Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy, nor do I own the band Mystic Spiral. The other characters are my creations though.

Chapter 2

As the Summer passed, the final party was planned. Double-D got permission to use the house while his parents were away on business and Eddy organised a band. Word spread about Peach Creek quickly, and it was pleasing to hear that the event had stirred much interest. Ed and Eddy invited their friends form Apricot Falls and many of them would be in attendance also. Eddy's brother had even agreed to provide beer, lots of it. Many tiring days were spent organising the party, but it was coming together nicely.

When they weren't busy with their own party, they were usually attending others. Numerous times had Ed or Eddy embarrassed Edd to no end. Double-D wasn't really a party guy. He was much more shy and reserved than his two best friends, rarely speaking to anyone he didn't know well. He was still very shy around girls as well, which was frustrating for him. He believed that he should have grown out of it by his age, but he hadn't. Even Ed, who wasn't the best (or most hygienic) socialite it has to be said, had more luck with the ladies. On the other hand, Eddy had the opposite problem; he was often too outgoing. Usually he got along ok, but occasionally he would make an arse of himself. This only made Edd more introvert. Ed was somewhere in between. He could have a good time but didn't go overboard. Not too frequently anyway…

'…and then the oozing pus mutant ate the astronauts face, while blood gushed from the decapitated corpse next to it…'

Ed was talking to several of Eddy's AFC friends, while Eddy just stood there is total dismay. He cringed as his friend went into the most minute details of It Came from Planet Acne, noticing several people turn pale. He thought Ed had learnt not to go on like this during the last party they had attended; two people threw up and he got slapped by one of the guy's girlfriend. He had to get Ed away from these people.

'Hey Ed,' he grabbed his friends shoulders and started pushing him away, 'why don't you go find Double-D? I'm sure he's here by now.'

'Nah, Double-D's not coming tonight Eddy. He said he's got plans.' This was news to Eddy, but he still needed to get rid of Ed.

'Isn't Martin around?'

'Nope, he's on holiday, the lucky rascal.'

'Uh, um…' Eddy was desperate to come up with a way of making Ed leave. '…oh! Ed! Guess what?'

'What Eddy?'

'I think the host is giving away, um… free… uh… free comics! Yeah, that's right, he's getting' rid of his old comics from when he was a kid!'

'FREE COMICS! Where Eddy?'

'I think he was outside by the pool. Hurry Ed!'

Before Eddy had finished, Ed was already gone. Eddy turned to his friends. 'The kid's wacko, what can I tell ya?'

'Dude, does this place, even like, have a pool?' one of the kids asked.

'Beats me.'

Eddy drove home in his old Ford Escort, a gift from his parents for graduating. He had only passed the test the previous week, having failed (unjustly in his mind) twice before. It had been a fun night. He'd made everyone laugh with stories of his youth (mainly the ones where Ed or Double-D got into trouble), impressed some girls who had recently graduated from Peach Creek High (and got their numbers) and Ed nearly caused the neighbours to call the cops by lurking in their yard by the pool ('ya just gotta love him,' thought Eddy). He had also convinced a few more people to attend the final party.

As he passed the cemetery, he noticed a familiar figure walk through the gates and pulled over.

'Hey Double-D, need a ride?'

Double-D thanked him and got into the car. Eddy noticed the tearstains down his friends cheeks and also that he was shivering.

'Nippy out, huh?' he commented. Double-D just nodded. 'I take it you've been visiting Amanda's grave?'

'Yeah.'

'You should have said you were going Double-D, me and Ed would have come along.'

Double-D looked out of the window. 'That's ok Eddy, I don't expect you to come along. She was my friend after all.'

Amanda had been the only girl Edd felt partially comfortable around. They had met during their junior year at Peach Creek High. She was quite reclusive, but for some reason could talk to Double-D, tell him what was on her mind and how she felt. In turn, he'd confide in her as well. And despite her being quite attractive, he didn't find himself tongue-tied. It wasn't love or anything, just a close friendship, although Eddy had bugged Double-D to ask her out. Then during their senior year, she had shot herself in the head. It seemed she wasn't as open with Double-D as he'd thought.

The Escort pulled up out side Double-D's house. It had just struck midnight, but no one would be waiting for Double-D, worrying about why he was out so late; his parents had gone on a business trip that weekend. Outside, it was a clear night, the moon beaming down on the cul-de-sac. Edd stepped out of the car.

'Thanks Eddy, I'll see you tomorrow.' he said appreciatively.

'Sure Double-D, any time.' As Double-D entered his house, Eddy drove on and parked just outside his own. He closed he car door quietly and snuck into his house, so as not to disturb his parents or Randy. Proceeding to bed, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Weeks past and the Summer was drawing to a close. Next week, the Eds would be back at college and the many parties and days spent just chilling would be a sweet memory. Even Double-D seemed slightly disheartened that the fun and frolics were soon to end. Only slightly mind you.

However, there was one last thing to enjoy before resuming with their education. After much planning, the big party in Ed's honour was finally here. When Eddy arose, he couldn't believe the big day had come at last. He couldn't think of a better way to end the Summer and see Ed off from Peach Creek than a big party. He checked his clock, it was 8 am. Much was to be done. The drink and refreshments had to be taken to Double-D's house, furniture stored away, and the band would need to set up. It was going to be a busy day.

Eddy's brother had supplied a great deal of the alcohol and food which was presently stored in Eddy's closet. First thing on Edd and Eddy's to-do-list, was to get it from the closet to the party. It seemed wrong to wake Ed and get him to help set up when the party was for him, so the duo had to do it themselves with a little help from Randy. Fortunately, the weather was fine, so they didn't have to struggle against the wind or rain. It took several hours to get everything over to Double-D's house, and it had turned one pm by the time they were through. As they sat on the kerb and rested, Ed came out to join them.

'Hiya guys!' he beamed.

After a brief break talking with their friend, they got back to work. They now had to pack away the furniture and ornaments in Double-D's house, so they were safe. The job wasn't made easier by Double-D's insistence that they catalogue everything, so it was well organised. The preparations slowed down to a near halt, greatly annoying Eddy who wanted to just pack everything and bung it in the garage or somewhere like that.

While Double-D carefully indexed everything's exact location, the band turned up. Eddy left his pal in order to show them where to set up. Luckily, the lounge was one of the few rooms which had been cleared away, so they didn't have to wait for anything to be moved.

It was 6 pm when Double-D and Eddy finish packing away the furniture and the first guests showed up; Ed, Randy and Rolf. Rolf had graduated Peach Creek High the year before the Eds. His time was now split between helping out on the family farm and his job as a builder. He worked very close to home, working on a new cul-de-sac next to the Ed's and in front of the trailer park. When they were younger, the Eds and the rest of the cul-de-sac kids had shared many adventures on the construction site. But recently, the local authorities had decided to get building back under way, so the site was no longer abandoned. Other than his new career, Rolf had changed little since his childhood years, apart from the beard, which he only grew because he didn't have time to shave.

'Hello Ed-boys, good day for it, no?' Rolf said in his usual foreign accent. 'Is everything ready? Cus Rolf wants to PARTY!' Rolf's outburst made Edd jump.

'Oh, hi Ralph.' he said meekly as he calmed down.

'What's happening stretch?' Eddy asked, throwing his arm over Ralph's shoulder.

'Hello thinks-much-of-himself-Ed-boy! Point me to your music box, as Rolf wishes to shake his booty to the ground!'

'CD player's over there Rolf. Enjoy the party.'

Rolf scrambled off to put on some tunes while Double-D chatted with Ed and Ralph and Eddy greeted more guests.

Within an hour the house was full of laughing, dancing and drinking. Most of the guests had turned up already and the music was blaring full volume. People were boogieing in the lounge while drinking games took place in the kitchen and just hanging out in the hallway. Ed was drinking with some people from his art class, while Edd talked to his PCU chums. Eddy thought it was a good time to introduce the band. He turned the CD player off and ran over to the microphone.

'Ladies and gentlemen, presenting your evening's entertainment, all the way from Lawndale especially for you, Mystic Spiral!'

After a brief 'hi' to the audience who had congregated to the centre of the room, the band started playing. Double-D couldn't believe what he was hearing. The lyrics were terrible and the music not much better. Although Edd wasn't into this kind of music, he tried to be tolerant towards other's tastes in music. This deafening racket, however, was pushing his tolerance to the limit. He looked over to Ed, who appeared to be enjoying himself. He was throwing himself around the dance floor, jumping up and down. Eddy came from behind Double-D, holding a Lumpy Lout Lager.

'Hey Double-D!' he startled Edd.

'Eddy!' Double-D moaned. 'You know how much I hate that.'

'Whatever Sock-head, get over it.' Eddy took a sip from his can. 'Ed seems to be having a good time, huh?'

'Indeed he is Eddy. I believe he is, as the more trendy partygoers would say, "moshing".'

'Where are your PCU buddies?'

'Oh, they're dancing.' Eddy tok another sip before replying.

'Why aren't you with them? They are your friends after all.'

'I don't care much for dancing Eddy, you know that. Not since THAT incident.'

'Oh yeah,' Eddy laughed, 'good times huh? Say, why don't you come meet some of my friends. They're cool, you'll like them.'

'Not if Melvin is here Eddy, he's a jerk. Pardon my bluntness.' Double-D remembered when he had last met Melvin. It was like being back in high school, he just kept on at Double-D for 'being a nerd' or 'a pussy.' It had made Edd long for the days when Kevin was his tormentor, Melvin had really dug into him.

'Nah, Hank and Melv can't make it tonight, they got their own party.'

'It's "they have their own party" Eddy. And ok, I will meet your friends.'

Eddy led his lifelong chum through the writhing crowd of the lounge to the more laid back atmosphere of the kitchen. People were stood around drinking and chatting. Several had started up a game of cards. In one of the corners stood two pretty girls. They were talking animatedly and burst out laughing every few sentences. The girl on the left was quite petite, with shoulder length blonde hair, large pouting lips and clear blue eyes. The other was taller, with red hair and a faint collection of freckles on her cheeks and nose. Both, in Edd's mind, were wearing way too skimpy attire for their age. They looked over at Eddy and smiled. Double-D didn't like the way this was going…

'Double-D, I want you to meet Kristi and Amber. Girls, this is Double-D, he's studying Medicine at PCU.'

'Wow,' Kristi said in a sultry tone, 'Doctor Double-D. That's got a nice ring to it.'

'I just love a doctor.' added Amber in a similar tone.

Edd was tongue-tied. What was he going to say? How could he respond to their overwhelming statements? Should he play along? No, he didn't have the confidence and would feel too much of an idiot. Oh dear, he wasn't replying, there was an awkwardly long pause. Some of the humour from the two girls faces was disappearing. He had to respond fast.

'Yes, well, um… what are you two lovely ladies studying?' Double-D said, congratulating himself in his head for keeping the conversation alive. Then he noticed the two girl's expression. Kristi appeared to be thinking 'oh god, he's a dork,' while Amber looked more sympathetic. He was making the usual fool of himself.

'We both do Business class with Eddy. He's told us all about you.' answered Kristi.

'Really?' asked Double-D. He was smiling, but his looked pained.

'Yeah, stuff like the dancing incident.' Amber expanded. A thousand curses sprang into Edd's mind, all directed towards Eddy.

'Oh that, that was… that was nothing really, no, just a little mishap during my high school years, nothing serious.' Double-D stumbled. With that Kristi lent over to Eddy, who had been wearing a very big grin during that conversation, and whispered something into his ear. His grin broadened and he put his arm around her waist.

'We'll leave you guys to it, we have to go "socialise."' Eddy winked.

'Don't you leave me here!' Double-D whispered frantically to Eddy, who just smiled at him before walking off. Double-D turned back to Amber and smiled nervously.

'So, um, what else has Eddy said about me? Aside from all the embarrassing stories?'

'He told us what a kind, generous, brave, intelligent person you are.'

'Really?' Double-D blushed. 'That doesn't sound like Eddy.' The pair laughed. The laughter was followed by another silence. Amber stared into Double-D's eyes. Double-D himself started to sweat profusely. 'What, is there something wrong with my appearance? Is there something on my face?'

'You know something Edd? You-'

'Call me Double-D.'

'Ok, you know something Double-D? You're quite cute.'

Eddy reappeared some hours later, looking more smug than anyone had ever seen him. Which was alarming to say the least, as he was usually very smug anyway. He passed through the kitchen and headed to the band, who were just finishing their song Every Dog has its Day. As he did so, he noticed Edd talking with Amber still, actually enjoying himself. Edd would day something, then Amber would giggle uncontrollably. This only served to make Eddy even more smug, immeasurably smug. As Mystic Spiral finished their song, Eddy reached their lead singer and muttered something the crowd couldn't hear. The singer nodded and Eddy ran off while the band thanked the audience. When Eddy returned, they had become part of the crowd. In his hands Eddy was holding a long, rectangular box.

'Ladies and germs,' he shouted into the microphone, 'most of you know why we're here-'

'Sex and booze!' came a voice from the mass. It was met with instant hollers of delight.

'Yes, yes. But on top of that,' Eddy continued, 'we are here to see off our dear friend Ed, who is leaving Peach Creek to live in Apricot Falls.' There was a cheer from the attendees who were from Apricot Falls. Only Double-D seemed to notice the hint of sadness in Eddy's voice.

'Ed come on up here.' Eddy ordered. Ed did as he was told, with his usual vacant smile. 'Ed, I have been one of your best friends for pretty much all our lives. I know what I'm saying when I say, you are the most funny, creative, gentle guys around. You're a class character, who'd put his neck on the line for his mates, who'd go that extra mile to help someone. That's why we all chipped in to get ya something.' he picked up the box. 'You're going to a new crib, so we thought we'd get ya something to decorate your room with. Here ya go big guy, this is from me, Double-D, and everyone here.' he handed the box to Ed. Ed's eyes were watering. He was very emotional at times, so this thoughtfulness was making him crack up. He tore at the tape holding the top shut. After several agonising moments, he got it undone and pulled out the contents.

'WOW!' Ed bellowed. 'THE SUPER RADIO-DEATOMISER DEATH SHIP DELUXE MODEL!' The gift was a very large, well-detailed model of the ship from the film Supreme Overlords of the Torture System (complete with lights and sounds). Ed had wanted it for Christmas, but it was extortionately priced, so he hadn't got it. Still holding on to his new prized possession, Ed hugged Eddy, then called over Double-D who received the same treatment. He was overcome with emotion and tears flowed down his cheeks. They were tears of both joy and sadness. 'I'll sure miss you guys.' he said.

'We'll miss you to Ed.' Double-D replied. 'You've-'

'Come on, this isn't the end.' Eddy interrupted. 'Nothing will stop our friendship. We've always been there for each other, and we always will be. I'm sure we'll see each other plenty.'

With that, the three Eds left the makeshift stage to let the band resume playing.

A/N: There's the second chapter. It's been a while since I last posted, but I've had exams so I haven't had time to write. I'm off school now, so there should be more frequent posts. Anyway, please review while I write the third chapter.