I am back! I present to you the next chapter. I hope you like it. Domo.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ed, Edd and Eddy.

Chapter 22: Missing Backbone

Chapter Summary: He would everything to keep his best friends away from harm, even if...

The human brain was ultimately responsible for all thoughts and movements that the body produced. This allowed humans to successfully interact with their environment, by communicating with others and interacting with inanimate objects near their brain was made up of nerve cells which interact with the rest of the body through the spinal cord and nervous system. These cells would relate information back to specific centers of the brain where it could be processed and an appropriate reaction could be generated.

The cerebrum was the largest portion of the brain, and contained tools which were responsible for most of the brain's function. It was divided into four sections: The frontal lobe was one of four lobes in the cerebral hemisphere that controlled several elements including creative thought, problem solving, intellect, judgment, behavior, attention, abstract thinking, physical reactions. The parietal lobe was located in the cerebral hemisphere, that focused on comprehension, visual functions, language, and temporal lobe controlled visual and auditory memories. It included areas that helped manage some speech and hearing capabilities, behavioral elements, and language. The occipital lobe was located in the cerebral hemisphere in the back of the head. It helps to control vision.

The function of human brain was really important and it would tell you what your body wanted to do. It was really an important organ of our being.

But at this moment, the functions of my own brain weren't working properly. They refused to register everything. All I knew that my best friend was crouching on the ground. Our bully was smirking down at him.

What the hell was going on?

"Is that all you've got?" I heard Eddy murmured spitting something to the ground. My eyes widened when I realized what it was. Blood. That made me move away from the location and into the open.

"Oh, Eddy! What are you-" I was stopped short when someone yanked me back. I gasped when I realized that Jason and Mark were also there.

"Idiot! What are you doing here?" Eddy glared at me.

"I should be the one asking you that," I said trying to get away from Mark and Jason's grip, "What are you doing?"

"You're the genius here," Chad smirked cracking his knuckles "You figure it out."

"My knowledge has its certain limits. I can't know everything. And certainly can't assume everything!" I said turning to both sides, "Release me, you guys!"

"And let you ruin the fun?" Mark said tugging me harshly, making me down on my knees, "No thanks!"

Jason grabbed my head and forced me to look forward where the two of them were facing each other, "Why don't you enjoy the show instead?"

"You let him go, you bastards!" I saw Eddy standing up but Chad suddenly kicked him to his sides making him land on his side.

"EDDY!" I shouted.

"Where do you think you are going?" Chad said placing his foot to his chest, "You haven't received my payback yet."

"Hah! Payback you a*s!" Eddy said glaring at him, "I don't need it so don't bother!" In an instant he grabbed Chad's foot and pulled him down with him. Chad landed on his back and Eddy used his chance to crawl on top of him, "I'd rather give you more!" He punched Chad on the face making me freak out in the process.

"EDDY, STOP IT!" I shouted to my lungs hoping that someone could hear us. The two of them continued punching each other. Jason and Mark's grips were tightening but I knew that they wanted to help Chad. The latter just didn't prefer that as I sensed it.

Chad being the bigger one had the upper hand. My best friend received a series of punches from him. He could barely touch our bully at this moment. Oh, my, I couldn't stand seeing him like this.

"STOP IT! CHAD YOU'LL KILL HIM!" I shouted once again but a bit lower this time. I dreaded the words I formed to my lips a few seconds ago, "Why are you doing this?!"

"Why?" Chad stopped hitting Eddy who started falling on the ground, "You're dorky friend here just humiliated me! I was about to let everything go this morning but he humiliated me in front of everyone!"

"What-" I slowly looked at Eddy. He was already looking at me, a smirk forming to his lips. I didn't like the look on my best friend's face, not because of how bruised it was but because of the expression he was wearing. My fear was confirmed when he said one word to us while grinning in the process.

"Wedgies."

Another punch landed to Eddy's face, "I chased him all the way here to make him pay so here we are paying him now." Chad said as he punched him in the stomach. Eddy was once again crouching on the ground.

Eddy groaned feeling pain all over. I tried moving once again but the grips were hurting me more as I moved. I couldn't believe that this was happening. My best friends being hurt was the last thing I wanted to happen. Heck, I didn't want that to happen at all. But here I was, hopeless, watching Eddy get beaten by Chad. I bit my lower lip as I decided in something. Screw pain.

I shouted to the top of my lungs as I struggled to break free from Jason and Mark's grips. Chad was in the process of punching Eddy on the face when I was able to get away from the two. I quickly made my way between them.

"STOP IT THIS INSTANCE!" I shouted placing and crouching myself in front of Eddy, spreading my arms to my sides, facing Chad with what I thought was a fierce expression at him. I surprised Chad at my sudden movement. I could also sense Eddy from my back was the same.

"What do you think you are doing?" Eddy groaned.

"Move. Dork." Chad warned. His eyes were deviously glaring to mine. I stood on my ground and glared back at him. We had a staring competition before he made his way to me. He grabbed my shirt and yanked me closer to him. His eyes became darker when I stared at them at a close range. I held my breath when he moved his face closer to mine and heavily emphasize each word he said to me;

"You. messed up. with. the. wrong guy." His words were like poison and they were just waiting to be injected, "I'll make sure you'll regret crossing me." He pushed me harshly making me land on Eddy to the ground.

Chad spat at us before he walked around us, "Let's go." He said firmly to the two before opening the door of the rooftop and went through with it. That left the two of us alone. I released a deep breath of relief and reached for my handkerchief.

"Filthy! Filthy! Filthy!" I immediately wiped my shirt where Chad's saliva land, feeling totally grossed about it. That would do for a short while. I turned around and worry appeared to my face as I saw Eddy's condition, "Eddy, are you alright?" I touched his face gently not wanting to hurt him more. He was bruised all over.

"You are absolutely stupid!" He slapped my hand away from him and glared at me, "Why did you do that? I could have saved myself from him without your help!"

I stared at him in shock. Eddy was still stubborn and full of himself. I crossed my arms in front of me and stared back at him, "Why you are welcome, Eddy! Don't mention it."

"It's not funny!"

"Nothing is indeed funny here! What do you think you are doing?" I glared back at him, trying to help him to stand up.

"I don't need your help!" He growled at me as he swatted my hand once again. But doing so, his stomach throbbed painfully. Chad must have punched him really hard.

"Says the one who can't even stand up on his own." I said as I couldn't help but snarled at him. I grabbed him to help him stand up once again but he just slapped my hands away... for the third time.

"I told you, I don't need your help!"

"Stop being stubborn!" I snapped at him. Eddy was crossing the line, "Your stubbornness will only bring you into trouble more!"

"Well, you just have to live with it!"

"--which is making me worry you all the time--"

"--which is you don't need to--"

"I DO WORRY!" I cut him for the last time. My blood temperature was getting hyper. My eyes felt hot. I was freakingly panicking at the moment when I realized something. I slowly placed my head to his shoulder as I grabbed his arms, "I am worried about you because I am scared. I don't want to see you hurt. I don't want my best friends get hurt. You and Ed are the only ones I have," I closed my eyes shut, mentally including Kevin in the list, "The ones I care about."

Eddy remained silent but I knew that he was aware of the words I was saying. His breathing pattern was getting normal. He was starting to calm down.

I didn't usually mind other people's business but I felt different when I saw my best friends getting hurt. People normally told me I didn't have the guts to stand on my own.

But now, I missed my backbone. I didn't care about the consequences. Well, it wasn't true. I'd care about it but that would be taken care of later. Eddy was my priority even though it hurt me to see him like this. He also disappointed me.

"You keep breaking your promise, Eddy," I bit my lower lip trying not to cry. I wouldn't start to cry. Not now. Not ever, "Don't make me all jittery anymore, please."

"Sorry, Sockhead," He took a deep breath as he placed a hand on top of my head, "Now stop being a drama queen! I hate to see you cry."

"I am no drama queen and I am not crying!" I looked up at him to prove my point. I was on the verge of it but I didn't still. My face was red and that was all I knew.

"Yeah, right." He rolled his eyes and he looked funny when he did that, seeing that he was bruised and all. That made me worry him more.

"Come on, let's clean you up." I said helping him up and this time he let me. Good thing that school was over. This was going to take longer than expected.

xxx

The next day came and our morning came naturally. Eddy's face was swollen but it wasn't that worse. Ed panicked when he saw Eddy's face and asked tons of questions to him, which the latter ignored and snapped at him in the end. Nazz even came to see and worried about him. I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin saw him and started saying harsh words to him.

Which he did when they met, telling Eddy to keep his naughty hands in his pockets to avoid trouble. I was able to calm the two down.

Lunch arrived and we ate in our usual place. Nazz and Allex joined us. Nazz was overly worried at Eddy. Despite the grumpy look my best friend was showing, I knew deep inside that he was happy. Nazz had never paid attention to him ever since the acquaintance party. Allex was also worried when he learned the news. I just gave him a knowing look and let it go for now.

I met Kevin in the hallway after lunch. He motioned me towards a room and walked ahead. When no one was around, I immediately followed him and entered the room. He crushed me in a hug the moment I closed it.

"I should have been there to stop it." He whispered to my ear as he rubbed my back.

"You didn't know. I didn't even know," I whispered back at him, "It just happened."

He moved away from me and checked my body, "Did he hurt you too?" He asked firmly. I shook my head as to confirm his question, "They beat him really hard."

"They did but my best friend is tougher than that." I grinned at him, half-jokingly to ease the tense.

"And a stubborn one," He groaned, "He has to be careful. Make him be warned." He said seriously.

I nodded silently and hugged him back. I knew that Chad would be messing with us more in the future. Now that I angered him this much, my best friends and I would try to avoid his group as possible as we could. At least until he calmed down.

I hoped he would.

xxx

The day became a blur afterwards. Eddy was guarded by Nazz and Ed today, much to the former's chagrin. I wanted to spend time with them as well but I had some library work to do today.

I met up with Allex in the library and smiled at him as he saw me.

"Greetings, Allex!" I said placing my bag on the counter after greeting our head librarian that day. Allex laughed at me.

"Double D, it's like we had not met during lunch time." He said pushing the cart that he had started working on.

"Well, the time during lunch was different for the time today," I replied grabbing some books to return to the shelves. I really loved the smell of books, "I felt like greeting you today."

"I can see that," Allex said chuckling as we walked together in the center of the aisle, "Say, what about you come and watch me play tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? You have a game tomorrow?" I asked him as I hugged the books firmly to my chest.

"A practice match actually," He shrugged and looked forward, "If you don't have anything to do, that is."

"Sure, I'll come." I confirmed thinking of the possible things I could do tomorrow. Kevin and I had not planned anything to do tomorrow so I guessed it would be okay to attend Allex' game. My plan of going home tomorrow would have to postpone and watch it instead.

Allex beamed when I agreed to his invitation, " I wish I could invite Rave and Nat in the game too." He mumbled almost to himself. He must not have intended to say that out loud for he flinched after that.

"Why don't you then?"

"I am still working on it besides," He sighed, "I think they have practice too."

"Hmm, maybe you are right." I thought of Kevin. They would probably have practice knowing that their team were invited to play next time. I was actually happy for them.

"Let's get this done then." Allex said turning to a corner. I let out a giggle as I followed him.

"I don't mind staying here forever." I said matter-of-factly which I earned a fit of laughter from him.

xxx

Staying in the library forever didn't last long for me, much to my disappointment. Allex and I had to leave the library when it was closing time. We both said goodbye and went on our way to our dorms.

I texted Kevin telling him that I was done for the day and was planning to go to my dorm. I put my phone away back to my bag when the call of nature suddenly came to me. I thought of releasing it in my own dorm but a bathroom in front of me was already inviting. Sighing, I made my way to the bathroom and quickly released my needs. I immediately fixed myself and went to the sink and started washing my hands.

Of course, cleanliness is my first priority no matter where I was.

I literary flinched when I heard the door of the bathroom slam shut. My eyes widened when I saw Chad smirking at me. Jason and Mark were behind him.

"What do we have here?" Chad started saying still staying on his location.

"And I thought this place is already isolated." Jason said.

I backed out a little and tried to calm myself down, "W-well gentlemen, I think this place is still publicly used on the contrary that the students have already gone home."

"Oh we're not planning to go home, are we?" Chad turned on both sides. Jason and Mark nodded.

"Let's have some fun, shall we?" Mark nodded while Chad cracked his knuckles.

I secretly gulped. I had the slightest idea that their definition of fun was different from mine. I totally had a bad feeling about this.

Done! Cliffhanger! Let me remind you guys that this fic is dark. Well, don't worry, I won't do a fic that the main characters will trigger something to suicide or something. I hate tragedy so rest assured. If you read my Fantasy Beyond Reality fic (Not a KevEdd fic) You can relate that to this fic. So yeah.

Reviews please! Motivate me more... thankies... :)

Next Chapter: I am Alive