Sickness

Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd, 'n' Eddy or it's characters.

Chapter 8,

For the longest time, both Kevin and Edd acted as if nothing had ever happened. But after a horrific scam caused the whole cul-de-sac to track down the Eds like murderous scum, things were transformed.

Nazz and Rolf were quick to organize a celebratory block party that evening. Big Ed, Johnny and Plank dove for clams; Jimmy, Eddy and Rolf put together the largest makeshift Yakitori grill to cook the clams they found, along with the meat Rolf scrounged up. Eddy was milking the attention of his audience with made up cooking tips and Emeril Lagasse-esque presence. Nazz and Sarah treated the whole experience as if it were a hibachi performance. Edd has put himself in charge of making the punch, and he went home to mix it together.

After about twenty minutes of waiting, Kevin looked at Edd's house and wondered what he was doing. Even with someone as technical as Edd, counting out the individual grains of sugar, should it really be taking this long to bring the punch?

"Nazz, hold my drink real fast. I'm gonna go check on Edd." Kevin said. Nazz grabbed his soda, but shot him a questioning look.

"Check on Edd? He just left to go make punch- why check on him?" Nazz asked. At first Kevin couldn't believe that Nazz didn't notice how long Edd had been gone, but that just means that she's been having too much fun to notice.

"Just whatever, Nazz. He might need help carrying it and Rolf is busy." Kevin said, simply voicing the first excuse that popped into his mind. Nazz giggled at Kevin.

"You're probably right, Kev. I'll do my best to protect your soda; but don't blame me if Rolf or Johnny knock it over or something." Nazz said and she turned back towards the three yakitori chefs. Kevin walked over to Edd's house and peered through the window. The front room was dark and he couldn't really see the kitchen from this angle.

For a moment, Kevin waited for any hint of movement from Edd, just to see if he was alright. But the house remained still as the cul-de-sac roared with life. Kevin went ahead and knocked on the front door. He gazed out at the party, and as the light warmed with the setting sun, Kevin's mind started to wander.

Normally he was in the group, not an individual looking in. Maybe this is how the Eds would see them? It must be lonely to always stand on the sidelines and watch a bunch of kids having fun.

"Where is that dork?" Kevin said, starting to feel bad. Since Edd was usually so prompt with answering the door, Kevin grabbed the knob and opened the wooden entranceway.

"Edd." Kevin called out; expecting Edd to rush to him, ranting about proper etiquettes. Instead Kevin remained alone and now he was really worried about Edd.

"Edd?" Kevin asked, letting himself into the building to search for the boy. The front room was empty, and when he glanced in the kitchen, he only saw a punch bowl full of water. Kevin was standing by the stairs when he heard a small sound. It had to be Edd, because Kevin knew Edd's parents were never home long enough to discover if Edd was sick or healthy; even when others attempted to contact them. In this regard, Kevin did feel bad for Edd. Kevin may not have the greatest relationship with his folk, but Edd's parents were so oblivious it's as if they didn't care about Edd.

Kevin walked up to Edd's bedroom and he was about to knock when he figured out what this noise was. No doubt about it, Edd was crying. The jock hesitated on the decision to knock or to simply open the door, but the answer was obvious. If Kevin knocked, though it was more polite, it does give Edd the opportunity to swiftly hide any evidence of his emotions. Kevin took a deep breath to calm himself before he pushed the door opened and saw Edd sitting on the floor against the foot of his bed. Kevin's been told by family and friends that he sucked at comforting others, so Kevin didn't speak when he went over to the sad boy.