Kevin looked at the tiled floor as he entered the boy's bathroom. With him he carried his green messenger bag, the string slightly cutting into his clothed shoulder. He went to the mirror on his left and stared at himself. He had masking tape on his face with every kind of mean name written on it. He started to peel off the tape, it stung a little bit, but he was growing used to it. He took the one that said "DORK" off of his forehead, and then another that said "LOSER". He peeled off four more and then disposed of the labels in the trash can to his right. After he was done he looked in the mirror and sighed. Seeing his ginger colored hair and taped glasses made him feel discouraged.
He adjusted his crooked QUIZ BOWL hat that got set off balance when dealing with his bully. "Pathetic, you still can't stand up for yourself, Kevin." He then tugged at his green sweater and made sure it covered his khakis. Once he was done making himself presentable he left the bathroom quietly.
"There you are Kev!" Nazz walked up to him and raised her hand, her form of a hello. "You didn't come by my locker after Science. Where did you run off to?" She asked, like she honestly didn't know. Maybe she was testing him to see if he would lie? He looked at her; her blonde hair was one cut short for the summer and she now kept it in a small braid in the back. Her black rimmed glasses made her blue eyes stick out.
"I got drug off by Edd and his goons right before lunch." Kevin said rubbing the back of his head.
Nazz looked tired now. "What did they do this time?" She asked crossing her arms.
"I just got the masking tape again." Kevin said. "Nothing big."
"Oh…I guess it is easier than a full on beat down. Hang in there, okay?" She said to him and smiled when he responded with a nod. "Anyway, let's go and eat! I am starving. My alarm clock died last night and I woke up late. There was no time for breakfast." She said in a happier tone.
Kevin followed her down the empty hall. The blue lockers lined all around them. Nazz was good to have around, for mindless conversation and the occasional pep talk. She had been a victim of Edd's bullying too, but only verbal bullying; he never seemed interested in taking his anger out on girls. It was good for Nazz; she was far too sweet to take any kind of abuse from that ape. His buddies messed with her a bit though. Normally just knocking her books out of her hands and laughing, like the asses they were. Nazz and Kevin found their sanctuary in the courtyard behind the school. It was shady and nearly no one would mess with them here. No one came out there because they were all busy eating in the cafeteria or the roof top, which was basically only occupied by Edd and the occasional victim or buddy.
Kevin sat down in the grass and opened his messenger bag and chowed down on the PB&J that he had made himself this morning. Nazz was half eating her meal and ate some of Kevin's chips. He laughed at her and offered her more.
Kevin and Nazz met up later at the end of the day. They usually talked until it was safe to leave for home, except on Wednesdays. That was when they had Quiz Bowl right after the last bell rang. It was just a fun trivia game where you put in some random questions from each class and then answer the one you draw from the Quiz Bowl hat. Since Kevin was the captain, he wore the hat. It was a part of him now, and he rarely was seen without it on. But today was Thursday and Kevin would have to wait to be a nerd.
"I don't know Kev; I doubt that I will even get a B on that quiz. Physics is hard for some people." Nazz said putting her things in her locker and closing it softly.
"You did fine, I tutored you after all." He smiled, adjusting his glasses.
"True, but there was a ton to remember! I was sure that my head would explode." She said laughing.
Kevin and Nazz turned the corner. They could see the doors of the school, where they usually stopped the conversation to say goodbye and left each other for the next day. Kevin then saw something emerge from a classroom right in front of them. Then he saw the Devil himself come out of the office. Kevin knew it was too late, and Nazz bumped right into Edd. She hit her head pretty hard and you could hear the hardness of Edd's chest.
"Why don't you watch where you're going next time!?" Edd yelled at her. He raised his arm to push her out of his way when Kevin stopped his arm from connecting with the scared blonde.
Edd was surprised, but not as surprised as Kevin was himself. One thing you didn't do was touch Eddward. Not even his buddies dared to touch him, even playfully! Kevin let go of him and stared up at Edd, who was glaring at him now. Kevin could feel himself shrink under the bullies gaze. He always felt insignificant while standing in front of Edd.
"Pumpkin, tell your friend to leave." Edd said through gritted teeth.
Nazz immediately looked at Kevin with a terrified expression. "No. Kevin, I am not leaving." She said sternly.
"Just go Nazz, I will call you later." He patted her shoulder and gave her a shy smile.
With a sympathetic look she nodded and ran away from the scene. Kevin watched her leave and then looked back at Edd. He was even taller now. He had on his black beanie that had two white stripes on each side. He had gotten his left ear pierced twice shortly after entering high school. They were just black studs on the lobe of his ear. He was wearing his favorite outfit today. It was his black and silver jacket over his red T-shirt. His dog tags were dangling from around his neck, where they always were. They were by far his greatest possession. He had his black skinny jeans on with his wallet chain dangling from his pocket. Kevin looked down farther and saw him wearing his black boots.
"Finally that ugly girl is gone." Edd said, almost daring Kevin to say something. When he stayed silent Edd got a little mad. "Not saying anything, huh?"
As soon as Edd said that he punched Kevin in the stomach. His glasses nearly fell off his face. Kevin hunched over and gasped for air. Edd always knocked the air out of him when he hit him. Then Edd grabbed him by his collar and lifted him up to his eye level.
"You should know your place, Dork." Edd said glaring into Kevin's eyes. "See you later."
He dropped Kevin on his feet and continued down the hallway. Kevin watched as Edd's body got smaller and smaller. When he was gone he walked out of the school building and found his bike. It was a standard red colored one that he got from his father. He sat down on the seat and peddled away.
"Yeah, I'm okay. One punch and he was done. I am actually surprised. I thought he was going to explode." Kevin laughed trying to make Nazz feel better. It sort of worked. "Alright, bye." Kevin hung up his house phone and laid it down on his desk.
Kevin finished all of his homework and went to the kitchen to see his dad asleep on the couch. He might as well prepare dinner for them both while his dad was still asleep. Kevin walked around the kitchen grabbing everything that he needed to make tonight's dinner: lasagna. His father's personal favorite.
Kevin woke up feeling for his alarm clock. It was blaring and annoying him. He hit the off button and rose from his bed, his stomach still sort of hurt from yesterday. He walked over to his bedroom door and then walked into the bathroom that was down the hallway from his room. He opened the door and used the toilet. When he was done he walked over washing his hands and grabbing his toothbrush. He stared into his green eyes. He tried to smile but couldn't. There was something wrong with the fact that Edd only gave him one punch and then left. When he said that he would see him later it didn't even cross his mind that the rest of the beating would happen. Edd might even bring his goons with him to beat up Kevin this time. He might do that this time. Suddenly Kevin felt himself tremble. He felt sick but knew that he couldn't run from Edd forever.
Kevin got ready for school and then grabbed his messenger bag from his room. He walked from his room to the living room. He grabbed a Capri sun from the fridge and put some bread in the toaster. This would usually be his breakfast. While making dinner last night Kevin made himself lunch. This time he packed a PB&J, an apple, and potato chips in a brown paper bag. After grabbing his breakfast and putting his lunch in his messenger bag, he left for school.
When he got there he couldn't find Nazz anywhere. She must have woken up late again. Kevin walked in the school avoiding anyone that might trip him or push him into the lockers.
Kevin walked down the hallway to where his first period was. He was always majorly early because he didn't have anyone to talk to in the cafeteria or courtyard except Nazz, and she was late…always. He just hung around in the classroom until the bell rang, no big deal. Except when Kevin got close enough to the door he realized that someone was waiting by the door. A figure he knew all too well. He felt himself shrink already.
"Pumpkin, I thought you would be here." Edd said menacingly. "About yesterday, I have decided to forgive you. No need to thank me, I know I am great."
"Uh…okay?" Kevin answered, remembering the beating he got yesterday for not speaking and touching him. His voice was sort of shaky.
Kevin was now right beside the tall boy. Edd then pulled Kevin closer to him and smashed him up against the white brick wall. He didn't hit the wall hard, Kevin was just shocked to be tossed around so easily. Meanwhile, Edd took this opportunity to block Kevin from leaving too early by putting his hands beside each side of Kevin's head. He snickered and looked at the ginger haired boy as he looked at anywhere but Edd's face.
"Anyway, I have a swim competition today. You have to go." Edd said looking down at Kevin. Kevin was kind of scared now. He is going to get drowned. Great, he was going to die today. Kevin thought as Edd removed his hands from the wall and walked away. "See you at five."
Kevin walked into the classroom and sat down in his chair to think about what had just happened to him. Edd, the biggest bully in the school, demanded that he go to his swim competition. He wasn't asking…but telling him he had to. This made Kevin a bit angry. What if he didn't want to go? He hated that narcissistic jerk! He always picked on him and called him names. He sometimes let his buddies beat him up when he wasn't there that day. They weren't merciful either. Johnny would use Plank if he thought that you were really bad. Jimmy was good at using his words. He said the most offending things to everyone that he disliked. Kevin crossed his arms and wondered what Nazz would think about this situation.
"He did what?" Nazz was shocked. She couldn't believe her ears. "You have to go? What happens if you don't?" She asked taking one of his chips and giving him a Cheeto as payment.
"I was kind of thinking about not going. He would just bully me if I went."
"But you don't know what he will do if you don't." Nazz was worried again.
"Hmm…good point." Kevin looked scared. Who wouldn't be? He was about to go into an area with all of Edd's friends and co-bullies.
"I'll just go with you. He didn't say that you couldn't bring anyone right? I will keep you out of trouble." She smiled brightly, showing her teeth this time. She hadn't shown her teeth since Jimmy said that her braces were disgusting.
Kevin smiled back at her and they finished their lunch together.
Kevin had an hour to waste until he would meet Nazz at the school. He decided to just do his homework since it wouldn't take him long. He had work to do in three subjects today. On any other day he would have homework in all of his subjects. Since it was Friday his teachers would give the students a small break and not assign as much. Kevin did it all in no time and was pleased with himself. He got done just in time to get out the door and head down to the school on his bike.
"There you are Kev!" Nazz said happily.
"Hey, did you wait long?" Kevin asked stopping his bike and getting off of it right beside her.
He hooked it up to the bike rack right beside the parking lot underneath a shady tree. Kevin walked in the school doors with Nazz. They walked down the main hall and continued until they found the gym. They passed it and soon were at the locker room doors for the swim team. There was a door that led to the pool a little farther down the hallway. Kevin walked up to the door and opened it for Nazz and they walked outside. The first thing Kevin saw was the people. Everyone in the school was crowding around the pool. The swim team consisted of some of the cutest guys in school, according to Nazz. Although the girls didn't know any of the members personally, they still went gaga for them Kevin collected from the atmosphere.
Kevin scanned the area and looked for some seats. There were a few on the bleachers right at the bottom. Kevin tugged on the purple T-shirt Nazz was wearing and led her to the seats he had picked out. Kevin didn't know why Edd wanted him to come to this stupid swim competition. His fangirls wouldn't sit down for them to see the action anyway. Kevin sighed and put his head on his hand, resting it there. He was completely bored. Nazz was just the same only she was staring at the hot boys in school that didn't even notice her.
Then the match started. Some of the fangirls had quieted down and had sat down on the bleachers like normal human beings. Kevin watched as each swimmer stood up on their block. Kevin spotted Edd as he put his goggles down on his face. He had his swim cap on and was dressed in his swim suit, which was just black with some gray on the sides of it. After the swimmers bent over they all jumped in once the coach said go. Kevin watched as Edd swam farther and farther away from them until he was turning around and already on his way back to the other side of the rectangular underground pool. That is what happened with each and every one of the matches for Edd. He was always first place, no one could beat the captain at all.
When the coach handed a medal to Edd he took it and threw it to Johnny, who was right behind him as soon as he received it. He wasn't much for medals or trophies apparently.
Kevin was just about ready to leave when he saw that all of the other spectators were leaving. He got up and kept Nazz close, he didn't want to run into Edd somewhere near the open water. Kevin walked inside of the school and began to walk past the swim team locker room. He was almost in the clear when he saw the door open in the corner of his eye. He hoped that it wasn't who he though t it was.
"Pumpkin!" Edd shouted after him. He was still dressed in his swim trunks.
Kevin came from around the corner and Nazz followed shortly after.
Edd's expression went from peaceful to utter nausea in 3.5 seconds. He looked angry now. Kevin now looked uneasy. He knew where this was going, sadly. Edd walked over to the two obviously trying to seem as dangerous as someone could be in flip flops. Kevin hid Nazz behind him and looked worried. He felt butterflies in his stomach now.
"Get out of here Nazz. I'll see you on Monday." Kevin said and she left, without a second thought. She knew that he would be safe, but it could have just been wishful thinking.
Once she was out of ear shot and Edd had gotten up to him he started to yell at Kevin.
"Why in the hell did you bring that ugly thing with you?"
"D-don't say that. She is my friend. You didn't say that I couldn't bring a friend." Kevin said feeling even more sick with every word that came out of his mouth.
"Did you think that I wanted you to bring someone?" Edd asked even more angry now.
"W-well…" Kevin got quiet. He was really scared now. He closed his eyes thinking. If he lied Edd would know instantly which was disheartening. "I was worried…that you would drown me." Kevin instantly felt weak as soon as the words came out. He could feel Edd looking at him now.
Edd snickered and looked down at the ginger haired weakling. "Adorable." Edd said and stopped to laugh. Then when he was finished Edd put his right hand on the wall and looked at the small, now worried, boy.
Kevin was instantly confused. Was he just called adorable by Edd? The Edd that picked on him and every other geek in school, the Edd that was always winning competitions, the Edd that could beat down a body builder with wit alone?
"W-what?" Kevin asked quietly.
"I will give you another chance. I am going to pick you up for a movie tomorrow." He sunk in closer to Kevin. "See you at eight." Then Edd disappeared inside the locker room.
What just happened? Kevin asked himself completely confused. He fixed his red and black hat and then walked down the hallway.
"WHAT!?" Nazz asked. Kevin could practically see her expression through the phone.
"He just sort of said that he was going to pick me up for a movie tomorrow at eight. What does that mean?" Kevin said into the phone while in his room.
"It means that you just got asked out by Eddward. I think I am having a stroke." Nazz said.
Kevin was completely shocked. His heart rate increased tenfold and he could barely breathe. What. The. Hell. "What do you mean he asked me out? He ordered me! Oh gosh…I don't know what to do!" Kevin said his freckled cheeks becoming red.
"Calm down. All you have to do is go. You will be fine. Don't do anything to piss him off and you will be okay. What can it hurt? He didn't give you a choice anyway." Nazz said calmly.
"But…what if he tries to kill me? They won't even find my body…" Kevin said into the phone. It was the end again. "Tell your children about me Nazz, and how I fought good and hard."
"You aren't going to die. I doubt that is what Edd has in mind." Nazz reassured him. "Wear something nice okay? Maybe your green polo? Or…hey, wear that blue long sleeve with your green vest. You know, the one with that cool pattern on the front. It would look super cute." She told him happily.
"How can you be happy about this!? I don't want to look cute for him! He is the enemy! Nazz, help me!" He pleaded with her.
"No, you will go and be good. Don't anger him and you will be safe. I don't want to be glared at him for going with you again so I won't be there to help you." And then Kevin heard a click.
Kevin dropped the phone on his desk and collapsed on his bed. He was so worried about what would happen. The person that had tortured him through Elementary school, Middle school, and now High school was suddenly taking him to movies and calling him adorable. He didn't know what to think. Clearly his feelings didn't change overnight and he knew that he didn't like him…he couldn't have. He punched him in the stomach yesterday! People don't physically injure the ones they love…intentionally. Kevin shuddered at the thought of him being with Edd at the drive in, considering that was the closest movie place playing decent movies all the time. Kevin felt his face go red again. He was going to have to go, and wait for his impending doom.