally come, Double D!" Eddward couldn't help but notice Eddy's sharp eyes glaring jealously across the lunch table. Eddward couldn't help but smirk as Eddy's face glowed red. He was not remotely interested in Nazz but was falling into her favor much more successfully than Eddy could.
"How kind of you, Nazz; I shall certainly consider your offer."
Although Eddward was feeling quite confident at that moment, his reply lodged itself into his throat as Kevin slowly meandered to the table, football jacket slung over his shoulder casually.
"Hey Nazz, are you ready to hit the-oh." Kevin's smile faded. He paused as Eddward's eyes lined up with his. Eddward's face began to feel warm.
The smell of chlorine suffocating his nostrils… Red hair…warm, wet skin…rough lips…
Eddward cleared his throat.
" However, with my academic schedule as intricate as it has become…" Nazz interrupted his attempted excuse.
"Oh c'mon silly! You have to come! It's not a party without Double D!" Eddward could hardly concentrate with Kevin's eyes burning into his. What was he trying to say to him? They almost looked….
"Well, I shall certainly make an attempt to attend. Thank you Nazz." Nazz let out a cheer of excitement, turning to unexpecting Kevin with glee.
"Isn't that great Kev?! The more the merrier, right?" Kevin's eyes slowly pulled away from Eddward's, and he suddenly plastered on what Edd believed to be the most exhausted looking smile he had ever seen.
"Yeah, of course Nazz. You're party will be poppin' with the right people." Nazz beemed, her tilting head causing her hoop earrings to fall. Eddward wished he could be that positive and cheerful consistently. Perhaps he would feel less insecure with himself.
Eddy's stuttering caught Eddward's attention. His face was red and is brow was creating perspiration.
Good Lord, Eddward mused to himself. Eddy can be so dense sometimes.
"N-Nazz, you look r-raddishing today…" There was a brief pause before Eddy had realized he had messed up. Eddward balked. Nazz and Kevin started to roar with laughter.
"It's ravishing, Eddy. Ravishing!" Eddward whispered; it was too late though.
"You're so funny, Eddy!" Nazz gushed, tears of laughter beginning to form in her eyes. Eddy sunk down beneath the table.
"What a dork." Kevin commented as he started to walk away. Eddward and Kevin made eye contact once more. Eddward could swear he saw a glimmer in Kevin's eyes.
"Oh…right…." Kevin offered. "Catch you later, Double D." Eddward felt his face flush again, feeling his stomach fill with butterflies. Eddy watched Nazz trail after Kevin, chattering about the events coming up. Eddy slammed his face into the lunch room table, despondent.
"Aw man. Why does this shit keep happening to me?!" Eddy howled, pressing his hands against his temples.
"You need to ingest more fiber, Eddy!" Ed commented, plopping in his seat. "What happened, Eddy?"
"She didn't even invite us, Ed!" Eddy exclaimed, lifting his face from the lunch table. Ed appeared confused.
"Nazz's birthday party, Ed." Eddward prompted. Ed smiled.
"Oh yeah! I got one of those this morning!" Ed reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wrinkled flyer, identical to Eddward's. Eddy wailed with grief.
"What the hell?! Why did you guys get one but I didn't!" Eddy slammed his head down again. "Why won't she take me seriously?" Eddward couldn't help but muse. Nazz was a cheerleader, therefore friends with Ed, a football player. Nazz was also on the student council with himself, therefore, they had become acquaintances. Eddy had made no effort to bond with Nazz on another level. How does he expect himself to obtain Nazz's affections if he makes no effort to get close to her?
Eddward caught himself. He could hardly judge.
Eddward hated the high school lockers. They jammed far too easily to be coincidental and Eddward seriously considered sending a letter of concern to the main office. He yanked and jiggled the padlock multiple times before it finally unleashed, causing the locker to fly open and send Eddward cascading to the floor.
He felt his back hit the linoleum floor and heard his books thud harshly beside him. He opened his eyes to the bight florescent lighting above him. How embarrassing.
"Curse my impulsivity." Eddward muttered to himself. A tan hand slowly entered Eddward's vision.
"Have a nice trip, dork?" Eddward followed the hand to see the owner, Kevin above him. Flabbergasted, he allowed Kevin to assist him to his feet.
"Thank you Kevin, that was very kind of you. Tell me, how was your summer?" Eddward probed. Kevin's eyes narrowed.
"Fine." Eddward paused.
"Well, mine was just splendid! Did you know that within the next century, human kind could be living on Mars?" Kevin adjusted his hat and started to turn his body away.
"Fascinating. Gotta go…" Eddward knew that it may be best for him to remain silent, but as he watched Kevin start to depart, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Kevin, wait…" He begged. The redhead turned his head back towards him.
"Can we get together soon and discuss last year? There is much left to be said." Kevin shook his head.
"Dunno what you're talking about Double Dweeb. Nothing happened last year. Quit making stuff up man. People will think you're crazy or something." Kevin stalked off, leaving Eddward feeling particularly vulnerable in the hallway.
How could he say that nothing happened? How could he pretend? There is no way he could have forgotten…
Eddward looked down at himself.
Stupid sweater vest.