To the students at Peach Creek jr. high Thursday meant one thing, Gym class.

The 7th grade class sat in criss-cross rows along the gym floor as they waited for their teacher. On one side were boys and the other side girls. Both dressed in orange and blue shorts with white t-shirts, to match their school colors.

"Marie, you gonna talk to Nazz or what," May asked, "You've avoided her the past two days!"

The Kanker sisters sat in alphabetical order with Lee in front, Marie in middle, and May in back. This was for the best because Marie was able to leave Lee out of the loop of things. While Lee was her sister, there were somethings Marie felt more comfortable talking about with May instead of the redhead.

"May, shut up!" Marie whispered to her sister. "I don't want everybody to know."

"Why? Everybody already knows you're in love with Double D." May said as she leaned in closer to her sister.

"Yeah well... I want to surprise Double D! Show him I can be considerate and ni-" Marie was unable to finish.

"And what, Marie?" May asked.

"Considerate and ni-. ni-. ni-"

May started to giggle. "Do you mean 'nice'?"

"Yeah, that... and quit laughing!" Marie said through her teeth.

"What the hell are you two yammering about?" Lee said as she turned around. May leaned back and tried to act like nothing had occurred between them.

"We're talkin' about how we can't see past that bush you call a hairstyle." Marie said.

"At least I don't spend an hour in the morning fixing it like you do, Marie."

"Yeah, and it shows."

"Oh Yeah!? Well you-"

"Shut up!"

Lee turned around. "I get no respect" She whispered to herself.

May leaned forward again.

"I thought you gonna' be nice?"

"Hey, I'm trying. Anyways I'm just trying to win-over Double D." Marie turned her head towards May. "Lee? We're family. No matter what I do or how I treat her, I know she'll always love me." Marie said sporting a wide grin.

It was past the first couple of rows where Marie spotted the guy on her mind. Double D sat between his two best friends as he talked with them. It might have been the ceiling lights, or maybe the short Gym clothes Double D wore in comparison to everyone else's baggy attire, but whatever it was, Marie did little to suppress the rush of emotions overcoming her. While Double D was more brains than brawn, Marie loved every part of him.

"Just look at him May. He looks so cute and adorable."

Both girls focused their gaze on Double D.

"Yeah. He looks so... Zen-minded." May said.

Marie gave her sister a quizzical look. "May, do you even know what that means?"

"No, do you?"

"... No... but I think you're right."

The two sisters each exchanged nods, as if to reassure one another that they knew what they were talking about.


"Double D, me and mono-brow are going to set up a little 'fundraiser' after school. Should I mark you as 'attending' or 'attending'?" Eddy asked.

"My apologies Eddy, I'm afraid I have other plans." Double D said.

"Like what!?"

"I have several extra-credit assignments I want to wrap up before the break, Eddy. Not to mention I need to get started on our Egypt report."

"Oh come on Doubl– WAIT! What report on Egypt!?"

"Oh don't worry, Mrs. Turner isn't assigning it till tomorrow afternoon, she just gave me a 'heads-up'?"

"Um ok... Well, I don't see the problem here sockhead," Eddy said, "Just do that stuff later. You have the time."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple Eddy. You see I have my whole schedule planned out and according to today's date, I'm swamped"

"'I'm swamped'. Forget your stupid schedule!" "You know these last couple of weeks you haven't done squat with me or Ed. I mean look at him Double D! Can't you see how much pain you're causing Ed. Can't you!"

"Eddy, I'm sorry if my absence has worried you, but I've just been focusing on my schoolwork. I don't know what else you want me to tell you."

"You can start by telling me what the hell is going on here!"

Eddy's shout took the attention of the kids in the room.

"Why don't you guys take a picture, it'll last longer." Eddy said to all the observing eyes and ears.

The kids started to return back to their conversations as the two Ed boys went back to theirs.

"Eddy!" Double D whispered. "If you can't maintain a civil conversation I'm afraid I have to end our discussions for the moment."

Double D turned away from Eddy and waited for class to begin.

What's his problem? I haven't acted that abnormal. I just have things on my mind; school, homework, and... other stuff.

Double D looked over to the Kanker sisters. Marie and May were close together as if sharing secrets between one another.

Marie's a nice girl. She's spontaneous... and tough... and crazy... and sometimes violent, but she's nice to me. And I bet if I furthered our friendship she'd be nice to others... maybe a bit nicer... or maybe she'll learn to keep her thoughts to herself.

The gym doors burst open and everybody settled into their places. In came their teacher Mr George Hunter. George wasn't the kindest man or even that much of a nice man, but in his deranged womanizing mind, he cared about his students. It was tough love, but love none the less.

"Mr. Hunter, you're back?" Double D asked.

"Yeah," Mr Hunter spoke in a gravelly voice, "The manhunt is over, they caught the psycho."

He gave a wink and a smile to the class.

"Ah," Double D exclaimed, "So where's your wife now?"

"Hey, 'Ex' wife. And now she's back shacked up in the wacko basket, thank god!"

Mr. Hunter didn't find shame in sharing his personal life. You'd guess that having six wives, four children, and multiple murder attempts would drive a man insane. But Mr. Hunter always played it off for laughs. Uncomfortable and dark laughs.

"Anyways, enough about me," Mr Hunter wiped his nose with his sleeve, "With all this crap weather the school won't allow us to play out on the field. Some 'hypothermia' nonsense, bunch of wussy's!"

Wussy was one of Mr. Hunters favorite words in the English language. Others included 'bud', 'miller', and 'lite'.

"So instead, they said we should have an off-day and just relax."

The class exhaled sighs of relief. Stuff like this didn't happen often, so they knew they had to enjoy it.

"Hey, don't worry! I pushed and I pushed and I got them to agree... to some dodgeball!"

Depending on who you asked dodgeball was either the crowds favorite (as it was with Kevin and the Kankers) or an hour of cringe worthy pain and humiliation (as with Double D, Jonny, and about everyone else). But whatever your opinion might be on the game, you can't deny, it always left people with everlasting memories.

"Now I need two captains," Mr Hunter said as he surveyed the room, " and since Marie is our best player she's captain number one."

Marie got up in a heartbeat and hurried to the front.

"And since Eddy is the... ok I'm not going to sugar coat it. Since Eddy is the lousiest player he'll be captain two."

Eddy slowly got to his feet and dragged them till he got next to Marie.

"Really?" Eddy whispered, "Double D can barely throw..."

"Yeah but at least he can dodge, pipsqueak!" Marie said as she gave him a hip-check.

"Hey!" Mr Hunter pointed at Marie "Wait till we get the balls out."

"You can tell Eddy that again." Marie responded.

"Hey, are you gonna let Kanker talk to me like that!" Eddy said.

"Jesus Eddy. Quit being a wussy!" Mr. Hunter said.

"...Well can we at least pick teams already!" Eddy said. "The faster I can crush blueneck, the better."

"Alright, alright, calm down. Marie you go first."

"My pleasure George."

Marie looked over her fellow classmates. The obvious choice to pick was Kevin. While they never really got along (especially when they were around Double D) she had to admit he had athletic talent. But I can get by without him.

"I'll take Nazz."

Everyone turned their surprised attention to the blonde, who was in as much disbelief as the rest of them. She slowly got up and made her way over to Marie.

"Um, can I ask why you picked me. I'm not really that good." Nazz said.

"Yeah, I know. But I didn't pick because of how you play. I just have to ask you some questions, but not until later."

The two captains continued to select their teams. Kevin on Eddy's, Double D on Marie's. The class was slowly picked off one by one, until the only person left was Jonny. Being the only person left, the two captains had a coin toss to decide who got him. Marie won, so Jonny went to Eddy's team

"So, what did you want to ask?" Nazz said.

"You're friends with Double D, right?" Marie asked.

"Yeah, you could say that..." Nazz said as she slightly reddened.

"Hey, did you just blush!?" Marie stared into Nazz's eyes, "You're dating Mr. Testosterone over there so why don't you calm down, alright?"

"Yeah.. Sorry," Nazz shook her head, "Even why are you asking me? You're the one who's obsessed with him."

"I know but..." Marie couldn't help but stare at the ground, "I'm actually trying to get good with Double D."

Marie always had trouble showing her emotions to anyone besides her sisters. She was ok with people seeing her happy and even angry. But not sadness, pain, or uncertainty.

"I just... I just want to know more about him." Marie said.

"Aww, that's cute! From you it's weird, but still cute" Nazz started to rub her forehead. "Well, Double D likes books, bugs, and science stuff."

"Yeah even I know that. What I want to know is what would be the perfect gift for him. Something that would really impress him."

"Oh. Well, Double D isn't that much of a materialistic guy. You don't need to buy him a present to get on his better side."

"So what? Are you saying I should just act ni-... Good to him?"

"Yeah!" Nazz exclaimed. "For once just be nice to him, instead of terrorizing." Nazz pointed over to Double D. "He's right there. Just go try it, you'll see."

Marie bit her lip and looked over. She found it difficult to believe that somebody would rather be tempted by sincerity instead of gifts. No one in her family was like that. But it wouldn't hurt to give Nazz's suggestion a shot. Would it?

Marie walked over and stood next to Double D.

"Hey!" She said to him.

"Oh, hello Marie. How are you?"

"I'm goood," Marie started to blush, "You?"

"I'm doing well" Double D said. He looked across the gymnasium at Eddy. "I just have some matters on my mind."

"Hehe, well alright." Marie started twisting her foot as she held her hands behind her back, "I just came by to say good luck."

Marie gave Double D an encouraging slap on his behind. She tried not to hit too hard, but it was clear by the way Double D jumped in the air that she might of underestimated the strength of her gesture. Marie looked towards Nazz for some encouragement; to see if she was doing good.

She was met with a disapproving head shake.


They had just finished their second game of dodgeball when Mr. Hunter called for a two-minute break. Everybody was tired and in pain from the hard blows. Few people, like the Kankers and Kevin, knew the sweet-spot to cause the greatest damage. Luckily, 'sensitive' people like Double D knew how to react, how to move, and had people looking out for them.

"Wow," Double D said between deep breaths, "This is a rather intense session isn't it Eddy."

The two boys were sweating profusely as they leaned across the gym walls. Everyone else was doing the same.

"Double D, if you got some new friends or something just tell me." Eddy said.

"Eddy! Are you still going up about this? I've just been busy."

"Yeah, but you've always made time to hangout in the past!" "Me and Ed miss doing stuff with you. You don't want to do scams, you don't want to watch movie marathons, and when was the last time the three of us even had jawbreakers together?"

"Eddy. I don't know what else to tell. So please, stop acting like I have some ulterior motive behind my recent behavior."

"Oh ok... I bet if I had blue-hair and raggedy clothes you'd make the time..."

"Excuse me!?" Double D got up to his feet, "Marie has nothing to do with this."

Double D's and Eddy's ears were soon hit by the ringing of Mr Hunters dime-store whistle.

"Game time!" The teacher called out.

"We'll continue this discussion later Eddy." Double D said as he walked back to his team's side of the gym.

Why can't he understand that I'm just preoccupied with other stuff. I want to take the time and do stuff with him and Ed.

As Double D walked Mr Hunter passed a dodgeball to him. "You're gonna' start the game, boy."

"Um." Double D looked at the ball in his hand. It was your average red ball apart from the cobbler logo spread across it, to represent their school mascot. "I think this job would be better suited for someone else. Marie, maybe?"

Mr. Hunter rolled his eyes. "Double D, you say that everyday. Now come on, quit being a wussy!"

The whistle blew and the game started. Double D stood with the ball in his hand, thinking.

I don't appreciate being called a wussy. And I don't appreciate being called a bad friend.

Double D started tightening his grip as paced across back and forth.

Who is Eddy to tell me what I'm able to do and what I should do?

His knuckles had fully whitened as he handled the ball.

How dare he insult Marie! She's a good person.

"Throw the ball Double D!"

I'm starting to get sick and tired of his negative attitude!

"Throw it Sockhead!"

My pleasure


What happened next was a blur. Double D didn't remember letting go of the ball, but as he looked down he didn't see it in his hands. All he saw was the shuffling of feet towards the center of the room.

"What's going on?..." he said.

Double D made his way over towards the gathering crowd. Everyone was talking and trying to move towards the center of their artificial circle. Double D got on his toes as he tried to see over them. He wanted to know what all the commotion was about.

"Nice arm Double D," Lee snickered as he passed by, "You should be a surgeon with that much precision."

"What are you talking about?" Double D asked.

Before Lee could respond the crowd opened up and Double D saw what all the fuss was about. Eddy lay moaning on the ground with his hands covering his face. Blood streamed down along its side.

"Alright everybody calm down," Mr Hunter he lifted Eddy off the floor, "I'm gonna take him to the nurse. Kevin, you're in charge."

"I uh- I uh- I didn't mean to..." Double D tried to say.

"No worries, No worries. Just learn to aim at areas beside the face." Mr Hunter said.

"Ye- ye- yeah..."

Double D felt his legs stiffen. All he could think about was the blood. The way it soaked into his friends shirt. The way it dripped to the floor. There was so much of it. As he stared at the crying mess which was Eddy, he felt his knees give way. Double D started to tumble backwards. He expected to be hit with cold hardness of the gymnasium floor. Instead he felt a warm embrace, similar to a cozy couch or a loved ones arms.

"I gotcha, I gotcha." Marie said as she held up Double D. Both her arms were under his as she grabbed hold of him. "You ok? Want me to take you to the nurse too?"

"No, no, I'm fine," Double D started to stand up again, "Thank you, Marie. I appreciate the help."

"Hehe, no problem Double D. I'm here anytime"

Marie rubbed Double D on the back as she walked back to her sisters. The class was still chattering in the circle about Eddy when Kevin stepped up.

"Alright everybody! I need you to bring some water and paper towels. We're going to clean up the blood on the floor, the dodgeball, and wherever else it is." Kevin said.

Everybody looked at Kevin, still standing in their exact spots.

"Did I stutter!? Move it, people!"

The crowd finally got into action. Soon all was left in the center of the room was Kevin and Double D.

"You alright, man?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah... Yeah I'm good." Double D responded. He continued to stare at the traces of blood.

"Ok alright. Hey, if you ever need anything just ask."

"Thank you Kevin, you're a kind friend."

"Yeah. Whether you need someone to talk you, a shoulder to cry on, a foot massage, just ask."

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Double D said as he rubbed his arm, "Wait. What was that last thing you said?"

"Shoulder to cry on"?

"... Oh." "Well I'm going to go sit down"

"Yeah I think that be good. And hey, don't worry. Eddy's going to be fine"

"I know" I just hope he doesn't over think this.