AN:
Sorry this is late... there was a death in the family...
I didn't feel like writing much or editing so I just kind of slacked. Still not feeling up to much but I am actually done with the next chapter just haven't went through it for all the mistakes. I think I went through this one.
Anyways, I did switch from being in the main POV of KEvin to Edd's again... I needed a break from the red-head for a moment.
Please read and review.
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The next 4 weeks came and went in the blink of an eye, making the end of the first nine weeks draw closer. Football tryouts happened in several stages during one frantic week and Kevin was able to go to each even with his tutoring sessions. Due to the size of the school and the number of students that tried out for the football team the coach always held multiple tryouts throughout the week, eliminating students at the end of each day based on their performance or if they missed a tryout they were out, dedication was key. By the end of that week, Kevin couldn't help but have a small smile when he saw his name on the final list of players for Peach Creek Consolidated High School's football team. He wasn't all that shocked he made the team, but at the same time was always proud that he did. It took a lot of skill and dedication to be on any of the sports teams at this school, he was a little shocked to see that Ed had made the team but was glad, that guy was like a tank and the team could really use the lug-head. Rolf, too, had made the team, adding to the muscle of the squad and to Kevin's prideful feeling, knowing this was his friends last time to play the sport in high school. Though Rolf was not worried about scouts and scholarship, since after school he had no plans other than to take over full control and of the family farm business, it was still going to be great playing with the odd speaking male. Being an A-list jock at PCCHS had its perks and one was bragging rights that you were the best of the best. That's why when he saw Edd's name on the list for cross country he felt proud for him as well, even felt a little proud that Lily had made that team as well and the cheer team. Nazz, of course, made the volleyball team, but was also named co-captain, even though she was only a junior and Kevin was incredibly proud of his blonde-haired friend.
Kevin's crush on the raven-haired dork did not seem to be going away either, though he had hoped it would of by now. Things had been progressing well on that front, no one bat an eye at all anymore to see the two talking to each other in the halls of the school and outside of school the friendship was even stronger and at least once or twice a week when they found the time the two males would go off on a run together to condition for their sport. Kevin enjoyed the times when it was just the two of them, since most of the other times Lily or Nazz was there by their sides being all types of crazy. Kevin wondered about his blonde-haired friend and her new friendship with the crazy giggly French speaking girl. He still could not understand the reasoning Nazz would want Lily around all the time, she was too hyper to the point it was irritating at times though as time went on he was able to just accept that she was there to stay.
The tutoring sessions were less than helpful, basically Simon would tell Kevin what he had wrong on his notes, or homework but never explain why or how to fix it. It was incredibly frustrating and since sports were starting to take full swing it gave him less time to even buckle down and focus on keeping up his grades. It all was becoming incredibly stressful to the red-haired teen but he did his best day to day to keep up his front of the typical jock bravado. Only those that were close to him could see the small cracks forming in his armor.
Today was Friday, there was an away game and the school was in supportive spirit for their football team so the day had been going great, that is until 8th period. Kevin just looked at the paper he had been handed by Ms. Philly, and let it sink in. It was his mid-term, and it wasn't good. Emerald eyes just glanced at the paper blankly as the jock began to walk towards the gym locker room to change for the end of the day. Kevin was actually faring well in nearly all but 3 of his classes. In French, he was only a few points short of a C so ended up with a D, math he wasn't too surprised to see he had a D in as well but Chemistry, he was a bit irritated at as having a D as well. Even with the group work Mr. Murphy did assign there was more than enough individual work that his grade was suffering, and it didn't help that he was always distracted by Edd in that class.
Kevin put in the lock combination that Edd had finally shared with him when it became apparent that there would be no need for Kevin to get his own locker, since the two could get along. First thing he did was grab his red-cap and make sure it was securely on his head, it was his comfort, and then he began to change into his afterschool clothes, not caring to shower since he had a game later and he hadn't even broken a sweat today in gym class, all they did was play badminton. If these grades kept up the jock knew he would be booted from the sports teams. He had told himself this entire time that he was smart enough to handle all of this, smart enough he would pull through, smart enough to pass even without his tutor's help. Apparently, he wasn't.
No, and though these were only mid-terms he could already feel the dread of knowing he only had a short while to get these grades up, to focus, to stop goofing off if he wanted out of this Hell hole! His only way out was sports, and so if he lost those, then what? He was not even smart enough for high school apparently and so an academic scholarship was out of the question! Kevin could not think of that right now, no there were too many people coming into get changed and too many eyes that would see his mental despair, so he kept his features blank as he finished getting dressed, shoving the offending paper into his pocket as he grabbed his bag and closed the locker, not locking it since Double-D would need in it. Kevin turned to leave, and found curious blue eyes on him, and as his own emerald met them, he was a bit jealous at how the other never had to face these type of problems, never had to doubt his own intelligence, sexuality and social status, all of which was making Kevin just want to run.
~0~0~Edd's POV~0~0~
Sapphire eyes had watched it all, from the moment Kevin saw his mid-term paper, to where he became a robot who just stalked to the locker room without emotion. Double-D was not completely in the know of Kevin's whole situation but he did know the other was being tutored to keep his grades up to stay on his beloved sports teams. In Edd's mind there was no shame in that, asking for help took strength because it meant you could admit your faults. After getting his own mid-term from the kindly plump gym teacher he went after the other male, not even caring to glance at his grades, knowing already he was passing all his classes. As Edd found Kevin in the locker room he bit his lip, watching the other male finish getting changed. Blue eyes tried not to stare but today, with Kevin's body posture it seemed to emphasize the hards and softs of his physique. Normally, when Edd would find himself glancing at the other's build he only saw the hard lines of muscle not the soft roundness of slumped shoulders, or how his neck smoothly lead to that defined but not too solid looking chest that seemed more narrow at the moment. Edd bit his lip and wondered how many times he had seen the other without a shirt to know such subtle body language, Kevin was showing the signs of defeat even if his face was masked as indifferent.
As the red-haired teen finished changing and closed their locker, Edd couldn't help but notice the hostile way he shoved the mid-term paper in his pocket, giving the last bit of information needed. When Kevin turned, Double-D kept his eyes on him, not caring if he was caught staring, he was worried about his friend. Yes, Kevin Barr was now Eddward Vincent's friend, as odd as it seemed and as unbelieving as Eddy seemed to think it to be, it was true. Double-D wondered how it came to be he had gained new friends this year when he had wanted nothing more than to keep in the shadows and run.
With emerald eyes on him though, Edd couldn't think what to say, he opened his mouth to speak but closed it again as he drew a blank. Were they even good enough friends for him to care this much that the other seemed so upset? A moment of awkward silence passed between them as more students filed into the locker room and Kevin just shrugged before moving pass him, ignoring as he tried to find words to say something. Double-D bit his lip again as he watched the back of his friend, before he turned out of view.
'That could have gone better.' Edd thought with a sigh as he went to the locker, grabbed his stuff and proceeded to the showers to clean himself before the bell would ring. Maybe he would try again after gathering his thoughts during his shower. Usually he thought best while showering anyways and possibly could come up with something to say to the upset football star.
When he found himself cleaned, fully dressed, and presentable, Double-D made his way out of the locker room and looked for his ginger friend. The bell had not rung yet and so that meant that Kevin should still be in the gym waiting for the bell and the sequential evening announcements. As he crossed the gym to the exit, Edd did finally spot the other, talking to a very animated Nazz. Well talking would not be the right word, seeing as how Nazz was doing all the speaking, it looked like Kevin was just giving short verbal answers or responding with a shrug of his shoulders. Eddward felt a twang in his chest at realizing Nazz would have been the logical place for Kevin to put his trust for support, and not himself. Startled that he would want Kevin to speak to him with such confidence, to seek him out for support, Edd bit his lip again in mild disbelief and frustration. The idea was a bit odd and the raven-haired teen shook his head to get it away as he approached the other member of their foursome group, Lily, putting the feeling down as just wanting to be there for his friend, especially since the friendship was so new. Lily was close but not in the conversation, it seemed as he came to stand beside her that she had not let this stop her from eavesdropping.
Before he could speak she was already filling him in, even though he had not asked. "What I gather is that Kev's midterm isn't that great, and he will be benched or worse if he does not improve his grades." She whispered linking one of her arms with Double-D's in an intimate style that made Edd always feel like a weird gentleman of sorts.
Blue eyes went back to the red-haired teen, getting bits and pieces as Nazz's voice would rise and fall. Now he understood, Kevin was all about his sports and to be benched or kicked from the team would mean failure in the jocks eyes. "I thought he had a tutor?" He said absentmindedly.
Lily nodded. "Yeah, but seems like he doesn't like Kev and no one else would tutor him." She said taking a glance in the direction of their friends. "I don't know why though." She added.
The raven-hair teen knew though. "He was a bully that used his fist." He whispered out diverting his eyes as memories flooded back to him, he twisted his watch on his wrist a couple of times out of habit. Memories of being chased down, yelled at, and pounded with fist by a young angry Kevin made him nervous for so many different reasons. Those were the good times, when it was just Kevin and not all the goons during the school years.
Brown eyes watched her friend carefully, seeing his nervous habit for what it was. She nudged into him gently to pull him from his thoughts, smiling kindly. "The key word is "was" because I have not seen that side of him at all this year. In fact, I only seem to see a really nice guy who has been working hard to be your friend and putting up with me and my craziness." She said with a sing song voice and poking Edd's nose, making him wrinkle it.
This was true though, this year it seemed Kevin was not hostile at all towards him but friendly, and though at first, he thought it was an attempt at having him as a tutor or homework lackey, the red-head had never asked for his assistance, only his friendship. Then he thought it was to get with Lily, but Kevin had dismissed that fact afterwards too. Blue eyes looked back to the jocks who were still talking quietly as the bell rang and the announcements began.
Emerald eyes looked up to meet with his own blue and again Edd felt the desire to comfort the other, but did not know how. Double-D heard none of the announcements and barely even registered when they had ended, as he kept eye contact with the football star the entire time trying to figure out these complex feelings, though they could be explained rationally it was harder to deal with them as such. Kevin's eyes seemed so deep today with miserable emotions. It was funny because Edd had found himself looking and watching those same sad emeralds lately, they were always fascinating to Edd, with their brilliant green shade that seemed so expressive and withholding at the same time. It was Lily pulling on his arm to move that made him realize that the rest of the school was in motion. Forcing himself to look away and move, Double-D made up his mind as he passed a defeated looking football star, he was going to help any way possible.
The runner walked with his arm still linked with Lily's as they made their way down the school hall. He dropped her off at her locker with a plan to meet up later that weekend. Double-D went to his own locker and quickly grabbed his stuff, glad he did not have to go to Mr. Murphy's room after school today. No that was done, for the most part but now the brawny teacher was asking for his assistance again though to go through more lab equipment and chemicals now, maybe even with grading all the papers, but not until after cross country finished. After gathering all his things from his locker and putting them into his bag, he took a deep breath in through his nose counted to five and then let it slowly out through his mouth. There was no cross country on Fridays, in fact they already ran yesterday, so he had time as he moved towards the A.V club knowing that they did meet on Fridays after school.
Once at the door that lead to the A.V club Double-D gathered himself with another breath and calmed his nerves, knowing what he had to do. Edd opened the door, not caring to knock, his face hard as steel. Eyes turned to him as only a few members were there, one being their designated president, Simon Crawford. Blue eyes met dark and the two teens squared off. Edd knew among his more intellectual group of nerds, dorks and geeks that he himself, was a slight oddity and times like this he used it to his advantage. "Discussion, now." He said in his coldest, most jock like voice he could muster, moving to gesture for the other to exit the room. Double-D did not like to play this part and did not play it often, he usually treated everyone with respect and friendliness but he knew Simon and knew that would not work here.
The dark-skinned teen raised and brow before grinning. "Anything you wish to say, you can say here, Eddward." Said Simon with his nasally voice as he pushed his thick rimmed glasses up farther on his nose. The nerd used his true name, knowing full well no one ever called him that except some teachers, who Edd saw with higher authority and respect.
Edd nodded seeing the ploy here easily, by staying in the room Simon kept his followers nearby if needing them to defend him. With that idea Double-D looked around the room to see the nerds watching him carefully as they moved some equipment around the area. None of them looked too threatening and Edd knew even if it came to that they did not have the true courage, he knew because he was like them. Keeping his cool as his eyes made their way back to Simon, Edd let the door close behind him, fixed his sock-like hat on top of his head and stalked into the room, making a few of the freshman A.V members look a little panicked as they fiddled with cameras and other equipment. For all they knew, this was a jock; he sat with the jocks at lunch and looked the part easily enough so they were more fearful than those who knew of Double-D's true past of being the schools biggest dork. Edd was thankful that he wasn't wearing any of his dorky outfits today, in fact the shirt he had on was well fitted and showed that he may not be muscled up like other jocks but he wasn't frail like Simon either.
Double-D moved in front of Simon, coming about even in height with the other male, and grinned widely at him as he leaned back, sitting on the desk behind him and crossed his arms. There was a long drawn out silence as both just looked the other over as more A.V club members popped into the room. Simon scowled. "Well? I have a club to run what do YOU want, Eddward?" He finally huffed breaking the silence.
"I want to know what the Hell you are thinking getting the jocks pissed at the A.V club?" Edd said loud enough for the others to hear, even the ones who were just walking in. "Especially, the football team, baseball team, wrestling team and possibly even the basketball team?" He added for affect. The club members murmured amongst themselves before looking at Simon carefully with worried eyes.
The dark-skinned male frowned and held a hand to hush and calm his followers. "What are you talking about?" He said looking the poser up and down, not at all caring for Edd coming into his area and acting the tough man.
"I'm talking about you, being a poor excuse for a human being, tutor and well basically a man of intelligence." Double-D said with the cockiest smirk he could muster. The sooner he got this over with the better, he hated playing this part, it made his skin crawl and stomach turn because he knew what it was like being the on the receiving end of a jocks deadly glare or condensing smirk.
Simon thought for a moment, not cracking under Edd's cold blue gaze before grinning and crossing his arms himself, fixing his glasses once more. "You are talking about Kevin Barr?" He said with a grin and laughter in his voice. "That is right. Mid-terms were handed out today, tell me, did he come to you crying for help? To seek me out? To plead his case? To beg us, of above average intelligence, to save his miserable self so he could continue playing in precious sports?" the A.V President laughed out grinning proudly with a glint in his eyes and Edd evens saw a few of the other A.V club members grinning realizing what all this was about. "Kevin Barr truly must not have a brain if he sent YOU, of all people to speak on his behalf." He chuckled with a grin. "Or maybe it is you who is lacking an intellect?"
The A.V. club members were in a fuss again waiting for Edd's reply. The blue-eyed teen chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Nope," He said popping the 'p' sound knowing it annoyed the other male, or at least it did back when they were lab partners and sort of friends. Simon's eyes narrowed but said nothing. "He did not send me. In fact, he hasn't complained or told the others, yet." He pointed out humming to himself. "The only reason I know is because well let's face it, what don't I know?" He said once again acting all cockily like the jock bravado he was putting on.
Dark eyes glared at the cocky acting "jock" in front of them. "I can think of plenty things you are not privy too!" the nerd spat but then grinned, once again readjusting his glasses. "Like the fact, I'm not scared of you, nor am I buying into this whole miscreant persona thing." He said gesturing to the other saying it loud enough the club members could hear. Edd took notice, he was surrounded by them now, none even pretended to be working as they watched the show with mild horror and curiosity, some still holding the A.V club equipment though as they froze to their spots to watch. "As for Kevin Barr, he is my tutee, and I do provide assistance to him. It is not my fault if he has the brains of a rock." Simon snorted and Edd felt his insides turn at the noise and his irritation grow. He most certainly did not like Simon running his friend down.
With a heavy sigh to calm himself, the raven-haired teen smiled sweetly, before reaching out and grabbing Simon by the shirt collar roughly pulling him close. "Listen here, this is what I know, Crawford" He began in a dark voice, narrowing his eyes at the fidgeting male in his grasp. "I know the game you are playing, it is not hard to figure out even a simpleton could grasp it. The thing you do not seem to get is I'm about to change the game." Edd said glaring at the other male who held his gaze, and though Simon said he was not frightened, Edd swore he saw the fear seeping into those dark brown eyes as he was handled roughly. The A.V club members made no move to help their President, some even took steps back so not to be next in line for the "jocks" wrath.
"See, I get it. You think you are smart, providing the tiniest amount of assistance in helping Kevin Barr. As a revenge for ALL those who have wronged you, in hopes to send a message. You even think you are protected because if you are beaten up then, Hell, no one else will help him, right? So, you have the jocks at a standstill." Edd said darkly, spelling out the plan he figured the other was doing, knowing how others worked. He let go of Simon, who scurried back and brushed off his shirt, he opened his mouth to retort but Edd just shushed him. "No, see that plan is bull and is NEVER going to work. In fact, I see a lot of troubling shit in your future." He said with a dramatic sigh waving his hand around absentmindedly and he leaned off the desk and walked around the other to the chalk board in behind, picking up a piece of chalk and correcting the math that was on the board, it had been bothering him since he walked into the room.
"W-Why do you say that?" Simon coughed out when he realized he was being given the chance to speak. "If the jocks do anything, one of their favorite players gets booted off the team, none of them can tutor him. Kevin Barr will fail and it will be his own fault, his own karma coming to haunt him. Or have you forgot what it is like for life to be fair or there to be justice? This is a just case and you know it!" The dark-skinned teen nodded and the A.V Club murmured nodding with him.
Blue eyes turned back to the other teen, and were dark and deadly cold. "Do NOT talk to me about what is just or fair!" He spat out in a near growl making the whole group of nerd's flinch, some even cowered, even Simon was looking uneasy if not guilty. Edd barked out a laugh at their reaction, he needed to end this now before things did get out of hand. There was no way he was going to go relive his past with this group, no way he would let Simon draw him into that mess once again, and no way he would ever escape, no matter how much he ran from it.
"Your plan won't work, because you forgot something," He said eyes going back to looking at the board satisfied with his corrections before turning and throwing the chalk at Simon who, fumbling, caught it. Watching the runner with wide brown eyes as he made his way back, heading towards the door, Simon was obviously thinking through his plan to find the flaw the other mentioned. Eddward stopped before looking back grinning darkly at the other. "You forgot, I am smarter than you." He laughed, leaning against the door frame watching the look of disgust that lit up Simon's face. "I will spell it out for you, Crawford." He mused from across the room, making it loud enough for all to hear, even those cowering in the back. "See, I might be a "jock" but we both know I am a sheep in wolves clothing. My intellect is impressive and though I have hidden it well enough to blend and keep my camouflage up for protection, the moment I come in and save their precious Kevin Barr, from failing and losing his ability to play sports, my position will be secure and I will be fine until graduation." Edd shrugged nonchalantly meeting Simon's terrified gaze. "Which leaves you open to the attack. You and your associates," he gestured around the room with his hand grinning wickedly. "Will be sitting ducks. No protection of any sort, and with a bunch of teams mad that you had the nerve to step out of line and try and trample one of their own." Edd could see the panic setting into some of their faces and Simon just stared at him, mouth opening and closing as though he was trying to say anything at all to counter. Double-D felt sick though, not triumphant. He knew he was playing this part too well, and knew that people would be fearful of him, something he never wanted.
"B-but, you aren't on the tutor page this year! It has to be a school approved tutor." Simon said fumbling as he took in the "jocks" expression.
Double-D laughed and rolled his eyes. "That won't matter, if I was able to get Ed on the football team, the principal will gladly let me take over your failed tutoring attempt. I've tutored before back in freshmen year, to a group of seniors no less." The dork shrugged reaching up to fix his hat. "So, have a wonderful life, Crawford, and I do hope YOUR karma catches up with you." He grinned turning to exit the room.
"Once you show them you are a dork, they will never accept you again! It will go right back to the way it was! How could you even forgive them for that, for what they did to us, too you!?" Simon called out, anger on his face.
Edd stopped with his hand on the door handle, shaking his head. He didn't want to pretend anymore but he once again turned dark eyes towards the dark-skinned male. "I never said I forgave anything, nor have I forgot either. I just know it is easier to be in their good graces." He said calmly before grinning. "Plus, once I've saved Kevin Barr from utter failure, I will have him and the others wrapped around my little finger, and then I can use it to MY advantage if not possible revenge." Double-D mused and the A.V club members looks both distraught and amazed. "Unlike you, my plans do not fail." He grinned happy with their reaction. "Though I should thank you for setting up such a wonderful opportunity for me. I am glad that after all this time you can still be useful." Edd added to give insult to injury, before opening the door to leave. The group of nerds standing there mouth wide open.
The raven-haired teen let the door close behind him and felt his stomach twist in knots. It had been a long time since he had to act the part of "jock" and nearly bully fellow intellect. It was not his style and he got by with not doing such things if he stayed away from his fellow jocks, but now with being thrown into the mix as Kevin's friend he felt he had to do something, and though he knew it was wrong he hoped that the intimidation strategy he just laid down would hold. Double-D was a little surprised at himself at holding it all together when his past was brought up, a past he wished to forget and never speak of again though he knew some scars would never fade. As his stomach went into more knots he made his way away from the A.V club door. Fiddling with his bracelet and watch nervously he hoped he could hold onto his strength long enough to finish with his plan. 'One day my own karma will catch up to me too.' He though miserably already feeling the large amount of guilt starting to creep in from playing the role of bullying jock.
Double-D made it down the empty hall to his next stop, the office. Though outside the door he paused to cool his features, heart aching from his terrible behavior but he had no time for regret now, no he had to speak with the principal and the sooner the better. Readjusting his hat on his head and fiddling with his bracelets and watch he took a calming breath, back to his normal self and entered the office, greeting the secretary with a kind smile. "Salutations! I wish to speak briefly with the principal." Edd's voice was cheerful and polite, as always of course.
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Also that is about as close as I get to reserve Edd or whatever its called. Its all fake confidence and Edd is just a dork with a good heart trying to live in a savage world.
Anyways, again sorry for it being late.
Thank you to my most dedicated readers for following me and leaving such wonderful reviews!
XoXo,
Revolution
