The alarm just rang and Edd just gotten up, yawned, then stretch his arms. He turned off his alarm and notice that it was 6:30 in the morning, an hour and half till classes starts. He stood up then went to the bathroom to freshen up.

After he was done with his shower, he feels fully awake and relaxed. He was about to open his closet when his phone on his desk ring. He grabbed the phone and notice he gotten a message. When he opened the text, he smiled a little because it was from Marie.

*Morning edd* he read the message.

He recollected the memory from what happened last night. It was quite pleasant because he found out that they share a common interest in music and same favoritism on what band and song they like.

He was quite happy that for the past 4 years from the day they first met the girls that he got a comfortable conversation with her predator. He was quite also surprised that how quick he was to accept her as a friend. He just shrugged that thought off because of his belief in 'the past is in the past'.

He then started typing on his phone

*Good morning to you as well Marie. Hope you got a pleasant night* he pressed send.

After sending the text he started to get change from his pajamas to his attire for school. He wears black jeans, black and white shoes, and an orange dress shirt with black tie. He is also wearing his signature beanie that hides everything from the top of his head.

After he was satisfied with his looks, his phone ringed again indicating that he received a message. He looks at the message and it was again from Marie.

*Yep. Im about 2 leave here ok. Be ryt there in a minute* he read the message.

*Ok. I'll just wait for you here* he replied

He then grabbed his bag and his house keys and then went downstairs. After he went down, he went straight to the fridge to see if his parents leave any choice by sticky notes. He found only one and it only indicated that he needed to wash dishes today.

He then started to eat his breakfast which he only ate a bowl of chunky puff, a glass of orange juice, and a banana. After he ate and wash the dishes, he went straight to his living room sitting on the couch waiting for Marie to come.

He was relaxing at the couch when suddenly the door flew open causing the poor boy to jump in surprise. He breathes deeply so he could somehow calm down. When he was calm he looked who was the cause of this and now was very annoyed.

Eddy and Ed where there looking at me like nothing happened, in Ed's case it's an exception. Ed was waving his hand with a big smile on his face. Eddy was giving me smirk look that said 'new scam'.

"Hi Double-D" Ed said with a big smile that is still plastered on his face

"Hey Sockhead" Eddy said smirking

"Hello Ed" he greeted him kindly then glanced to Eddy with an annoyed look

"Eddy! How many times do I have to tell you to stop breaking my door" He said very annoyed

"Yeah yeah whatever you say mom" Eddy shrugged "Let's get going to school so we could end it" he said not feeling very invigorated to go to school.

Ed just rolled his eyes at his comment and lack-of-enthusiasm for education. He suddenly remembered that Marie will come and with the history of both parties, Eddy will not be pleased but very much be angry to know that he befriended one of the girls. He decided he would keep it a secret for now and will tell them in a later date.

"Eddy you may go ahead. I must first finished my choirs that my parents insisted that I will finish this morning" He lied

Eddy just shrugged and left dragging Ed with him. Both of them said their goodbyes and said they'll meet him at school.

Once both of them left and shut the door, Edd grabbed his phone and texted Marie to meet at his backyard. After 4 minutes of waiting there was a knock from the back. Edd frantically walk back and saw that Marie was waiting. Edd opened the door and let Marie in.

"Hey Double-D" she greeted

"Hello Marie" he greeted back

"Well this is the first time you willingly let me enter your house" she said happily

"Well if you were still chasing after me I would have just run to the other side of the house" he said

"Whatever. So why you want me to meet at the back of your house?" she asked

"Well Ed and Eddy were here a few minutes ago and I felt that it was still too early in the morning to explain that we have been become quite acquainted with each other." He told his reason "But I'm planning to tell them later at lunch"

"So those that mean we can't walk together today?" she frowned

"Why do you think of that?"

"It's because of what you said. That our friendship is a secret to them and it will cancel our plan to walk to school, even though I don't care about them knowing."

"Well that is why I already asked them to go to school without me and that I will meet them later on" he said smiling

"Good I hate to force you again" She said glad that their plan is still going.

"Well we don't want that to happen again" He said nervously. She saw that and just giggled at his reaction. When he heard her chuckled he felt somehow relief.

Edd then signaled her that they should be going. They went to the front door to exit when Edd instinctively held the door for Marie to go through first.

"Such a gentleman" She said smirking while Edd just smiled at her causing her to blush.

They started walking their way to school side by side whie Marie is battling her urge to lock arms with him. 'Stay calm Marie. I just become friends with Dreamboat and I'm just a few steps to making him fall for me' she thought still fighting her impulse.

They were quiet within the first half-way to school, a very awkward silence. Both were struggling to find a topic to talk about. Within a few minutes later, both gotten an idea on what to talk about, so they could avoid this uncomfortable silence.

"Hey Edd/Marie" both said in sync causing both of them to blush. A few seconds later both of them laugh.

"You first Marie" he said still chuckling.

"Ok. So besides your awesome guitar, what other instrument you know?" she asked

"Well there was the pedal steel guitar, which I already inform you last night, I also know how to play a violin, piano, drums, bass guitar, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, a French horn, ukulele, cello, and also a shamisen, which is a three stringed instrument that was originated from japan." He replied causing Marie to feel shocked that he knows so many instruments to play with.

"Wow Double-D, were did you learn to play all that?" she asked still mesmerized from his knowledge on so many instrument.

"Well before I moved here I used to live in Lemon Brook with my grandparents and uncle. My uncle is a music prodigy and an instrument enthusiast, which cause him to buy different kinds to learn and play with. When my parents were out and my uncle to take care of me, he teaches me on how to play on different instrument. Since I'm a fast learner, it only took me between 4-6 hours to play one instrument then started to learn the next one. The last instrument I learned was my acoustic guitar, which out of the entire instruments that I have learned I find it more amusing." He explained.

"So when did you started to like rock and heavy metal songs?" she asked

"Well last two summers ago when I visited my grandparents place, I saw my uncle playing with his electric guitar singing a song from ac/dc. When I saw him play I was quite amused from him that it gotten me a slight interest in said genre. After the song is over he sing another song and this was from iron maiden. It also peaked my interest that when I got back I started to hear songs from both rock and heavy metals from my computer that until to this day that I quite find it very amusing. It also the cause that I started longing for an electric guitar that, which I'm truly grateful for, gotten last month" he explained in one breathing

"Well good to know that something catches your interest besides math and science" she said

"Even I find it quite tiresome if I always follow my passion without some hobbies that can help me relax once in a while"

"What is your passion? To be a scientist?" she asked

"That's right but I'm still finding on which field I would partake"

"Well it's still a long way to go till college. You could figure it out soon"

"Thank you Marie" he smiled sincerely

"No problem" she said looking away blushing

"What about you Marie?" he asked

"What about me?" she also asked

"Do you play any instruments?"

"Well I know how to play an electric guitar and also a bass guitar, but that just it"

"I see. Maybe perhaps I could hear you play?" he asked

"I can't"

"Why not" he frowned

"I already sold it"

"Can I ask what is the reason?"

"Last year we were tight on money so I have no choice is either I play my guitar or less food to eat"

"I'm sorry to hear that" he said feeling a little pity

"Eh don't worry about it I'm way over it anyway" she shrugged

"If you want you could play a song for me with my guitar" he offered

"Really?" she said feeling excited

"Absolutely"

"Then prepare to be amazed" she said feeling boastful

He chuckled at her boastfulness which he found it amusing

"What's so funny?" she said

"Oh nothing" he fibbed

"Nada?" she persist

"Nothing" he said which causing Marie to glare at him. She then started to poke his back.

"What are you doing Marie?" he asked feeling slightly annoyed

"Nothing" she said playing his game while still poking

"Really? You're playing this game?" he said still annoyed

"I don't know what you're talking about?" she smirked. She then poked him on the side of his abdomen which he started to chuckled. She grin at this and started to tickle both his side.

"Marie…hahaha….please….stop this" he said laughing. She said nothing and just continued to tickle her. Edd started to feel tears running down for laughing so much

"Ok…ok…I give…I give" he surrendered

"Good now why are you laughing?" she asked feeling victorious

"It's because you were tickling me" he said playing dumb. She was annoyed at this and warned him by lifting both her hands indicating she will continue to tickle him. He saw this and sweat starting to pour down on his forehead.

"Ok Marie I will tell" he said nervously

"Good" she said "so tell me why?"

"Well it's about your boastfulness" he said blushing causing them to cease their walk.

"What about it?" she asked eager to listen

"Well I admire you for that" he said still blushing while looking down at his foot

"What do you mean?" she said also blushing

"Well I admire you for not having a care from others opinion and having a carefree life. When someone tried to insult, you just didn't shrugged, you fight back verbally to your assailant. I also admire your brave attitude which no matter who approaches you with how much intimidation they carry, you just stood front and held a brave demeanor." He said with his face red as a tomato.

Marie just stood there. Contemplating every word he said about him. No one ever said anything nice about her besides her sister and mother, which are an excuse because their family. Her face was also in a deep shade of red that has the same color of a rose.

"Do you like me?" she stuttered

"Actually Marie I don't know" he said "The reason why I admire you because you're my opposite. While you're boastful I'm shy. While you're brave I'm a coward. I admire you because you are everything that I wish to be" he continued

"Can you explain why you still don't know if you like me or not?" she asked hoping

"Because I still feel intimated around you. While I'm grateful that you're done being my stalker and now my friend, I can't help but still be terrified at you. I'm sorry Marie" He explained

She stood their tears are forming in her eyes but an idea came to her mind that she hope he will agree.

"Edd why don't we start over?" she asked

"What do you mean?"

"Because you're still scared around me why don't we restart our friendship?" she explained

Edd thought about her idea and started to agree with her

"I like that" he said with a sincere smile

"Ok then. So hi I'm Marie Ann Kanker but you can call me Marie" she introduced

"My name is Eddward Marion Vincent but you can call me Edd or by my friends given pet name Double-D" he introduced also both shaking their hands.

"So…let's get going then" she said indicating that they should continue their walk

"Agreed" he said

On the way to school both were quiet and are very awkward with each other. When they gotten to school, they were glad that no one saw them. Once they enter the school door, they will be split Marie going to left hallway while Edd in the opposite.

"So Marie"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to eat lunch together?"

"I like that. But what about your two best friends?"

"I will still continue my plan on telling but if they were still immature about it we may could find another table sit it"

"Ok Edd. Good luck with that. So see ya later" she said running in the hall going to her locker

"I hope Eddy will be mature enough about this" he muttered to himself

He walk on his way to his locker. He saw 4 people that are near his locker. Two of those were his best friends while the other are the Kanker sisters, May and Lee. He saw that Ed is running around in a circle trying to run away while May is chasing him. Eddy on the other hand is cornered in the walls with Lee blocking his way out.

His now thinking of a way to end this while trying to avoid the sisters wrath. He thought of an idea but he still hope that they were fine with it.

"Uhm…He-hello Ladies" he said causing the two to look at him

"I do-don't want to-to intrude your fun. Bu-but were going to be late for first period" he stuttered readying himself for any physical assault at him.

"Fine" Lee said plainly. She grabbed May and dragged her along the hallway while May just wave her hand saying goodbye to Ed.

"Oh Double-D" Ed said running at Edd giving a bone crushing hug "KANKERS ARE BAD FOR ED" he shouted quivering in fear.

"Ed…put me….down" he commanded which he oblige.

"Thanks for the quick save Sockhead" Eddy said patting his back

"No problem Eddy. Now let's go before the first bell rang" he said while Eddy groaned and Ed just smiled saying "Okie dokey artichokey".

They entered their class just before the bell rang. Most students inside are the ones who are very familiar to them. Edd sat in the front row that is near the door while Ed and Eddy decided to seat in the back. Behind Edd sat Rolf with Johnny on his left while Kevin and Nazz sat infront of Ed and Eddy.

After the horrible event of finding Eddy's brother, every kid in the cul-de-sac befriended the Eds. Except for Kevin who still bullies Edd because still thinking the he still like her girlfriend Nazz. He just mellow down his antics toward the genius but still very cautious at him.

The class went smoothly. Edd just taking down notes, Eddy is sleeping, Ed is reading his Evil Tim comic book, and the rest are just chatting.

Their first period ended and are preparing for the next class. The second period went smoothly also but once the third is coming to an end, Edd is now sweating. The reason of this is because after this lunch period will proceed and he is now preparing to tell his two friends his new addition to the circle. He gulps, mentally preparing himself for later.

"I hope Ed and Eddy could handle on what I'm about to tell them" he muttered to himself.

He is now trying to predict the outcome. Ed will stare blankly at him trying to figure out what he just said. Eddy will surely shout in surprise and anger that will cause everyone to stare at them. Some maybe will be shock while some will think 'it's about time'. Whatever the outcome will be he will surely make a scene.

As he was preparing he was glad that time somehow seem slow today and that given him more time to mentally prepare himself.

'Why am I nervous about this?' he thought 'I'm just introducing a new friend. It's not like I'm about to introduce her as my girlfriend.' He thought then suddenly surprises himself by thinking Marie to be his girlfriend. He blushes at the thought then shook his head. 'We've just become friends and we still have that unpleasant history of predator and prey' he thought 'why do I think of her as someone who I can be in a mutual relationship?'

In midst of his deep thought, the bell rang indicating that lunch period will start. He muttered something under his breath, probably cursing time to suddenly speed up. He grabbed his things and proceeded the door, since Ed and Eddy are in a different class this period and that he will meet them in their usual table. He then went to his locker to put some of his things inside and grabbed his lunch for today.

"Well this is it" he said to himself as he closed his locker.

"Better to ends this than to prolong it"