We're snowed in and I can't relax enough to sleep so here we are
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After the incident, Edd was still shaken. David made sure to stay with Edd as the smaller male grabbed his books and such, muttering angrily about Eric's behavior. "I can't believe he pulled that shit! Again! Why doesn't he learn?"
"I've never met anyone so brazen and offensive," Edd admitted, his arms now full of books as he went to hunt down his locker.
"And you shouldn't have to! People like that need to be shoved down a flight of stairs with their hands in their pockets!" David huffed.
"Violence doesn't help anything," Edd sighed. He moved to set his books down but David moved to hold them while the smaller male tried his combination. He thanked the other before continuing. "So I take it there has been some tension between him and the rest of the student body, then?"
"The rest of the town," David corrected. "As far as I know he's always been like that. He especially loved targeting Kyle, which resulted in a lot of fighting."
"Kyle got into fights?" Edd, getting his locker open, took his books from David and began organizing what little he had.
"When pressed. Sometimes he got beaten but more often he came out on top," David smiled to himself. "Kyle is very...passionate. He always has been. But as many fights as he got into, he just really wanted to help people. Probably why he was still friends with Cartman to some degree,"
"Really...?"
"He always wanted to see the good in people." David frowned. "But there are a lot of people that just...aren't. Sometimes it was like Kyle destroyed himself trying to help. I miss him but I think it was a good thing he graduated early to distance himself from this place and from people like Cartman."
Edd felt his chest clench in sympathy. "It can be...tricky to leave people behind," he offered, his eyes averted. He shut his locker and plastered a forced smile. "We should go get some food!" David nodded and led them to the cafeteria, leaving Edd to his thoughts.
It appeared he and Kyle had more in common than expected. Kyle may not have been under anyone's thumb like he himself had caved to Eddy, but there were some similarities. They both had a forceful loudmouth breathing down their necks. They both were ridiculed to an extent. They both left home to try and become stronger people.
Edd thought back to the note Kyle left him, where his cousin asked him not to tell anyone. They'll make fun of me for being a sap! Edd cringed. Did he also get grief at home for having a bleeding heart? Or did his family even know?
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, following David through the line. It wasn't the selection Peach Creek had for their lunches, but it was a nicer variety than expected. Edd noted many foods that ranged past what would be considered a standard American lunch. There were plenty of vegetarian options, things labeled gluten-free, Mexican and Chinese food…. Still he could hear Rolf insulted by the fact that anyone would eat anything not purely meat.
Pleased, he grabbed a light selection, making sure to represent every food group before following David to a table. He recognized Craig and Kenny already seated along with a few other young men he had yet to meet formally. Craig had his phone on his ear now, talking with- Edd assumed- was Tweek.
He smiled as he sat down, nervous. "Hey, cutie~" Kenny greeting. "Liking your day so far?"
"It's been very interesting," Edd stated. "I've enjoyed a good portion of it so far,"
"Except Cartman being an ass," Craig commented. "What? No, honey. Sorry, I was talking to Kyle's cousin. ...No, he's not a robot. You'll like him. I promise." Edd blushed at that, beginning to eat. Craig rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'll tell him you said hi." He glanced to Edd. "Tweek says hi."
Edd smiled. "Tell him I said hello and I hope he feels better,"
Craig relayed the message and gave a small laugh at something Tweek said, making Edd decide he looked forward to meeting the anxious teenager. He had never been around same-sex couples in Peach Creek, and to a certain degree he was still uncertain how to respond to such a thing. But he had enjoyed Craig's company so far and seeing Craig's care for Tweek was endearing.
He wondered what Kyle thought of their relationship.
Eric came by, setting his tray down and making Edd tense up. David immediately picked up on it and tried to distract the beanie-clad teen. "Edd, this is Tolkien, Butters, Jimmy and Clyde." David explained, gesturing to each male.
"Well, my name isn't really Butters, but people call me that. Cause my last name is Stotch," Butters greeted, smiling.
"Butters Stotch…" Edd giggled. "I like that! How endearing,"
"P-p-pleasure to meet you!" Jimmy spoke up. "I'm editor and chief of Super School News! Don't suppose you'd be interested in joining,"
"I was in journalism in Peach Creek before it was discontinued," Edd spoke up eagerly.
"Well, feel free to come by!" Jimmy welcomed. "But I have a strict policy. No ads or sponsored content."
"I think I can manage that," Edd quickly agreed.
"How are you liking South Park so far?" Tolkien asked.
"I haven't seen too much of the town, but I have enjoyed my family and getting to know them,"
"Yeah, well gotta be careful of a family of Jews," Eric spoke up, talking as if it was a standard comment to make. Edd was taken aback. It wasn't the weather the other male was discussing! It was racism!"
Edd glared. "I would very much appreciate you not speaking ill about my family. Seeing as you are not apart of it." He didn't say it coldly, but kept it as matter-of-fact as possible.
That didn't stop the table from going quiet. The only thing that broke the tension of Eric staring at Edd in shock and everyone watching on was Craig telling Tweek quietly "hold on, babe, something happened." Edd forced himself to keep his resolve and hold Eric's gaze. It reminded him of those moments in old westerns where the dramatic music plays. But Edd was sure that the people in those fights didn't have their stomachs flipping like his was at that moment.
"Well excuse the hell outta me," Eric spoke up, "but I've known Kahl since preschool so in a way, I have more say about your family than you do."
"You have a history with them," Edd relented. "But if you go to stereotypes then you aren't really getting to know them. I don't think that's fair to my family or myself. You could at least give me a chance to make an impression of my own."
Eric quirked an eyebrow as the others watched on. It was still tense, but eventually Eric turned away. "Fine. Figure out on your own how shifty they can be. But I can't promise I won't say I told you so."
That was likely as good as it would get. Edd gave a nod of dismissal and went back to his meal, leaving the onlookers to relax.
"Fuck, babe, you are gunna be so mad you weren't here," Craig spoke up into his phone, making Edd have to fight back a smile.
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Idk man
