August 12, 2002

It was a beautiful and lively night. The moon a slight cresant, bright against the midnight blue sky. At 8:00, the Cul-de-sack of Peach Creek was usually empty and peaceful, but not tonight. For tonight was a night of celebration.

The baby blue two-story house at the edge of the cul-de-sack was extremely lively. Lights shone brightly in the backyard, "Baby Boy" by Beyonce and Sean Paul, blaring loudly.

A young boy slowly emerged from the back door. When he saw the party outside he smiled, reveling a small gap between his front teeth.

"Eddward's back!" Edd's little cousin Tawny shouted.

"Cake and presents!" His friend Ed shouted after.

Edd smiled, even though he despised being called Eddward. He walked over to the table where every one had begun to gather around. His mother, Lyra placed a nicely made chocolate cake in front of him. It said, in blue transparent frosting, "Happy Birthday Eddward" He also noticed that in the far left corner in red frosting, it said "My Angel"

My Angel? Edd thought, Why'd she have to write that?

Edd could feel himself grow a little tense, he felt uneasy. Edd always felt that way when his mother called him angel in public. It was actually his middle name, believe it or not, Eddward Angel Vincent. And it would have been his first name if it weren't for his father.

"Oh Eddward." Edd's mother whispered in his ear, he turned and smiled slightly at her. He knew what she meant, chill, it was just a little joke anyways. Edd knew that, but he couldn't help it. He didn't want people to know, not after what happened the last time.

Edd looked up as his mom finished lighting all twelve colorful candles. He stared, almost hypnotically at the flickering flames as his family sung "Happy Birthday". When finished, Edd made a small wish for fun and blew out the candles. And as soon as the flames were extinguished, everyone went along pestering Edd on which present to open first.

"Oh, Ed, Eddy," Edd's mom, Lyra told his two friends," can you two go get the candy? I left it in the house somewhere."

"Sure." Eddy agreed.

"O.K." Replied Ed.

"Oh, you two are so sweet." She cooed, causing Eddy to slightly blush.

"C'mon Ed," Eddy replied pulling Ed into the house.

Edd beamed as he began to open the first present. It consisted of some ugly clothes, boring books, and a card…

Chapter 1: Family Drama



Edd sat cross-legged, and barefoot on his bed. He was flipping through a small medium sized book. It was a photo album, containing the few pictures he owned. Most of the pictures were of him and his friends, Ed and Eddy. Eddy's mom had become obsessed with photographing the three as they grew. Edd loved these pictures. There was one when they were seven and they'd tried to skateboard. Ed, Edd, and Eddy fell off a small hill, and were crying. Well all except Ed who was laughing like it was the funniest thing on Earth to be covered in cuts and bruises. Eddy was sucking his right index finger, tears streaming down his face. And little Edd was clutching his left knee, which he had scraped and was yelling at the top of his lungs. Edd smiled, he knew they shouldn't have tried that hill.

He thumbed to another picture of when they were nine and Sarah, seven. In the picture Sarah was sitting on the floor, wearing a pink frilly dress. Her red hair was down reaching her waist, and on the top of her head was a big red bow. Sarah was smiling, giggling. The three Eds bending down kissing her on her cheeks and in Ed's case the left side of her forehead. Edd himself was kissing her right cheek, his eyes closed. Eddy's eyes were half closed as he leaned down to kiss her left cheek.

All three were in normal clothes. Ed had on a white shirt, blue shorts, and blue shoes. His red hair was combed out, the bangs hanging in his face. Edd had on black pants, a gray shirt, and you couldn't see his shoes because his pants were too big for him and they covered his feet. Most of his shoulder length raven hair was hanging against his neck with a little around his face, but the top was covered by a black backwards cap. Eddy had on a light blue shirt, and navy blue jeans. He wore blue shoes, and there was a band aid across his arm. He still had only his three black hairs, but they were longer and neatly combed back.

This was Edd's favorite picture, even though in it he was kissing Sarah. On the other hand, Eddy hated it saying how he didn't know what he was thinking. Edd kind of thought Ed imbalanced the picture, standing over Eddy to kiss Sarah's forehead, but he still thought it was cute.

He continued to flip through the pages aimlessly. But then he stopped at another photograph. I t was of his mother and him. She was holding him on her shoulders, they both so happy. He was only three in the picture ,but already he looked so much like his mom. The only differences were , she had long brown hair, perfect teeth and she was a girl. Edd gently touched the picture, feeling deeply saddened, " I miss you mother."

Edd closed the album, and sat with it hugged close to his chest. After a few minutes of reminiscence, Edd went downstairs to statrt his daily chores. It seemed as though his dad was gone, witch was a good thing , since he was unusually upset lately. And that meant more sticky notes. Edd sighed, it was going to be a long day.

I guess I'll have to go on my own, Edd thought as he washed the last dish. "Finally I'm done!" He sighed out loud, placing the last dish to dry. Drying his hands, Edd was just about to go back to his room and plan, when the doorbell rang. Edd sighed, obviously it was Eddy.

"Hello." He said when he saw Eddy at the door.

"Well you don't look too happy to see me today." Eddy replied, angrily.

"Sorry Eddy, it's just I'm not in the greatest of spirits at the moment."

"Well you'll feel better after this," Eddy began, not really noticing his friend was really down today, " I've got the greatest idea for a scam! It's my best yet, kids'll be linin' up for miles. C'mon let's go get Ed, And I'll tell you all about it."

The two walked across the Cul-de-Sac over to their dull friend's house. Edd was only half listening to Eddy as he chatted endlessly about his "greatest scam". He was talking about jawbreakers, money, and plans or something, Edd wouldn't have known.

"So we're gonna need some-Double D? Double D are you listening to me?" Edd broke from his trance, "Huh? Oh sorry, what did you say?"

Annoyance crossed Eddy's features, knocking on Ed's door. Edd found himself staring off again. But his thought were interrupted by Ed calling out a long hello.

"Oh, hi Ed." He replied trying to cover up for his temporary trance. Eddy frowned at him, but Edd pretended not to notice.

"Well now that double D is back on Earth, " Eddy began as they walked to Ed's basement, "I can tell you about my new scam."

"Double D left to the planet Nuron-"

"Shut up Ed!"

Edd glared at Eddy. It wasn't fair that he kept on picking on him like that. But alas, Eddy had not the faintest clue of what was going on in Edd's head. The strange nagging thought was almost enough to cause him lose sanity.

As the Eds reached their destination, Edd could feel himself leave reality again. But Eddy was watching him so closely now he could feel it, so he sat atop Ed's blue sofa chair, quickly snapping out of it.

"now you better listen this time Double D," Eddy looked right at Edd who slightly narrowed his eyes, "I've got a great idea for a scam. We should sell candy! I've gotta secret stash back home. How 'bout you two?" He asked, never truly letting his gaze wander from Edd's face.

Ed and Edd both shook their heads, but Eddy only saw Edd because he was looking strait at him, right into his eyes. "Huh Ed?"

"I said no Eddy."

" O.K. Let's go to my house."

They went over to Eddy's, grabbed some candy, and were out selling them within seconds. Eddy had stopped watching Edd, in fact he had stopped paying attention to him all together. So Edd watched his friends from the steps of Eddy's house, sell candy after candy, after candy. He held his head in his hands, obviously uninterested.

"Do you have any jelly beans?" Asked Jimmy.

"Sure do." Eddy relied cheerfully, taking out a jar full of colored beans, "that'll be fifty cents for the whole jar."

Jimmy placed to quarters unhesitant, into the jar of coins and took the jar of candy before walking away. Eddy grinned, this was one of his greatest ideas.

"Hey Eddy." A familiar cheery voice called out.

"Yes, Jonny-boy?" Eddy answered.

"Plank wants to know if you have any jawbreakers?" Eddy's smile fell, "Uhh, well no, but wouldn't you like a nice bag of M&M's better anyways?" Jonny thought about it for a few seconds, "O.K.!" a smile spread upon his face.

"That'll be twenty-five cents."

Jonny placed his payment into the jar, and Eddy handed him a bag of M&M's.

Business went on for an hour or so just perfectly in till Nazz came along.

"Man Ed I think I'm gonna need a new jar. This is defiantly my best scam! G o get more candy Ed." Eddy ordered, a little too excited.

"Okie dokie, artichokie!" Ed replied stupidly and ran into Eddy's house.

"Hey Eddy , what are you doing?' Nazz asked as she came up the driveway, towards the small stand.

"Umm we're uh, "Eddy stuttered, starting to sweat at Nazz's presence, selling candy?" He made it sound like a question.

"Cool dude. So you got anything good?"

"Good? Sure we uh, have lots of umm good… candy." Eddy tried to smile, but it was hard.

Nazz giggled, "You're so funny," But than she was looking past Eddy, "hey, what's wrong with Double D?"

Eddy looked behind him to a sad Edd, sitting and staring out at nothing.

"Double D's doing it again." ed semi-whispered, coming from the back of Eddy's house.

Eddy's cheeks burned with anger. He was so sick of Edd's frequent trips into his mind! There was something he wasn't telling him. So Eddy walked up to the still entranced Edd and shouted, "Double D!"

"Huh? What?" Edd replied, coming back to reality.

"What's wrong with you?!"

"Nothing." Edd said quickly, rising from his position.

"Nothing? Nothing I'll show you nothing! All day, every day, for the past … month, you've been zoning out like this, why?" Eddy shouted, wanting some answers," Man what's been up with you lately? It's like you've been put under a spell or something. You never talk, you're never 'in that great a mood'. Whenever I try to talk to you, you always end up staring off into space. Why are you doing this? I'm so sick of it! What's wrong?!"

Edd shook his head, "I can't discuss that topic with you."

"Why not?!"

"I just can't okay?!" Ed shouted impatiently," I apologize, but you just wouldn't understand."

" Of course I'll understand! Why wouldn't I Double D? I'm your friend, you're supposed to tell me these things!"

"Well Eddy, a friend wouldn't try and force it out of me now would they?"

"Uh, arrrrrggh! Double D I'm just trying to help you!"

"N o you're not. It's just nobody understands me, not even my own father."

"Well what about your mom?' Eddy said sarcastically.

"My Mom?" Edd asked quietly," she-she, well…" Edd let his words trail off as he ran, pushing through the small crowd that grew in speculation of the argument.

"Double D wait!" Eddy shouted from behind.

Edd kept running and running, tears streaming down his face. He ran strait to his house, not stopping till he reached his room. Edd shut the door and sank to the floor. He sat there back to the door, and cried. Cried and cried in till he could no longer.

Edd sat fiddling with a piece of paper, folding it into different shapes. A bird. A fish. A dog. A heart. A snake. A fish. Soon Edd grew tired of this origami. He placed the paper in his pocket and glanced at the clock. 6:04."Two Hours" He mumbled, getting up.

His muscles ached from sitting so long, but Edd managed to successfully get on his feet. He walked painfully to his bed and searched underneath the pillow. Then he found what he was looking for, a small black book with a blank cover. But than he returned it to its place, and walked to the window.

Edd stared outside. The sun was starting to set and the kids were still outside. Sarah, Jimmy, and Nazz were jump roping in the middle of the Cul-de-Sack, Rolf and Kevin heading towards the lane with a football. Edd searched for Ed and Eddy, then he spotted them, sitting on Eddy's lawn, talking. Probably about me, Edd thought glumly. He tried to make out what they were saying, but it wasn't long before he became bored with it like he had the paper.

Edd sighed and went to do what he had intended to in the first place. He picked up the small book, opened it up to a blank page, and began to write:

July 6, 2003

Dear Someone,

Today was horrible. Yesterday was horrible. Tomorrow will be … horrible. Its so monotonous.

Eddy's infuriated. Ed's worried. Father doesn't notice. And the other Cul-de-Sack kids probably don't even care. When will I ever be taken the way I want to, seriously? Most likely never.

-Edd

Edd closed the journal and replaced it underneath his pillow. He sighed, there was nothing more for him to do except maybe eat dinner.

Edd absentmindedly walked downstairs and into the kitchen. He placed frozen pizza in the microwave, not wanting to cook. While he waited, Edd rummaged through the refrigerator for something to dink or at least snack on while he awaited his pizza.

"Hmmm…soda," Edd mumbled, looking at the deep blue can in his hand. He wasn't aloud to drink it. He always became unusually hyper when he had a certain amount of sugar or caffeine, and his parents never wanted to risk another sugar-hi from their son, "I have no parent, maybe I should have some fun." He almost whispered. But than decided not to, its not like it was his parents fault they had long work hours, or was it? Instead Edd took some water. I wish I had real parents, Edd thought, sipping his water, They're never around anymore. They work too much, especially father. Neither even talk to me, but yet I still love them, how I don't know.

Beep! Beep!

Edd's thoughts were interrupted by the beeping of the microwave, signaling his meal finished. He took the pizza and sat down at the empty dinner table. Edd didn't really feel hungry, but he took a slice anyway. He took a small bite and stared sadly at the empty chairs in front of him. When exactly was the last time they had ever been occupied? Last Monday when I tried sitting in all the chairs, to see if either felt right, Edd thought blandly. And neither did, only his own.

Father shan't be home till about eleven. I can pack up and go to bed before he returns home. That way I'll be ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning , because a kid walking around alone in the morning will surely attract less attention than one in the middle of the night.

Edd sighed heavily, I wish mother were here. She was the one who really cared about me. She would stay home on the weekends sometimes, unlike father. She even talked to me on some occasions, but alas mother still was like father. I only wish they'd pay me a little more mind. Wish we could actually have a conversation, or actually do something together for once. We never do anything together. Ever.

Edd took another slice of pizza, slowly sinking his teeth into the greasy yet delicious cheese. He thought wildly about his thought. He did recall a time, a time before he lived in Peach Creek. Before he ever met Ed and Eddy. Before his parents got those new jobs, when he was only five.

(Flashback)

"Mommy, Daddy can we go to the pawk?" A young Edd asked softly, rocking slowly on his toes, hands behind his back.

His mother smiled. She was so proud of her little son, "Of course we can Eddward."

"But not in till you finish your food." Edd's father replied forcefully.

"Awwwww." Edd replyed setting himself back in his chair, head hung. He hated it when his dad did that, just the same way he hated the string bean casserole his mom always made. Nevertheless he tried his best to eat it. "Is this enough?" The small boy asked hopefully showing his mom the plate of half eaten food.

"Ok Eddward." Was the response.

"No I said all of it." His dad said again.

Edd looked up at his mom with the most saddest, innocent eyes.

"Oh Francisco, can't we just let it go this time?"

"No he needs to learn to finish his food. The last thing I need in this house is a spoiled brat."

"Francisco."

"Lyra"

"Francisco." She repeated one final time, giving her husband "the look".

"Oh all right." He said giving up, "I swear you're going to fr- spoil that that kid.'

"Yeah!" Edd ran around the kitchen table, excitedly shouting for his parents to hurry up.

(End flashback)

They used to care about me. Edd thought. They had used to but now, he just didn't know. He couldn't understand how they could have gone from caring and loving him and his mother practically obsessing over him, to them acting like he wasn't there. The young teen continued o ponder the question in till he looked up at the clock. 8:00. The green luminescent numbers glared back at him at such a degree he had to look down. It was getting late and he needed to pack.

Edd walked upstairs to the quiet boxed space he called his room. His gaze scanned the room, but he himself didn't set a foot inside.

They don't even come in here. They just don't care anymore, they used too. " In till they got their jobs." The words departed his lips unexpectedly in a small whisper. All of a sudden realization struck him, hard. "Wait," He said slowly, "It was my fault. I told them to go get those jobs." Edd was shocked, it was he who caused all the misery and pain he felt. Tears welled up in his eyes. It was all his fault. He broke down and cried, cried so hard.

He could remember nights when he'd cry like this. Cry and cry for what seemed like eternities. When he would be scared his parents had abandon them. When he'd been scared at night, but wasn't able to seek comfort from his parents, being banished from their room. When his parents stopped talking to him, when they were no longer truly something in his life.

"How can I have been so stupid?! So stupid! Stupid! Stupid!." he pounded the floor in hopes to relieve his frustration, but it was to no avail, "my parents don't care and it's all my fault!"

He continued his tears, thinking, dragging himself across the room to his bed. He laid his head on the soft, yellow blanket, letting his tears create small dark circles upon it.

"Why must I be so ignorant?" Edd groaned feeling helpless. The young one continued on in till he successfully resulted in crying himself to sleep. Lying there in that awkward position, slowly being chilled by the silent winds blowing in from his window, slightly ajar.

.