Nat and Kevin having heard the story before because they lived it, were now even more curious as to why Edd was at this lunch upon seeing his reaction to her story. His affection for Princess meant they obviously had a deep connection.
"So, Princess, how'd you know Edd?," Kevin asked as nonchalantly as he could. Stuffing his face with tacos helped him seem more aloof than he was feeling. How'd the nerd know Princess?!
Double D was a bit surprised at Kevin's use of the societal given nickname to his given name. But he knew it was only because Princess didn't tolerate name calling. Nat had a tendency to tap dance on that line, but Nat was like that about just about everything. Most of Kevin's nicknames for Edd wouldn't have gone over too well with her.
"Edd's parents and my dads are in a few of the same professional networking groups. We'd hang out at the family events. We've also taken a few foreign language and fine arts classes together," Princess said simply. "Edd has helped me sort through a lot of my emotional stuff these past 5 years or so. He's a great friend."
Double D took a second to let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding since Kevin asked Princess his question. She had kept her promise to keep his secrets. What Princess didn't say was that she and Edd had met in the same group therapy class for social anxiety. Princess was there to deal with her rape trauma. Edd was there because his OCD had taken its toll on his relationship with his parents and they were afraid that it'd take its toll on his interactions with friends and classmates as well. They just wanted to fix the problem so they could still present the image of a perfect child to the world. They'd never admit that if they had spent more time engaging with their son, he probably wouldn't have needed therapy in the first place. Princess was convinced that it'd help him to have chosen better friends as well. Like, Kevin. She knew about his shenanigans with his other Ed named friends. She also saw how awkward he was with other "normal" kids. Having engaged parents would have done wonders for him.
Her answer seemed to satisfy Kevin. As did his sixth taco. Kevin knew Double D's parents were Drs and that they could afford to give him the same sort of social networking classes Princess participated in. That whole shebang was right up the nerd's alley. And he knew he was a good friend. Now Kevin was left to wonder how the Jackson family's Italian chef made such great street tacos. But Nat had a question.
"So, Kev, how do you knowDouble Delectable here?," Nat asked, playfully wiggling his eyebrows at Edd then a flustered Kevin.
Edd turned a particularly dark shade of red at the name Nat called him and quickly pulled his beanie down to shield what little blush he could hide underneath it.
"Nat!," Princess snapped, shooting him her best, don't you even dare look.
"What?! He's cute!"
"Be that as it may," Princess replied, "That is no need to shamelessly flirt with and embarrass the boy!"
"Nat, Edd is my neighbor. I've known him since he was six. Stop it," Kevin said giving his best friend his best, shut the fuck up glare.
Judging by the look on Kevin's face, Princess and Nat were quickly realizing that Kevin was slowly loosing grip on his own secret. They both knew Kevin had a new crush and that it was on a boy. Only Princess knew it was a neighbor. Kevin and Princess then quickly saw that said crush was holding Princess' hand. Not that she minded, Edd was her friend. But she had made a promise to Kevin to help him get the heart of the one who was slowly stealing his. And Princess always kept her promises.
Nat was no dummy. A quick glance at his couch mates was all he needed to figure out what had set his childhood friends sputtering. Usually they let him be. But this raven haired beauty before him had to be pretty damned special for them to want him to tone it down. And for them he would. Just a little bit. Maybe.
"I'm sorry, Edd," he said, "I didn't mean to embarrass you. But I calls them like I sees them and you're absolutely adorkable."
Edd raised his hat back to its usual position and cocked a brow. Kevin's heart melted. Damn if the kid didn't look all sorts of cute and sassy.
"Nathan, is that even a word?," Edd asked, voice dripping with sass and a smirk playing on his lips.
Nat looked over his Dr Pepper at him. Oh, this kid. He likes him. He'd be all over him if Kevin hadn't threatened to destroy him with a glance. C'ést la vie.
"It is, and you're it," Nat said matter of factly, tipping his drink in Edd's general direction. "And call me Nat!"
"We just met!," Double D exclaimed, ignoring Nat's claims of his adorkableness. "But, I'll consider it."
Nathan was just a little too forward to people he just met for Edd's taste. But considering what he had learned about him this afternoon, he knew that he was a good person. Even if he was a bit of a peacock.
"That's all I ask," Nat said, giving Edd a sly grin, thus making Edd blush again.
"No, it's not, you greedy bastard!," Kevin said, throwing his napkin at him. Nat ducked, giggled and flicked it back. Edd grimaced at them both. That napkin belonged in the trash, not being tossed about Princess' pristine living room.
"Greedy?," Edd managed to ask.
"Kevin thinks my being pansexual means I'm greedy. He's just jealous that I don't want his bum," Nat answered, giving Kevin a flirtatious wink and kissy face.
Edd blanched at Nat's comment and body language. Could he be anymore forward?! Kevin just chucked his empty Mt Dew can at Nat's head.
"Alright, boys!," Princess yelled, trying to reign in the horseplay. "I have one more thing to discuss with you."
The boys immediately snapped their eyes on her.
"When school starts, people are going to talk. I am begging you to do your best to not engage in it."
She threw up a hand to silence their protests.
"I know it'll be tough, but this is my story to tell. If you engage in the hoopla, you'll have to come clean of your own secrets."
The boys clammed up. They weren't ready to come clean. Not yet. And she knew it.
Noting by their expressions that she gotten through to them, she said, "Excellent. Now clean up. Kev, Nat, I don't want you to be late to your evening practice so y'all need to get going. Edd, can you hang for a bit?"
Edd answered in the affirmative an the three boys helped her clean up their lunch mess and Kevin and Nat headed out with hugs, friendly kisses and promises to hang out later.
Once they were gone, she turned to Edd with a knowing look and said, "Looks like you and I need to chat."
