Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

Blood in the Water	By : AeoAthura Category: +1 through F > Ed, Edd, and Eddy Views: 10400 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd and Eddy - I make no money from this work.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Chapter Two:
Wednesday was a day determined to make Eddward snap, he discovered. It was a compilation of annoyances that stacked up to dance upon his nerves and his irritation was felt by all.
Clouds had rolled in the night before and what was supposed to be a light rain turned into a downpour that showered on and off the next day. Swim practice was canceled, as were many other sports, which accounted for the first aggravation of the day. While Edd loved the water he loathed the rain, it was simply depressing.
There had been a rolling blackout the night before as well, resetting his alarm clock and assuring that he awoke late and affording him no time for his favorite meal of the day. Compounding upon this, his garage door jammed and after five minutes of fiddling he knew he had no other option but to walk to school that day.
He could not find his umbrella.
By the time the rain-sodden teen stepped up to the schoolhouse everyone could tell that this particular Wednesday would be considerably worse than most. He shoved his bag into his locker and as he turned around to make his way towards his first class a smaller figure attached herself to his arm at his elbow.
"Oh shit you're wet!" Marie jumped back and shook off her arms with a wince.
Edd snorted, "What an astute observation. Perhaps next you will inform me that we are mammals."
She waved her hand, "Hey, don't get bitchy with me Mister!" Marie Kanker was the one and only person in Edd's world who could speak to him so freely, and despite his raising levels of aggravation, her smile was enough to lighten his mood. "Pizza after school? You look like you could use a break."
They started walking, Edd shoved his hands into his pockets after pushing down the hood of his jacket, "As pleasant as the offer does indeed sound, I have a previous engagement that is not of my own will."
"Detention again?"
"For fighting, yes."
"Kevin?"
"Admittedly I started it."
She sighed and chuckled at the same time, "You two, I swear. Well, I'll pick you up a few slices and a salad and meet you when you get out, how does that sound?"
The left side of Edd's lips twitched up in his trademark smirk, "That sounds remarkable Marie."
The bell sang through the halls and the students, preprogrammed with their destinations, began to shuffle off to their classes. "See ya Edd!" Marie chimed before she broke off and dashed down a hallway.
Edd sighed to himself before making his way to his first class. Of course all of his classes were Advanced Placement, yet still with the supposed increase of cerebral difficulty the young man never found himself challenged. The only class he enjoyed was Physics, and while the general content was only mildly vexing, Mr. Locke was a college Professor for Quantum Physics on the side and allowed Edd to learn and utilize the same content as his college students.
This particular Wednesday was fully intent to get on his final nerve.
After the third period bell rang and he entered his favorite class prepared to actually learn something he was only mildly surprised to see another man sitting in his favorite teacher's spot. This was a squat man who had hair that appeared to be taken from an old broom, including the sharp little mustache that seemed almost fake.
He growled to himself and took his seat.
It seemed that having a substitute was not enough punishment for that hour. As the man stood to take roll he paused when he reached Eddward, "Excuse me young man, please remove your hat."
The room went entirely silent, many students even stopped breathing for a moment as Edd looked up to meet the man's eyes, "I like my hat." He responded coldly.
"It is improper to wear a hat indoors." The substitute countered.
"It is also considered improper to make unnecessary demands. My headwear is of no concern to you, nor is it a distraction upon the learning environment."
"Well it's distracting me and you have obviously caused us a late start because of your belligerence."
Oh this day…
Edd's jaw cinched, "I see. Well, allow me to alleviate the situation." He reached up and splayed his fingers over the top of his beanie, slowly pulling it free. Though he rarely removed it in public, many students already knew of the scar beneath.
The substitute paused and took a moment to examine this, "Right well, perhaps there is no reason you shouldn't be allowed your privacy." He said and quickly looked back to the roll sheet on the desk.
"I thought not." Edd murmured as he replaced his hat and sat back.
Nobody dared to meet his gaze for the rest of that period.
#
Fifth period, gym, was to be Edd's saving grace. He had specifically requested Weightlifting as a way to gain access to the school's specific fitness equipment and to help build muscle outside of the water. On rainy days especially it was nice because Edd could run the treadmill to work out his frustrations.
He had just started to work into a comfortable run when a faculty member entered the room and spotted Edd. He growled to himself and looked at the distance tracker on his machine, opting to ignore the older woman as she ambled her way up beside him.
"Eddward?" She asked. She had a paper in her hand, a summons slip.
"No."
"Mrs. Collins would like to see you in her office." The woman went on, offering out the slip.
"No."
"Eddward…"
"No."
She reached out and pushed the off button for the treadmill and the whirring belt tapered to a halt with Edd grabbing the handles on either side to steady himself. He growled. "This had best be of immense import." He snapped, grabbing the paper from the woman's hand before he stepped off the machine.
He took his time changing, having no intent to be punctual to a surprise appointment with his guidance councilor. He donned his leather jacket with the hood up and made sure to take heavy steps so that his boots preceded his presence. He stepped into the guidance office looking as annoyed as he felt.
The woman who had summoned him was settled now behind the front desk. She glanced up and nodded, "Down the hall, second door on the right."
He snorted and followed her instructions, stopping before the open door to peer inside. The room was painted a light color, and the wood of the desk was light with the blinds turned in such a way to allow the sun to accentuate the sickeningly sweet motivational posters framed and hung upon every wall (though today the storm prevented such a thing). It was made to be a peaceful room - one in which to incite a sensation of self-worth and desire. Meanwhile, the laptop screen just barely visible from Eddward's vantage point displayed a pink kitten literally vomiting rainbows…
Eddward hated the guidance councilor for no other reason than the fact that she was made for her job.
"Hi Edd! Come on in!" Mrs. Amanda Collins was a squat little woman with eyes too small for her face and braided pigtails. She wore a collaboration of pinks and yellows and all of her costume jewelry was over-sized and painfully bright.
Eddward hated the guidance councilor.
No sooner did he step through the threshold than he noticed the two were not alone. His eyes fixated on the figure situated in one of the two chairs before Mrs. Collins' desk, a slouched frame with a green shirt and a backwards red hat keeping a mop of red hair out of a freckled face.
He looked then to Mrs. Collins for clarification.
"Please sit down Edd. Oh, you look like you're having a bad day!"
"A casual understatement." He sighed as he made his way to the remaining seat, removing the flowery throw pillow from the hideous green upholstery. He sat down, "Now then, to what do I owe this intrusion?"
Amanda Collins knew Edd well. She knew he hated the sunshine and rainbows and kittens vomiting such things, she knew he hated her perky attitude to make up for her sagging breasts, she knew he hated how she spoke three octaves higher than her normal speaking voice. She knew all of these things, and would use them to her ultimate advantage, "I called you boys into my office today to discuss your futures! You're both intelligent and very talented young men and I have had the pleasure of watching you grow and learn over the years."
"Pleasure?" Edd asked, knowing his attitude was anything but pleasurable.
"Stop being an ass." It was the first thing Kevin had said, and Edd shot him a glare.
"I do not see what you have learned during your time here, Mr. Barr," Edd spoke coldly, "You still speak with the education and eloquence of a neighborhood ruffian."
Kevin jumped up, "I'll show you eloquence you pompous water-lily!"
"Oooh, pompous. Someone has a new word-a-day calendar."
"BOYS!" Mrs. Collins' voice slashed through their spat, "Kevin, sit please," Her voice went back to perky, however there was a serrated undertone that threatened something unknown, "You are both forbidden to speak unless directly asked. Please don't make me have to separate you, I don't want to have to have this conversation twice."
She paused, looking between both teenagers. It was difficult to have them both in the same room together and moreso to have them in close quarters. There were even efforts made on behalf of the staff so that they never had the same class together, not after the Chemistry Lab Fiasco.
Finally the woman went on, "Now then. You are both smart and talented, however you both have glaring flaws." She spoke the word with finality, the crack of a metaphorical whip that had both boys humbled and avoiding eye contact, "Eddward. I know that you have recently applied to many colleges yes?" She pulled a file up from her desk, "I am seeing Harvard, Dartmouth, Cretel, among others. Those are very lofty ambitions and certainly you have the mind to excel in any of these places. Your extracurricular activities also check out. Tell me, where is it you want to go most?"
There was a pause as Edd digested the information, trying to pinpoint the route that she was aiming at. Finally he spoke his truth, "I wish to attend Dartmouth for Engineering."
She nodded, "I see. Now, I recently had a conversation over the phone with Molly Schrier, she's an admittance agent for various high-collar collages. I had her look over your records, and while you have outstanding grades and an impressive resume overall, you have no less than eleven suspensions - all of which for physical altercations. Dartmouth is a very prestigious school, Edd, and they pride themselves on their mature environment." She opened one of the files and slowly pulled out an envelope, handing it over, "Unfortunately, her prediction was quite accurate."
Eddward stared at the offered envelope. He reached out and took it, noting that there were several more in the file on her desk. His brows furrowed when he saw that the letter was from Dartmouth, donning their crest; he tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter and unfolded it.
He scanned the letter but stopped and reread the same part over and over again, 'We appreciate your interest in Dartmouth, however at this time we do not feel that you will be a good match for our college.'
He looked up frowning, "I do not understand. How are you aware of their decision?"
"I spoke to a lot of people Edd, I wanted to make sure that you got where you needed to go. All of these letters are about the same." She pulled out another two letters and handed them out, but Edd refused them with a cold glare - he was trying to hide the pit in his stomach and the sense of defeat washing over him.
This day…
"Whoa, Mr. Brainy Pants got the axe!" Kevin was leaning over in his chair to get a look at the letter Edd clutched.
Several things happened at once. Fire erupted in Edd's chest, the desire to jump out of his seat and throttle the life out of the red head was overpowering to such a point that he actually stood from his seat, using his height to convey an intimidating presence. Kevin rose as well, prepared to meet Edd's attack.
Mrs. Collins was squawking so loud that two faculty members had come running to the door as the boys sized each other up.
The room went silent save for the distant roll of thunder.
Everyone was quiet and still, the adults sensing that one wrong move would have the two testosterone ridden teens trying to kill one another. Finally Mrs. Collins spoke calmly, "Both of you, sit down. Mr. Barr, at least Eddward has applied to a college - tell me, where have you applied to?"
Kevin pulled his lips up in a soundless snarl, staring up at Edd who still had a few inches on him.
"Not only have you not actively applied anywhere, your grades are lacking in several classes. You can't afford to fail - else you won't be eligible to graduate. Furthermore, if your GPA drops much lower, Kevin, you will be removed from the baseball team."
In that instant the hateful glares between the teens broke and Kevin looked away in his shock, "What?! No way, you can't do that! If I'm not on the team I won't get any scholarships."
"That's the point." She stated, nodding, "Both of you sit, now." Her voice once more was like a cracking whip and slowly they both complied. She took a breath, trying to navigate and lessen the tension in the room, "You know, it's a shame that you two aren't friends. You'd be quite an unstoppable team together." She raised her hand when Edd opened his mouth to protest, "Ah-ah, no speaking Eddward! Listen up." She tapped her ears, "And listen well, both of you. Eddward, all of the colleges you applied to are willing to reconsider your application pending you receive excellent letters of recommendation from the staff here, including me and your teachers. Kevin, you need to work on your grades or else you won't have a college to apply to at the end of the year."
The pit in Edd's stomach returned, a cold, rolling ball as he finally saw the destination of her conversation, "You are not honestly considering…"
"No, Eddward, I'm not."
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"I've already decided."
Fuck.
"No way!" Kevin tensed up, "I have enough stress in my life." It seemed that the red head had figured it out as well.
Mrs. Collins sighed, "Listen boys. I know you two have a hard time getting along but you both need each other - and you both have a lot of growing up to do in a short amount of time. You will both have to deal with people you don't like throughout your life and learning how to handle that effectively is a lesson that you both need to understand. So Eddward, if you want those letters of recommendation then you will tutor Mr. Barr so that he doesn't fall behind any further on his grades. I think that if you two can get past your issues with one another you might find you have more in common than you think."
The room went silent, both boys trying to come up with any reason or excuse to get out of the metaphorical handcuffs being locked around their wrists.
"And what if I just say no?" Kevin shot, "I can find another tutor, I don't need sock-for-brains here."
"Then Eddward would not get the letters that he needs. I know you two don't get along but do you really want that on your conscience Mr. Barr?" Her voice was suddenly heavy and her gaze hard as she held eye contact with Kevin.
He growled, "That's cold!"
"That's life." She responded, "Now if it comes to pass that it really is just impossible for you two to work together or find a way to do so, then you will have to live with the consequences. I am here to help you, not hold your hands."
She looked to Edd next, seeing if he had any objections. Oh he had many, however he felt his back against a wall in that moment, and though his mind raced to find a quick fix there appeared to be none in sight. Until… "Very well, Mrs. Collins." He nodded his head, "I will tutor Kevin and see to it that his grades meet expectations."
Kevin looked to him with a mixture of disbelief and shock, as if he could not believe that Edd would give in to the woman's outrageous demands so easily.
"Now then," Edd continued, "Are we done here?" he was crumpling the rejection letter into a ball in his hands, his knuckles going white as he struggled to keep composure - at the moment it was all he had.
"Yes. You boys work out a schedule between each other. You're dismissed." She breathed a sigh of relief.
#
"I have a hard time believing that you'd cave that easy." Kevin commented once the boys were out of the guidance office and making their way down the hall.
Eddward took a breath, his hands in his pockets and one of them still clenching the rejection letter that seared his flesh with its utter humiliation. "There is a way out of every situation," he spoke calmly, "For us it is actually quite simple."
"You mean you got a plan?"
"Yes, I implore you to keep up." He breathed, "I have no desire to try and waste my time tutoring a lost cause. All you are required to do is keep your grade point average at an acceptable level."
"Look, I don't have time to just sit and study alright?"
Edd rolled his eyes, "No you simpleton. Find a different tutor! Mrs. Collins needs be none the wiser - whether I tutor you or anyone else. We need no interaction, just find someone else."
Kevin blinked and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Huh, that's pretty smart actually."
"Someone has to be."
The red head snorted, "Don't get all uppity on me, you're still an asshole."
"Such a defensive coin-of-phrase. Perhaps I should tutor you on how to speak without using such unnecessary vulgarity." Edd wrinkled his nose, "In any case, I do not care who you get. But if you put my letters in jeopardy I will see to it that I give you a personal swimming lesson."
"Whatever man."
The boys parted ways. It was the longest conversation they had stomached since they were children - a necessity based on their mutual futures. Come the ring of the next bell, they went back to enemies and rivals, two alphas determined to prove which had the harder bite.
That Wednesday was determined to grate on every one of Eddward's nerves.
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Blood in the Water