"Come on, what's in the bag?" Woodrow used his elbow to give Eddie's a nudge as they headed down one of St. Agatha's halls. The bespectacled doodler just wasn't giving up. All three of the presidents had noticed the extra bit of plastic poking out of Eddie's backpack. Woody had just been the first to bring it up, he wasn't going to let it go. It was mostly because Eddie had blushed lightly and stammered out a quick refusal to tell.
The mathematician swayed away from his friend, as far as he could without running into Quince anyway. Both of his less-athletic friends had taken up the flanks as they walked, while Jeff kept a stride or two ahead. "Sorry, Quince."
"Nothing to worry about." The physic's nerd was, as always, in his tweed jacket. With a cheeky grin he pressed up on tip-toes, shined shoes squeaking. His faux-attempt to try and look into the bag earned him a playful shove from Eddie. All four of them laughed.
"Seriously, gentleman, just lay off of him? It's always good to mind one's own business." Jefferson offered back over one of his shoulders once the mirth had died down. The well-built black man didn't have books with him; he didn't even have classes today. He'd just swung by to hang out with his friends. As usual he was dressed in a fashionable pair of slacks and just the right color shirt to match.
By comparison Eddie was sloppy. He'd managed to find a mostly-clean pair of jeans this morning and pulled the last fresh t-shirt from the wardrobe. With any luck he'd remember to do laundry when he got home tonight. It was either that or swathing which ever shirt smelled the least with body spray tomorrow and hoping no one noticed. "Thanks, Jeff."
"My pleasure, Edward. So what's in the bag?" Jeff almost smiled.
Eddie's shoulder's sagged. "Oh hell."
"Heh." As the quartet of brainiacs turned a corner
Woody pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Come on, it'll just be easier if you tell us. You do know that, right? So stop being a stubborn yank."
"No." Eddie kept his response simple.
It was the middle of the week and as such the halls of the university were packed with people coming and going. No one paid much attention though. There were classes to get to, or get out of. Plans weren't discussed, they were texted. Conversations weren't started up; folks listened to their music or played games on their smart phones instead. The lack of human interaction even as everyone milled around one another was the norm but as Eddie swam through it with the others he noticed how much they stood out for the first time. Nearly everyone was severed for one another, save when instinct took over and someone stepped out of another person's way. There was sometimes an 'excuse me' but it was only half-muttered. This must be the sort of work that Belle had been talking about. The true loneliness of modern society threatened to weave its way into his brain.
Thankfully Quince spoke up before that happened. He shifted his Tardis messenger bag from one shoulder to the other. "Fine. Fine. So how's Eloise?"
"Oh." Eddie cleared his throat and shrugged in a listless way. "She's fine."
"Yeech." Jeff looked back at him again.
Woody took a look between the two of them before nearly turning all the way around to watch a co-ed's ass as she walked by. The girl, of course, didn't even give him the time of day. "Yeech what?"
"Nothing happened with Dr. Fournier did it?" Jeff did turn around and walked backwards now, with little caution. He figured his mates would let him know before he ran into anyone. He leveled his dark gaze on Eddie's.
Alas, Eddie was a terrible liar. "Nothing. It's fine."
"Edward." The black man frowned.
"Wait. Wait wait." Woody's attention snapped back to the conversation at hand. He brushed a hand through his mop of hair. "Eddie, did you bang the French teacher, too? Holy shit!"
"Come on. Not even Eddie's that lucky." Woody though stared at the American with some wonder, and a tinge of hero worship. The second emotion only grew when Eddie cleared his throat again and his throat flushed. "Whoa."
"It's nothing, really." Eddie looked down instead of meeting Jeff's disapproving stare. While the other two were in shock the most proper of them all was clearly aghast. He rubbed at the front of his throat and tried to relax. He silently fumbled for a few moments as he tried to think of some way to diffuse the situation.
Nothing came to mind before Jeff snorted in distaste and turned back around. "Thinking with your dick is going to be your downfall someday."
"Fuck that!" Woody looped and arm around Eddie's shoulder. "I don't care who's knickers you get into Eddie. But really, man, you need to start spreading the wealth around. I mean come on! You can't keep all the smoking hot babes to yourself. I mean look at poor Quince, he's suffering over there. Aren't you Quince?"
"Uh." Was all that the asthmatic managed to get out for a moment before laughing. "I'm not as big of a wanker as you are, Woody."
"Woodrow." The otaku corrected and slipped back a step before reaching over to 'slug' Quincy's shoulder. "And I beg to differ."
"You can beg all you want, but we all know the truth. Still, wow... Dr. Fournier. She's amazing. So classy..." Quincy shook his head in utter disbelief. He took a second long look at Eddie before just chuckling. He had no idea why their doughy friend was landing all these lovely doves. "It must be the beard."
"That's not a beard." Woody chirped back.
Eddie deflated. "Oh God." He stared at Jeff's shoulders, waiting for the engineer to jump back into their playful banter. Jefferson didn't though; he remained silent in his discontent. There was something about the man who had it all together that made Eddie feel terrible for letting him down. Almost as bad as he felt for Pi.
"Vance!" The violent shout echoed down the hall from behind them.
Woody, despite his best efforts jumped and on instinct scattered away from his dear friend. He could place Chadwick's voice anywhere after all, especially when the bully was angry. Quince wasn't so quick to react but he did shrink into his jacket. All four of them stopped walking and looked back; Eddie was the last to do so after giving Jefferson an apologetic smile. The well-dressed fellow didn't return it.
As expected Richard was striding forward, visibly quaking with fury. He had his chest puffed out and shoulders hunched; his brows were furrowed to the point where it made him look like he might have just stepped out of a Neanderthal exhibit. He wasn't dressed for practice though but in pre-torn jeans with a studied belt and some punk band's tour shirt. Eddie had no idea who Genocidal Lawnmowers were. He'd leave that to the hip folks. As usual the Chadwick boy had his two wingmen, who were dressed in muscle shirts and brand name sweats. They likewise had murder on their mind. It wasn't hard at all for Eddie to guess what Richard was steamed about. He blew out a long breath and forced down a curse. Bullies thrived on fear. The mathematician slid off his backpack and held it out to Jeff.
"Here. Hold it, please. No peeking." Eddie waited until Jefferson silently took the bag before stepping away from his friends. Woody swallowed but couldn't overcome his fright. With a look of pure embarrassment, not unlike a kicked puppy he slinked behind Jefferson. Quincy stood his ground, though. He did work out his inhaler. Jefferson narrowed his eyes, and then peered into the plastic bag that was poking out of Eddie's pack. He smirked for just a moment before focusing attention back on the brewing conflict. None of the presidents took a step forward, even though a good friend should.
Eddie didn't blame them. He didn't want to get punched, again, either. "What's shaking, Dick?"
"Fuck you." In response Richard reached out and grabbed the front of Eddie's shirt. His other hand had already become a fist but he didn't swing just yet. The hallowed halls of learning were a bit different than just outside the pub. He knew he could get in more trouble for throwing a few punches here.
"You're not my type." Eddie's hands twitched as he balled them to fists as well. On either side of Richard his two buddies took up position and just leered around, mostly at Eddie's trio of friends. They were just daring anyone to stop out of line. Eddie didn't stop talking even if his voice became terse. "So, what can I do for you, Dick?"
"You can eat shit and die, Vance. You and your faggot butt-fucking lover, Galbraith. Though I'm sure you're the one that takes it in the ass aren't you?" After the hateful spew of words Richard tried to tug Eddie off of his feet. What would have followed as a customary slam into a wall. Every ability the rugby player had had been focused on being the best bully he could be.
Eddie kept his center of gravity low though and grunted. His body shook as he tried to keep his stance so he'd not get tossed around. He went as far to clamp his hand down on Richard's forearm. Stand firm, Eddie he told himself silently. If you run you're never going to stop. It's worth getting punched not to be chased down like some fox. "Let me guess, academic suspension?"
Woody squeaked and pulled fully behind Jeff now. He looked around like a frightened rabbit for somewhere to run. Oh hell, had Eddie gone to someone? This was going to be bad, real bad. He'd be mad at his best mate later. For now he needed to get away from ground zero. Jefferson gave him a nudge though and held out Eddie's backpack. "At least be useful and hold this."
