Author's Note: This story was inspired by Adele's Someone Like You. This is a KevEdd tale.

He couldn't believe he was doing this. But there it was: Peach Creek City Limits - 10 miles.

He was about 20 minutes from his childhood home. He left the day after they all graduated from high school. He was going to MIT and wanted to get to Cambridge as soon as possible. Leave the past behind and start fresh. He kept in contact with his friends through Facebook, Skype, texts and the occasional phone call.

15 years later, and Eddy had pulled off the impossible. He now owned the candy store they spent so many summer days salivating at the bit to get into. Occiasionally, they did. Especially after they all got jobs in high school, but Eddy was more inclined to spend his money on dates when he could get them, Ed on more comics and Double D was saving for the future.

That future ended up being an alright one. It was perfect as far as his friends were concerned. Great job teaching and doing research at one of the country's most premier universities in a happening town in New England. But for Edd, it was just another stop on his life's plan. And right now, he's feeling stuck in a rut. So why not go back to where all his ruts began? Plus, he had to see if Eddy had actually made himself a legit business owner.

And Eddy was a legit business owner. The previous owner, who had hired Eddy when they were in high school, taught him the business and Eddy actually paid attention. So when the old man retired, Eddy got the store. One of the first things he did was expand the store to include ice cream, gelato, frozen custard, cakes, cookies, pies and donuts. He would then offer the space up for rent for birthday parties. And parents came in by the droves. Lemon Brook parents had to pay a near 20% premium to get the space, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

But Eddy, being Eddy, liked free labor and had really only asked Double D to come for a visit so he could help him with hosting one of the store's biggest birthday parties to date. And Edd walked out of the store when he figured out what was going on.

As he was headed up the street, he nearly ran into someone on the sidewalk.

"Sorry, man," said a gruff voice that haunted his mind for the better part of the last 15 years.

Kevin.

Edd gasped.

"K-Kevin?"

Panicked blue met shocked green.

"H-Hey, Edd."

Edd swallowed hard. He rarely called him by his name. And a thousand emotions and feelings came rushing back. They spent junior and senior year of high school hiding who they were from the world. It started with Edd giving Kevin a lift from the grocery store because his bike was acting up. Once Kevin got the bike home, he asked Edd for help because Edd seemed to have an idea as to what may have been wrong with it. Edd was right and got a celebratory spin on the beast when they were done.

One bike ride turned into a ride every Sunday morning that summer before junior year. Bike rides turned into video games and movie nights. By homecoming, they were both in something with each other. They blew off half the dance and went back to Edd's for Netflix and whatever the night brought them. By Christmas, Edd was in love. But Kevin was too big, bad and popular to come out.

So they hid with plans to come out at graduation. But Edd knew better. He left the next morning, changed his dating preferences on Facebook and was suddenly out to his friends, family and whoever else came across his profile on the social media site. Kevin unfriended him 20 minutes later. So Edd moved on.

At least he thought he did. And here he was, feeling 17 again, because he saw his first love for the first time in 15 years. He took a breath and steeled himself against the tsunami that was taking place in his soul.

"How are you, Kevin?"

Kevin sighed. Edd knew that look in his eyes. He saw it nearly everyday for 2 years. Longing with pride fighting for its place on the image he presented to the world.

"I'm good. Wha-What are you doing here?"

"Came to see if Eddy really did it."

"He did. I gotta talk to him. Nazz wants KJ to have his fifth birthday here."

Edd's eyes went wide. So it was true! Kevin had started dating Nazz after high school. Eddy was pissed. He knew that Kevin and Edd were dating and if they came out, that meant that Eddy could swoop in and steal away Kevin's best girl. But Edd left, Kevin started dating Nazz, married her and now they have Kevin, Jr.

Kevin gave an apologetic shrug, same sad look in his eyes. Edd gave a small smile and shook his head.

"Well, I hope the little one has a great birthday. Tell Eddy that I said to be nice to you," Edd said with a knowing nod.

Kevin smiled that devastingly handsome smile of his that used to light up Edd's world.

"Thanks, Edd," he said, sighing with relief.

"No problem, Kevin," Edd said patting him on the shoulder as he walked away.

He called Eddy when he got out of Kevin's earshot.

"Sup, Sockhead? I'm in the middle of something."

"I think I'll be able to help with that party, Eddy."

"No shit?!"

"No shit."

"Awww, you swore!"

Edd just rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh.

"What time should I be there, Eddy?"

"Shoot for 2. The party is supposed to start at 3, but we gotta set up first."

"Ok, I'll be there at 2."

"What's this about I gotta be nice to Kevin?"

"Goodbye, Eddy."

Edd didn't show up til 330. He had to visit his parents at the hospital. At least that's what he told Eddy. He had no plans to work the party. But he had plenty of plans of ways to let Kevin know what he was not off the hook for lying about himself and them for the last 15 years.

When he walked into the candy store, Ed was dressed as a clown, playing with the sugared up kids. Marie was painting the kids faces to look like base and baseketballs or tigers and fairy wings. She cocked a brow and eyed him with disinterest. She knew his secret in high school, but when he came out on Facebook, she snuffed out the torch she carried for him from jr high. His return was just another slap in the face of their "what could of been," but she had moved on.

"Let it go, D," she said, when she took a break and joined him at the ice cream counter.

"Marie, you and I both know that that's not going to happen."

"Why not, Edd?"

"I hate liars. If he told the truth, then maybe I could."

"Oh, Double D," she said as she drew him into a hug, "you gotta let go before it kills you. It's been 15 years."

Edd wanted to cry. He knew she was right, but he had a point to make.

Kevin avoided him the entire party. Nazz barely had a moment to say hello before her strawberry blond, bundle of energy drug her away to the candy stations that were set up around the room.

After taking the chaotic scene in for about an hour or so, he decided to take his leave. He was half way up the street, when he felt someone following him. He took a breath and turned around.

"Hello, Nazz."

"Why are you here, Edd?," she asked coldly.

"Came to see if Eddy really did it."

"Uh huh."

"You should get back to your son's birthday party."

And with that, Edd walked away.

Later that night, a knock came to his parent's front door. He knew who it was before he stood up to answer the door.

"Hello, Kevin."

"Hey. Can I come in?"

"No."

"Edd."

"No, Kevin."

"Why not?!"

"You lied to me, Kevin."

"C'mon, Edd. Everyone knew."

"Assuming gets you nowhere. You should get home to your wife and son."

When Edd closed the front door, he set Kevin free. He had always thought that he'd never get over Kevin because there was no one like Kevin.

But did he really want someone who drug their feet, lied and was more worried about other people's opinions then the person by their side? No. No, he didn't.

He wouldn't be replacing Kevin's place in his heart and life. He'd find someone and something better.

And he did.