Kevin woke up to his alarm clock radio playing More Than a Feeling by Boston. Nice. Kevin was never disappointed with Peachcreek's sole classic rock radio station THE TREE. The name didn't sound particularly cool, but who was the captain of the Peachcreek cobblers to complain. Kevin woke up with plenty of time to lift some weights and tinker with his bike before he ate breakfast and went to school. His BIKE! The thought just came to him. Wasn't his bike destroyed? Also, School? Wasn't it still July? Much to his surprise, he looked out the window to see the trees clad in the vibrant colors of autumn as the sun was just barely coming over the horizon. Kevin then looked over to his left and saw his bike in the pristine condition he always kept it in. Five seconds ago, he was worried about something. But, what was it and why? Kevin just abandoned the thought and began lifting the twenty pound dumbells he kept in his room. He was only thirteen but he decided to start weightlifting at twelve because he wanted to be real buff when he got into high school. The thought of moving up to to higher weights and more reps was exciting to him and he was very satisfied with the progress he was making. Ha! I bet Double Dweeb couldn't even lift anything heavier than a pencil he mused. Wait. Why am I thinking of that dork first thing in the morning? Whatever...

There wasn't much Kevin could really do to his bike in terms of modification or maintenance so he just got ready for school and went down to the kitchen to be greeted by the delicious smell of waffles topped with peach confiture, powdered sugar and whipped cream. Delicious.

"Good morning, honey!" his mother called from the kitchen "You're up early," she added as he sat down and she set a plate of fresh waffles in front of him. Kevin's father looked up from his newspaper to give his son a succinct "good morning" and went back to his morning reading. Kevin's father was a man of few words, but was a very loving father when it came down to it. Rather than words, it was jawbreakers he used to express love for his son. Kevin began to consume the gastronomic wonder before him when his mother attempted to initiate conversation:

"So, did you hear about that poor Eddward's mother?" she said with some concern.

"Which Ed...?" Kevin said with a mouth full of waffles.

"Not Ed, Eddward! The kid who lives right across the street from us?"

"It's really more catty-corner to us..." Kevin's dad added quietly, not looking up from his paper.

"Oh, whatever" she retorted "well anyway," she continued "she's having a bit of a dilemma right now. Apparently she's considering putting Eddward into homeschooling because he's not doing so well in school-"

"that dweeb? Not doing well in school? How's that even possible?" Kevin interjected with a mouth full of food.

Kevin's mom glared at him disapprovingly but instead of going on a tangent about talking with your mouth full or calling people dweebs, she continued her story.

"He's not doing well socially. His grades are amazing from what I've heard. Apparently it's possible to get a 5.0 GPA? I dunno how that kid does it. He's in middle school and the kid's already into some pretty advanced stuff..." Eveline had found herself going on a tangent and stopped herself there. "Meredith told me that if she does decide to homeschool him, it'll be really hard for her to balance that and her career. But it might be necessary if he doesn't start making some friends and stop being so shy! In my opinion, she shouldn't even consider homeschooling because I think that will make it even worse!" she proclaimed. "but, that's just my opinion..." she added dejectedly.

"Wow, that's some real heavy stuff" Kevin mumbled, feigning interest.

"That brings me to my final point." she began. "Kevin, honey, will you be Eddward's friend?" she sweetly suggested.

"What?"

"Be his friend"

"I heard you, but like..."

"Be. His. Friend." she asserted with grave finality. She looked at Kevin with a smile that sent a shiver down his spine.

"You better do it, Kev..." came a voice from behind the morning paper.

"...Okay." He did not want to find out what would happen if he didn't.