Chapter 7: In The Trenches
As Edd walked into his house, he was swimming with mixed emotions that were slamming around his mind. The evenings events had been entirely out of character for the young man. He had went on a date, willingly for the most part, and with not just any girl, but a Kanker. Not only had he went on a date with a Kanker, but in all honesty, he enjoyed it immensely, and that part unnerved him a deal. Edd was a man of science and reason! Yet, he couldn't reason as to why he of all people enjoyed his evening with Marie Kanker.
Mind still in a fog, Edd realized that he had been leaning against his front door that he had entered several minutes ago. Shaking some sense back into himself, he moved away from the door and began the ascent to his room to unwind from the rather enjoyable day. As he hit the last step, he felt a jarring in his pocket. Stopping, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone and flipped it open, revealing he had a text message.
So...I had a nice time tonight. Thank you, for actually wanting to go :)
Edd offered a small smile as he read the message several times, enjoying how it made him feel.
Oh, the pleasure was all mine! I'm glad you had a nice time, Marie!
He reached his room, shedding his hoodie as he again felt the familiar buzz.
Such a gentlemen :) Edd, could I ask you a question?
He arched his eyebrows up, puzzling what Marie could ask him. Was something wrong? Was she gonna ask to send lewd pictures of herself? Well, she wouldn't really ask to do that but, still. He gave his reply quickly after breaking free of his inner thoughts.
Of course Marie. Ask whatever you need too.
Sitting down, he held his phone in hand in anticipation for her reply. Edd actually felt a sweat start to manifest on him. His phone soon gave warning that Maries question had arrived. Edd nervously opened his phone and was relieved upon reading it, yet instantly became very self conscious.
Could I have a picture of you? Just of you, smiling? It would give me something to look at before I go to sleep :3
Edds heart rate picked up ever so slightly as he read her request over. He had never been asked for such a request. He hated photos being taken of himself, whether by him or others. Edd however did note Marie asked and didn't demand, and she, to his knowledge, had never taken any pictures of him. Sighing, he rose up from his bed and positioned himself in front of his mirror. He stared at himself, not entirely liking what he saw in the mirror. Regardless, he raised his phone and put on his best smile as he took the picture. Looking at the result on his phone, he reeled slightly in embarrassment at what he saw. Putting his free hand over his eyes, he hit the send button.
Edd honestly felt ridiculous, taking his first "selfie" as the other kids at school called it. At least Marie would appreciate it he thought. As Edd made his way back to his bed to resume sitting, his phone vibrated not just once, but two times in quick succession. Bracing himself for what would come, Edd opened the first message and was relatively surprised.
Eddward, you look so handsome! Thank you, like really, thank you for tonight and for this. It means more to me then you know.
After reading what he had received, Edd was struck dumb by her sincerity and honesty. Sure, she had her moments in the past but these past few hours they had spent together had broken his image of Marie entirely. He saw her as a person while abrasive, had a sweet spot inside of her. He thought back to when they held hands at the theater and when they kissed outside of his front door. His cheeks turned red and he started to smile, no longer denying himself that he actually liked Marie, even if she still made him a nervous and bumbling buffoon.
Drawing himself from his warm and cozy thoughts, Edd looked back at his phone and proceeded to read the second message. This one, however, brought him back to his normal Marie-wary self.
Just wait until friday, I'm sure you'll love the "special" surprise I have planned for you. Best prepare yourself lover-boy X3. Goodnight dreamboat, dream of me!
Edd stared in disbelief at what Marie had sent.
"I suppose I can't really be surprised, this is Marie after all...", sighed Edd.
Firmly remembered of how devious Marie was, he set his phone down and started to shed his clothes and take a quick shower. He stepped over to his dresser and pulled out some mesh basketball shorts and a plain black tee. Articles in hand, he moved onwards to his bathroom to shower and more importantly, figure out what he'd have to "prepare" for exactly.
Over at Park n' Flush
Marie was laying on her bed, gazing at her phone which displayed on the screen, the picture that Edd had sent her tonight. She couldn't contain herself as she was smiling and blushing slightly at Edds image smiling back at her.
She couldn't believe how well everything went! They actually did everything she had planned to do and even more...they actually kissed! It still shocked her and made her admire Edd even more for being so willing and, from what she could tell, very able to have a good time with her. Of course though, she couldn't be entirely sweet to him. She was a Kanker after all, and what a Kanker knows best is how to keep her betrothed guessing and on their toes.
Thinking back on the last inute she sent just minutes ago, she snickered at what his face looked like. Oh it didn't matter thought, they'd have another date next Friday regardless. If she knew anything about Edd, he stuck to his commitments, no matter how "mischievous" they may be.
With next week in mind, Marie rolled off her bed and walked over to her closet, opening the double doors and reaching in to grab her "surprise" that she had told Edd about. Object in hand, she pulled it out to look at it in full view.
"Perfect", said Marie with a growing grin. "He's gonna be completely speechless.".
What do y'all people think of this chapter? A nice return or meh? I'm leaning on the "meh" side. I'm on vacation and of all the times for inspiration to hit, it would be at the BEACH! I'll be continuing this and it will be finished, I just don't know how long it'll take. Thanks again to all y'all, happy readings.