Chapter 4

"I'm never going to get this, man. This is too complicated." Kevin groaned, removing his glasses before slamming his face onto the table.

He shoved the textbook to the end of the table to his left.

"Why does middle school feel the need to torture us? There is no way that high school is this difficult." Eddward patted Kevin's back reassuringly.

"There there Kevin. All it takes is a little critical thinking and a slow pace. You'll get this and pass the class with no problem!"

"Easy for you to say, Double D. You're, like, a genius or something." Eddward pulled some paperwork from his meticulous binder.

"Oh I am no genius Kevin, I just know my strengths. Now, let's move on to the periodic table next; where is the textbook?"

When Kevin didn't move, Eddward reached over Kevin to collect the textbook that Kevin had frustratingly pushed aside. As Eddward leaned over, something shiny caught Kevin's eye. An earring back was protruding from Eddward's left earlobe. Double D had a piercing?

When Eddward returned to his upright position, Kevin noticed the earring was a clear ball, almost unnoticeable for anyone not sitting close to him.

"Dude, is that an earring?" The probing question turned Eddward's face slightly pink. He reached up to the lobe and touched the metal backing.

"Oh, uh, yeah. One of Eddy's backwards schemes. He found his brother's old piercing gun."

"You let Dorky punch a hole in your head?" Kevin laughed, blown away at the image of Eddy with such a device and no one to keep him in check. That was so typical for Eddy it was almost ironic.

"Yes, well, it wasn't something I was very proud of. Once he opened his father's liquor cabinet it was all over."

Kevin raised up his hands slightly in shock.

"Wait-hold up- you've had booze?! No freaking way!"Eddward's brow furrowed as his face continued to deepen in color.

"Once, and it lead to this; obviously I do not think it's wise to duplicate the behavior again." Kevin barked out a laugh.

"Naw, you just shouldn't drink with Eddy. The kid seems like he would take advantage of anyone he could if given the chance." Eddward looked down and said with a huff "That is certainly not true. Eddy is a good person deep down, he is just too insecure for his own good."

There was a long pause before Kevin spoke again.

"Why do you hang out with them, Double D? They seem like they hold you back more than build you up. My coach says you can't have people like that in your life; they'll fuck you up for life, man."

Eddward could not make eye contact, tongue tied by Kevin's words and concerned face. Suddenly he was self conscious of what Kevin's perception of him was evolving into.

As Kevin leaned forward to speak, Eddward could smell the body spray cologne on Kevin's clothing, sending his senses into a fuzzy sensation he was unfamiliar with.

Since when did he find Kevin to be so handsome?

"They're my friends; they always have been, even when no one else was." Kevin leaned closer.

"Honestly dude, I think you would have had more friends growing up if you hadn't stayed stuck to those dorks. You're pretty cool Edd, and you're smart too. Those Eds are just holding you back."

Kevin was too close. Eddward could see the speckles of brown in Kevin's eyes. This was too much. What was he saying?How could he even say things like that to him? Eddy and Ed were his best friends. Kevin knew almost nothing about them.

Why was Eddward feeling so exposed?

Kevin cleared his throat, suddenly backing off of Eddward and looking away and rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

"I mean, you know, just saying is all." Eddward cleared his throat as well.

"Well, thank you for your input Kevin. May we get back to the periodic table?" Kevin groaned as Eddward laid out the textbook's grid in front of them.

"You'll get this Kevin, I know you will."