A/N: Hey kiddles! I'm back with more snarkasm and fluff. This story is completed. It will be 3 chapters and an epilogue. Hope you like it and if you have the time and inclination, please R&R! Love yas! Toodle Pip! ~Blood

I dropped my upper body down, dramatically draping across the desk. "I haaaaaaate writer's block!" I growl-whined. I had been writing for an hour with great enthusiasm and inspiration. But nope. Just as I get to the focal climax of the story- BAM! The door of Writer's Block slams in my face. "AAAARRRRRGGGHHH!" I save the document before slamming about in my room petulantly. I huffed a breath out, tucking a stray lock of blue hair behind my ear as I hunted down my baggy sweatpants, running shoes, and my favorite tank top.

I whipped my shoulder-length hair into a quick ponytail and muttered under my breath while I stomped to the front door. Hell, if I were less angry, I'd probably just double click my mouse and log out for the night, if you catch my drift. Anyway, it was about midnight on a Friday to Saturday changeover and I was comforted by the music still coming from my backyard. May was enjoying her birthday party, which was good since everyone she invited actually showed up. Even the Eds came. I was never much a huge party-goer and bailed after cake and presents to write while still inspired.

"Marie?" Someone called to me as I stretched my legs on the front lawn. Turning my head, I had to swallow down my shock and sudden nervousness. It was Edd, his black beanie with the signature white stripes up the sides letting me know before even his voice or face.

I grinned hugely to hide my nerves. "Well, if it isn't my favorite 'Ed.' How'd you do on the Trig Final? You were griping about that on the bus ride home yesterday." He looked surprised and I chuckled. "You were very vocal and you were sitting right in front of me bemoaning your misfortune."

I could barely see him turning a little red in the glow of the streetlights. The one in front of Kevin's house kept flickering on and off, momentarily distracting me. That was the only explanation I could come up with for jumping when a hand tapped my shoulder.

"Sorry! Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." I dragged an annoyed hand down my face.

"No problem." I accepted his proffered hand up and wound up standing less than six inches before him. His lips are SO CLOSE! Oh, gawd, he just licked them. Oh, damn. I was easily distracted. Then those lips moved and made words… but I didn't register that at first.

"Marie?" I shook my head to clear it. Talking. He had been making words and talking. I did a quick mental rewind and realized he had made a joke about my choice of words.

"What, because I dye my hair and don't have all AP classes I can't be verbose or loquacious?" I asked, not actually offended, but he squirmed adorably when he thought someone might be mad at him. Utterly endearing.

"Oh, uh, no, of course not! I- that is to say- I didn't mean-" He froze as I pulled him down and touched the tip of my nose to his.

Patting his cheek, I spoke. "I'm just givin ya a hard time. Cool your jets before you blow a gasket." I stepped back quickly and grinned.

He was blushing darkly and staring at his sneakers. "So… uh, I did well on the final. On all my finals, actually. Um, how… how about you?"

I blinked in surprise. Is he… Is he trying to make small talk? With ME? "I aced them all except the math one. I suck at math. I'm more of a writer." I gasped a little and my right hand hovered an inch away from my mouth as color suffused my face. I could feel the burn of hot blood pooling just beneath the surface of my cheeks and nose. My eyes began to burn with how wide they were opened and for too long. My contact lenses started drying out and blurring my vision. "I, uh, crap. Oh well. So, I need to go on my run to clear my head. I'll see ya later." I squeaked that last bit while pointing behind me, hit play on my MP3 player on my phone, turned, and bolted.

Why am I so embarrassed? It's not a huge deal if he knows I like to write. It's not like he knows I write smutty fanfiction. It took about a minute, but Double D quickly caught up with me, grabbing my shoulder.

I yelped and turned to stare at him. Popped an earbud out so I could hear him. "-not safe to go out alone this late."

I stared at him incredulously. "Are you kidding me?"

He frowned down at me. Damn, he got tall… Oh right, I had been standing on the higher ground in my yard. And then I tuned back into his words, only having missed a couple this time. "-not kidding! Why would you want to go for a run in the middle of the night? Are you sure everything's alright?" He asked seriously, his voice a soft and soothing balm on my hectic mind.

"I do it all the time." I placed a hand over his on my shoulder. "It's okay. Really. I always carry mace and a knife. No one's ever messed with me before and I always stay in our neighborhood." He still looked a little frantic and I sighed. "Would it make you feel better if I went home?"

"Yes! I mean, no! I mean, uuuuuggghhh!" I started laughing as he pulled his beanie down over his eyes and growled in frustration.

When he grabbed my hand, I stopped laughing. Then he tugged me along behind him and I followed curiously, my frustration with writer's block long forgotten. Finally, hesitantly, I closed my fingers around his. Only just seeing his profile, I watched his expression change from surprise to a bashful smile. I am in so deep. I thought with a mental sigh.

He pulled me inside his house and sat me down in his living room explaining that his parents were away on a romantic getaway for the whole summer. "Please, wait here." He said and ran off to what I assume was his room.

What just happened? What the actual hell is even going on? My mind was filled with curiosity. This behavior Edd was portraying was that of a… a boyfriend. No. Don't be stupid. It's just cause he's chivalrous and can't stand the thought of a girl running around unescorted in the middle of the night. I stood up to quietly leave but Edd returned promptly.

"Ready?" He asked and I gaped at him.

"Holy fuck, you're fit!" I blurted, gawping at him with great interest. He wore a very nice pair of running shoes that looked like they might have just been bought, mid-thigh length men's running shorts showing off his lean leg muscles, and a white zipper hoodie with a bright green reflective strip. I bet his arms are muscular but undefined. I thought and quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. I mean, I always figured you were healthy but you wear baggy clothes all the time so I never really knew for sure and this just took me by surprise and I'm going to shut up now. Sorry again." I clapped my hands and chose to ignore his confused smile. "So, you asked if I'm ready and I am."

And that's how we became friends.

Well, sort of.

Fuck. Okay. It's how we became workout buddies. But it quickly went from me chucking rocks at his bedroom window when I wanted to run at night, to late night texts and lots of friendly banter, all in the span of a week.

Ding! I jumped over to my laptop and dragged it over to my bed while I snacked on beef jerky. I grinned when I saw the message-

MyTrueElsewhere: Hey! When are you sending me the next chapter to edit? I'm excited to see where the story is going!

I giggled and replied. LetThemEatCake:Patience, Master Beta. Hahahaha! XD

MyTrueElsewhere: Ha. Ha. Ha. Seriously, though. It's been almost a month. I feel like you don't love me anymore. *sobs*

LetThemEatCake: *panics* I'm sorry! I just got so caught up IRL! I think I finally might have that guy's attention I was telling you about? Well, we've become friends of sorts. One day, I shall touch his butt.

MyTrueElsewhere: He better treat you right.

LetThemEatCake: *rolls eyes* Well, duh. You think I'd tolerate anyone giving me shit? Really? We've been talking for a year, dude. Get with the program.

MyTrueElsewhere: I can't help but worry. I care about you.

I sighed and smiled. This was becoming worrisome. I'd known Double D since we were little kids… but True has been my friend, confidant, and writing buddy for a little over a year and I was starting to fall for him. FOR SOMEONE I'VE NEVER EVEN MET! Ugh, my life.