A/N: Chapter 3 is now up. Enjoy, please, and try to keep track of the little details, too.
And sorry if the characters seem a little out of whack. I'm doing my best.
Disclaimer: Antonucci owns everything. I own nothing except my ideas.
~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~
Enigmas
Chapter 3: Photographic Memories
After class, Eddy pulls Ed, Kevin, Rolf, and Nazz over to his locker.
"Those Lumpers are bad news," he says, grabbing his books for his next class.
"Because of the mascot ordeal, no?" Rolf asks. Everyone knew what he was talking about.
"No, not that. That game has nothing to do with this. Did any of you see Double D's face?" Eddy retaliates.
Fear...
"How about the way he clutched his hat?"
That's all he could see...
"Or how hard he trembled?"
"I did," Nazz replies, a worried look across her face. "Poor Double D. I wish I could help him, but I have no idea why he was acting that way."
"But how can one be afraid only at first sight of someone? Rolf is confused."
It's like a light bulb goes off over Kevin's head. Oh, wait. It's real. He stares at it confused, before shaking his head and continuing. [1]
"Dudes," he began, "is it possible that Double D was actually born in Lemon Brook?"
It would make a lot of sense. He moved to peach Creek at a young age, with his hat and his inability to make friends, jumping at every sudden sound and when people snuck up on him, scared out of his wits at the mere mention of the words dodgeball and lemon.
Not to mention, while they were searching for searching for Eddy's brother's house, he seemed quite reluctant to pass through Lemon Brook, even though their Gag Factory was where they needed to go. Don't forget about that game with the Lumpers. Double D had seemed very jumpy and unable to move as he laid eyes on possibly familiar faces.
It's as clear as the gap between his teeth.
Double D is actually from Lemon Brook.
That and he didn't exactly have good times or memories there.
It was then that Jimmy comes running up to them, nearly breathless, Sarah and Johnny not far behind.
"Guys, I think I found a way to help Double D," the young boy announces. All attention is on now him. "Actually, it was Johnny's idea."
"What is it?" Eddy asks. "What'd you think of, Johnny?"
"Photos," is all he said. The rest of them are confused, but Jimmy seems to know what he is thinking.
"After he said that, I thought of a photo album," Jimmy states. "If we can't make Double D remember, then we'll let him remember on his own terms. After dinner tonight, we'll all gather up at my house with pictures of Double D and especially of us with Double D. Tomorrow morning, we'll give it to him, then step back, and let psychology do its magic."
Ed gives Jimmy a big bear hug, of which the boy is surprised at first, but then relaxes and returns the hug when the lump says, "We let the toast butter itself! That plan is like gravy!"
Eddy rolls his eyes, knowing that, though in a random way, Ed is agreeing with that plan, but he is smiling. "I like that idea, too, Curly Q, Johnny-boy," he agrees. "Come on, Lumpy." He grabs Ed by the ear. "Let's start huntin' down pictures."
As the ones who knew him the best, Ed and Eddy have the automatic duty of brining the most pictures, of putting in the most effort.
They can't let their friend down, albeit unknowingly, not when he really needs them, now more than ever.
~E~D~E~D~D~N~E~D~D~Y~E~D~E~D~D~N~E~D~D~Y~E~D~E~D~D~N~E~D~D~Y~
Edd closes his locker and nearly jumps out of his skin as soon as he lays eyes on the three. His heart pounding hard in his chest, he turns his back to them, trying to avoid as much trouble with them as possible.
Ape, Todd, and Tank...
"P-Please, don't do that..." he mutters.
They are going to beat him up again. That's what they were always indicating whwnever they snuck up on him like this.
"Fancy meeting you here, Sockhead," Tank says, ignoring the young genius' plea. "I see you're still wearin' that ugly hat o' yours. Well, me and my pals here think we're so lucky to actually see you here in this rusty ol' dump the offisials call Pete Croak."
Edd can't help but cringe and roll his eyes at their lack of good grammar. "Officials, for goodness sake. And it's Peach Creek. If you are proceeding to insult me, may you please use proper language to do so?"
He takes this opportunity to sneak away, or try to, but Ape grabs the top of his hat and pulls it up. Edd grabs the brim, trying to keep it on. He struggles, trying to get away without breaking his vow as a pacifist.
"Let go of me, please!"
Todd covers his mouth. "Zip it, blabbermouth!"
"Not that anyone will hear him squeal anyway," Tank cuts in. "He's too quiet."
"Scaredy-cat," Ape adds.
"Shy," Todd says, before the three start laughing in a menacing manner. Eddy doesn't like the sound of their laugh. Never did.
"HEY!" They stop laughing. The one yelling sounds terribly angry. "Leave Double D alone!"
Eddy...
Ape shoves him hard in the ground as Eddy pounces on him, the big guy looming over his pal. Edd hits his head on the ground, and he blinks repeatedly, trying to rid himself of the stars.
"What did he ever do to you?!"
Dizzy...
Edd's head is spinning, but he stands up anyway. He legs wobble and he nearly falls again.
He would have, but someone has already caught him and is keeping him steady.
"Come on, guys. These twerps aren't worth it," Tank says, the three walking away.
"See'ya, Sockhead," Ape calls back, them finally leaving the scene.
"Yeah, you better run!" Eddy yells after them, and then adds, "And I'm the only one who can call him that!" Anger is wracking through his entire being.
No one messes with his friends and lives to tell the story.
"Double D?" Ed's worry brings Eddy to rationality. "Eddy, something's wrong with Double D." Sockhead looks like he has passed out in Ed's arms.
"Double D?" Eddy's voice tone changes instantly. "You okay?" Ape had pounded him pretty hard.
"Just a little disoriented," Edd mutters. "I don't exactly have a hard skull. Head injuries come naturally to me."
"Would you like some ice with that?" Ed asks, highly doubting that his friend would be okay.
"N-No, thank you. I'm fine," Edd replies, standing up straight after finally getting his sense of balance back. "I thank you for coming to my aid, gentlemen, but – "
"Why didn't you tell us you were bullied, Sockhead?! And by Lemon Brook low-lives, no less! I thought you trusted us!"
All goes quiet immediately, and Eddy finally realizes what he just said, the mistake he just made. He covers his mouth his hands.
Edd looks like he is about to cry, something Eddy thoroughly regrets.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Double D," Eddy frantically stutters. "I don't know what got into me. It just – "
"Slipped out," Edd calmly interrupts. "I understand. You were frustrated and didn't think before you spoke, but I had a feeling that my hunch was correct. The three of us... we really were friends, weren't we?" Sadness and sorrow lace his voice, so much so that Ed feels the need to bawl like a big baby pretty soon.
"We still are, Double D," Eddy softly replies. The two lock eyes. "I know that you can't remember Ed and me, but besides that...nothing's changed between us. You understand that, right?"
To the two gentlemen who share my name...
Edd tears up and gives them a sincere smile.
I apologize for my will being so weak.
"Yes, Eddy," his voice wavers with emotion. "I understand it perfectly."
But now that I know you are willing to wait for me, I no longer have any guilt weighing me down.
All I must do is give it my absolute best.
Now, onward to make that photo album.
To Be Continued...
~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~EEnE~
A/N: How was it? Review, please, and tell me!
[1] In the episode, "High-Heeled Ed", Eddy gets an idea, and a light bulb goes on over his head, but then flickers out. Eddy taps it and it comes back on again. Just a fourth wall break for you guys here.