Chapter 3:

When I got home, no one mentioned my absence for the classes after lunch. Except when May handed me the homework she had picked up from my teachers.

Life went by like that. Sometimes I would go to school, sometimes I wouldn't. Most of the time, I left because I couldn't stand watching Edd look at me with worried eyes.

It's funny because I always wanted him to care about me, but now that he did, all I could think about was how men had treated my Mom. I had thought Edd would be good for me, but was he? Aren't all men the same? I don't like to bitch and moan, but now, every time I see a guy, all I can think about is how even after three tries, Mom couldn't find a guy who worked for her. Actually, she found worse.

About a week later, my Mom came in screaming. "GODDAMIT! THAT BASTARD!"

We all ran up to her, trying to calm her down.

"Mom! It's okay, it's okay." We all told her.

"I-I'm sorry." She said, "It's just... he's doing so damn well."

I froze.

"Why does he want Marie so much?" Lee inquired.

"He.. He thinks he's finally 'changed'." Mom sighed. "Yeah, maybe I'd believe you on the 3rd time, but this is the 7th."

"Seventh?" May inquired, she didn't know because she was younger, but the last time I saw him was his sixth time at being a decent parent.

"It's nothing May." Lee covered.

He tried, I knew that. I touched my bangs that covered my right eye. I think that's when I lost it. I ran out the door into the rain. I cursed myself for only wearing a tank top and jeans. After running for a while, I ended up at the construction sight. Only now did I realize how it was weird that the construction never actually happened and it was really just a waste land.

Goddamit! I thought to myself as I fell to the ground. I was shaking from the thought of having to face him again. Life had been going fine. I had been living with Mom and my sisters, tormenting the school kids for fun and failing each class at school. Now that bastard was trying to mess up my life.

I screamed into the sky and leaned against a post. I hated being over dramatic, but I was really loosing it. Maybe Bubba had changed, I'd considered that, but I couldn't believe it. Every time I gave him a thought all I could see is him staring at me with fury as he rose his hand.

I'd been walking home from my SAT prep class. I had my umbrella in one hand and my books in my other hand. It was raining pretty bad and I was trying to walk fast as to not get my books wet.

It's a good thing I made sure to check the weather before I left. I thought as I walked on.

Then someone ran past me, hitting me on the shoulder.

"Ah." I said as I fell back and dropped my books. I turned back to see Marie running faster than I've ever seen her run before. "Marie?" I shouted but she didn't even turn around.

I stood there for a moment, not sure what to do. Finally, I followed her, running as fast as I could, leaving my books behind.

Gosh, she was fast. I nearly lost her 20 times. Luckily, she finally stopped at the construction site. I stood a couple yards away watching from behind a tree. She screamed and cried for the longest time.

I wasn't sure if I should approach her, but once she'd been laying against the post for some time, I decided it was okay.

It seemed to take years to get to her, but once I did, I held the umbrella over her head.

She looked up at me after noticing the lack of rain on her face.

"Edd?" She asked, her eyes blank.

"Yes, Marie?" I asked in response.

"... Nothing." She said and looked down.

I stood their for a while, not sure what to do or say.

"Here." I extended my hand.

She stared at my hand and then me for a few seconds. She hesitated a second before taking it and letting me pull her up. (Much harder than it sounds.)

"Thanks Double-D." Was all she said.

"Here, I'll take you home." I slowly took her hand and lead her to her home. We were silent the whole way.

When we got there, Ms. Kanker thanked me before letting Marie in. May smiled at me before following her sister. Lee stayed back and made sure everyone was gone before saying,

"You're a good man, Double-D."

Ha! Charlie Brown reference! I love the Peanuts movies! :)

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!