The next day seemed to be going smoothly. Anxiety had cleared from Edd's mind considering the tutoring session went very well yesterday. Bending down to unlock his bike, a group of shadows appeared behind Double-D.

"Hey dork! Not trying to turn our Kevin here into one of you, right?" And here comes the pouncing.

"I am not sure what you mean, but I do have to be getting home to our tutoring session." He went to fasten his helmet over his hat, but it was knocked out of his hands.

"You're takin' up too much time with Kevin. He's got football practice too ya know and he told us all about his schedule this week. We're doin' after school clean up, but we still got time for practice. So how come you're keepin' him past 6?!"

"Past 6? Oh no boys, you have got it all wrong see, our sessions are only an h-" A foot to his chest knocked the wind out of him, pushing him down onto the gravel. Rocks became stuck into his hands and arms.

"Sorry, got bored." One of the slimmer boys expressed. And once that hit connected to Edd's body, more just kept coming.

It was hard riding home with only one eye open, but Edd was more worried about being late for his tutoring session. Would his tardiness discourage Kevin and teach him it's alright to be late? His pedaling became so fast that he lost control of rhythm and slowed down. Fortunately he was already outside of his house. The key met the keyhole, but the door slowly opened. Kevin was sat at the table with his own book and Edd's notes he took during biology that morning.

"Duuuude, you just keep comin' home lookin' all kinds of fucked up!" Kevin exclaimed. Edd expected to hear a chuckle, but saw genuine concern on his face that was wiped off when he noticed it.

"Kevin, language please, you're in my house and we don't condone that kind of language." He walked to the fridge and opened the freezer. Grabbing a napkin, he wrapped a handful of ice in it and applied it to his new shiner. "Thank you for showing up on time though."

"I've gotta do what I've gotta do, but the time that I was here counts in our hour." Kevin complained.

"Speaking of our hour, your friends are under the impression that I am keeping you past 6pm, which I certainly am not. They say you missed practice last night and will continue to do so for the remainder of our sessions. Care to explain why that was the reason for my black eye?" Edd raised an eyebrow at Kevin.

"Well looks like it ain't just a shiner Edd," Kevin walked up and grabbed a paper towel, "got quite the bloody nose too." Kevin handed him a paper towel.

"B-blood?! I am quite hemophobic I am bound to..." Edd began tipping back in his chair.

"Uhh, Double-D?" Kevin saw as he rocked back that he was bound to his the floor. "Dude!" Kevin caught the unconscious, feeble boy from the falling chair and applied the paper towel to his nose before blood got everywhere.

Regaining consciousness, Edd felt a plush couch holding up his body. Over him was an upside-down boy with red hair and a green t-shirt. "Huh?" Falling in and out of consciousness, the blurry figure became clearer as he pinched Edd's nose harder. "OUCH!" He grabbed his nose and felt a wet paper towel.

"Dude, relax. Your nose was bleeding and I wasn't trying to get my textbook dirty." Kevin went to grab Edd's hand to apply to the paper towel. Edd's hand was very cold compared to Kevin's and the warmth sent a spark through Edd's body. His eyes opened immediately as he snatched his hand from Kevin's and held the towel himself.

"I'm sorry my injuries are disrupting our tutoring session, what time is it?"

"Double-D, don't worry about our session you're seriously injured." Kevin got up and went to grab his phone to check the time. As he turned his screen on, a pounding at the door alarmed the two boys. "Expecting company?"

"I shouldn't be." Edd got up, holding his head back and the paper towel in his hand. He opened the door and there stood five boys, most standing six feet tall, the lightest weighted 195 pounds, and they were all in their football gear.

"You said you weren't keeping him past six Double-Dweeb!" The group rampaged into the house and walked all over Double-D's weakened body.

"Guys, it wasn't his fault. He passed out for like two hours, and you guys kept him at the school when you were pounding on him!" Kevin surprisingly defended Edd without a second thought.

"You seriously standing up for this DORK Kev? One day with him and he's already like your bestie?!" The boy who ran from Mr. Jenkins exclaimed.

"I'm just sayin' it wasn't his fault. It was yours for poundin' on him!"

"SERIOUSLY KEV?! You're gonna be blamin' us now? If you don't show up to practice tonight, don't think about showin' up again, 'cuz Coach is gonna be on your ass after we tell him you're just fuckin' around with some dork." The biggest member of them all threatened to get Kevin kicked off of the team, and he still stood his ground next to Edd. One by one, each member kicked Edd, who was curled up on the ground, and left.

"Double-D, I'm sorry about our tutoring, but I've gotta go to that practice. I can't get kicked off. I'll explain to Coach that I've got tutoring and stay longer with you tomorrow as long as you explain to Jenkins that you had injuries that needed tending to. I'll see you later." Kevin ran out the door, leaving Edd on the floor.

The red, soaked paper towel was headed for the trash. As Edd stepped on the pedal that lifts the lid, he saw multiple other paper towels soaked with blood and water in the trash. Did Kevin clean up the mess on the floor?

All through the night that's all Edd could think about, Kevin. Why did he tend to his nosebleed? Why did he care enough to clean up the floor? Why did he barge into his house when he wasn't there? So many questions and no answers to any of them. The only question with an answer was, did he like it when Kevin touched his hand? Yes.

Days had passed and each session with Kevin became more and more fulfilling to Edd. The hours spent without Kevin seemed so unnatural to Edd. He constantly wondered if Kevin was thinking about the sparks they had the other day as well, but why would he? The last tutoring day had approached and Edd had wished it wouldn't. The bullies had stuck with name-calling instead of physical torture the past few days and that was something Edd could handle. He had noticed that Kevin had stopped showing up to their torture sessions and wondered what was going on with him.

Back at Edd's house, Kevin was set up with his book and notes that he'd copied from Edd's journal.

"You know, you really should've been paying attention to today's lesson instead of copying old notes from me." Edd began pouring the pitcher of ice water into their glasses.

"How else am I supposed to get caught up if I don't have full access to notes?" Kevin grinned.

"Um, Kevin," Edd hesitated to ask, just in case it was something personal or something that could get him beat up, "why is it that you haven't been involved in my-I mean the daily bullying routines your friends do?" Kevin sat there with a blank expression on his face before bursting out into laughter.

"Oh man Edd, you caught me. I'm friends with you, therefore I shouldn't pounce on you. Man I thought you were smart." Kevin laughed.

"Oh," Edd blushed and quickly tried to hide it, "we're...friends?" Kevin nodded and Edd smiled. "Even if we're friends, that doesn't mean you don't have others to 'pounce' on. N-not that I'm encouraging bullying!" Edd stumbled on his words.

"Edd," Kevin took a sip of his water, "I am friends with you because you're nice and smart and have bigger goals in life than to beat kids up. My other friends have the goal of professional football, but also beating kids up and those two just don't go well together." For once, Kevin was making sense. "I need to get my head on straight, and you've taught me that although learning may be boring, it's fun when there's someone else who enjoys it." Kevin smiled for a second too long and it forced Edd to get up and wrap his arms around him.

"Oh Kevin! I am so glad to have inspired you to focus on your future!" Edd was ecstatic and overall shocked that Mr. Jenkins was right.

"I know, I can't believe Jenkins was exactly right about us." Kevin shook Edd off to continue conversation. "Uh Edd, this might sound a little...dorky, but I really don't want these sessions to end, so uhhh...you wanna keep these going, ya know, 'til I get tired of 'em?" Kevin scratched his head as he blushed. Heat rushed through Edd's body as he watched red flourish through Kevin's cheeks. He was absolutely adorable. His hair and his face almost matched in color. His sparkling green eyes were breathtaking and his hands were the perfect size for Edd's. But what is he doing?! Is he falling for Kevin?! No. No. Edd likes girls. Even if Edd liked boys, Kevin and his posse would be the last guys he'd ever go after. But he did say they're friends. And he is so stunning. His eyes began taking Kevin's shirt off and his body was fairly white with a small undertone of tan. It was a natural tan that was beginning to fade away. He doesn't have abs, but he doesn't have a belly either. His perfectly slim body was just begging to be touched by Edd's hands. NO! Those thoughts are too...perverted for Edd. Kevin had to go, he couldn't stay, he couldn't see him anymore things were becoming too intense.

"Uhh Kevin-" Double-D started but the ringtone from Kevin's phone interrupted.

"Yo what's up?...Um I'm kind of busy, is it an emergency...alright I'll be right over." Kevin hung up and put his hand on Edd's shoulder. "Sorry to be cutting our conversation short, but Nazz says she's having a real date emergency so I should go check up on that, but I'll see you tomorrow right?" He winked and instant regret colored his face red. He walked out the door and Edd ran to the shower.

"I have to wash these thoughts away, it's...it's...disgusting!" His mind was becoming clear as the water hit his hair. He can't have a thing for Kevin. Maybe he likes the idea of Kevin. He is a lot nicer to him and he's proven to be quite smart. Maybe he's just taking these qualities and wishing for them in his perfect girl! But, he imagined Kevin shirtless and it was hot. So hot, not even this freezing shower water could cool him. He'd just sizzle. Kevin's shirtless body in the shower with Edd. His naked body. His beautiful, wet, red hair. His brown eyelashes batting away the water from his stunning green eyes. His hands warming up Edd's cold body. His hands...NO! Edd wasn't even safe in the shower. The only person he felt would understand was with Kevin. Maybe he'd left already.

The phone rang for a while until the bubbly voice on the other line picked up.

"Hey Double-D! What's up?" Nazz didn't seem like she was in the middle of an emergency so maybe Kevin was gone.

"Uhh hi Nazz. I am having um, a bit of a crisis and I would really appreciate, if you weren't busy, if you came to my house so I could maybe talk with you." Edd was having a very hard time getting the words out as it felt there was something stuck in his throat.

"Oh Double-D, you sound super down. I'll come over ASAP!" And with that, the other line had hung up and there was a knocking at the door almost immediately.

"Nazz! You came over very quickly, please come in." Edd welcomed in Nazz with a door wide open.

"Okay Edd, what's the drama? And why do you want to talk to me about it and not your besties?" Talking to Ed and Eddy didn't even cross his mind, but it wouldn't have gone down well. Only discouragement and discrimination would have come from it.

"It is umm, it's a boy. I knew you would understand considering you like um..." Edd's eyes wandered around the room since his body couldn't, he was practically glued to the couch.

"A boy? Considering I like what-OH! Aw Edd! Do you like a boy?" Nazz grabbed Edd's hands and had the most affectionate look on her face.

"AHH! NO!" Edd shouted. "I mean uh possibly. I may have feelings for a boy. I am not sure and if I do how would I tell him knowing he's heterosexual?"

"Aww Edd. It happens when you're like us, we'll always bump into those cute girls and boys who we have feelings for, but could never like us more than friends. But who is it, maybe they're not so straight! Is it James because I hear he was totally dating Scott last month but broke it off because Scott was still into his ex. Or is it Greyson? Because he's totally on the prowl for some new arm candy and you're definitely IT!" Nazz went on and on about the boys she knew were gay, but never did Kevin's name come up and all hope was lost.

"Um actually Nazz, I'm not sure if I'm ready to tell you. Actually, I think our talk was good, I think I lost feelings for him all together. Now if you don't mind keeping this a secret. I'm sorry for wasting your time Nazz." Edd got up to open the door, but Nazz sat him back down on the couch.

"No Edd, there's seriously something on your mind that you need to talk about and I'm here right now to listen to what it is. Now, tell me whatever it is bringing you down, I'll go get us some water." As Nazz walked over to the water pitcher in the kitchen, she noticed a journal and two books on the table. "Hey Double-D, what's up with the two books? Having some weird double date?" Nazz chuckled as she picked up the journal on the table. "Hey, this is Kevin's! What's he doing over..." Nazz stopped talking and looked over at me. The journal hit the table as she ran toward me with the biggest grin. "OH MY GOSH DOUBLE-D!"

"Nazz please, I can't breathe." He said through her shoulder as she suffocated him with her hug.

"I'm sorry Double-D, but Kevin! Oh my gosh am I so happy about this! I totally forgot you were tutoring him, I should've guessed it!" Nazz had a permanent smile on her face and couldn't get over the fact that I had a crush on Kevin.

"Now you see my dilemma. Kevin dated you for such a long time, he clearly only likes girls and I can't risk getting humiliated by him, or anyone else for that matter, for liking him. So what do I do?" Edd's hands began to moisten and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.

"Well I could talk to him for you! Or if you're just afraid of confrontation, you could write him a note or something." Nazz shrugged her shoulders. Both seemed like good ideas, but what would I say? What would she say?

"Alright Nazz. I think it would be better if he heard it from me, so I'll write him a note and slip it in his locker or something." Edd got up to get a glass of water because the thought of all of this was making him feel sick.

"Okay Edd, don't sweat it you've got this. What's the worst that can happen, he rejects you? If he starts beating you up again that's his loss, he'd lose a really good friend and be an eternal jackass!" Nazz joined Edd in the kitchen for water and put her hands around his waist in a comfort hug.

"Thanks Nazz," Edd sipped from his cup, "I've been curious, and I am sorry for being nosy, but what was the date emergency you had earlier?" Nazz spit the water from her mouth and started laughing hysterically.

"OH! I can't believe Kev told you! I have a date tomorrow and I realized my favorite dress had a huge stain on it. I got it from Kev's bike when we went on a date MONTHS ago, but I guess I never noticed it. Oil stains his clothes a lot so he knows good ways to get it out. He's just a good cleaner all around!" That statement reminded Edd of when he saw the sparkling floor where a pool of blood once laid.

"A date? And Kevin is alright with that?"

"Of course! Like I said, we figured everything out and he totally accepting of me and Marie." Nazz held her hands over her mouth and her eyes were glued wide open.

"Marie?! As in Marie Kanker?!" Edd was in utter shock. Marie Kanker is the crazy blue haired girl who is completely obsessed with Edd, or at least was.

"Ha, yes silly. I knew you'd freak when I told you. Ya know, when you give her the attention she wants and deserves, she's really cool! I saw her over at your place months and months ago and you, Ed, and Eddy were yelling at her and her friends with was totally uncool. So I went over and comforted her. From there we realized she just had attention issues, not boy issues. So now, if you'll excuse me I should probably head out and check on my dress. See ya Edd!" And leaving on that note was very heavy, but if Edd had said anything else, it would probably ruin the relationship he and Nazz had began to form.