Hello! Sorry about the wait for chapter 5! My life kinda sux right now, but hey, life's a bitch and then you die. Oh well. It's been a few chapters since I've had an introduction, so here's one! Thank you all SOOOO much for reviewing! I'm glad people like the fic. Really glad. I was expecting to read reviews saying something to the effect of, "What is wrong with you, gurl? Whatever possessed you to write this piece of shit?!?!" For all who are interested, my answer would have been, "My collection of sharp objects needs a break." The fic is pretty tame right now, but I'll probly lapse into heavier stuph later on (I always do. I can't help it.) so the rating may go up. If and when that happens, that will be the reason why new chapters aren't appearing in the G-PG13 section. Before I bore anyone to tears with my babbling, on to chapter 5!

Chapter 5

Rebel Ed

The clock ticked, and Double-D was well aware that the day of the party drew closer with every motion of the clock's hands. How did I get into this? He pleaded of himself. Everything seemed too hot, like he was going to melt, then a chill ran through Double-D's blood, as if to freeze him from the inside. True, it had seemed the noble thing to do, and he had been just as eager to play matchmaker for the kids of both cul-de-sacs, but that was forgotten as soon as the use of his house became inevitable.

So his parents would be out, it wouldn't matter. They had their ways, and they would find him out. Every time they came back after leaving him alone, they would examine the house under a microscope, for anything licentious and it wasn't as if Double-D didn't know why. The worst of it was he knew he had brought it upon himself.

But that was all in the past. It might be doable. He would certainly have lots of time. And it wasn't as if there was a way to get out of it now. Plus, it would be a refreshing change to be seen as the risk taker for a change. Ed would be able to have a party in his basement room any time, but all the clutter would make it far less satisfactory. And Eddy as if. He could never have a party at his house, and the words "big brother" were an explanation clear enough for anyone to understand.

Double-D flopped over onto his stomach, letting his arm hang over the edge of his bed. "I've invited seventeen kids to personally invade my home and that's about seventeen too many." Reconsidering his words, Double-D reminded himself that Ed and Eddy were pretty much always welcome. The feeling was mutual; a stretch of time had passed where Ed didn't close his window for nearly two months, as the three boys were constantly coming and going. Finally, Ed relented to the rainy weather and shut the window, but not before a puddle of water had formed right below it, forcing the Eds to enter and exit carefully.

Even though a breeze blew in from the half-open window, Double-D's hot room was starting to overpower him. The heat was provided for him because he shivered when the temperature dipped below fifty or so degrees, which meant he would be a popsicle about half the year unless his room was heated. Still, just to make certain Double-D didn't get so much as a slight chill, his parents left the heating on year round. Although he found it better than being too cold, he had to consider this to be overkill. On these balmy nights of early June, the temperature would only rise.

Riiiing! The tone of Double-D's phone roused him quickly from his trance. The heat had been causing him to drift off, and he liked it that way. But the phone could not be ignored.

Double-D: "Hello?"

Eddy: "Hey Double-D."

Double-D: *pauses and tries to figure out who is calling* "Eddy, is this you?"

Eddy: "Yeah."

Double-D: "Of course. You've only called me the past three nights."

Eddy: "I'm such a pal."

Double-D: "Certainly."

His voice was laced with sarcasm, and this did not go undetected.

Eddy: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Double-D: "Well, you are the one who pushed me to invite everyone over Saturday, without so much as asking my permission."

Eddy: *rolls his eyes* "Come on, your parents won't even be home!"

Double-D: "You don't understand! My parents are practically mind readers! It's as if they always know what I'm thinking of! And thinking of doing."

Eddy: "Yeah right. It just seems that way. I just got off the phone with Ed, and I told him to go to your house around ten in the morning. So we'll come over tomorrow and help you plan for it, k? You've only got four days!"

Double-D: "You're coming over, are you? All right. Just make sure to keep it quiet, as to prevent"

Eddy: "your parents from finding out. Yeah, I know. We will. I won't tell Ed that's why he's coming over, or he'll just be all, Party! Party! Party at Doub- - "

Double-D: "Shhh! Sometimes my parents listen to my phone conversations."

Eddy: "You know what your problem is?"

Double-D: "I'm neurotic about my parents finding out about this party you're throwing in my house?"

Eddy: *pauses* "Well, yeah that and you don't have call-waiting! Hang on."

Double-D: *taps fingers on desk* Eddy?"

Eddy: "Get this! Jenny called me!"

Double-D: "You sound surprised."

Eddy: "I do?"

Double-D: "Well, you are the one who was so sure the Jens would idolize us."

Eddy: "Hey, you never know. I guess I better let ya go. Jenn's probably been trying to call you anyway!"

Double-D: "Go on!"

Eddy: "No, really. See ya tomorrow."

Double-D: "Bye."

Eddy: "Bye."

*click*

Double-D put down the phone, hoping Eddy was being serious with him. It was not uncommon for Eddy to stretch the truth slightly where romance was concerned. Jenn was definitely beautiful; at least Double-D thought so. But girls had never made anything easy for him. No matter what he tried, or how he presented himself, he was always turned down so sharply that it took him a second to realize what had happened. Even once this had sunk in, he could never figure out where he had gone wrong.

But that was not a problem now. This party would take care of all that. Surely the idea of him taking advantage of his empty house to throw a party would be enough maybe.

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Double-D awoke easily as the sky was still pink with the rising sun. Looking at his clock, he was convinced it read 7:45, so it was time to get up, but instead it read 6:45. "Will I ever remember how the hour hand works? Just because it's on the seven doesn't mean it's seven forty five," he reprimanded himself, then rolled over, seeing no point in getting up so early. Ed and Eddy would not be up, so it wouldn't be worth it. Closing his eyes, he managed to fall back asleep.

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About three hours later, Eddy forced himself awake, remembering the party that had to be set up, and that Double-D would never be able to do it himself. On his own, he would be able to turn anything into a musical chairs party; the kind a mother would throw for your sixth birthday. Rather than risk letting that happen to something so important to the promise this summer held socially. After all, none of the Eds or Jens could have seen this coming. Trying to play matchmaker between the cul-de-sacs? Impossible to imagine.

Jenny had sounded optimistic on the phone the night before. But then, she seemed like the type who could even save a party from Double-D. Still, everything would have to be just right for this to work. Hopefully, Johnny and Chelsea as well as Rolf and Svala would be as easy to hook up as it seemed like they would be. The rest of them might be more difficult, as Kevin and Nazz were still dating on and off, and Sarah and Jimmy well they could be. And as for Peach Creek Estates, Eddy didn't even care to find out what everyone's status was there.

Heaving himself over the edge of his bed, Eddy hurriedly got dressed, and dragged himself into the kitchen to grab something for breakfast. Once he had slipped two Pop Tarts into the toaster, Eddy leaned against the counter to think. Any sort of dating going on in Peach Creek Estates would only compound the current problem. If Ashley and Kevin were to unwilling to break it off with Jason and Nazz for each other, that would be four dead ends. After all, Ashley had Jason whipped, and Nazz just wasn't willing to try to do anything without some random boy at her side. For a brief moment, Eddy wondered, "Why did I like her so much?" But that quickly, he answered himself. "Well, she's hot, duh. And she's got great tits!"

Finally, the Pop Tarts were ready, and Eddy shoved each one into his mouth. Then, quickly jumping into his shoes, Eddy flung the door open and marched off to Double-D's. Once he had reached his destination, Eddy knocked firmly on the door. In a moment, Double-D was there, grinning. "Good morning, Eddy!" Still tired, Eddy couldn't imagine how Double-D could be so wide awake every morning! Fighting with his eyes to stay open, Eddy greeted Double-D back and swaggered inside.

"Ed here yet?" he asked, half yawning.

Double-D shook his head. "No. But Ed has been known to be less than punctual."

"Yeah, he'll show up some time." Eddy plopped down onto the couch, and Double-D sat next to him. The two chatted back and forth for a while, about food, about music, about girls, about everything. Finally, they paused, leaning back on the sofa. Without any knowledge of it, Eddy's mind wandered back to music. Far better than any CD or recording that could possibly be made would be no, that would never work. Could it? Eddy couldn't keep it in. He had to ask.

"Double-D, know what we should do? You, me, and Ed should play something at the party! Then everyone would know how great we are and"

"Eddy, we don't know how great we are. For all we know, we might sound terrible. And that's being optimistic. Sure we can play the instruments, but that's not enough. We haven't had any practices, written any songs, and we don't have any equipment either! There is no way we could have anything ready by Saturday."

Reluctantly coming back to reality, Eddy looked down at the floor and sighed. After a moment of silence, he agreed. "Yeah yeah. Maybe you're right. Plus, not one of us can write music worth shit! I failed music class last year. Music! And I hate to say it, but with stuff like that, you and Ed are no better. Speaking of Ed, it's been almost an hour. Where is he?"

A thoughtful moment reminded Double-D of the long wait for Ed. "I'm not sure. He should be here by now. Let's call his residence." Eddy leapt up and dashed off to pick up the phone on the desk, and quickly dialed Ed's number.

"Ed? Are you there?"

"Damn, why does everyone want to talk to Ed? If one more person calls for that retard, I'm gonna"

*click*

Double-D peeked at Eddy over the top of the couch. "Eddy, it's impolite to hang up on someone."

"It's impolite to hang up on someone?!? She's all, If one more person calls for that retard, blah blah blah!'"

Double-D didn't seem to care. "You still owe anyone a certain amount of respect."

A grim frown spread across Eddy's irritated face. "Even Sarah?"

"Yes, even Sarah." Double-D answered after a thoughtful moment. He wasn't entirely sure if manners were worthwhile to try on her. Eddy's face was taken over by an I-seriously-doubt-you-mean-that look, then he shuffled back to the couch, flopping down on it and landing on his back heavily. "Careful" Double-D had clearly had enough, and was tired of Eddy's roughness. But the doubtful look returned, more to show Double-D that Eddy knew that there was no point trying to stop him from doing what he wanted. No matter what Double-D said or did, if Eddy wanted to do something, he would do it anyway.

"I don't feel like going anywhere. You go find him." Eddy sighed, stretching. When he was younger, he could do that easily with Double-D sitting at the other end. His recent growth spurt took that extra room away, and left Double-D with a hard kick in the side.

"Watch your feet! And why should I have to go look for him? Maybe I don't feel like it either." Eddy's tightening fists told Double-D that he either way, he would very soon feel like looking for Ed. "All right! I'll go. Mother doesn't usually come home until midday, so you should be fine until Ed and I return." Dragging himself to the door, Double-D left, and scampered off across the cul-de-sac. Eddy watched him through the window, chuckling at the sight, and stretching out. Closing his eyes, he was sure Double-D would be just as happy to find him asleep when he got back.

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By the time he had reached Ed's house, Double-D was panting as if he had just run a marathon. Mopping his brow, he knocked on the door. After several minutes with no answer, Double-D noticed Sarah and Jimmy coloring a mural of some sort across the sidewalk. Not that anything in it was distinguishable. But Sarah would have to know where Ed was. Even if she didn't care to know, she would. Still, did he really want to ask her? No, Double-D assured himself. But he did want to find Ed.

Clearing his throat, Double-D approached Sarah, beads of sweat running down his neck. He would just have to put his arms up and take it if she wasn't in the best of moods, but hopefully, this would be over quickly. "Sarah?" He began, trying to attract her attention while he was still several feet away. "Would you happen to know where Ed is?" As soon as he had finished, his fear became far more intense; she had already chewed Eddy out for asking the same question of her.

Sarah looked pissed, but she knew that it would be so much easier to just tell him what she knew and get it over with that try to avoid it all day. "Fine. He said something about my happy place and my special friend,'" Sarah answered, mimicking Ed's words and moronic expression.

My happy place and my special friend? Double-D couldn't understand what Ed meant by this. Unless he meant no, he wouldn't mean Peach Creek Estates would he? It was certainly worth a look, and a better course of action than asking Kevin or anyone else here. "ThankyouSarah." Double-D quickly answered and jogged down the street to Peach Creek Estates.

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The sound of a door closing quickly brought Eddy back from his daze. "Wha - -?" he sighed, forcing his eyes open, and staring up blankly at the ceiling. Groaning, Eddy muttered to himself, "feels like I've bee hit by a truck." Eddy knew there was no reason to feel like this now. Some mornings, yes, it only made sense. Especially when he was able to remember what had happened the night before.

Looking at the clock, Eddy could tell he hadn't been asleep long, maybe about half an hour. Double-D would have to be back soon! How long could it take to find Ed? Someone Ed's size with that special odor clinging to him would be difficult to miss. So where were they? Ed must not have been at home. But Sarah was there! Eddy was too tired to try to sort it all out in his mind, but he put it on his mental to-do-list.

Just as Eddy set himself up to ease back into sleep, a thought came to him. If it wasn't Double-D and Ed who were here, who was it? "Edward! I'm home!" Eddy got as low as he could on the couch, so he wouldn't be seen. His fingers dug into the blue leather, and his tiredness wore off quickly. What would Double-D's mother do if she found him and not Double-D? Sure, Eddy knew her to be nice, but no way would she let this go! The fact that the couch faced away from the door was a big help hiding him, but it wouldn't be enough.

"I'm going back out in a few minutes, sweetie," she continued. "I'm just here to grab some things. What have you been doing?"

Taking a deep breath, Eddy remembered being dared to be Double-D for a game of truth or dare. Hopefully he could still do it "Only studying andreading." Eddy chirped, giving it all he had. He thought it made him sound like he had a cold, but it did sound somewhat like Double-D, especially now that Double-D's voice had deepened a bit.

"Are you all right?" she asked, sounding concerned. "Do you have a sore throat again?"

Trying still harder to sound like Double-D, Eddy answered, "No, I am quite fine." This answer left Eddy feeling as if he had just eaten something over sweetened. He felt fake saying them. Then again, he was pretending to be Double-D, so it was too late for that.

Although she seemed hesitant, Eddy heard her footsteps getting farther away, heading in the direction of the door. "Well, okay. I'll see you later!" she called, shutting the door behind her. At this sound, Eddy realized he had been holding his breath. Releasing it, Eddy let his tense muscles relax as he planned to go right back to sleep.

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Double-D was doubled over, trying to catch his breath. But here he was in Peach Creek Estates. This cul-de-sac was far quieter than the one he had come from; hardly anyone was in sight. Svala was scurrying around her yard on some errand, and Chelsea and Board were sitting under a tree playing monopoly. Rather than interfere with Svala's work, Double-D walked over to Chelsea. Svala scared Double-D in a way he couldn't explain; but he assumed it was because she was so aggressive. Plus, she might try to employ him into some form of work, which was not welcome to him.

"Damn, Board! How do you always get Boardwalk and Park Place?" Chelsea stared at Board, as if trying to penetrate her wooden brain. And she didn't seem to be having much luck. Double-D couldn't help but see the humor in the sight, but that didn't tell him where Ed was. "Chelsea," he wheezed, still trying to catch his breath. "Have you seen Ed?"

She was certainly thinking about it. "Yeah! The smelly Ed? With the green jacket?"

Eagerly, Double-D nodded. "That's the one! Where did you see him?"

After a thoughtful moment, Chelsea looked over her shoulder and pointed. "There."

"Uh thank you Chelsea." Double-D answered, walking in that direction right toward Jen's house.

"No problem," she called after him. "Ok, Board. What were wedid you move me to the jail?!?"

Still chuckling, Double-D reached Jen's front steps and tapped his knuckles on the door. No response. He knocked louder, and still heard nothing. Sighing, he jiggled the knob in one hand, finding the door unlocked. He opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it behind him. "I know I shouldn't be doing this, but" Double-D whispered to himself. After all this, he couldn't very well return home without Ed. But he could hear Ed's voice!

"Ed!" he called across the house, unable to navigate a home he didn't know. The talking stopped, and Ed's head peeked out of a door at the end of a long hallway.

"Oh. Hi, Double-D." Ed answered, sounding guilty.

"Where have you been? Eddy and I have been worried sick!"

Preparing for the lecture he was sure would come, Ed's face began to resemble that of a kicked puppy. "Aww, Double-D, I just forgot."

"You were the one so obsessed with this party idea and you won't even" by the time Double-D was standing so close to Ed they were nearly touching, he could see over Ed's shoulder. Jen was sitting on a chair in the corner, watching. "Oh, hello Jen."

"Hey Double-D. I asked Ed if he wanted to come over. He didn't say anything about that."

The nervous twitching of Ed's eye gave him away. Double-D was not going to ignore that. "I think you did more than forget, Ed."

There was no venom in Double-D's voice, so Ed knew he wasn't in trouble. Blushing slightly, Ed whispered to Double-D, "My tummy feels all wiggly and crawly again."

"Yes, I know, Ed, but we have to get back to Eddy."

Jen was able to hear Double-D, and sat on the edge of her chair. "Double-D, can I come too? I know how to how to I can tie my shoes!" Jen exclaimed, pointing to her feet.

"But you're wearing sandals." Double-D answered, squinting at the flip flops.

"Oh." Jenny stared down at her feet, sounding disappointed. Then her face brightened again. "I can tie my other shoes, too!"

"Where are Jenn and Jenny?" Double-D asked.

Jen shrugged. "I don't know. I guess at home."

"Well, we better get going." Double-D concluded, turning to leave.

"So can I come with?" Jen asked.

Jen and Ed's pleading faces were more than enough to convince Double-D. "Certainly. It will probably take all three of us to wake Eddy up."

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"It will take all three of us to wake him up," were the first words out of Double-D's mouth when the three had reached Double-D's house. Jen was staring at various objects like a deer staring into car headlights. "Jen, it's impolite to stare." Double-D scolded her, as he strode up to Eddy's side.

Looking up at Ed, Jen asked him, "Does he always say stuff like that?"

"Oh yeah." Ed answered, remembering all the Double-Disms he knew all too well.

"Eddy. Eddy.Eddy!" Double-D repeated Eddy's name several times, and Ed and Jen looked down at him.

Ed looked slightly nervous. It was hard for him to tell whether or not Eddy was even breathing, as he could not see Eddy's chest moving up and down at all. Eddy's mouth was hanging open, with the lower jaw resting on his chest. A trail of drool was leaking from the side of Eddy's mouth. And Ed's runaway imagination was no help either. Then again, Jen didn't look at all worried. "Jenny looks just like that when she sleeps, but her head goes sideways."

Finally, Ed reached over and pinched Eddy's arm, just curious to see what would happen. Eddy quickly woke up, trying to pull away from Ed. "Ed! Fuck off!" Ed stumbled backwards, surprised at the sudden outburst, but glad Eddy was alive. "That's gonna leave a mark." Eddy snarled, stroking the pinched area on his arm. Letting go of his arm, Eddy looked up, and noticed Jen. "Wha- - Jen?"

"Yes, Ed was at her house, so she came back with"

Eddy's attention was caught. "Ooooh, what were you doing, Lumpy?" Ed was impatient, and still not thrilled with the nickname.

"Talkin'." Ed answered. He wasn't happy with Eddy, but was not about to let that show. Eddy would just lap that up, and that would make it far worse.

Double-D was in a hurry. "Please, unpleasantries aside, can we get to work?"

"Sure," Eddy sighed. "I still wish we could play."

Jen looked out the window. A sunbeam was dancing on the floor and opposite wall. "It's sunny out. Just go."

It took a few moments for Eddy and Double-D to be able to follow Jen's train of thought. "No, Jen. Eddy means the band." Double-D explained to her. Ed was looking longingly outside, but turned his head at the mention of the band.

"Have you written any songs yet?" Jen asked. "Can you play something?"

"No," Ed looked disappointed, and turned to sit on the couch, almost landing on Eddy's stomach.

Just in time, Eddy managed to stop him. "Hey! You sit down there, Monobrow," Eddy ordered him, pointing to the far end of the couch. Ed obeyed and sat, leaning on the arm of it.

Double-D sat on the tile floor, looking up at Jen. "We have a predicament on our hands. None of us could ever compose music."

Jen appeared frozen in place, staring down at Double-D. It was as if the thought process going on in her mind was taking up all her concentration so she could no longer move. "Uh sometimes Jenn makes up music. She plays the piano and she's written something of her own."

Interested, Eddy's lip curled into a half-smile. Are you sure? Do you think she could write music for us?"

"As we didn't consider that problem when we made the band." Double-D added quickly, giving Ed and Eddy an accusing glance.

That didn't matter. Jen seemed thrilled. "Yeah! But I don't think she would be able to in time for Saturday."

The Eds were satisfied. If Jenn really could write music, that would solve that problem. But it didn't help at all as far as Saturday was concerned. Eddy was willing to voice that. "But what about Saturday?"

Ed's eyebrow furrowed, and he jutted his lower lip out. He looked like some sort of prehistoric man with his face contorted like that, but since his hair had grown longer, he looked slightly less simple than he had when it was a buzz cut. "Can we play a used song?"

Even Jen wasn't entirely sure what that meant. "Used song?" She repeated.

"Yeah! Like something from the music store." Ed jumped up, and started beating invisible drums with invisible sticks.

Double-D's mouth dropped open. "That was brilliant, Ed."

Although Eddy was no less impressed than Double-D was, he was still bewildered. "How come we didn't think of that? We could get sheet music. And since I'm the best looking, I can be our lead singer." Eddy slicked his hair back with one hand and grinned. Deciding it would not be worth it to oppose Eddy, Ed and Double-D kept quiet.

But Jen could not. "I think Ed should be the lead singer." She said quietly.

Ed's face turned bright red, and he looked at the floor. "I can't sing." He mumbled.

Trying to restore a little of Ed's pride, Double-D coaxed, "Come on, Ed! Remember that song you and Rolf sang when we assembled that Old World village? You were excellent at that!" A small grin appeared on Ed's face, but it was still obvious he was not lead material, especially as a drummer.

"We'll have to get down to the store later and pick something." Eddy rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "And I can bring my lava lamp, mirror ball, and some other stuff over for Saturday, too."

"Thank you, Eddy." Double-D was beginning to feel as if this idea might actually work. If it did, this would be so much more than just an ordinary summer. Instead of scams that never worked and being chased by Kankers, the Eds would get a chance to make this summer one they would always remember. The one where they played matchmakers for two cul-de-sacs.

"Me and Jenn and Jenny can bring all the food, so don't worry about that!" Jen added, laughing. "But we'll have to bring a whole crapload. I am the human garbage dump!" Jen stomped around the room, growling so fiercely Ed had to laugh.

"Bring any CD's you got, too. I don't think us playing one song would be enough." Eddy was convinced LikeHell would be a hit, but during the hours they weren't playing, anything was better than silence.

"Ok. I'll go and tell Jenn and Jenny, and we'll be ready!"

"Goodbye Jen!"

"Later!"

"See ya."

"Jen has left the building!" Jen shouted as she ran out the door.

The Eds sighed in satisfaction, looking forward to when they would finally be able to get their band off the ground. So what if Jenn would have to write the music? At least the Eds were able to admit that they weren't able to do it themselves. After all, the Jens had already incorporated themselves so much into the lives of the Eds, they wouldn't mind it. And it would be more than okay; Double-D had already volunteered to write lyrics.

"Well," Eddy sighed, "Now we've gotta figure out how we're gonna buy the sheet music. I'm kinda broke."

"Double-D, can you fix broken Eddy?" Ed asked, looking at Double-D.

"I don't think Eddy can be fixed." Double-D answered looking at Eddy. "I do have my paper route money, but that's going to my electron microscope."

Glaring at Double-D through a half-closed eye, Eddy mumbled, "I'm not surprised he didn't say anything when he needed a guitar. Come on, Sockhead! We need to give everyone a chance to see how great we are."

Double-D was still skeptical. "Eddy, we still have no way to tell whether or not we are great." There was no hope of getting Eddy to believe that the band would be less than perfect.

"Music!" Ed was ready to go.

"Hold on to your neck. Okay, we'll go. But before we do, Double-D, you have to grab some cash."

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Jen jogged out the door of Eddy's house. She jogged down the sidewalk. She jogged around the corner and up the lane. She jogged through the trees and into Peach Creek Estates. Then she jogged up the sidewalk to her house. She went right past Jenn and Jenny who were sitting on her front steps, and into her house. Jenn and Jenny looked at each other, calling into the house after Jen.

Slowly, Jen returned to her door. "Oh hi! Were you guys there all that time?"

Jenny rolled her eyes. "How could you not see us? You almost kicked me in the head!"

"That wouldn't be the end of the world. Jen, where have you been?"

Jen sat on the steps between Jenn and Jenny. "I called Ed over." Jenn and Jenny gasped, forgetting how long they had sat on the hot cement steps waiting for her to come out. This was big.

"Good for you!" Jenn exclaimed. "I thought you said you couldn't call him."

"What did you guys do?" Jenny was more interested in hearing the gritty details, hoping they at least involved some tongue.

Jen rested her chin on a fist. "We watched 'Mutant Zombies from Planet Xop.'" She said, finally.

That wasn't enough for Jenny. She naturally assumed there was going to be more. "And?"

Thinking some more, Jen said, "We ate some chips. And drank root beer."

Jenn was already losing interest. "Tsk. That's romantic."

"And?"Jenny was still interested, very interested. But she was getting impatient.

Jen thought as hard as she could. " That was it! It was a good movie. I taped it last week. The rubbery lava folk rampaged San Francisco and"

"That was all? Did you guys do anything?" Jenny couldn't get her mind around the lack of romance in her friend's first "date."

"Well, Ed touched my hand when I reached for the chips." Jen answered, blushing.

Jenny sighed, covering her face with her hands. "Jen, what are we going to do with you?"

"Sorry Jenny. I like Ed. I really do! But I just can't talk to him."

Jenn looked skeptically at Jen. "That's what you told me yesterday. You said, I can't call him, Jenn!' And then you did."

"This is different. I can't just say, Ed, I like you.'"

"I'm surprised that would occur to you. But we know you can't say that." Jenn tried her best to explain it, but it was like the blind leading the blind. It was better than tv for Jenny, who couldn't resist a heart to heart between two love dunces.

When Jenn finally paused her explanation, Jen took the opportunity. Jen remembered how every time someone explained something to her, at the end, they would ask her if she had any questions. This happened often enough for her to remember. And now she had a question. "Jenn, why are you telling me all this? You like Double-D. Why don't you ever talk to him?"

"I don't like him, Jen, I"

"LOVE him!" Jenny finished the sentence the way she thought it should be finished. "You know you like him Jenn. You write his name everywhere, and you put his number on your speed dial."

That gave Jen another question. "Jenny, I have the pizza guy's number on my speed dial. Does that mean I love him?"

Jenny wasn't listening to Jen. "Just tell him already!"

Jenn saw an opportunity of her own. "I will as soon as you tell Eddy you like him!"

After a moment of silence, Jen spoke again. "Jenny, I don't like the pizza guy."

Having missed Jen's question, Jenny had no clue where that came from, but it was funny none the less. But that gave Jenny the perfect idea. "Hey, how about after the party, you guys come to my house for the night?"

"Sounds great." Jenn nodded.

"Can we order a pizza?" Jen asked, still on the topic of pizza. "Oh, Jenny, I told Ed the three of us would get the food for Double-D's party."

"Great. We've got some shopping to do."

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The three Eds searched the shelves at the music store, looking for the right song. Still, no agreement had been reached. Eddy peeked around a corner to where Double-D was standing. "Hey Double-D, how about Eminem's new one? This looks like a job for me, so everybody just follow me, cuz we need a little controversy, and it feels so empty without me!'" Eddy sang the chorus, strumming an invisible guitar.

Double-D was less than thrilled with that idea, and Eddy could tell from the expression. In Double-D's mind, this suggestion of Eddy's was only fractionally better than Ed's suggestion of the theme song of "Zombies from the Deep Freeze."

Double-D continued to sift through racks of sheet music, then discovered a batch of Eve 6 songs. Reaching aimlessly into the pile, he pulled out a copy of "Girl Eyes," one of his favorites. "Eddy!" he called, sticking his head around the corner. "What do you think of this?"

"Eve 6! Hell yeah! I didn't know if they'd have Eve 6. That song is the shit! Well, let's go buy a copy for each of us."

Despite Eddy's enthusiasm, Double-D was hesitant. "Shouldn't we ask Ed what he thinks first?" The sight of Ed striking up a conversation with a cardboard Austin Powers quickly changed Double-D's mind.

Once they had a tape of the song and a copy of the music each, Eddy had been keeping a question for Ed inner long enough already. "So Ed," he began. Double-D groaned, not liking the thought of where this conversation could go. "What were you and Jen doing?"

"We watched 'Mutant Zombies from Planet Xop.'"

"And?"

"We ate some chips. And drank root beer. But she didn't say much. What if she doesn't like me, Eddy?"

When it looked like Eddy was going to laugh, Double-D glared at him. Sobering up in a hurry, Eddy smiled. "Hey, she likes you. You know she does. And she is gonna love you after the party! Every girl there is gonna want us!" The Eds went on talking about girls, and the party, and most importantly, practicing enough to have their song ready. It was going to be a busy couple days!

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

Finally, Friday night. Not a moment too soon, Double-D thought to himself. The last few days had been hard on Double-D, simply because he was still slightly dragging his feet in the idea. It seemed like it was asking for disaster, but the confidence of the Jens and Ed and Eddy gave Double-D the push that prevented him from calling the idea off. Not that he hadn't been tempted to several times, but how could he possibly get out of it gracefully? Especially after waiting this long? By now, it didn't matter too much; it would be pretty pointless to call it off now. Everyone would probably still appear on his doorstep at eight!

The song sounded reasonably good, even though it wasn't exactly polished to perfection. It sounded good, and that was the important part. It had looked for awhile as though it wouldn't have been ready in time, as it seemed like the three boys could never agree on practice times. But they had gotten enough time in, and they were ready to go.

It wasn't so much that Double-D was worried about getting caught, it was the moral part of the decision. His parents trusted him. Somewhat. Still remembering that the high security was his own fault, another thought that flooded Double-D's mind was how much the thought of going back on his promise not to have anyone over would come back to haunt him. His mother had been an angel, and all he could remember was her finest hour

Darkness. But the sun was shining. Darkness in daylight. Double-D sat alone under a big swaying willow, watching leaves float gently down around him. Middle school was nothing like elementary school, where he first met Ed and Eddy. They went to Peach Creek Middle School, just has he had wanted to. No, his parents insisted. He would go to get a Christian education at Holy Hallelujah. Peach Creek Estates was still just an architect's dream, so Jason was nowhere to be found. If he had been around for those three years, they would have been much more bearable. Just having someone there

As if. Double-D was beyond socially inept. Especially with kids here. There was no explaining it. They were intelligent, affluent, and somewhat sheltered; much like Double-D himself. Still, somehow, he could not be compared with them. The worst of it was the dress code. Instead of his usual comfortable choices, he was forced to dress up in a white dress shirt, long black pants, and massive black shoes, always polished to perfection. The mass of them left him to park them in his garage at the end of the day.

The worst of the dress code was the "no hats on school grounds" rule. It wouldn't have mattered if it was twenty below zero and the students wore hats to prevent the tips of their ears from being frostbitten by the stinging wind. Double-D always wore it until only moments before he reached the school so no one from the cul-de-sac would see him. It was bad enough for him to be in school that way. And the instant the school was out of sight, he pulled his hat out of his book bag and placed it carefully back on his head.

I had all come about preparing for middle school. When he was younger, Double-D's hair fell past his shoulders. It was almost too beautiful to seem real, especially on a boy. He loved it that way, and didn't want to cut it. But Holy Hallelujah had other ideas. Double-D remembered walking into the school the summer that preceded his first year there. An interview and entrance exam awaited him. He clung to his mother's hand as she led him there, assuring him that everything would be fine. Somehow, he knew something would not be right.

He proved to be remarkably intelligent, and was offered acceptance to the school that simply. But the interview let a problem creep in. Clinging tighter than before to his mother's hand, Double-D was escorted into the principal's office. The principal was smiling from behind a face lined with deep, sagging wrinkles. At least he was smiling at Double-D's mother. But the moment his eyes shifted to Double-D himself, a frown let the wrinkled skin sag lower, giving him a doglike appearance. The first words out of his mouth were, "And he did so well on that exam. Well, I knew there would be a catch."

Double-D's mother was less than thrilled, "Nice to meet you, too."

Apparently not used to being answered with sarcasm, the principal leaned forward, his hands laced together. "Mrs. Welshiemer, I'm assuming you are unfamiliar with our dress code. Boys must have hair cut above the ears."

Snorting, Double-'D's mother tossed her head. "That's ridiculous. You said yourself he did well on his exam."

"That alone won't work in my school. The Lord does not endorse men taking on the façade of a woman, and neither do I." He tried to act oblivious to Double-D's mother's building anger, but he knew perfectly well it was present.

"That is full of shit." Double-D squeezed his mother's hand tighter at her words. Hearing her speak like that made him fearful, and he was never sure why. She was defending him, after all. "He has every right to look this way. I've seen grown men who - -"

Raising thick graying eyebrows, the principal looked irritated. "That is irrelevant. I will not tolerate it in my school."

For a moment, Double-D's mother wondered if she was beaten. Unwilling to quit, she pushed it further. "Do you simply resent him because you have no hair of your own?" She snapped, eyeing the principal's wrinkled bald head.

The bald head became increasingly redder, and for such a tired looking old man, his eyes were fiery. It was obvious he wanted to lash out, as he had had enough. But there was nothing he could do. "He is a bright boy. Very bright. All I ask is that you cut his hair before the beginning of the semester."

By the first day, Double-D had forgotten all about the incident. He pranced proudly up to the door, his glistening ebony hair flying out behind him. When he reached the door, he stopped and struggled to pry it open. A teacher noticed this small child fighting with the heavy glass door, so she rushed to the rescue. "Here, let me help you with" she stopped, noticing the boy's uniform on this delicate figure. Double-D was clearly a boy, however, with his ten year old face maturing into that of a man. The teacher took him by the hand, leading him to the principal's office, which brought the summer memory back to his mind.

The moment the principal laid eyes on him, he heaved a gusty sigh, obviously remembering the incident as well. After reaching into his desk for something, which he placed in his pocket, he and the teacher took Double-D outside, sitting him on a bench near the edge of the school grounds, shaded by pines. The principal reached into his pocket, pulling out a pair of scissors. Double-D's eyes widened, and his body shook, fearfully. Quickly and easily, the principal cut Double-D's long, flowing hair right down to the skin, leaving only tiny black hairs across Double-D's head. The principal and teacher turned from him abruptly, leaving from where they had come so unemotionally. They had no idea what they had really done to him.

Double-D knew perfectly well that there was no reason to be so upset over this, but he loved having the lovely ebony mane he always had. It was as much a part of him as his eyes, nose, and mouth. He jumped down from the bench, picking up a lock of his severed hair and caressed it gently with his fingertips. Only moments ago, it had been whipping around in the wind behind him as he ran, but now it was just gone. Feeling hot tears come to his eyes, Double-D turned and went into school himself, just in time for the bell to sound.

He walked home cautiously, trying to prevent anyone he knew from seeing him. He burst through the front door of his house in tears, crashing into a chair and burying his face in his hands. Although his mother could tell his first day at Holy Hallelujah had not been good, she didn't understand the full extent of it until she laid eyes on him. Squeezing his shoulder gently, she bent down and hugged him, not asking about a thing. Right then, the two drove off to a nearby thrift store, and Double-D came upon a white striped black guardian and every moment he spent outside of school, he never parted with his hat.

For whatever reason, the haircut had become common knowledge among the students, and Double-D was constantly reminded of what it had done to him. His academic ability did him far more harm than good in this world. Nor did his sensitivity and compassion. These qualities were wasted on these children who didn't see anything positive about them, and every lunch and recess were spent alone, all alone, and listening to chants of "Fag-Ed! Fag-Ed!" The demonic voices still echo in his ears

Coming back to reality so quickly left Double-D wondering how his mind had gotten so far off track. But that day was vary fresh in his mind, even though that was nearly five years ago. Stroking his long black hair, he remembered how he had wept over it when it was gone. That was what drove him so strongly to keep it there. The hat remained, though, as he had just become so used to it, he didn't feel like himself without it.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he was almost satisfied with what he saw. Removing his hat, he watched as his fine black hair poured down like a liquid, long and straight. With a smile, he placed his hat back on his head and dropped into bed. Turning off the light, he drifted off into sleep easily. He needed all the sleep he could get. By the time the party was on, he would need all the energy within him to have some control. And he was sure he would need all he could muster.