Ticking off the shopping list mentally in his head, Edd left school by himself to go towards the Cul-de-sac. On his way he figured he could stop at the store and pick up what he needed, rather than wait until it was an inconvenience and he'd have to go out of his way to get things. Not only that, but his parents had refilled his necessities money just the other day, so he was free to get more cleaning supplies and food without worry.
Not that he ever really spent much, but he limited himself so as to be responsible. He actually had a good bit of money left over- and his parents had vaguely stated he could do with it what he pleased since it was his "allowance".
He knew better, and saved it.
This was something he had only told Eddy about- partially, as he didn't know it wasn't really allowance- when they had gotten older and Eddy had mostly grown from his greedy mindset. While the other egged him to spend it more freely, he didn't do so as seriously as he would have when they were younger. He most certainly didn't ask or try to get him to spend it on stuff he wanted, either.
While Eddy had indeed matured, he couldn't help his annoyance at Edd having kept that secret- though he begrudgingly let it go when both Edd and Ed pointed out how money hungry he was in the past.
Eddy still brought it up from time to time- and was often frustrated Edd refused to use it beyond necessities for his house. Despite all his rage and whining, however, he did ultimately respect Edd's decisions with his own allowance.
Ed has voiced how weird it was Edd handled everything in the same way his parents did. Eddy had mockingly told him it was because Edd was responsible while Ed wasn't- it went over the larger boy's head, though.
But that is when the concern from the other two seemed to start.
The was a revelation from 2 years ago, when they were halfway through their first year of high school.
A cold, late November wind pulled Edd from his thoughts and reminisce, and he quickened his pace while wrapping his sweater around himself better, trying but failing to stop a harsh shiver from passing through. The cold was absolutely dreadful, even if the teen found snowfall beautiful and relaxing to watch.
Normally, Edd had the companionship of Ed or Eddy- sometimes both- on his way home from school. Today was not one of those days, and he didn't have their presence and conversation to distract him from the chilly weather.
It was a little uncommon for the smartest of the Eds to walk home alone, but nothing that ever surprised him. No longer were the three boys joined at the hip constantly- they were growing and had other responsibilities and lives to attend to, and they each understood that.
For example, Ed would stay after a couple days a week so he could do extra class work- both for bonus points in his classes, but also so he'd have more time to study and learn. At first he wasn't very happy about it, bored and uncomfortable, but the tutor found a way to make it work and Ed was indeed growing. His grades had improved from F's and D's to D's and C's- even an occasional B in there. He seemed to suffer the most with homework and things required outside of class, so that's what he spent that extra hour or so doing. Ed was happy to say he had become friends with a few of the other students there as well, easing the worries Edd had that he'd get stressed and lonely. He didn't do as well singled out and by himself.
Eddy himself had been forced into a part time job by his parents- it was small, and only took 3 days up out of the school week. Since it was only a few hours, he'd often go over to Ed's house afterwards to go and hang out until it was too late. It was a disciplinary action his parents took when they were in 9th grade, due to him still doing some scams and getting into a few fights. While he could leave if he really wanted, he ultimately didn't want to damage and strain the relationship with his parents any further- they had kicked out his older brother, they surely would with him too. Not only that, but despite what rants he went on, he did love and respect them. He simply stated at least he was getting paid for it, so that's why he stayed.
Edd helped out with their science club and chess club, but chess was only on Wednesdays for now, and Science club had been canceled. Otherwise he would have found Ed waiting for him, and they would have gone back to the cul-de-sac together.
It was no bother to Edd, really, as he still couldn't slack to spend time with them until later tomorrow- Saturday- or Sunday. He still had chores that needed to be completed, as well as his own homework. While he was a genius and smart kid, that only meant he was in almost all advanced classes- which meant he was given some challenge and much more work. It was time consuming and dare he say- tiring.
But he wouldn't stop nor slack, too focused and intent on maintaining his GPA as well as his golden attendance. No matter how exhausting it became, he would continue up keeping the lifestyle he had always known.
Which meant he vigorously cleaned, studied- both what the school gave him and his own research- and cooked for himself. He took care of the house's upkeep beyond repairs, in which he sent a text to his parents and they wordlessly paid and hired someone else to do it. When he was younger he might have done things himself, having had that interest in tinkering and machines- but now he was too tired to maintain that beyond any school classes or extra curriculum, like the robot fair in the spring.
At least getting wrapped up in his planning for his chores distracted him from the cold weather, since his friends weren't there to do so. Thankfully, he had reached his destination of the store, quickly making his way through the parking lot to the warm, golden doors.
Stepping into the bricked building and hearing the doors slide close behind him, Edd grabbed a cart and let out a happy sigh at the warmth it offered.
Humming quietly to himself, he started off getting what he knew he needed- all the cleaning supplies- before he meandered to the food. That took a little more thinking and decision making- he often found himself wanting things that hardly took time to make. With all his responsibilities, he already went to bed so late. Lunch was becoming his most important meal, and even then he was often in the library after eating a small sandwich and some fruit. Eating really was a task that annoyed him, even if there was some food he enjoyed. The amount of things he could get done if he wasn't stuck having to nourish himself. That and sleep. The amount of things he could get done in that 8 hour period- well, more like 6, 5 hour period for him.
"Yo, Double D!" Edd was brought out of his thoughts, looking at cucumber as if it held the secrets to his worries, to see not just one of those classmates, but one of his childhood peers. The girl who called his name snorted at his expression and explained what was so funny to him, causing him to feel embarrassed. Moreso at being so distracted at the store of all places than being caught with that expression.
Blushing, Double D placed it down and sent a warm, if not a little shy, smile to her. "Greetings, Nazz! How are you?" He sounded cheerful and polite, which is what he wanted. The idea of his tone giving away his exhaustion was something he loathed, and only Eddy or Ed had ever bear witness to it.
Giggling, the blonde pushed her hair behind her ear. "I'm good, Double D. I don't think I've ever seen you alone here before. You're normally with Eddy or Ed, and you're scolding them like a mother for how much junk food they want."
Edd's smile turned a little fond at that; he did often scold them, and they- especially Eddy- often compared him to a mother for it. "That's odd; I've always come here since it's within easy walking distance of my home. Perhaps we've somehow always evaded one another whenever I've come alone." He answered easily.
"I guess so." Nazz replied, just as easily.
While Edd wasn't particularly close to Nazz- or the other cul-de-sac kids- their relationships had mellowed out as they got older. Now he was just the butt end of jokes and rumors pertaining to his neediness and sexuality- although he had never spoken about the latter. It was just something kids did- and while it stung at times he often was able to ignore it.
Kevin and Nazz were friends with those people, and while they never insulted him, they never defended him. So, again, they weren't particularly close. But they didn't clash or fight- especially not in the way Eddy and Kevin still did.
Nazz was still easy to talk to, regardless if alone or not. Her warmth had never left her, and she was always able to beat down the barriers of awkwardness that came from Edd and his overbearing intelligence and little social skill. He was thankful his crush on her had ended so he could enjoy this without becoming a flustered mess.
"Hey Nazz where-" Kevin rounded the corner, noticing but not reacting negatively to Edd's presence. "Oh, hey Double Dork." The nickname that seemed to never leave. Nazz sent a small glare his way, but again, he didn't react.
"Salutations, Kevin." He greeted amicably enough. He was neither pleased nor displeased to see the other, considering he was much kinder to him without his friends around for him to fall into that mean, jock persona.
Edd wondered if he was aware he did that, and what his thoughts were about it.
"You hosting a salad bar or somethin'?" Kevin asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he came to rest by Nazz. "That's a lot of green for a Friday night. You should live a little and get some tastier snacks."
"There's nothing wrong with eating healthy, Kevin." Nazz scolded the larger boy for him, and he had to suppress a grin at that. "Vegetables and salads are just as tasty as other foods."
Judging by Kevin's expression, he didn't agree.
"I'm simply stocking up for the week or so; I haven't made it to the meat section yet." Which was true- he always hit that last. Though, while he wasn't vegetarian or vegan, he didn't have any fondness for meat and only ate it since it was something his parents deemed important. "What about you two?"
"Oh, I'm having movie night at my house." Nazz chirped, happily. She always seemed to be hosting something. The idea of hosting that much tired Edd out, but she seemed to thrive off of it. "It was more last minute, so we're here to get some snacks and stuff." Her expression suddenly lightened, and Kevin looked like he was suppressing a groan but not his eye roll at the familiar face.
It was easy for Edd to guess where she was going based off that and his knowledge of the girl. O
"Hey Double D! Why don't you come? It's been forever since you were over for a movie night!" Last time had been junior high.
"Oh- thank you, but I'll have to pass." He stated politely, noticing Kevin's relieved look. He didn't blame him; Edd wouldn't mix well with their current friend group. "I have a good number of things I need to do tonight and tomorrow morning, so I don't really have the time. I appreciate the offer, though."
Kevin's expression flickered into... something... but Edd wasn't sure. He decided not to linger on the thought, having other concerns to tend to.
Nazz pursed her lips. "Well, if you're sure... the invite is there, and you know where I live if you change your mind."
Edd simply smiled at the gesture.
"Hey Nazz." Kevin cut in, probably beginning to feel awkward, "why don't we go ahead and let the dork finish his shopping- we still need to do our own shopping too, you know." He gave a lazy grin a single shoulder shrug.
"Oh- your right." Nazz seemed to remember that and smiled at the other boy. "Well, see you later, Double D." She waved before pulling the redhead with her.
"Later, dweeb."
Edd supposed he should take more offense to those terms- dork and dweeb- but Kevin's tone suggested no arrogance or malice. Both terms seemed to have faded from insults from over the years and turned into, for lack of a better term, nicknames from a friend. At least, whenever Kevin wasn't with his other jock friends.
Shaking the thoughts from his head, Edd made haste to finish his shopping- the conversation with Nazz had already taken up more time than he would have liked.
As easily as they showed up, the blonde and the redhead faded from the genius' thoughts and he went back to focusing on his priorities. It didn't take long for him to finish getting what he needed- but apparently it had taken the other two just as long to get their things. He didn't even notice them, too focused on planning his schedule for when he got home, until Nazz called out for him.
"Oh!" Nazz seemed happy again. "We took Kevin's car here, so we can give you a lift!" She offered her kindness again, and Kevin failed to suppress a groan- which immediately earned him a glare from the girl and a light elbow to the stomach.
However, Kevin wasn't the only one who wasn't overly fond of the idea.
"No worries; I wouldn't want to burden either of you. It's quite alright for me to walk home- I've done it plenty of times before."
"How?" Kevin questioned, incredulous. "Your bags must weigh a ton- and you're an absolute bean pole." Edd couldn't help but purse his lips at that, but he shook his irritation away.
"I suppose while it doesn't show, having done this long enough gave me some muscle." He pulled his bags out of the cart as they all walked out, pushing it back where it belonged.
Gravity certainly made its presence aware, but Edd had indeed been doing this long enough he could manage the ten minute walk home.
A silent conversation of expressions was happening behind the lanky teen, something where he was unaware so he couldn't give his input, but he was aware of Kevin's exasperated sigh. "No- dude- come on I'll give you a lift home. It's not even a minute from where Nazz lives."
Turning back, the blonde had a satisfied smirk, thinking she had won.
Clearly, she had no idea how stubborn Edd could be about certain things- including not being a burden to others. Kevin was not her only obstacle to jump over, but Edd had doubts she would try as hard with him.
Clearly, he underestimated how stubborn she and Kevin both were as a unit. The jock already agreed to do it, so he wasn't going to back out so easily.
"It's quite alright Nazz; I don't mind the walk."
"Dude, it's freezing out." That was true, and Edd couldn't deny how much he'd rather have a warm transportation than be in the cold.
"It's refreshing, and it's only a ten minute walk-" he was interrupted as Kevin narrowed his eyes, stalked forward, and snatched one of his bags.
Nazz tried to look annoyed on his behalf, but the genius could see her own satisfaction.
"If you want your broccoli, cucumbers and- what even is that?- whatever- then you've got to ride with us." Kevin wasn't going to budge on this, and Edd pursed his lips.
They held each other's stares, neither willing to budge, before another cold breeze came and shook the smaller boy's resolve, causing him to sigh after a shiver.
"Alright; thank you." At least he kept up his manners.
Imagining that Edd grew up in a home where a facade was something he had to keep up in order to preserve an image isn't that astounding to me; less prestigious folks do it all the time. Keeping something like that up while also being exhausted from everything one is "obligated" to do is tiring though, so at least Edd can drop it whenever he's with Eddy and Ed.
Thank you for reading though :) Writing this is pretty fun and I hope to keep it up uwu
