Hi everyone! I'm very excited to announce that I've begun my own KevEdd fanfic after reading so many recently. As a novelist as well, this will not be a quick story where the relationships and plots burst instantly to end shortly. There will hopefully be many chapters to come, but I have no idea, as I've only written the first one so far. I hope you all like it and feel free to comment so I can grow! I know some people reading this are from a group on Facebook that I have gotten close to, so I hope this story is one that they love.

Chapter 1 - As the Crickets Echo

"Alright. Ed, I need you to sneak into Rolf's and get us a chicken. Sockhead, I need you to use the feathers from the chicken that Ed is gonna get and start making the items we are going to sell." Eddy began to give us our instructions, but honestly, I was not sure where this scam of his was going. I tuned out after a while.

"OH EDDY! I love the chickens!" Loveable oaf.

Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Eddward Vincent. I'm a sophomore, or rather, almost a junior, in high school with my two best friends, Ed and Eddy. Right now, it's nearing the end of the summer and my Junior year is about to start. I've been trying to read a couple more books on our summer reading list while Eddy has been trying to devise a new scam of "fancy fans" to help with the late summer heat. While I've been attempting to convince the two of them all summer to pick up a book so they are better prepared for the coming year, its been a wasted effort. I, however, have been trying to tune him out in the hopes that I can get through more than what was on the list.

"Yo, Double D, are you even listening to me?" I looked up from my copy of Tale of Two Cities to look over to Eddy who was giving me his typical glare.

"Oh, yes, of course Eddy. I was just enraptured by this literature, but yes, I am listening to you as well. I'm good at multitasking, as you well know." I smiled politely, trying to diffuse any tension from my ignoring his ramblings. His eyes narrowed on me, but he turned back and continued talking to Ed about the exact color of the chicken feathers that he claimed to need.

We were sitting in the front yard of my house, seeing as it was such a nice day out and there was nothing better to do.

"Well gentlemen, would you two care for some refreshments? I can get some water, or make a pitcher of lemonade." Eddy didn't respond as he was in the midst of a new idea, something about attaching the chicken feathered fans to spray bottles. Ed's eyes, however, lit up.

"OH! How about some lemonade made from the lemon brains of the aliens from Planet Zombie of quadrant four!" I looked over at him and simply blinked.

"Lemonade it is." He is a simple individual, but he means well and he can't help but to be kind. Unfortunately that tends to mean he can get used easily. And while I am Friends with Eddy, I do find the need to stay around and put up with his antics in order to keep Ed safe.

After retrieving our refreshments and some snacks of carrots and celery with some dip, I went back to my reading while Ed played with his food in a way I think I'll refrain from describing.

Down the road we could hear a loud engine rumbling at a quick pace down in our direction. Eddy rolled his eyes and started drawing out some plans while Ed put two carrots in his mouth like tusks.

Quickly a red and steel bike sped into view and pulled into the driveway across the street and into the garage. Kevin Barr. Our childhood bully and Eddy's most hated rival, and I use the term rival loosely. Eddy saw him as a rival for Nazz's affection, but Naz honestly never showed Eddy any interest. I tried to tell him it was all in his imagination but that got nothing but unnecessary profanity thrown at me. I've simply given up on those arguments.

I personally have nothing against Kevin, but I know he teased us because he thought we were… ahem… Dorks. I simply attempt to steer clear of him, even now in the high school setting. I do not wish to be ridiculed; it is not exactly a pleasant experience.

Yes, I live across the street from the childhood bully, and the now popular high school jock. My life is a stereotype, but c'est la vie, yes?

I will admit that my eyes lingered on his closed garage door for a little longer than they probably should have. I apologize; I have to admit something. I am of the gay persuasion, however I have never acted on it. Of course my best friends know and they do not care one way or the other. Rather, Ed does not know any better and Eddy just wants to make sure I do not go after him since he's such a "ladies man." And while Kevin is attractive, as any woman would agree, I have no delusions of grandeur in that regard. I'm not even a blip on his social radar and I have no illusions of anything else. Life is life, and I just want to get through high school and get into a good college after that.

While the sun started setting and Eddy began picking up the pieces of his plan, I took our cups back into my house and set the barely touched vegetable tray back into the refrigerator. I came back out to say good night to my friends as they both started to walk back to their homes.

With the sound of the crickets came an emptiness in the night. My parents haven't been home for a while. They are very important surgeons a few cities away and they didn't want me to uproot my life here at Peach Creek to go live in a larger city. They call twice a week like clockwork. Monday morning before school to check up on my plans for the week and then Saturday afternoon to hear about how the week has gone. I miss them, but they have managed to keep away this long, so there must be a greater reason for it, right? That simply means that when night comes, and the stars blink on and shine high above, I am alone below them.