Chapter 3: School Begins
The morning started like the one before for Ed, except he spent the latter time practicing his forms away from his house. He was ecstatic for the first day of school almost as much as Double D, finally he was going to make something of himself academically, maybe then can his parents take him seriously and treat him like the adult he will be next year when he turns 18.
Double D seemed to rush through his morning Qigong exercise, the smile on his face looked like he won the lottery. For Edd this day was one in the making, even though he enjoyed his Sifu's teachings, nothing quite beats a school, the feel of the desk, the smell of the classroom and the lesson the teachers…teach. No matter how boring it could truly be, he would always find comfort in the classroom. As Ed would say, it was his happy place.
Eddy on the other had seemed to slow down the pace of his calisthenics today; in fact he spent an extra hour in bed trying to will himself to sleep. Eventually his Sensei'steachings that were drilled into him won over and he lazily got up. He really didn't want to go to school, compared to the training in Tian Shan; a day in school seems so boring. He would take sensei's teachings any day, at least he made it exciting. Eddy groaned again with the same question popping in his head 'seriously though, why the hell did we come back!?'
School was going to start at 8:30 and right now it was just 8:00 when they met up to walk to school. It was a distance away but they could make it in fifteen minutes; Eddy wore a yellow shirt that his mother bought him, light blue jeans with his chain wallet and white sneakers, Edd wore a red dress shirt with a black tie, black dress pants and white shoes: Ed wore a striped white shirt inside of a different green jacket that had a thick light green line running across his chest, blue jeans and black sneakers. While Ed and Eddy had backpacks Edd had his messenger bag.
Eddy was the only one who looked dejected during the walk, a black convertible passed them, Eddy turned to look back at it, and even though the windows were tinted he saw the driver then sneered in its direction before turning his head back.
Meanwhile the convertible stopped in the cul-de-sac and the horn was honked. Nazz ran out of her house with a smile and hopped in.
"Morning Kevin." She chirped happily before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Morning babe." He replied before putting the car in drive and head out.
He turned on some music to drown out the soon to be awkward drive that he was used to only for Nazz to turn it down. He glanced quickly to the side before staring at the road, he only saw it for a second but Nazz had that happy grin, the same one she gives when she has juicy gossip to spill.
"Okay babe, what's on your mind?" he asked curiously.
"You would not guess who I bumped into yesterday." She practically squealed out, Kevin had a jump from the pitch of her voice; it was one of the draw backs of dating her. 'Oh this should be good.' He thought dejectedly while rolling his eyes.
"It was the Eds!" As those words left her mouth the car squealed to an abrupt halt.
"Whoa what's wrong with you Kev."
"That joke ain't funny babe, those dorks are dead." Kevin said dead seriously. He remembered the day when they said that the Eds died; the only thing that came to mind at first was 'serves em right.' After a mere week no one mentioned them much some out of respect some out of guilt but Kevin just wanted to forget about them. On some occasion he would even make jokes about them to his friends on the football team. In fact he made up a whole bunch of stories about them that were accredited to his reputation in school.
"No seriously they're alive; Eddy said that they were just studying in China on some foreign exchange program."
Kevin was beyond shock as he felt his world crashing around him but played it off with a scoff. "That's bullshit Nazz and you know it! Besides they are dead Nazz and whoever the hell you saw wasn't them!" His voice was now a loud growl.
"You think I would make something like that up!?" Her voice was raised as she glared daggers at him.
Kevin recoiled at her glare "no babe of course not" Kevin was nervous "it's just that even their parents said they were dead and didn't they have a funeral for them?"
"What are you trying to say?" Nazz didn't know where he was getting at but then she got a gist and made a scowl "Are you trying to say that it all in my head, that I hallucinated everything!?" Nazz half yelled.
That's exactly what Kevin was thinking or somewhere along those lines, but he wouldn't dare voice those thoughts. He stared at her for a few minutes and thought 'Jesus, she really believes they're alive.' He began to drive again.
"Look babe even if they're on some 'foreign exchange' thing" he began "double dork I could believe, but dork and dorky no way. They ain't smart enough for that and what the fuck were you doing talking to them for anyway?" Kevin demanded
Nazz gave him a quizzical look and scoffed "Oh so I'm not allowed to talk to them?"
Kevin knew where this was going so he parked by the side of the road for the talk "No I didn't mean that I was just worried you know. They could be trying to rip you off or get in your pants or something." He said defensively.
She was flabbergasted "W-why the hell would you think they would try to do that?"
"Cause they're dorks Nazz, they're always up to something. Don't you remember that scam 5 years ago that made those pussies skip town."
Nazz frowned but she did remember that scam, her hair was almost completely shaved off and admittedly she wanted to kill them. But that thought quickly subsided when she found out about their deaths, she took it pretty hard and actually felt like it was partly her fault. The thought ate at her all this time and when she coincidently met them, Nazz was practically beside herself with joy.
She was so happy that they were alive and caught up in the moment she didn't bother to even question them about their 'deaths' or why they were gone for so long. Nazz wasn't the typical 'dumb blonde' that people make her out to be and took Eddy's half baked explanation with a grain of salt. If they wanted to tell her why, they would and she will respect their need for privacy, besides all that mattered now was that they are here, alive and well.
"Kevin it's been 5 years people change, especially if they're halfway around the world!" she exclaimed almost pleading for a change in his attitude.
He scoffed "That's bullshit Nazz. Dorks don't change." He put the car in drive again and resumed his drive.
"Is that so Mr. 'Alpha dog'?" Nazz narrowed her eyes at him and her hands folded.
That hit him hard, he swallowed "That's just what the guys call me. You know how it is." He tried to force a nervous smile at her.
She didn't buy it. "So flirting with those sluts in your class and calling me your bitch behind my back is just with the guys too huh?" She said with a look of disgust.
Kevin pulled into the school parking lot in a minute without an answer, shut off the ignition and looked at her "come on Nazz you know I don't mean all that shit, you're my world babe." He leaned in for another kiss only to be stopped by her palm, she pushed him back.
"It's getting harder to believe that." She spoke softly. "Anyway the Eds are back and believe it or not they have changed so you better keep that in mind before you do something stupid." She remarked more as a warning than a suggestion before getting out of the car. Kevin sneered at his past transgressions with the Eds before he remarked under his breath "fucking dorks."
Meanwhile
In a blue painted trailer a man and woman was sleeping on a bed, the bed itself was messy, the sun was barely peeking through the uneven blinds. There was an empty bottle of vodka on the night stand next to an astray filled with cigarette butts. The room had clothes scattered across the floor there was also an empty condom wrapper. The woman had a pillow over her head and was apparently without a bra she was further covered under the sheets. The man however had brown hair and looked to be in his early twenties.
Stomping could be heard coming upstairs and soon the door was kicked open revealing a scowling redhead.
"MARIE GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED NOW!" she yelled
The man jumped out of his sleep and ended up falling on his ass, stark naked, the covers fell down covering him though. The girl groaned before slowly raising her head and shot an irritated look at the redhead. The redhead only grinned at her before turning to the guy on the floor with a nasty scowl
"And you better not let me see your ass downstairs asshole." Her glare sent shivers up his spine and he started frantically grabbing for his scattered clothes after she slammed the door shut.
Marie got up dragging on her black panties at the side of her bed; she walked around the room, holding her head to help her with the hangover. She opened her wardrobe to pull out a black bra and some clothes by this time the man had put on his pants, he smirked when he saw her topless and walking near his way. He held her from behind apparently wanting a quickie before he went home; she shot him an irritated glare from corner of her eye.
The man slammed into the wall outside the room in the hallway; he was holding a bloody nose when she threw his shirt and shoes on his face.
"What the fuck you skank?! He yelled struggling to get up.
"Show's over asshole." She said simply before slamming it shut, locking mechanisms could be heard afterwards. Marie casually locked the door behind her before walking to the shower.
Over the five years Marie had grown to be rather beautiful, she had an hourglass figure and stood at 5 feet 8 inches, she has a colorful tattoo of a heart with a dagger in it engulfed in flames covering her right shoulder along. Another thing to note would be the piercing on her left eyebrow and navel; she had two piercing above her left ear. Her hair no longer covered her eye and is being secured by a black beret further adding to her punk look.
Downstairs Lee and May were eating breakfast when the man scampered to get out. May sighed "There goes another one." Lee didn't acknowledge her.
Lee is still the tallest sister standing at 5 feet 11 inches, freckles swept across her chest, her curly hair doesn't cover both her eyes anymore she used a beret to sweep it passed her left eye, she also styles it so it comes down like short curly locks instead of a big poof. Lee too had a curvaceous figure more mature compared to her sisters because of age (she's 18) which is shown through her clothes which were tight fitting jeans to complement her backside and a polka dot shirt that showed some cleavage.
May would have changed the most; her overbite was gone revealing perfectly aligned white teeth. She wore a pink bracelet on her left hand and a green one on her right. She had long flowing blonde hair that reached her back she keeps her bangs secured to either side of her head with pink berets. She wore a grey polo shirt and a knee high green skirt.
Not only the sisters changed but the trailer itself, around 3 years ago their mother got a promotion at her job with a modest pay raise, not enough to move out of the trailer park though. Their mother did the next best thing she could to make their lives easier, she got her brother to add additional rooms to the trailer, resulting in each sister receiving a modest sized bedroom along with their own personal bathroom. The overall process took a year to complete but it was worth it as the sisters were getting too big to be sharing a room anyway.
Marie walked downstairs still holding her head; she poured herself some coffee to get rid of the hangover and sat down. Lee was looking at her disappointingly.
"What the fuck are you looking at Lee?"
"Who the hell was that guy in your room?"
"Some guy I met at a party? Fuck I don't know." She muttered grabbing her head while sipping the coffee.
Lee stood up and slammed her fist on the table making May jump and Marie glare at her "Don't bring anymore sleazebags in mom's trailer Marie." Marie glared at her intently.
"Why the fuck not? Better yet, what the fuck are you gonna do if I do?" Marie rose to meet her sister's eyes.
"You wanna waste your life, fine but don't you drag rest of us in the gutter with you." Lee spat at her.
Marie chuckled "you know what Lee, fuck you." She flipped her one, before taking a gulp of coffee and walking out.
May had a sad face while Lee's anger subsided into disappointment. They were all in high school all of them second year, their mother held Lee and Marie back so they would all stick together. While the news of the Eds death didn't sit well with them Marie was perhaps hit the hardest, she sought to relieve her grief in parties, drugs, alcohol and sex. It has only gotten out of control and now she just does so just because she can, all traces of why gone as if it's become her routine.
While Marie has no interest in school, often skipping classes for a quick smoke or to get high with some other delinquents, Lee has taken her role as the older sister more seriously. She studies to make something of herself so she could take them out of the trailer park and May has taken the opportunity to expand her social circle making the cheerleading team after being scouted in middle school.
At school…
The Eds reached school and entered but had to stop to admire the sheer size of it. It was maybe three times as big as Peachcreek Jr; there was a banner at the front 'Go Peachcreek Cobblers.' After a while they walked down the long school hall unnoticed, they passed a trophy case filled with different kinds. Ed and Double D had to haul Ed away from it because he was staring.
"Well gentlemen this is where we will pick up our class schedule." Double D said walking towards the principal's office.
Eddy let out a groan and Ed kept repeating "Oh boy." It was actually refreshing to see Ed so eager for learning. They all went in and collected their class schedules, it surprised Edd how his Sifu could pull a transfer for them to attend the second year of school. 'He must be a well connected person.' Thought Edd.
They made their way to class in time for Biology with Mr. Samuels; luckily they didn't know anyone in class so they didn't attract much attention although Edd's Queue garnered some stares but nothing worth mentioning. After Biology they had History together,
"That class was very informative don't you think gentlemen?" Edd asked hopeful for a response.
Ed nodded while Eddy let out a loud yawn. "Sockhead I swear if you ask me anymore questions like that I will kill you and bury you in my backyard." Eddy glared at him.
Edd stared down at his friend with a raised eyebrow. "Is that so? And how pray tell will you do that?" Edd looked at him as if to challenge his words. Eddy's eyes narrowed. They were both pulled from their wordless fight by Ed who caught both of them in a headlock.
"Aw c'mon guys, Master told us not to fight remember."
They both looked at each other and Eddy let out a scoff. "Fine whatever, now would you get off lumpy?"
Ed complied and they soon walked into their next class, just as the doors locked May Kanker walked pass. She walked directly to her locker to exchange books.
"May!" someone yelled behind her just as she opened the locker door. She looked to see Nazz approaching her.
"Morning Nazz." She greeted as the two embraced each in a friendship hug.
Believe it or not Nazz is May's best friend; they have been since she scouted her to be a cheerleader by the end of middle school. Nazz got a lot of heat from her teammates for that decision but she ignored them and as it turns out May was really good at it and they became friends. In fact it was Nazz who talked her into and helped financed getting braces for her, after a few years her teeth became perfectly aligned.
"So are you coming to practice tomorrow?" Nazz asked
May closed her locker before replying "Yeah." She smiled
They were walking apparently to the same class when Nazz broke the silence "Sooooo."
May looked at her after a brief silence "Sooooo what?" May asked jokingly.
"Guess who I ran into at the school supply store yesterday?" Nazz asked giddily.
"Kevin?" She asked to which Nazz shook her head. "Um, Amber? Jessica? Tiffany?" Nazz nodded. "Okay I give up, who?" Nazz whispered in her ears, her eyes widened.
"WHAT!?" Everyone in the hall glanced in their direction to see Nazz covering her mouth.
"Shh, relax May." Nazz said anxiously while looking around. She eyed the bathroom and quickly dragged May with her into it away from prying eyes.
As soon as the doors close May pushed her against the wall but not hard. "ARE YOU SURE YOU SAW THEM!?" May ask almost desperately.
Nazz slowly pushed her away "Yeah we even had a conversation."
May stumbled back not believing her ears "B-b-but everyone said they died, even their parents."
"Yeah I don't know why they said that but Eddy told me they've been in China for the past 5 years." Nazz scratched her head. "But hey, now they're back and they've changed."
Still in her shocked state May leaned slightly forward "W-what do you mean? They look different?"
"Oh no that's not what I meant although yeah, they look a little different." Nazz said with her finger under her lip, eyes to the side and her head tilted a bit.
May's facial expression became sadder. "But in a good way!" Nazz quickly added. "Aside from their looks though they don't seem like the guys we knew five years ago."
May gave her a confused look "What do you mean?"
"I mean they seem so mature now. Even Ed."
At that May perked up a bit "Big Ed? Mature?"
"Yeah he didn't make a weird comment like he usually would and he even looked clean."
A smile crept across May's face, she completely zoned Nazz out while imagining how Ed would look after five years with a dreamy face. Her daydream was cut short when the bell rang for second period.
"Oh shoot we're late. Come on May." She said running out of the bathroom with May in tow. May had a wide grin and a hint of red on her cheeks while running.
A few hours later….
The Eds were on their way to the cafeteria for lunch, they opened the doors to see the place jam packed with students. They all sat with their respective cliques, jocks and cheerleaders, nerds etc. Edd packed his own lunch so he had the duty of finding a table for them to eat while Ed and Eddy joined the line to buy their food. Unlike at Peachcreek Jr. the menu was more diversified, offering a wide variety of choices, adding to the maturity of the place.
Edd scanned the area for an empty seat but what he saw was a familiar face waving him over. It was Johnny eating alone but upon seeing Double D his face brightened up.
"Hey Double D over here!" he yelled happily.
Edd walked over and sat down with his messenger bag at his side. "Why good morning Johnny, I trust that your classes were pleasant?" He pulled out a brown paper bag out and placed it on the table.
Johnny gave him a playful scoff. "As if Double D, they were really boring. I mean come on who really uses physics outside of school anyway."
Double D was about to answer but was interrupted when Ed and Eddy sat down. Ed had a mess of things on his tray from a burger to chicken and fries heck he even had a cup of gravy to top it off, Eddy simply had a burger with fries and a Dr. Pepper.
"Man classes blow." Eddy groaned before taking a bite of his burger.
"Tell me about it." Johnny added before eating his.
Double D sighed before taking his lunch out of the paper bag. During his time in Tian Shan he was inspired by Buddhism to become a vegetarian so for Lunch he has a plate of salad with a bottle of spring water plus an apple for dessert.
During their time eating something popped up in Eddy's mind and he swallowed before turning to Johnny.
"So Johnny boy where's stretch at?" He asked looking around the room.
Johnny looked at him incredulously but Edd caught on and he too looked around
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Rolf in the longest while now." Edd commented before turning to Johnny.
Johnny apparently got what he was implying but his expression became sadder. "Rolf moved back to his home country after junior high."
Ed stopped eating "Rolf's gone?" he said with a mouthful before swallowing in a large gulp.
"Yeah, he didn't really give any details why but said he had to finish school over there." Johnny said.
Just then the doors flew open making anyone in earshot turn to look who it was. Walking through the door was a hat wearing ginger haired teenage boy wearing a Letterman jacket that has 'Go Peachcreek cobblers' written on the back.
To Be Continued…..
