Kevin Barr wasn't paying attention.
Of course, who can really pay attention when his history teacher, Mr. Thomas, drones on about World War II and the historical impact it had on the world order.
Or maybe that's World War I.
Whatever.
The point is, Kevin can't pay attention because his eyes are currently glued to the back of the head of the new student sitting directly in front of him. Which, he notes, is basically what every other student in class is doing as well. So much for the AP students being the good kids in school.
Anyways.
The first thing Kevin noticed when New Kid sauntered his way into Kevin's AP History class was that the dude is hot. Like, ridiculously hot. Kevin has to focus on keeping the drool in his mouth.
He's all legs, and though Kevin had been sitting down when he first saw him, he's pretty sure the guy's at least 6 feet tall, maybe taller. And the dude definitely knows how to dress, with those combat boots, dark skinny jeans, black leather jacket, black beanie, and silver dog tags hanging around his neck to bring the whole outfit together.
Kevin stifles the sigh that would draw the teacher's attention to his ogling. Or worse the new kid himself. And while Kevin has accepted his sexuality, he doesn't exactly want to draw unwanted attention to it either.
A loud giggle to his right draws him out of his daydreaming and he jerks his head to glare at Nazz. His best friend for as long as he can remember, who knows exactly what's grabbed the jock's attention. She stops laughing but keeps the smirk on her face as if to say 'caught you'.
"Mr. Barr! While I understand this may seem boring to you, I believe the rest of the class would appreciate a distraction free learning environment." Mr, Thomas barks at him.
The tips of his ears turn a bright red at the sudden attention. Of course he would get in trouble for Nazz laughing. But he refrains from rolling his eyes and instead says, "Sorry Mr. T" as the whole class laughs and throws another glare Nazz's way. She's still smiling but at least pretends to focus on the lecture.
As Kevin faces forward and resigns himself to do the same, he notices the new kid looking over his shoulder at him. And damn if those aren't the bluest eyes Kevin's ever seen. And the coldest kevin notes with a shiver. It makes Kevin sit up straighter in his chair.
And that's when Kevin notices the second thing about him. The kid is familiar, like really familiar, but his hormone fueled brain just won't let him put his finger on it. He wants to put his fingers on the new kid.
Damn it, hormones.
The kid gives him a bored look before turning to face forward again, his focus returning to the lecture and his meticulously written notes in front of him. Kevin leans back in his chair and decides to at least try to look interested in the lecture and not the person in front of him. Mercifully, he doesn't have to try for long as the bell signaling the end of class blares through the loudspeaker.
"Remember the homework for tonight class! I wouldn't want anyone getting behind so early into the school year." Mr. Thomas says with a pointed look at Kevin. "And Mr. Vincent, please wait a moment."
The new kid, aka Mr. Vincent, gathers his books, placing them neatly into his messenger bag and waits while Kevin and the rest of the class make their way out of the room. A few students, Kevin included, cast glances at him over their shoulders on their way out the door. Kevin can't help but notice the indifferent look on his face as Mr. Thomas starts talking to him, but quickly hurries out of the room when he catches the kids eye.
"Weird, right?" Nazz says from his side, making Kevin jump.
"Gah! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Kevin exclaims.
"Dude, I've been walking next to you this entire time" Nazz laughs. "But it's totally weird, right?"
"What's weird?" Kevin asks, still distracted as they walk towards his locker.
"Uhhh Edd", she says slowly.
"Edd? What about Ed- wait" the wheels in Kevin's brain finally start turning again after a full class of disuse.
"Hey g-" Kevin is vaguely aware of Nat walking up to greet them and Nazz holding up her hand to keep him from speaking.
"Wait for it" she says, "he's almost got it". Nat gives her an incredulous look as Kevin stares off into the distance and realization begins to dawn on him.
"That was Double Dork!" Kevin nearly shouts. Now Nazz is laughing at him again while Nat keeps that dubious look on his face.
"We have a winner! Jesus, yes that was Edd! How did you not put that together?" Nazz asks as the three of them make it to Kevin's locker.
Kevin puts in his combo and shuffles his books around for his next class and stammers, "he just looks so different! So, so-"
"Hot" Nazz finishes for him. Kevin's ears turn red again while Nazz laughs at him, again.
"Someone named Double Dork is hot?" Nat asks. "Who's Double Dork?"
"His actual name is Eddward," Nazz explains. "He used to live in our neighborhood and had two best friends named Edward. So to differentiate between the three of them he used the nick name Double D. Kevin, being the wonderful person that he is, called him Double Dork."
"Yeah but then he left right before eighth grade. He was a scrawny little dorko back then" Kevin says, directing his friends to the next class they all shared.
"And here I had hoped you had grown out of such childish name calling, Kevin." The voice was both familiar and unfamiliar to Kevin as he turned around and found himself face to face with Edd.
Standing in front of him, Kevin was finally able to take in the full picture that was Edd. Yep, definitely not a dork anymore.
Kevin let out a chuckle he wished didn't sound as nervous as he suddenly felt. "Yeah well old habits die hard I guess."
Edd didn't bother with a reply, his expression cold and detached, making Kevin shift uncomfortably.
"Hey Double D!" Nazz said excitedly. "When did you move back? It's been too long since I've heard from you!"
Edd glanced down at her, a look kevin couldn't discern briefly flashing in his eyes before simply walking into their next class.
"Well that was rude" Nat muttered.
Kevin had to agree and he felt his temper rising at the snuff. But the bell rang for the start of class and they reluctantly followed Edd into the room.
Edd took a seat in the very back corner, stretching his long legs in front of him and pulled out a notebook. Kevin decided to take the seat next to him, wanting to make sure he could have any opportunity to talk to Edd.
"Hey Edd. What's up with you man? Everything good?" Kevin attempted.
Edd scoffed, "yeah man, everything's good".
"You don't have to be so rude you know Double Dork," Kevin growled. "We just wanted to know how you're doing".
It was then that Edd's expression changed from that bored detachment Kevin had seen him wear since last period. Edd looked over at him and smirked. Actually smirked at him. Kevin could feel his temper rising again from that expression alone. It was arrogant and condescending and Kevin hated it.
"I can be as rude as I want, Pumpkin." Edd said, " and I'm doing fan-fucking-tastic".