Chapter Nine

It was their sophomore year at Peach Creek High and the teenaged residents of Rethink Avenue were falling into their high school routine. There was a sense of comradery between the teens, that and the cock-sure arrogance of youth made them each feel like they were at the top of their individual worlds. Their biggest worries were the school's lunch menu and when the ones who weren't already driving would start.

Nazz's parents were out of town that weekend and the network of friends had come together to throw Eddy his fifteenth birthday party. It was a momentous event that if were left up to him would have included a guest list a mile long and a budget not even Kevin could afford with his part-time job flipping burgers. But he wasn't responsible for the planning, so instead the party was kept on the smaller side and consisted of just the group of friends that doubled as neighbors.

Ed and Double D were responsible for the food, while Jimmy baked and decorated the birthday cake, Kevin brought a few bags of candy courtesy of his father's job at the factory, and Rolf and Jonny brought the party favors, a cask of beet mead that was Rolf's family's recipe and a little bit of weed that Jonny managed to swipe from his bohemian parents.

It had so far gone off without a hitch, Jimmy and Sarah had left hours ago, and each party goers were having fun with each other. They talked in a much more friendly setting than the loud and boisterous romp Eddy had hoped for, but if he was being honest he'd admit that it all was perfect. They all swayed somewhat to the easy music that filled the air, due in part to the warm sensations Nana's Brew had brought them and in the case of everyone except Double D, the circle the group had formed on the back patio to enjoy Jonny's bounty.

The sun had set, and everyone was wearing a smile. It was a far cry from the way the Eds had been treated only a little less than two years before, but all of that was water under the bridge as the trio had been given a new lease on life. Eddy had given up on his scams, now being far more interested in the opposite sex than get-rich-quick schemes, and was now a much more welcomed face within the community following the encounter with his brother. So, as he did his best to dance alongside his new friends, the smile he wore was genuine. At least it had been until the door burst open.

It was kicked open with a thud and walking into the residence, each grinning ear to ear were the three Kanker Sisters that had been all of their worst fears realized for so long. Jonny's eye's widened and he started for the backdoor without a second thought, Kevin and Rolf assumed fighting stances, not ready for the party to end because it was crashed and because the mead that warmed their bellies gave them a dump truck load of false confidence. The Eds, on their own individual parts, were each a mixture of horrified and even more terrified. Double D prepared to follow after Jonny, Ed stared wide eyed at their tormentors, while Eddy flushed red and prepared a tirade against them, he hoped against hope that he could scare them away if he shouted loud and mean enough.

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks when Nazz moved between the two groups. She approached the three girls with a smile and welcomed them in, "Relax guys." she said to the stupefied room. "I invited them."

Shock flashed over everyone's faces while the smiles on the three sisters' faces only grew more sinister.

"Whoa…" Kevin muttered.

"Say what now?" Rolf blinked.

"Oh dear." Double D squeaked.

Ed was frozen in fear and Jonny, had just kept walking.

"Why'd you do that?" Eddy barked out. The fear fueling his outburst.

"Because it's not a party until the Kankers show up!" Lee challenged as the trio sauntered in with Nazz leading them.

"Why you…" Eddy started as the taller girl walked right up to him and stared down.

"Relax, dude." Nazz smiled, placing a hand on both of their shoulders, "They're cool." she said to Eddy.

It was true, at least it seemed to be. The three of them had calmed down in expressing their urges in physical ways and had been showing up to more and more of their functions thanks to Nazz who it seemed had taken it upon herself to get to know the sisters better. Other than the occasional verbal spout spearheaded by Eddy they hadn't caused any more problems. But there was still a lingering feeling of fear and distrust towards them by the group.

They each exchanged glances between each other but before they could form a consensus Marie stepped forward. "Hey, sports guy." she said, her only visible eye narrowed.

"Uh…" Kevin started as he could have sworn everyone took a step away from him.

"You wanna show me where the fridge is?" she asked, holding up a pair of black plastic bags, one held a bottle of vodka and the other a six pack. She had stolen the party favors from her new job at the corner store and was convinced the teens would all enjoy them more than anyone would miss them.

"Sure." Kevin perked up at the sight of the booze. The mead was alright, but he wouldn't say no to increasing this party a few rungs.

And so it went, the Kankers were welcomed, for better or worse, by the others. If for nothing else, this night only. The group of teens sat in a circle on the floor of Nazz's living room. Music wafting around them like a leaf coming to rest after falling from a tree. Jonny had passed out on one of the couches, the green stuff always made him sleepy, and the others spun a soda bottle in the middle of their formation. They laughed and hollered each time it stopped.

"Okay Double Dweeb," Kevin started, earning him a sharp glare from Marie who was unaware of the endearing nickname he used for his nerdy friend, "truth or dare?"

"Well, truth. I suppose." Double D clamored. He hated this game and considering he was the only sober one in the group, he feared where it could go.

"Boring!" Eddy laughed, "Leave it to Sockhead to play it safe!"

Double D sighed, "Fine." he relented, "If you all insist on behaving this way…" he muttered. "dare." he said as he dropped his head in defeat. He knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Sweet!" Kevin beamed, the rest of the circle cheered and egged Double D on. "Let me see." Kevin grinned as he placed his hand to his chin in thought, "How's about this. I dare you to go up into Nazz's guest room with Marie! Just the two of you!"

The cries and whistles of awe and approval filled the air as Double D's face sunk, "Oh dear…" he started, but his protests were interrupted when a grinning Marie swooped him up and drug him up the stairs like a predator carrying off its kill.

"You're in for the ride of your life, Dreamboat!" she cackled before the door to the bedroom slammed shut.

Eddy was doubled over laughing while the others joined in the fun, "Oh man, poor Sockhead. That's rich!" he laughed as he reached for the bottle, "Since he's got his hands full, I'll go next." Nobody challenged the birthday boy as he spun the bottle. But everyone stifled a gasp when it landed on a confident looking Lee, who only grinned at him.

"Dare." she said without being prompted. The usual revelry that erupted out of everyone one dare did so again, only this time it was a little more reserved.

"Okay." Eddy nodded as he thought, "I dare you to leave." he got out before busting out in another fit of laughs, "Pack up! Get out! Go home!" he wheezed, but his laughs died off when he realized he was only one laughing. Everyone else stared at him with wide eyes and waited for the retaliation that they knew would come as silence engulfed the room.

Lee wore an angry expression, but for her part, she didn't do what was expected of her. Instead, she stood. "You're lucky it's your birthday. Otherwise, I'd knock your ass out for that." she tossed on the worn leather jacket she brought to brave the cold night air, "Don't get your hopes up. I'm just going out for some air." she scoffed over her shoulder as she walked out the sliding glass door and onto the back patio.

All eyes fell on Eddy who looked around at their faces. "What?" he asked.

"Not cool, dude." Nazz scolded.

"Yeah, that was really mean!" May glared at him from across the circle, ready to wipe the smug look off his face.

"Banishing the She-Devil will take more than mere words." Rolf shrugged.

"Even I didn't think you'd go that low, dork." Kevin shook his head.

Eddy threw up his hands, knowing he was backed into a corner. "Fine. Okay. Whatever. Let's just play the game." he said moving to give the bottle another spin.

Nazz reached out and grabbed it, stopping his hand from even reaching it. "No. You're going to go out there and apologize to her." she ordered.

"You're kidding." Eddy murmured, but the looks of the others dashed any doubt. He gritted his teeth, "Whatever." he groaned as he stood up and put his own sweater on. "You're worse than my mother." he mumbled as he followed the same path Lee took outside.

As he slid the glass door closed behind him, he was met by the cold night air. He trembled as his body adapted from the warmth of the inside to the frigid exterior. He looked around in the backyard that was only illuminated by the lights from behind him that spilled out of the windows and glass door. He made out Lee sitting on a lawn chair at the edge of the patio puffing on a cigarette. He wanted to make this quick, but there was something about her demeanor that threw him off. He wanted to come out here, give her a weak apology, and then get back to enjoying the night with his friends, but as she sat with her head hung low and downcast, he paused.

"Want one?" she asked as she flicked the ash off the end of the cigarette.

"Bad habit." he said without thought, still taken aback by her.

"It's a party." She shrugged, "Cut loose."

He nodded and inched forward. He sat down in the chair next to her and retrieved the pack and lighter from the stone tiled floor. He struggled to pull one out and stuck it between his lips. He then struck the lighter which emitted a spark and then a flame which he brought to the unfiltered end. He breathed in the smoke and fought off a cough as it went down his throat and made his eyes water.

"That was a dickhead thing to say." she said when his fit came to an end.

"Yeah." he sighed before he took a second and much more enjoyable drag, "Sorry."

She scoffed again, "No you're not. Not really."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he studied the ground, not sure why he felt bad for being mean to a Kanker of all people.

She took another drag and watched as the smoke wafted into the night air. "I get it." she said causing Eddy to look up. "You just said what everyone else wants."

"What?" he asked, stumped at how she drew her conclusion.

"'Course you don't see it." she laughed to herself as she shook her head. It was a quiet laugh. The kind of laugh people only used when they didn't want to cry.

Eddy couldn't respond, only take another drag off the cigarette. The cherry illuminated his face for a brief second before the darkness enveloped it again.

Lee was still shaking her head. She stopped and paused for a second. It was like words were about to climb out of her throat but she couldn't mold them into anything coherent. After struggling she erupted with a simple and all encompassing, "I get it."

"Get what?" he couldn't catch himself from asking.

"You guys. All of ya. None of ya want us here. I see the way you look at us. Like we're unwanted. Like we're on the outside starin' in. Like we're…just a couple'a pieces of trash that crawled out of the trailer park only to inconvenience you." she couldn't stop as it poured out. It was years of observations, fears, and hatred manifested into a conversation with someone who didn't care and couldn't relate. It had to be hilarious for Eddy, seeing her break down like this. She made a note to punch Marie for stealing the cheap shit. It always made her mushy.

She didn't realize that she had stood up and moved to the edge of the stone tiled patio. The tips of the grass brushed up against the end of her shoes. She didn't realize that at some point in her rant tears threatened to burn out of her eyes. This wasn't like her. She was a Kanker, and Kanker's didn't cry. Not over boys, or other people, or anything. Kankers were fighters.

As she stood, he sat in silence for another extended spell. The only noise came from Eddy's drags. She tossed her cigarette on the ground and stomped it out. She lost her appetite for nicotine.

"I get it." He broke the silence and surprised her so much that she spun around to face him, her mouth agape. For his part, it didn't seem like Eddy noticed. He stared, almost transfixed, at the cherry burning on the end of the cigarette he held in front of his face. "Trust me. I get it." he said again in a quiet and serious tone. It wasn't like how she had ever heard him speak anytime before. She stepped closer and sat back down next to him.

He did know what she was talking about. Maybe not to the exact extent but he did understand what it was like being an outcast. Someone who wasn't accepted no matter how much desperation seeped into their attempts. When they had first met both the Eds and Kankers were hated and avoided by their peers at best and insulted and laughed at worst.

She stared at him as he continued to gaze at the ember, flashes of his youth filling his mind's eye. He was so beautiful. She knew men weren't supposed to be beautiful, but she couldn't come up with a better word to describe the boy she had been infatuated with since she had first laid her eyes on him.

It wasn't in the traditional sense. He was shorter than average and carried more weight than the usual bodybuilders and athletes that drew the eyes of girls her age. No, Eddy was Eddy. That was what she admired about him. He was so him. Sure, he was next to obsessed with portraying a character he thought he should be, and sure he had his faults. But who was she to judge? She had hers in spades. He was fragile but did everything in his power to make people think otherwise. He was scared but did everything he could to appear confident. He was alone in his pain but gave it his all to convince those around him he wasn't. He was just like her.

She placed a hand on his knee shaking him from his thoughts and bringing him back to Earth. He met her gaze and stared into her eyes, or at least where he thought they were under her mess of red curls. He reached out and brushed the curls out of the way so he could see them, a gesture that surprised both of them.

"You should keep it like that." he said, not bothering to keep any sort of façade up any longer. He was exhausted. "You have really pretty eyes." He leaned back in his chair and took another drag off of the almost spent cigarette. "Look I'm not good at this sort of thing. I'm sure you know that about me by now, but…I get it now and I really am sorry." he offered her. It wasn't much, but it was all he had to give.

Lee sighed and shook her head again, why did she have to be like her mother? Why did she have to have fallen for the asshole? She reached into her oversized purse on the table beside her chair and fished around in it before pulling out a present and handing it to Eddy. "Happy birthday." she said with a small smile.

Eddy looked at the package. It was a shoebox wrapped in newspaper. He grinned as he tore into it, letting the scraps fall where they may. He flung open the top and studied the inside for a moment. His eyes widened before he pulled out a small statue. It was only a few inches in height, and the gold paint was chipping off the plastic figure of the guy ready to swing a bat the tee having broken off long ago. The plague on the bottom read:

"Peach Creek Little League

Eddy McGee

Participation"

He stared at the small trophy like it was worth more than a bar of solid gold or the world's largest diamond. She swore that in the low light she could make out his eyes growing somewhat misty.

"Where did you get this?" he asked. He looked up at her in bewilderment and amazement.

"After your brother got knocked on his ass me and my sisters helped ourselves to his shit." she smiled, "Jackass didn't have much, but we stole everything that wasn't bolted down."

Eddy laughed and returned his gaze to the trophy. "I didn't think I'd see it again." he revealed. "I remember when I got it, I was so proud. I took it straight to him thinking he'd think I was cool or something for it." the nostalgic smile on his face faded as he recounted the memory, "He said I didn't deserve it. That only winners should get trophies. That I wasn't a winner, and that participation didn't count."

Lee's disgust was visible on her face as she spit some of the venom she swore gathered in her mouth on the ground next to her, "Bastard." she shook her head. How could someone treat their own blood like that? She knew her and her sisters gave each other shit, but when push came to shove, they'd be there for each other. "Glad ta get it back ta where it belongs." she said as she went to stand up.

Eddy stopped her, "Lee wait…" he blurted out. He knew what he wanted to say but he didn't know how to say it. They stared in each other's eyes for longer than was excusable. He needed to say something, so he said it, "Stay." he said.

Lee shot a glance at the house behind them and shrugged, "I guess they're not missing us, huh?" she said as she sat back down.

"Nah. Ed's at his limit and'll be passing out soon. Once he's down Rolf'll head home and Nazz and Kevin will up to her room."

Lee nodded, "May's not much of a night owl. She'll crash soon enough. And who knows what Marie's doing. She's not going to come looking for me anytime soon."

Eddy laughed at Double D's expense. Whatever his friend was going through at that moment, he'd find out in the morning.

That was how it started. The two learned that they could talk to each other. Confide in each other. That trust developed between them. They talked about their pasts, their presents, and their dreams for their futures to each other. Sometimes until the sun came up. They laughed together, they cried together, and the natural evolution took place when Eddy and Lee could no longer deny their feelings for each other that had grown from the childhood crush.

In the present, at college, in his dorm, Eddy sat at the edge of his bed alone. He'd talk to his friends soon enough. But as he sat and stared at the old, decrepit tee ball statue on the shelf above his desk, Eddy wished he had Lee to talk to. He was coming to the realization that he needed to do something, and he knew what it was. He just didn't know if he had the strength to do it.