Stepping through the main doors, Eddy expected hordes of concerned inquirers and onlookers. People asking if he was alright, if he could see through his black eyes. But while he did get a lot of stares and the occasional double-take, only a select few like Ed and Double D seemed concerned about his well-being.
"Eddy, are you sure you should be attending class today? You look like you're in quite a lot of pain."
"I'm fine Double D," Eddy said as he started pulling textbooks out of his locker, "the doc said the bruising would turn yellow in a couple of days."
"I suppose that's good." Double D held his books close to his chest. He had apologized to Eddy profusely throughout the morning, asking if there was anything he could do to put his friend at ease or to make up for his accident. Eddy had told him not to worry about it, that stuff like that happens all the time. In actuality Eddy was surprised that Double D was the one to knock him on his behind. That was a feat of strength he never expected from Double D. So if anything, Eddy was proud.
But even though he sounded sincere and forgiving, Double D still believed Eddy contained some form of grievance, however small it may be.
"Yeah I guess." Along with his double black eyes Eddy sported a swollen nose. It made his breathing very mouth-heavy. As he trotted down the hall his breaths sounded like a worked horse or a stubborn mule. "So Sockhead, you coming to the dance tonight? I'm going, Ed's going, Kevin's going, we're all going. The question is, are you going?"
"Eddy. I understand coming to school despite an injury, but a dance? I think you should just stay home and rest. That's what I plan on doing."
Double D hadn't planned on going out Friday night. Besides not being keen on non-academic activities, Double D wasn't the dancing type. Don't get him wrong, Double D could dance (due in part to the lessons his parents forced him to attend as a kid). It's just that he chose not to.
"Really Double D? Don't you remember what I told you?" Eddy shut his locker. "You need to get out and have fun once in a while."
"And I will. I just need to be alone so I can gather my thoughts," Double D started walking towards the English hall, "And I'd recommend you to do the same."
Double D was near the entrance to his English class when Eddy grabbed him by his right wrist, causing him to drop his textbooks and papers.
"What do you mean I need to 'gather' my thoughts? You trying to say something, Sockhead?"
Double D tried to yank his arm free from Eddy's hold. "Let go of me, please."
"Not before you answer my question!"
"Not before you take your hand from me!"
Eddy let go of Double D's arm. Double D reached down and started rounding up all his papers and textbooks. His whole organization system was ruined. Every paper was laid in order of subject, due date, and completion.
"Are you happy, Eddy! Now Pre-Algebra is mixed in with History, and History is mixed in with Science, and I don't even know where the rest of Science is." Double D continued to sort his papers. "And to answer your question, Eddy, I was saying you need to change your attitude. And I think this incident here cements my suggestion."
"What do mean I need to change my attitude? If anything, you're the one who's been acting weird."
"I have? No. You're the one whose been acting rather unpleasant as of lately. First you insult me and then you insult Marie and-"
"Oh my god! Double D! Why do you keep sticking up for Kanker!?"
"Because she's not as bad as you make her out to be."
"Oh really?" Eddy started laughing to himself.
"Yes!"
"Alright," Eddy chuckled, "name one good thing she's done for you. You keep saying she's a good person, that I'm not 'seeing' her for what she really is. So will please tell me everything about Saint Marie Kanker."
Double D stood staring at Eddy. "She has nothing to do with this..."
"You see, you can't! Ever since she and her little... demon sisters moved into that trailer park they've made our lives SUCK! They've terrorized us! They've stalked us! And they've assaulted us!"
"Eddy, people change…"
"Yeah, I know that. That's because you've changed! For some reason you've developed this crazy idea that Kanker is a changed. Why? Because you guys spent a detention together? Because she might have sweet talked you when we worked on the project together? Double D, I thought you'd be smart enough to see her for what she is."
"And what is she Eddy?"
"She's a psycho. All she wants to do is use you."
"Now you're just being ridiculous. Use me?"
"You don't believe me? I'll show you. Remember when the English project was announced? And Marie wrote on that paper asking you to be her partner?"
"Yes."
"She just wanted you for your brains. An easy A."
"I think you've finally lost it, Eddy. All that abuse your brother committed on you has stopped you from developing trust in others."
"Oh you need more proof? I think I remember the past weekend Marie asking if you could help write the written part of our project."
"No, she asked if I could help you write it."
"AHA!"
"Fine, lately Marie has asked me for help with her schoolwork, something you should be doing. And if you want my opinion, I think you're just trying to create some sort of conspiracy"
"Fine, ignore the tell-tell signs, be blind. Just answer this for me. Has Marie been acting strange around you? Unlike her usual self? Has Marie been acting...nice?"
"Well Yes! But that doesn't mean what you think it means..."
"It does Double D. She's using you."
"No, no."
"She's a parasite. You've known it since day one."
"No, no."
"Her and her sisters only want what's in their best interest, not ours!"
"Stop, please stop."
"Why are you freaking out Double D? You're acting like I just broke your heart or something."
Double D tried to think of a way to reason with Eddy, some way to get him to stop, but he just couldn't. Part of him knew Eddy was telling the truth, that it's hard for people like Marie to change. But the other part, the one that told him to keep quiet that Friday night she barged into his house, that working on schoolwork wouldn't be that bad of an idea, that part told him to ignore Eddy.
"Are you hearing me, Double D?"
"Yes I uh… just need to sit down and think." Double D slowly backed away and opened the door to the crowded English room. Everyone was already seated and chatting with their neighbors when Double D sat in his desk and laid out his things.
He's just jealous, he can barely make friends with anyone else. No, he's just looking out for his best friend. By being stubborn? No, by being protective. This is being protective? Yes, Eddy's doing what he thinks is right. By being controlling and manipulative? It appears so, yes. That doesn't make it right. And giving Marie the benefit of the doubt is? It appears so, yes. Who are you to say what's right for Double D? I'm his conscience, shouldn't I know? You're not his conscience, I am! I think we're both his conscience. Two consciences? Hey, everybody has to have a flaw sooner or later. Who are you calling a flaw? Well it's not me. Oh so the one who says to leave psycho Marie alone is the flawed one!? It appears so, yes.
"Hey Double D!"
Ignore him Double D. He's just going to upset you. I just need to think and relax. Think and relax. Think and relax.
"Are you ok? Say something."
Why is he even upsetting me? Why should I care whether Marie is a good person or not?
"Double D, you're sweating like crazy. You sick or something?"
Oh you know why. What do you mean I know why? Well, Marie is a growing girl and we're a growing boy and... you know. I don't think it's that simple. So you think it's something more meaningful? Yes, yes I do. So you're admitting there are feelings!
"Earth to Double D! Come on, you're creeping me out!"
I don't know what I'm saying, or thinking. I need to relax. I need to get out of here. The walls are closing in. Where's my hat!
Double D felt someone again grab him by the right wrist. "I said let go of me!" He shouted.
Double D looked around to see everyone giving him a frightened stare. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and now concentrated all their eyes, all their attention, right on the black hat genius. Kevin, Jonny, Rolf, all looked as if they've seen a ghost. But the one who stuck out the most was Marie, who slowly retreated her left hand.
"Hehe..." Double D started laughing. It wasn't a happy laugh, like one would have after a good joke. It was more nervous, like someone has before a breakdown.
"Hehe..., I'm sorry everybody, I don't know what came over me." Double D started to pack up his books, "You know, I haven't been feeling so well. I think I'm going to go home and get some rest." Double D started walking back towards the door. "Have a nice day everyone!"
As Double D opened the door he saw Mr. Hopkins on the other side with his briefcase in one hand, a chocolate donut in his mouth, and his other hand reaching for the door-handle.
"Double D, whe-," Mr. Hopkins took the doughnut out of his mouth, "Double D, where you going?"
Double D opened his mouth but all he could do was laugh. He walked under his teachers arm and proceeded to walk down the hallway, laughing all the way. He didn't know how he was going to explain this to his parents, or everyone else for that matter, but whatever the consequences he still felt they didn't outweigh how he felt.
I need an off day.
"What was that all about?" Marie said to May, "I was just asking if he was ok…"
"You know he still might be feeling bad about Eddy. I mean, Eddy looks like crap." May said.
"I know," Marie chuckled. She looked over to May to see if she'd join in her laugh. She stopped laughing when she saw May giving her a disapproving stare. "Oh come on! It's funny!"
"Double D wouldn't think it's funny?"
"Yeah I know…Hey I'm trying to be good! But you know, I can't help being me."
"I know… you just have to find a balance between the old and the new."
"Whoa," Marie held up her hand, "What do you mean 'find a balance'?"
Marie was willing to do a lot to get in Double D's good graces. She was ok with being nice. Ok with not sneaking into his house (She used to find it fun to go into his room and slightly rearrange it to her liking). But the idea of changing the core of who she was? That would take a lot of convincing.
"Yes! Come on Marie, you can do this. You can overcome and adapt. Remember Arnold Matthews?"
"Yeah, he said I couldn't make the little league team cause I was a girl."
"And what did you do?"
"I made the team. I then used a bat to smash his toy collection."
"You see! You overcame a great obstacle. And I think you can do it, again!"
"I can't change just like that," Marie emphasized her words with a finger snap.
"But you have! You just haven't noticed it. When was the last time you harassed somebody? Or beat-up a 6th grader?"
"…you're right, it has been a while." Marie said.
"So you see, you are acting different! You're becoming a good person. You just need to keep doing what you're doing, and not rush things."
"I know, I know, I shouldn't rush. It's just hard, you know."
"I know," May placed a hand on Marie's shoulder, "and I'm here for you. And even though she doesn't know it, Lee's here for you too."
"You brats talkin' about me?" Lee said as she got up and stretched from her morning nap.
"We're only talking about how big you're getting," Marie said, "Hit the gym, Lee."
"Gees Marie, what's gotten you all flustered? Is it because your boyfriend doesn't like it when you touch him?" Lee chuckled.
"Shut your mouth Lee. Before I do it for you."
"Oh, I don't know what's more terrifying. Your hollow threats. Or your soon-to-be crazy boyfriend. "
"Well you better be terrified, shortcake. Because sooner or later something ba- AH! What the hell was that!?"
Marie rubbed her aching forehead. On her fingertips she saw what looked like white chalk residue.
"Excuse me! I'm trying to make an announcement here." Mr. Hopkins said as he started passing out papers. "Like I was saying, the school thought that before the semester ends you guys should start looking at what Peach Creek High School has to offer."
"Peach Creek High?" Eddy asked, "Why are we talking about high school? We're in 7th grade."
"Eddy, you do realize Peach Creek High is an 8th through 12th grade school." Mr. Hopkins said.
"Since when!?"
"Since always! Haven't you noticed the lack of students older than you?"
"Yeah, I just thought-"
"You thinking? That's funny." Marie said as she laughed to herself. She was interrupted by May punching her in the arm. "Oh come on May, he set himself up for that."
Mr. Hopkins started shuffling through the different colored papers. "There's a soccer team… a football team… and a hockey team, one for boys and one for girls. Hey Kankers, you should check that out. For once you guys can beat up people and call it good sportsmanship."
"Too bad Marie skates like Happy Gilmore." Lee whispered.
"At least I can skate. You can't even shoot, yet alone touch a puck." Marie said.
"You know I used to play for the Peach Creek High Ice Cobblers." Mr. Hopkins said as he sat on Double D's vacant desk, reminiscing in his head about old times. "We won two championships while I was on the team, the first one with an undefeated season."
"They had Hockey back then?" Lee asked.
"Ouch," Mr. Hopkins said, "I'm not that old. I'm only thirty-four."
"That's really old." Marie said.
"Ouch! Remind me to not attend your class reunion in five years." Mr. Hopkins continued to pass out the papers to the class. "How 'bout you Jonny? You gonna trade in that piece of wood you carry around for a hockey stick?"
"Plank is not a piece of 'wood', Mr. Hopkins. He's my friend. And after tonight, after the dance, me and Plank will be closer than ever." Jonny leaned back in his chair and folded his hands, as if he was a super villain.
"Oh… that's good…" Mr. Hopkins tried his best to act kind and friendly to all his students. But sometimes he would get off put by the 'quirky' ones, like Jonny. "You know Jonny, if you ever need to talk to someone about 'Plank', just ask."
"Thanks, Mr. Hopkins! I always knew you'd be there for me."
"Oh I wasn't talking about me. I deal with people, not lumber."
