College EDucation
High school has ended and the Eds are splitting up as Double D heads away to college. This is a second chance for friendship with longtime bully, Kevin. Even Edd knows that everyone deserves a second chance. Can Edd handle the pressures of college life? A new place, a new romance, and an old, dark secret.
Author's Note: First and foremost, I don't own any of the characters from "Ed, Edd, n Eddy". Nor do I own Nat, he was created by c2ndy2c1d - who has written some excellent fan fiction and I encourage you to check them out. This fan fiction will not only focus on the romance of Kevin and Edd but will take place in a college setting because I like the idea of isolating Edd from the other Eds for stretches of time. I'm also rating this fan fiction as M, not just because of sexual themes, but because I want to deal with issues of depression and addiction in a frank, and honest manner. Trigger warnings abound, but these issues will be treated as respectfully as possible (please send me feedback if you like or dislike how it is done) and in the manner of an advocate. I hope you enjoy my first swing at 'Ed, Edd, n Eddy' fan fiction!
Chapter 1: Things Change
Another summer was ending, and this was a summer like no other. The Eds had graduated from high school and spent the summer in an odd daze, knowing that the group would be partially separating come September. To be honest, the Eds had grown a part a little bit over the high school years, but had still managed to maintain a strong bond. All of their history together could not be denied, but as they each matured they began to pursue their individual interests. Their movie nights and schemes had become less frequent, but they still worked to hang out when the trio could manage.
Eddy, ever the scammer, only became more sophisticated in his schemes - occasionally enlisting the help of Double D and Ed when needed, but found that the "profits" were easier to share when it was just him. Ed maintained his lovable nature, he continued to grow to a point that he was a strong football player, but never seemed to be like the other jocks. Still a bit of an oaf, but a lovable one at that, he made it through high school probably the most popular of the Eds. Eddy and Ed were fortunate enough to get to stay together - they were both starting college at a local branch campus to earn some credits before moving to the large Peach Creek State University after either the first or second year. The two were also fortunate enough to get to room together in the dorms on the small campus, though Edd often wondered how that would work out.
Edd was the reason the Eds were splitting up. As the high school class valedictorian he was able to go to nearly any college of his choice. To the surprise of many he decided to go to Peach Creek State University, but as he indicated his interest in studying Chemistry people understood. After all, PCSU's Chemistry program was top notch and Edd got into the Honor's program easily, earning scholarship after scholarship.
Edd spent most of high school studying and retreating into himself. Most of his time actually engaging with other students was through regular tutoring sessions. Edd loved tutoring. The feeling it gave him to help other students always brought a smile to his face, no matter who the person was he never liked to see someone fail when he could help. While he was bullied extensively during his freshman and sophomore years, his sophomore year being particularly rough, of high school, it slowed down substantially as many of his bullies received tutoring from him and his kind-hearted nature often won them over as allies, though not exactly as friends. They respected the Double Dork and out of that respect came some friendliness. Kevin in particular became one of his first jock allies in high schools - ever the bully to the Eds when they were younger, his relationship with Eddy certainly didn't change, but as Edd agreed to tutor him Kevin began letting people know that he was off limits for bullying. Edd admired Kevin's abilities and was thankful for this as he was able to be himself without the fear of too much bullying - Edd's likability even protected Eddy from time to time with a few of his lesser scams, but Edd would often have no part in them.
Physically, Edd had not changed too much. He was pressured to join the swim team while in high school and considered doing it, but wouldn't even take off his trademark black beanie to get in the water. He was also not so into the idea of just wearing a swim suit. He had taken to wearing long-sleeved v-neck shirts that even in small sizes seemed too big on him. But he liked to be covered up. He maintained his tall, slender frame and didn't need to toughen up much as he stopped being a target for bullies. Sometimes to help him escape his loneliness at home he would do yoga. Not only did it help him maintain his small frame, but it gave him a chance to focus a little more - something which Edd was always thankful for.
The summer was ending and the Eds lounged around in Double D's living room. Edd sat in his father's armchair, Eddy stretched out on the love-seat with his feet dangling over the armrest, and Ed laid on the floor while reading a comic book. The only sounds were the occasional page turn and happy laugh from Ed and the increasingly more frequent groans from Eddy. Double D recognized that groan and knew that Eddy wanted one last scam, something which Edd would be no part of.
As Eddy's groans increased he began to fidget more in the love-seat. Edd nervously twiddled his thumbs knowing that it was time to say something.
"Eddy, your constant fidgeting is wrinkling the cushions." Eddy shot Double D a quick glare. "B-but we should head out out anyway and go to Nazz's party." Edd offered with a smile.
"Of course we're going to Nazz's party, Sockhead. Why the hell wouldn't we? We are the party. We just need to come up with a great entrance. It is our last... chance... after all..." Eddy started to trail off, not wanting to come to terms with the fact that Edd was leaving tomorrow morning, so he quickly added, "Come on Lumpy, got an idea?"
Ed quickly sat up, like a lightbulb went off, "not a clue Eddy." He collapsed back on the floor.
"Yeah, thanks Lumpy." Eddy rolled his eyes.
"You know Eddy, if we really want to surprise them all, we shouldn't do a grand entrance as they would be expecting such." Double D snickered at his suggestion, but he did want to go see everyone. "Besides Ed, it is Rolf's last evening in town as well before he head's back to his school in the old country."
With that Ed shot up again. He grabbed hold of Eddy and Edd and ran out the door. Edd managed to stop Ed and let the boys grab their shoes. They walked passed Edd's dark blue Volkswagen Beetle, parked very carefully on the curb. Edd hated driving because it felt that no matter how careful and meticulous he was, there was always someone to watch out for on the road. This made his nerves get the best of him and caused him to actually fail the test a few times. He didn't want to drive, but knew he would have to, he eventually passed earlier in the summer, but hadn't driven much since then. The Eds crossed the Cul-de-sac to Nazz's place which even from Edd's home they could already hear the music.