Questions Only I Can Answer

Part I

An EEnE fanfic

Featuring fem!R!Edd and R!Kevin

Edd's POV

rated M due to cursing and future lemon!

I don't own EEnE or the Reverse world, credit goes to Asphy!

I want my readers to know that this will be completed! I'm already almost done with this small universe I've had running in my head! Part three is in the works and part two will be posted in a few hours of this :3

I know it's not original, but I'm starting this with a question.

Have you over felt so strongly for a person, but you can't ever speak to that person, let alone tell them how you feel? Well, that's how l feel. Yeah, it sucks balls, but being around him... well its better than nothing, right? It was a Friday when everything kinda... changed.

Things in Peach Creek are never really normal, let alone ordinary. It was raining (how typical right?), but school was out for spring break and everyone was excited, despite the storm. I was talking to Jimmy, Johnny and Plank when I saw him walk by, Nat Goldberg and Nazz by his side. I wanted to go up to him and say hello, like a normal girl would. But Peach Creek is not normal. Instead I let him pass by... Yes, I know I'm pathetic. Please, do not tell my Mother. She will have a hen.

Later that afternoon when the rain stopped, I saw him leave his house, get on his vespa and drive off. Maybe to see some pretty girl in Walnut Bend? I mentally shoved myself into Jimmy's van. Sighing, I looked back to Jimmy whom was saying something about asking out a girl on the Mathlets. I mumbled something about the Quiz Bowls and Johnny made a snarky reply.

"Shut up, Puddle Brain." I bit out, shoving his shoulder into the side of the van.

"Make me, Princess." the idiot had the nerve to laugh at me, oh no sir, not while I was in this mood. Instead of responding reasonably like a good girl would, I swung forward, my fist landing perfectly with Johnny's little nose. He cried out loudly, cursing and muttering a 'sorry Edd!' before sitting on his ass on my driveway.

"Get off my property. Now." I snapped, marching into my house with a comment from Plank. "I heard that Pee Brains! Now get! Before I get the hose!" I slammed the door earning only the silence of my home to greet me. I removed my shoes and marched up the stairs and to the back room, which was mine of course. My eyes were drawn to a sticky note by my bed, the yellow ominous paper staring at me with neglect.

"Edd, make sure to do the laundry. Water the plants. Don't forget to do your homework.

-we love you, Mother and Father."

My anger boiled in me once again and I ground my teeth together in frustration. "This is so stupid!" I screamed, snatching up my bathing suit and goggles. Placing them neatly into my sport bag I walked as calmly as I could down the stairs, toeing my shoes back on as I opened the door, locking it before heading to my car. Jimmy's van was back at his house. I sighed and got in the small compact car my parents left me to use, starting it and buckling my seat before checking all the mirrors. Satisfied, I pulled out into the round-about of the cul-de-sac, driving to the school.

I snapped the piece of gum I had taken out of my bag before tugging open the locker room door. I headed to my locker, twisting out my combo before opening it and setting my bag down. I waisted no time on changing and after tucking my dog tags into my suit, I made sure to fetch a cap before heading to the pool. It was colder in the aquadics area than I had anticipated and I shivered as my feet made light taps on the cold stone. "Okay, Edd... an easy butterfly stroak. Thats what you're gonna practice. No thinking, just swimming." I murmured to myself as I streached.

"Edd?" My head snapped up at the voice. I glared over my shoulder, catching a fellow team mate off guard. "Oh. What're you doin' here?" She asked. I think her name was Anna or Amy. Something with an 'A'.

"I plan on blowing off steam." I snapped, narrowing my eyes. Anna or Amy wasn't wearing her suit. "What are you doing here?" I'm nothing if not polite.

Anna or whatever blinked and shifted nervously. "Well Jimmy texted me saying he saw you head to the school and I was worried you came here to chase down the Quiz Bowls."

I barked out a dry laugh. "As if. I haven't 'chased' them down once this year." I raised my arms up, stretching them up then out to my front, then from my back.

Anna blinked. "Oh right, of course! Silly me!" She laughed exaggeratedly, and I rolled my eyes.

"If you're going to be here, swim, if not, I'd like to be alone, thank you, Anna."

"Right o'. See you tomorrow at practice..." she waved and I shot another glare. She squeaked and left.

Finally alone, I set myself on a far right launcher and took a few deep, soothing breaths as I fitted the cap on and set my goggles on my face. Taking another breath I leaped into the water. It was peaceful, being under the water, feeling it race around me as I raced to the other side, only coming up for air before I hit the wall, turning and lifting myself up through the water in a perfect butterfly stroak. This went on for a few more laps as I thought of nothing but the water sliding past my skin. I only stopped when a commotion broke through my concentration. I stopped swimming, treading the water when I saw the boys locker room open.

"Now, fellas, I dont think we ha-" whatever was being said was cut off when a guy I recognized from the football team pushed Kevin into the pool area.

"Listen, nerd, the next time I see you talking to my little sister, theres gonna be trouble, ya hear!?" Matt, I think his name was, yell in the ginger's face.

"But-"

"No buts! Do as I say or you'll end up in the locker rooms all weekend!"

"Fine! I wont talk to Anna again! Just leave me alone!" Kevin yelled back, stepping towards the edge of the pool as Matt pursued.

"Good." Matt smirked and shoved Kevin into the pool. Only then did he notice me. "Oh fuck! Its the swim captian!" Matt yelled, retreating with his friends. Jerk. I blinked towards where Kevin should be but I started when he wasnt there.

"Kevin?" My question rang through the aquatics room until a sputtering, failing Kevin broke the surface of the water only to submerge again. He didn't know how to swim! I dove under the water, finding Kevin easily and swimming to him quickly. I grabbed hold of his arms and hulled him up, gasping when I broke the surface. I pushed Kevin to the wall as he hung loosely in my arms. I pushed him up and over the side of the pool, heaving myself up after him. I yanked off my goggles and knelt by Kevin, my CPR training kicking in. I pumped his chest with my hands, bending to hear if he was breathing. He wasnt. I pumped faster, pausing to hear and when I didnt hear anything I opened Kevin's mouth slightly and breathed in, moving to pump my hands. I did this until I heard a sputtering breath and Kevin turned to cough up water, his breathing labored.

"Fuck." Kevin groaned, laying back down on the wet tile. Filthy, filthy, filthy. Kevin blinked and yelped, raising up to his elbows. "Edd? What the fuck are you doing?"

I crossed my arms and glared. "Saving your poor little butt." I bit, standing up and picking up my goggles. "You're welcome."

"Save me?" He glanced around and I heard a sigh. "Damn... uh, thanks Edd..."

"Don't mention it." I smirked but it died quickly. "Seriously though, don't. I don't need you acting more helpless."

Kevin stood, looking pale. "I'm not helpless!" I stared at him. "Okay fine, maybe I am a little..." I nodded with a shrug. "But really, thank you, Edd."

"Again, don't mention it." I said setting my goggles back on my head.

"WAIT!" I jumped at Kevin's yell before turning to stare at him in surprise. "How... how did you...?"

"CPR...?" I said, confused.

"W-what type?" Kevin asked and I felt my face bloom in a blush.

"Mouth to mouth... I had no choice, you weren't breathing..." I said, turning again.

"Oh." was all I heard Kevin respond in. I started back for a launcher before I felt a hand grab mine. "Edd..."

I blinked and turned so I was at profile to him. "Yes?" The reason I was here in the first place came back to me and I yanked my hand back, only to be surprised when Kevin's grip held. "Kevin, if you do not want to end up in the pool again, I suggest you let me go, right now." I said calmly.

"Stop threatening me, Edd." Kevin said lowly and I blinked, looking up at him, noticing his hat was gone. "Why dont you ever let anyone in? Not even... why do you insist on pushing everyone away? What happened to make you so angry?"

I refused to meet his gaze. "Nothing for you to be concerned about, Kevin. Go back to your Quiz Bowls..." I said, but Kevin didn't let me go. "Kevin, what are you-?"

I was cut off by Kevin's unnerving stare. "Why, do you insist on hurting? The only reason I put up with all the torment was because I thought you needed someone. I guess I was wrong! Because Marie told me you've been avoiding her. Why is that?"

I was shocked, like the kind that gets your blood cold and feet sticky. "Kevin, I do not think you are in the position to be questioning me about personal matters, as you are not one of my few friends. Please, let go of me and return to your club."

"No. I promised Marie I would talk to you myself. Now, tell me why you're so angry."

I huffed. "You cant demand me to tell you anything! I'll talk to Marie tomorrow, I promise." I tried to yank my hand away by stepping to the pool, only to feel Kevin grip me still. "Unhand me. Release and desist!"

Kevin yanked on me as I made another go for the pool, causing us to yank on the other. Kevin went down first, pulling me with him on the stone. My yelp mingled with his as I landed on him, my face inches from his. "Sorry."

This idiot! I felt my face go hot and I growled. "Idiot." I said as I stood up, glaring at the ginger, but giving him my hand to help him up. "Tell Marie I will call her after I get home." was all I said before diving into the water. When I resurfaced, Kevin was gone.

I patted my short hair dry as I slipped from my bathroom, post shower, into my bedroom, a spare swim team jersey on. I kept to my promise and clicked on my phone to call Marie. She answered on the second ring.

"Finally. Hey, Edd." Marie sounded as she always did on the phone, tired and lonesome.

"Evening, Marie." I said, hanging my towel on the labeled hook.

"You didnt talk to Kevin." Marie said, and I pictured her in her bedroom, laying on her bed with her phone tucked on her shoulder and her sketch book out infront of her.

I sighed and sat neatly on my bed. "Marie, why do you insist I talk to him, he should hate me..." I said, frowning.

"Dont you dare give me that look."

"Marie, how can you possibly know what I-"

"Because I know you, Eddna." Marie said and I sighed. "I happen to know that Kevin does not hate you, quite the opposite."

"You're crazy, Marie."

"Maybe." She laughed and there was a beep and she stopped. "Hold on a sec, Edd." She clicked on the phone and I was left in silence.

"Marie!" I frowned at my phone, groaning. I flopped onto my back, glaring at the ceiling until I heard another click maybe ten minutes later.

"Sorry about that! Nazz was calling." Marie sang from her end.

"Nazz? You talk to Nazz?"

"Oh yeah, we're doing a chemistry project together." Marie giggled. "She tells the best chemical jokes ever."

I don't know what was funny about the possibility of burning yourself on sulfuric acid, but I laughed. "Okay, well, I'm going to bed now, Marie. I will see you tomorrow."

"Wait!" Marie yelled.

Raising the phone back to my ear, I said, "Yes?" So she could continue.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" I was a terrible friend. I had offended Marie to the point where she sounded close to crying.

"I'm sorry Marie. I've been a terrible person. My parents have not been home in a while and my emotions got the best of me. Please accept my apologies." I murmured into the phone, sighing.

"It's just a little weird for you not to be around making sassy come backs and not teasing the hell out of Lee..." Marie said.

"Yes I know, I will hang out with you this weekend, alright?"

"Sounds good, see you tomorrow."

I hooked my hands into my jacket pockets as I walked down the sidewalk, heading to the community pool where Marie and I had arranged to meet. It was sunny today, the excitement of Spring Break was tangible in the air. Marie was waiting for me by the gate, towel over one shoulder as she watched for me. I waved and Marie spotted me, a grin splitting her face.

"Afternoon, Marie." I said as I quickly hugged her. I suppose you could classify Marie as my best friend, but I wasn't one for titles, and neither was she.

"Edd." she grinned, blue hair pulled up and away from her face. Her gold eyes shone brightly, and I wondered why she seemed so happy. "So, where do you wanna sit?" She asked as we walked through the gates. I shrugged and Marie led the way to the olymipc sized pool. We sat at two lounges as far away from screaming kids as we possibly could, setting up our towels. I stood up and Marie blinked up at me, shading her eyes from the sun. "You okay?" she asked.

I nodded and reached into the small bag I brought with me. I threw her my stopwatch and she grinned. "If you could?" I smiled.

"Sure," she nodded, standing and we walked to a lap lane together. I slipped my hair into my cap and fixed my goggles on my face. I looked at Marie and she nodded from her folded seat by the pool. "Ready," breath in, "set..." starting stance, "GO!"

I leaped into the water, racing as I breathed out slowly, only raising my head as I reached the other end. I looped back at a free style, back tracking in a butterfly stroak, then back to Marie in free style. She was grinning. "Two minuets, eight seconds." She laughed.

"Ugh, thats horrible!" I huffed, treading water as Marie shrugged. I pouted and she suddenly grinned.

"Oh! Edd, I got invited to a party tonight, you wanna come?" Marie looked really excited and happy. I couldn't say no now, no matter how much I wanted to decline the offer.

"Sure, Marie... where will it be?" I asked, heaving myself out of the water.

"It's gonna be at Johnny's house."

I glared at the pavement. "Some friend he is."

"Well you did punch him in the face Friday..." Marie smirked.

"He deserved it..." Marie laughed.

That night I found myself in one of Marie's skin tight dresses, fidgeting and sipping from a bottle of cheap root beer.

"Edd!"

"Hey Double-D!"

"Double-Dee!"

I was bombarded by students from school, holding back grimaces as people insisted on touching me. I jolted as somone bumped into me. "Hey! Watch where you're going-!" I cut myself off as I blinked up at Ed. He was cleaned up for a change, grinning and holding a red cup. He still looked like a dork, and Eddy stood behind him, porting a striped polo shirt. "Edward, Edward." I murmured lowly, face set straight.

"Eddna." Eddy said, voice tight, Ed just smiled. After a moment of me not saying anything Eddy pulled Ed away.

"Why dont you ever talk to them anymore?" A voice asked from behind me. I turned and stiffened at Kevin.

"Why do you care?" I asked, eyeing him. He had Nat flanking him but I spotted Nazz with Marie not so far away.

"I dont, I was just trying to start a conversation." Kevin smiled slightly and I sighed.

"You are impossible Kevin Barr." I shook my head but I smiled. "Hey... can we maybe talk..." I glanced at Nat, "Alone?"

Kevin blinked but nodded. "Yeah, sure." He smiled at Nat and we walked into Johnny's kitchen. "So, whats up, Edd?"

I fixed my beanie and looked at him. "Marie... no, I was wondering... do you hate me?"

Kevin laughed and shook his head. "No, of course not. Marie told me what happened..."

My face went hot. "D-did she now..." I glared at the floor.

Kevin took my shoulder. "I... dont really understand... but I'll be here for you if you need to talk..." I blinked up at him, eyes wide.

"You case to surprise me, Kevin Barr." I whispered, holding back from hugging him. It seemed too odd to hug the kid I used to throw into lockers. I yelped when Kevin hugged me instead. After a moment I hugged him back, tears suddenly bursting into my eyes. God, it was getting so much worse...

When the following Wednesday rolled around I found myself standing in another rain storm, glaring at the sidewalk. They had stood me up again. I felt the burning in my chest before I started sobbing, falling to the stone of our walkway in a heap. I really dont know how long I was there until I felt arms around me, holding me close and leading me away. I came to my senses when a pale hand set a cup of coffee in my shaking hands. I blinked and raised my head, surprised to see Kevin. "What..." I shook my head, new tears running down my face.

"Hey... dont cry, Edd." Kevin set the coffee on the table and pulled me into a hug. I sobbed and let myself be held.

After what felt like forever, I blinked away the last of the tears I could shed, and sniffled while pulling away from him. "Thank you... I'll be going-" I was cut off at Kevin's hand on mine.

"Edd, I'm not going to let you go without you telling me what happened." He looked serious without his hat hiding his ginger hair.

I looked down at my wet shoes. I started from middle school, telling Kevin that my parents were never home, and on the rare times they were, they would tatter me apart with insults about how a failure I was. Kevin told me they were wrong. I told him that I knew I could do better, and that they stood me up for a dinner date tonight.

"You never cease to surprise me, Eddna Vincent." Kevin shook his head but he took my hand. "You're amazing, Edd, dont let them tell you other wise."

I blinked at Kevin, not quite believing in what I was hearing. Maybe I could learn to reach out to him...