A/N

Ok, ok I know it's been awhile. I'm sorry! Between technical difficulties and lack of motivation (don't look at me like that) I haven't been very forthcoming with the updates. I promise to work on that!

Anyhoozle, last chapter I realized I said John Rainer instead of Garrett, I don't know how to edit so hopefully y'all understand it was the judge and that I didn't confuse you too much.

Edd's Playlist

Not Enough-DELAIN

Somewhere I belong-Linkin Park

Storm the Sorrow-EPICA

...

Edd wanted to scream out in frustration. Couldn't life give him a break just once? The genius knew deep down it was John behind his mothers not so accident, he just had no proof. The judge's status was too high and his name too well known. Edd was at a loss as he fought himself for peace.

Edd fell into a restless sleep as he tried to find a solution to everything. He awoke to Kevin's green eyes staring into his own. Faking his best smile, he said, "Hello Kevin. How was school?"

Kevin didn't even try matching Edd's smile, they both knew it was a lie. "School was school. Everyone asked about you, though."

"oh" the ravenette said, "that's kind of them to worry, but there really is no need. I'm quite fine."

"There's no use in lying to him, Eddward." His mother said, sitting up, "It's quite clear you are not fine."

"Mother, really," Edd said facing her, "I will be."

Barbara could only sigh. Her son definitely got her stubbornness, and his father's empathy. Kevin looked between mother and son, Mrs Vincent may not have been an ideal parent, ever, but it was clear to the redhead that her heart had always been in the right place. Even if that place was dark.

"She's right, D. I know you're hurting-" Kevin was cut off as the doctor walked in.

"Ah, glad to see you both awake!" he said, smiling brightly. "now I can tell you the good news!"

"What would that be?" Edd asked skeptically.

"That you can go home today!" the doctor replied. "Well, at least you can. I'd still like your mother to stay a few days to make sure her head injuries are healing nicely." Todd Lorry tried his best to reassure the three in front of him. It was clear from the moment the Vincent duo was admitted, that there was more to this than either were letting on. He continued, "I do however want you to follow up with your family doctor, Edd."

Edd's voice was hallow as he asked, "For?"

Doctor Lorry looked at the teen sadly. There was so much pain hidden in his eyes. "I want you to try out an anti-depressant and possibly find someone to talk to."

"Like a shrink?" Kevin asked abruptly.

"I suppose some may call them that, yes." the doctor replied.

Edd was not happy about the suggestion. The last thing the teen wanted, was yet another person to worry about him. Keeping his voice as steady as he could, Edd said, "I will make an appointment in a few days."

Todd nodded, saying "Good, I'm glad to hear that. Now that that's settled, let's get you out of here, shall we?"

...

Edd didn't want to face the kids at school. Luckily for him, the school wanted him to take the rest of the week off. Any other time, the genius would be frantic about the loss of class, lately it didn't matter.

He spent the week mostly in his bedroom. Kevin and the rest of the cul-de-sac came over after school Tuesday and Wednesday, but by Thursday with barely any interaction, they slowly dwindled. Edd was secretly grateful. He hadn't intentionally pushed them away, but it was a welcome relief. Kevin and the Eds refused to give up, however.

Friday morning Barbara was released from the hospital. Doctor Lorry said her swelling had went down enough to go home. Matthew Barr drove Edd to pick her up.

"How are you doing, Edd?" the man asked, casting a look sideways.

"I'll be fine, Mr. Barr. Thanks for asking."

"You're welcome, but that doesn't really answer my question, now does it?"

Edd stared ahead, avoiding his glance, "No, I suppose not."

Silence fell. Matthew wanted to prod more, but he knew it would be no use. The boy was shutting everyone out. He sighed as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Turning to Edd, he said, "look, ignoring those who care about you isn't going to solve anything Edd. If anything, it's going to make things worse for them. All we want to do is help you through this, ok? I'm not going to lie and say everything is going to be peachy keen. This is a fucked up situation if I've ever seen one. But I will tell you this son, you have people who love and support you. People who only want to see you back to your old self. Your allies sure as hell outweigh your enemies. I'm sure you have more who are on your side than you realize. I wish I could make you see that. I think we all do. I'm sorry to be so blunt with you, but you need to put your big boy pants on and accept the help we're all offering."

Edd stared at the only true father figure in his life. He knew Matthew was right, but he just couldn't deal with the pain he brought to everyone. Edd hated seeing the look on his friend's faces, and worse Kevin's. Knowing it was his situation that put it there. He felt lost knowing he wasn't alone.

Opening the car door, Edd said, "I know I need to Mr. Barr, but I can't, not right now. It's too much for everyone. I have to do this on my own." With the finality, Edd shut the door and headed inside to find his mother.

...

Monday found Edd avoiding his friends like the plague. Lunch rolled around, but the ravenette didn't feel like eating, or social interaction. He raced to the library as soon as the bell rang. Making a beeline towards his beanbag, Edd pulled out his phone and plugged in his headphones. He was lost in Linkin Park and jumped nearly a foot when Jonny sat down next to him.

Removing his headphones, he said, "H-hello Jonny, I didn't hear you come in."

"I know, that was the point. If you had you wouldn't have stuck around, now would you?" Jonny said, cocking his head to the side.

Edd stared at the boy, bewildered. Jonny had never been one to get into others lives. He'd always kept to himself, only really interacting with Plank. "I suppose not." he said slowly.

"Exactly." Jonny said, point blank. "But since you're here, you may as well listen, right?"

Edd sighed, "Jonny, I'm fine-"

"No you're not. You know that, I know that, we all know it." Jonny said, interrupting him. "But that's not what I want to talk about anyways."

Edd stared at him again. this really is out of character he thought as he said, "Ok, then what do you want to talk about then?"

Leaning back into his beanbag, Jonny said, "I want to tell you a story."

"A story-"

Jonny held up hand. "Yes a story. A story about a boy feeling so alone surrounded by people. People who may have been state appointed true, but people who still cared for him. After his parents abandoned when he was six. He was thrown into the foster care system and bounced from home to home until he was ten. It took four years for him to finally be placed in a home where there was someone who actually cared for him. Despite finally being safe however, the boy still felt alone. He'd been alone for years. What was to say this time would be different, right? Sure, there were kids his age in the neighborhood. They were all nice. The boy didn't want to get attached though. He figured he get transferred again like always. Even after the foster home became his permanent home when he was eleven. Being adopted was nice, but he still felt secluded and outcast. The boy had parents again but he was so used to taken care of himself, that he forgot to take care of himself. I know that makes no sense, but it's what happened. The boy craved friendship so much, he created friends. It felt right to him. He knew it wasn't real, but it worked. Until the boy got older that is."

Edd's eyes never left Jonny's face as he talked. The teen managed to ask, "What happened when the boy got older?"

Jonny looked at Edd and sadly smiled, "As he got older, he realized that choosing to be by himself instead of the kids in his neighborhood just made the loneliness inside of him worse. He tried branching out to those around him. He still held onto his clutch, his safety net if you will, just in case it all fell apart again. He always kept up his guard, even when he began making real friends. Truth be told, he still does. He's surrounded by people who are there for him, but he stays quiet. When he isn't he's always goofy. Putting up a front is so much easier than letting people in. So much easier. But one day not long ago, something happened."

"What happened?"

"There was a fight at school. Almost every kid from his neighborhood was involved, including the boy. But just as things began to worsen, a football player and a very quiet genius he knew from around the area broke it up." Jonny looked at Edd's wide eyes and continued, "How, you ask? Well the football player is an easy one to guess, obviously. No surprise there. What shocked the entire school, however was the usually quiet genius. He actually shouted. It was completely out of character. It wasn't a mean shout. There were no nasty words from him. It was just a plea of desperation more than anything. But that one little incident changed the boy. In fact in changed everyone around him. The kids in the boy's neighborhood realized something that day. And so did the boy. Do you know what that was?"

Edd shook his head. "No."

"They all, especially the boy, realized that all their differences, all their anger, all their pain and hatred, all of that was nothing if it meant hurting those who they cared about. Or those who cared about them. See without ever knowing it, the genius was cared about throughout the neighborhood, just like the boy. Neither knew, not really. But that one fateful fight showed the boy it. Oh, did it ever. Everyone around them were friends to some extent but they threw it out the window during that fight. But when the genius broke down, it made them all realize something was very wrong. It may never be all right entirely, it's gotten so bad, but it will eventually be. The boy now knows this. He just wishes the genius could too. No one is truly alone, even if they want it that way. It isn't good. Sometimes all it takes is one act, one person, one story to make a difference. To change the course from bad, to maybe ok. The boy can only hope that the genius will too realize being alone isn't always the way it has to be."

Jonny got up as he finished his story. Holding his hand out to Edd, he said, "Need a hand getting out of that thing?"

"sure" came Edd's reply as the warning bell went off.

END OF CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

Thanks to everyone whose followed faved ect! Much love!

Out of curiosity, what do y'all think of Edd's playlist?