Edd was situating his hat over his black hair and getting ready for school. All night he crammed for a possible pop quiz and got not more than five hours of sleep. His studying became distracted last night due to his more frequent bullying from Kevin and his posse. Edd was the main, and sometimes only, objective in that crews daily bullying runs. His sanctuary was becoming the one place he wasn't safe in. He'd be safer in a dark alley at 1am than at his own school. The constant bullying was causing Double-D to become more distant from Ed and Eddy. The last time he had spoken to either of them was two days ago when Ed told him he was going to ask Nazz to tell Kevin to be nicer to Edd. Unfortunately, nothing had changed. Edd was locking the door to his house and pulling out his bike key when a shadow began to cool the heat on his back. Attempting to look from the corner of his eye, another shadow approached behind him, a much larger one. Oh how he hoped it wasn't Kevin and his friends this early in the morning.
"Ooooh, so scary. It's a ghooooooost!" One of the shadows began to sway its arms over its head.
"Oh cut it out Ed, he knows it's us." Eddy stood with his arms crossed up against Edd's house. Although Eddy was in his line of sight now, Double-D still jumped.
"Heavens Eddy! Don't scare me like that." His hand gripped his chest.
"Whoooa Double-D, you look tired." Inches away from Edd's face, Ed inspected the bags under his eyes.
"Stop that Ed. I was up studying, unlike the two of you. Now if you don't mind, I've got to get to school." He bent down to unlock his bike when Eddy's meaty hand slapped down onto his back.
"We've all gotta be getting to school Double-D, what's the rush? We came to walk with you." Edd swatted away Eddy's hand and hopped onto his bike.
"How thoughtful, but I'd really rather go on my own. I'll see you later." Edd fastened his helmet as he said his goodbye, and road off into the scorching sun. Ed waved to Double-D despite the fact that he was far down the road and didn't turn back to look at the two he'd abandoned.
The key continued to slip from Edd's fingers as he began having nervous sweats. His beady eyes flashed in every direction each second to watch for the cruel group whose day schedule began with "Beating Edd". Each shadow that approached him made him jump and lose the key from his grip. He finally calmed down for a split second to lock his bike and rushed to his locker. Books were being pulled from his raggedy messenger bag, but he left his biology book and pencil bag in his care. Rushing off to the second floor, the shoelaces from his right shoe began to unlace. Beads of sweat continued to run down his head as he began climbing the stairs. As he reached the top, his speed increased. Unaware of his untied shoe, he stepped on the lace, pulling it and strangling his foot. His messenger bag flew over his head, taking his hat with him.
"OH NO!" He yelled as he reached for his hat. Rapidly, he secured the black rag onto his head before anyone could see his exposed hair. He tied his shoe, forgetting all about his scheduled bullying, and freaked out about the breeze he felt in his hair. Standing firm with two tied shoes, he picked up his bag and went to open the door to his class. Inches away from the handle, his hand reached out to the metal that would lead him to an hour of sanctuary. His sweaty palms gripped the handle and opened it only a crack. SLAM! A strong palm slapped the door closed and the tall boy loomed over Edd. His loud gulp made the other boys laugh.
"Aww boys, he's scared!" One of the boys exclaimed.
"Maybe we should show him some mercy?" Another one sarcastically suggested.
Through the boys, another figure approached. An opening from within the posse was created and out came Kevin.
"And what fun would that be?" His arms crossed and his mouth grinning. His fist lifted as he was about to swing, but fortunately the teacher could hear the ruckus outside his door.
"And exactly what is it you think you're doing?!" Mr. Jenkins swung the door open, pushing Edd with it. One of the boys successfully ran off down the stairs, but the other five, including Kevin, were caught. Wiping his knees off, Edd got up and walked into the class. It was only 7:30am and the pits of his shirt were already soaked, causing laughter from the class.
"Silence in my classroom!" Mr. Jenkins shouted. A pen in his hand soaking ink into the paper on his desk. Kevin, Foster, Parker, Jones, Randy... That's all that was in Edd's view. Detention slips.
"Now, you know the alternative punishments. Either school clean up duty, or helping the tutors after school. Now if your grade is lower than a 50% in here, then you would have to ATTEND a tutoring session, since I know none of you would get tutored without force." The boys grunted and sighed, one of them even tried arguing and talking back, claiming he didn't have to do anything that 'dumbass' teacher said. HE was sent straight to the principal's office for suspension.
"And luckily, we've got one tutor here who would be ecstatic to help any of you in a class!" He smiled as he pointed to Double-D. Shaking in his shoes, he waved to the boys and attempted to smile but it looked more like he was gritting.
"Now, considering most of you are barely passing this class, it's still passing so I suggest you either get tutored for another class, or seek to my other alternative punishments or else face after school detention for a week." He tapped his pen on the detention slips he had just signed the boys' names on. "As for you Kevin," Kevin furrowed his brows and began tapping his foot, "you are the one who is failing this class. Fortunately, the boy who you attempted to beat up has 102% in this class therefore I assign him to be your tutor." Edd's eyes widened and he stopped breathing for a few seconds.
"That's not fair! I'm only failing because I was sick for all of last week! I'll make up the work and have it into you by Friday as long as you don't make me work with Double-Dweeb!" Kevin pleaded.
"Uh, if I may Mr. Jenkins, I do have other students I tutor who want my help just as much as they need it so-"
"Enough! Either you tutor Kevin, or you will be serving detention as well. I think you will really be able to teach Kevin something and make him more passionate about school with all that enthusiasm you've got already. I was going to cut you some slack and only have the tutoring for two days, but considering you want to continue bullying Eddward, it is a week long tutoring. The school library is always open for tutoring sessions, but I have a feeling Kevin's complaining will become a distraction to those who truly want to learn so I suggest you find somewhere else to tutor." Mr. Jenkins finished and ordered all of them to sit down in their seats.
It seemed like the longest biology class Edd ever had to sit in.
"Eddward, Kevin. Up front." Mr. Jenkins called the two boys up there as the bell rang. "Now, have you two settled for a time and place?" The boys looked at each other and quickly looked away.
"Might I suggest right after school, my house?" Double-D spoke with cracks in his voice.
"Right after school? Nope, doesn't work for me. I've gotta take my after school nap." Kevin rolled his eyes and headed for the door.
"Not so fast Kevin, get back over here!" Mr. Jenkins shouted. "Your education is much more important than a nap that keeps you away from your homework." Kevin chuckled. "After school at Eddward's house seems perfectly fine. I will check back in on you both tomorrow morning." The boys left the room and immediately started arguing in the hallway.
"Now listen here dork," Edd began to look down at his feet and the anxious sweats came back, "I don't wanna get tutored just as much as you don't want to tutor me. So how about we just call this whole thing off and just tell him you tutored me?" He wished he could get off that easily.
"I'm sorry Kevin but I gave an oath to the tutors that if I'm assigned someone in need, I must help them! Also, when Mr. Jenkins assigns a tutor to someone he thinks needs one, he gives them quizzes after each session." Edd was familiar with Mr. Jenkins style considering he was head of the tutor program at Peach Creek.
"Crap! Okay well let's get this over with quick, you get an hour with me and that's it! And you better be providing food!" Kevin stomped off before Edd could make a sound.
Lunchtime rolled around and it was as rowdy as ever. Sloppy meat and packaged mashed potatoes were scooped up into a ball and served to the students who somehow stomached all of it. Blue trays slid across the metal table and one by one picked off by starving students. Double-D made his way out of the line with his tray and found an empty table which was solely for rejects. Although the cafeteria wasn't quiet, Edd's mind was. For once, he wasn't worried about the bullies and he didn't have annoying friends scheming around him. He had room to breathe and relax.
"Double-D! Wait 'til you here what Ed came up with!" Eddy spotted the loner from across the cafeteria and ran toward him with his lunch tray. In that moment, Edd regretted not savoring his sweet silence.
"Eddy please, I am not in the mood for your meddling. I have real things on my mind and I am in need of some peace and quiet." Double-D shoveled the last bit of meat chunks into his mouth and got up with his tray.
"Double-D wait up!" Eddy shouted as he ran up to the trash can where Edd was disposing his plate. "You've been kinda distant lately and we're starting to miss ya! Whaddarya doin' after school?"
"I have tutoring to attend to, now please Eddy, stop following me." Edd pulled his hat down to his eyebrows and stomped off.
Hopping back onto his bike, Edd strapped on his helmet and road off. The blistering sun had gotten hotter since the morning and his anxious sweats had turned into heat sweats. A revved up motorcycle road right past Edd into a mud puddle.
"Blech!" Edd wipped off the mud from his pants and kept pedaling. The wind began to dry the mud from his clothes making it hard to move his arms.
"Oh no, Double-D!" A girl's voice exuded sympathy as she came closer and closer to Edd. "What happened? Was it Kev again?" Sparkling blue eyes and short blonde hair were all that was in Edd's sights. Nazz. The most beautiful girl on the block, and within a 10 mile radius of the cul-de-sac. She may be the most beautiful, but Edd wasn't the least bit interested.
"Hi Nazz. This was the work of Kevin, but I am sure it was an accident!" Edd didn't want to start any trouble and knew Nazz would give Kevin the beating of his life if she knew he was still bullying him.
"Are you sure? Because I can totally talk to him for you! We're okay now after that whole mishap so if he needs a talking to, I'm your woman!" Her big cheesy grin was infectious.
"Ha, well thanks Nazz," Edd scratched his head, "but I'm not sure what mishap it is you're talking about."
"Oh really? It was the whole I-broke-up-with-him-because-I'm-kind-of-into-a-girl-but-then-again-I'm-just-super-not-into-him-anymore thing!" Nazz said in one breath.
"What?! I haven't heard anything of the sort Nazz! I am so sorry that you and Kevin had a falling out! But, a girl? I had no idea-"
"It's okay Double-D, no one knew and no one could've known. Even I didn't see it coming, especially considering who it is..." Nazz smiles as her eyes wandered on the cement, "well anyways I should be going, catch ya later!" She practically sprinted away from the conversation. Edd stood there a minute wondering who it could be, but continued doing what he needed to do.
The key fit into the keyhole as he turned it and opened the large wooden door to his house. He hung his bag onto the hooks by the door and set his helmet on the table next to the front window.
"How unsanitary! Now I've got to hurry and wash up before-" and just as he was about to finish his sentence, the door bell rang. "Oh no! COMING!"
"C'mon Double-Dweeb, I haven't got all day!" Kevin impatiently pounded at the door.
"I'm sorry Kevin, but I need to wash up due to the incident on your motorcycle." Edd opened the door only slightly so Kevin couldn't see the damage he had done to his clothes.
"That doesn't seem to be my problem. Just lemme in already, it's freakin' hot out here!" Kevin pushed his way in the door. "Whooooa dude," Kevin started laughing, "nice look!" Edd looked down at his clothes in disgust. He walked to his hanging bag and grabbed his biology book and notes.
"Here, this is the book. I tabbed the page you need to be on in order to learn the lesson you missed. If you don't understand something, I also tabbed the page in my notes that gives a more thorough explanation. Now I am going to go shower. There is a pizza in the fridge, help yourself." Kevin could tell Edd was extremely frustrated and for a second, actually pitied what he'd done to him.
The water from the shower was warming up as Edd began to strip carefully enough to not get mud all over him. He stepped in the warm shower and the water drowned out every sound. His mind and house became silent. Not a care in the world. Edd had the house all to himself and could cook and clean whatever it is he wanted. As he drifted off into his own world, a small sound began cutting through the silence. Each slice became louder and louder and louder. Rock music. Edd peaked his head out through the shower curtain.
"Kevin! Could you please turn that down!?" Edd retracted his head back into the shower. The music seemed to get louder rather than fulfilling his request. A big sigh was let out and he began to turn the water off. The music continued to get louder and louder. It's as if Kevin wanted to go deaf. Soon, it seemed the music was being played right outside the bathroom door.
"Uh, Double-D..." Kevin knocked on the door.
"Oh my! Kevin, I am a bit busy in here!" Edd exclaimed as he wrapped a towel around his waist.
"I know, I'm sorry, but I think I'm finally learning something, it's just that this thing is really confusing as it's super killing my vibe." Kevin began turning his music down.
"What? I didn't hear you." Edd began dressing himself and wrapped a towel around his wet hair since he left his hat in his room.
"Just come out here, I need help." Kevin's footsteps became quieter as he walked away from the door.
Edd's kitchen was large. Two islands, a full counter, an eating area, and still enough room for walking space. The counter-tops were made of white granite and had a clean white fridge to match. The table matched the chocolate brown cabinets, and the chairs had nice pillow cushioning.
"Okay, so I was finally understanding meiosis, but now they're talking about mitosis and it's just really confusing. Like what's the difference between the process, how do I remember the difference when they sound exactly the same?!" Kevin's face grew red, at first from frustration, but then from embarrassment as Edd sat, mouth wide-open in surprise.
"Wow Kevin, I didn't realize you cared this much about-"
"Save it dweeb, there's a lot of thing you don't know about me and that you don't need to know about me. Now c'mon! Explain it to me Mr. Tutor." Kevin's nose was back in the textbook eagerly waiting an explanation from the smartest kid in the biology class.