Chapter 7: Tryouts
May was miserable for the rest of classes which seemed to just breeze through. Nazz caught to her in the hallway.
"Hey May are you all right you look all down in the dumps."
May gave her an irritated look "are you sure you saw big Ed Nazz? You're not just making some sick joke?"
Nazz was appalled and surprised by her friend's question "Of course I did. Kevin even beat up Eddy yesterday; the whole school was talking about it."
May gave her a surprised look "Seriously!?"
Nazz gave her a quizzical look "Uh Yeah, I dumped him on the spot."
"Wait, wait, wait, you dumped Kevin!?"
"Geez May. Where have you been?" Nazz deadpanned. "That doesn't matter, what matters is that sooner or later you're going to meet Ed I mean this school isn't that big." May gave her a smile. "Now come on we have tryouts to judge." Nazz then dragged May away.
Meanwhile Ed had somewhat successfully raised his friends' spirits with his cheerful attitude
"Come on hurry up guys. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy" Ed chanted as he ran to his destination which is the locker room.
"Ed slow down." Double D pleaded but it was too late, Ed was out of sight.
Eddy sighed "Let's go watch on the bleachers." He and Double D then proceeded to aforementioned location.
Outside on the field, May was one of the judges along with Nazz and another girl for cheerleading tryouts, across on the field the boys were lined up, as if it mattered. May was obviously bored, thinking too much of her Ed.
The boys lined up on the other end of the field, Ed was easily the tallest and better built, he wore the Jersey and his helmet covered his face so he was unrecognizable. Ed wondered why there were only three of them because he saw at least ten names on the clipboard, he soon shrugged the thought off.
In actuality, earlier in the locker when he took off his shirt to change almost everyone lost confidence and just up and left.
The coach appreciated this as now the process was going to be shorter. Only three of them remained: Ed who sported a wide grin behind his helmet, A Caucasian called James who was on friendly terms with Kevin because they're neighbors and finally Lewis who had blonde hair, he too was on friendly terms with Kevin but because of his parent's wealth. There were only two spots open and almost all of the other members didn't want Ed on but that was just Kevin and his group of fellow second years.
The captain/quarterback along with the seniors didn't care for their juniors' 'beef' with the Ed-boy; they just wanted the best whichever of them it may be. The coach paced while looking over each boy like a drill sergeant
"Alright maggots!" he yelled "there's only two spots available and there's three of you! Do you know what that means!? He asked the question rhetorically.
"It means that only two of us will be chosen sir!" Ed yelled apparently caught up with the idea of this being an army.
James and Lewis looked at him dumbfounded, the coach glared at him and Double D and Eddy simultaneously face palmed.
The coach's glare softened and in a calm smooth voice said "that's right Ed." Ed grinned even wider (if that was possible). "Just for that you get to go first!" The coach yelled in his face which was meant to be intimidated.
Ed didn't register the hostility and happily asked "Really coach, I get to go first?" he held both hands in a fist by his chest
"That's what I said maggot." Coach yelled again actually getting saliva on Ed's face.
Ignoring the coach's threatening voice he shook the saliva off and merrily went ahead to face one of the training equipment, it was used by players to practice tackling. Ed stared it down like he was in a Mexican standoff.
James and Lewis were holding back their laugh at his seeming idiocy "this guy is so retarded." Retorted James to Lewis after which he snickered harder.
Double D had a sense of foreboding all of a sudden and turned to Eddy "Eddy…" he trailed off to glance where Eddy was looking, the cheerleading tryouts and did a bored expression. "Eddy!" he said loudly
"What!? What'd you want sockhead? Can't you see I'm busy?" He continued watching.
"Busy ogling women in short skimpy outfits?"
"Yep" was Eddy's reply this time he had a grin.
Double D folded his arms and looked at his friend while his head tilted a bit "I thought you were supposed to be mature Eddy?" he commented in a condescending tone
Eddy look to him like he was crazy "they are hot chicks in short, skimpy skirts doing gymnastics, mature has nothing to do with it. Some things are just hard wired Double D." he said before continuing his perverted leering.
Double D now had enough and forcibly turned Eddy's head towards Ed "What about Ed? We're supposed to supporting him."
"Look Double D" he sighed "we both know that Ed's a shoe in so technically we don't need to 'support' him. As far as I'm concerned we're just wating for the coach to add him to the team so we can go home." Although blunt, Eddy's words had logic behind them but his friend still had an unsure look. "Okay what's eating at ya sockhead?"
"Well Eddy, I'm just worried that the excitement would make Ed overdo it a tad." His voice showed concerned.
Eddy laughed at him "yeah and how would he do that?"
Just then Ed made a short yell and charged at the equipment, he collided with what must have been full strength because the equipment which was rooted in the ground and weighed over a hundred kilos was uprooted from the ground and flung across the field spinning at least 10 feet in the air.
"Like that." Double D said as he and Eddy watched it's trajectory in the air above them.
May was still bored with tryouts; Nazz noticed and was about to say something when the piece of equipment landed right before them and bounced off still spinning until it hit the goal post. The cheerleaders were scared speechless until Nazz broke the silence
"What.. just..happened?" she asked more herself than her friends.
The entire football field watched the equipment with eyes wide and mouths to the floor. Even Kevin and his friends, the former who ought to know about his insane strength was utterly surprised while the two big guys with him silently thanked God they didn't attack the Eds two days ago.
Everyone on the field slowly turned their shocked expression to the apparent source which was a jumpy boy.
"How did I do coach?" He turned to their shocked expression and his grin faltered somewhat. He looked at the equipment then looked at everyone else and laughed nervously "Uh oops I guess I put a little too much in that one huh. Heh heh" he chuckled nervously.
Eddy burst out laughing hysterically, the field was so silent now that everyone could hear it clearly. May looked to see a short boy holding his sides and laughing while a taller one wearing a black beanie pinched the bridge of his nose. She squinted her eyes and then they widened
"Eddy? Double D? she whispered before turning to the tall boy with a helmet covering his head.
Just then Eddy got up and shouted "ATTA BOY ED!"
The name rang through May's ears then a wide grin formed, she quickly stood up only to be yanked back to her chair.
"Easy there girlfriend." Nazz said
May seemed to ignore her "That's big Ed!" she squealed.
"I know, but you can't go over there."
"Why not!?" she angrily asked while still trying to escape her grip but to no avail.
"Okay first of all, we're still in the middle of judging our tryouts and second Ed looks like he's trying out for the team so you shouldn't distract him."
May looked at her with puppy dog eyes "really."
Nazz gave her a sincere smile "yeah and if, no, when he makes the team you will have lots of chances to talk to him."
May's smile from this morning returned which caused Nazz to smile in return. "But you have to take this serious just like Ed does." She said pointing to the equipment standing against the goal post right before it fell down. May gave a quick nod before sitting down.
Meanwhile the coach was the first to regain his composure and his shocked expression turned to an angry one which made Ed gulp. The coach stomped over to Ed who instinctively stood at attention.
"That was too strong boy!" he yelled causing some saliva to reach Ed. "What'd you think would happen if that was another player huh!?" Ed's shoulders slumped in realization and the coach's expression softened a bit, as if he didn't know his words would hit that hard. In a softer but still harsh tone he sighed "you did good Ed, but watch your strength next time, wouldn't want any accidents on the field."
Ed brightened up a bit "you mean I made the team?"
"HELL NO!" he shot back causing him to straighten up again. "There's more to football than being strong boy. Oh no we're just getting started; now bring that equipment back so James and Lewis can practice. NOW!"
"Yes sir!" Ed yelled before running to the other side and lifted the equipment over his shoulder and effortlessly carried it back to place it in the same position.
Meanwhile the rest of the team had mixed reactions most of them either feared or were shocked by Ed's strength. Some mostly the seniors wanted Ed on the team badly while Kevin's group although still in awe already made up their mind about Ed and this didn't change in fact it intensified since Ed would steal the spotlight from them.
And so it began the first test was to see if they were properly coordinated so a member of the team would have to throw the ball towards the recruits and they will have to catch it, Kevin volunteered almost immediately. He threw the ball passively at James and Lewis as for Ed he threw so fast that it actually cut the air and made a sound, Ed reflexively caught simultaneously spinning and threw it from his position almost at the end of the field pass Kevin and landed through the goal post on the other side of the field.
Eddy actually laughed harder shouting "nice pass shovel chin!" Double D had opted to ignore Eddy because it's all fun and games plus his blood pressure would rise if he had to comment on every single thing Eddy did.
Then came that wide eyed mouth gaped moment again and Ed laughed nervously again with an "oops" again. This time the coach didn't reprimand him instead nodded his head in approval and from then on only the captain, Terry drilled the new recruits because unlike the rest of them he actually cared about the sport and not the perks that came with playing it.
Ed decided to keep himself in check, he already let slip some of the fruits of his time in Tian Shan which would raise further questions. Even though he held back Ed still dominated the tryouts, after all Ed is naturally athletic plus he has one year over his competition.
All May could do was watch dreamily at the sidelines, cheerleading tryouts ended before because of the awkward pauses caused by Ed in his tryouts which extended the time.
Now it was the hardest and most insane part, each recruit was to try and score a touchdown against players on the team. This unorthodox method was used because the coach couldn't decide among them so seeing how good they were without training was better. The persons on the opposing team were mixed but Kevin was there and he gave a wink to Lewis to which the boy grinned
The whistle was blown and Lewis took it easy and started running fast, as always Kevin and his lackey's took it easy on him. Slowing down so he could dodge or pretending to fumble so he could push them out of the way but then, a quarter way from the touchdown line he was hit with a lariat from a senior. Lewis back flipped and landed on his stomach groaning in pain and that's when Kevin furiously approached him
"What the fuck Steven? He was cool!" He said loudly but only so Steven could hear.
Steven took off his helmet revealing himself to be an African American. "What can I say? the runt left himself wide open."
Kevin glared at him "Dude! Don't you know who his parents are? "
"No and I don't give a shit if you can't add another lackey to your pack 'Alpha Dog." Steven was now dead serious and Kevin gulped.
"Still fucking better than that dork!" He said pointing to Ed.
Steven was now pissed and blocked Kevin from everyone's view so he could grab him by the collar with one hand. Kevin was sweating a bit and he now noticed how tall Steven was.
"That 'dork' could actually make us win the championship this year. Whatever beef you have with him and his friends" he nodded to Eddy and Double D who have been watching them with interest "me and the other upperclassmen don't care, if he's good he's good, besides" he let go of Kevin and put on his helmet "no one gets a free pass." He finished before running to regroup with everyone else.
Kevin was really pissed but he knew better than too actually try and fight Steven. He just stomped to where they were but glanced up to see Eddy's grinning face which only infuriated him more before putting on his helmet.
James was up next and with caution he went off actually making it pass half way before he was tackled by the captain. Terry was actually friendlier to him as he held his hand out to help James to his feet.
"Nice moves James." He said as the youth grabbed on and hoisted himself off the ground. With a few pats on the shoulder he and the captain walked off. Kevin smiled, at least one of his boys was going through.
Kevin then glared at Ed, now he needed to stop Ed before he reached where Lewis was and since they weren't going to show mercy this would make it simpler. Ed was set; his grin was gone and replaced with determination, he gripped the ball close to his chest and crouched and then..*TWEET* the whistle was blown.
Ed shot forward but not hard, he dodged left and right at normal speed, 'no fancy tricks this time mister' he told himself. They were forming on him and he suddenly stopped right before someone tried tackling him and headed to the sides, jumping more dive tackles.
"Go Ed Go!" Eddy shouted from the sidelines.
Hearing his friend cheer seemed to spur Ed on has his speed picked up and he pass where Lewis crashed heading closer to the goal but Kevin picked his speed as well intending to cut him off. Ed continued dodging, he did a dive roll, shoved some poor sap and even did a slide; Ed was near the touchdown line when he peered to his right and saw Kevin coming straight for him. Ed gritted his teeth and made a dive at the same time Kevin also did a dive, and it was close Kevin was directly at Ed's side, he knew Ed wouldn't make it.
What Kevin didn't expect was for Ed to turn the dive midway into a front flip while curled up like a ball. Ed avoided Kevin's tackle and landed on his feet with the ball in hand while Kevin landed face first in the grass.
"I did it!" Ed shouted excitedly.
Double D and Eddy actually stood up shouting words of congratulation, Double D for making it to the goal, Eddy because he made Kevin look like a chump, again. May squealed happily while jumping up and down but quickly calmed herself when her fellow cheerleaders gave her questionable looks, she kept the smile though and clapped him.
"Alright everybody calm down" the coach yelled as Ed, Lewis and James lined up. James you're second line, Ed you're a linesmen and Lewis maybe next year.
With that there was a short celebration with the team congratulating their new team members. May was walking fast towards them when a hand stopped her from behind, she turned around to see Nazz
"What now Nazz!? Can't you see I'm about to congratulate him?" She said but her other motive would be to show off her drastic makeover to Ed in hopes that he would reciprocate her love, after all her beauty was now comparable to Nazz and she knew for a fact that Ed liked Nazz.
"Uh yeah, about that, May you should know that he looks a lot different than you remember him."
May was actually worried now "What do you mean?" she asked curiously.
At that time Ed took off his helmet and grinned brightly "I did it guys, I made the team." He rushed over to the bleachers to greet his friends who made their way down.
Just then May glanced at him and her heart skipped a beat as she saw what Nazz was talking about: his yellowish skin was now regular, his scraggy hair is neatly groomed and even, from this distance she could see his white teeth. May gripped her heart and looked down, her eyes now shadowed she thought 'oh..my..gosh..h-he..he's..a..a..HUNK!' She lifted her head to show hearts in her eyes and a wide smile.
Without saying anything for a few moments she sprinted towards him in a straight line, not run, sprint. Some of the other players were in the way and without breaking her straight path she pushed down, jumped over and shove them aside.
Her target insight she yelled "Big Ed!" while using her hands to push off a guy's head then did an air summersault to land on her hand to cartwheel.
The Eds turned to see a cheerleader do multiple cartwheels in their direction.
"Look Ed you already have a fangirl." Eddy mused
May stopped her cartwheels several feet from them to sprint once more. The Eds were stunned by her appearance as she came in dangerously close
"Hello, who are yo- oof"Ed couldn't finish his sentence as he was tackled two feet away from his location. Double D and Eddy looked on in confusion to see the blonde hair beauty straddle an utterly confused Ed.
May was admiring the muscles under his shirt before leaning closer to his confused face and in a sultry voice whispered "some honey for my honey?" Before he could reply she gave him a deep, sensual kiss while straddling him, her first thoughts 'he smells so clean and his breath smells like mint, yum.'
Eddy looked at them "what the hell is going on here sockhead?" He turned to his friend only to see him have a shocked expression
"It can't be" Double D said more to himself before he ran next to them, Eddy followed. May was still kissing Ed, her mind was in euphoria while his eyes seemed glazed over.
"May Kanker?" at the mention of her name she sat up to look directly at Double D.
"Hi Double D, Eddy long time no see." She gave them a sparkling smile to reveal her perfect teeth
Eddy's mouth dropped, he shifted his gaze from Double D to May after each of the following stammered utterances "wha…but..she..I..wh…May Kanker!?" He finally said in defeat to which she acknowledged with several nods.
"Yep that's me."
"May?" a quiet voice said under her.
May turned to see Ed staring at her like she had two heads and smiled at him "hi big Ed." She gave a cute grin and tilted her head.
Suddenly the world didn't make any sense to Ed, literally. There he was pinned to the ground by an insanely cute girl and it turned out to be his childhood tormentor. He never really hated May actually Ed doesn't really hate he just doesn't like things. He doesn't like how his family treated him, he didn't like how he used to be and he didn't like how May would cling to him and give him unwanted affection.
Thinking about it now she didn't look ugly to him 5 years ago he just wasn't interested in 'mushy' stuff back then. But ever since he started rehabilitating himself he became more open to the idea of a relationship and now he began to unconsciously dredge up all the memories he had of May since he first met her, all of them in chronological order.
Ed didn't move a muscle he stared at the sky, he didn't even blink, his eyes were still glazed over but he appeared to be in deep thought. Nazz finally caught up with them, the rest of the players didn't bother to approach the scene
"Sorry guys I tried to stop her but you know the whole Kanker strength thing."
Double D and Eddy looked at each other and nodded.
"So what's going on with Ed?" she asked pointing at him.
"It would appear that he is in deep thought about this particular predicament." Double D responded.
"Really?" Nazz said skeptically. She knew Ed never really thinks and even though they have changed hearing it was still a bit of shock.
"Yeah I couldn't believe it back then either but yeah, Ed's actually thinking." Eddy added.
May looked at Ed with worry before getting off him but he didn't move and he was so deep in his 'mind palace' remembering everything about her he didn't blink. He was in deep, too deep and a memory flashed before him that he buried a long time ago blood…screams..bloody corpse. The images kept repeating in his mind and soon that was all he saw, relieving those memories over and over and over again then he saw his best friend's lifeless eyes.
That's when he gasped loudly while sitting up, sweat was dripping from his face,, his Jersey had huge stains on it from his perspiration. The images didn't stop and he suddenly gripped his head almost as if having a splitting headache then he stopped and looked at her.
He looked at May with a dumb, blank stare, he seemed aloof for some reason, the spark he had was gone, and he just stared at her squinting his eyes as if he didn't recognize her. Eddy and especially Double D were now very worried about him. They of all people knew that look; it was one of his frequent expressions when they were 12.
"Ed?" Double D called cautiously to which he turned around and gave a big dopey smile
"Hiya guys." He exclaimed. Double D's expression sank
Eddy clenched his fist "What the hell's going on Double D?"
"I-I" Double D tried to form words and perhaps for the first time, in a long time was rendered speechless by the situation.
"What the hell did she do to him?" Eddy said glaring at May who was as dumbfounded as Nazz.
"Cool I'm way big." Ed was feeling his arms, stopped to check his shirt then glanced over at Nazz. "Whoa, Nazz you're big too, and you Double D and you too Eddy and hmm?" He looked directly at May and tilted his head curiously "Who are you?" he pointed at May.
Silence befell them and May's lip was trembling "Ed i-it's me May, May Kanker."
Ed looked at her before his expression became one of terror, he was now trembling and pointing at her "K-K-K-KAN..KANKE-ARGH!" He griped his head again and fell to his knees screaming in pain.
"Ed it's all right just calm down." Double D pleaded, Eddy beside him on the other side.
Seeing Ed in so much pain made May want to rush over but Eddy gave her an intense glare "STAY BACK KANKER!" He growled
"They're all dead." Eddy heard a voice behind him say and instantly the color from his face drained.
Ed had an enraged look on his face along with streaming tears; he stood up "[why, why did everyone have to die? Why were we the only ones alive!?]" Ed said loudly in Mandarin.
They were both distraught but before they could even attempt an answer he stood up albeit wobbly. He looked at his friends then at May right before another headache came on and while looking at her face declared
"I should have just died with the rest of them." Then without warning, he dropped face first into the grass, now unconscious.
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: Okay things turned a bit dark there but now you are probably wondering just what happened to them that could even traumatize Ed to this degree, well bits and pieces from all of their viewpoints will be explained in the coming chapters.
Next order of business, if I didn't have to mention this, I am not American people. So I don't really know the first thing about football. In fact I kinda got the tryouts part from a show on TV and so, I would like to thank Bluescarlet for the suggestions, I really appreciate it, THANK YOU.
Another thing that I will address right here and now that hopefully no one will comment on after this. Ed's strength, let be honest he's is ridiculously strong in the series, but that stunt I pulled should not be taken in stride. I'm not gonna make him lift a house, in fact his strength depends on certain conditions being met, that is, his emotions and adrenaline levels plus some other stuff that I would have to research. This was probably a onetime thing because I wanted to add some comedy, after all that's what Ed, Edd and Eddy is all about!
Now you guys can bash me about Ed's apparent Breakdown, type to it.
