Chapter 3
It was now 10:13 a.m. The bell signaling the start of third period at Peach Creek High School had just sounded, prompting an outpouring of traveling students into the school hallway.
For Ed, Edd and Eddy, and all of their cul-de-sac peers, the start of third period happened to coincide with the start of gym class. The boys had made their way into the locker room to begin the process of changing into the standard physical education uniform of Peach Creek High School; a grey shirt with "Peach Creek High" written on the front, along with a picture of the school mascot. The school mascot happened to be the same character that was used for all Peach Creek schools sports teams, a large anthropomorphic piece of Peach Cobbler. The grey shirt was accompanied by a pair of blue shorts.
Inside the locker room, Double Dee had opened his locker to begin his preparations for the class he dreaded most. He had loosened his green tie, and had barely begun the process of unbuttoning his red shirt when the sound of a gym bag dropping on the floor filled the air.
Double Dee turned around to see his diminutive friend Eddy, who's locker occupied the space next to his. Eddy's face retained the annoyed expression that had been present since the verbal battle between Lee and Lindsay a few hours ago. Double Dee took notice of his friends disposition and decided to comment.
"Come now Eddy," said, "Are you still upset over the events that transpired this morning?"
Eddy flung his locker door open, after which he slid his yellow striped sweater off over his head.
"This stinks," said Eddy, "I finally squeeze an easy twenty bucks out of Kevin, and it's getting blown on this stupid winter ball thing!"
Double Dee finished unbuttoning his shirt, at which point he removed it from his arms. As he continued the conversation, he began the process of neatly folding the shirt to ensure that no wrinkles form during the course of it's storage in the gym locker.
"Eddy, I'm surprised at you!" said Double Dee, "Are you so frugal as to deny your significant other the chance to enjoy a fun-filled night of holiday fun?"
"Deny her?" asked Eddy, "She's denying me my hard earned cash, and it's not even because she actually wants to go! I'm paying for this bullshit between her and that stuck up chick from the other cul-de-sac!"
"Well Eddy," said Double Dee, "While I will not deny the fact that you did happen to be caught in the proverbial crossfire, so to speak, may I remind you that it is the season of giving, and selflessness, regardless of the circumstance, is an excellent character trait to exhibit."
Eddy groaned as he slipped his gym shirt over his head.
"Besides," said Double Dee, "If the actions Lee exhibited earlier in the day truly upset you, I would suggest that you sit down with her alone and have a discussion regarding your feelings on the situation. After all, excellent communication skills are a necessary building block for any human relationship, especially those of a romantic nature."
Eddy slid his blue shorts onto his legs.
"Ahh, maybe you're right Double Dee." said Eddy, "Lee's coming over tonight to help me study for this math test on Friday, I'll talk to her then."
"Good for you Eddy!" said Double Dee, "That is a very mature decision of you."
As soon as Double Dee had finished his sentence, the mighty Ed came barreling into the locker room through the single wooden door. The large boy was quite excited and did not realize that he had, for the lack of a better term, plowed Eddy over as he made his way past the boys to his own gym locker.
"Christmas time!" yelled Ed in an obnoxious voice, as raised his arms in the air. He began spinning around wildly as he sung out the tune of a popular Christmas carol, loud enough for all in the locker room to hear:
"Seven maids of milking!
Six juice's spillin!
FIVE MOLDY THINGS!
Four packs of Nerds!
Three comic books!
Two chunky puffs!"
Before Ed could finish his last sentence, Eddy interrupted to finish the song.
"And Lumpy doesn't know the words!" yelled Eddy.
"Well, while it is an obvious fact that Ed did not perform the song using the typical lyrics, I must admit that his interpretation was quite creative, and exemplifies Ed's love of the holiday season." said Double Dee.
Double Dee reached into his locker as he continued speaking.
"I for one am quite excited for the holiday season as well," said Double Dee as he retrieved a clipboard from his locker, "As with every year, I have compiled this checklist to assist me in tracking the procurement of Christmas cards for all eleven of my fellow cul-de-sac inhabitants, and to brainstorm creative gift ideas for Mother, Father and Marie."
Double Dee placed his clipboard back into his locker, closed the door, and secured the single combination look, after which he turned back towards his two best friends.
"So gentlemen," said Double Dee, "Have you two decided what you would like to present to your significant others?"
Eddy sat down on the long wooden bench occupying the middle of the locker room. He reached down and began tying his sneakers.
"I don't know," said Eddy, "Lee's tricky. I like the girl, but man is she hard to figure out sometimes. I might need your help figuring out what to get her"
"Don't worry Eddy," said Double Dee, "I am sure if you search deeply within your heart, you will find something great. And if in the end you are still at a loss, I will be delighted to assist."
"Yeah," said Eddy, "I'm sure I'll figure something out. Now the more important question is how much money I'm going to be able to pocket in gifts this year. I hope my parents aren't still stuck on the whole stupid "clothes for Christmas" thing."
"Eddy!" yelled Double Dee in a surprised manner.
"Relax Sockhead," said Eddy, "I'm just playin'"
Double Dee glanced at Eddy with a sarcastic expression, after which he turned toward his oafish best friend, who was currently rummaging through his crowded locker, searching for his gym shorts.
"So Ed, have you decided on a present for May?" asked Double Dee.
Ed had finally located his shorts. He placed both of his feet in the legs, and pulled them up to his waist. He released the waist band, causing an audible snap as the shorts contacted his waist.
"Do not worry Double Dee, for I have found the perfect gift for my Little May." said Ed. He turned towards his signature, large green coat, which was currently hanging from one of the hooks within his locker, and began digging through one of the pockets. After a few seconds of searching, he retrieved what appeared to be a page torn out of a magazine.
"This was in the back of the comic book I was reading during English class this morning" said Ed as he smiled, after which he held up the page for his friends to see. "I tore it out because it is something that I think she would really like, and I'm going to get it for her!"
Eddy and Double Dee examined the torn out page, which appeared to be a sporting advertisement. There was a large jagged tear in the top left corner of the page, indicative that it was rapidly torn out due to excitement. On the top of the intact portion of the page were the words, 'Automatic Pitching Machine', below which was a picture of the gadget.
"Ed that is a wonderful idea!" said Double Dee, "How thoughtful, May will most surely love it!"
"I remembered how May was having trouble with her pitching machine, so I thought I'd get her a new one so she could practice hitting to make the team in Spring!"
Eddy continued reading the advertisement, at which point he noted the price of the machine.
"Three-hundred dollars?" asked Eddy, "The idea's good, but are ya sure you can afford that Ed?"
Ed, being the optimist he was, folded up the piece of paper and placed it back in his jacket pocket. He decided to reply to Eddy with a smile.
"It's a lot of money," said Ed, "But if it's going to make May happy, Ed will find a way!"
"Ed, you truly do exemplify the holiday spirit!" said Double Dee.
"Alright, enough chit chat," said Eddy, "We gotta get out to the gym, it's time for the winter fitness test, remember?"
"How could I forget?" said Double Dee with a disheartened look, "There is not one thing I absolutely despise more than the tortuous, monotonous Fitnessplan Pacer Test!"
"C'mon boys," said Eddy as he opened the door into the gymnasium and passed through into the gym, "Let's get this over with, then we'll hit up the business district after school to scout out the Christmas shopping."
The two remaining Ed boys followed Eddy into the gymnasium; Ed running enthusiastically, leaning backward while flailing his body as he always did, while laughing dopily. In complete contrast Double Dee slowly passed through the door, slouching as he walked, his face adorned with a melancholy expression.
