Hye guys! Thank you for reading up to this chapter. I won't say long. I hope you like this too. Domo... :)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own EEnE and never ever will. Capiche?

Chapter 9: You are my cruel version of trouble

Chapter Summary: The Eds started their new scam-err-business. Just like their any other ones, this was also different. Especially...

'How I hate the way he makes me feel
And how I try to make him leave
I try...'

~ Trouble is a Friend - Lenka

I woke up early the next morning. I immediately packed things up so that I could leave my unit. My plan of leaving the dorm last night was postponed because of unexpected reasons. Who would have thought that Kevin had the nerve to approach me and... apologize like that?

I was distracted that I couldn't focus on what to do last night. Ever since he cornered me last Wednesday, my days were never been normal. I apologized to Allex of ditching my task in the library and tried to reason out to my best friends why I reacted a bit more silly for the past days.

Why would Kevin do that?

His actions yesterday only made it worse. I really needed to avoid him... for real. The fact that he was our bully didn't leave my mind. If I provoked him more, I feared that he would bully me again.

So, yeah, I made this conclusion that I would avoid him at all cost.

"Double Dweeb!"

Maybe I should start avoiding him tomorrow instead. I sighed deeply as I heard the roaring sound of his motorbike coming on my way. Being the polite as ever, I didn't forget to greet him properly;

"Greetings, Kevin!" And that was all he could get from me.

"You are on your way home?" He asked stating the obvious.

"Yes, I am." I gripped my books tight as I quickened my pace.

"Hey, why are you so nervous around me?" Kevin asked me surprisingly. Realization slowly hit me. I was not actually annoyed at his words yesterday. I was actually nervous when I was alone with him. Saying those words to him was only my cover to hide my nervousness. Why couldn't he tell that?

"You... should know the answer to that." I whispered as lowly as possible hoping that he wouldn't hear but alas, he did.

"I won't hit you, I promise."

I blinked a few times before I slowly stopped on my tracks and looked at him, "Promise is such a strong word, Kevin."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Kevin said stopping his bike next to me, "I am true to my words Dweeb."

I didn't say anything as I observed him. His eyes were softened when he said that or maybe it was just my imagination. He coughed to get my attention which he did.

He shifted a little on his seat and tapped his back, "Hop on."

I blinked twice, "Excuse me?"

"I said hop on," He repeated as he continued staring at me, "Don't tell me you are going to reject my offer again, do you?"

"I am afraid to say yes, Kevin. But thank you for the offer still." I said walking ahead once again but this time, I was walking in a normal pace. Ed and Eddy were waiting for me just fine.

"Why won't you ride with me? I am a safe driver, you know."

"It's not just about you. I don't feel like going on every dangerous vehicle," I said trying not to offend him, "I still think that prevention is better than cure."

"You are getting far from the main topic, dork," He said narrowing his eyes at me, "I was just inviting you for a ride."

I closed my eyes and looked away from him, "Pardon but my answer is still no."

I could hear Kevin sigh, "How can I convince you to ride with me?"

"No," I immediately answered but thought of something out of the blue, "Well, if you manage to get 90 of all the subjects on our prelims, I'll probably take your offer. For once."

Kevin grinned when I said that, "Deal!" I nodded at him, not really sure if I set myself in my own trap.

"I need to go," I said quickening my pace once again, "It's good to see you this morning."

"Sure thing," He revved his engine and sped ahead but not before sending his last message on me, "Happy Weekend, Dweeb!"

I sighed as I grabbed my books really hard. That was the time I realized how fast my heart was beating. Why would I react in front of my bully like that?

Was I... that nervous of him.? I did set the trap for my own.

xxx

"What took you so damn long, sockhead!?"

Eddy's boomed just the outside of his door. I made myself welcome and entered his so called 'sanctuary', "I was distracted on my here, Eddy. I apologize for that." I cringed at the sight of his home and saw how messy it was, "Geez, Eddy! If you are going to have us, you should at least tidy up the place!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll do it later," Eddy said rolling his eyes and ushered me inside, "Lumpy is already waiting for you."

Speaking, the taller guy appeared from the living room and welcomed me with his big hug, "It's good to see you, Double D!"

I chuckled and tapped his back, "It's good to see you too, Ed."

Eddy stepped between us and got us separated. I had to thank him mentally for that, "Reunion over, planning for scam begins. Now get your butts on your chairs and let's think."

"Eddy, do we really have to do this?" I said as I followed what was told.

"Of course, for the sake of money," Eddy said plopping on his own chair, "Let's make business, shall we?"

"Yeah, I want a jawbreaker!" Ed inserted drooling at the same time.

"Ed! Control yourself!" I scolded him before he could make a mess himself. He started eating his, uh, gravy so I tried my best to ignore him.

We started thinking of scam to do this weekend and I hoped I could survive for whatever we were going to do.

.

.

.

"That's not going to work!" I protested when Eddy suggested something so... ordinary, "That's too common. Even kids can do that!"

"That's why we are going to do it," Eddy said leaning towards us, "The kids in Cul-de-sac will come because it's common."

"Eddy's right, Double D. Kids love lemonade. I love lemonade too." Ed agreed as he grinned from ear to ear.

I thought hard. Selling lemonade was actually common. In fact, I should feel relieved about it. The scam wasn't bad after all.

Or so I thought.

"There's a catch though." Eddy continued grinning at us.

"Why do I have the feeling that I don't like whatever you are suggesting?"

The shorter guy grinned even wider placing his hand under his chin, "Oh, you are going to like it, Sockhead. You are going to like it."

xxx

If screaming was a decent thing to do, I would have done it a few hours ago. I really wanted to scream... at someone. I couldn't believe that Eddy would sell us, well, even him for a couple of hours.

The deal was that the people who would buy our special lemonade for $10 and empty the glass without spilling one drop would get a special labor from anyone of us. The buyer would get the pick. Did I mention that our lemonade was 'special'?

It was quite different from the original lemonade kids would make. The lemonade was mixed with concoctions that I didn't want to know but I could guarantee you this juice was healthy... for the strong stomach. The special ingredient... spices.

That was the challenging part... aside from it was a 'bit' expensive. We placed a stall outside Eddy's home and started our business before lunch. My homework could wait tonight, I promised myself.

The first victims were Jimmy and Sarah. Unfortumately for them, they couldn't take the taste of our product so they ended up puking. Sarah glared at his older brother and warned him when he got home later. Ed was not delighted of course but he would deal with her later... I hoped.

The second was Rolf who passed by and Eddy offered him a drink. He dared him and eventually offered him a special price, as long as he could drink the juice bottom's up. He could also get the service from one of us. Alas for us, he made it without sweat.

"Did he have aliens in his intestines or what?" Eddy whispered to me which I only shrugged.

"Aliens? That can't be true, Eddy?" Ed butted in as he approached Rolf, "Aliens are spending their time in Mars. They're on vacation."

"Yeah, right." Eddy muttered and looked at Rolf, "Well, take your pick. You only have two hours."

"Two hours is enough. Ed-boy will assist Rolf with his chickens. I mean the tall Ed-boy." Rolf confirmed us.

"Cool, I love chickens!"

The two left after that. We waited for more costumers as Ed was still doing his were more failures before Ed came back. A few minutes ago, the costumers that we didn't want to see came to our stall.

The Kankers.

They took the challenge much to our discouragement. We hoped that they would fail the challenge. Luckily, Marie and May failed but Lee didn't. It was obvious that Lee would pick Eddy for the service. He cringed but he couldn't back out. I felt relieved that me and Ed were safe but unfortunately for Eddy. I felt bad for him.

"Be sure to talk wisely to our valuable costumers." Eddy whispered before he reluctantly followed Lee and her sisters. The other sisters were down but it was business. I would thank for the old saying now.

Johnny and Nazz arrived together. We offered them the same thing although, Johnny only took it while Nazz rejected. As expected, Johnny failed and got nothing. Nazz just giggled at the boys.

"This is a nice business, Double D." Nazz said looking at Ed and me.

"It's Eddy's idea," I answered as I fixed the jug full with lemonade, "He's out there doing the service with Lee."

"The Kanker?" Nazz was shocked and sighed, "Well, good luck to him."

"Yeah..." I agreed.

"Well, good luck boys." Nazz said walking away from us placing a hand to still shocked Johnny. I thanked her and I knew that she could hear.

We sold more lemonade and more of them failed. Yeah, no one had managed to drink it after that. Eddy's service time was about to be over when Kevin approached our stall.

"Nazz told me about your business," He said surprising me in the process. His hands were in his pockets as he looked at our products, "It seems the Dorky's not here."

I thought for a while who he was talking to then I realize who he was, "Well, Eddy's doing his service now. It'll be over soon."

"I see," He nodded before giving me his money on the table, ""I'll take the challenge."

"All right! Ed, one lemonade please!" I said as I grabbed his money and placed it on the counter. For some reason, I became nervous once again. Ed prepared his juice and we watched him drink it.

As expected, he won the challenge. I sighed and asked him, "Congratulations! Kevin. So take your pick. You only have two hours."

"Just two hours, huh?" Kevin thought as he looked at us, "Two hours is enough. Well, come on. I have some tasks for you to do." He pointed at me, "Double Dweeb."

I knew it. I thought to myself. As I looked at Ed, "Ed, wait for Eddy to return before you do anything else, okay."

"Roger that, Double D!" The taller guy saluted. We quietly left the stall and we met Eddy on the way. The later had a sour face and I couldn't imagine what Lee did to him. His expression became even-more sour when he saw us together. Before they could meet in a fight, I told him that it was about the business and that Kevin picked me. Eddy sighed and warned Kevin to return me in one piece. Though, I already told him that I would be okay.

xxx

I quietly followed Kevin to the front porch of his house. The jock opened the door with his key. His father might be not at home... and that made me even more nervous. I was assuming that we would be alone in his house. I dreaded the fact that he could do anything to me... I was hoping that it would not be so bad.

I was doing him some service tonight. As we reached the living room, I took a deep breath and asked him, "So... what can I do for you, Kevin?"

The jock went to his sofa and sat there. He placed his feet on top of the table which was just in front of me. I was just standing in front of it, waiting for him to say anything. His eyes stared at me for a while before he answered, "Nothing."

"I am sorry?" My own eyes stared at him in shock. He only said one word. The jock who wanted to do anything to me wanted nothing to me at all now? It was awful and awkward at the same time. I took a few steps towards him, "But, that can't be nothing, Kevin."

"Actually, I don't have any task for you to do." He said lamely as if he had all the time in the world.

"Then, why did you bring me here?" I asked. If possible, I wanted to go back to my friends. Being alone with the jock was making my heart pound so fast. It was awkward and I didn't really know what to do.

The tense was overwhelming.

"I just want your time."

"My... time?"

Kevin sighed and patted his side, "come 'ere, dork," I looked at him questioningly, "I won't bite so just sit beside me."

I hesitated for a while before I walked slowly to his side and sat next to him. Time felt like forever as none of us spoke... until he broke the silence himself.

"Will you please stop being tense around me?" He said looking at me, "I can't speak casually if you are."

"You just want us... to talk?"

"Well, duh!" He rolled his eyes, "Look Dork, you are fine. Why would I want to talk to you if you weren't?

Somehow, that surprised me. I knew it made me blush for the comment. I willed myself to relax. Anyway, Kevin was considered to be a childhood friend... err... quite one.

"If you say so... Kevin."

We talked sensibly and my scientific terminology rushed into my system which the jock found amusingly and annoyingly at the same time. One of his jokes made me pull my beanie down to hide all the blushes I could show.

"I've been wondering. You keep wearing your beanie all the time. Why is that?" Kevin's question caught me off guard. I slowly pulled my beanie up and looked at him, my blush had calmed down a little.

"No apparent reason, actually," I said fixing my beanie on my head, "I felt... being naked without it." I didn't look at him so I never saw his reaction. It took me a few moments before I felt the sofa shifted. Kevin moved closer to me. I saw him reaching for my beanie as I turned my head to his direction.

"What are you doing?" I said grabbing my beanie once again when his hand was on top of it.

"Come on, let me see your head." He said trying to get the piece of clothing off my head while I kept it intact.

"K-Kevin, no!" We battled for a few seconds until I lost my balance. Kevin was still reaching out to my head when I fell back and landed on the carpeted floor... with him on top of me. The impact was shocking and both of us rendered speechless. Our eyes were wide staring at each other. Our faces were totally different shades of red.

I was aware of myself as my heart was pounding so fast. Oh, dear!

My beanie was slightly detached from my head but it didn't leave my hair. My hand was still holding the side of my beanie while my other hand was parallel to my face. His hands were on my sides of my face. I could feel a slightly gush of air near my stomach and when Kevin looked at that area, I knew then that my navel was a bit exposed. My face could have shown even redder if it was possible.

I was agape.

Then Kevin's expressions changed from shock to sudden realization. I could only observe him as his eyes slowly widened. Whatever it was, I could never comprehend it. He gave me this knowing smirk after that. I sucked my breath in when he leaned closer to my face. I lost all my abilities to do anything when he held my hand which was next to my face and his own face landed near to my ear and whispered;

"Damn you, Dweeb! I give up," His breath gave me a shiver down my spine. I only closed my eyes, "You really are my kind version of trouble."

I slowly opened my eyes. His voice somehow soothed me that I couldn't help but asked;

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Kevin didn't say anything. Instead, he removed himself on top of me and helped me up. His smirk never left his face but he was blushing... well, a bit. To my surprise, he flicked my head with his fingers and turned around;

"You are genius. Figure that out."

I found myself pouting, despite the tense, panic awkward situation we had earlier. I rubbed the area of my forehead that he flicked. I hated the way he made me feel. I was still nervous around him but this time he felt different. I ended up saying;

"And you are my cruel version of trouble."

I was only given a smirk from over his shoulder as response.

Done! How was this chapter? I hope I am still doing fine.

Reviews please! Domo... :)

I do not own the song featured above as well.

Next Chapter: Fine Little Wonders