A/N: The idea for this came from an episode of EEnE where Edd says he wants to travel or something around those lines. I honestly remember him saying something like that, but I cannot recall what episode it was. I really hate my memory sometimes, it's such poop. Another reason for writing this is because I watch The Vampire Diaries and if you watch it too, then you know how Klaus is always wanting to take Caroline to see all these places (ex: Rome, Paris, Tokyo) but this will have nothing to do with that show. I just really adore that pairing and since Kevedd is my otp, I got to thinking "Aww, what if Kevin and Edd traveled together, seeing all these beautiful sights and asdfghjkl!".
So I'm writing it.
Let me know what you think, sweeties.
PS. Don't get any cute ideas because of the name of the chapter. No one's getting engaged, sorry. Lol. It's the other meaning for proposal.
Here it was; the day he had been waiting for practically his whole life. It seemed so out of reach, a million years away, but then time started to almost speed up, and before he knew it, he found himself in his last year of high school. And now he was sitting in his seat, along with the rest of the graduates. The realization of this was not dawning on him. He could still, so clearly, recall many memories from his childhood. Oh, but it was happening. He was through with high school. Now there was just college. Hmm, college. He hadn't even applied to any colleges. And for that, his parents were disappointed that their only child was refusing to start on his future, but it wasn't even like that. He was planning on going to college, just not that same year. He wanted a break from school. Only one year, and then he would turn his focus on school again. College could wait.
He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly and looked up at the bleachers where all the relatives of students sat. Every row was filled up and it reminded him of the football games. High school football. He would no longer play for Peach Creek High. The thought made him look down. Sports was one of the things he loved about high school.
"Excuse me, pardon me," he heard a familiar from behind say.
The redhead turned his head to see his good friend, Eddward, making his way to his seat. A smile formed on his face when he noticed the small teen wasn't wearing his usual black beanie. In its place was the green graduation cap, holding down his messy black hair. He took his seat and sighed in relief.
"Kevin!"
The redhead turned back around to see his best friend, Nazz, walking up to him. He jumped up from his seat and greeted her with a tight hug.
"Can you believe we're graduating?" She asked once they pulled away.
"Nah, I can't," Kevin answered with a shake of his head. "We're getting old, Nazz."
The blonde giggled and shook her head. "Shut up. We're not." She walked over to the seat next to Kevin's and they both sat down. "I'll always remember us as the kids from the cul-de-sac." Her smiled faded and she faced the redhead. "I'm going to miss you. I can't believe you aren't going to college with me."
Kevin rolled his eyes playfully and smirked at her. "Once you get there, you're not even going to remember me."
"Are you kidding me? Dude, how can I forget you?"
He opened his mouth to answer her when the a loud noise from the microphone startled him. Everyone turned their attention to the front and went completely silent.
"Good evening everyone," the principal spoke. "I'm glad you could all make it here on this very special day where Peach Creek High bids farewells to our graduates." The audience clapped gently. "Now lets hear from our valedictorian, Jeffrey Campbell." A small group in the stands rose as they cheered for the student walking up to the podium.
Kevin groaned silently. He couldn't believe the honor of being valedictorian didn't go to Edd, but apparently there was someone smarter and Kevin didn't know that was even possible. He glanced at Edd over his shoulder and by the expression on the teen's face, Kevin knew Edd was thinking the same thing. Jeffrey's speech was typical. He spoke about how the high school experience had its ups and downs that helped everyone grow up and learn from their mistakes. He then said that the future for the class of 2012 seemed bright because of the achievements they have made.
What achievements did I even make? Kevin wondered to himself, none. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. Jeffrey's speech, overall, wasn't as long as Kevin thought it would be. The principal returned to the podium and began naming off the graduates. Kevin's eyes widened when he heard his name and he smiled wide when Nazz's name was called out right after. He shook hands with his now former principal and took his diploma. He waited a bit for Nazz to do the same and they walked back to their seats together. He cheered every time one of his other friends' names were called. And after half of the graduates received their diplomas, Eddward was next. Kevin felt his heart jump. He looked over at the lanky teen making his way up to the stage, a proud smile on his face. For a moment, Kevin hesitated clapping and cheering for the blue eyed ravenette, but when Eddward started to make his way back to his seat, Kevin jumped up and clapped loudly.
"Yeah, you go Double D!" He cheered.
Edd froze in his tracks, a red color forming on his cheeks. Oh my... his hands felt a little shaky. He smiled shyly at the redhead before continuing his way to his seat.
"What was that all about?" His best friend, Eddy, asked.
"He's my friend, Eddy," Double D answered. "He was being nice." A smile lingered on his lips as he thought back to the scene. Kevin just seemed so excited for him, but of course, half of that excitement had to be for himself. Yet it almost felt as if Kevin was more happy seeing Edd receive that piece of paper than receiving it himself.
Once the rest of the students got their diplomas, the principal spoke into the microphone, "Congratulations class of 2012. You did it!"
The graduates jumped up and threw their caps into the air, embracing their friends as caps fell back around them. Ed ran over to Eddy and Double D and scooped them both up, spinning them around.
"Goodness, Ed!" Edd squeaked.
"Hey, lumpy. Put us down!" Eddy groaned.
"I'm just so happy, Eddy!" Ed smiled big and put his best friends down. He jumped up and down, squealing excitedly as he did so. "We finished school forever!"
"Not exactly, Ed," Double D said, causing his tall friend to stop celebrating. "Don't forget about college." He smiled nervously.
"College?!" Ed gasped. "No one told me about that!"
"What are you talking about?" Eddy asked. "It's all Sockhead's been talking to us about!"
"Double D, say it isn't so!"
"It is so," Double D said.
Ed got down on his knees and began whining about having to deal with school again, saying how it was too hard and boring for him. Eddy rolled his eyes and tried getting him back on his feet. Double D sighed and looked over at Kevin. Kevin was getting hug after hug. He gave everyone a quick side hug, except for Nazz. She was squeezed tightly by the redhead.
"I love you, Nazz," he whispered in her ear. "Tomorrow before you leave, you better wake me up. I don't care how early it is."
Nazz giggled and nodded. "I will."
Kevin let go of her and smiled. "I don't know what I'll do without you."
The blonde leaned in and whispered, "You'll still have Edd." She winked.
Kevin chuckled, bringing his hand up to rub the back of his neck. "Sort of," he mumbled. But Edd didn't even know about Kevin's feelings for him and because of that, Kevin was forced stay friendly with him, which became harder for him each day. He was crushing badly on one of the dorks he used to pick on in middle school, but he couldn't help it. Edd was different. It wasn't just that he was one of the smartest people he knew. There was more to it, and Kevin had discovered it through high school. Freshmen year, he remembered it so well. It was the first day of school and he was lost, trying to find his first class. He had walked to the main office for directions and found Edd there for the same reason. They had laughed about it and since their classes were next to each other, they walked together. Edd had talked on and on about what seemed like gibberish to the redhead, but Kevin smiled and nodded at the end of every sentence.
Even though they hardly had anything in common, Kevin realized that day that Edd was the breath of fresh air he had hoped to find in high school, and it was quite silly that he barely realized it that moment after having known the dork since they were kids. Better late than never, he had told himself. And at first, he was only fond of Edd as a friend, but that changed over course of more conversations. Kevin began finding himself feeling... nervous when he was with Edd. He had butterflies and was excited every morning because it was another day he could see him. He started asking Edd to hang out and most of the time, he was turned down, because Edd was already occupied with something that had to do with school or his friends. Kevin had tried not to mind, but how was he supposed to impress his crush if he couldn't even get more than two minutes alone with him?
The problem had bothered him throughout freshman year and he would talk about it with Nazz. She always had the best advice, in which he never took from being too nervous, but he did listen to one of her advices: at least become good friends with him. Therefore, towards the end of their sophomore year, Kevin stopped trying to impress Edd and became strictly just friendly with him, and even then, it was still hard to get the guy alone. But being friends with Edd gave Kevin an excuse to get to know more about him. Edd trusted Kevin enough to reveal to him some of his secrets, future plans, and hopes. During one of their hangouts, Edd had talked to Kevin about wanting to travel, to see what laid beyond Peach Creek and out of the United States. He wanted to see different cultures. There was something about the way Edd talked about it that stayed with Kevin. Edd had sounded so passionate about it. It was a dream he truly wanted to be true. And because of that, Kevin had been saving money on the side ever since in hopes that one day he could fulfill Edd's wish.
The redhead had spent his time counting his money as he waited for it to be time for him to leave for the graduation ceremony. He had enough. Now all he needed to do was convince Edd to go.
"Earth to Kevin!" Nazz snapped her fingers in front of Kevin's face. "Hello?!"
Kevin blinked, bringing himself back to the present. He smiled at his best friend. "Sorry."
"Jeez, I mention Edd once and I lose you," she teased. "I guess that means he's more important to you than celebrating graduation."
"Hmm, something like that."
"When are you going to ask him?" Of course he had told Nazz about his plan. Why wouldn't he?
Kevin bit down gently on his lower lip and shrugged.
"Kevin," Nazz said, narrowing her eyes at him. "Don't chicken out."
"I won't."
"Then you know what?" Nazz stepped closer. "Go tell him now. It can be like his graduation present from you." She grinned.
"Nah, I'll wait for another day-"
"No! Now!" Nazz pushed Kevin. "Go now or I'll drag you to him." She shoved him again and giggled. "Come on, Kev!"
"Alright, alright!" The redhead rolled his eyes and shook his head. He looked over at Edd. Double D was surrounded by a group of people, but he seemed very uncomfortable with them. Kevin swallowed the lump in his throat and began walking.
"Casanova Kevin-boy!" Kevin's blue-haired friend and neighbor, Rolf stepped in front of him and smiled big.
Kevin didn't wait for him to say anymore. He awkwardly and quickly hugged the son of a shepherd. "We're done with high school. Yeah! Isn't that awesome? Okay, well I'll see you around, man." He patted Rolf's shoulder before walking off, leaving Rolf dumbfounded. Kevin had one mission and he was determined to get through it. Taking a deep breath, he smiled as he reached Edd.
"Oh! Hello Kevin!" Edd greeted.
"I... uh... haven't gotten my hug from you yet," Kevin said, laughing a little nervously.
Double D stood there, staring at the redhead with wide eyes and Kevin wondered if he had said something wrong.
"Or no hug is cool too," he said.
Edd blinked twice and smiled finally. "No, a hug is fine." He stepped closer to Kevin and wrapped his arms around him. The redhead smirked and did the same, but frowned when Edd let go too quickly.
"I have something to tell you," he blurted out, catching Edd off guard.
Double D waited for the redhead to go on and he did, "Um, well... I know how much you've been wanting to-"
"Kevin!" Great. Kevin turned around to see his parents walking towards him.
He looked back at Edd and said, "Gotta get congratulated by the parents. I'll be right back." He met his parents halfway and embraced them.
Edd sighed sadly. He looked around to see others with their parents, including Eddy and Ed. Everyone had family members there for them. Except for him. His parents were too busy at the hospital to make it to their only son's graduation. He knew not let it get to him. His parents were hardly ever there and he wanted to believe he was used to it, but it still hurt. So he stood there, fiddling with his fingers until Kevin returned.
"Man, Rolf's nana is so weird," the redhead said. "I guess I know where Rolf gets it from." He chuckled.
Edd forced a smile and nodded. "Now, what was it that you needed to tell me?"
Kevin's laughter stopped immediately and his expression turned blank. Shit, yeah I almost forgot. Well, it's now or never.
"Yeah, so you know how you told me once that you wanted to see more of the world?" He asked Edd.
Double D thought about it for a moment before nodding.
"Well," Kevin continued, "What would you say if I asked you to come with me... anywhere you'd like. You get to pick."
"W-what?" Edd covered his mouth with his hands and shook his head.
Kevin felt his heart ache. Another rejection to his request of hanging out. Well, surely this wasn't just an ordinary hangout. Kevin was asking the guy to go to another country with him.
"Yeah, man," he said, "I mean, uh-"
"When? How? Just the two of us?" Edd stammered out.
"Just the two of us. And well, I was kind of hoping towards the end of the summer... and maybe the rest of the year..." Kevin's words grew quieter the more he spoke, but Edd had heard him.
"How?!" The dork frantically asked.
"Money's not an issue, if that's what you mean by how. I have the money. Probably more than enough because I've been saving my money from babysitting, mowing lawns, chores, working with my dad at the jawbreaker factory during the summers since sophomore year and when my grandma passed, she gave me all her money in her will, so I have money-"
"Have you completely lost it, Kevin?"
Kevin squinted his eyes and shook his head. "What? No."
"You expect me to go off in some sort of adventure with you for the rest of the year?"
"Well, I mean, we probably won't need that much time but-"
"I have college in the fall," Edd stopped him. "I appreciate your offer, but I can't accept."
Kevin sighed in defeat and looked down at his feet. "Come on, Edd. College will be here next year."
"You want me to put my future on hold?!" Double D gasped and shook his head. "I can't possibly do that. I have everything planned out-"
"Well that's exactly why you should go with me. You always have everything mapped out. Why don't you try something different for once?"
Edd couldn't believe himself, but he was actually thinking about it. But put off college for a year? Impossible. He crossed his arms and looked in the other direction. His expression softened, though. He really did want to get out and explore new places.
"Where would we go?" He asked softly.
"Your choice," Kevin answered, his heart speeding up with hope pulsing through him.
Edd raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Anywhere, then? As in, out of the country as well?"
Kevin nodded.
"And you have all the money to be able to travel a long time? I find that to be ridiculous."
"I have enough."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand."
Edd's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "Good Lord, Kevin!"
Kevin grinned lopsidedly. "Like I said, my grandma gave me her money. She did hope I'd use it for college and my future, but I don't think she'd mind."
"I mind," Edd said, pointing a finger to himself. "That's your money for your future."
"Whatever we don't use, I'll save."
"You really don't have this all planned out. Do you even understand-"
"Don't insult me, dork," Kevin sternly said. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm just trying to do something nice for you, get you out of your comfort zone. Why are you so afraid? We're both eighteen and mature enough to take care of ourselves."
"Yes, but at eighteen, teenagers typically just move out of their house and into their own, not travel with a friend for six months!" Edd waved his hands in the air.
Kevin furrowed his eyebrows. "Come on, Edd! Are you telling me I got excited about this for nothing?" He pouted.
"You were excited?"
"Yes!"
"My apologies." Double D slowly looked away, feeling guilty for saying no, but what Kevin was asking of him was completely absurd.
"Hey, how about this..." Kevin started, "How about we leave after fourth of July, we give it try for a month, and if you don't like it, we can come back?"
Edd looked up at him, seeing emerald green eyes begging him to give in.
"We can come back?" He asked and Kevin nodded.
"Just give it a try," the redhead said.
Double D sighed. "Well, perhaps I can accept then."
"Really?!" Kevin smiled wide. "Yes!" He threw his fist in the air in celebration. "I promise you we'll have fun, especially because we'll go somewhere you want."
"But on one condition!"
Kevin groaned. "What?"
"I pay half the money."
Kevin didn't want Edd to pay anything, but it was the only way Edd would completely agree, so the redhead had to bite his tongue. They parted their ways after graduation. Edd went on home while Kevin left with his parents to eat out somewhere. It was at the restaurant that Kevin told them his plans. They weren't happy. Oh no, not at all. First they had to deal with the fact that their son didn't want to go to college and now they had to learn that he wanted to leave for six months out of the country with someone. They spoke with raised voices, telling him what a fool he was being and how preposterous the idea was. He sat there, silent as he listened to every harsh word they spoke. They had the attention of everyone in the building and Kevin wished he could just slump into his seat and disappear. He expected their reaction to be like this; angry and disappointed. Of course. He couldn't think they would be proud of his decision. Part of him wondered why not. This was a great opportunity to learn more, but they saw it as being lazy.
His parents continued lecturing, but his mind was already elsewhere. If his parents were reacting this way, how would Edd's react considering they made sure they raised Edd to be successful in his future? Kevin gasped quietly and his mother stopped talking.
"What?" She asked, her tone still angry.
He shook his head and shrugged. "Go ahead, you two, be disappointed in me. I'm still going to do this. It's not as bad as you guys are making it."
"But just why, Kevin?" His father asked.
Kevin thought about the question. He sighed and said, "I'll let you know later."
That finally silenced them. They nodded and finished off their dinner. The three of them didn't speak to each other on the ride home, but Kevin figured it was better than listening to their angry voices.
Edd arrived to an empty home. He sat alone in his room, thinking about how he would tell his parents. He dreaded it, but he had already agreed on giving the trip a try, and it was Kevin. He couldn't let Kevin down. He just couldn't. The redhead meant something to him and it wasn't the same something his other friends meant to him. It was different, but he really didn't know what it was.
The moment the front door opened, his heart felt as if it had stopped. He gasped for air and swallowed hard. I should tell them in the morning. They're tired. But that would be useless. They would be gone before he woke. He crept out of his room and made his way down the stairs. His father was looking for something in the refrigerator while his mother made herself comfortable on the couch. She looked up at the sound of Edd's footsteps.
"Oh, Edd." She jumped back up onto her feet and ran over to him. "I'm so sorry." Her arms tightly wrapped around her son. "But congratulations, sweetheart. Father and I are so proud of you." Edd smiled and squeezed her back.
It wasn't always that he got affection from his parents, so he cherished any time he did. His father grabbed two water bottles from the fridge and turned around.
"Eddward!" He put the water bottles down on the table before making his way over. His mother stepped away, allowing his father to take his turn in hugging him. "We hope you forgive us, son."
Edd nodded and pulled out of the hug. "It's fine, Mother, Father, but I do have something I want to discuss with the both of you." He walked to the couch and sat down. His mother joined him.
"What is it?" She asked.
Eddward fiddled with his fingers a bit, working up the courage. He looked up at his father standing near the staircase.
"Well," he began, putting his head down. "I have this friend who has asked me to... to... travel with him." No response and he didn't dare look up. "F-for six months. Although, I refused since I have college to attend to this fall, b-but he asked me to go with him for a month in July and see how I feel about it, and if I'm not happy, we can return." Edd forced his head back up. He turned to look his mother in the eye first. She was smiling.
"Travel to where?" She asked.
"My choice," he answered.
"Well," his father spoke. "I think it's a fine idea if it benefits you."
"W-what about school?" Edd asked.
"You have worked very hard your whole life, Eddward," his mother said. "Perhaps it's time you take a break?"
The blue-eyed teen gaped. This couldn't be true. He was dreaming, surely he was. Or was he in some sort of alternate universe?
"I agree with your mother," his father said. "You can learn a lot from traveling, too."
"Therefore, if I enjoy myself, I can stay?" Edd bit down on his lower lip.
His mother caressed his cheek and smiled some more. "As long as you promise to work hard next year at college."
"T-thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father." It went well. A little well, but Edd wasn't going to over think it. His parents were allowing him to take a risk. Scenarios of him and Kevin walking the streets of Barcelona, or London, or maybe even Florence. Yes, Florence. His lips curved up as he walked back up to his room. He had always wanted to go to Florence; to visit the Palazzo Vecchio and finally see the Sala delle Carte.
"I must tell Kevin!" The ravenette ran over to his bedside table and grabbed his cell phone. He texted the redhead, telling him how well it went with his parents and he was definitely looking forward to the trip.
Kevin was lying on his bed when his phone buzzed next to him. He groaned and picked it up, expecting the text to be from one of his obnoxious friends that got drunk and needed a ride home, but it was from... Edd! He sat up immediately and opened up the text. Grinning, he replied: Awesome. So, where are we going?
Edd smiled a wide, gap-tooted revealing smile and texted back: If you insist on my choosing, I choose Florence, Italy.
His heart raced excitedly in his chest as he pressed 'send' and he knew he wouldn't be getting much sleep that night.
Another thing, I was going to put class of 2013, but I honestly do not like writing in future time periods. I guess that's how I'll explain it to be...
This story will take place through summer, fall and winter and since we're barely going into summer, I feel weird writing about fall and winter of 2013. I've always been like this with my writing. I just can't. I don't know why either. I've tried, but I just don't feel comfortable. Therefore, it's 2012 in this fic, tee hee.
Does this dilemma make any sense? I feel like it doesn't, but I hope you know what I kind of mean...
I chose their first place to travel to be Florence, Italy, because it's my dream to visit there and this fic gives me a chance to write about it. Italy is just so beautiful to me. Sigh. One day... one day.
