Chapter 49

It was 8:00 a.m.; the dawn of a new day a Peach Creek High School. The day, however, was quite a miserable one, as the Peach Creek residents woke up to cloudy skies. The temperature was not quite cold enough to produce snow and the result was a consistent, steady rain. Many of the students were quite exhausted, due to attending the talent show the previous night, and the dreary weather did not serve to lift anyone's mood in the slightest. Nevertheless, the hallways were once again filled with students, exchanging their books at their lockers as they conversed with friends.

The inside of the boys restroom was relatively quiet, in contrast to the boisterous atmosphere of the hallway. Inside, Eddy had just finished relieving himself at one of the wall-mounted urinals, and had washed his hands utilizing one of the marble sinks. After drying his hands, using a short section of cheap brown paper towel common in public restrooms, the stout Ed boy remained in place in front of the mirror, admiring his reflection.

While Eddy had worn his typical yellow sweater to school, he had temporality removed it after relieving himself. Under his sweater, he donned a black sleeveless shirt, similar to the one he had worn the previous night. It seemed that the compliments he had received from Lee and his friends had boosted the already over-confident Eddy's self esteem to even greater heights; he was currently admiring himself in the mirror, slicking his hair back while flexing his muscles, all the while displaying a sly grin.

Eddy's focus was quickly interrupted, as the bathroom door suddenly opened with an audible squeak. At that point, Double Dee entered the space, wearing his typical red shirt/ yellow tie combination, and carrying his blue "man-bag". At the sound of the door opening, Eddy grabbed his yellow sweater (currently hanging next to the sink), and thrust it down over his head. He reactivated the sink faucet, and pretended to be in the midst of washing his hands in an attempt to hide his vanity.

"Good morning Eddy!" said Double Dee exuberantly as he passed his friend on the way to the adjacent sink.

"Hey Sockhead," said Eddy as he turned off the faucet, proceeding to re-dry his hands, "What's happening?"

"Oh just the usual preparations for the upcoming academic day!" said Double Dee as he rested his bag on the ground . He began to adjust his tie, ensuring the knot was perfectly centered, and examined his shirt for any loose threads.

"Geez Double Dee," said Eddy, "Don't ya spend enough time at home showering and ironing your clothes? What are ya some kind of fashionista?"

"I see nothing wrong with one having the desire to appear presentable," said Double Dee, "Besides, judging by your quick reaction upon my entrance to the bathroom, it seems that you yourself have been stricken with the desire for vanity ever since Lee's ballet lessons led to your muscles undergoing hyperatrophy!"

"Hey don't be jealous of these guns," said Eddy as he flexed once again, "If ya want, I can show ya some pointers."

"I find it fascinating that your negative feelings ballet lessons suddenly transformed into thoughts of a positive nature." said Double Dee after which he giggled.

"Hell yeah," said Eddy, "Lee's already got us set up to continue practicing every Friday night, I gotta keep myself in shape somehow."

"Well as much as I hate to say I told you so," said Double Dee, "I'm grateful you've found a new hobby to enjoy."

Eddy and Double Dee shared a smile through their reflection in the bathroom mirror, at which point the sound of a toilet flushing filled the air. The door to the center stall opened, revealing their oafish friend Ed. He emerged with a smile as he ran towards his friends.

"Eddy, Double Dee!" yelled Ed as he held his arms out to grab his two friends in a headlock, "Boy am I excited to to see you guys!"

Double Dee watched with nervousness as Ed's hand approached him.

"Ed please!," yelled a distressed Double Dee, "While I admire your desire to greet us as your friends, I must insist that you cease and desist prior to ensuring good hygiene practices following the use of..."

Double Dee was silenced as Ed completely ignored his pleas, and grabbed him and Eddy around the neck in a bear hug.

"Boy oh Boy, am I such an excited little Elf," yelled Ed as he squeezed his pals, "Five days until Christmas, and tonight's the night Chris is going to pay me for all of my hard work so I can buy my Little Mays pitching machine. And best of all tonight's the downtown Christmas parade!"

Ed released his grip on the two Ed boys, turning toward the wall while clasping his hands with a smile, as his friends recovered from his squeeze. Eddy breathed heavily as he held his throat, while Double Dee immediately removed a can of disinfectant from his bag, and proceeded to spray his body from head to toe.

"Me and May are taking Sarah and Jimmy," said Ed in an exuberant manner, "We're going to have so much fun, and the best part is there's gonna be all you can eat Candy Cane flavored Jawbreakers! I feel bad, cause May can't have any cause of her braces but she said she doesn't mind if I eat them all cause she and her sisters don't like jawbreakers."

Double Dee placed his can of disinfectant back into his backpack, at which point he smiled exuberantly.

"My word, I had almost forgotten that tonight is the Christmas parade," said Double Dee, "We'll have to be hasty in our work at the tree farm this afternoon, as Marie and I promised to take custody of my kindergarten-aged cousin Claire at 6:00 in an effort to allow her to enjoy the festivities."

Double Dee turned towards the solitary double hung window, and gazed through it's glass pane. The window provided a view of the schools athletic center, including the football field, softball field, and track circuit. However, in lieu of the clear view of the distant cities skyscrapers, typical of a sunny day, the view was heavily distorted by a steady stream of water, running down from the eaves above due to the rain.

"I can only hope that this weather improves as planned, or the parade will have to be cancelled," said Double Dee, "Claire not only adores Marie, and looks up to her as if she were an older sister, but she is also fascinated by all things Christmas. It would be a shame if all of that would have to go to waste due to rain."

Double Dee turned back towards Eddy, who was still recovering from Ed's bear hug turned choke hold.

"So Eddy," said Double Dee, "Care to join us for a fun-filled night of holiday joy?"

"Sorry Double Dee," said Eddy, as he stood up straight, "But this stud's got himself some plans of his own."

"Plans?" asked Double Dee, "Do I dare ask what those plans may be?"

"Look Sockhead," said Eddy with a sly grin, "All's you need to know, is that my holiday spirit may be needed somewhere else."

Eddy delivered a wink to his brainy best buddy, attempting to imply that he has found an idea for Lee's Christmas present. Double Dee took the hint, simply replying with a heartfelt smile.

"Well boys," said Eddy as he glanced at his cell phone, "It's about that time to get to class. I don't want Mr. Gillenwaters on my ass about being late again, I definitely can't afford any detentions this close to Christmas. Besides, the student government's giving out free cupcakes this morning and I don't want to miss first dibs on the jimmies.

"Jimmies for Ed YUM YUM YUM!" yelled Ed as he began running towards the door, his hand outstretched to grab the metal handle. However, just prior to his hand making contact with the handle, Double Dee interjected in a demanding voice.

"Hold it right there mister!" yelled Double Dee in a rather stern manner, causing Ed to freeze in place, "I will not stand by idly and let you make skin contact with another surface without ensuring that all hygienic requirements following the use of the rest room are met. Now Ed, please kindly lather your hands prior to exiting the restroom."

Ed turned towards his stout best friend with a confused look on his face.

"Uh Eddy," asked Ed, "What's lather mean?"

"It means wash your hands Lumpy," said Eddy as he walked past his friend on the way to the door, "And for once I agree with Mr. Clean over there, get to it and meet me in homeroom."

"Oh yeah," said Ed, "Me and May always forget that part, we have to remind each other all the time."

Double Dee watched with concern, as his friend turned on the faucet and proceeded to scrub his hands.

"Wash the hands, wash the hands, wash the hands," said Ed in a dopey manner, after which he turned off the water and dried his hands with one of the paper towels.

"Right behind ya Eddy!" yelled Ed as he tossed the balled up paper towel over his shoulder and ran out of the bathroom. Unfortunately, the towel missed the trash can, and landed on the floor adjacent to the receptacle.

Double Dee sighed, at which point he kneeled down, and picked up the discarded towel.

"Messy, messy, messy," said Double Dee in a neurotic manner, as he placed the towel in the trash and proceeded to follow his friends out of the restroom.

As the Ed's made their way out of the bathroom, they passed the doors leading into the school gymnasium. While the large room had seen heavy use over the last few days, due to the cheer teams almost non-stop practice sessions in preparation for their talent show performance, the large room was empty sans one individual.

Rolf, with Kevin's encouragement, had mustered up the courage to try out for the schools basketball team. Basketball had always been one of Rolf's favorite sports, and while he enjoyed his favorite trick shot involving the use of his head to hit the ball into the basket, he was actually quite skilled at the game as a whole. These skills, combined with his above average height for his age, allowed him to make the cut; however, due to being a newcomer, he did not make the starting lineup.

Accordingly, the foreign boy had decided to spend his free prior to home room time practicing his free throw shots. He had changed into the standard uniform of the school basketball team, an orange jersey with blue trim, and silver shorts. On the front sleeveless shirt was a silver number 7, along with the word "Cobblers" written above it. On the back of the jersey was a larger silver number seven, placed in the center directly below the word "Xhuxha".

Rolf was currently standing behind the foul line. He dribbled the orange sphere in his hand for a few moments, the sound echoing off of the gym walls like a repetitive drum beat. After a few dribbles, the tall boy lifted the ball in the air, placing his right hand under it. While using his left hand for support, he drew the ball down towards his face (while simultaneously and involuntarily sticking his tongue out) and flicked his wrist, sending the ball on a parabolic trajectory toward the basket.

Unfortunately, the ball did pass through the hoop as intended. Instead, it bounced off of the front of the rim, bouncing twice on the wooden floor before returning to Rolf's hands.

"Poppycock!" yelled Rolf out of frustration, "Rolf must master the art of the shot of the fouls, just as he has mastered the tossing of the yam sacks at the annual festival of the goats!"

Rolf dribbled the ball a few more times, after which he took another shot. The shot, unlike the last passed through the hoop, causing an audible "swish" to emanate from the net. After passing through the net, the ball proceeded to bounce off of the gyms wall, and begin rolling towards the door leading into the gymnasium

"Ho ho!" said Rolf, ecstatic that he had made the shot. The excited boy, paying no attention to his surroundings began to chase the ball with a smile.

His eyes tracked the ball as it made it's way across the gym, losing momentum as it approached the open door leading out into the hallway. Rolf managed to catch up to it just as it was about to pass out of the door, at this point it's speed was slowed to a crawl. Just as the boy was about to reach down to retrieve it, the orange sphere was stopped in it's tracks by the sole of familiar brown, leather high-heeled boot.

Rolf froze in place, his hands outstretched towards the ball as he watched the boot move back and forth, rocking the pinned ball between it and the floor. His eyes began to travel upwards, eventually focusing on the face of someone he had desired to speak with for the last few days.

Standing in the gym archway was none other than Lindsay Statorowski. She donned her typical designer winter coat, as she leaned against the threshold of the door with her arms folded. Her left foot remained in place on the floor, as she used the right to continue to rock the ball. Unusually, her face was not adorned with her typical scowl, rather she appeared to be conveying a sultry yet flirty grin.

Lindsay flicked her neck to the side, her two large golden earrings bouncing as she sent a large chunk of her wavy hair behind her back.

"Hey handsome," said Lindsay in a flirty manner, "That was a nice shot you made there, looks like you've been practicing."

Rolf remained bent over, staring up into Lindsay's big blue chestnut shaped eyes with a neutral expression. Lindsay unfolded her arms, and placed her index finger underneath Rolf's chin. She began lifting him to a standing position on the tip of her long pink fingernail, as if the boy was lighter than air. With her heels on, Lindsay stood 5'11", exactly the same height as Rolf, allowing them to converse at eye level.

"What's wrong?", asked Lindsay, as she gazed into Rolf's eyes in a sensual manner "Don't ya wanna talk to me?"

Rolf paused for a few moments, wiping the sweat worked up from practice off of his forehead. As he came to his senses, his face transformed into a wide smile. Without warning, Rolf suddenly reached his arms out, surprising Lindsay by grabbing her in a tight squeeze.

"My sweet Babushka!", yelled Rolf, "It pleases Rolf plenty that you have decided to return after the presentation of the Furtsturken! Rolf has been told that you, the girl with the hair as wavy as Rolf's watermelon vines, adores the culture of Rolf's old country. Your presence here in the gymnasium pleases Rolf, as it signifies that you wish to take him as...how do you say?...boyfriend."

In the midst of his display of affection, a few beads of sweat from Rolf's face managed to make contact with Lindsay's cheek. The easily disgusted girl quickly responded with force.

"Eww gross!," yelled Lindsay as she shoved Rolf away, removed a drying cloth from her handbag, and proceeded to wipe her face.

After cleaning her face, she turned back towards Rolf. While Lindsay was quite disgusted, she knew that whatever plan she was currently concocting required her to keep Rolf happy and under her spell. Accordingly, she regained her flirty smile, and replied accordingly.

"Wow, that's some manly sweat you worked up," said Lindsay, "There's nothing that turns me on more than a man that can play sports, especially a guy that knows how to play basketball."

Rolf smiled.

"You are familiar with the sport of the bouncing orange sphere?" asked Rolf as he lifted the ball in his hands, "Does Rolf's beautiful Schmetlockin wish to learn how to perform Rolf's favorite trick shot?"

At that point, Rolf bounce passed the ball in Lindsay's direction. Lindsay, being the definition of a "girly-girl", was not athletically inclined in the slightest; accordingly she did not make a clean catch, rather she juggled the ball in her hands for a few moments, attempting to prevent another nail break, before finally gaining control.

"Uh, no thanks," said Lindsay in a sarcastic manner, "I hate playing sports, and I definitely don't play basketball."

Lindsay glanced down toward the ball. As he cradled it in her hands, her long pink nails contrasting with the orange, dirt stained surface, a melancholy expression adorned her face.

"I guess talents are more nurture than nature," said Lindsay, as she continued to stare at the ball.

A few seconds passed, after which Lindsay regained her flirty disposition.

"Anyway, enough of that!" said Lindsay as she tossed the ball over her shoulder into the hallway. She walked towards Rolf, flaunting her hips excessively as her heels clicked on the gymnasium floor. She eventually reached Rolf, and proceeded to pin him, placing her hands flat against the wall on both sides of his shoulders as she raised her left leg into the air behind her.

"Look cutie," said Lindsay with a smile, "I have to thank you for being the only one besides the cheer squad to root for me last night. I knew since the first day we met in the lunchroom that I could count on you to be my night in shining armor."

At that point, Lindsay placed her right hand on the silver zipper, typically tucked away under the rabbits fur trim on her signature coat, and proceeded to unzip it. Rolf watched in awe as Lindsay's hand traveled downward, separating the two halves of the coat, revealing a low-cut, mauve t-shirt, seemingly designed with the intent of displaying cleavage. Lindsay removed her hand from the zipper, and clasped it with the opposite hand in front of her as she brought her arms together; the intent being to illicit a substantial "push-up effect."

"It's time I give you a reward of your own," said Lindsay, "Maybe later, you will get to see these."

Lindsay leaned towards the completely flabbergasted Rolf's face. As she approached, she moved her lips toward Rolf's right cheek.

"But for now, I'll just give you this, and let you take me to the winter ball." whispered Lindsay, after which she kissed Rolf on the cheek. She slowly moved her lips towards his ear, at which point she whispered one final word in a seductive tone.

"Boyfriend."

At the sound of those words, Rolf was suddenly struck with what seemed to be a love induced Euphoria. In Rolf's mind, time seemed to stop momentarily, as Lindsay's words continuously played in his psyche.

Lindsay was completely unprepared for Rolf's reaction to her proclamation, as the lanky teenager proceeded to swing an alarmed Lindsay around, as if performing an intricate ball room dance, all the while humming a folk song while smiling dreamily.

However, in reality, the dance of joy lasted all but three seconds. Rolf had attempted to fling Lindsay outward with a spin, his plan being to draw her back into a "dip" and deliver her a kiss on the lips. Unfortunately, Rolf had missed his mark; instead of taking hold of Lindsay's hand as planned, he had accidentally taken hold of the rabbits fur trim adorning the sleeve of her coat.

Rolf sensed the disappearance of Lindsay's weight from the end of his arm, and was instantly broken out of his trance. He gazed toward the end of his outstretched arm, eventually laying eyes on the maroon designer coat. However, the coat was no longer occupied by the blonde diva; due to Lindsay's earlier attempt at flaunting her cleavage, the coat had been completely unzipped, causing her body to slip out of it due to the force applied by Rolf's dance maneuver. As a result, the body of the coat hung limp towards the floor, as Rolf's hand remained clenched around the white trim at the end of the sleeve.

Rolf's scanned his surroundings, eventually laying eyes on Lindsay herself. She had fallen to the floor, landing face down on her stomach. Rolf quickly ran over toward her position, and kneeled down beside her with a concerned expression.

"Are you okay my beautiful Schmetlockin?," asked Rolf as he proceeded to help the dazed Lindsay to her knees, "Rolf has never quite felt such wonderful feelings, and these feeling of joy resulting from his sweet Babushka accepting his offer of courtship excite Rolf tremendously."

At that point, Rolf took hold of Lindsay's hand and assisted her into a standing position. Due to Lindsay's coat being forcibly removed, she stood before Rolf in nothing but a mauve, short-sleeved t-shirt, which completely exposed her normally concealed forearms. Lindsay had gone to great lengths to always don long sleeved day wear, even changing the cheer uniforms to a long-sleeved variety to suit her needs. As Rolf assisted his "girlfriend" to her feet, his eyes were drawn to the area of her never-seen arms; at that moment, Rolf's face suddenly transformed from one of happiness, to one of outright horror.

Rolf continued to stare downward as Lindsay regained her senses. A few seconds passed, at which point she suddenly pulled her hand from Rolf's, placing her arm from behind her back in an effort to conceal it as she gasped. Rolf remained frozen in place, his eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost, as Lindsay yanked her coat of his hand, placed her arms inside, and promptly zipped it back up.

Rolf was broken out of his thoughts as Lindsay suddenly slammed him against the wall, brining her face within inches of his once again; however, her expression was one of a serious,yet distressed nature, rather than a flirty one.

"What you just saw is between you and me," said Lindsay, "Blab that to anyone, and we are through."

Rolf paused for a few moments, after which he shook his head up and down fearfully.

Suddenly, the sound of the school bell echoed through the gymnasium. Lindsay turned away from Rolf and picked up her designer handbag, placing the strap over her shoulder.

"Well, there's the bell." said Lindsay as she unfolded her makeup mirror to make a quick adjustment of her eyeliner. She promptly closed the mirror, walked towards Rolf, and grabbed his hand in a laced finger hold.

"C'mon Rodolfo," said Lindsay as she began leading Rolf out the door, "Walk me to class."

"I am called Rolf," said Rolf.

"Whatever," said Lindsay as the two made their way out into the hallway.