The beginning of this chapter is VERY Ed and Eddy-centric . This is mostly for plot purposes later on, but I wanted everyone to know before reading.

About a month and a half later.

The Friday Before Halloween.

Double D is walking to school with Ed and Eddy listening to a cranky Eddy regale them with his latest idea for a scam. Ed is being silly and making faces behind Eddy's back and the dark haired boy is having a hard time controlling his giggles. The faces Ed is making are not exceptionally funny ,but he is matching them perfectly with Eddy as he is talking . Eddy who had been in a bad mood for the last few days seems to be getting madder at his friends as his face is turning kind of red and his voice is starting to get louder. After a couple more seconds Eddy has had enough and snaps at his friends.

"WILL YOU STOP!"

Ed grins before reverting back to his childish ways.

"But Eddy if I don't make faces ,the hobgoblins will steal you and try to make you their king!"

"Shut the fuck up Ed,your not funny! "

" I beg to differ Eddy. Eds comments while slightly mean are rather humorous. Also please watch your language Eddy. "

"Can it sockhead, I'm not taking your shit today either. "

" Language Eddy. "

"Calm the hell down Eddy, we're just picking on you. "

" Language please Ed. "

" No I'm not in the mood to deal with your shit today, so shut the fuck up! OK Ed?"

" Eddy will you please stop cursing. I've asked the both of you many times to please respect my wishes on this matter. "

"Look Double D, I'm just not in the mood to pay attention to my words. We haven't done a scam in forever and I came up with a really good one and you and Ed are just ignoring me and pissing me off. "

The two taller boys look at each other then down at their friend. Ed can tell that there is something else bothering his cranky friend and Double D can see it in Ed's eyes. He gives his huge friend a questioning look and receives a nod in response. Thinking over his words Edd tries to find out what has made his companion angry.

"Eddy, would you be so kind as to tell us the real reason you are upset? It seems to be more than the friendly banter that is bothering you. "

Eddy mumbled something unintelligible and starts walking faster . It was clear the brunette didn't want to talk about it. The boys had made it to the bike rack in front of their school before Ed couldn't take it anymore and scooped Eddy up into his arms as if he were a toddler.

"Eddy you tell us what's up with you or I'm gonna carry you like a baby all day to every single class. I'll even talk to you like one in front of everyone. "

" No Ed, that's cheating you can't do that ! Sockhead heeeelp! Make em put me down! "

" I'm sorry Eddy, while I do not approve of his methods I do believe that they will work. If you wish for Ed to unhand you, you need to open up about your current problems."

" That's not fair, I don't make you guys talk about stuff you don't wanna talk about! Besides is just something stupid anyway. "

" Eddy we're your friends we don't care if you think it's stupid we just want you to be happy and we can tell your not. And by the way man ,you always make us talk about things we would rather keep to ourselves. So fess up little man. "

By this point the young men had found themselves in the school cafeteria, their peers eating what was supposed to be considered breakfast. The trio got in line so that Ed and Eddy could get some food, Eddward only joining to finish the discussion with his friends. Eddy was thinking of how to explain his problem to his friends while picking out what he would eat. When they sat down at the table he just decided to be honest.

" I'm jealous... we're in junior high and everyone seems to know what they are gonna do with their lives and here I am just trying to get through the day to day shit..."

Ed and Double D look at each other then back at Eddy wanting more information.

" Uhh...um.. look Eds a football player and he's great at it."

Eddy looks up at Ed and continues.

"You could go pro when you grow up you know. And Double D your a fucking genius, you already have colleges looking at you and you have a million choices for what you want to do... I can't even pass math with out help and I probably won't even go to college . I just keep thinking how you guys are leaving me behind and I'm jealous because you two have the talent and I'm just here looking on from the sides..."

Double D was staring at Eddy like he was a germ under his microscope that he was trying to examine and Ed was just silently giggling to him self knowing exactly how to help. Both boys waited until Eddy started to look even more upset bordering on livid before Ed spoke up.

"Hey Dee go on ahead me and Eddy need to talk ok? "

Eddward agreed knowing a bit of what they were going to talk about. Ed waited until the lanky boy was out of sight before continuing.

" Hey Eddy, look man I went through the same shit last year right before trying out for football . I looked around and it just seemed like everyone was moving forward except me. Like I was stuck to the floor with old chewing gum ya know? "

" Yeah? So what did you do? "

" To be honest I tried to ignore it at first then it was shoved in my face and I was forced to look closer. I was failing my classes, all of them and my dad was yelling at me , I wasn't even paying attention to him ,I was thinking about a movie I had watched the night before. Then he said something that got through to me because it pissed me off. "

'Ed, son I don't know what to do anymore I can't keep doing this. I thought you would grow out of this... but it's gotten worse . Why can't you be like your sister, she doesn't cause trouble. '

"So in a fit of anger I left the house and went to Dee's never asked what was wrong just took one look at my face, nodded his head and let me in. He was in the middle of cooking dinner and told me to sit down. I never knew until then that he knew how to cook but now I eat at his place as often as possible. Anyway after dinner he did the dishes and told me to go watch a movie, about halfway into the movie I noticed he never joined me and went looking for him. I found him sitting at the table doing what looked like paperwork and asked him what he was doing. Fuck man Double D was balancing his mom's checkbook. I was floored. He let me stay the night and made me breakfast in the morning like he was my parent or some shit, by the time we separated to go to school I realized something really fucking important. "

Jesus is there anything sockhead can't do? Is he really a kid maybe he's an alien...

Ed and Eddy were throwing out the remains of their breakfast at this point and walking down the hall.

" What did you realize? "

" I realized that Double D was moving too. While I sat there stuck in gum he was moving just like everyone else. I sat and thought about it for hours at school that day then in my last class it hit me that I didn't have to be stuck unless I wanted to be. So I went home and apologized to my dad and started to decide what I wanted to do. One thing led to another and I found myself asking Dee for help with my grades, then I started football. After that I came to the conclusion that no one is stuck we are just all following different pathways, and that mine just had a few bumps to slow me down. "

Yup just a few bumps and now I'm moving again and Eddy will too. . Just like Dee will eventually hit his bumps.

The two boys were in front of Eddy's classroom and the bell was going to ring any second.

" That was the most insightful thing you've ever said. Are you sure you're not the smart one?"

"Ha ha Eddy, but for real I hope that helped. I really don't like telling people about that."

"Ed, man thanks I feel a lot better now that I know I'm not the only one who doesn't know where to go from here. "

Eddy walks into his class right as the bell rings feeling like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Ed runs to his class knowing he'll be getting a lecture from the prissy teacher.

Eddward had just left the cafeteria when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning he looks down into cornflower blue eyes.

"Salutations Nazz, how may I be of assistance? "

Nazz is surrounded by three of her friends . Two are the girls Edd had met at the beach a little over a month ago, the third was someone Ed had known for a very long time. Marie Kanker.

So far Ed and Marie had not seen each other since the end of the last school year. Ed had been rather happy about that since the girl used to be obsessed with him for some reason. Luckily it seems as though she had calmed down and doesn't wish to cause any problems any longer.

Goodness since when did Nazz and Marie become friends?

" Well Double D we haven't spoke in a long time, since the beach really, and I was wondering... umm... you see...I -"

" She wants to know if you wanna go to the Halloween dance with her."

Nazz had been cut off by the same girl who had grinned at her at the beach. The girl was smirking at Nazz who was now beet red and glaring at her friend. Eddward who was also blushing looked at the whole group of girls noticing that Marie's cheeks were pink and she was looking like she wanted to cry. Nazz was to busy being angry at her other friend to notice.

" Nazz , while I do appreciate the offer, I am a bit confused as to why you are asking me? "

" Dude... it's cause she likes you."

Nazz and Edd both jump up like a cat that was dropped in water .Nazz recovered first and decided to speak up.

" Oh Kevin, when did you show up? "

" You guys are blocking the hallway so like a couple seconds after you stopped the dork to talk."

I can't belive she likes Double D... I mean I always thought she liked me, at least she always acted like it.

" Oh! "

Eddward who was watching everything suddenly smiled at realization.

She wishes to make Kevin jealous! He's been busy with football and hasn't spent very much time with her lately... But why me? Ah! I'm non threatening, she knows that when she eventually picks Kevin over me I would understand and not be mean about it...but I'm sorry to say I can not do that it would be mean to Kevin... and I can not get Marie's sad face out of my mind either.

" Umm excuse me... umm Nazz I'm very sorry but I can not join you at the dance. I..umm... have made plans with Ed and Eddy already... I'm very sorry."

I feel bad for lying so now I will have to make plans... wasn't Eddy talking about a haunted house? Maybe I'll do that!

Yay he said no!

God that gap toothed smile is adorable... Shut up brain!

" Oh... Ok well thanks any Double D...umm I'm sorry for bugging you. "

" Your not bothering me at all, Nazz. I really do appreciate the sentiment. Oh I'm very sorry but I must be going I need to stop at my locker before class."

As the slender boy walked away four pairs of eyes were on his back and the fifth set were watching everyone else with a grin.

That nerd has no idea just how cute he is...hehe

"Hey Nazz I gotta go you girls have fun, see ya. "

Kevin ran down the hallway to his locker which was right across the hall from Edds, and covertly watched the genius organize his messenger bag . When the onyx haired boy had finally walked away Kevin grabbed his binder and went to class.

As Eddward walked into his own classroom his friend Clayton snagged up his hand and pulled him to the back of the class.

"Hey I have everything set up for my project can we start today at lunch? "

" Oh yes of course, I was staring to think you had changed your mind since it has been so long."

" Yeah I had to prove to my dad that I wouldn't break his video camera and then I had to basically make a huge plan for how I was going to do the whole project before he would let me borrow it. "

The teacher had walked in and began passing back tests from last week. Although very old Mr Sampson was a very lively teacher and always tried to make history interesting to his students , even going so far as to joke that he was old enough to have been in the textbooks.

" Ok well then I will meet you in the library during lunch."

Clayton would have tried to keep talking with his friend but they sat to far apart in this class to make it easy . Instead he made himself content with the knowledge the he would see him during lunch.

Eddward meet up with Ed and Eddy in the halls between classes to let then know he would by busy during lunch and that they should make a haunted house for Halloween. Eddy protested that there would be no customers because of the dance but Ed thought it was a great idea since the dance was only for two hours and everyone would love an excuse to spend more time with their dates. Edd started making blueprints in his art class while waiting for the lunch bell to ring.

When the class finally ends most of the students rush out the doors trying to get in the lunch line first. Eddward stands up and packs his bag then heads of in the opposite direction to the library. Edd walked into the large, silent and somewhat stuffy room. He looked around the library and sat down at one of the center tables to wait for Clayton. after a few minutes of waiting Clayton the boy stumbled into the library carrying a large bag a huge binder and a tripod.

" Hey Eddward! Could you give me a hand please?"

Eddward had already gotten up from his seat to help his friend, and so he grinned before replying.

" Yes Clayton I believe I can help you. "

Eddward picked the tripod up out of Claytons hands and set it on the table .

Clayton walks over and places the bag and binder next to the tripod. Double D watched as his friend set up the video camera that was in the bag. When the camera is set up Clayton hands him a piece of paper and tells him to fill it out and that he will have to fill out a new one every week. Eddward looks down at the paper, he sees that his name is already typed at the top along with his age and grade level , and begins to read the questions.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Classical.

How often do you listen to music?

Ex: hourly, daily, weekly,ect.

Hummm... maybe monthly? I'm not sure ,I really only listen to music when mother turns on the radio...

Monthly, sometimes less than that.

Do you enjoy music?

Do I? I really don't know.

I think I do, but I'm not sure.

The questions continued all similar to the first few and Edd had to think about each one for a few seconds before replying. By the time he had answered them all Clayton had finished setting everything up and was waiting for him to give the paper back. Eddward handed the sheet over and watched as it was placed in the binder. Clayton turned to him with a small black ipod in his hands.

"Ok, are you ready to begin? "

" Yes I suppose, although I'm not sure what exactly you expect from me. "

" All you have to do is listen to four songs with your eyes closed and at the end answer some questions. I promise you it won't take to long. "

" Ok then I'm ready when you are. "

Clayton hands Edd the earbuds and waits for Edd to put them in.

"Ok so remember to keep your eyes closed. I'm going to play the first two songs then you have to answer some questions ."

Eddward closes his eyes and after a couple seconds Clayton starts the music.

Clayton watched Eddwards expression as he listened to the two sons playing on the ipod. Both songs are classical but tend to hit certain levels of depth a bit differently than other classical first song to play is Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' ; a rather long cantata but pleasant nonetheless. The second was a requiem by Verdi called 'Dies Irae'. The young genius seems to be in a calming trance; a small smile on his face and no stress near his eyes. When the music ends Eddward sighs and takes out the earbuds.

" Ok now keep you eyes closed and tell me have you ever heard either of those songs? "

" I believe the first one was 'Carmina Burana' , it's based off a collection of medieval poems. I do not know the second song. "

" I know you answered this before but how often do you listen to music? And please tell me what genres of music you listen to. "

" I think maybe once a month possibly a little less than that. To be honest I believe that I have only ever listened to classical music as that is all my mother turns on. "

" Do you ever listen to music on your own? "

"No I never have, I never really thought about it before. "

" Ok go ahead and put the earbuds back in and I'll start the next two songs."

Clayton waited a few seconds then pressed play. He observed Eddward's face go from calm to shocked his eyes were closed but you could still see the surprise in the muscles on his face slowly so very slowly he relaxed and by the time the second song began he was smiling. This smile was more excited than when he was listening to the classical music. The songs this time were Opeth's 'In the Mist She Was Standing' and Fleshgod Apocalypse's 'Oracles' . Both are considered to be neoclassical metal ,an interesting sub genre to heavy couldn't wait to hear Edd's answers to his next questions. The song finally ends and Clayton begins his questions.

" Remember not to open your eyes. Ok so Eddward have you ever heard either of those two sons? "

" No, never. "

" Did you enjoy them? And if so why?"

"Yes I did. They... we're exciting, I felt like the music was alive and demanding that I hear every note, every pause, every movement. "

" Did you notice anything similar about the two genres of music you listened to? And if so what did you notice? "

" Yes, I did. I could hear the similarities between the songs. Not that they sounded they same in any way but the motifs were close to each other, the themes as well. "

" Ok last question. How do you feel about both genres after hearing all four songs? "

" I feel like they are the same yet so very different. If I think of it, it would be like I went down a path one day and the way was clear of obstacles and beautiful , but familiar like a path I've traveled a million times just for the view. But the second genre was as if I went back to the path after a hundred years,it would be dark and overgrown, gloomy with only hints of light, seemingly dangerous but when you start walking the path itself had never changed directions so you still know exactly where to go."

" Wow... Ok you can open your eyes"

Edd looks up at Clayton and smiles. The boys pack up and make arrangements for next week. Before they split up Clayton hands Edd a USB drive with all four songs on it.

" See ya later in class Eddward. "

" Yes see you then Clayton. "

Double D stares at the USB and smiles softly.

Who would have thought that music like that would sound so good. I do think I'm going to look up more music from these artists.

Eddward walks into the cafeteria with only 15 minutes of lunch left and sits down with Ed and Eddy. The boys chat and finish eating while discussing the haunted house they are going to make for Halloween on Monday . Edd who was still keeping up with the conversation saw Kevin over at his table sitting with his eyes closed listening to something with head phones on.

I wonder what Kevin likes to listen to? What imagery would it invoke?

Looking closer the ravenete sees a soft smile on Kevin's face and can't help but stare. Kevin seems to be entranced by the music. His head is balanced on his hands and he looks at peace despite the rowdiness of the lunch room.

I'm curious, could his lips be as soft as they look right now? OH! What am I thinking, how shameful. I must look away.

Forcing himself to look down at his hands Edd decides to head to his next class. He let's Ed and Eddy know that he is leaving and leaves the cafeteria.