A New Beginning
Chapter One – Double D Comes Home
Edd looked out the window with a blank expression, he hasn't seen The Cul-de-sac since he left for college; the sight of it making Edd slightly tear up from the rush of nostalgia and past emotions of his childhood. He parked in the driveway of the house that he spent his childhood in, and now, the house where he'll spend his adulthood. His parents moved out of the country and decided to leave Edd with what little property they kept in the States. Edd stepped out of his car and stood there in the driveway, taking in his surroundings, and sighing.
"It all looks the same, but it sure as hell doesn't feel like it," he looked around once more, hopeful that Ed would come out of nowhere and bear hug him or even have Eddy force him to take part in one of his silly schemes for money or jawbreakers.
He popped the trunk of his car and took out all his travel cases full of his clothes and memorabilia that he has kept over the years. He unlocked the door to his newly owned house, steps inside, and takes a deep breath. He puts one foot in and with every passing step inside the house, a different memory from his childhood is resurfaced. Such as the time they were trapped inside their treehouse, or when Ed thought he became a monster, or even when they built their makeshift boat out of used mattresses.
"Man, where have the days gone. I guess I should try contacting the other guys and see what they've been up to." He went upstairs and glanced at his old room, mostly intact minus a few posters and mementos here and there. He kept on walking to the master bedroom and began to unpack. After he finished placing all his clothes in his closet, his memorabilia in his room, and all other things where they belong, he headed back to his car to bring home some groceries.
He drove past several familiar sights, the old candy store where they always went for their jawbreakers, and his old elementary school, where he held a lot of not so fond of memories. Once he neared the supermarket, he slowed down to drive into the entrance to parking lot, and parked in a spot relatively close to the entrance. He sat there in his car for a minute, to take it all in. He was home. Where he grew up. Where he left for years to pursue his education. But that didn't matter anymore, he was here now and he was here to stay. He opened his car door, greeted with the gentle wind from outside, and stepped out. He made his way into the store, grabbing a cart, and walking down the familiar aisles. Nearly done gathering everything he would need, he went to the last aisle to see if he needed anything that was there. He drove the cart forwards, not really paying attention of what was in front of him, and instead, at the products placed on the aisle absentmindedly. Suddenly he ran into another cart, snapping back to where he was, but what he saw in front of him was something he didn't expect to see, not even in a dream. "Watch where you're going you idiot!"
He couldn't believe it, he thought she left for good back in middle school, and it seems like she's forgotten what he looks like. He couldn't blame her though, he doesn't exactly look the same as he did all those years ago. "My bad, Marie. I wasn't paying attention."
Her eyes widened, "How…How do you know my name?" she asked, obviously puzzled as to who this stranger was. He smiled at her, revealing the gap in his teeth, and instantly, she knew who the man in front of her was. Her eyes, still widened in puzzlement, and her mouth, trying to form words but none coming out. They stood there in the lonely aisle in complete silence, as if time stood still, for this one moment in their life.
Edd was the first to break the seemingly endless silence, "Long time no see Marie, I thought I'd never see you again around here." Indeed it was a very long time, and as they stood there, he took the time to take a look at her clearly. Her hair still the vibrant blue it was all those years ago before she left, she still wore black tank tops, but now under her black leather jacket. She replaced her olive cargo pants with jeans that appeared to be skin tight, and a pair of black converse to finish off the outfit. Truly stunning, Edd thought, oddly though, since his recollection of memories that involved her aren't the greatest to say the least.
"Double D? Is that...really you?" she asked, puzzled and silent, as if she wasn't allowed to say his name. Edd nodded, confirming that it was indeed him, in the flesh, in front of her. "It's been so long that I could barely recognize you. You've definitely...changed, a lot," and he honestly has. She took the time to take in the view in front of her, trying to spot all the differences since then and now. He stopped wearing that ridiculous ski hat of his, showing off his long wavy hair, currently in a bun and his massive underbite seems to have disappeared. He was wearing a red t-shirt, that fit his slim body surprisingly well, as well blue jeans that fit him perfectly, and a pair of brown leather shoes.
Edd spoke, breaking the silence once more, "Well its been 8 years since you last saw me, and I can certainly say the same about you." Marie clicked her tongue, and backed her cart away from Edd's to get closer to him, "Well Edd, it's been nice seeing you. Maybe I'll see you around town." Edd smiled at her, "Sure, here's my number, I'd love to catch up."
They exchanged numbers and went their own ways. The blue haired beauty dying on the inside with joy and the antsy nerd glad to find someone familiar.