Kevin was having a rough day. He had to leave football practice early because he had a migraine that wouldn't go away and ended up vomiting. Three times. He went to the health department and got sent home. He drank some Gatorade and took a brief nap, making up later to a finally settled stomach. However, he knew this wasn't going to be the end of it. He knew that he'll have to make up for the missed practice tenfold tomorrow, if his head doesn't explode before then. The migraine was still there and soon his loud roommate, Nat, was going to be home, probably making it worse.
It's not always like this. Kevin really did enjoy Nat's company and they became fast friends over the summer, even though it was only half over.
He was nervous starting college, especially two and a half months early due to their athletics' summer academics program. He was even more nervous about being on a large college football team in the city after coming from the tiny team that was Peach Creek High.
However, Nat made the transitions completely smooth. Kevin was beyond relieved when he found out that not only was he not the lone "not straight" dude on the team, but that he would be living with someone else "not straight" rather than some bigoted muscle-head. Aside from Nat getting them in trouble in their introductory writing class they had to take over the first half of summer for the athletics' summer academics program, he never had a real problem with Nat.
But that was most likely going to change tonight.
Apparently, Nat had deemed himself Kevin's personal cupid and insists on finding someone for Kevin. He kept bugging him about what his type is, but Kevin's having problem putting it into words. He doesn't have an end-all, be-all type, but he does find certain attributes to be more attractive or endearing.
For the past few days he struggled to articulate this to an overbearing match-maker Nat. It was even harder to articulate today when Kevin was too busy throwing up suddenly. He's certain Nat is going to barge home any minute demanding to know who he can set Kevin up with, and that is certainly not going to help his migraine.
Kevin takes another Excedrin and downs the rest of his Gatorade, hoping to rush the healing process. He then checks the time and decides that he should probably go for a walk so he won't be home when Nat gets back.
I'll just come back once the rest of the migraine is gone. Then I can handle him.
When Kevin makes his way down the dorm's center staircase, he sees quite a few people darting this way and that, carrying boxes and luggage, but doesn't think anything of it. It wasn't until he stepped outside and saw even more boxes and luggage being pulled out of all the cars on the curb that it dawns on him.
Shit. It IS the weekend between the two summer sessions. That means more people are going to be moving in who are attending part 2 of summer term. I should probably go home and face Nat as is, rather than deal with all this bullshit, or worse, get roped into helping someone carry their shit upstairs.
Kevin suddenly turns to go back inside, when he knocks into someone. Hard.
Or he thinks he does. Once he regains his balance and rushes out a flurry of apologizes, he realizes he's talking to cardboard. He steps back and all he can really see is two large boxes partially wedged into the hedge by the door, with a pair of long legs sticking out beneath them.
He quickly grabs the top box pulls it out. He can now see the terrified face of the guy he just shoved into the bush. He struggles to suppress his laughter as he sets the box down and grabs the other one, also setting it down.
The guy starts to stand up, and Kevin helps him, once again apologizing since now there's a face to apologize to.
"Oh no, I'm partially to blame. I could barely see over both boxes. You're not hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine, but," Kevin pauses, picking leaves off the guy's clothes. "You seem to be molting."
The guy giggles and holy fuck that grin is adorable.
"I think 'shedding' would be more appropriate since 'molting' typically refers to animals… there's also 'abscission' but that's a noun."
"Abses-"
"Abscission. It's the act of plants shedding parts such as leaves or fruit."
"Ah." Kevin says blankly, still staring at the guy's grin until it starts to faulter. Kevin snaps out of it and remembers how he literally ran into this person. "Hey, do you need help with this?" Kevin asks, gesturing to the boxes.
The guy stares at him, obviously considering the question before shaking his head. "Thanks, but I don't feel right asking a stranger to help me. Besides, I-"
Kevin suddenly jutted out his hand.
Edd just stares at it for a moment before slowly reaching out himself. Kevin quickly grabs his hand and shakes it before saying, "Hey. My name's Kevin Barr and I also live in this dorm. Now that I'm not a stranger to ya, I'm gonna help you with your stuff, cool?"
Edd starts to giggle again and nods. "Thank you, Kevin." Edd reaches down for one of the boxes and adds, "Also, my name is Eddward Vincent, but you can call me 'Edd.' That's with two d's by the way."
Kevin helped Edd carry the boxes up to his dorm room. When they returned back outside, Kevin was surprised to see that the rest of Edd's luggage was in the back of a taxi. Edd then explains that he doesn't have a car and his parents were unable to help him move because of a business trip.
Kevin knew the taxi driver wasn't helping Edd carry his stuff so he can run the meter longer. So, in a fit of rage against the taxi driver and pity towards Edd's predicament, Kevin made Edd load him up so he was carrying the rest of Edd's belongings, aside from two small grocery bags.
Kevin started making his way to the front of the dorm as Edd hastily paid the driver for his time. By the time Edd caught up to Kevin, he was already at Edd's door, setting down the boxes and bags just outside it.
"You didn't have to carry all of it."
"Eh, I figured it would be better for you to get your stuff from outside your door, rather than two flights of stairs and in the summer heat."
Edd thanked him for his help as he unlocked his door, but then Kevin started to carry some of the belongings into Edd's room. Edd figured if Kevin is so insistent on carrying the stuff himself, he might as well start on unpacking.
This allowed Kevin a glimpse into Edd's life.
He watched as Edd wiped down his desk and dresser with Lysol wipes. Then he saw him put up some books, a cactus, a label maker, a stack of school supplies that were already pre-labeled, and his schedule, in a plastic sleeve and neatly pinned to the corkboard above his desk.
Kevin took a peek at it and noticed something seemed off. "Dude. What year are you?"
"I'm a freshman," Edd replied, walking towards Kevin at his desk. "Why do you ask?"
Kevin looked back at the schedule. "Chemical Research Seminar? Introductory Genetics?"
"Ah. That. Yes. I placed out of General Chemistry and Principles of Biology because of AP Exams."
Kevin gave a low whistle. "Dang. Starting college hard."
Edd grimaced. "I hope not." He then pointed at the top half of the schedule, where his summer schedule was. "I'm taking geography and introductory political science this summer to hopefully get into the swing of the college pace."
"Smart move."
"Hopefully so."
Kevin grinned, and started asking Edd more questions about himself.
He found out that Edd was also from a small town, living in the same small cul-de-sac all his life. He enjoys reading and growing cactuses and succulents. He also likes going to the movies but hasn't been able to recently because of all his college preparations. He also found out that Edd likes going to coffee shops because of the smell and atmosphere, though he much prefers tea over coffee.
Kevin was about to tell Edd about this one coffeeshop that he found recently with his roommate, when said roommate called him.
"Dude. Where are you, we got things to discuss!"
"We certainly do," Kevin said, grinning.
"W-what do you mean? Did something happen!?"
Kevin doesn't reply but just hangs up. He then turns to Edd, saying, "Hey, I should probably go before my roommate starts a man-hunt for me. But I'll see you around, right?"
"Certainly!" Edd replied, waving him goodbye.
Kevin left Edd's room and rushed up a flight of stairs, towards his own room. Once inside, Nat started his onslaught of questions. Kevin ignored them all and flopped down on his bed. Once Nat stopped, he looked over and grinned widely.
"So, I just figured out my type… and it's adorable genius."