Hey everyone! Thanks for reading! I'm sorry if that last chapter made you uncomfortable. I had some people tell me that they disliked it and I shouldn't have gone that far, but this is my creation. I appreciate it greatly if you like it, and if you don't, I'm sorry that we don't agree, but this is my voice, my imagination. Just sayin'. So if you're still with me, read on.

Edit! There is more added to this story, so please be generous and take the time to read the changes I made to chapters five and six. :)

X

When the ambulance finally arrived, Double D hopped in the back and held the unconscious Marie's hand the entire way to the hospital. As she was rushed into the E.R., the police questioned Edd.

"So you say there were only two?"

"Yes, the one in the janitor's closet and the one in the bathroom."

The policewoman jotted down notes.

Although Edd was glad that Kevin and Ricky would be punished, he was much more afraid about Marie's condition. That moment between her passing out and the police getting there, he saw the damage.

Her ankle had been twisted in a way that was just painful to look at.

Her thigh had a long cut on it.

And her face...

Marie's beautiful face had been maimed.

It brought tears to Double D's eyes just thinking about it.

She had a deep cut on her lip with bruises surrounding it. Her eyes were almost swollen shut from all the punches she had taken.

He openly began sobbing, and the policewoman walked away to give him some time to calm down.

How would Marie act when she woke up? How would she cope with this?

Just then, Lee, May, and Ms. Kanker ran in.

"Where is she?" Ms. Kanker demanded, tears streaming down her face. She looked much older than she was, the creases on her face looking much deeper. She approached Edd.

"Where is my daughter?" She whispered.

Edd pointed towards Marie's bed, and walked away. He was afraid of the scream; the loud sob that would come when she saw Marie's condition, just as it had happened to him. He never heard it, but he could imagine what it was like for a mother to see her daughter in that condition.

He walked back to where Marie was, and was met by a huge hug from Ms. Kanker.

"Thank you so much, thank you, thank you," she continued whispering over and over to Edd as she held him. He gradually wrapped his arms around her too, holding her as she sobbed.

"Hey," Lee approached him as the doctor called over their mother. "Thanks for saving our sister. I mean…I'm speechless. I really don't know what else to say."

May nodded appreciatively; she couldn't speak because of the lump in her throat.

The three of them stood there awkwardly, but at that moment, Edd understood that he was practically part of the Kanker family.

X

Two weeks later, Marie was back in school. Kevin and Ricky were in jail, awaiting their trial, where they would hopefully get sentenced to a very long time in prison.

Marie was still in pain, but was going through therapy to heal faster. However, Edd helped her a lot, taking her out to the movies, ice cream, book stores, and most of all, he just helped her by loving her unconditionally.

That particular day, when Marie had gone back to school, Edd approached her in the library. "I'm glad to see you back," he beamed.

"It's good to be back. I missed working in here with you," she smiled.

"So, I was thinking," Edd scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Would you like to come over to my house today? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought that maybe we could watch the movie after all, it's on DVD now. Unless you wanted to-"

Marie pressed a finger to his lips. "You talk too much." Edd blushed. "I'd love to go to your house. I'll meet you here after school."

Edd smiled, revealing the gap in his teeth that Marie loved so much.

X

Edd opened the passenger door for her and she got into his car. She pressed herself against the seat and breathed out slowly and shakily. Believe it or not, the Almighty Marie Kanker was nervous. Edd got into the car and looked over her. Upon seeing the odd expression on her face, he panicked. "Are you okay? Are you hurting? Is it the scar?"

Marie giggled. "I'm not freaking Harry Potter, Double D. I'm just... nervous, is all."

"Oh." Edd sighed in relief. Marie was nervous? If she was nervous, that must have made him an absolute mess. The ride was awkwardly silent as they made the journey to Edd's house.

Why is this any different? Marie wondered. We've been out together tons of times since...then. Is this actually a date?

Edd fumbled with his keys as he opened the front door. Marie had been to his house before, but something about this just felt...different.

"Hey, I'll go make some popcorn if you'll get the sodas," Marie broke the silence.

"Oh, yes of course." Edd pulled two cans out of the fridge and went to prepare the TV. Once he heard the ding of the microwave, his palms began to sweat. Marie walked in and flopped down on the couch next to him, their thighs barely touching. This is your only chance, Edd thought. Don't screw it up. As the movie began and started to get interesting, Edd wrapped an arm around Marie. She leaned into him without taking her eyes off the screen. Edd grinned to himself. He didn't screw it up.

X

"Wow..." Marie looked up at Edd. "That movie was just amazing."

Edd smiled. "I'm glad you liked it, Marie."

Marie looked at Edd's hand currently resting on her shoulder. Edd floundered and immediately removed it.

"No," she said quietly as she took his hand and laid it on her waist. "I didn't mean for you to stop. It was just...nice."

"Oh," Edd blushed profusely. He nervously began making small circles with his fingers on Marie's waist.

With a surge of courage, Marie rested her forehead on Edd's, bringing their faces in extremely close contact. They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like eternity, and as though moved by an unseen force, their lips were brought together.

It was over as soon as it began. The too awkward teens looked at each other, embarrassed, and soon began laughing at themselves.

"Let's try that again," Marie smiled, and once again brought their lips together.

It was awkward. It was sloppy. But it was them.

X

It was the one month anniversary of when they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend. Marie and Edd were going out to have dinner together after they finished in the library.

Edd was squatting to place a book on the bottom shelf, and when he stood back up, Marie was in front of him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for fixing me," she whispered.

Edd only replied by kissing her.

X

Well, that's it! I'm sorry if it's not what you expected, it's not really what I expected either. I'm excited to work on something else, but this needed to be done. Now it is! Yay!

To be honest, I did get a little bit bummed out by some things that people said about my story. I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it did and I kinda rushed it. Maybe I'll come in and fix this, maybe I'll end up liking it the way it is.

Thanks so much for sticking with me til the end. I can honestly say I love you.

Don't forget me!