Hey everyone!

I am SOOOOOOO sorry it has taken me this long to post a new chapter. A lot has been happening recently between finding a new job, driving down to it ahead of the rest of the moving group, only to find that the job is no longer available/I am not unemployed and have to move back to where I came from. So, needless to say I've been a bit distracted.

However, while I have gained a lot of free time on my hands, I decided to get some writing done. I'm not thrilled about this chapter and I found it difficult to write. Its kind of a filler chapter, but I need a few chapters prior to going into the next plan I have.

As for the reviews: I love all of you, keep reviewing and leaving me comments. You are the reason I keep writing (other than my love for this story and all the plans I have for it). Your words fill me with inspiration and I love reading them. I find it so funny how much insight you guys have... You'll see what I mean in time.

I'm also playing with perspectives and voice. The whole story so far has been told by 1st person perspective from Edd's point of view, unless the story shifts to Nat and Kevin as a group. This will continue to be played with throughout the story, so let me know if it gets too confusing. I'll try to not make it too haphazard and to make it clear for everyone. There is a reason the POV's will change, but for the most part, it will be told from Edd's perspective with 1st person, until a few changes occur soon enough.

Any who, enjoy the chapter and I'll get right to writing chapter 9! ~~~ CB

Chapter 8 – A Change in Perspectives

The week after Homecoming was sure to be an interesting experience, that was the first thought I had upon waking up on Monday. I knew that there would be some repercussions coming from Eddy, and I wasn't exactly excited to deal with those. However, I knew I would have to eventually so I decided to buck up the courage to speak to him first.

I figured that since the only class I had with him and Ed was Study Hall that I would gingerly bring it up to him then. I went to the library when that period started and sat down at our usual table. I pulled out my textbooks and waited for my friends to show up. When Eddy and Ed finally walked into the library, Eddy did not even look at me as he went and sat at another table. Ed walked over and sat next to me.

"Eddy said he would not sit with a traitor. You aren't a traitor, are you Double D? You'd never fall to aliens, right?" I shook my head to Ed's question. Eddy wanted nothing to do with me, just because I happen to go to the dance with Nat and Kevin? I could not understand his thinking. I was making more friends, and he was punishing me for it? "Eddy also said I had to sit with him Double D. Will you be ok? Aliens won't get you right?" I nodded and gave Ed and smile, but when he stood up and walked over to the table Eddy was sitting at, I felt a painful stab in my stomach, one I did not know how to fix.

I looked over to their table and could feel my hands shaking with either anger or sadness I'm not sure. I stood up and walked over to Eddy and looked at him. "Listen, Eddy, I understand you are upset for some wrong I have done unto you, but ignoring me does not aid in me making it right. Please tell me what you think I have done so I can fix it."

Eddy would not even look up at me. "You stood up for that asshole, Sockhead. You didn't even think to tell Ed or I that you were coming to the dance. We would have made it an event for us as friends. Nazz would have loved to hang out with all of us. But instead you went with Shovelchin and Seaweed Head. And who was that third guy with the magenta hair? The one Seaweed Head was all over? You hung out with other friends, Double D. And you ignored me when I was there, even when you were upset over something. Some best friend you are, can't even come to us when something is wrong with you." I could not find the words to respond to him. I stood at the table, dumbstruck by what he had said. "Just, get lost Edd. If you can't come to us, then we don't want anything to do with you."

I stepped back with a pained look on my face. I turned and walked away, back to my regular table and sat down. I did not know what I was going to do, or how I was going to make it up to Eddy, mainly when I could not understand what I had done wrong. Yes, I had gone to the dance with Kevin, and I had an emotional reaction, mainly due to the conversation from our walk to the dance, and the impact of the song Nat chose. It was not that I wished to ignore Eddy, Kevin was simply the friend closest when I suffered that temporary emotional break. I sat at the table and put my books down, laying my head down on them and trying not to cry more.

Kevin and Nat sat at their own table, two away from where Edd sat by himself. While the conversation between Eddy and Edd was quiet enough to not disturb the librarian, the two guys could hear what they were saying. Nat turned to look at Kevin, a sad look on his face.

"Kev, should we do something? I mean… It is our fault that this happened." Kevin didn't respond, but kept his gaze focused on Edd. He set his pencil down and stood up from the table. He walked over to Edd's table and gave him a nudge.

"Hey, Dork, I need your help with my math homework again. Can you give me a hand?" Edd lifted his head up from the table, eyes red and puffy and dried streaks on his face. He gave a small nod and stood up and reached for his books but Kevin grabbed them before he could. "Don't worry about these, I got'em." As Edd turned away from the table and walked over toward Nat, Kevin caught Eddy's glance from the other direction. Eddy snarled at Kevin but Kevin only shook his head. "Scheming Dork." He turned and walked back to his table and sat down next to where Edd had sat down. Kevin sat Edd's books down on the table in front of him.

"What was it you needed my assistance with, Kevin?" Kevin shook his head and passed him his textbook.

"I'm stuck on problems that use this specific formula. It doesn't make any sense. Think you can better explain it, Dork?" He nodded to Kevin and read over the problems, jotting a few notes on a plain piece of paper. Nat smiled over to Kevin with a knowing grin and Kevin simply rolled his eyes. Nat's expression changed and he waved Kevin to 'get on with it.' Kevin glared at him and turned back to the small Dork studying next to him.

"Are you alright, Double D? What Dorky said wasn't true, I hope you know that." The pencil stopped but Edd wouldn't look up to Kevin.

"What kind of friend am I, Kevin? I did not defend him on Saturday to you, I did not go to him when I was upset. Am I as bad of a friend as Eddy says?" Edd's hands started shaking and it was clear he was struggling not to cry. Nat put his hand on Edd's back and rubbed in a slow circular motion.

"Eddward Vincent, hush yourself." Edd looked up at Nat, surprised to hear his actual name. "You are not a bad friend just because you've made more friends than what you had. Confiding in someone new, like the QB jock boy over here, is nothing to be ashamed of. Well, at least not for the reasons that twisted Dork is trying to make you think." He grinned and looked at Kevin, who continued to glare at him. Edd shook his head and looked back down to the textbook. "In other words, Edd, Eddy is just jealous that he is not your only friend anymore, other than Ed of course."

Edd turned and looked at Kevin. "What about you and Nazz, Kevin?" Kevin sighed and leaned back in his seat. Edd shook his head, apologetically. "I apologize, Kevin. Forgive my prying. You do not have to answer that question, as it is none of my concern. I just thought that since Eddy was still in a foul mood over everything that I hope Nazz was a little more adult about it."

Kevin nodded slowly with a small smile on his face. "We talked about it yesterday afternoon. After telling me that it was none of my business who she was seeing, and that she thought it was cute that I cared, she told me to buzz off." He gave a small laugh. "She then proceeded to laugh at me and bid me luck. All in all, we're fine. I may not agree with her choice in who she's seeing, now more than ever, but it's her decision and I'll stand by her, and pick her up again if she falls." Nat nodded in agreement.

Kevin turned and leaned closer to Edd. "So as far as I can see, the only one with a stick up their ass is Eddy, so you have nothing to worry about." Edd scrunched his face and looked at Kevin crossly.

"Language, Kevin." A small smile crossed Edd's face. "But thank you. Both of you." Nat was still rubbing his back and started moving lower on his back slowly. Edd didn't seem to notice but Kevin did and with a dark glare from piercing green eyes, he swatted Nat's hand away. Edd looked at Kevin crossly. "What was that about, Kevin? Nat is simply being comforting." Nat grinned and nodded, agreeing with Edd.

"Yeah Kevin. I'm just trying to be a friend to our little Double Delish. Why are you being so mean to me and my good intentions?" The grin across Nat's face was devilish.

"You're full of it Goldberg." Kevin and Nat laughed and Edd gave a small giggle. "Alright, Dork. You're sitting with us during this period now, got it? Can't have you getting your precious books wet by yourself at a table."

Edd nodded and gave a small smile. "Alright Kevin. Thanks again, both of you."

At that, the bell rang to end the period and Edd stood up. He was still a little upset from the events at the beginning of the period, but something had made him feel better.

"Yo, Dork! I need you to tutor me in some of these math assignments. We never got around to finishing these problems. I'll be over after football practice if that's alright?" Kevin called out as he walked towards the exit of the library.

Edd nodded and smiled. "Sounds alright Kevin. I will brush up on the material so that I will be as much help as possible."

Kevin nodded and smiled. "Choice. See ya tonight then."

Edd smiled and walked out of the library, not even giving the table his friends were sitting at another glance. Eddy will learn in time, I hope.