AN: So. Not many of you know who I am or the stuff that I go through on a daily basis. And that's alright ya know? Not everyone should know who you really are. I mean, this is the internet. You can never be too careful. Anyway. A little backstory: when I was 15 and in high school, I met this guy. He became my best friend and he was my entire universe. We were inseparable. We did everything together. Until we didn't. About five or six years ago, during my junior year I believe, things changed. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And within a year and a half, I lost my best friend. So, every so often, when I see him, I remember. I remember the pain and the hurt that came with the abandonment. And every so often, I wonder where it all went wrong. Did it start when he was accused of rape and I didn't talk to him for an entire summer or did it start when he became involved with a girl that hated me? I can't answer these questions because I honestly don't know. And I wish I did.

So this is me, being all up in my feels. I hope this doesn't sound too bad. Enjoy guys.

He was sitting by himself in a café. He was nervous. He didn't know how to act when he showed up. How was he going to react to seeing him again after 15 years? His anxiety kicked into over drive. He closed his eyes and counted to 10 in his head. It didn't exactly work. So he tried his breathing exercise and that seemed to calm him down just a bit more.

He heard the bell above the door chime. Looking up, anxious blue met regretful green.

The tall redhead came over and took a seat in front of him. Neither said anything. Not at first. A waiter came over and took their order. Kevin handed her his credit card and paid for the food and drinks.

They continued to stare at each other intently. Kevin couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"So. Double Dee. How are you?"
Double Dee squeaked. "I'm fine. I've been fine. And yourself?"
"Same. Bored mostly. But same."
This made Double Dee snort. Fine indeed. You ran off to make a name for yourself. Not so much as a good bye to anyone. Especially to me.

"Dee? You alright there?" Kevin asked him. Double Dee looked at Kevin. Furious blue met apprehensive green. Anger boiled just below the surface. What was supposed to be a peaceful meeting turned tense when Double Dee stood up and stormed out the door, rage and tears in his sky blue eyes.

Kevin was flabbergasted. He hadn't expected this to happen when he called him two weeks ago. He had wanted to apologize. He knew the kind of hurt he put the dork through. He left without saying a word to anyone. How could he not be hurt? He had promised he would never leave, that he would always be there. He put his head into his hands. He waited fifteen years to talk to him again. He let the one boy who loved him believe he left to go make a name for himself in California. Which he did, he's now a multimillionaire. His company rakes in more money than Lucasfilm, ltd. every year. It was a hard thing to do for sure! But somehow they pulled it off. And so many kids were left with a roof over their heads and warm food in their bellies. They were happy and grateful for the temporary home. His company name? Big Red's Ranch. They came up with the name and silent partner that helps fund it is Sapphire Dreams, Inc. Now it's one of the most prominent places in California. Their ruse? They asked you to send their children to them to help "fix" them and their perversion. But really, they helped them live their lives. They helped them graduate from high school and earn their diplomas. Kevin vowed that he would never let anyone else suffer the same fate that he did all those years ago.

Kevin got up to leave. He had already paid for the meal. He was walking out the door when he remembered that night all those years ago. The night his parents disowned him and his best friend took him in.

Flashback - 15 years ago

"Mom, dad, I need to talk to you." He said, he was equal parts anxious and afraid. His parents, Marie and Ellis Barr, came into the living and sat down on the couch. Kevin was standing. He was also pacing. He was nervous. He sighed, ran a hand through his hair and started rubbing the back of his neck.

He looked them both in the eyes. "Listen. What I'm about to tell you isn't going to be easy but I need you to remember that I am still your son. That I am still me. Okay? Please?" He begged them. He hoped they understood. Marie spoke first, "Of course honey. Of course we love you. Nothing that you tell us will make us look at you any different. Isn't that right, Ellis dear?" She asked her husband. Ellis looked at his son and grunted. Kevin took that with a grain of salt and a nod. (Italicize) Alright, here goes. "Mom. Dad. I'm gay."

Nothing was said for twenty minutes and Kevin was getting anxious. He looked down at the floor. He couldn't look at his parents. Then, he heard his mother let loose a wail and his father back handed him into the wall. "No god damn faggot is going to live in my god damn house!" Ellis turned to his wife, "Marie, please stop crying baby. Everything will be okay. I promise. Go get your coat and put some shoes on. We're going to be leaving for a few hours." Turning back to Kevin who was still against the wall. "Get your shit and get the fuck out of my house. You don't belong here." At this, he stormed out and gathered up his wife and they left the house.

Kevin was stunned. He didn't expect this to happen. He didn't think they were...homophobic. He didn't know he would be disowned! Where was he supposed to go?! He had no one here. Wait, that wasn't true, he still had Edd. He still had the one person who loved him across the street. But...where would that put him? He didn't want his father to go and do something to his lovable dork.

He set about gathering his things. He packed what he needed. He left the rest. He was still trying to figure out where to go when his phone went off. It was his best friend Nat. He lived in California now.

He answered the phone.

"Keviiiiiiiin! About time you picked up!"
"Hey Nat..."
Nat instantly knew something was wrong. And he had a feeling it was his parents fault.
"Kevin..."
"Yeah, man...I need a ride out."
"Be at the airport. I'm sending my plane."

He hung up and left. Without saying goodbye to anyone, Kevin Anthony Barr left Peach Creek, and everyone that lived in the cul-de-sac, behind. Even the boy with the bright blue eyes and adorable gap in his teeth. He didn't know how to say goodbye if he was being honest with himself.

He wouldn't return until fifteen years later.