In The
I
c
e
B
o
x
Season Three Summer 2004
Episodes 23-?
Episode 23 Chapter I One month later: Edward is at home opening his mail. There is one big pile lying on the table. He picks one up and the return address says �Clarion University, Clarion, PA.� He looks up closes his eyes and starts to pray saying, �Dear God please let me get in.� He looks at the envelope and takes a deep breath. He takes the paper out and reads. �I got in. I got in!� he says. He looks at the clock and sees that it is time to go to Wal-Mart in Bradford. He has to go shopping for things. He gets in a brand new car. It is a gold/tan Ford Explorer XLT. He has a CD in and we hear Geri Halliwell�s �Lift Me Up�: Watch the first light kiss the new world. It�s a wonder, baby like you and I. All the colors of the rainbow, goin� somewhere, baby like you and I. It�s gonna be alright, but when my sky clouds over lift me up! When the day is over, take me up. When the sun is goin� down, show me love. And I�ll be your angel now. Lift me up, when the lights are fading. Talk me down when I�m flying way up high, and I�ll be your angel for life. Your angel for life. Once in Bradford he goes to the �Super Wal-Mart� and picks up some new clothes and some school supplies like paper, notebooks. While he is doing this we see a person following him around. Edward also looks at something for his mother�s birthday present. He is unsure of what to get for her. He gets something and goes to check out followed by the stalker. The cashier looks at him and screams, �Oh my God! It�s Edward BoJangles!� Edward just stands there with his eyebrow raised and a straight smile on his face. �Miss, could you just check me out please,� he says. She calms down and starts to check his items out. She talks endlessly and Edward catches part of the conversation. She says, �I love your package.� Edward does a double take and asks what she just said. She repeats herself saying, �I love your package.� Chapter II Edward sees that she holds up a package of neat pens he bought. He calmly says, �Right, of course you do.� He is embarrassed now and tries to leave the store as quick as he can. He is still being followed and is starting to notice. He gets into his car quickly. He doesn�t bother to take the cart back to the store or put it in a cart rack in the parking lot. He zooms out of the Wal-Mart parking lot. He gets to the stoplight and turns left and sighs with relief to realize he is safe. He gets stopped at another stoplight and while he is stopped he looks behind his seat into the back. He sighs again to know there is no one there. He goes straight and looks at a piece of paper. It is the paper Vivian gave him the night of prom with their address on it. He pulls off onto a side road now and slows down. He finds the house, gets outside and goes to the door. The door opens and an attractive young man is standing there. Vivian is standing behind him. Edward asks to see Annie. Vivian tells the young man to get Annie and tells Edward he is not welcomed here at the moment. �Let Annie morn her father,� she says. He counters saying, �Let her remember the good times she�s had with him and let her have good times with me as well, please. I care about her. I want to know she�s alright.� Vivian, hearing Edward�s speech, is delighted to hear that he cares about her. Annie is inside on the steps and comes to the door. She turns to her mother and says, �Thank you mother. I�ll handle this now.� Vivian hugs her daughter and leaves only to be sneaking out the back door and around the house to listen in on Annie and Edward�s conversation. �Sorry about my mother, sometimes she doesn�t know what I want and just assumes. She can be mean to people at times but she�s a really loving and caring person.� Vivian looks upset at the beginning of Annie�s speech but smiles when she nearly finishes. Edward says that it�s okay and that Vivian isn�t the one he wanted to see, it was Annie. Just then a neighbor spots Vivian and hollers, �Hello Vivian. How are you? Everything okay?� as he sees she is crouched over. She shoots up and says, �Everything�s fine, everything�s just fine.� She turns around to the back and looks very mad. Edward and Annie see her enter through the back and Annie suggests that Edward come back later sometime. Edward tells her that he does not plan on being back in Bradford for some time. She tells him that she and her mother have planned on moving into Kane now. �The only reason we lived here was because of my dad and now that he�s no longer with us.� Annie pauses and sniffs. Edward hugs her. �I�ll see you later then.� Annie nods. Edward leaves and checks behind his seat before getting in. No one is there. He sighs again in relief. Chapter III Edward plays more of Geri�s CD and gets home. He takes his bags inside and he goes to the pile of mail sitting on the table. He picks up the top envelop. It has a return address of the Kane Chamber of Commerce. He opens the letter and reads. �So, they want me to perform at Kane Fest.� Kane Fest is a town �fair� and everyone goes just to meet fellow citizens. There is food, games, and entertainment there. Basically the only reason everyone goes is because everyone will be there. They say that if he does perform then they will pay him as well. Although it will not be as much as a rock concert it will be worth to show he is still at work and home at the same time. �It will be fun and everyone will see me live.� Edward gets nervous. He bites his fingernails and says, �I�ll call them tomorrow.� He picks up the next envelop and reads the return address of the Lipton Rice and Drink Company. He opens it quickly. He reads aloud, �We would like you to know that we were not looking for a spokesperson or a celebrity promoter.� He frowns but reads on. �However, you have purposed a worthwhile idea and we are still contemplating on the matter. Please give us another week to think things through.� Edward is pleased and says, �A maybe is always better then a no.� He picks up yet another letter. This time it is from No Boundaries, a fast growing clothing fashion company that Edward likes to wear. He talks to the envelope saying, �I wear your cloths and buy your stuff when I can. I love your clothing. Please let me be a model or celebrity promoter as Lipton said, please!� He opens the letter and to his surprise they have accepted his idea. No Boundaries have yet to have a celebrity promote their clothing and it appears that Edward will be the first. He is overjoyed. He sees the last letter from Pepsi Co. his last and most needed sponsor. He puts it back down and says he�s going to open it later. Chapter IV Edward calls Elizabeth who is now out of the hospital and he asks what time they are walking. She replies, �The usual?� Edward agrees and they hang up. At eight o�clock Elizabeth arrives at Edward�s house and the two walk. She asks to stop and get Lynne. Edward doesn�t object. Lynne answers her door and Elizabeth asks her to walk. She says she has to get ready. She grabs a coat and now there are three. Elizabeth tells Lynne she is still grateful for her saving her life when she was sick. �If you hadn�t put the mystery together I don�t know what or where I�d be right now.� Elizabeth says. Lynne tells her it was nothing special. She would do it for any of her friends. (Lynne had saved Elizabeth by finding an illness on the internet that Elizabeth might have had and told the doctors. Elizabeth wasn�t suffering from food poisoning after all and Lynne figured that out first.) They walk some more after Lynne and Elizabeth hug each other. At the Poplar Street bridge Lynne tells Edward and Elizabeth a secret that they can�t tell anyone. �I realize we�ve grown close and all these past few years. High school was a blast. I just wish we�d always be together forever.� Edward and Elizabeth look at each other and look back at Lynne. Elizabeth says that they will always be friends forever and be together forever. Lynne shakes her head no. Lynne continues to tell Elizabeth and Edward her secret. �It�s not going to be like that forever. My parents are moving away and I have to go with them.� Edward and Elizabeth stand in shock. One of their classmates from high school leaving town and may never see them again unless she stops and visits. �What do you mean your parents are leaving?� Edward asks. Lynne tells them that they are leaving at the end of the month and that they have bought a house in a town near the Ohio/PA border. �It�s all finalized. I didn�t want to tell you. We have the rest of the month to see each other and then after that I�m gone.� They continue debating Lynne�s options as to how she can stay but she wants out of the small town of Kane and pursue something bigger. On their way by Thomas� house Kate is walking by herself. She confronts Edward about not seeing her so much now. Edward tells her he has been busy. She says, �Whatever,� and continues walking. As the three start walking again Edward tells them that he feels bad that he can�t be with all his friends as much. Elizabeth says that he�s been with Kate since Elizabeth was in the hospital. �Hasn�t she seen you enough?� she says. Episode 24 Chapter I Elizabeth, Edward, and Lynne finish their walk and Edward goes home and gets on the internet. He opens his hotmail account and sees that there are three new messages in his inbox. He opens the first one from Victoria. It tells him that she is in trouble and will need his help later. She says that she and Thomas have been ordered to court because of the wreck and a judge and jury will decide what will happen next. Edward thinks about what he could do. There is basically nothing he could do to help them but wants to help. He replies to the message saying if there is anything he can do, let him know and he will try to get it done. The next e-mail is from Kate. It asks if he wants to do something soon like a get together. She claims not to have seen him in a week and have missed him so much. She asks him to reply as soon as he can. He hits the reply button and tells Kate he would love to see each other again; however, his schedule is getting packed by trying to figure out his career first. He clicks send and reads the next e-mail, which is from the United States President asking for Edward�s vote. Edward says, �I thought Congress was trying to blocked all the spam on the internet. Congress fails me yet again. Republicans, geeze.� He signs off of his e-mail and opens up MSN messenger. He sees that Elizabeth is the only one on-line at the moment and talks to her. He asks how her walk was and she says it was good. At that moment Annie gets on as well. She is first to message him. He says hello and the usual greeting stuff. Elizabeth then types a message and sends it to Edward saying, �What�s taking you so long to respond?� Edward replies that Annie got on. Unbeknownst to him he is making Elizabeth angry. It is only a matter of time before each girl gets upset at each other because they are taking their friend �away.� Edward continues to talk to both girls. Elizabeth is getting furious and says she�s going to bed. She gets off and does so. Edward talks to Annie some more. She fills him in on what is going on with them moving. Chapter II She tells Edward she is going to be renting an apartment with the rest of her family. He asks besides her mother what other family she has. She tells him that she has a brother and grandmother, but she doesn�t live with them. Edward asks if the �attractive young man� standing in the door way is her brother. She says, �Yes, so, you thought he was attractive. Do you like him?� She is being sarcastic but Edward doesn�t know that because you can�t type sarcastic unless you devise a way how to there is no way of knowing. Edward replies, �I�m not gay. Don�t even go there, please. I�ve had quite enough of that since becoming famous. I just say one thing wrong and everyone assumes something. I am such a hetero. I like women. Guys can be friends can�t they? Why can�t one guy say another guy is attractive?� Annie tells Edward to calm down. Edward takes a breath and types, �I am.� Annie tells him that she is going to bed now. Edward and Annie say their goodbyes and goodnights. Just then someone gets on with the screen name �B.B.� Edward says, �I�m not talking to him. Ugh.� Since no one is on except �B.B.� who he doesn�t want to talk to he gets off and goes to the dining room table where the pile of mail is still there. He picks up the Pepsi Co. envelop. He puts it back down and says, �I�ll read it tomorrow. I also have to call the Chamber of Commerce to tell them my answer about Kane Fest.� He changes into his pajamas and gets into bed. Chapter III Edward wakes up and takes a shower. The phone rings. It is no one. The line is dead. Just then Edward hears breathing. He gets annoyed. He hangs up. He goes to the pile of mail and smiles. Edward grabs the Pepsi Co. envelop but again doesn�t open it. He sets it aside and picks up the Chamber of Commerce letter and says, �I better call them and tell them my answer about Kane Fest.� He searches the letter for a phone number. He finds one and gets the cordless phone. He dials. The phone rings and someone at the Chamber answers the phone. He tells the Chamber employee that he would love to perform at Kane Fest and would like them to send more information to him later next week. He hangs up and moves on with his work. He sees small piles of fan mail on his dining room table. He opens each one and reads them. He responds to each one he opened. Many of them have heard of his money troubles and tell him to stay in the business and never loose hope. Edward is on �cloud nine� because of all the letters he has read with a positive message of hope. He gets finished with some of the fan mail and goes and checks today�s mail in his mailbox. He received two letters today. One is from the Lipton Company and he is hoping their outcome is a good one. He needs Lipton, No Boundaries-which he already has, and Pepsi to sponsor him otherwise he cannot stay in town. Lipton said before that it is a maybe. He opens the letter and reads. �After much dispute we here at Lipton have come to a conclusion. We feel that it would be most beneficial to both parties if you promote us.� Edward is really feeling awesome now. He opens the other letter. It is from a friend who used to live in Kane. He reads the letter. He then sees that the only letter left to read is that from Pepsi. Chapter IV He looks around for something else to keep him busy and distract him from the letter he doesn�t want to open just yet. He finally convinces himself that he must open the letter now because if it is a yes he will need to get in contact with them to get started. However, if it is a no, he waited for nothing and was just stalling the bad news further. He gets the letter opener and rips the letter. Just then the phone rings. He lips the words �Thank you� and answers the phone. It is yet another prank phone call; however, this time there is speaking. A familiar male voice to Edward speaks saying, �Met me at Evergreen Park at the Dragon Slide at eight tonight.� The person hangs up. Edward doesn�t know who�s voice it was however, it seems familiar to him like he�s heard it before. He has no intention to go and calls Elizabeth. He asks if they are walking tonight at the usual. She says it is a little early to call her by five or so hours ahead of time. It�s only three o�clock and Elizabeth tells Edward that she doesn�t know if they are going to walk. She says that she wants to spend time with Lynne and walking would be nice but would like to be alone to talk to her. She is hinting to Edward that he won�t be joining them tonight but still might walk with them depending on what happens. He says that is fine and both say their goodbyes. He then sees the Pepsi letter again. He rips it out and reads. �Pepsi Co. would love to have you as a celebrity sponsor, however, we cannot commit ourselves at this time.� It continues to say that Edward isn�t their �type� of celebrity they are interested in. He is very upset. The other sponsors are now worthless and not needed and he will have to leave Kane again to tour. He goes to his room, lays down on his bed, and sees his senior year yearbook. He flips through it. He stops at a page of the marching band. �They were great times back then.� he says. A tear falls down Edward face. �These are great times now also.� he continues. He doesn�t want to leave but must now that Pepsi said they wouldn�t give him the promoter position. He falls asleep. When he awakes it is 7:05 p.m. He has slept for almost four hours and says that since Elizabeth isn�t walking with him tonight he plans on meeting this mystery person. He gets ready and walks to the park near the Elementary School. It is getting dark and Edward gets to the entrance of the park and sees a tall shadow figure pacing back and forth. He is terrified now. He continues walking closer now. What harm could someone do in the little town of Kane, PA? Episode 25 Chapter I When he gets closer he sees that the dark shadow figure is a parent helping his kid on the slide. Edward waits by the slide. When the parent and child leave he goes over there and sits down in the corner behind the slide. Suddenly he hears footsteps from the gravel. He peaks through the wooden planks. He can�t see who it is cause the person is wearing all black with a black hoodie. Then he hears footsteps from the feet hitting the wooden steps leading to the slide. He is about to loose it. He panics! He slides down the slide and runs through the park. The person hears him run and follows after him. Edward is terrified beyond anything he�s ever been through. He thinks his life is in danger. He turns his head around and sees that no one is behind him. He figures he shouldn�t stop so he continues to run. He turns his head around and sees the dark figure ahead of him. He is forced into the middle of the park, which is like a maze of rooms and hidden places. He goes through the park and manages to loose the dark figure. He goes into hiding hoping the person will loose interest. He is in the �Wooden Boat� part hiding from this person. We see the person getting closer. Edward puts his hands over his mouth and squints his eyes. He looks over to his right side now and the person is walking right past Edward. Edward screams and bolts out of the part of the boat and onto the deck of the �boat�. The person hurries over to Edward. Edward runs for his life. As he goes down the mini tunnel slides to get away, he hits his head on the overhead wooden part and slides down the rest of the slide unconscious. The dark figure walks up to Edward and stands there. He looks at Edward with his face darkened by his hood. Edward comes round and screams, �Don�t kill me!� The mystery person speaks, �What was all that? Were we playing �Gravel Tag� or something?� Edward looks puzzled. The person kneels down and Edward takes off his hood to see who it is. Edward can�t believe that he knows this person and smacks him for nearly scaring Edward to death. Chapter II Edward lays back down on the slide and sighs. He stays motionless for a few seconds and the person asks what the smack was for while rubbing his cheek. �Bradley, you are so stupid. That was you that called me tonight, and before? Why didn�t you tell me you called?� Edward gets up and pushes Bradley a little. Bradley turns around and follows him. Edward sits down on the circle bench near the middle of the park. Bradley follows. Bradley tells Edward that he wanted to surprise him. Edward also remembers the person following him in Bradford at the Wal-Mart. Edward asks if that was him. He says that it was and Edward puts his head in his hands and sits there. Bradley tells Edward that it�s okay. He wasn�t going to harm him. Edward asks Bradley why he was following him around. Bradley explains, �I was at Wal-Mart that day and saw you. I followed you and I wanted to talk to you, but you drove off in a hurry. I also have something I have to tell you but not right now since you are upset. I�ll talk to you tomorrow. What are you doing for lunch tomorrow?� Edward looks at him in disgust. He tells him he doesn�t have plans for lunch and figures since Bradley will pay he�ll be nice and show up. �Where do you want to meet?� Edward asks. Bradley tells him to meet at his house, �I�ll cook us something special to catch up on old times. I can�t wait.� They get up and walk to the sidewalk outside of the park, say their goodbyes, and walk away. Chapter III Edward arrives home and he is still jumpy after what happened. He doesn�t want to be around Bradley at all after what he put Edward through in the past that we don�t know as of yet. He steps inside his home and closes the door. Just then the telephone rings and Edward screams really loud. �I can�t take this anymore.� Edward says. He answers the phone. It is Elizabeth. She wants to know if he wants to walk now. She and Lynne had walked a little before and figure to let Edward walk with them. He tells her that he would love to walk and tell both of them what happened to him tonight. Elizabeth tells him they will be there in about ten to fifteen minutes. Edward gets his red hoodie and waits outside for them. While Edward is there by himself he mumbles. �Bradley had better not be trying to suck up to me. He hasn�t seen me in a year, hasn�t cared to see me before now, and our past together wasn�t the best. What does he want? Hum. Guess I�ll have to wait and see tomorrow at lunch.� Edward sits there in thought. Elizabeth and Lynne show up at the corner and yell, �Hey Edward!� at the same time. Edward stands up and looks over at them. He walks to the corner and the three of them go walking once again. Chapter IV Once they walk a block Edward tells his story about his dangerous time tonight. He insists that there is something that Bradley wants but can�t figure anything out. Elizabeth cautions him to be careful. She also asks why he went to the park in the first place. Edward jokes around saying he wanted to play �gravel tag� and Elizabeth and Lynne don�t look amused. Edward clears his throat and says, �This is Kane, it�s not Pittsburgh or some dangerous city. Nothing bad could happen to me without someone knowing and coming to my rescue.� Elizabeth asks, �Who came to your rescue tonight? What if it wasn�t Bradley but a real stalker? What if he tried to kill you?� Edward tells her she made her point. He promises never to do it again. They stop at the Poplar Street Bridge their favorite spot to talk about serious things. Edward asks Lynne how long she has until she moves and she says a couple weeks. Edward then asks since she will be in town for Kane Fest if her, Elizabeth and he would like to hang out Friday night of the festival. Both agree. �I know there won�t be much to do but we might as well just walk around there and see people. It will be our last time together, unless you (Lynne) want to come back and visit more this summer.� Edward says. They walk some more and get around by Bradley�s house. Edward looks in through the big window in the living room and sees that someone is watching TV. Just then Bradley shoots up from sitting on the small front porch and yells, �Edward!� Edward doesn�t turn around at first and whispers to Lynne and Elizabeth, �This is just my luck, isn�t it?� Edward turns around with a fake smile. Bradley asks Edward if he wants to stop inside for something to drink or something. Edward says he is fine and says, �My, it�s getting late. We better get back. Lynne don�t you have to work early tomorrow morning?� Lynne follows his lead and says, �Oh yeah. I forgot I had to work tomorrow. Getting up at six in the morning isn�t fun you know.� Bradley tells them to stop by another night when they can. He tells Edward to bring his swimming trunks cause he wants to swim after lunch and Edward asks, �Isn�t it bad to swim after eating?� Elizabeth answers saying, �I just think that�s a myth.� Edward coughs to let Elizabeth know he doesn�t want to swim. The less time with Bradley the better. Bradley hears Elizabeth and agrees. �It�ll be fun,� he says. They all say their goodbyes and continue the rest of the walk. Episode 26 Chapter I At home, asleep, Edward�s phone rings. It is 10:30 a.m. and Edward answers the phone. Bradley, who is calling, tells Edward that he called to make sure he was up in time to get ready for the special day. Edward thinks to himself, how is today special. Edward gets up and makes coffee and gets the mail. There is no mail for him but a few envelops for his parents. He goes to sit down at the kitchen table and finishes his coffee. He gets his swimming trunks and towel and puts them in a plastic bag. He prays they don�t go swimming, but if they do he will be ready. He takes a shower and gets dressed. He gets into the family car and goes to Bradley�s. He only uses the limo for special occasions and lunch with Bradley is nothing special in the eyes of Edward. He goes up to the door and prepares to knock. As soon as his knuckles get close to the door the door opens. Edward asks where his parents and other brothers and sister are. �Oh they went shopping in Erie today. They won�t be back till later tonight. I have the whole place to myself.� Bradley says. Edward walks inside and rolls his eyes. He sees the table is fancy and there is food prepared by Bradley on the table. They sit down and start to eat. Chapter II Edward and Bradley finish eating and Bradley takes the plates and silverware to the kitchen and starts to wash them. Edward offers to help and Bradley tells him he can do it. Edward says he is going to help. �It�s not fair for you to do all the work and I just sit there. I don�t feel right then.� Edward argues. Bradley lets him help. After the dishes Bradley tells Edward to change in the bathroom down the hall and make his way out to the pool. Bradley goes downstairs to change in the basement bathroom. While Edward is changing the door rattles and Edward falls because he couldn�t catch his balance. He wonders if Bradley is trying to spy on him changing but realizes it is the wind from the window that caused the door to move. Edward finishes getting ready and heads outside. Bradley isn�t in the pool yet; however, Edward gets in anyway. Edward goes under and swims across the pool. Bradley comes out wrapped in a towel and Edward comes up from under the water. Bradley just stands there for a minute and Edward asks if he is going to get in. He removes the towel and Edward is horrified that Bradley is in a tight, neon-orange speedo. Edward is asked if something is the matter by Bradley and Edward shakes the horrified face off. Bradley gets in and swims over to him. �How do you like the water,� he asks. Edward replies with a squeaky voice, �It�s fine. It could be a little warmer, but this will do.� Edward swims to the other side and Bradley follows. He asks if he wants to play under water charades. Edward thinks that is a great way to pass the time being with someone he doesn�t want to be with. Bradley goes to get goggles for him and Edward. They put them on and Bradley goes first. He goes underwater and Edward looks at him and he is making a sexual motion. Edward gets out of the pool as fast as he can. He throws the goggles on the deck and heads to the bathroom to change. Bradley follows far behind him. Edward slams the bathroom door and Bradley is at the door talking. �Ed, I want to tell you something.� There is a short pause. �Ed, are you there?� Bradley asks. Edward replies, �No, I�ve flushed myself home.� Bradley continues, �I�m gay.� Edward replies saying, �Well I am not happy now.� Bradley repeats himself, �I�m gay, and I think I like you.� Edward falls again by loosing his balance while changing. Chapter III Edward sits up and is shocked. �I feel uncomfortable now.� Edward says. Bradley runs to the basement�s bathroom to change. He has tears in his eyes running down the hall. Edward continues, �But Bradley, you can have any girl you want. They are all crazy about you. You must just be confused. No one wants me. You are the first one to tell me that you like me.� Edward opens the door after getting changed and noticed he is talking to no one. He walks down the hall and then down to the basement. He hears Bradley sobbing and tells him to come upstairs to talk. Bradley tells Edward that he will be up soon. Edward goes upstairs and sits in the living room. Edward feels really bad that he hurt Bradley but can�t do anything to help him feel better. He sits there biting his fingernails. Bradley comes in and sits next to Edward. Edward asks when did he realize his sexuality and if he told his parents. He tells Edward that he knew since before Edward left. �That�s why I was the way I was. I was mean to you because I couldn�t have you. Now that I told you I feel better.� Bradley states. �As for my parents, if they were to find out I would be kicked out of the house.� Edward nods with a sad look on his face. Bradley goes to hug Edward and Edward just sits there not hugging back. �Right.� Bradley says. �Are you a homophobe?� Edward says that he is not one and would like to make it up to Bradley. Bradley apologizes for being immature about this topic in the pool. Edward says, �That speedo was over the top. Where in the world did you get that thing?� Both laugh and Bradley asks if Edward would like to stay for a movie. Edward agrees seeing that Bradley isn�t being rude to Edward anymore like he was before Edward went on tour. During the middle of the movie Bradley makes his move. He tries to hold Edward�s hand and Edward brushes it away. Bradley says softly, �Sorry. There was a fly,� making an excuse as to why he was touching Edward. Edward watches the movie. Bradley fed up with this stops the movie with the remote and turns to Edward as Edward turns to Bradley, he kisses Edward. Chapter IV Edward shoots up and grabs his bag and runs out the door. He leaves the house and gets into the car and takes off. Bradley looks out the window and watches the car drive away as a tear rolls down his face. Edward back in the car wipes his mouth a few times and shakes as if he has the chills. Edward gets home and goes to the couch and falls down. He is over dramatized and just needs to relax now. Edward�s phone rings. He doesn�t answer it and the answering machine picks up. It is Bradley and he says, �I know that I was a jerk. I want to apologize for everything. My intentions where wrong.� Edward starts to feel bad again but then gets upset when Bradley says, �If you don�t want to see me anymore I will be forced to go to the Kane Republican with pictures I took today with a video camera and a false story about you being gay and ruin your career. Hope you�ll stop by tonight. See you soon. Bye.� Edward is furious. He has to get the camera and film from Bradley. He can�t let the KR print more rumors about him. This would be very convincing since the pictures are of Edward and Bradley. He thinks he has a way out of this mess by going to Bradley�s parents and ruining Bradley�s life instead. Edward feels that if that doesn�t work that he can always go along with liking Bradley till he gets the photos and stuff back. Later that night Elizabeth calls and wants to know if Edward wants to walk. Edward agrees and the usual three go walking again. Episode 27 Chapter I On their walk Edward tells Elizabeth and Lynne about Bradley�s plan on blackmailing him and his counter blackmail to keep Bradley in line. On the part of the walk near Bradley�s house he is waiting outside for Edward again. Edward is acting as if nothing happened. He thanks Bradley for lunch today. Bradley tells Edward it was nothing for his �Special Ed�. Edward is looking disgusted and asks if Lynne and Elizabeth want to continue the walk. Lynne jokes around saying Edward should stay there and talk to his �Boyfriend Bradley�. Edward looks at her cross and Bradley says that is a wonderful idea. Edward decides that if he wants to get the evidence back then he will have to start as soon as possible and get this over with. He tells Elizabeth and Lynne goodbye. They walk away and Edward is trapped with Bradley. He cuts to the chase and asks what he wants in exchange for the tapes, pictures, and anything else he has. Bradley tells there is one thing only that would stop him from going to the paper, Edward�s love for him. �I have to love you in order to get my hands on the crap you have?!� Edward is furious. �Bradley I�m not gay. Not being the key word in that sentence there Bradley.� Edward continues. �Well if you don�t find a way to love me then you will become gay when the papers run this story I�ve made up.� Bradley says. Chapter II Edward turns �softer� and tries to reason with Bradley. �If you really love me then you wouldn�t do this.� Bradley nods. �But if I didn�t do this I wouldn�t be able to have you. I know you aren�t gay but I have to force you to be gay so you can love me.� Edward says he loves all his friends as friends and nothing more. Edward says that he is going to walk home now. Bradley offers a ride and Edward accepts. They get into Bradley�s truck and go to the blinker light at Hemlock and Frailey Streets and take a right. Edward notices that if he was going home he�d have taken a left or gone straight. Edward asks where Bradley is taking him. Bradley says that he feels so awful he has to do this but he is planning on taking Edward out a dirt road in the country to seduce him where no one could hear Edward scream for help. He plans to blackmail Edward into having his way. Edward realizes what Bradley is going to do and gets close to him and looks disgusted with what he�s about to do. He kisses Bradley and Bradley pulls off on a deserted-dirt road. He takes off his seatbelt and kisses Edward back. Edward leans back as far as he can to get away from Bradley but can�t get far enough away. He opens the door and Bradley gets out as well. Edward tells Bradley he doesn�t want his first romantic memory of him and Bradley be in the woods. Bradley understands and tells Edward that he will make this romantic. Edward is stalling and says that he doesn�t think being eaten by mosquitoes romantic. Bradley tells Edward to get into the car. He does and Bradley tells Edward there aren�t any mosquitoes in the truck. Edward gives up now and says, �I can�t do this. Bradley, I can�t love someone who is as mean as you are being right now. Please, take me home now.� Bradley says that he can�t do that and Edward tells him he will walk home if he needs to. He gets out and starts walking in the dark. Bradley follows in the truck and tells Edward to get in and he will show him how nice he can be. Edward says he wants to go home not be involved with him now. Bradley says, �Fine, guess the KR will have a good story to report soon.� He zooms off in the truck leaving Edward all in the dust and alone with the wild animals. Chapter III Edward is still walking. He is miles from home and the closest house. He gets a cramp in his leg and is forced to stop to stretch his leg. He continues to walk after his cramp is gone but still suffers a little. Walking with a limp now, Edward is about to give up. He can�t cut through the woods because he doesn�t know his way and might run into a wild animal like a bear and doesn�t want to chance it. Continuing on his walk he comes to a camp with a porch. No one is around and he decides to sleep on the porch. �This is the best shelter I�m going to have tonight. Thank goodness that it�s warm enough I won�t freeze.� Edward sleeps until sunrise. He starts walking as early as possible. He is hungry and must walk a long way before he can get home. He finally comes to houses with people living in them but doesn�t stop. He is dirty and figures he can just walk home. He is on the other side of town from where he lives now and gets a burst of energy. He walks all the way home. Elizabeth is waiting for him. She�s been there all day. �After you didn�t get online I knew something was wrong when I called and your mom said you weren�t home yet. I have been here since early this morning. What happened?� Chapter IV �Well, Bradley took me out to the woods and made passionate gay sex with me and he was so good I was unconscious.� A short pause later Elizabeth says, �Really?� Edward suddenly screams, �NO!� Edward stumbles and Elizabeth helps him inside as he is still limping. Edward tells her he is going to get a shower. �While you get in the shower I�ll fix you some breakfast.� Edward shakes his head yes and goes into the bathroom. When Edward comes out he says that Bradley will win. He is letting Bradley take those pictures and such to the paper. Edward doesn�t care anymore. �I thought I could trust him.� Edward tells Elizabeth after telling her about what happened. Edward tells Elizabeth that he is thankful for her. Elizabeth smiles. She tells him to get some rest cause she wants him to walk with her one more time before Kane Fest on Friday. Edward looks at her and jokes, �Do you think we could watch a movie instead of walking. I�ve done enough of that recently.� Elizabeth says she will see him at eight tonight. Edward says ok. He heads up to his bedroom and goes to bed till five o�clock. Edward�s mother wakes him telling him he promised to help her set up at Kane Fest with the Music Booster�s Booth. They are selling pizza during Kane Fest and he has signed up from 9 to close on Saturday. He goes to the elementary school where they hold Kane Fest and helps set up the booth and get everything together. Later Edward goes home to walk with Elizabeth one more time before Kane Fest tomorrow. Episode 28 Chapter I Today is the opening day for Kane Fest. Everyone is busy today and Edward takes a walk by himself down to the grounds and looks around. He sees the stage he will be performing on tomorrow. He gets butterflies in his stomach thinking about performing. It�s been almost half a year since Edward has preformed and is ready and eager to perform again. He walks home now and sits down at his table where there is fan mail Edward must reply to. Busy with his work he gets carried away. After much time later the phone rings and it is Kate. She wants to know if Edward would be so kind of hang out with her and Victoria during Kane Fest. Edward tells her that he has made plans with Elizabeth and Lynne. He explains to her that Lynne is leaving and perhaps never to return. She says she understands but doesn�t see why he can�t make time to be with his other friends. He tells her about Bradley and how upset he�s been the past few days. Kate then asks about Saturday�s part of Kane Fest. He tells her he is performing and only will have a few hours to spend time with people. Edward says he will wait and see what happens. He wonders if Elizabeth will be there and says that he may spend more time with Lynne and Elizabeth. Kate gets mad. She tells Edward he has to choose which people he wants to hang out with and he refuses to choose. She tells him to choose again. He tells Kate and Elizabeth to choose. She says fine and hangs the phone up. Edward is left on the other line and slowly puts the phone down. He then mumbles to himself, �And my agent said, �Get an unlisted number.� and I said �Why?� Ugh.� Edward goes back to his fan mail. He looks at the clock and sees that it is almost 4 o�clock. The opening ceremonies will be starting soon. He doesn�t care to miss the opening ceremonies because they are boring, not like the closing ceremonies when all the raffles and winners are announced from various booth prizes. He fixes dinner for himself and dines by himself. He then washes the dishes and calls Elizabeth. She tells him they are going to meet outside of Edward�s house and then plan to walk to the school. Chapter II Elizabeth and Lynne arrive at his house and they walk to Kane Fest. On their way Edward takes a deep breath in and says, �I can smell the funnel cakes, and almost taste them already!� The funnel cakes are the most sought after food product before the firemen�s hot sausage sandwiches. The country music is blaring as they get closer to the school. Upon arrival they get to the gate and Edward is told he can get into the festival free. Edward says that if he can get in free then his friends can get in free as well. The people taking money and handing out the bracelets say they can�t do that. Edward says then he will pay to get in. He does so and the people at the gate are surprised that Edward didn�t take their offer. As Edward and his friends walk farther away the two people at the gate talk about Edward being a different kind of �good� celebrity. �Looking out for his friends. What a sweet boy.� one of the elder women working says. The group first passes the funnel cake stand and Pepe�s Pizzeria stand where Edward will be working tomorrow. He goes over to see how everything is. This is the music booster�s booth in which he has worked at the past two years. This is his third year and he can�t wait. He loves being with friends and helping a good cause. He continues to walk around with Lynne and Elizabeth. While on their walks Edward over hears whispers talking about Victoria and him going to have a baby. He corrects them and says that they never slept together and the test at the hospital was a mix up. Victoria was never pregnant and she hasn�t slept with anyone that Edward knows of. Elizabeth and Lynne are shocked that he basically yelled at the two people talking about the rumors. They ask why he was yelling; he tells them he�s not sure. �It�s pry because I can�t stand rumors anymore. You never do know what is true and what isn�t anymore. This town is so clouded,� he says. Elizabeth and Lynne both notice a change in Edward. Before he would have let this sort of thing go. They ask if there is a reason he yelled and suggest Bradley�s situation. He guesses that is why he yelled. Suddenly Kate and Victoria are there and a fight over Edward breaks out. Kate asks Edward if he wants to see something Kate found that was cool. Elizabeth answers saying that he is with her and Lynne. The two get into yelling so much that they don�t notice Edward walking away from both of them. Lynne and Victoria are just standing there watching the two fight over something that is no longer there. Chapter III Lynne and Victoria tap their �fighting� friends on the shoulder. Both girls turn around and see that Edward is no longer around and that everyone is watching them. They walk their separate ways. Finally the search for Edward starts. In such a big crowd like that normally at Kane Fest it is hard to find one person. Edward manages to give them the slip and he sits at the Bingo tent. He picks up a crayon (which are set out for people who don�t have stampers) and writes �Mr. BoJangles was here. Does anyone care?� He sits there through a few games though he never plays. Finally he decides to play one. His table is filled now since everyone wants to sit next to him. He get a card and the game starts. After a few numbers Edward is set to win. He just needs one more number. (I21) He hopes he can win. He likes to play gambling games and his number is called. Edward says, �Bingo!� and someone not seated at his table says loud enough for everyone to hear �Like he even needs the money.� Edward thinks about what that person said. He takes his winnings and walks away. He is hurt deeply by the comment. It also seemed like that person didn�t want Edward there. Edward starts walking back up to the Pepe�s booth. He asks the person that is working if they need any help. They say sure. He hops behind the counter. He takes orders and money. Once word gets around that Edward is there at the pizza booth a line forms and everyone seems to want a piece of pizza. He is happy he gets to help an organization that is in need of so much money. We see Elizabeth and Kate in line with Victoria and Lynne. Elizabeth and Kate apologize to Edward and Edward tells them to step around back to talk. Edward hands out a few more pizzas and heads back behind the booth. Chapter IV Around back Elizabeth, Lynne, Kate, and Victoria talk. Elizabeth and Kate tell Edward that they have settled this "fight" they were having and are sorry for making a specticle out of themselves. Edward apologizes for leaving them. There are exchanges of hugs all around. Edward says that he wants to help at the booth just a little longer. "I'll be around. I want to walk tonight too." Everyone says goodbye to Edward. He returns to the booth. At the booth he gives people the pizza they order and some even ask for autographs. Edward thought this career was over by now, but this outpouring of love and attention from the community was more then he'd expected. He signs paper plates, napkins, and even people's hands and arms. He started writing on people's arms as a message of love. He tells one little girl getting her armed signed, "You know why I sign your arm? It's because hugs come from the arms of friends and family." He hugs the little girl. After an hour or so the pizza is running out and Edward decides to leave the booth. It is now starting to get dark. He makes his way down to the stage. He will be preforming tomorrow and will be announcing the names of the prince and princess after his preformance. He doesn't like having contests such as this. They are basically popularity contests. He has a plan on how to fix this. Edward listens to the country band playing on stage now. After a few songs he leaves and walks around til he finds Elizabeth and Lynne. They decide it's time to leave. They walk back to Edward's house where Edward grabs his red hoodie. The three of them walk the normal route. Edward fearing something is wrong by the silence and the approach of the Poplar Street Bridge walks slowly. Something isn't right now. They get to the bridge and Lynne starts to talk. Edward stops and looks over the bridge. "I knew something was up." Lynne pauses and now continues. "I'm leaving tomorrow night." Elizabeth doesn't look too shocked because apparently Lynne told her before. Edward on the other hand, turns up from looking down and says, "So soon? I thought you weren't leaving til the very end of the month?" Lynne shakes her head. Edward gives her a hug and says for her not to miss her preformance tomorrow afternoon at Kane Fest. "That goes for you too, Elizabeth." Both reply that they will be there. Edward is relieved that this, tonight, is not goodbye. They talk about where Lynne is going and what the place is like. She tells them that she has a job lined up already at the bigger hospital there and she says that she will get paid more. Edward reminds her that money does not solve anything and it just causes more stress on things. Edward apologizes for putting the mood down. They finish walking and everyone goes home. While inside Edward is excited about tomorrow. Tomorrow Edward gives a hometown concert and will have to say good bye to a friend, perhaps forever. "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have, 'The Facts of Life'." Episode 29 Chapter I Edward is alseep in his bed when he wakes up by choice this time. He rubs the sleep from his eyes and looks at the clock. It is 8 am. Edward is really excited and cannot sleep because he will be preforming tonight at Kane Fest and will have to put on a great show to gain more support from the town. Edward hops out of bed full of energy. Gets his change of clothes and hops in the shower. There is singing coming from inside the shower. He is singing one of his very first songs. "Don't Believe in Senority" was his first real hit. He but his heart and soul into that song. It means a lot to him. It was his frist "hit" and the first writen. It was made after he wasn't chosen as drum major of the high school marching band when he was the most qualified for the position. Instead the position went to a student that was a closer "friend" of the directors. He wasn't going to kiss up to the directors to make him better for the position. He felt like he was robbed and the album that was produced got back at the directors more then what he needed. As every song on the album talks about how stupid the directors were and how much he wanted band to be the best it was. He was very dedicated. Much like he is dedicated to his career now. He gets out of the shower now and changes. He finishes in the bathroom and it is only 9 o'clock. He hops in the car to go to Kane Fest to talk things over with the person in charge of Kane Fest to see what needs to be done before tonight. They walk down to the stage. There is a polka band on now and Edward is about to go nuts. He cannot stand polkas. He holds on and listens to the woman speak. "You will start to preform at three and go till about six. At that time you will announce the winners of the prince and princess." Edward stops smiling at this point. His plan about not making this a popularity contest has to go into affect. He thinks while the woman goes on. "You will invite the winners on stage and you can sing a song to them or give them autographs, I don't care. Do you have enough material for three hours?" Edward says he does and asks if he is allowed to have one or two small breaks between songs. The woman shakes her head yes. Edward is relieved. The woman says that the first and last song are the most important. Edward shakes his head in agreeance. She tells him good luck and leaves him alone. He goes to ask a question but she doesn't hear him start to talk and walks away. He puts his hand down along side and looks down and shakes his head. I have to go practice one final time before I preform. Little to less then six hours to go! Chapter II After five hours of practice he goes down to Kane Fest. He goes down to the stage and there is a huge crowd around waiting for him to preform. It's about thirty minutes to showtime and Edward is really nervous and runs inside the elementary school bathrooms and throws up in the toilet. He wonders now how he is going to do this. He goes to the sink and pats his face with cool water. He looks in the mirror. He summons enough energy and positivity to say he'll continue. He goes back to the stage. Now with more confidence and about 10 minutes to showtime Edward gets his order of songs he wants played to the guy in charge of technology stuff. He gets into wardrobe in his trailer towards the back of the stage and comes out on time dressed in his old marching band uniform. Edward's record lable has a few back up dancers show up for his performace. He doesn't want to use them but decides to use them for the very beginning. One of them looks familiar with red hair and blue eyes. She'll be back later in the show to give Edward a surprise. A few "old band members" or really back up dancers. They have instruments and Edward has his snare drum on and then the "band" plays the Kane High School Alma Mater. It is to the tune of "All Through The Night" an old Welsh folk song. Everyone stands up during this. Edward finishes with the loud bangs of his drum on the words, "Hail to old, Kane High". The back up dancers exit. Edward takes off his drum and the next song starts up. He begins to start his first song of the concert titled "Mr. Eddie". "I got a twisted hungry feeling/It�s a hunger for band!/There�s a midnight drill that keeps on runnin�/Keeps on runnin� through/These empty hours I should be playing/Swimming in my notes/But tonight my drum is beatin�/I�m tearing at my coat." He takes off his band uniform jacket and everyone notices a "Clarion University" shirt he is wearing. Everyone gasps. The show goes on however, "What we had, what we lost/We gave to yesterday/A miss and a mile,/be little and mild/The heavens blew away/I believe in Mr. Eddie/One more time for 'liz and Me/So let it out and let me win./We can play, so let�s begin/I believe in Mr. Eddie/Tonight is ours eternally/So give it up give me a hand/Set me free cos I want band." Elizabeth and Lynne are sitting beside each other and try to figure out what this means as Edward continues to sing. Kate and Victoria are doing the same. A few other friends of Edward's are also there. They haven't been around Edward since the St. Patrick's Day party for Victoria. Belle, Anglea, Leeza just to name a few. In another part of the audience, Annie is with her mother and her attractive older brother. Chrissie and Reid are also there standing along side Kate and Victoria. Everyone has come to see Edward's preformance. Everyone, except Annie and her family, are worried about why Edward is wearing a Clarion shirt. The song stops and Edward starts to talk. He tells everyone that he belives in himself like the song says, and says that he hopes they all believe in him as well. He also tells the crowd why he is wearing the Clarion University shirt. Obviously he is going to the school in the fall. Chapter III After Edward's speech of explaining his shirt and situation he continues to sing more of his songs. Since he wasn't drum major this song he sings means a lot to him. He tells the crowd what the song means to him. "I've 'parodized' this song because I always thought I'd be the one directing the band someday. I was wrong, but I still 'in the mood for [those] white pants.'" He starts to sing as the music starts up. "Friday night and the lights are on/Looking out for a place to bond/Where they play the right music, getting in the swing/You come in to look for a king/Anybody could be that guy/Night is young and the music's high/With a bit of rock music, everything is fine/You're in the mood for white pants/And when you get the chance.../(Chorus):You are drum majoring, young and sweet, only seventeen /Drum majoring, feel the beat from the drummers lean /You can wave, you can rave, having the time of your life/See that man, watch that scene, dig in the drum majoring" He waves his hands in a directing kind of motion. After a few more songs he takes his first break and goes back to his trailer. Inside he grabs a bottle of water and drinks some of it and pours most of it over his head to cool down. He comes back out and performs some more. He sings a slow song now to start off slow. "Sad" is playing and then he sings "Come Back to the High School Pennsylvania". Both songs are slow and allow Edward and a few older people who like slow songs to like his music. The huge crowd seems to be growing. All of the songs he has sung so far are from his newest album "The Cutoff". Edward sings "October 2002 (Oh What a Band)" now. This song is personal to him because when he was in the band the drum line won an award at a competiton. This was Edward's highest feeling of joy when he was in the band. He now sings his other song "Last Becomes First" which is how he felt at the same competition. The band recieved last place in their division but won "Best Percussion" So being last felt like first to Edward. This is the first song he sings from his first album "Secrets on the Bus". "Drum sticks and wolves forever, a dream of first and me drum major. Say you believe it, say you believe it. Free your mind of doubt and sorrow, be for real don't be a stragler. We can achieve it, we can achieve it!" The songs ends with the words "It's the only way to play" repeating to the end. Chapter IV Edward looks across the mass of people. People of all ages are listening to him and are really enjoying his work. After a few up-beat songs like "Say You'll Play There" and "It's Practicing" he takes one more break. Back in his trailer all of his friend except Annie who is still with her mother and brother, are talking all at once. Sweating Edward tells them to talk one at a time. Belle speaks up and says, "You're leaving us?!" Edward tells her that he has to explain later about this. He has a show to do now and can't bother with a long story now. Everyone starts talking again and Edward gets them out while he cools off. He goes back out to the stage and preforms two more songs before it is almost six. He sings "Marching Scar" and then finishes up with the dancers coming back out for "Play (Right Now)" Before "Play..." starts up one of the dancers goes up to Edward and hugs him. It is the familiar one with red hair coming out of the helmet and blue eyes. The dancer takes off the helmet and we see it is Geri Halliwell! She grabs a mic and sings "Play..." with Edward after he is sturck with shock! At the ending of "Play.." which ends with the words, "We wanna thank you, wanna thank you. We wanna thank you very much, thank you very much!" Edward and Geri put arms around each other and bow. Another concert is a sucess as cheers of applause rings around the area! Edward's job is not finished; however, as he must crown the price and pricess. His plan must work so no one feels bad about not winning. There is only one prince candidate so he calls him up on stage and Geri helps Edward out by putting his sash on him. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Edward then tells the crowd that all the princess candidates and the Kane Fest Prince have been a very great royal court this year and that it was hard to choose just one princess, but not prince. There is laughter as Edward looks at the prince and asks him if he agrees. The little boy shakes his head and everyone says awe or laughs more. Edward is ready to annouce the princess. He opens the envelop and then rips it up. He tells the crowd that all the princess candidates are princesses. He tells them that he used the money that he was supposed to get for preforming to the princess/prince contest and made sure the princess totals were tied! Therefore, by the rules all of them are princesses! He tells them all to come up on stage and take a bow. He hugs everyone of them and tells them congratulations. He asks the crowd for one more round of applause. Geri chimes in with "How about another round of applause for Edward everyone." in her English accent. Edward and Geri hug. While they embrace they rock from side to side. Edward is happy to see Geri. Perhaps she wants a relationship now? Or has she just come back for a friendly visit?! Episode 30 Chapter I Later after the concert Edward has to go home and shower and such before coming back to sell pizza at the booth. He has three hours to spend to say goodbye to Lynne, talk with Geri, and talk to a few other old friends before working. What a busy schedule. He goes home with Geri and still on a high of preforming he gets a shower and changed in a hurry. He comes back out and Geri is drinking a can of Pepsi while sitting on the kitchen table. He sits down while putting on his socks and shoes to chat with his celebrity crush. He cuts right to the chase and asks, "Why did you come back? I realize when you left you said you would try to come back, but..." There is a short pause. "..why now?" Geri sits there and looks at Edward. She has a sad look on her face. "Are you not happy to see me? Is there something wrong?" she replies. "No there is nothing wrong with you coming back. You left a while ago and you never wrote a letter or sent an e-mail. Nothing." Geri is paying attention and the one question she wanted answered was if he was happy to see her. She asks him again. "Of course I'm happy to see you. I just am so busy right now. Are you ready to go?" She nods and they get into the car. They arrive at Kane Fest again and she wants to hold is hand. He lets her for the time being. He sees Lynne and Elizabeth. He lets go of Geri's hand and she feels abandoned while rubbing her hands near her face. He asks Lynne how long she is still in town for. She says that she has to go soon. "My parents have agreed to pick me up at the middle school parking lot at 7:00." "We only have an hour?" Edward asks surprised. The four of them walk around and play a few games. He plays the dart/balloon game and wins a small "Sponge Bob" plush. He holds it and Geri asks if it is for her. He jokes around saying, "Let me think about that." He hands it to her. She hugs him and then grabs his hand again. He doesn't resist. Elizabeth notices the holding of hands, but she doesn't say anything. A little later it is about time for Lynne to leave. Lynne and the rest of them go to the middle school parking lot where her parents have yet to arrive. Chapter II While in the parking lot, Elizabeth, Edward, and Lynne take a walk down memory lane. He remembers on their first few walks it would always rain. He says that he hope no one turns on the water works just yet. He hates when anyone cries. He also remembers one of the very first walks in which they stopped in Subway for a cookie. "I swear you said you wanted to stop in Subway for a quickie!" There is loads of laughter. Geri is starting to feel like she belongs as she sits next to Edward. Elizabeth remembers the times when it was four of them. Thomas, Edward, Lynne, and herself. Edward stops smiling. He says he's heard that Thomas will be getting out of the hospital soon. Lynne and Elizabeth agree. "I feel really bad for him. We used to be friends. I have nothing against him except for the fact that he hit me. And almost tried to kill Vicky. Lynne, you'll still be my friend even though we won't be seeing much of each other right?" Lynne sits on the other side of Edward and they embrace. Geri rubs Edward's back. Edward is happy to have so many friends care about him. After the hug Lynne's parents pull into the parking lot. Everyone stands up. Lynne opens the back door to the car. She pauses and there is silence. Elizabeth and Edward move in to hug Lynne one final time. They group hug and Edward whispers in Lynne's ear that he will miss her and will remember her for getting him started to exercise more and she was always there for medical advice when he needed it. "You will be missed, Lynne." Elizabeth speaks to Lynne saying she was like a sister to her. Lynne says that those two were always there for them and recalls the time Edward almost ran her over in his car the first time they talked when he got back to town. He appologizes again for his wreckless driving. Lynne's mom says, "I understand that you guys need to say goodbye but we really have to get on our way." The group hug still continuing comes to an end and Lynne gets in the car. Edward closes the door for her and the car drives off. Elizabeth and Edward hug once the car is gone. "We're down to two now for walking. Should we put an ad in the paper to accept applications for walking? I don't want to loose you too Elizabeth, promise me you'll be around forever." "I promise." she replies. Chapter III Geri, Elizabeth, and Edward walk back in through the gates and Edward is swarmed with people who want his autograph. Edward tells them to get some pizza where they can get his autograph on "limited edition" plates with his signature on the bottom. He signed over one thousand paper plates at home last night. He hope they will bring extra business to the booth to help the music boosters. It is almost quarter after seven and Edward and Geri are back holding hands. Elizabeth feels like the third wheel and she says she has to go see her mom at the bingo tent. Edward mentions to her that they are going to walk around the loop a few times. On their way, Belle, Lezza, and Angela come up to Edward and Geri to talk. He says for them to go find a place to sit down somewhere and chat. They find an empty bench. Edward sits in the middle and the rest sit on either side of him. Edward apologizes for being an aweful friend to Leeza and Belle. He never sees them as much as he'd like to. He also apologizes to Angela for only talking to her online every so often. He feels really bad and his friends make him feel better. They understand with his money issues that he is busy trying his best to be sure to stay in town. Geri looks deep in thought. "Perhaps I can help later. I'll see what I can do." Edward looks at her puzzled. He asks her if she has a place to stay the night. She says that she hadn't made reservations anywhere as of yet and Edward offers his bed. "I'll sleep on the couch, don't worry." he says to his friends who all look worried. Leeza looks like she was about to fall out of her seat. Geri says that that was very nice of him. She says she'll take his offer. Belle tells Edward what she has been up to. She has been in Erie the past few months going to cosmetology school. Edward asks if she is willing to cut his hair later when she graduates. She says she can. Edward asks about her little son. "Oh, he's a little devil sometimes. He's somewhere with his grandma right now." Edward nods slightly. Leeza asks Geri what she's been up to and Geri says, "This and that. I've been working on a new record, vacationing, and going to celebrate my birthday somewhere special. I hope." Leeza asks when her birthday is. Geri replies, "August 8." This is very awkward for Edward and Geri to talk about birthdays and ages because of the age difference. Belle brings up a different topic in a sudden about how great the show was. Edward comments saying it was a shocker, as he looks at Geri. Geri smiles and raises their hands in which they are holding and says, "That's what friends are for." Edward turns his head from looking at Geri and looks straight ahead with a sad kind of face while looking down now. He wants something more than friends, but can't find one that will work out. Chapter IV The group stands up and say their goodbyes. Edward tells them to get in touch with him later. Angela, Belle, and Leeza leave Geri and Edward. Edward and Geri walk around the loop again. There is nothing more to do at Kane Fest. Geri says she would like to go back to Edward's place and spend some quite time alone with Edward. Edward tells her he'd love to do that, but must sell pizza. "I promise we will talk when I get home. Unless you want to come back here and we can talk later as well?" Geri tells Edward that she will come back for him after 11. Geri kisses Edward on the cheek and they hug. Edward heads over to the pizza booth and Elizabeth is already there. He asks why she basically ditched him. She denies ditching them. He says, "Whatever, now, lets sell some pizza." A woman in her forties is there as well. Edward and Elizabeth have sold pizzas with this woman for the past three years. They always manage to have a great time. This year, they will miss the fire works while they have to work. They don't care. First the woman works back at the oven while Edward gets plates ready and cuts more pizza. Elizabeth takes the money as the customers pay. This goes on for about thirty minutes when the woman jokes about having "hot flashes" and Edward takes over the oven and his other job. The woman starts taking money and Elizabeth shouts off orders and does some other loose ends. Business picks up and then dies when the fire works goes off. Edward announces the customers normally come in small spurts. The woman laughs about the word "spurts". It is a riot. They all have a great time. The fireworks get over with and everyone heads home. The booth gets taken down and Edward walks Elizabeth back to her car. They get to the parking lot and Geri is waiting at the pizza booth for Edward to go home with her. When Elizabeth and Edward get to her car they are shocked! Someone has taken a baseball bat to the car destroying the windows and front lights. She is upset and calls her parents. Her mom answers the phone and she says, "The car has been hit." Her mother on the other line flips out. Elizabeth is forced to tell her mother to shut up! She tells her mom they have to go get the cops from Kane Fest to get a report before they do anything else. They run back to the elementary school and while doing so, a few young kids yell, "Run Forest Run" at them. Elizabeth screams, "Freak you!" and Edward flips them off as they run to the school. They kids follow after them but stop upon entering the school ground. Edward is relieved at the kids turning around. They finally find a police officer who is eating a funnel cake. He hands it to someone saying, "Here, take this." He walks with them back to the car. Elizabeth hopes the kids are still there now cause they have the cops with them now. To no surprise they aren't there. They continue to the car. The police officer makes the report and Elizabeth's dad shows up to take her home. Her dad asks if he needs a ride and remembers meeting Geri! He heads back to the booth. Geri isn't there. He goes walks back to his house and Geri isn't there. He goes to sleep in his bed alone. Episode 31 Chapter I The next morning after crying himself to sleep, Edward wakes up to the sound of the doorbell. His hair is messy and he yawns as he opens the door. Geri is on the other side of the door and he invites her in. She makes a joke about looking good in his blue flame pjs. He is embarrassed but sits down to talk with her in his living room. Geri and Edward both ask each other at the same time, "Where were you last night?" Both chuckle and then both try to explain at the same time. Edward lets her explain herself first. "I was there at 11 like you said, and you weren't there. Now, where were you?" Geri says. Edward starts talking now, "I was a little late. Elizabeth's car was hit." Geri interupts him asking, "Is she okay?!" Edward smiles and says she is just fine. "As I was saying," Edward continues, "Elizabeth's car was hit with a baseball bat and I didn't want to leave her until her dad came to pick her up. I was offered a ride home but declined because I remebered you'd be waiting for me at the booth. By the time I got there you must have left. Where did you go?" She starts off by saying, "After you didn't show up or really no where to be found after waiting a little bit I thought you went home so I went there. Knocked on the door. I guess no one was home or everyone was in bed already. Did you know that your doorbell is very well hidden? After I got to your house and waited for someone to answer the door, I left to go find a hotel in the area. I stayed the night there. Are you mad at me?" Edward replies quickly with a soft, "No." Then he continues saying, "I am mad at myself. I should have been there for you like I said. But I couldn't be in two places at once. I'm going to write a paper on how better my life would be if I could do that someday. It's making my life a living--" Geri interupts again and says that she understands and says, "No hard feelings." They hug again. Edward asks if she has eaten breakfast yet. She replies with a shake of her head and a smile. Edward says jokingly for her to fix something for the both of them while he gets a shower. She looks upset and he says he was just joking. They both go out in the kitchen and he cracks open a few eggs. She gets the sausage links out and puts them on a frying pan. Edward looks at her while the light comes in the kitchen window behind her and makes her sparkle. "Geri?" he gets her attention. Dazed for a few minutes he shakes it away and covers saying, "You really like my blue flame pjs?" She laughs and says they are hot. He flips the eggs and turns the sausage. He looks at her again as she gets two glasses out of the cupboard and then two plates later. He realizes he wants to spend the rest of his life with her; however, the comment about being friends pops into his head and he shakes his head as he looks a little sadder now. Chapter II He asks for the plates and for Geri to grab four peices of bread. He makes egg sandwiches. He asks her also if she wants ketchup on her sandwich. She says yes and he squirts a few squirts of ketchup on her sandwich. He takes a bite of his sandwich and so does she. While he chews his food he stares at Geri. Geri notices and asks if there is something wrong perhaps a spot of ketchup is on her face. He says, "No, there's nothing wrong. It's just," a short pause follows. "It's just that I..." he pauses yet again. "What I mean is..." he stumbles to find the right words. "I am in love with you and always will be. I need to know whether we are going to date or not. I need to know if I should or shouldn't waste my time caring for you." Geri is shocked. She grabs his hand that is on the table and holds it with both of her hands. She sighs and says that she isn't sure if she wants a relationship with him right now but is thinking about it. "This has been on my mind ever since yesterday. I'm sorry if I was pushing you a little with holding hands and whatnot." Edward says that she wasn't pushing him to do anything; he did everything on his own free will. He continues to say, "I just wish this love thing was easier." Geri says that she knows what he is going through. "I would just like you to know that you are someone special in my heart right now too. I think I may have a little crush on you actually. I just don't want to rush anything." Edward says quickly, "Who's rushing things, am I rushing things?" Geri laughs and says that he isn't. "It's because of the celebrity status we both possess. I want things to be normal." Edward agrees and says that he knows exactly how she feels about the desire to be normal again. The mail box is heard to be slammed which means that the mail was delivered and he goes to get the mail. Geri sips her tea she made. Edward comes in and looks puzzled. He sees the return address on an envelope is the courthouse in Smethport. He goes to open it but the phone rings. He answers it and Geri continues her meal. Victoria is on the phone and says that she needs to see Edward today about her problems she needs help with. She tells him she can't tell him much but it's about a trial scheduled next week about the murder of Annie's father back in May. Edward is shocked and says that he will do all he can to help her out. She tells him to stay home because she will be over around three to discuss this matter further. They hang up and he opens the letter thinking it's about the court issues with Victoria. He opens it to find that he himself is going on trial. He is being sued by Jay because of assult and battery from prom. He is upset now and Geri asks him if everything is okay. He replies, "No it's not okay. Things are going down hill very fast. I don't know how much longer I can take this." He balls his eyes out as the letter falls to the floor and Geri hugs him. Chapter III Geri is away running around town shopping and Edward is planning on meeting Victoria soon. It is almost three and the doorbell rings. It is Victoria and she is let in. Edward has his paperwork scattered all over the dining room table. He has been in contact with his lawyers consulting his matter of his trial and hasn't thought about Victoria's problems till just now. He asks to see the papers she got in the mail. She hands them over and says that the case is postponed till Thomas gets out of the hospital. "As long as Thomas is in the hospital the case will not go on." he tells her. She looks worried and says that she is desperate to not go to jail. She realizes that she was the driver who struck the other car killing a man and if Thomas knows that he can be cleared by putting blame on her she must make sure Thomas stays in the hospital perhaps forever so she can go about life care-free about this matter. Edward says that is not the best way to look at it. "You sound devious Vicky." he says. "Perhaps we can get Thomas in on this. If not I don't know what to do." he continued. "I'll go talk to him and see what he is going to do. He is supposed to be released tomorrow! Time for a miraculous dip in recovery, isn't it Ed." Edward just shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders. She leaves the house thanking Edward as Geri walks from her fancy car. She asks how that went and he says, "A lot better than the mess I'm in right now that's for sure. Or... At least I hope." Geri says that is good and says she picked up a few things for him and her that they needed. Geri unpacks the groceries and Edward goes back to the paperwork on his table. He bangs his head off the tabletop and then rests his head on it. Geri comes up to him and puts her hand around his shoulder. "Things will look up, I'm sure of it." she says. Chapter IV Edward lifts his head and there is a paper stuck to it. He shoots up and knocks Geri to the ground from startling her. He rips the paper off his forehead and grabs his keys and tells Geri he will be back later and to figure out what she wants for dinner when he gets back. She says she will. He gets in the car and zooms off. Still at the house Geri is puzzled at what to do now that Edward is gone. She heads upstairs and goes into his closet. She finds an old photo album. She sees pictures of Edward when he was young and a few of his friends as well. Quite a few of them are of him sleeping in various places. She laughs when she sees the picture of him sleeping in between the couch cushions. All of these pictures are before he met Elizabeth and the rest of his present friends now and she notices he was thinner and very handsome back then. She flips ahead. She finds more pictures of Edward. This time the pictures are of him in his senior year of high school. He had bright red hair. He seemed to have fun his whole life. She wonders how Edward can think this is horrible. It's just a court case that he will be cleared of because she thinks it never happened. It is getting later in the afternoon and then early evening. Elizabeth calls Edward's house and Geri gets up from looking at the photos. Elizabeth is surprised to hear Geri on the other line and wished to talk to Edward. Geri takes a message from Elizabeth and Geri puts the paper on the table next to the phone. She goes back to the bedroom and puts everything away. We see a broach fall out of the photo album and a piece breaks off. Geri is worried. Edward is home and Geri comes downstairs and has forgot to make dinner or even think about anything she wants. Edward asks her what she was doing upstairs and she says that she was looking at a photo album with pictures of Edward in it. He looks worried and tells her not to judge him by some of the crazy pictures he has. They walk to the kitchen and Edward asks about dinner. They figure something out to eat and while eating Edward tells her of the broach that was in the book was from his late grandmother whom he loved very much. He goes on to tell her that it's basically the only thing he got after his grandmother died that he wanted. Geri looks upset with worry and changes the subject about the photos of Edward sleeping all over the place like on stairs, under chairs and tables. He laughs and explains he has no idea why he would fall asleep in weird places. They finish the meal and he asks her if there were any calls or messages and says that there was one that she put near the phone. When Edward arrives at the table he doesn't see a paper with the message. He calls out to her, "Are you sure there was a message here? I can't find it." Geri replies with a yes and that she put it by the phone. Edward just looks around and can't find the paper that blew off the table when a gust of wind came in through the door. The paper is in the corner under the table and is not visible from where Edward is standing. He goes to ask Geri who called and she can't remember. Edward just shrugs it off and asks if she'd like to watch a movie. They pick out Evita and watch half of it and fall asleep in each other's arms. Episode 32 Chapter I Edward and Geri wake up in each other's arms. Edward kisses Geri and Geri is shocked but kisses back. Geri gets up and says she's going to take a shower and Edward jokes with her asking if he can join her. She jokes back and says "I'd love that." Edward shoots up and takes off his shirt and heads into the bathroom. He turns around and asks her if she's coming. She walks with a smile over to him and she grabs him at his shoulders and tells him to get out of the bathroom. He looks at her puzzled and smiles. "Oh, you were joking. I got ya." He closes the door slowly and then turns around. He is in need of affection and can't believe he kissed Geri. He did it before and she managed to slip through his fingers. He thinks perhaps later they will go through the photo album later together so he can explain some of the pictures. Geri gets out of the shower and he asks her if she needs anything, trying to be a gentleman, and she says she needs time to get ready. "Well, I have to get in the shower, are you dressed? I'm coming in." he says and then opens the door. She is dressed and is putting her makeup on. Edward says she doesn't need it cause she is already beautiful the way God made her. She smiles and looks at him and he says jokingly, "Oh, I think you missed a spot over there. Maybe you do need the makeup." He sits on the toilet seat while talking to Geri. He says he is sorry for kissing her. She says not to be sorry and Edward is happier. "I just let my emotions get the best of me. I wonder if I can control them forever?" Geri looks at him with a smirk with a "you better be able to" kind of face. Edward who claims to be loosing control of his emotions is now chasing Geri in a bathrobe. He finally catches her and hugs her as they fall to the floor. Edward says he hasn't had this much fun in years. Chapter II Geri says she's glad to give him some fun times but he can't go too far cause she still isn't sure if a relationship is the best thing right now. Geri goes upstairs to get dressed and Edward gets into the shower. Geri opens the door a little bit to tell him she is going in town for a ride saying, "I'm feeling like a ride into town right now. I'll be back later." Edward hears something different, "I'm feeling like a bride with you right now. I'll be back later." Edward pictures Geri in a wedding gown marching down the isle to him. Just then the water gets cold and Edward gets out of the shower. He gets ready for the day and heads into his car and goes to see Elizabeth. He gets to Elizabeth's house and knocks on the door. Elizabeth answers and tells him he didn't call after getting the message. Edward tells her that he didn't get the message because the note went missing and Geri couldn't remembered who called. Elizabeth thinks Geri didn't take the message and didn't want her coming between her and Edward. Edward says that can't be. Elizabeth says, "Yeah. Because you are gay." Edward asks what she is talking about. She pulls out the paper and his initial reaction was to find Geri and explain to her before she leaves town thinking she is just a cover or something to Edward when she is so much more. He tells Elizabeth he will walk with her later tonight and zooms off to town. He finds Geri back at his place just arriving back at the same time. She gets out of the car and tells Edward with tears in her eyes, "I thoght you loved me." Edward tells her to listen as she falls into his arms. He tells her the story of Bradley's plan to blackmail him into loving him. Aparently he's forgotten about Bradley and now has a major mess to clean up. He tells Geri is the only person who has all of his love and affection. "If I can't have you and if you can't have me then no one will have me. I'm all yours." he says. Geri wipes the tears falling from her face and laughs with a stuffy nose from crying. She gets a tissue and wipes her nose. He goes to hug Geri and he thinks he's triumphed over Bradley, but now he has to figure out the towns reaction after he reads the story himself. Chapter III Edward reads the story and is shocked at some of the detail Bradley must have gone to keep the story seem so real. Edward calls his manager in New York. He asks this business man in a suit sitting in a big leather chair what he should do. His manager tells him that he has two choices. He can either let it go by, or deny them. He is warned that if he does deny them you will be looked on as a horrible person who doesn't accept gay and lesbians. "It's one extreme to the other Edward. You alone can make that choice." Edward thanks his manager and asks when he will have to start the promotional work for his sponsors. The manager tells him that he can start as soon as possible. "Since you're going to college soon, you should start this now. I'll schedule something tomorrow in Erie. Are you up to the trip?" Edward pauses deep in thought. He then asks, "Can I have a few friends join me on this trip?" His manager responds, "Whatever suits you, Edward. Just follow your heart. I'm behind you 100%. I'll even book a hotel room for you and some time at the Splash Lagoon. It'll be fun for you and your friends." "Book three rooms please then." His manager tells him it's done then. Edward thanks him for his services and hangs up. He calls Elizabeth, Leeza, Angela, Jana, and Annie to tell them about the trip tomorrow and if they can't make it to tell him before midnight tonight. Edward is excited. He gets to excape the life in Kane for a day or two. He waits to get an e-mail of the agenda later that night. He will call his friends again to tell them the spacifics then. He is still with Geri inside his house and he asks her what she is doing tomorrow for her birthday. She tells him that she wanted to spend it somewhere special back at Kane Fest and Edward thinks that she means somewhere else other then with him. He says, "So you can't come with me and a few friends to Erie tomorrow?" Geri says that she would love to come with him and his friends. She wants to call her family back in Britian and chat with them to tell them the news about what's going on. Edward tells Geri he's going to go run around town and will be back soon for dinner. Chapter IV While Edward is on his run he is listening to his music. He dances a little while he walks and catches his breath. He doesn't care what people think of him because he is having fun and has everything he wants in life right now. He begins to run some more and we see a lot of people stop what they are doing to look at Edward as he runs. Edward is working up a sweat and suddenly he is very upset about something. He gets mad and runs some more. He runs till he gets home and falls at the step outside his house. Geri, who thought she heard someone at the door, sees Edward lying motionless outside. She remains calm and says, "Edward, are you alright?" He moves his head a little so he can see her and says, "I think so." Geri comes out and asks how the run was. He says that it was great. "It was very liberating, to say the least. I can be who I want to be. Get out of the house once and a while. I have to look good for these promotions I'm going to do." "That doesn't mean you have to kill yourself over obsessing about loosing weight or looking perfect for the camera. Don't try so hard." she tells him. He says he understands all that but that this business is very demanding and image driven now a days. Edward catches his breath and says he needs to take a shower before dinner. After the shower they eat dinner. After that he calls Elizabeth and the rest of his friends about the trip tomorrow. He fills them in on the details and when to meet at his house. They will take the limo to Erie. Edward hangs up the phone and then turns to Geri. He asks her one more time if she really thinks going to Erie is special enough for her birthday. She answers with a yes. "Any time with you is special. It just so happens tomorrow is my birthday." Edward advises that they get some sleep. He wants to look well rested for the promotions tomorrow. Edward goes to his bedroom and connects to the internet before going to bed. He has one e-mail from his manager. It is the agenda for tomorrow. He has to be in Erie by 10 am. They have to leave by 7:30 am in order to be there in time. He prints off a copy of the e-mail and then shuts down his computer and goes to bed with Geri beside him. He wakes up and thinks about how far he has taken the relationship with Geri. Although he wants an answer he doesn't want to push her away like last time. Episode 33 Chapter I Edward lets Geri sleep just a little longer before waking her. It is 6:30 am and he gets her up. She wakes up smiling. She tells him of a dream she had. It was about her celebrating her birthday with Edward back in England. Edward asks again if she wants to stay with him or spend her birthday with her family. She says that she misses her family but doesn't want to miss spending time with Edward. "My life has been full of compromises." she says. Edward nods his head in understanding how she feels. He gets in the shower and Geri who is now in the kitchen sees a power bar on the table. She thinks nothing of it and then hops in the shower after Edward is finished in the bathroom. She comes out and the power bar is gone. Edward must have ate it. He seems to be trying anything it loose his extra weight and look great for the cameras. Geri asks him about it and asks why he didn't fix something to eat. He makes up the excuse of not having time. At this time it's about 7:15 and his friends start to arrive. He packs snacks in a basket and puts it in the limo. The sun is shining and it is a very great day. He tells everyone to pile into the vehicle and they are off. The limo driver uses his intercom and tells Edward that they left five minutes earlier; however, they will have to stop for gas before leaving town. Edward tells him that is fine. They pull into the gas station and get gas. Edward makes small talk with Elizabeth by asking her if they found out who did the damage to her car. She looks mad and then she starts to speak. "The police were supposed to put the report in the paper but obviously nothing goes right in this town." Edward says he's sorry to hear that. "Perhaps when we get back we can stop by the police station to see if there are any leads?" he asks her. She doesn't want to make a big deal about it but Edward sees that she has been targeted and attacked by someone and Edward vows to help in any way he can. While he and Elizabeth talk about the car Geri looks off in discust. Chapter II More small talk is going on about this and that with everyone talking and having a good time. Annie tells them that her family is planning to move into Lynne's old house. Edward is happy to hear that and tells her, "Welcome to the east side of town." She says thank you and then Jana says that she has to make an announcement. She tells everyone that she is going to college up near Erie and that she will only be home during breaks. Edward is shocked that Jana will be leaving but congratulates her on a wonderful desicion. "I guess we are all at new turning points in our lives sometimes. College will be loads of fun. I'll miss you, Jana." he says. Jana tells him that she will be back and that this isn't goodbye, especially when they have the time together now. Edward feels better and also has a confession to make. "As you all know I'm going to Clarion in the fall. Well, I've convinced the college to rent the old Clay Street School as one of their teaching halls. So as for now, I don't have to leave town." Elizabeth is happy. She was afraid of loosing one of her best friends because of the distance and college work that might keep him from calling or typing an e-mail. It is almost ten o'clock and they are entering the city of Erie. The limo finally pulls up to a big office building. They all get out and head into the building. He tells them to stay in the lobby and he will be back to get them when he figures out what's going on. Edward goes down a few hall ways and turns into a doorway. He sees a few people in there. One is being a journalist, one photographer, and one news paper reporter from the Erie Times. There is also about ten people from the Lipton and No Boundaries companies. He tells them he is ready to go to work and everyone picks up their belongings and they head into a studio type room. Edward tells them to hold tight while he gets his friends. He has brought his friends along to help with the articles they are going to print. This was a last minute thing for them to do. Will they say good things about Edward? Chapter III His friends go in a different room and Edward explains what they are going to do before they have fun at Splash Lagoon later after a long day. He tells them about the need to run articles and such to hype up the sales of his latest album and single. He also tells them to be honest and relax. "You are under no stress here what so ever. Me on the other hand am." He leaves and the journalist and Erie Times reporter come into the room. While they are in the room Edward gets ready to model his No Boundaries clothes and Lipton Rice. Flash bulbs are flashing away and he tries many poses according to the photographer. Back in the other room where Edward's friends are, serious questions are being asked and a few people are sweating over the pressure of trying to say the right thing. Geri is the only one having a good time. She is used to the pressure of the press. Annie is about to make herself sick over not knowing Edward for a long time and is worried that the press will use something she says wrong. Leeza is asked about his religious background and Leeza just tells the press that he believes in God and is very supportive of his friends� different denominations of beliefs. Elizabeth is asked since she knew Edward the longest to tell them of a funny story when they were younger. Elizabeth says there is one story that she remembers but can't bare let that get out because Edward always used the story for blackmail over her. She frets over saying Edward blackmails her and says that she didn't mean it that way. She goes crazy and the journalist says it's all right. "Everything that goes on here today has to go through his record label and then they tweek the information I write and tell me what I can use and what I can't." he says. Everyone is relieved that nothing bad can get out, even though there was nothing bad said. The journalist asks Elizabeth if she can recall any funny story about her and Edward and she thinks back to the first grade plays. "Stone Soup it was called. I only had one line. Edward was a soldier and my line was 'And they�re coming this way!' I just think it's funny cause we all had to run away from them when they came." Angela is next to be questioned about him. She tells them that he's fun to be around and can always managed to have fun. "Sometimes we have the best fun. Once and a while there are those times where I had to disagree with him and we'd get in a discussion. One time we got in a fight over whether Bush or Clinton were better presidents." Everyone laughs. Chapter IV The interviews and photos are done and everyone returns to the lobby. Edward sees his friends and asks if everyone gave good interviews. Everyone shakes their heads and Elizabeth walks over to him and pushes him. "How could you put me through all that?! Do you know how stressed I was?" He says he's sorry and feels really bad for not telling them what was going to happen. Elizabeth tells him that she was only joking about being upset, but would like to to be told about such things ahead of time next time. Everyone heads into the limo to be taken to Splash Lagoon, which is part of the hotel. Before they arrive at the hotel Edward tells the group they have to make one final stop. �No more interviews, please!� Elizabeth jokes. Edward tells them he�ll be only a minute. He comes back and the door opens. Edward has brought someone with him. Belle is getting into the limo and finds a seat. Edward gets in next and soon the limo drives off to the hotel. Belle will go back to her apartment later tonight because they only have three rooms. They divide up and decide that one room should be for Edward alone. Edward is in public and if word got out that he shared a room with Geri something might get out of hand. Edward gets one room, Geri, Elizabeth, Jana in another; Annie, Angela, and Lezza in the last one. Geri and Elizabeth aren't thrilled to be sharing the same room but have no choice. It's only for one night. What's the worst that could happen? Everyone goes to their rooms and changes into their bathing suits except Edward. He says that he's not in the mood to swim and such. His real reason is that he feels ugly about himself and that he shouldn�t go around without a shirt on. Episode 34 Chapter I While at the pool everyone is having fun except Edward who is worried about his photos and articles. He wants assurance that everything will turn out for the best. His album has managed to bump up one slot since Kane Fest. If he could managed more concerts perhaps his album could grow higher. He tells Geri this and she tells him not to worry. �Albums now-a-days become number one over night or not at all. She doesn�t want to be mean, but just has to tell him not to hope for anything like another number one album. �If you do release singles, they have a chance. Just make sure to pick something they want to hear.� she continues. Edward tells Geri he has to be on top yet again. He can�t stand anything less than that. �If I have to put out the best single the world has ever heard, then I�ll do it!� he says. Belle comes over to Edward and Geri to talk to them. She asks Edward why he isn�t swimming and having a good time. Edward tells her, he isn�t into the swimming mood right now. He just wants to relax and sit by the pool. Geri tells Belle that there must be something more. Belle asks what she means and Geri tells Belle to hop in the water with her as Edward tries to stop her to explain what she�s going to tell Belle. Edward gets splashed as the two women swim off. He gets upset and sits back down. He sees every one of his friends huddled together perhaps plotting something behind his back. What are they planning? Chapter II Edward stands up and walks over to the girls huddled together. They all go under water. Geri points with one finger, then with two, and finally with three. Geri and Elizabeth swim over to the ladder and get out of the pool. Belle, Leeza, Jana, Annie, and Angela swim over to him and grab his feet. He wants to be let go but five against one isn�t exactly fair. He tries his hardest to get free. Their hands slip because of them being wet and he turns around to see Geri and Elizabeth with their hands out towards him. A loud splash is heard and Edward sinks to the bottom of the pool. Edward cannot swim and everyone forgets about that. The girls save him and they pull him on the side of the pool. He appears to not be breathing and Elizabeth who has taken a CPR course gives him the medical attention he needs. Edward who doesn�t panic opens his eyes and sees Elizabeth giving him CPR. He pulls her away and asks them why she was doing that. He tells them he was fine and that if she wanted to �kiss� Edward all she would have to do is ask. Everyone finds out that Edward was joking and they all get mad at him and go back to what they were doing before. Belle however, stays with him. She tells him to get dried off and meet in his room in about fifteen minutes to talk about things. She goes and gets her towel and dries off in the locker room. Edward grabs his towel and heads back to his room. He gets changed and waits for the knock at the door he is dreading. �What did Geri tell Belle?� he wonders. Chapter III There is a knock on Edward�s door and he opens the door. Belle steps in and sits on the bed. Edward joins her and she cuts to the quick. �What�s wrong with you?� Belle asks. Edward tells her that nothing is wrong. She gets stern with him and asks again �What�s wrong with you? I know something is wrong. Why won�t you tell me?� Edward this time tells Belle that he has no idea what she is talking about. �Why didn�t you want to go swimming?� Edward tells her that he didn�t want to go because he felt ugly. Belle asks why he would think he was ugly. She reassures him that he is not ugly. He tells her that he is ugly. He takes off his shirt and grabs his extra pounds and tells Belle �What is this? It sure isn�t sexy in today�s world now is it?!� Belle tries to tell him that today�s world is screwed up. �The morals of today�s society are crazy. Everyone has to be thin and sex, but in reality that is hard to come by. Being a little over weight is normal now. More and more people are becoming obese. Remember in psychology with �B� his favorite quote was, �If you feel good you do good and if you do good you feel good.� Well, you must not be doing so good.� Edward cuts in saying, �With all the paper he photocopied with, the rain forest isn�t doing so good either.� Belle just falls back on the bed laughing hysterically. She sits back up and says, �The poor rain forest.� They chuckle again. Belle clears her tears from her eyes and she gets serious once again. �Tell me now Edward why you think you are ugly?� �Because I am!� he explains. �That�s not an answer. That�s an excuse to feel like you are right, but you aren�t. Now, tell me a good reason why you are ugly.� She retorts. �You really want to know why I feel ugly?� he says as Geri is seen walking toward the door. She listens in as the yelling continues. �I feel ugly because I am with one of the most beautiful people I know. She brightens my day every time I wake up with her near me I feel so great. Most of the time I don�t think I deserve it.� Geri bursts through the door and yells at him for putting her on a pedestal. She asks to see Edward by herself. Belle gets off the bed and leaves. Before she goes, Edward tells her he will see her tomorrow for more time together. Chapter IV Edward turns around and Geri folds her arms and stands unsympathetically. He looks at her like a sad puppy. He opens to ask her a question saying, �How much..� Geri interrupts him saying �I heard that you think I�m so much better looking than you and you don�t deserve me.� �I don�t mean that I don�t want you in my life. I just don�t know if I deserve to have you in my life. You are so special to me. I would never want to loose you again.� He says. She questions why he says again. �How did you loose me before?� He brings up the time she left after the St. Patrick�s day party earlier this year. She says that she had business to take care of but said she�d return and that Edward shouldn�t be upset about the past. He apologizes about bringing up the past. She asks if he would feel better if she left for a while. Edward tells her not to leave. She tells him that it is getting late and that she is going to go back to her room and sleep for the night. He sees her out and he goes to get ready for bed himself. After changing for bed his phone rings. It is his manager and says that the companies have faxed the articles and photos to him and he says they look great. Edward has a smile on his face and has new confidence in his career and life now. He goes to sleep. Meanwhile back in Kane, Bradley is preparing for more of a sob story to publish in the paper. He wants to bring down Edward for good until he can have him for an eternity filled with love and passion. Jay and his lawyers have planned a court date for next week when Edward returns. What will be Edward�s destiny when he returns home?
Episodes ?-?
