Double D

I kept staring at the clock waiting for it to tell me that work was over, that I could finally leave. I had decided that I would go and talk to Marie after I got off work today. I needed to apologize to her.

Finally after 5 long hours I could leave. I quickly gathered my things and rushed out the door.

"Hey Sock head wait up!" Eddy ran to catch up with me, "Double D you forgot to clock out man." I silently cursed myself, "Pardon me Eddy I must return and correct my unsightly error." I turned to go back but Eddy stopped me, "Don't worry about it I clocked you out before I left."

"Thank you Eddy you are a true friend."

"Don't mention it. So why the rush today?" I looked at Eddy and shrugged, "Just ready to get the weekend started, I have a lot of studying to do for my classes on Monday." Eddy sighed, "You need to loosen up dude. I mean seriously all you do is study and work, you need to lighten up."

"How do you suggest I do that Eddy?"

"Look Kevin is throwing this super sick party tonight at his house, you don't have to work tomorrow so you should come. Ed, Rolf, Johnny, Jimmy, Sarah, and Nazz will all be there along with a bunch of other people that we don't even know. It'll be a blast come on what do you say?" I considered it for a moment, I never went to Kevin's parties with Ed and Eddy. I spent most of my time studying, plus I was the top student in all my classes. I could spare one night and just have some fun.

"Alright Eddy, I'll come." Eddy fist pumped the air and grinned with glee, "Yes! This is going to be so much fun, the three Ed's at Kevin's rager! I can hardly wait!" I smiled at Eddy's enthusiasm, it really made my day knowing that I had made my friend happy.

We were quickly nearing the store that Marie worked in so I had to lose Eddy fast. "So Eddy I need to run a quick errand. Would you mind if we just met back at the apartment tonight before the party?"

"Eh? Sure whatever you say Sock head. Just don't be late and make sure you have enough time to freshen up for the ladies." Eddy winked at me and started to run in the opposite direction toward the parking lot, "I'll see you at our place later!" And in a matter of moments Eddy was out of sight, lost in the crowd and I was slowly making my way towards the store I had seen Marie in.

I stood at the entrance seriously doubting my decision to talk to her, but my gentlemanly upbringing got the better of me and I entered the store.

Marie

I was getting ready to leave work, my 6 hour shift finally over. I was walking toward the entrance/exit when a customer stopped me.

"Excuse me miss, do you work here?" I almost said no but I realized that I still had my nametag on. I really needed to start remembering to take the stupid thing off. I looked up at the person who had spoken but I couldn't really see them, they had their face hidden behind a rack of jeans.

"Yes, how can I help you?" I smiled kindly at the person but wished that I could go home and sleep.

"Well I am looking for a gift to get for my mom for her birthday and I just don't know what to get for her. I was hoping that you could help me, since you're a girl and I am not." I cursed inwardly, of course I had to help the stupid male customer while I wasn't on the clock.

"Sure I can help, do you want to come out here so that we can talk?"

"Um no I'd rather not I am quite embarrassed and do not wish to be seen by my fellow friends in a ladies store."

"Of course, I understand," I recognized that speech pattern, "So what are you looking for? Dressy work clothes? Casual clothes? Pajamas? Intimates?" I could barely see the blush creeping onto his face when I said intimates and I knew who was hiding behind the rack.

"Um, well I-I don't really know what she likes or what size she is."

"That's ok," I replied upholding my act of ignorance, "You could always get her a gift card. That way she can come in and get what she wants and you can still get her a good gift."

"That is very wise, Thank you miss I think that's what I'll do."

"You're welcome Double D, let me know if you need anything else." I could see him stiffen when I said his name. That's right I figured it out all on my own. Double D stepped out from behind the rack and looked at me very sheepishly.

"Greetings Marie, how are you this fine afternoon?"

"Oh spare me the crap Double D," I scoffed, "Just tell me what you want. I'm not dumb you know. I saw you outside the store this morning, and you forgot to take off your stupid hat when you came in just now." He blushed a little, "How did you know that it was my hat and not some random stranger?"

"Oh please, I chased you and your friends around the cul-de-sac for a year and a half, I recognize your hat." He looked a little sheepish but I just pressed on, "So what do you want? Did you come in here to harass me? To make me look bad? Or did you just stop in to chat?"

"Actually I came in to apologize." I scoffed again, "Don't mess with me Double D you don't want to make me mad."

"No I am very serious Marie I just wanted to-"

"You know what no I don't have time for your bullshit, I have had a rough day and I want to go home and take a nap. Piss off Edd." I stormed past him out into the mall. What an ass. I ripped my nametag off my shirt and shoved it in my purse. I was definitely going to remember to take that off next time. I made it into the parking garage when I heard my name.

"Marie! Wait! MARIE!" I turned and saw Edd chasing after me. I huffed and continued to walk away from him. I didn't want to hear anything that he had to say to me. Suddenly to my surprise he caught up to me and grabbed my wrist making me stop and face him.

"Let me go Edd or I will scream." I have to admit, for a scrawny guy he sure does have an iron grip.

"No, I will not let you leave until you listen to what I have to say." I stopped struggling and looked at him. He was the same Edd that I had known, yet he was different. His green eyes no longer looked scared when he was close to me, they looked full of life and wisdom. His stance and tone of voice had changed too. He no longer cowered in fear in my presence, he stood with a sense of power and confidence. And he spoke assertively and demanding. I looked at him, "Fine but make it quick I have to get home so Lee can take the car to work." He nodded and let go of my wrist.

"Listen Marie, I haven't seen you since that night in the cul-de-sac when I, well, when I…"

"When you cussed me and my sisters out."

"You remember that?" I scoffed, "Yeah Edd, you don't exactly forget about the time when your crush pushed you to the ground and then yelled down at you and your sisters that you are sluts and demon spawn and-"

"Yes, I know I remember what I said you don't need to remind me," he rubbed his temples like he had a headache, "Look Marie the reason that I came to you today is so that I could apologize for the things I said. I didn't mean them, I was just a stupid kid I didn't know how to properly deal with the situation. I am terribly sorry for the things that I said, and I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me." I considered it, he sounded sincere and Edd was never one to lie without a valid and really rock solid good reason.

"Alright Edd," I said after a while, "I suppose I can forgive you, on one condition." He looked at me confused but waited silently for me to continue, "You have to give me a second chance at a first impression." He stood there silently, thinking it over.

"Alright Marie, I will allow you a chance to reintroduce yourself to me. How about we start tonight? Kevin is throwing a huge party and Eddy wants me to go. So how about you come too and we could talk for a while."

I could hardly believe this was happening. One minute I'm at work considering beating Edd to a pulp if he tried to talk to me, now my heart is leaping with joy at the thought of getting to know him again. I kept my cool demeanor and replied, "Sounds great, where at?"

"Kevin's house in the cul-de-sac, same house he's always lived in. At 8 o'clock."

"Cool, I guess I'll see you at 8 then?"

"See you at 8."