Blame Game
Intro

Before you read!:

Featuring: Ami from Hi! Hi! Puffy Ami Yumi Show. Ms. Keene from Powerpuff Girls. Mindy and Eris from Grim Adventures with Billy and Mandy.

It was a sinking type of feeling. The kind that creeps through your being, filling you with a nauseating notion that the contents from the night before would come rushing to greet the morning light. The unsettling waves riding your stomach when you open your eyes and you knew that today was going to be a bad day. No matter what you did, it was going to end in all sorts of bad.

At least, that was the feeling Edd was experiencing.

'Now, there's no need to be so pessimistic,' Edd chided himself. He tugged the strap of his messenger bag, noting that it was slightly lower than what he was used to. The bag never touched the back of his thighs when he walked. He never heard the annoying sound of his bag slapping his legs either.

Edd grimaced, tightening his hold on his strap. He was just panicking is all. His bag was never really this low and even if it were, he would've been okay with it. He grew out of his crazy OCD tendencies years ago. Of course, remnants of his childhood personality were still intact, but somewhere down the line, he realized that living a life in fear of every germ known to man wouldn't get him anywhere.

After all, how many great and influential people in the world, both past and present allowed their fears rule their consciousness?

Not many. If there was, Edd couldn't exactly name them right off the bat and knowing that they existed would trump his reasoning.

Edd trudged along the sidewalk, staring down at his pigeon-toed feet. Back when high school first started, he had trouble with people noticing the way he walked. In Peach Creek, the kids he grew up with never paid such attention with little things like that. It was only until Edd left Peach Creek was when he fell victim to bullying.

'Ah, those were the days,' Edd thought to himself, a wry smile playing along his lips.

Edd moved away from the cul-de-sac after his father accepted a promotion in the neighbouring city. It was an hour away from Peach Creek so it was only natural for Edd to attend schools closer to the vicinity of Apple Brookes. Unlike Peach Creek, Apple Brookes was more city-based and had a flush of style and offered the highest form of public education compared to Peach Creek.

It was honestly a life-changing event for Edd and his parents. He could still remember the hushed arguments of his father and mother downstairs when they thought that he was already tucked away and sleeping in preparation for the next day.

He wasn't the only one who didn't want to leave, his mother wanted to stay as well. Both Edd and his mother fought with the same logic and reasoning against his father in hopes that maybe he would change his mind and remain in Peach Creek. And when Edd thought about the argument so long ago…

'But father, it's to my understanding that your current pay is more than adequate to sustain mother and myself,' Edd reasoned calmly.

Edd would never forget the annoyance and irritation flashing across his father's eyes as he made that comment. His father never looked at him like that, nor did he talk to him the way he did afterwards.

"And it's to my understanding, Eddward that a child must know his place in the stance of his father who not only takes care of his wife and child, but the majority of the bills that finds their way into this household. Your selfish requests to remain here for the sake of your friends truly weighs heavier than the bills that you are not aware of that must be paid for. You live your life comfortably because I allow it, not because you allow it Eddward. Pack your things and inform your mother that there is no more room for discussion."

Edd smiled somberly, it was such a rushed move that he didn't even have time to tell Ed and Eddy that he was leaving and he wouldn't be back for Lord knows how long.

"SOCKHEAD! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? We have a fucking scam scheduled today!"

"DOUBLE DEEEEE, WHERE DID YOU GO?"

The screaming and sobbing voice mails that Eddy and Ed left behind could never quite be returned that day. Edd waited for a few days to tell them that he was gone and that he was unable to attend school with them for the following year.

"Why the hell would I want to hear that you won't be in school? It's the scams, Double D! It was made for the three of us and now we lost our brains to a fucking apple. How are we gonna make things work without you, sockhead?"

Eddy was always trying to play the hard one over the phone, but Edd knew he heard him choke a bit on his angry speech. Ed couldn't even be on the phone to speak. He was so upset that the only thing that Edd could make out was his name.

Edd sighed, slipping his hands into the pockets of his cardigan. Why was part of his life creeping back to him? That day he moved was so long ago, a good four years have passed since he lived in Peach Creek. Maybe it was 'cause he wasn't getting that much text messages from his two friends that made him reminisce the time he left Peach Creek.

"I suppose we can't go on forever if we can't see each other or hang out." For the longest time, Ed, Edd and Eddy have always attempted to take the bus or drive to see each other, but each attempt was foiled by one thing or another.

"We'll see each other soon enough, sockhead."

Oh how encouraging those words were back then. If only they were able to meet up once, it would settle him a bit. But each foiled attempt left Edd and from what he can assume from, Ed and Eddy disappointed and even thought they didn't want to admit it, unwilling to keep on trying.

But it wasn't as if it was it a complete loss.

Despite the teasing and the slight bullying he experienced in his current school, he made quite a few friends and a someone special along the way. They never filled the trio void he had in his heart, but it was something to get his mind off of Peach Creek and his friends.

"Double D!"

Edd chuckled, turning on his heel to see an attractive female bound towards him. As she was nearing to a halt, she rested her hands on her knees, heaving a bit.

"Perhaps this is a sign that you may be required to exert more interest in physical activity, Ami," Edd teased, fighting the urge to rub her back.

"Funny, Edd-kun. But if I need to work out more, maybe you need to go and clean your ears," Ami shot back, playfully punching his arm.

Edd laughed and shook his head. He was so lost in thought, he wasn't aware of anything else around him.

"My apologies Ami. After school tomorrow, may I treat you out for a cup of coffee as an apology," Edd said, hiding the eagerness in his voice.

"I'll take you up on that."

Edd smiled. In his younger days, he probably would stutter, stumble over his feet trying to ask someone of the opposite gender to go out and have a drink. And he did, when he first met Ami in art class back in freshman year. She was a very attractive girl to him, pink hair flowing down her back with two pink buns resting on the top of her head and big pink eyes that were always so engaging, so honed in whatever Edd talked about.

She listened to him and he loved that about her.

To her, they were just friends and to a certain degree Edd thought so too, but lately there were feelings that were slowly starting to surface whenever she was around. The soft flutter of butterflies in his stomach, the clammy feel of his hands, the urge to smile whenever she was around…

"Did you finish the abstract art project by the way?" Ami's boots clicked as she walked. Due to her small stature, she resorted to wearing boots that weren't too high, but gave off an illusion that she wasn't under five feet. Being Japanese, it was only natural for her to be small, but she hated it.

"That I did. I felt like it flowed naturally this time." Ever since freshman year, Edd decided that instead of purely academic-based classes, he would reserve a class slot for the arts. He never knew how much of a stress reliever painting and venting out his less than pleasant emotions on paper were.

And with how things were going on lately, he needed that stress reliever.

"Is everything okay," Ami asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"It's complicated Ami, but all will be fixed in due time. Honestly, there's nothing to worry about," Edd said with a grin.

Worrying others with his mediocre teenage problems, was one thing. But worrying her was another thing. She would worry for days on end until his problems were resolved. He learned better to cope with his internal feelings than worry someone else.

"I'm here if there's anything that you want to talk about. Your friends back in your hometown, your family, school, anything."

"And it's very much appreciated Ami. However, I must take my leave. I have to turn in some papers for Honor Society," Edd said, excusing himself.

"Talk to me sometime Edd."

Edd waved, parting ways with Ami at the entrance of the school, weaving into the crowd of students. Ami was such a sweet girl and maybe that's why he liked her.

"Oh look, the geek's come out to play. Mooching up to teach for a better grade?" A familiar voice rang out.

Edd's instincts screamed for him to run or at least move faster, but exhibiting fear in front of this bully would entice her even more. He found that out the hard way during freshman year.

"Harrassment won't get you anywhere, Mindy." Edd said continuing his walk down the hall.

"Funny, daddy always said otherwise. If you have money, all sorts of interaction can be rendered into anything how I want it to seem."

Edd gritted his teeth. Funny thing about Mindy was that she was right to some degree. When he first came to Apple Brookes, she was one of the first few to antagonize him to the point of...

Edd shook his head. Those were times he did not want to think about in the least. That was then and this is now. Now, she's on his tail, for whatever reason, Edd wasn't sure. He just knew to evade her, carefully and with precision, otherwise it could turn out unfavorable for him.

"Your father makes the same income as my father," Edd pointed out, giving in to her taunts. He wasn't sure what would make her keep to herself anymore. He finally reported her actions to his father once the school was informed of her treatment towards him, and for a time she ceased all forms of interaction towards him.

Why she was making such small talk was beyond him. Why she was choosing to talk to him now was even more questionable.

Mindy cut him off, a dangerous gleam in her eye. Her lips contorted into a sly smile. Edd couldn't help but think she looked like a shark, a shark readying itself to eat its prey.

"Father dearest didn't inform you about the games your mother has been playing, has he?"

And with that, Edd stopped.

"What game are you playing at Mindy?" Edd questioned, slowly forming the words. From the years that Edd has known Mindy, he's always known her sadist mannerisms and her fondness over word play games.

"Enjoy your time here while you can, Eddward."

And with that, she turned on her heel and left Edd in her wake. Edd gulped and continued his way down to the Honor Society room.

Whatever she wanted to do with him, he already knew she did it. What she did, was questionable and Edd didn't want to waste any time trying to figure out what new game she laid out for him.

The reason why she kept away for so long was because her father and his father worked closely together. Money icons that worked close together didn't need their kids having issues with each other and bringing it to their attention of their colleagues.

It didn't fly by either parent very well once their relationship was unearthed.

After news got around to the school board regarding the two students, both parents told their children to steer clear from each other. They didn't need either child causing each other problems.

And Edd didn't want to cause his father any problems in the least.

"Ms. Keene?" Edd knocked on the door of the classroom, hoping she was already in.

"Come in!" A voice rang out from the room.

"Good morning, Ms. Keene! I wanted to deliver my application for Honor Society in preparation for the new year," Edd made his way across the room, his papers in hand.

"That's great. You're always ahead of the game Eddward," Ms. Keene said with a pat on his back. Edd flinched. Though Ms. Keene was significantly smaller than he was, her pats on the back always felt a little heavy-handed.

"It is as the saying goes, 'the early bird gets the worm'."

"But how early does the bird have to get the worm is the question."

"Earlier than everyone else."

"But if everyone wakes up a little bit earlier than last time, then would you think the bird have time to sleep?"

"Well – "

"And if the bird didn't have much sleep, would the act of catching the worm before everyone else be plausible? It would fall asleep right when the time is right to pick the worm."

Edd paused, slightly unsure to where this conversation was going. From his years knowing Ms. Keene, he always knew that everything she said had a roundabout explanation to it.

"Think about it for a bit. Get to class, the bell's about to ring," Ms. Keene said with a smile.

"Perhaps you can enlighten me a little on what you meant?" Edd started. Ms. Keene shook her head, a smile playing along her lips.

"You'll understand later on what I meant and if you don't get it by the time the year is over I'll be happy to let you know what I meant. But for now, get to class. I'm definitely not writing you an excuse to why you were late to class."

"Oh dear, is it that time already? Thank you Ms. Keene, I'll ponder on your words, hopefully I'll understand the gist of what you meant."

"I wouldn't doubt it. Now, shoo. Get out of here."

Edd bounded towards class, noting that there were only a few students walking around dictating that there were only a few more minutes until he had to get to class. He grunted. This was Edd's final year of high school and he would be damned if he messed up his perfect attendance.

As he entered the room, his instructor approached him, papers in hand.

"Ah, Eddward. I was expecting you to come in earlier, but you won't be attending class today," his instructor started, pulling a stapled stack and setting it in front of him.

"Pardon?" His instructor motioned for Edd to read the papers he set in front of him. Flipping through the papers, Edd skimmed the packet.

"These are my transcripts?"

"Report to the principal's office. It's been a pleasure having you in my class Eddward." With a smile, his instructor motioned to the door.

"Thank you."

Eddward walked out of class, feeling confused. Why did he have to go to the principal's office with his transcript? Was he being transferred out to another class? It's only September, he didn't have anything substantial for the staff to switch him around. And judging the past few weeks has been in school, there was enough room for him to be in this particular class.

Eddward stared at his transcript, millions of reasons racing through his head. He sighed and made his way into the office.

"Good morning ma'm! I'm here to see the principal?"

"Eddward Vincent, right?" one of the ladies said, sparing him a single glance.

"Correct." Edd swallowed. Were the ladies at the front desk always this inattentive and rude?

"Go on ahead, they're waiting in the office to your right."

"Thank you," Edd murmured, feeling as if she didn't deserve it. Edd walked down the hall and rapped lightly on the door.

"Who is it?" Edd paused. That voice, it sounded so familiar.

"Eddward Vincent."

"Come on in, son." Puzzled, Edd opened the door to face his father and the principal. Not sure who to look at, Edd focused on his father, hoping that he would shed some light on the situation.

"If you don't mind Harold," his father said, making a quick gesture to the door.

"Please, take your time." With that, the principal left, not before giving Edd a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.

"Father, please explain yourself," Edd said once he heard the door click behind the principal.

Just what was his father doing here and why did he dismiss the school president as if he was someone who worked under him? It didn't make sense to him.

"Son, remember how we left Peach Creek four years ago?" his father started.

Edd nodded, a knot in his stomach. He didn't know where this was going, but they have never talked about their sudden move from Peach Creek to Apple Brookes. Any mention of it in the past would have resulted badly.

Just what about it was so important to bring up?

"You were too young to understand what was happening to your mother and myself, how dangerously close our marriage was falling a part," a pause.

"Indeed I noticed that there were some arguments now and then, but nothing to get too upset about," Edd started, shaking his head. His parent's marriage falling a part? They were the happiest couple on the whole cul-de-sac. They did everything together. There was no room for anything else but a happy couple.

"As I said, you were too young to notice anything that was happening between your mother and myself. To put it frankly, she's been cheating on me for a good six years now."

The color drained away from Edd's face. Cheating? Why would his mother cheat on his father?

"Perhaps it's a mistake. Father, mother wouldn't be capable of committing such infidel acts towards yourself." Edd reasoned.

"Don't try to rationalize it son, bluntly speaking – your mother and I will be getting a divorce, separation papers are already going through the tape and it won't take until a few months until we've separated."

Edd searched his father's face for some answer he could provide him. There had to be a mistake. Was this the reason why they moved away? To make a fresh start?

"Pertaining to the move then, was it a ploy to start over once more?"

"More than to start over. Your mother's beau lived in Peach Creek and she was seeing him behind my back for two years until I grew smart to her ways. To think I was so blind to believe that she was still in love with me," he chuckled darkly, his hands shadowing his eyes.

"Father?"

"Eddward, truth be told, you never really wanted to live in Apple Brookes, you wanted to remain in Peach Creek with your friends, am I correct?"

"Yes father, but – " His father waved his hands hushing Edd.

"Your mother and I agreed that you will stay with her until the divorce has been finalized. Once the divorce has gone through, you have a choice to live with her or with myself. Consider this my apology for haphazardly throwing you into such a foreign life so long ago," his father said.

"Your transfer has already gone underway and you are no longer a student here. You will start in Peach Creek High in two days' time. That should give you enough time to have yourself situated." Edd nodded his head. It seemed like everything was already decided for him by his parents that he didn't have anything else he could say, he could add.

How could he tell his father that he wouldn't mind living here in Apple Brookes with him when he's already gone through the trouble of having the paperwork done? Sure living in Peach Creek would be a dream come true, but to be honest, so many things have changed, could he really incorporate his life with Ed and Eddy once again?

"Your things are already packed, whenever you're ready you may leave."

"Yes father," Edd said. He turned on his heel and left the room. He wasn't sure if his father meant leave the room or leave Apple Brookes, but it was evident that his father already made his choice to leave more of an order above everything else.

Edd gritted his teeth and fought back the anger and disappointment building up. His mother cheated on his father? For six years? How could he not notice any of it? Even while growing up?

Edd broke into a run, dashing out the office and out of the school. He needed to breathe. He couldn't breathe at all in that stuffy building. Out of the school he ran, his oxfords clicking loudly with each step.

He stared the sky, fighting the urge to cry.

Was his family falling apart now? They were always there, a constant in his life where all variables were always changing with time. Now that the curtains have been drawn, exposing the true reason why he left so long ago, he didn't know who to blame, who to hate.

Just what was it was there left for him to do?

Author's Note: The first two chapters will start out slow and over time, the rating will change. My next chapter will jump into something sexual, what sort, I'm not telling. Just a little heads up that it'll have some sexual nature incorporated to it. I'm open to comments, statements, concerns and criticism. I'm a little new to the pairing so please tell me if the characters seem a little OOC, I'm trying to keep them canon as possible. My best friend will be providing cover art, so please stay tuned! Chapter Two is already being worked on! c: