Against All Eds: High Stakes

by Mr. Dusk

Set a few years after the events of Against All Eds. It is now senior year of high school for the majority of the cul-de-sac kids, and the future is anything but certain. With the kids slowly embracing adulthood, will they be able to come out on top with such high stakes? CANCELLED

5. The Flop

Co-Written by Neo H.B.B. Sam

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The Flop

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[From: Kevin]

[Rolf, we're finally getting a home game this Friday against Lemon Brook and you're missing out on practice for the second time. Where the hell are you?]

[Sent: September 30th, 2:45 PM]

[From: Rolf]

[Apologies Kevin, father has dragged Rolf out to the fields to prepare the October crops. Papa almost wrecked Rolf's phone when it buzzed.]

[Sent: September 30th, 2:49 PM]

[From: Kevin]

[That's rough man, but c'mon, without Peach Creek High's "Ferocious Four", we won't have a fucking chance!]

[Sent: September 30th, 2:51 PM]

[From: Rolf]

[Kevin, you have Rolf's word that Rolf will be ready for the home game. Rolf is just busy for now.]

[Sent: September 30th, 2:56 PM]

[From: Kevin]

[Rolf, we're going over strategies here, not just strength training! Lemon Brook's gonna pull some sneaky shit and we need to be ready for anything!]

[Sent: September 30th, 2:58 PM]

[From: Rolf]

[Whatever you are preparing Rolf will handle it. Rolf has to go now, Father is]

[Sent: September 30th, 3:05 PM]

[From: Kevin]

[You really think so?]

[Sent: September 30th, 3:06 PM]

[From: Kevin]

[Yo Rolf! What's goin on?]

[Sent: September 30th, 3:15 PM]

[From: Kevin]

[Oh shit did your dad break your phone again?]

[Sent: September 30th, 3:20 PM]

XxXxX

The girl's bathroom was and will forever be a hotspot for gossip, slander and all other kinds of smut to be written on the stall dividers. Writing was scribbled in glossy gel pens or the graffiti was to be engraved onto the partitions until the school board could afford to replace them again. Reading the works of Peach Creek's teenage wannabe scribes was the only thing entertaining May Kanker as she sat on the cold, plastic stall. This wasn't the boy's bathroom so there was a lack of dicks and tits drawn everywhere, but there were a few interesting comments that made up for their not-so-missed absence.

"I love your crocs," signed by the author herself, "Nobody."

"Stop the idea of society's unrealistic standards of beauty! We are all beautiful!" May had her finger follow a sloppy curved arrow that pointed from, "I bet a fat chick wrote that" in brutal red ink. She could only think of one girl that nasty to write such a savage insult.

Then there was the Vincent Van Gogh-wannabe with a drawing of a sunflower. The hairy green stem started from the bottom of the stall's door and head of the flower touched the top, the bright yellow petals barely having any room to breathe sharing their space with teenage girl talk. "Be the change you wish to be." Strangely enough there was no sarcastic comment attached to this piece of art.

"Rolf Shephard is a stud!" Tons of hearts and wishes for sexual encounters made May sigh in relief there was no comments about her boyfriend in the stalls. That would be embarrassing.

"MARIE KANKER IS A FUCKING BITCH!" Several follow-up comments in agreement had May squeezing her mouth shut, snickering. She whipped out a periwinkle pen from her worn-down purse and jotted down, "Try livin with her!"

XxXxX

Nazz Winters MyBook Chat

Nazz Winters 7:12 PM: Hi Eddy, how's it going?

Eddy McGee 7:15 PM: hey nazz not much

Eddy McGee 7:15 PM: just playing some gg2 wit ed n kevin

Eddy McGee 7:15 PM: we need to practice teamwork for dat game tomorrow

Eddy McGee 7:15 PM: wanna join?

Nazz Winters 7:17 PM: Unless its MvM, I'm good.

Nazz Winters 7:17 PM: Anyway, just asking a question.

Eddy McGee 7:17 PM: if its about double-d then you can drop it right now

Nazz Winters 7:18 PM: Relax, it's not about Eddward.

Nazz Winters 7:18 PM: I'm asking you to tell your brother not to send me a dick pic again or I'm calling the cops.

Eddy McGee 7:18 PM: HE DID WHAT!?

Eddy McGee 7:18 PM: that fucking scumbag he could get hard time for that shit

Nazz Winters 7:19 PM: Yeah, the pic from an unknown number.

Nazz Winters 7:19 PM: But I could tell from the background of the pic that it had to of been your brother.

Eddy McGee 7:20 PM: let me guess a bunch of weed booze porn n other weird shit?

Nazz Winters 7:20 PM: That and the sign for Park N' Flush gave it away.

Eddy McGee 7:21 PM: jesus bro

Eddy McGee 7:21 PM: hes probably gonna just laugh it off but i will talk to him abot this

Nazz Winters 7:22 PM: Thanks Eddy. :))

Nazz Winters 7:22 PM: Btw, can you not tell Kevin about this? I don't want him to get involved, he'll just make it worse.

Eddy McGee 7:23 PM: yeah sure these lips are sealed

Nazz Winters 7:25 PM: Tbh, I'm just wondering how he got my number.

Eddy McGee 7:26 PM: huh now do u menton it yah that is weird

Eddy McGee 7:26 PM: no freakn way any of us gave it to him

Nazz Winters 7:27 PM: Please do ask him that too. I am going to kill the guy who gave that creep my digits. :(

Nazz Winters 7:27 PM: Also I have another question, not related to your brother or Double-D.

Eddy McGee 7:27 PM: shoot

Nazz Winters 7:28 PM: What could you see me doing for a career out of high school?

Eddy McGee 7:29 PM: idk but something with kids would be good for ya

Nazz Winters 7:29 PM: See I thought about that for a while until I talked to Double-D. He said that I should avoid turning a passion into a career or else it would ruin my drive. It was some pretty pessimistic stuff but I think he made a decent point.

Eddy McGee 7:30 PM: look double-d is a pretty smart guy but at the end of the day he is stil one of d most navie people you will ver met

Eddy McGee 7:30 PM: no matter how 'jaded' or shit canada made him at the end of the day double-d wil eat up anyones shit if it sounds 'intwolekual'

Nazz Winters 7:31 PM: So do you think it would be a good idea to try and work with kids again? I was thinking of being a dentist again. I know that was what you guys said would be a good fit for me years ago in one of your scams and tbh it wasn't bad. Like it wasn't a strong passion but something I wouldn't mind doing either. I'd still see kids but adults coming in to get their teeth checked out too.

Eddy McGee 7:32 PM: well u gotta remeber that we made jimmy a fucking luberjack jonny a goffer and sarah a traffik light

Eddy McGee 7:32 PM: look nazz just do sumthin that brings in the big bucks n once yu ar loaded you wont have 2 worry abot work again

Eddy McGee 7:32 PM: sell shit that peple always need like cars like my old man n money wont be a problem

Nazz Winters 7:33 PM: Yeah I suppose doing something that makes a lot of money would be nice. But what about that old saying, "Money can't buy happiness?"

Eddy McGee 7:34 PM: thats bs

Eddy McGee 7:34 PM: lots of cash n you can get whatever you want that makes you happy

Nazz Winters 7:35 PM: Good point. Anyway I gotta finish my college algebra homework. At least I get math, that's always right or wrong, none of that iffy stuff English has.

Nazz Winters 7:35 PM: Hit me up for MvM later. ;)

Eddy McGee 7:35 PM: alright i'll try to get a game going later

XxXxX

The scoreboard could be seen from inside the commentator's booth during the game between the Peach Creek Cobblers and the Lemon Brook Lumpers. The score was now 24-27 with the away team in the lead.

"Ladies and gentlemen and fags who can't make up their minds!" yelled a voice from the commentator's booth, "Welcome to Loser Bowl Forty-Nine! Featuring Peach Creek's very own Fumble Five!"

"This is security! Unlock this door!" yelled a voice from outside the booth, "You're not supposed to be in there!"

"Oooh looks like I'm in trouble folks! Just like old times! And it looks like Pipsqueak's got his hands on some balls! Also, he's got the pigskin!"

"We're calling the police! This isn't funny!"

"Hey! Unless you're a smokin' fine Asian bitch, ain't no one getting in the box with this guy! Now, it seems like some of them lousy Lumpers are ganging up on my boy, but the two tall freaks got him covered!"

"You're in for it now buddy boy!" yelled the security guard, "There's a sheriff's car driving into the parking lot!"

"And that looks like my cue to leave! Hope ya'll liked my- oh shit! Touchdown! Fuck yeah, that's my boy Pipsqueak out there! Hah ha!"

XxXxX

FRIENDS – SolidOak

SolidOak: hey double d! u finally set up ur account?

D-Squared: Salutations Jonny, and yes it's finally up now. I could put up with Ed's pestering no more and finally caved in.

SolidOak: lol

SolidOak: hey wat games ya got now though?

SolidOak: you get gg2 yet?

D-Squared: Well Ed was also generous enough to gift me Gateway 2 which I've thoroughly enjoyed. I have to say it's a fairly stimulating game.

D-Squared: As for Gang Garrison 2, I only have the free-to-play version at the moment. Ed wanted to gift me some sort of in-game "pass" that would upgrade my account to a "paid" status but I couldn't have Ed buy me everything for Smoke.

SolidOak: right on!

SolidOak: Plan jus over at Kevin's party now

SolidOak: crazy game we played earlier!

SolidOak: i almost thought we'd lose but woo!

SolidOak: dat stuff ed did was almost like magic

D-Squared: Ah yes, I heard about your victory against Lemon Brook over the radio at work. Several co-workers and customers almost started a riot to commemorate today's win.

D-Squared: And as for Kevin's party, I can tell by merely looking outside. Cars, lights, music and people galore I suppose.

SolidOak: oh yh! ur not over here!

SolidOak: wat gives? u didn't wanna come?

D-Squared: Am I invited? I was under the assumption this social gathering was for the football team and its supporters only.

SolidOak: it's open invitation 4 all da kids at school!

SolidOak: even Jimmy and his weirdass friends

SolidOak: though i only saw dem once

SolidOak: they creep the hell out of me

D-Squared: Interesting, although as an introvert I find such large crowds to be rather intimidating.

D-Squared: I think I'll have to pass much to your dismay. Not that I'll be able to really sleep with all of the noise and illumination.

SolidOak: welp have fun with Smoke then! i'm jus using the chat app on my phone atm

SolidOak: talkin to some ppl i met on multiplayer

D-Squared: You can use Smoke on your phone? And here I thought I was the most technologically literate.

SolidOak: welcome to 2014

SolidOak: even babies are playin with apps

SolidOak: cool huh?

D-Squared: While I'm no luddite, I do worry about future generations' overdependaency on gadgetry. I think I can safely bet that nearly nintey percent of our class can't last a day without their phones.

D-Squared: Still, I think I'll try out Doubling-Time 2.

D-Squared: I heard from Ed that while a third game in the series will most likely never be released, I've heard several good things about this revolutionary FPS.

SolidOak: watch out for headcrabs!

SolidOak: btw speaking of Ed

SolidOak: he n Eddy are taking on Kevin and Rolf in beer pong right now!

SolidOak: everyones watchin!

SolidOak: looks like they gettin lucky tonight!

SolidOak: if ya know what i mean :P

D-Squared: Oh my, well I suppose partaking in such debauchery isn't abnormal for them. I just hope they still have some common sense not to commit any action they might regret tomorrow.

SolidOak: lol i think May is gonna explode at some girls tryin to get with the hero of the game! XD

D-Squared: The aroma of drugs and alcohol must be really strong to block out Ed's musk.

D-Squared: Although I do suppose we're all used to his odor by now.

SolidOak: lol we kinda force Ed into the shower after every game and practice

SolidOak: u think he stinks already? try 2 be around when he's DRIPPING with sweat!

D-Squared: Gracious, you and the rest of the football team have my condolences.

D-Squared: Anyway, I just finished downloaded Doubling-Time 2. I don't want to distract you from your indulgence tonight, stay smart and safe Jonny!

SolidOak: wait b4 u go

SolidOak: mind if i ask u something?

D-Squared: Sure thing Jonny, what else is on your mind?

SolidOak: well

SolidOak: it's about Plank

SolidOak: don't worry he can't see this

D-Squared: Well don't worry Jonny, I can keep a secret from Plank. This conversation is entirely private between the two of us.

SolidOak: alright thanks

SolidOak: so

SolidOak: um

SolidOak: i haven't really told any of the others

SolidOak: but uh

SolidOak: Plank hasn't been speaking to me

SolidOak: for like a year or so now

SolidOak: i kinda lost track

D-Squared: Did you two get in another spat- a year!

SolidOak: it coulda been more

SolidOak: it kinda started after the school told me i couldnt bring Plank to school anymore

SolidOak: i kept talking to him after school

SolidOak: but 1 day he just didn't speak back

D-Squared: Well, this is unexpected to say the least.

SolidOak: i know!

SolidOak: he's usually a very talkative guy!

SolidOak: now that i think of it

SolidOak: he started talking to me less and less over the past three years

SolidOak: and he kinda stopped last year

SolidOak: i think

SolidOak: sorry i just can't remember

SolidOak: too much stuff happening you know?

D-Squared: It's fine Jonny, I can understand this being incredibly unnerving for you.

SolidOak: so do you think Plank is sick or something?

SolidOak: i tried taking him to a doctor and they just told me to leave

D-Squared: Perhaps you should have tried a botanist instead?

SolidOak: i contacted one via gregslist

SolidOak: he said he only deals with alive plants

SolidOak: and he stopped replying to my e-mails

D-Squared: Hm, this is rather troubling regardless of the implausibility of these circumstances.

D-Squared: Look Jonny, this problem is going to require a lot of research that can't be conducted all in one night.

D-Squared: How about I come out of my room and party with you and the others? Would that cheer you up?

SolidOak: that'd be great! maybe u can take a look at Plank while you're here?

D-Squared: I'd be glad to Jonny.

D-Squared: But for now let's get groovy!

SolidOak: thanx double d!

SolidOak: lol groovy XD

SolidOak: ur so behind the times double d! XD

D-Squared: And here I like to think that I'm a progressive individual.

SolidOak: but yh lets party!

D-Squared: Anyway, I'll be with you in a moment, supposing I can find you in the sea of people outside.

SolidOak: im with Plank, chillin on the couch

SolidOak: ucan't miss us!

SolidOak: see ya in a bit!

D-Squared: Okay, I'm on my way.

D-Squared: [D-Squared is now offline]