Chapter 9: Stay Clean
It is now 6 PM, and the group of five boys spent their time simply hanging out; watching movies and having conversations amongst one other about various moments in their respective lives, whether it be more dramatic, more humorous, whatever the speaker decided on. Amidst the breaks between movies, the Eds had decided to let Kenji know the history of what happened before he came here, and generally explaining to him how the Kankers were anything but a blessing originally, and detailing the events when Chris arrived. Finding a large amount of it pretty silly and comedic, Kenji overall couldn't help himself but laugh a fair bit.
"My, what a series of events!" said Kenji. "The question that begs answering is, how did you three not take more... oh let us say, larger measures to prevent them from being rather bothersome?"
"Trust me man, with those three ladies, there was no telling them off." responds Eddy, "I honestly can't recall a time were we had a say in the matter, until now basically."
Double D adds on, "I might also mention that any preemptive solutions often resulted in unsuccessful outcomes, such as the reverse psychology trick we attempted."
"It was all the work of the evil mind control!" exclaimed Ed, earning a couple laughs amongst the crew.
"Ignoring rather unrealistic explanations, what makes me curious is why you changed your respective thoughts on the sisters. I cannot understand the possible reasoning myself, as I have not had any inquiry on the matter whatsoever, but would you be willing to explain?" asked Kenji.
The Eds shot each other a look of wonder, with Double D ultimately deciding to speak for all of them, saying, "You see Kenji, one must consider how someone else could change their perspective on someone or something. They always have a chance of turning their mindset to a more positive attitude. I believe sincerely that this is precisely what has happened with the Kanker sisters."
Kenji nodded his head in understanding Double D's response, then saying, "Ah, I see. Rather interesting how the trio of sister couldn't have just started with the more mature advances, rather than the advances compared to that of a mosquito buzzing around your head."
"Beats me, ask them yourself." said Eddy.
The crew (except Ed) take a sip of the drink Kenji brought, with Chris saying, "I remember how much more kick the original had, your burps could shatter windows man!"
"As I've previously stated, this brew is rather weak impact wise, I shall need to make a new one from scratch and make it better for such a result." said Kenji, pausing to burp slightly. "Perhaps another time, I can bring it once more, and voila, an improvement over this one."
While the two of them are having a conversation about said drink, Ed is currently staring blankly into the distance, in deep thought of a certain blonde haired girl. What runs through Ed's mind is not the thoughts of chickens or buttered toast, instead, he is thinking how to express himself in a proper manner to the girl he wishes to be his significant other. However, the fact that he has never done this before with someone who he's deeply cared for isn't exactly making matters easier for himself.
Finding himself stuck at a roadblock, he tells the group, "Guys?"
Everyone gives Ed a glance, with the big Ed-boy saying, "How do I ask May to be my... umm..."
"Significant other, I presume Ed?" said Double D.
Ed felt a shiver up his spine when Double D said what he had in mind. Needless to say, Ed nods his head as to say yes, and tells his friends, "Yes, but I don't know how to do that."
"Damn! I actually forgot that we had the date at their trailer tonight. Shoot, should start getting ready soon." realized Chris. "Also, Ed, don't over complicate it for yourself or May, just ask the direction directly. You'll save yourself some time."
Eddy throws his quarter into his mix, saying, "Don't worry lumpy, you don't have anything to worry about. Far as I know-"
Double D signals Eddy to not spoil the surprise that May has planned in store for Ed, which in turn results in Eddy rewording himself, saying instead, "Ed, you don't need to worry, I'm sure May likes ya a lot, you two are the same person basically."
"If I were to make a suggestion Ed, maybe perhaps paraphrase a song to express your feelings towards May? After all, there are plenty of beautifully written song out there to choose from, think of the possibilities!" said Double D.
The very mention of a song gives Ed an idea, thinking of a song he has heard in the past, but cannot recall the name of. Unable to recall it, he says out loud some of the lyrics he recalls, "You're the best friend I've ever had, I've been with you a long time..."
Chris recognizes the lyrics immediately, and asks Ed, "Why are you singing Queen's 'You're My Best Friend' Ed?"
"Oh oh! I just remembered it! Can we use that song?" said Ed, which, while it's not a bad suggestion, has an inherent problem.
Eddy points out the flaw, saying, "Yeah, but let's change that 'best friend' part my guy, because that's not what you're trying to say, right? Change it to like... love of my life!"
Ed pulls out a pencil and a piece of paper, and writes down the lyrics he has in mind. Once done, he rewrote the second set of lyrics from the song, with the main difference being "you're my best friend" being changed into "you're the one I wish to be my girlfriend". A simple change, but it reflected Ed's actual emotions nonetheless. He passes it onto his friends, who take a small glance each.
"Wow, looks like we've catches that Cupid's arrow, eh Ed?" commented Eddy, which Ed simply nods in approval.
Double D, admiring his friend's determination to express himself in a more meaningful manner, tells him, "Great job Ed, I believe this will be sufficient enough in your objective to express yourself to May in a more compelling manner!"
"You really think so guys?" asked Ed.
Throwing his own 25 cents into the mix, Chris says, "Yep! I'm sure May will appreciate it."
"Most people usually express gratitude when someone shares strong emotions of compassion towards them, so I wouldn't worry either my friend." stated Kenji.
Ed gives his friends his signature goofy smile, before then saying out loud, "To May's we go!"
"Whoa slow down cowboy!" said Eddy, pulling Ed back by the back of his jacket, making him fall straight down. "We can't go to our ladies looking like this! Next thing we know, they'll start laughing at our looks, or making fun of them!"
"That reminds me, Kenji, when will your father comeback here to pick you up? I don't really wanna leave you hanging without anything to do..." asked Chris.
Before Kenji could respond, Eddy is the first to speak, suggesting, "Why don't you come with us? You can invite Hilde, she's pretty cute, and you're good friends with her!"
"While I might be inclined to agree that Hilde is rather attractive, I must decline." responds Kenji, "Besides, she is most likely still occupied with her personal business, and I'd rather not infringe her progress. I might also add on... we are not a romantic pairing. We are just great friends, that's all that needs to be said."
Eddy stares at Kenji surprised at the response from him, while Double D tells him, "Not to worry Kenji, if you do not wish to attend, it's your own decision."
"Shall we get started with our preparations? I think I have an idea of what to wear, it will be simple, but you three shouldn't take long, alright?" said Chris, with the Ed trio nodding their heads in approval.
"Let's bogey my friends!" said Ed, beginning his trek towards his house, to get prepared.
"I shall meet you fellows soon enough!" stated Double D, making his own way to his house.
Although Eddy would've left already, his curiosity got the best of him, and asked Kenji, "Hey, mind if I can ask you a couple things? They'll be fast, you can join Chris later."
"If you guys are going to talk, I'll be upstairs preparing myself." said Chris towards the two.
"Not a problem, we will reconnect later." responded Kenji.
Chris then makes his way upstairs, hoping that Eddy isn't going to indulge in something that he is slightly afraid could go in the wrong direction. Kenji meanwhile, takes a seat next to Eddy, and asks the short-Ed boy, "What is it that you wish to ask?"
"Well, first, it ain't a question, but sorry if I came off slightly... uh, forceful in that whole suggestion I made man." stated Eddy, in which he receives a minor laugh from Kenji.
"Please, it's nothing to concern yourself over. I understand how someone might view the secret potential within the growth of a platonic relationship, so your assumption doesn't go without reason." responded Kenji.
"Thanks." said Eddy, sharing a laugh of his own, then saying, "But if you don't mind me asking, have you ever taken interest before man?"
"At this current moment, no." responds Kenji, before then saying, "Relationships in the realm of higher compassion is something that can wait. After all, it does reward those demonstrate great patience."
Eddy pauses for a brief moment, taking in the words that Kenji told him, before then saying, "Damn, that's deep. I think that makes sense though. At least you're not in denial like your best pal there."
"I presume you're referring to the feelings Chris harbors for Skylar?" asked Kenji.
"Yeah!" said Eddy, starting to laugh. "Man, if you've only seen how bad he is near her!"
Kenji, thinking about it, tells Eddy, "I would like to believe that the two of them are simply taking their time. For all you know, they could propose... or should I say for better use of terms, tell one another their mutual feelings, today."
"Something tells me they won't honestly." stated Eddy.
"Have more confidence my friend." said Kenji. "Now, while I usually would have no issue conversing, I preferably wish that you get started in your preparations for your significant other."
Eddy takes a look at the time, and agrees with Kenji's statement, saying, "Alright sure. I'll see ya tomorrow then man!"
The two lads give each other a handshake in agreement, and said Eddy makes his way over to his house to begin his preparations, while Kenji decides to hangout with Chris in his room to pass the time until his father comes to pick him up. Currently, the latter is thinking about what to wear, as he is unsure of what to wear to this date, so to say. He then decides to ask Kenji for possible suggestions regarding the possibilities, which spawns a funny idea between the two.
Meanwhile, over at the Kanker's trailer, the group of four girls spent the first few hours there simply hanging out with one another; watching movies and having several conversations about their respective partners. However, once 5:30 PM rolled around, the girls had decided to begin their preparations, as they were aware of the possibility that the boys could show up early.
May and Lee took care of organizing the kitchen for the guests, while Skylar helped out Marie with a couple thing in relation to personal preparations upstairs. The pair upstairs were currently having a conversation inside the bathroom, as Skylar worked on Marie's facial appearance, at her request.
"So, you think May and Ed are ready to make it official between them?" asked Marie.
"Yeah." responds Skylar, "Why ever not? Those two share the same personalities, and my lord, they sure do enjoy one another. Haven't you told me about the times when May wouldn't return because she and Ed sometimes fell asleep on each other's shoulders?"
Marie cackled slightly, telling Skylar, "Yep! You'd be surprised how many jokes me and Lee come up with to tease her, she can't stand them!"
"Oh I can imagine them already." said Skylar, chuckling slightly at the thought.
Skylar finishes up giving Marie's face a makeover; applying the final touches with her brush, and moving on to apply the dark blue eyeliner to Marie's only exposed eye.
"Pardon my curiosity, but how come you've kept bangs for a long time? You don't look much different than say, 4 years ago." asked Skylar.
Marie tells her, "That's simple. I like the way it looks, even if it likes to get in my face sometimes. But trimming it down solves that issue."
"Fair enough there mate." said Skylar, continuing to apply the eyeliner.
Although a subject that might draw some annoyance, Marie asks Skylar, "Are you planning on making it... you know..."
"Official with him, you're going to ask?" said Skylar, letting out a small sigh. "Well, it's up to him. I refuse to force him into it if he isn't comfortable with it. Especially since he's had a situation where some bird couldn't be arsed accepting the fact that he had no interest in her. Or just didn't like her, the plot remains the same."
Upon hearing that, Marie got a slight feeling of unease, as that was exactly who she was for quite a while. To attempt to bring some light to the conversation, she says, "I assume by bird, you mean, girl? Also, how did he get her to stop?"
"First, yes, you're catching on well!" said Skylar, "Second, one time that girl did the cock-up decision of making up a rumor in school about her and him being together. He immediately went to work and made sure that she'd never attempt that again. Or talk to him again."
Deja vu is hitting Marie hard due to that sentence, recalling the time when she and her sisters blackmailed the Eds into proclaiming their fake love for the sisters in order to switch rooms. Marie gulps a bit, before then saying, "Oh. Well, he resolved that easy. That girl is stupid aswell, like who does that?"
Skylar gives Marie a subtle smirk, noting the irony in that statement, and the latter admits, "Alright fine! But can you blame me?"
"Yes. But you've gotten better, so I shan't say you're taking the piss about it." responded Skylar, laughing a bit.
Over with May and Lee, the two have finished up making the kitchen's and tables's appearance more presentable for their guests, and are currently planning on ordering some pizza for everyone with some of the cash that they have from work. Once they've organized the specific pizzas, Lee calls up the pizza place, and the person over the phone tells her that it should arrive to her trailer in around 40 minutes.
Once done, she turns to May, "So, ready for your big day little sister?"
"Shut up!" said May, in a very rapid manner, which surprises Lee. She then decides to put her hand on her shoulder in order to comfort her a bit.
"Come on, I meant that seriously." said Lee.
"I don't know! He could say no, he could say anything!" responded May, in the same rapid manner as before.
Lee, thinking of a way to calm her sister down, says, "Look, for all we know, he could be feeling the same way. Have you thought about it like that? Yeah yeah, him saying no is possible too, but saying yes is just as possible."
May, looking towards her sister, gives a small smile, and tells her, "Well... I guess that's true. But how can we make it more likely for him to say yes?"
"Good thing we have Skylar here to help ya! Trust me, next thing you know, that big guy will be practicing begging you to be with him!" said Lee.
"Now that you mention it, is Marie done getting help from Skylar?" asked May.
Just as May said that, Marie comes on down, with Skylar following behind. May and Lee take notice of how Marie's face looks more matte, similar to the previous time she received help from Skylar; exception being the attire as expected. Marie had decided to keep her standard appearance; black tank top, green pants, dark green wristband on her left arm, and black shoes.
"So, we got the food all set and ready?" asked Marie.
"Yeah, guy said it would take around 40 minutes." responds Lee, before then turning to Skylar, and saying, "But that's whatever, princess of darkness! May needs your help!"
Skylar bursts into laughter at that nickname bestowed upon her by Lee, and says, "Funny name you've got. But May wants an appearance makeover I'm guessing eh? No issue, let's get started."
May goes up the stairs, and her and Skylar head into the bathroom to begin the whole process, while Lee heads into the closet to change up her appearance clothing wise. Marie, being satisfied with herself, decides to kill time by watching some TV while waiting.