Huzzah! Finally got round to updating! Sorry it has been so long, school and workhas taken up most of my time. But now it's half term, so I hope to get another chapter up this week.
I'd like to take this time to do what other writers do and answer my reviewers:

Belgie: Thanks for your continued support of the series, it means a lot. Keep up Edtallica II. As for the mysterious stranger, his role in the story becomes apparent much later on...
FanofDa'EdBoyz: Thanks for your support also, it's good to know I have some fans. And please e-mail me that picture you drew, I'd love to see it!
AmarieC: Thank you, it is good to know that my story is considered one of the better ones. Sorry if it seems I'm not going anywhere, it is all going to lead somewhere, just not obviously.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Eds or any other characters from the show, but all other characters are mine (the Sarah in this is not from the show).

Chapter 9

Eddy took care to try and avoid Melvin wherever possible. He avoided his roommates usual haunts, turned down several invitations to the cinema and various concerts, and even stopped talking to him in class. In fact, he only turned up at his dorm later in the night, when it was likel Melvin was asleep Eddy didn't know what, but the thought of his friend being gay made him feel very uncomfortable. Not that he was homophobic, he just didn't like the idea of someone so close that he lived withed them being… that way.

Obviously, Eddy's attitude confused Melvin somewhat, as it had come on so sudden. One day him and Eddy had been joking around, having a laugh. The next Eddy had become very evasive. Hank was amused by the whole ordeal. He'd heard what Eddy had said at the cinema, and put the two together. He also knew that Eddy couldn't avoid the issue forever. After all, it was his birthday in a couple of weeks, and both Melv and Eddy were invited…

Eddy sat at the Chemistry bar, his stomach in a knot, sweating a little, waiting for the rest of the group to turn up. He had been dreading this day since he'd had the conversation with Ed and put two and two together. As he sat fidgeting, holding his glass of Lumpy Lout in both hands, Kristi sipped her drink through a straw. Occasionally her glance darted sideways to her unresponsive boyfriend. He had been quiet all night, a trait most unusual for Eddy, and it was annoying her, as she loved the attention he usually heaped upon her. Finally, she had had enough.

'Eddy,' she said putting her now empty bottle on the bar top, 'what's the matter? You ain't your usual self this evening.' Eddy looked at her before turning his attention back to his own bottle.

'Oh, I'm fine, just tired, that's all. What with school and all.' Eddy chortled weakly at the end of that sentence.

'Oh shut up Eddy, you don't usually get tired from school, you don't do enough work for that.' Kristi teased. Eddy's ego got in the way of him seeing the humour.

'Hey! I'm the only one in that class who does any decent work!' he snapped. Kristi punched him gently in the arm and shook her head.

'I was joking Eddy, jeez!' She pushed her empty bottle away from her. 'When are the others getting here?' she asked impatiently, making Eddy consult his watch.

'They should be here in a few minutes.' He took another sip and there was a silence. It was Eddy who broke it. 'I'm sorry I snapped just then, I've just got a lot on my mind.'

'Aw, poor baby,' Kristi comforted, rubbing his back, 'anything I can help with?'

'Nah, it's just…,' Eddy thought of what to say, '… man troubles.'

'Oh really? What sort of man troubles?' Kristi withdrew her hand, a tone of mockery entering her voice. 'Got problems downstairs?'

'That's not what I meant! I-'

'Can't get it up?' she giggled.

'Oh for the love of God…' Eddy was relieved to see the rest of the group enter before his girlfriend could pursue the implications of the rather unfortunate innuendo.

'Hey ya'll!' Hank exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. Behind him was a large group of friends (including Amber). At first Eddy was pleased to not see Melvin, but was disappointed when his roommate entered behind the rest of the group, his usual naughty grin on his face.

'Happy b'day Hank!' Kristi yelled, running up and kissing him on the cheek and handing him her card. Eddy got off his stool.

'Hiya Hank,' Eddy greeted presenting his own card, 'happy birthday.'

'Thanks Eddy and Kristi, that's real thoughtful, now lets get down to business; to the dancefloor!' Hank hollered. The group ordered drinks and moved to the dancing area. Eddy was just collecting his drink, when he heard a familiar voice.

'Hi Eddy.' Melvin said. Eddy's heart raced as he turned to face his roommate.

'Oh, hey Melv.' he finally managed weakly. 'How are ya?'

'I'm good, Eddy, I'm good.' There was a brief pause. 'Say Eddy, how come you've been avoidin' me this last couple of weeks?'

'I, uh… I… I, I don't know what you're talkin' about.' Eddy stammered.

'Sure you do, last few weeks you've been avoiding me and don't you deny it. Now why have you been so cold to me lately?' Melvin demanded.

'He thinks you're gay.'

Both the boys jumped as this third voice interjected. They both turned to see it was Hank, smiling away, amused by the tension between the two. Melvin turned to Eddy;

'What! How the hell do you think I'm gay?' Eddy blushed.

'Well, uh… Ed told me! Yeah, that's right, Ed told me. Don't know what I was thinking' listening to Ed, but I did.'

'Well, how would Ed know, even if I was?'

Eddy explained to Melvin what Ed had saw on the day of the water bombings. Melvin listened, with a look of disbelieve on his face, while Hank roared with laughter. It only took Eddy a couple on minutes to explain.

'So, lemme get this straight,' Melv said after Eddy had finished, 'you think I was in a public toilet, with another man… having sex?'

'Yeah, well… what were you doin' then?' Eddy asked indignantly. Melvin leaned forward;

'Don't tell anyone else, but me and an old mate got a CD bootlegging scam goin' on. We just sell copied CDs.' Melvin stood upright again.

'Oh…' Eddy was mortified that he'd reached the conclusion he had. 'That all?'

'Yes, believe me, I ain't batting for the other side.'

'Oh, in that case, I'm sorry I've been avoiding you…'

'That's alright Eddy.' Melv hugged Eddy and continued in a mock camp voice, 'I could never stay mad at you big boy!'

'Get a room dorks!' a familiar voice shouted across the room. Melvin let go of Eddy, and they turned to face Kevin, as did Hank. 'Don't let my presence ruin your romance!' the biker continued. But the three friend's attention had turned to the girl by Kevin's side. She was tall and blonde, with unblemished skin and- as Eddy might put it- 'legs that go all the way up to heaven.' She was wearing a short red dress, which showed off these 'assets' rather nicely. The trio were momentarily captivated by this sexy goddess. Hank was the first to snap out of the hormone induced haze.

'Hey, Kev, we don't want any trouble, so just leave us alone and we'll be stayin' outta your way.'

'Whatever losers,' Kev turned to the girl, 'come on Sarah.' He and what was presumably his date, went to find their own spot on the dance floor, leaving the three roommates to gawk after them.

Several nights later, it was student night at Chemistry, meaning free entry to students, not to mention extremely cheap booze. This in turn meant that the place was packed. Everyone was there, from the in crowd to the punks and goths, even one or two nerds and geeks had turned up in the hope of getting lucky. And as was to be expected, Eddy and co had showed up, he, Kristi, Melvin and Hank. It was set to be a long, rowdy night of fun.

An hour after arrival, Eddy was greatly annoyed to see Kevin enter the place with Sarah at his side. A wave of jealousy came across Eddy as he saw the two rubbing bodies against each other on the dance floor. Oh, what he'd give to be getting some of that; he'd exchange Kristi any day.

'She will be mine.' he thought.

Sarah sat at the bar, waiting for her boyfriend Kevin to return. He'd gone to the toilet, but must have met some friends on the way, because he had been gone a while. She gulped back the last few drops of her drink and gently placed the glass on the bar top. A figure came and sat next to her.

'Hey babe, can I get you a drink?'

Kevin rushed back to the bar area. He'd told Sarah he'd only be a few minutes, but he'd seen an old friend from high school. In all the excitement, he had forgotten his girlfriends, and was hurrying back, apologies at the ready. He reached his destination.

'Hey! What gives!' Much to his dismay, Sarah wasn't there. He searched frantically about the bar area, before heading to the dance floor. He scanned the room…. Bingo! He spotted her, and his worry turned to rage, as she was dancing with his loud mouthed nemesis, Eddy. Both wee holding glasses of beer. Meanwhile, Kristi was obliviously talking to Eddy's roommate Hank. Hank kept glancing over at Eddy and Sarah; he was obviously in on this scam. Kevin march over to the dancing couple. He grabbed Eddy by the shirt collar and pushed him back.

'Hey man, what the fuck do you think you're doing?' he demanded, red-faced.

'Calm down Kev, we were just having a little fun.' Sarah said calmly.

'Yeah,' Eddy added, 'can't I dance with anyone now?'

'Not if it's my FUCKING GIRLFRIEND!' Kevin hollered. Many of the people in the club turned to see what the fuss was, including- to Hank's dismay- Kristi.

'Get over it Kev,' Eddy replied, not acknowledging the sudden attention he'd generated, 'she chose to dance with me!' The two glared angrily at each other.

Without warning, Kevin spat in Eddy's eye.

'How'd you like that dork?' is what Kevin meant to say afterwards, but he only got half way. Before he could finish his sentence, Eddy swung his hand at Kevin's head, the hand with his bottle in. The glass smashed just above his eye. Both it and Kevin fell to the floor. Eddy stepped back. He suddenly became aware of the people watching him. Then he became aware of what he'd just done.

'Shit.' he muttered. Just then, two bouncers fell upon him, crushing him on the floor. They pulled his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. They pinned him down in front of the wound-up crowd until the police arrive.