Chapter 25: Caught In The Middle

The main event today for the people was Lee was actually here, as she was still recovering from... what occurred in Chapter 20, but she was recovered enough to go to school, which was important to her either way. Regardless, the whole crew didn't have a class together until both English, Science, and History. Either way, when it came to English, the seating was switched up a bit. Marie and Double D decided to split up, in order to keep the whole thing between them a secret from Lee. So, Double D decided to sit with Ed, for English, and the rest of their classes. While that was a minor setback, Marie remembered that she had to let Lee know about the bet she did with the boys. She told Lee right before lunch that the boys owned them a week of getting their lunch, and who was bringing who's lunch. While Marie might have been occupied with that... well...

"Ugh, why did she have to return? I was doing just well!" Eddy said.

Chris rolled his eyes in annoyance before saying, "Dude! Just do it to get it over with. Complaining about it will only delay and delay, so shut it, and get ready to get whatever she wants."

"Ugh," Eddy said. "Fine. It better not be a lot!"

The bell then rings, and a certain someone goes behind Chris, covers his eyes, before saying, "Who is I?"

Chris chuckles a little before saying, "Hmmm... Skylar?"

"Yep! Let's go!"

The two peeps go to the lunchroom, and Eddy joins Double D and Ed saying, "Great. Here we go again, delivering food!"

And that, the boys do. It was mostly the same as last time, minus the fact that Lee was there this time. As for where the group of nearly 10 peeps sat, Eddy, Ed, Double D and Chris sat on the left side, while Lee, May, Marie and Skylar sat on the right. Unsurprisingly, the crew were mostly quiet, as unspoken tensions filled the air really. The person who didn't understand what was going on was Skylar, as she actually hung out with the sisters again, and met Lee being the break, and Lee was fine with her joining her sisters. She didn't care much, but she didn't have an issue with it. So, Skylar is currently confused beyond confused. She then decided to talk to Chris, but first she says to him, "Psst. Can we talk in private for a bit?"

Chris simply nods his head to say yes, and they leave the table for a second to go outside. Eddy sees that and whispers to Double D, "Look at them. Man... it's just speaks for itself doesn't it?"

"Eddy please, we've had this discussion already."

Marie hears what's going on, and says, "You heard him Shorty! Quit assuming!"

Eddy only grunts and rolls his eyes, before continuing to eat his lunch.

Chris and Skylar go outside and she asks him, "Why is everyone so... silent?"

"Well," Chris says. "I honestly do not have a single clue. They were talking a lot last time. Perhaps there's something we don't know? Wouldn't be surprised, tell ya the truth."

Skylar simply tells him, "Are you sure? Did Double D, Eddy or Ed do something?"

"No. If they did I would've known by now."

"Okay," Skylar says. "Are you certain it's not the bet? That was just for fun, but I'll tell ya right now, if you don't wanna do it it's fine."

"Oh my goodness Skylar, NO." Chris says. "The bet isn't part of it. Plus, I like to keep a word, and stop exaggerating the bet. I can give you the food, it's really not a problem with me. I can promise you that."

"Ah... okay." Skylar says, before deciding to end the conversation by saying, "Let's go back and join them. Okay?"

"Yeah sure."

Skylar and Chris simply share a chuckle between each other, and they both decide to return to the table with their friends. Eddy welcomes them back by saying, "Where were you guys?"

"Skylar had questions for me about something." Chris explained. "She was just curious, and so... she asked me. Nothing more to it then that... really."

"Yeah." Eddy says while laughing. "I'm sure that's all that occurred."

Chris rolls his eyes, again in annoyance, but Skylar is actually a little embarrassed. However, Marie comes in and hits Eddy in the face, saying, "Careful what you assume shorty! It's THEIR business, not yours!"

"Whoa!" Chris says. "Marie! It's fine! Don't go all out on him! Eddy, just relax with that stuff, okay? If for no other reason, then just so Marie doesn't pummel you. Alright?"

Chris helps Eddy up, before the latter says, "Yeah. Sorry."

"Eddy took the hit like those aliens on the planet Tod!" Ed randomly said. May laughs at him a little, while everyone else, minus Lee, chuckles at Ed's random statement. Eddy, Chris and Skylar sat where they originally sat, but Eddy actually noticed Lee, who was quite hurt from what occurred before. Granted, he couldn't tell much from the other areas of her, but he noticed that her lip had a few cuts, luckily nothing serious. However, he also took note of several other cuts, including what seems like a bruise on her nose. Eddy thought that if that's what he could see, it was probably worse from other areas, as if she wasn't at school because of the injured, it had to have been serious. Eddy, as much as hated himself for admitting this, felt concerned for Lee. But why? It's not like any other time he has felt sympathy for her... right? It's like having sympathy for the devil in his mind, Regardless, Eddy actually wanted to ask Lee how she was doing... but in his mind, that was a stupid beyond stupid idea, as if anything, her first instinct would be to start getting all defensive. Although... Eddy might be a really bad observer, as Lee sees him staring in her direction, and says to him, "What do you want?"

"Oh! Uh..." Eddy said, not realizing that she caught him. "Nothing. Just thinking."

Lee simply cracks a tiny smile at him, and she goes back to her lunch. Eddy doesn't even understand himself right now. Here's the thing, Eddy knows that sooner or later, he'll have to have a conversation with her. In fact, he honestly just wants to get it over with, because the more delaying, the less likely he'll resolve it. But his thoughts are once again broken, as the bell rings, and he is supposed to join up with Chris and Skylar for Spanish. Before he leaves, he quickly talks to Lee, saying, "You have a really quick second?"

"I knew it." Lee said, making Eddy confused. "You wanted to talk. What do you want or need?"

Eddy couldn't find a way to say what he wanted to say, other than, "Are you... okay? You seem... or I mean, are rather beat up."

"I'm fine." Lee says. "Why does it matter to you?"

Eddy didn't say anything in response, other than; "Just wanted to check up... as it was... I guess you can say concerning?"

Lee chuckles a little before saying, "Well, here's your little thank you."

And the thinkable occurs. No, seriously. Lee leans down towards Eddy and gives him a kiss on the lips for a few seconds. Eddy's mind just exploded, as it wasn't like the other kisses he is used to. It was NORMAL, not forced. But he is then told by Lee, "See ya later."

Eddy rejoins Chris and Skylar, who, luckily for Eddy, didn't see what occurred, and the crew of three went to their classes. Lee herself went to join May, Marie, Double D and Ed. Luckily for her, like Eddy, none of them saw what occurred. So, a secret, this remains between them. Nice.

The rest of school was honestly a blur to everyone. It seemingly came and went for our whole group of 9 people. The bell rang at around 3 PM, and everyone went onwards to their homes. At the exit from the school building, Eddy asked Chris, "So, are we continuing the movies today? That was awesome!"

"Well, let's see okay?" Chris tells Eddy, before he turns to Skylar and says, "Don't exactly like saying bye, but hey... it happens."

"Me neither." Skylar says. "But I'm always guaranteed to see you tomorrow. You take care."

"You too." Chris says, before Skylar, once again, hugs him, and she says her goodbyes to the rest of the crew. Chris then returns to his crew, and as they start walking to the cul-de-sac, he says, "Alright, we wanna continue today?"

"Unfortunately gentlemen," Double D spoke. "I will not be able to join you. As... I have very important work to do for school."

The three lads raised an eyebrow at Double D, before Eddy said, "How have you already gotten behind on work? We have barely been assigned anything for homework!"

Double D realized that his made up reason was... very unlikely to convince the lads. He tried to think of another reason to give them, but then Eddy chimed in again, saying, "You got something with Marie?"

"Yes Eddy." Double D said to him. "In fact, you could say that Marie and I have decided to go to... second base?"

Oh my goodness... The boys IMMEDIATELY stopped in their path, but Chris said to Double D, "Do you even know what that means?"

"No?"

Chris laughs before whispering to Double D what it ACTUALLY means. We cannot reveal this secret to you, as... well, it's unlikely we will have our rating still be K. Regardless, after Chris tells Double D what "second base" means, he simply says, "Oh my lord!"

The boys start laughing at Double D for his clear slip up, before Ed then asks the crew, "Double D and Marie are playing baseball?"

Chris and Eddy pause, before looking at each other, and then the former decided to tell Ed, "In a way, yes. But, no. I'll explain it to you later Ed."

Eddy then asks Double D, "Seriously, what are you doing with her?"

"It's... just a simple date."

"OH SNAP! DUDE! We gotta help you out!" Chris said, actually excited for him. Eddy also jumped in with him, saying, "Heck yeah!"

Double D wasn't very confident to let the boys help him, but he figured that it was easier to have some assistance for getting set up for the date. "Alright... but please desist from any sort of sabotage or pranks you might have in mind."

"Of course," Chris said. "We are here to HELP, not mess up your big shot at glory. Let's get you all set up my guy. Onto your home!"

And so, our good lads had decided to help Double D with his date. While not 100% comfortable, Double D still had his fair share of confidence in his friends to help him, not make it harder than it is already going to be.

BUT WAIT! What about Marie's side of everything?

Marie is currently in her room, figuring out what she wants to even wear during the date. She plans to put on some normal dark-eye liner/makeup for her eye, but as for her dress itself, she's currently unsure. At around 5:55 PM however, she decides to go to the restroom and start her makeup, just so that she can get one thing out of her list of things to do. Marie kinda thinks into the distance as she puts on her makeup, as she can't even believe that a date between her and Double D is something that's actually occurring in a way that's not forced between the two of them. Is she complaining though? Of course not. It's just hard for her to even believe. Either way the dice rolls, she is very much looking forward to their little date, as it IS Double D, the boy that Marie has liked since she was around 13 or 12. Once Marie finishes her makeup, she thinks that it doesn't look too bad in her eyes, but how Double D will react is a very different story altogether. However, once she finishes, May enters the room, and she sees Marie, making herself over.

"Marie?" May asked. "What are you doing?"

Marie sighed, as she wasn't exactly planning on telling May really, but she couldn't exactly say that she was making her over for fun or some dumb reason. So, she responds, "I'm getting ready for something."

May got shocked at that response, saying, "Wait... are you going on an actual date with Double D?!"

"Yes, keep quiet!" Marie said to May. "Now, I'll admit, I don't have a good idea of what to wear, but can I trust you to keep this away from Lee, AND help me?"

May smiles before saying, "Yes! Let's get you ready!"

Marie smiles back, then May decides to look through the cloest, to see if she can find something that works for Marie. She goes through a fair share amount of dresses, granted not too much is there for view. Although, May's eye catches the sight of a specific one, and it's one that couldn't be more fitting for Marie. May smiles, thinking that she's got the perfect fitting for Marie. So, she grabs one of them, and May goes to Marie and says, "Marie! I have just the thing!"

May shows Marie a pretty dark blue dress, that, at least the way that it appeared to Marie, would reach down to her knees at least. Marie doesn't recall using this dress ever, so it must've something that she never really considered using. Either way, she says, "May... you're a genius!"

"Thanks!" May said. "Let's get you ready!"

And so, the two ladies proceeded to begin the process of getting the dress on Marie. When doing so, Marie couldn't help but feel insanely different than she usually does. I mean, dressing up all like this? It's like going to the prom dance early or something. Marie decides to dismiss these thoughts, and focus on what's important: Getting prepared for this whole date. At least in her mind.

Let's see what the boys are doing to help out Double D... shall we?

"Alright, I think this table setup will be good." Chris said. "Just... hopefully neither of them knock the candles over, haha..."

"Where the heck is Double D?" Eddy asked. "He said that he would by down here by 4:15, it's now like 4:25! Surely the advice you gave him on dressing up wasn't something he couldn't understand!"

"Relax Eddy," Chris said, "I gave him decent advice to not look like he's going to school everyday. I'm sure he's taking his time, after all, he is trying to look good for his girlfriend."

The boys shared a bit of a laugh, before Ed chimes in saying, "Are we sure Double D didn't swallow himself in his clothes?"

"That's... not QUITE how that works Ed. But nah, I doubt that." Chris says.

"Gentlemen, I think I have prepared myself well."

Double D comes out to the top of the stairs, and the boys see what he decided to wear, which was mainly a dark blue jacket above a black shirt, denim blue jeans, and he still has his classic good ol beanie. The boys clapped for him, before Eddy said, "Double D! Look at yourself!"

"Is this good enough?" Double D said. "I really hope Marie doesn't mind the more dark approach of color I've chosen."

"Dude," Chris said. "You are basically fitting together with those colors! I'm sure you'll be fine dude, if anything, she will be more busy with her looks too to mind yours. I can guarantee that."

"I suppose you do have a point Chris." Double D said.

"So, you like my advice dude?"

"Well," Double D said, "Not the most comfortable fit for my taste, but I suppose it will fit for the dinner I have planned."

Chris laughs a little before saying, "Don't worry dude! And also, I have organized the table good enough for you and your lady. I don't think you have much else to do aside from just be yourself during your date. Got it?"

Double D nods his head and so, the boys simply decide to have some conversation until around 10 to 5 minutes before the date officially started, per se.

Back to Marie and May...

"Marie!" May said. "Look at you! Double D won't have an easy time."

The sisters shared a laugh at that, before Marie said, "Thanks! I hope he likes this..."

"Don't be silly!" May said. "He likes you normally doesn't he? As far as I'm concerned, it wouldn't make sense if he didn't like it!"

Marie chuckles before she says, "I guess you're right. How do I get to his house...? Lee can't see me like this!"

May thought for a second of how exactly she could get Marie to Double D's house. She first thought of perhaps having Marie go out the window, but it wouldn't be very easy, and if Marie messed up... oh boy it's trouble for all! So, May instead had an idea to distract Lee.

"Wait here for a couple minutes. I will make a distraction." May said while smiling at her sister.

And so, May goes downstairs, into the kitchen, and begins to make a major mess of... holy crap, would everything work as a description? Because it's literally what May does. Soap is being used to no avail, water all over the place, and it's just a disaster on top of disaster. Lee, who was watching TV like usual, sees this and yells at May, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

Lee has to get up and actively see what in the world is going on. Marie heard everything and decided that it was her cue. She turns around quickly and laughs at her sister in her mind, as she's never seen her do that much destruction to the dishes. Anyways, Marie has something else in her mind to think about now though. A certain beanie wearing dude, who is obviously none other than Double D!

Speaking of Double D...

Chris was singing the last part of the song, "Haunting The Chapel" from Slayer, and, tell ya the truth, the boys had simply spent the last moments of their time with Double D listening to music, as they couldn't really go watch anything just yet, as that would completely distract Double D from what is currently his most important thing in mind. Although Double D got help from his friends... or what they could give as advice or help, he was still nervous for this, as he's never even gone to this level with anyone as far as he is concerned. And, to be honest, the music that the lads were playing wasn't very helpful... ahahaha!

"Oh crap! 6:27! Guys! We better get going! Double D, good luck my man!" Chris told Double D.

Eddy comes into the mix and tells him, "Don't get weak legs now!"

"And be sure to scratch your back for bugs!" Ed yelled out.

Double D simply chuckles at his friends, before they all leave. However, once the 3 boys leave the house...

"Guys... I got an idea. Chris, let's go to your house." Eddy told the crew.

"Alright. I'm curious as to what you've got in store..." Chris said. And with that, the crew went to Chris's house to proceed and... do some sort of plan. What that plan was currently a mystery. Hopefully something that isn't what you call, reckless, my good lads.

Now that Double D is alone for a couple more minutes, he decided to revise the table one more time, just for being secure and all. He admittedly is very impressed with Chris's work in decor and organization of the table. It was fitted with a red cover, with three flowers on a little flower cup, colored red, white, and blue, accompanied by two candles, one for each side. Double D wondered where exactly Chris got the idea for the table as he organized it, as it seems like he took inspiration from something he's seen. Regardless however, he was sure that this would be good enough for this whole date thing.

Speaking of which... a bell goes off, alerting Double D that someone is at the door.

And here it comes again! The feeling of love!