Honey DippED, Part Two

"Nazz! Where were you?" Kevin wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Social Studies was weak without you."

Nazz undraped his arm from her shoulders. "Really, Kev. You don't have to do that every time you see me."

"But you look so good there."

"Please. Spare me the cheese!"

"Cheese? Where is this cheese? Rolf has no cheese!"

Nazz giggled. "Sorry. I had to see the Nurse."

"Oh," Kevin pulled away. "You're not sick right?"

"No-no. I just had a headache. I asked her for an aspirin and then she wanted to talk. Not a big deal."

"Good. Cuz' bein' sick is a total drag."

"Tell me about it."

"So, doing anything after school?"

"Oh, I'm really tired Kevin. I just want to go to bed for a while."

Kevin's face turned deviously amused.

"Alone, Kev."

_

Marie still wished to avoid her sisters and went to class just to stay away from them. She imagined Lee destroying her various additions to the Boiler Room. She didn't care. She heard Edd and Eddy conference briefly before taking their seats. She watched Edd for a while. Was there anything about him she honestly liked? Most of the time, she only bothered with him because her sisters went after the other Eds. She didn't want to be left out.

Marie turned her glance toward Nazz, whom she'd often secretly gazed at. She wondered if her offer was sincere. Nazz caught her staring and winked.

-

Nazz happily closed the door on another school day and set her books down on the kitchen table. Her parents wouldn't be home from work for a few hours; a fact Kevin tried to take advantage of more than once. She finally had to tell him her parents no longer allowed friends in the house while they were out. In reality, they were fairly oblivious to any hormonal tensions between her and the rest of the neighborhood. They even brushed it off when she caught Eddy spying from their tree. She thanked goodness she only changed her top. She could tell he expected to see far more than that.

Nazz lounged on the sofa and clicked the remote. She thought about Marie for a bit and wondered if she'd stop by. Inviting a Kanker over was a huge gamble, but there was something about Marie. Nazz hoped she was right.

The doorbell rang. Marie stood on the porch alone, looking unsure. It wasn't hard to tell she didn't think she belonged there.

"Marie! Hi!" Nazz took her by the hand and led her into the house. Marie peered around suspiciously. Nazz met her eyes and motioned her into the Den. "Can I get you anything? Come on in! Get comfy!"

Marie quietly toed her way toward the sofa and perched gingerly on its arm. Even the upholstered arm was more plush than all of the Kankers' furniture. Nazz returned with glasses of soda and ice. "I was going to get lemon-lime but we're out of it. I hope you like cherry."

"I love cherry."

Nazz watched her sip the tingly stuff and followed suit. Soda was an extravagance for Marie. Her mother bought ginger ale at Christmas, but that was it. They kept their eyes on each other the whole time they sampled the soda. Nazz swallowed. "So what kinds of stuff do you like?"

"You're gonna' think I'm weird, but really I dig fixing stuff. And motorcycles. And tools, oh my gawd. You cannot let me near an auto parts store. I'd never leave."

"Really?" Nazz set her glass down and took Marie's hands in hers. "So, I guess you're really good with your hands." She fondled them a bit.

"I guess so. Whenever something breaks around home, I'm usually the first one who tinkers with it. Mom likes repair men, but she doesn't like paying 'em."

"That is awesome." Nazz continued exploring Marie's fingers with her own. Her gaze climbed to her face. "You know what'd be fun? A makeover! I could totally rock your look!"

Marie rolled her eyes. "Please… You and my sisters. I get about four of those a month."

"But you haven't had me do it."

"Ahhh, I don't know."

"Aw, c'mon," Nazz begged. "It'll be so fun!"

Marie reluctantly let Nazz lead her upstairs.

__________

End of Part Two.