Chapter 6: Chance Encounters
'WHERE THE FUCK IS HE!?' Marie screamed in her thoughts, with only 15 minutes left in recess. After checking the library Double D was nowhere to be found so she decided to check random places inside the buildings that he would most likely be. At least where he would have been 7 years ago, Marie's obsession with Double D when they were younger made her find out many things about his personality what he liked and disliked, where he would go to relax but all the places she thought came up empty.
She angrily groaned and stomped her foot in frustration before punching the nearest locker, the action leaving a dent. "Fuck it, I'm outta here." She finally gave up and headed for her locker.
Meanwhile Lee was peaking inside the room used by the boxing club which was of course devoid of its members with only Eddy inside. Earlier she realized it was him who bumped into her and almost hit her with…whatever he threw pass her face. Reunion or not she was about to educate him why he feared her when they were younger, Kanker style. A grin crept on her face as she pondered what she would do to him and then it occurred to her just what the hell was he doing out here anyway?
She followed him to the huge warehouse like buildings that housed the different sports clubs rooms which was odd. Was he part of a sports club? Who cares? All that mattered was that little brat was going to get a good old fashioned Kanker-
*SMASH*
Lee's thoughts were cut off by a loud noise and since the building was virtually empty the noise echoed through the fairly large complex. Lee hesitated for a moment before she entered and as she eventually did one thought 'what the hell is he doing in there?' she questioned just before hearing noises. The walk to the source was fairly long but eventually reached the boxing club headquarters, Lee looked at the plaque above the room before looking at the door. The few splinters on the floor would suggest that Eddy had somehow forced it open, even more confused Lee decided to postpone his death sentence out of curiosity to see what was happening inside the room.
Lee's mouth almost hit the floor at the sight she beheld. It was Eddy, hitting a punching bag twice his size, shirtless, now normally seeing a guy naked wouldn't really faze her let alone seeing them shirtless but Eddy had something she would only dream of. That was muscle, he had lean toned abs now!? They weren't for show either, because every time he landed a punch on the bag it would sway further away from his position and he had to wait for it to swing back.
Lee was so distracted she almost didn't see how fast his punches were, almost, at one point he traded power for speed and he hit it so fast that his strikes became blurry and Lee couldn't even count how many times he hit the damn bag. The icing on the surprise cake was the huge scar across his left side, that raised a whole new set of questions and honestly it didn't look pretty.
Lee kept watching his progress though, completely captivated by his actions, he eventually turned so his face was completely visible to her and at that point she felt that thing she hadn't experience for 5 years come back. His expression had his trademark sly grin that he would usually show which to anyone was just him trying to look sly but Lee somehow knew better. That grin didn't mean he was trying to be sly, greedy or even conniving, no it showed so much morethan that to her. To her it showed his intense passion at having achieved something he was proud of, whether it was scamming people, thinking of ways to do that or tricking people whatever the case may be.
She knows that grin very well, oh yes; she uses it too, a lot actually, usually when she thinks of something clever or does a good job of being a big sister or apparently watching the man she thought she got over workout. The grin was there alright and from her visible eye she looked at his progress quite amorously, she bit her index finger and quietly moaned as if she was eating sweet chocolate.
Eddy noticed someone's presence since he entered the building but didn't really care; he was having too much fun punching the bag. Truth be told he would have hit a tree this morning but then his knuckles would be bruised then he would have to bandage them and then Double D would start asking questions eventually figuring out what he did then give a long boring lecture about how it was wrong because the environment and blah, blah, blah. Eddy imagined Double D's face before punching the bag hard and laughed before continuing his long deserved stress release.
Meanwhile Ed had a difficult time finding the football team's coach, he wasn't in his office and after waiting for him for nearly half an hour, he was meditating, of course Ed can't afford to let his A.D.H.D make his mind wander (so he takes every chance he gets to meditate). When finally his heightened awareness picked up an approaching person, he was male by the sound of his footsteps which echoed in his ears making Ed assume that he was well built. He smelled of aftershave, cheese and cheap cologne, with that Ed knew this had to be him so he opened his eyes and stood up to greet him.
And low and behold a man came around the corner he was inches taller than Ed himself, he had the physique of a body builder heck he probably was, he had a grey mustache. He wore black sunglasses, a baseball cap, knee length shorts and a shirt that showed off his impressive physique.
"Hello sir are you coach Johnson?" Ed greeted happily
"Depends, who wants to know and why?" His voice was gruff, loud even, though he wasn't shouting, no doubt from the years of shouting he did on the field.
Ed pointed at himself. "Me sir, my name is Ed and I want to sign up for football tryouts."
The coach looked him up and down then began to pat him down like a cop. "You a freshman kid?"
"No..sir sophomore but I started school yesterday." Ed said a bit uncomfortably as the coach examined the muscles on his arm and although his expression is unreadable because of the shades, Ed guessed that he was probably impressed.
"That explains why you're not already on the team!" He said quite loudly before pulling out a clipboard and pen for Ed to sign his name. "Tryouts are after school kid, don't be late cause we could use someone like you on the team." Ed's face beamed a smile before he handed back the clip board and pen to the coach. With that taken care of, Ed could get his lunch.
At the cafeteria May was extremely depressed not just because it was almost time for lunch period to end but because now some guys were sitting with and near her. Most were trying to flirt with her the others just wanted to be in her presence, either way she didn't care; her big Ed was a no show. After making a tired sigh she excused herself from the table completely ignoring the pleadings from the men and dragged her feet through the cafeteria doors.
No sooner than 5 minutes after the doors closed did Ed walk through with a smile like a 100 watt bulb. By this time most of the students were gone and there were plenty of empty seats, Ed casually strolled through, completely ignoring some of the mixed stares from his peers. All he needed now was to start whistling show tunes and he would be the carbon copy of some 50's cartoon character.
Marie got her bag from the locker and went to the back of the school where last year she along with some other delinquents cut a hole in the fence to sneak out. The place also had some outdoor chairs and tables made of marble in the distance for outdoor eating. She glanced around when she neared the fence, there were people chattering with their friends all around but before she could face the way to go, she saw it.
The familiar black beanie and without even thinking her body began to move closer to the figure sitting on the bench. She approached from the back, sure the hat was the same but she stopped, noticing a long braid coming down. What if it's just some girl who happens have a similar hat? Those thought vanished when she saw the messenger bag lying beside him, there was too much of a coincidence. 'If it's just some chick I'll clock her one and take her money' she thought with a smirk which faded on with her next thought 'but if it's Double D then…' she trailed off.
Double D was going through the list of clubs he'd written down from the notice board (Pshyeah like Double D would really pull off the flyers). He repeatedly struck his chin with the pen while thinking, choosing a club that would guarantee a long term commitment from his friend was proving more difficult than he anticipated.
He put his elbows on the table and held his head in frustration; indeed this was proving to be one of his more difficult tasks. Double D decided to clear his mind with some good old fashioned meditating, he didn't fold his legs but he did held his hands connected at the pit of his stomach.
As the calming trance took over he couldn't help but smile pleasantly at the sensation of utter peace he achieved, he didn't take as long as Ed to achieve this state but he seldom uses it because truthfully his mind is always at peace even in stressful situations. He's doing it now to go into his 'mind palace' or so he calls it to dredge up every memory of his friend since the day they met to find out what kind of club he would be interested in, one long enough for him to stay in until graduation.
Because he is searching his mind his heightened senses have been reduced to only alert him to when someone with ill intentions approach him so he wouldn't really notice if someone were to say..be staring at him.
Marie stared at him for a good while not moving, just observing him 'he looks so different now' she remarked in her thoughts. He was taller for sure; his features were more defined to further prove his maturity and masculinity such as his chiseled jaw and broad shoulders. The one thing that really piqued her interest though would be what he's doing now, his eyes were closed and he was smiling a pleasant smile as if he was having a nice dream. The sight actually made her feel warm inside. Wait What?
Suddenly his eyes shot open and a grin formed and while standing fast he said "EUREKA!" To which Marie jumped. He quickly sat down, apparently not taking note of her presence and began going through the list of clubs. "The answer has been right there all along, I'm so stupid I didn't see this before, I-" He trailed off when he looked up in bewilderment to see a girl staring right at him as equally bewildered as he is.
Double D felt a little embarrassed and so gave a nervous chuckle "I apologize for my outburst. You see I was trying to figure out a suitable club for my friend…" He trailed off again when the girl didn't move or even flinch, she just kept staring at him. Now he was wondering if he had something on his face and touched it but thought that was preposterous and began to gaze at the girl gazing at him. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously before widening them in surprise
"M-Marie Kanker?" The sound of her name seemed to snap her out of the trance like state as her expression became calmer.
She looked at him apathetically "glad you still recognized me after all these years" a cat like grin crept on her face "Dreamboat."
Double D was silent taking in the sight before him, looking Marie down, she has changed, he noticed the piercings her large chest (well not large, b-cup at best) her curvaceous figure that made her seem feminine and even her legs. Everything about screamed woman but alas his thoughts were snapped out when he heard her call him by one of the many childhood nicknames she has given him in their younger years. He looked up to see her grin, yep the same cat like grin she would give him when they were younger only this time her teeth were oddly white instead of discolored.
Double D didn't like that grin she gave him, it reminded him of all the times she and her sisters had chased him and his friends because of their obsession with them. More over it reminded him of how weak he was, trembling at girl's mere grin, the thought of himself that way made him sick and the fact that she had maintained that predatory gaze all these years was like adding insult to injury. His expression became apathetic as he sighed and began packing his messenger bag slowly.
"What can I help you with Marie?" He asked in a monotone voice.
Marie's grin dropped immediately, she leaned on her hip and gave a scoff while folding her arms. "Geez Double D it's our first meeting after five years and that's how you talk to me?" He didn't say anything or even seem to acknowledge her question.
Marie sat down across from him while he was closing his messenger bag. "What's wrong Double D? Are you telling me that you never once thought of me while you were away?" She teased. Somehow her meeting him flipped some nostalgia switch.
Double D sat the messenger bag beside him and looked at her his expression unchanged and his eyes piercingly cold, "what exactly do you want me tell you Marie?"
Marie didn't expect that, his unwavering yet cold response hurt her more than she would ever admit. She gave him a scowl "alright D how about you tell me where the hell you have been? Why your hair is like that? And what the hell happened to make you stay there all this time" her scowl softened "instead of coming home" at the end her demand seemed to turn into pleading.
Double D's cold exterior softened a he blinked and after a few moments he sighed "to answer your questions in order: for the past five years I, Ed and Eddy were in China more specifically the province called Tian Shan. Secondly this" he pulled the tail of his queque to show her "is called a queque, it is a traditional hairstyle of China. I found their culture to be inspiring and so I let my hair grow out so as to style it this way. Quite frankly I find it makes me look quite spiffy." He finished with a smile.
Marie gave him a weird look 'who the hell says spiffy.' She thought.
"As for your final question" Marie actually leaned closer "No, I do not wish to answer it." He finished and Marie was speechless.
Meanwhile Lee was still watching Eddy workout, he was still going as if he just started, never once losing rhythm, not that Lee even noticed how much time has passed. Suddenly he stopped and leaned his head on his arm while it rested on the punching bag, he let out a sigh not a tired one more like a disgruntled one and much to her surprised looked directly at her with an irritated look
"Alright whoever the hell you are get your ass out here or you're gonna end up as my next punching bag." He shouted while folding his arms awaiting the person to come out.
Lee strolled out to him which surprised him although he only raised his eyebrow. Lee on the other hand walked while swaying her hips, she had a smile and at first Eddy didn't know who it was but then he gazed at her curly red hair and suddenly his expression turned sour
"Kanker" he muttered under his breath before turning to the clock, he had less than 7 minutes before the bell rung again so he turned and continued punching "What'd you want Lee?"
Lee's eyebrows raised "Wow you never call me Lee before." She said surprised
"That your, hmph, name ain't it?" He asked while punching "now what. Do. You. Want?
Her smirk returned as she sat on the steps to the ring facing him "you know me Eddy I love watching a man work." She said rather sultry.
Eddy gazed at her smirk then grinned making her smirk lessens a bit. "Well enjoy the private show while it lasts. But uh, the next one will cost ya." He joked.
Lee started laughing but this did not stop Eddy's momentum or his grin "okay I gotta admit that was a good one." She admitted. Her laughter faded when her sights fixed on his scar.
"So how'd you get that scar?" Eddy stopped his punch midway; he looked as if he was remembering something then gritted his teeth and punched the bag with enough force to make it swing upwards.
"You don't wanna know." He said as he punched the incoming bag albeit lighter.
Lee was now generally curious. "Oh well now I do."
Memories started flashing in his mind, he then leaned against the bag and groaned irritated. "Just drop it Lee" He growled.
Lee made a frown. "Jesus Eddy it's just a scratch you really gonna act like such a.."
"YAAAH" Eddy quickly did a spinning back kick which sent the bag tearing from its iron hook and it exploded against the wall on the other side of the room into scattered sand and leather.
For the first time in her life Lee was actually speechless, the only thing audible was Eddy's slow almost animalistic panting which sounded like growling when he gritted his teeth, when the flashes happened again: snow, blood, lots of blood, Ed crying, Double D pleading something inaudible with tear soaked eyes and finally darkness.
Eddy stopped panting but his back was turned and Lee didn't know what to do now except apologize "Look Eddy I-"Eddy turned sharply with a glare and immediately her words got caught in her throat.
Her fist slammed down on the stone table but he was unfazed "WHY THE HELL NOT!?" Marie yelled at him earning a few stares but she glared at them and they immediately looked away.
Edd let out a sigh "As I have said Marie I simply do not wish to tell anyone what happened to make us decide to satay away from Peachcreek." His voice was calm.
This only succeeded in irritating her further "Look you" she began "you think that no one cared that you 'died' but that's a load of bullshit! What about all the people who did care huh? What about your parents, even the stupid teachers. What about…me?" Her furious expression turned to one of sadness which surprised Edd; he had always wondered what she thought of him and seeing her expression was enough to think that she didn't completely think of him as just some boy she could torment although he could be over thinking it.
Edd closed his eyes with brows furrowed as he began "Marie. In that crash I was on the brink of death." He opened his eyes to her looking at him in surprise "However, I survived but that's not the point. I..have seen things that caused me nightmares for months." His voice wavered and his hands trembled slightly remembering that day. "I had seen things that left me to question my place in the world, my mind was opened and-" He paused to take a breath and calm down.
"There are many reasons why I choose not to divulge my experience that day as it is the worst day of my life." He stood up. "I am very sorry Marie but I will not say anymore. Have a pleasant day." With that he walked off.
Marie was left speechless her emotions a mixture of sadness, regret, sympathy and anger. All she could do was rest her head on her hands whispering the only words she could even say "Dammit."
"Remember when they said all of us died?" Eddy said with an oddly calm smile and smooth voice.
Lee couldn't speak for some reason, as if someone stole her voice, but she nodded slowly.
"Well" he began as he walked over to her with a sarcastic smile "they got it wrong." He was now directly in front of her and his smile turned to an angry frown as he leaned in while his hand was over his scar. "I died!" he said in his normal voice as he grabbed his shirt which was on the ring beside her. He stood in front of her "HAPPY NOW!?" he yelled furiously which caused her to unconsciously jump.
Before Lee knew what was going on he was already near the door putting on his shirt "[I fucking hate this place]" he loudly stated in Mandarin before slamming the door behind him.
The bell rang a few sort minutes later and Lee slowly got up and walked outside without a word.
Afterwards in classes Ed was the only one with a happy face, Double D was sad while Eddy was just plain pissed so pissed that he didn't even bother sleeping in class like yesterday and just took a seat at the back and glared at the board. The poor teachers could reprimand him but his glare was so intense that they simply tried to ignore him.
To Be Continued
