Edd was sitting at the bare lunch table in the cafeteria and reading his trigonometry book out of pure boredom. He noticed a bluenette sitting across from him. He expected the worst. Nothing happened. She just sat in silence, looking at the blue pen doodles on her hand. "Are youalright Marie?" Edd hadnot known what demons possesed his introverted self to pipe up. Her voice was soft and quiet. The kind you force out when you are beginning to cry. She just replies with 'yeah'. She rubbed her arm trying not to make contact while remaining with her tough demeanor. "Whatcha readin'?" "Oh um just my trig...thing..." "Heh, why? Seems so boring." "It is. I don't really have an alternative." "Oh. I wish I was good at that stuff. I can't do this shit." "I don't see that you're bad, just a different level. And besides your English marks are impeccable." "Yeah, and those are like two thangs and yer so good at all of 'em." Marie snickers. "Cept sports." It was so strange to have a laugh and a normal conversation with Marie. Edd could not recall the last good one he actually had with her. They always ended with fights. He knew something was wrong with her too.
After school ended, Marie caught up with Edd. They both walked home on most days. "Mind if I walk with you?" The cool September air seeped out of the girl's mouth like smoke. Edd smiled and nodded. His toothey grin gave Marie little butterflies. "Oh not at all." "Kay. So ya know how earlier I said I was fine? Well I-I'm not. I need to ask ya a question. Get it off my chest, you know?" "Mm. Proceed." Marie breathes and rolls her eye. "AM I ugly?" This caught Edd of guard. "W-pardon?" "Well my sisters are always sayin it and Kevin too- naw scratch that. He calls me an ugly bitch. But he's an asshole anyways. But I mean I always get rejected and stuff. So am I really that bad?" "Marie..." Edd sighed. How could she expect him to say she was ugly? She probably just needed a compliment. "You can be honest. I won't hurt you." Edd wiped all doubt of her being conceited when he looked at her face. It was genuinely sad. She smiled at the ground softly and her lips seemed to twitch. Her eyes kept focused on her feet and they were red and glossy. "I'm appalled. Why would anyone say that you are ugly? No. You're beautiful." He placed a hand on her slender shoulder. :Pfft don't comfort me." "You look like you need it." "Is it my personality?" "Well. It is bold. But I like bold people." Edd feels like running. 'What? You call that a save?' "Then how come ya'll avoid me?" Edd stutters. "Uh no particular reason." He tries to leave but Marie grabs his skinny arm. "Hey. Can you help me with my homework? On firdays we can go to the arcade and get pizza and stuff after we study." "Sure. I'd like that. Fridays?" Marie smiles and bounces. "Yes." Edd looks to the sky. Fridays.
