Chapter 4: Do You See Me Now?
A/N: You probably know what coming? Another huge thank you for the support on this series. There's a few things I noticed in the previous chapter, a few people are asking if this is before or after big picture show. This story is set in a world where Big Picture Show doesn't exist, also the characters are in their final year of high school (although they appear like they haven't change) hope that clears up any questions :)
Double D walks into the chaotic cafeteria, there are tons of students lining up for their lunch. Double D scouts around the cafeteria to see if there is a spare seat, he spots two of his chums eating their lunch. Ed spots his sock wearing friend "Eddy! Look Double D!" Ed waves Double D over grabbing his attention, Double D sits with the two of his chums.
"Stupid Kevin...Don't worry we'll get him back" Eddy mutters, Double D now notices his short friend has a few bruises on his face. Eddy slams his fist on the table, causing the table to rock a bit as Double D gets his lunch out on the table. "I have this great idea to get him back" Eddy says, Ed leans closer to hear what he has to say.
"Oh...great, here we go again" Double D thinks to himself, like he does with most of Eddy's idea.
"Hey sockhead are you listening?" Eddy asks, Double D takes a bite out of his sandwich and places it back on the table. Double D leans closer to listen to what his friends have to say "After school...when he's all alone on his bike...we push him off of it and hit him" Eddy says the plan, Double D rolls his eyes at the plan and sits back into place. Ed tilts his head confused at the plan also.
"Out of all the schemes in your head, that's your plan?" Double D asks, Eddy gives Double D a disappointing look.
"Yeah, I don't see you thinking of anything smart guy!" Eddy yells at the top of his lungs, a lot of students turn their heads to see it's Eddy yelling.
"Eddy please keep your voice down, can't you think of something else that doesn't require physical assault?" Double D asks, Eddy taps the top of his head trying to think of something else to the standard of Double D.
"You think of something then" Eddy says as he folds his arms like a spoilt toddler, Ed stares intensely at Double awaiting his plan. Double D shakes his head, Eddy sighs to himself, as he looks across at Kevin's table that is 3 tables away from his. Kevin is surrounded by his usual group, Rolf and Nazz, the three of them are chatting away.
"Then I pounded him in the face!" Kevin motions his arms in a punching motion, Nazz puts her hands over her mouth in surprise.
"You didn't!" Nazz says in horror and shock, Kevin nods "But can't you just like leave them alone" Nazz says, Kevin shakes his head recklessly.
"Sorry Nazz, but when the Eds rob me of my money they deserve a pounding" Kevin explains himself, Rolf nods agreeing with his hat wearing friend.
"Yes, the Ed boys do cause trouble for me too. The one with the sock said a man with no hair is able to judge Rolf? What man with no hair can judge me I ask you!" Rolf attempts to get the other two of his friends involved in the conversation, Kevin and Nazz look at Rolf very confused wondering what he's going on about.
"So...Nazz what have you been up to?" Kevin attempts to make small talk.
Eddy stares over at the table with a lot of animosity, Double D finishes eating his sandwich. "Look at them over there, thinking they're the big shots" Eddy mutters "They have Nazz on their table, we don't have any girls on our table" Eddy complains.
"Oh really?" A high pitch voice says, the three of them turn their heads to see a Marie Kanker taking a seat at their table next to Double D. Ed immediately hides under the table, what he usually does whenever he sees a Kanker.
"Kanker..." Eddy mutters, Marie sits at the table. Her attention switches to Double D, she keeps her eyes on Double D and begins to stare at him.
"W...what's she doing?..." Double D speculates, Double D's nerves begin to get the better of him as he begins to shake uncontrollably.
"There's a rule at our table, NO KANKERS!" Eddy shouts so loud the roof almost comes off, Eddy stands out of his seat and stands behind the Kanker. "Listen here, we don't allow Kankers on our table. We will never trust a Kanker so move it!" Eddy yells loudly in Marie's ear, Marie takes no notice of Eddy's shouting. She leans closer to Double D and lays her head on his shoulder.
"I just want to eat lunch with my study buddy..." Marie flirtatiously says, Eddy begins to lose his patience. Double D leans his head closer to Marie's damaged ear from Eddy's shouting.
"Marie...what are you doing?" Double D whispers, Marie snuggles her head on Double D's shoulder more.
"I'm bored, I needed to hang around with someone" Marie honestly says, Double D scratches the back of his neck. Suddenly Marie feels a tug on her arm, Eddy is trying to force Marie out of the seat. Marie takes her head off Double D's shoulder and turns her attention towards the short one. "Get off me!" Marie says as she pulls back, it's a battle of strength between the two. Eddy gives up and lets go.
"Double D tell her to get lost" Eddy instructs his friend, Double D looks at the anger in Eddy's eyes. Marie turns her attention back to Double D, she gives a melancholic look at Double D.
"Your my study buddy though..." Marie plays on the emotions of Double D, as she knows he won't throw anyone off a table.
"Your not going soft for a Kanker are you?" Eddy questions their relationship, Double D keeps darting his eyes back and forth between Eddy and Marie.
"Oh...Double D..." Marie gives Double D a flirty whisper, Double D finds himself at a crossroad.
"If I say Marie can stay on the table, Eddy and Ed might not consider me a friend any more. On the other hand if I tell Marie to get off the table, her performance may diminish in lesson" Double D's choices bounce around his head, suddenly the bell tolls letting the students know lesson is over. Double D has a huge sigh of relief, Marie gets up from her seat.
"I'll be thinking about you next lesson dreambow" Marie says as she winks at Double D and leaves the cafeteria, her next lesson is Art meaning Double D won't need to be there. Double D just realises next lesson he's with Eddy and Ed meaning he has a lot to answer for.
"Can't believe it, you and a Kanker just when you thought you know a guy" Eddy complains as he leaves the table, Double D slowly shakes his head. Suddenly the table is lifted off the floor by Ed, who was still underneath it.
"Coming Eddy!" Ed calls out as he throws the table on the floor, Ed follows Eddy out of the cafeteria leaving Double D alone.
"They're going to give me so much hassle in the next lesson" Double D worries as he leaves the cafeteria.
Whilst on her walk to Art, Marie comes to the realisation "Next lesson is going to be so boring, no Double D, Lee and May aren't here as well...it's going to be a dull few hours" Marie doubts the next lesson before even getting there. Marie puts on a reassuring smile before entering the classroom "At least my man will be in my last lesson" Marie enters her classroom alone.
At the start of Double D's next lesson, he is immediately pestered by his friends sat around his table in home economic class. "So let me get this right, you're friends with a Kanker?" Eddy pesters. Double D finishes whisking his mixture and hands it to Eddy.
"I wouldn't classify us as friends, I'm just assisting in her in lesson" Double D feels as though he's repeating himself again, Eddy takes the whisked mixture and hands it over to Ed.
"You've gone soft over a Kanker, why didn't you just tell her to hit the road?" Eddy motions with his arms, Ed begins to pour the mixture on heated pans. Double D hesitantly shakes his head at Eddy's demand.
"If I did, it would affect her performance in lessons" Double D voices his concerns, Eddy simply shrugs at Double D.
"Who cares? It's a Kanker, who cares if they're failing" Eddy states the obvious about the rivalry between the Eds and the Kankers. Double D has a short sigh to himself "If anything we should be happy they're failing haha" Eddy begins to laugh at the misfortune of others, as usual.
"Eddy, I believe everyone has the right to an education. I think you're acting rather insensitive" Double D says with hesitation, Eddy quits his laugher and looks at Double D with serious look.
"I'm right, you do have a thing for the Kanker haha" Eddy falls out of his chair laughing at his friend. Ed begins to chuckle as well at Double D, Double D gives his friends an unimpressed luck.
"What have a I done to deserve this?" Double D ponders to himself, Eddy stands to his feet with a tear in his eye from laughter. Eddy gives Ed a sly look, Eddy begins to countdown from his fingers.
"Double D and Marie sitting in a tree, K. I. S. S. I. N. -" Eddy and Ed begin to taunt their friends, Double D lays his head on the table not wanting to listen to this. Eddy gets cut off when an egg is thrown at the back of his head.
"Who the..." Eddy says as he holds the back of his head to feel the yoke drip on his back, he looks behind him to see Kevin chuckling, while Rolf is standing their unimpressed.
"Kevin...you don't waste a good egg like that..." Rolf looks disappointed as he slides the carton of eggs away from Kevin. Eddy turns his attention back to his friends.
"Stupid Kevin..." Eddy mutters, Ed picks up the shells of the egg and puts it on the table.
"Kevin, hurt the baby chicken..." Ed sounds heartbroken as he tries to put the eggshells back together.
"For once I'm glad Kevin inflicted harm, it got both of their attention off of my misfortune" Double D admits something that he probably he'd never admit. Eddy continues to rub the back of his head to get all the yoke off. Eddy wipes his hands on Eds jacket.
"Are you sure that's not a good idea about is beating him up?" Eddy questions his sock wearing friend, Double D lifts his head off the table and faces Eddy who has a disgusted face.
"Karma Eddy, something will end up happening" Double D reassures Eddy that something will end up happening to Kevin if he keeps up this disruptive behavior. Eddy looks over his shoulder and gives Kevin a piercing glare.
Meanwhile in Art class, Marie is sat at her table doodling in her notepad. Marie looks to her side at the empty seat next to her "It's kinda quiet without muffin here..." Marie reflects. Suddenly a thick board with eyes peeks up over the edge of the table, Marie flinches at first sight. Marie learns it's Jonny from earlier, Marie regains her composure. Jonny peeks his head up as well until he's standing straight next to Marie "Not this creep..." Marie thinks to herself.
"er...Plank is sorry about earlier" Jonny apologies again whilst using Plank as shield between him and Marie. Marie has a short sigh and looks back down at her notepad.
"Like I said, next time just watch where you're going creep" Marie says, Jonny smiles as he nods his head. Jonny remains standing there for a few awkward seconds "What are you doing? Buzz off weirdo" Marie says as she turns her attention towards Jonny. Jonny moves around Marie's desk and sits in the empty seat next to her, Jonny lays Plank on the table. Marie immediately puts down her pen, she clenches her fist and raises it off the table.
"You know what, without your sisters your not that bad" Jonny says, Marie shakes her head ready to inflict pain on Jonny.
"I can be much worse, if you don't get lost!" Marie demands Jonny to move out of the seat "I know I'm meant to be on my best behavior but this guy is really asking for it!" Marie knows it's wrong but her patience with Jonny is getting the best of her.
"Why?" Jonny uses his trademark pestering line, Marie's eyes are full of rage. Marie slowly lowers her shaking fist, Marie places her index finger in her mouth and bites down.
"I am seriously going to end up ripping this kids head off his shoulders...wait a minute..." Marie looks down at the table to see a defenseless Plank laying there, without hesitation she grabs Plank and launches him across the room when the teachers back is turned.
"PLANK!" Jonny yells out, Jonny stands out of the seat "You're a meanie!" Jonny says as he chases after Plank at the other end of the classroom. Marie cracks her knuckles and dusts her hands off proud of her actions.
"I don't think he'll be bothering me again..." Marie relaxes deeply in her seat, knowing the biggest pain is gone.
The 2nd to final bell tolls today, students all around the school are leaving one classroom to go to their next. Double D is first to the next lesson before Marie, he sits in his seat and begins to get his equipment ready "I wonder if Marie will allow me to assist her in English today" Double D wonders as he keeps an eye on the doors swinging open. He sees a familiar blue haired looking student, it was Rolf. The door swings open again, it's the correct blue haired student he has been waiting for "Good afternoon Marie I hope you're doing we-" Double D gets cut off by another tight hug, this time it's much higher than usual. Double D can feels Marie's cheeks rubbing against his.
"I missed you so much study buddy!" Marie says flirtatiously, Double D breaks out of the hug much to Marie's disappointment.
"It's only been a few hours" Double D says truthfully, Marie shrugs and leans closer towards Double D as she's invading his personal space.
"It felt like an eternity..." Marie uses a cheesy line, even Double D rolls his eyes at that one. Marie gives a short wink and sits in her seat, Double D sits next to her as usual.
"The quicker we start, the quicker we finish students" The teacher begins her lesson, the teacher begins writing the learning objectives on the board that she asks the students to write. Double D writes them down no problem, meanwhile Marie is squinting at the board. Marie moves her head from side to side, Marie begins to write down in her notepad with scruffy handwriting.
"She always squints during lessons? Does she have an issue with her vision?" Double D wonders as she continues to see Marie struggle with a simple task of writing instructions down off the board. Marie finishes writing what was on the board in her notepad, Double D leans closer "erm...Marie?" Double D whispers.
"What is it? Study Buddy?" Marie questions, Double D hesitates before asking the question.
"Can you see okay? You seem to squint when looking at the board" Double D whispers, Marie raises her eyebrows and gently shakes her head.
"Oh I can see fine, it's just the teacher's writing is small..." Marie whispers over, Double D leans back in his seat away from Marie. Double D looks at the board nodding his head slowly.
"Marie does have a point with her statement, the writing does look rather small" Double D agrees with what Marie said. Marie has a short sigh and sits up straight in lesson to match Double D's posture.
The teacher gives a partner activity to the students, in which they analyse the letter handouts given to them. They must decide which of the letters are formal, informal, a letter of complaint etc. "Should we read them together or read different ones?" Marie curiously asks.
"We'll look at it together" Double D instructs, Marie nods as they place the letter in between the two of them. Immediately Marie squints whilst looking at the paper, but she's able to make quick notes on her notepad whilst looking at the letter.
"Her vision isn't too bad when she's near the subject matter" Double D begins to connect the dots, he takes a deep breath ready to repeat a question he'll regret.
"Are you sure there's nothing wrong with your eye sight?" Double D asks again, Marie turns her attention off the letter and back to Double D.
"Are we going to get this work done or not?" Marie answers Double D's question with a question, Double D flinches at the question and looks down at the letter along with Marie.
"What do you think...it is?" Double D hesitantly asks, Marie finishes reading the letter and sits back. "It's obviously a formal complaint letter, but I wonder what Marie thinks..." Double D is always one step ahead as usual.
"Hmm...It's a complaint letter I think..." Marie says, Double D nods and writes it in his notepad.
"Why do you think it's a letter of complaint?" Double D asks, Marie shrugs and leans forward looking at the letter.
"I'm wrong aren't I?" Marie asks, Double D reassures her by shaking his head.
"You're right Marie, it's just for extra marks on exams they like to ask for an explanation" Double D gives his guidance, Marie sits back in her chair.
"I don't know, maybe it's because it starts off with..." Marie picks up the letter from the desk and holds it inches away from her face, she squints at the letter. "I'm writing to you today, about the mistreatment of staff members..." Marie reads off the paper, Double D gets a grin on his face knowing she's right.
"That's correct, is there anything else?" Double D asks, Marie continues to look down the letter. Marie shakes her head and lays it on the table.
"I dunno" Marie gives up just like that, Double D leans over looking at the sheet of paper on the table. Double D grabs Marie's pen and begins to underline a few sentences on the bottom paragraph of the letter.
"Look Marie" Double D points at one of the underlined sentences, Marie leans over peeking at the sentence.
"Huh? 'If no actions take place from this letter, I will be writing to the COO of the company'" Marie taps her chin with her index finger.
"She's doing so well! She looks like she's analysing the piece of work with a lot of thought" Double D praises, Marie raises her eyebrow with quick intent. Double D looks at Marie with a grin "I think she's got it..." Double D predicts.
"What the heck does COO mean?" Marie asks, if a face palm moment was ever needed now was the time. Double D has a short sigh to himself and looks at the letter again.
"COO means Chief Operating Officer" Double D answers, Marie slowly nods her head after gathering the information. "Patience Edward, that's all I need..." Double D psychs himself up.
"Is it...also a letter of complaint because it's threatening something else to happen?" Marie guesses, Double D slowly nods agreeing with Marie.
"That's correct...but it probably needs wording better..." Double D says as he writes the answer down in his notepad. Marie looks at Double D writing what she said in his notepad.
"I'm actually learning something, he's been patient with me...wasn't that the same thing he told me to do?" Marie wonders, Double D finishes writing down the answer. Double D turns his attention back to Marie, she sees this as a perfect opportunity to mess with him "You know what my favorite letter is?" Marie asks, Double D tilts his head.
"Why no, what is it Marie?" Double D curiously asks "What an accomplishment! She's speaking about what she's learned with me, Marie is learning far quicker than I ever imagined" Double D praises again but not vocally.
"A love letter..." Marie returns to her flirtatious self, Double D immediately looks down at his notepad trying to pretend he didn't hear that.
"Would you look at that, it appears I didn't use a comma in the correct place...how careless of me..." Double D begins to correct his mistake, Marie lightly giggles at Double D.
"He's so cute...when he's shy..." Marie continues to stare at Double D as he scribbles in his notepad.
The final school bell ends, students begin to leave out of the classroom. Marie slowly packs her equipment the same pace as Double D, as soon as they're both done. "Good work again Marie" Double D praises, Marie leans closer to Double D.
"Do I get a celebratory kiss for doing so well?" Marie casually flirts, Double D leans so far back he falls out of his chair. "Haha, are you okay?" Marie asks, Double D quickly gets back to his feet as Marie stands out of her seat. Double D frantically dusts himself off.
"er...I'm fine, you probably won't get what you desire" Double D says nervously, Marie tilts her head confused.
"Huh? So I'm not getting a kiss" Marie utters, Double D looks up at the lights of the classroom and back across the Marie.
"I'm afraid not, but you are gaining something else" Double D says with confidence as he straps his bag on, Marie picks up her bag and places it on her left shoulder.
"What?" Marie curiously asks, as the two walk towards the exit of the classroom.
The two exit out of the classroom to a seemingly busy corridor "My trust" Double D says with confidence, suddenly Marie feels a sharp pain inside her heart. Marie places her hand over her heart, Double D continues to walk ahead not noticing how Marie is acting.
"I'm...earning his trust..." Marie gives a short smile on the outside, but on the inside she is over the moon about earning Double D's trust. "Thank...you..." Marie says humbly.
"You're welcome, if anything you should be immensely proud of yourself" Double D praises, Marie feels her heart getting more heavy beats. Her hands begin to get sweaty and shaking, her breathing is becoming slightly heavier.
"Seriously what the hell is wrong with me? Am I sick?" Marie wonders as the two walk down the corridor, the two don't utter a single word to each other.
The two exit out of the school, Marie takes a deep breath before turning to Double D before they part ways "Do you want to walk me home?" Marie leans closer, but she's not as close to Double D as she usually was.
"er...I've got...er...homework to get done" Double D says, Marie leaves Double D' personal space. "I'll see you tomorrow bright and early" Double D says his farewell to Marie.
"See ya tomorrow" Marie slowly waves at Double D as the two go in different directions, whilst on her walk home Marie looks at her hands that are still shaking "This is so stupid, as soon as I hear I'm getting Double D's trust I choke up!" Marie complains to herself as she continues her walk back to the trailer park.
Marie enters her blue trailer home that she shares with her two sisters "Lookie here, Marie's back" Lee calls out who is busy painting her toenails. Marie throws her bag on the couch next to Lee. "So how was school smarty pants?" Lee taunts, Marie simply shrugs.
"It was okay, nothing happened" Marie gives a short answer, as she enters her bedroom, she slightly slams the door. Lee looks at slammed door confused, she has a small shrug and continues to paint her toenails.
"What's got her ticked off?" Lee wonders, Lee looks at her toenails with a joyous look.
As soon as Marie enters her bedroom, she takes a deep breath before opening her closet. As she opens there is a pile up of clothes not on coat hangers, she reaches up at the top shelf and grabs a wide case. She opens the wide case revealing a pair of glasses "H...how did he know I can't see well?"
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this new chapter, there is going to be a slight delay until the next chapter is updated due to personal reasons, it won't be too long but it'll probably be longer than 3 - 4 days before an upload. Hope you all are okay with that, I look forward to seeing you all for the next chapter!