I wiped my foggy mirror to only see my reflection stare back at me. The steam from the shower made my bathroom feel like a sauna, I felt like the wetness came from me sweating and not the shower. Though I prefer this than the weather we're having right now. I checked the time on my phone and it read 7:04 PM. Nazz's party starts at 8:30, so I am a little ahead of schedule. I noticed that I was rushing myself for some reason. I felt panic, my stomach felt light. I feel myself flashback to two days ago when I was with Nazz. I held her close enough to where I could feel her chest rise up from her breathing. Her eyes made me feel so comfortable, so safe like I could say anything to her. Don't get me wrong, I liked Nazz for a long time. Everyone did, but it wasn't something to chase after. Kevin was the only one who really wanted her. It was during the summer of eighth grade where he realized that she was the one. At least that's what he felt.

The sky was clear and was turning into a light orange as the sun set. Johnny threw a barbeque party originally at his house but his parents didn't let him, so we moved it to our middle school's soccer field. No teachers or staff went there during the summer, so anyone can go through. We weren't invited exactly, but Eddy always wanted to be involved with the cul-de-sac. He didn't wanted to be hated, he wanted to liked and to be an enjoyment to others. As we showed up Rolf cooked us burgers, and we all sat in chairs drinking soda. We talked, laughed, and had a good time and was one of the first moments we were actually liked. I walked over to Rolf who was cooking and looked to his left where he saw Nazz and Kevin sitting together on the bleachers.

"Edboy, I think Kevin loves Nazz." he said. I looked at him for a few seconds then looked over his shoulder to see them both talking to each other. They were smiling a lot and looking intently into each others eye.

"Yes, I do believe he does. He always had a soft spot for her, I wouldn't be surprised if they dated." Rolf didn't look at me, he kept his eyes on the burning charcoal. His thoughts seemed clustered, he didn't speak for a while. It's as if he knew something we all didn't. He looked over again and spoke.

"Rolf has known Kevin for many years. I known Nazz for many years, Rolf knows there has been a discretion between the two of them. I am not blind, I can see right through Kevin whenever he speaks."

"I'm sorry Rolf I don't know what you mean? Is there something about Kevin that we don't know?" Rolf smiled as he flipped the burger.

"Edboy, there is always something we keep from our friends. Until we are in a room alone, that is where our true colors show." I looked at him in confusion. He made no sense to me, its as if he was trying to tell me something by not telling me what it is.

"The Edboy seems lost, I explain yes?" Rolf said. I nodded my head slowly.

"Kevin is in love, yes that much is certain. But Nazz's feeling always seem so, how you say, unfinished? She has liked boys before yes, but she never seems to be certain with her feelings, she is too vague. Like as if she doesn't even know herself; an enigma." He flipped more burgers as he spoke. The warmth of the grill flushed my cheeks red, and the smell of burgers flooded the field. I looked over at the two again and they still talked away, having no sense of time. Rolf looked at me with stern eyes.

"Then Kevin comes in and falls for Nazz. The problem Edboy, is that within Kevin there lies a hopeless boy in love. His innocence ignores all consequences and doesn't know the reality of what could happen. I tried to talk to him about it, but the thick-skulled boy is too prideful to talk about his feelings. As well he is too self-destructive, his feelings get the best of him and override his brain. He becomes unpredictable in behavior, too dangerous to himself." he ripped off a part of cooked meat and ate it as he spoke.

"Mentally speaking of course. Those two are a perfect couple yes, but their inner feelings do not mix well, and Rolf cannot bear to see the day those feelings are unleashed." He handed me my burger with a smile. I looked towards the sky as it got darker. I felt the temperature drop around and see the houses turn on their lights. I looked at Rolf who was glowing from the grill's fire. I would have never thought that those two could ever be bad for each other. Their love seem to sway us away from reality. Rolf patted my shoulder with a sigh.

"Let us hope tomorrow Edboy, for today we eat." He called over Kevin for his burger and to join the others. They both walked away from the bleachers and towards us and all I could see was their silhouettes painted in the sky.

A loud knock on the door woke me up from my thoughts. I was still just wearing a towel, and I panicked to get dressed. I didn't know who it could be, everyone is probably getting ready for the party so I wouldn't expect anyone I know. I put on my clothes and rushed to the door. I opened up and a cold breeze swept inside my house. A bunch of snow landed on my floor, and instantly melted. To my surprise it was Kevin. He was wearing his heavy coat with his hoodie covering his entire head. His stance seemed unbalanced, and was swaying back and forth a little. I quickly guided him inside and set him on the chair closest to my fireplace.

"What are you doing here?! You aren't suppose to be out for another two weeks!" I yelled. Kevin took off his hoodie and just sat there speechless. He was breathing hard, I wonder just how he got here in the first place.

"I know, but I could not miss her party. The doctor told me it wasn't a good idea for me to go, but I just can't miss this party." He was holding onto the side of his stomach, where he was stabbed.

"What about your wound? Is it even fully healed?" I asked. He just shrugged and sat up straight.

"It doesn't hurt as much anymore, it's just sore." I held my hands to my head in shock. Kevin isn't

suitable to be even out in this condition, let alone the weather.

"Kevin you need to go back, you're not well enough. You could rip the stitches and reopen the wound." He got up and looked at my Christmas tree. He then checked the clock which read 7:46 PM. He looked back at me calmly and asked

"Can you help me then?" I looked at him disappointingly. The crackle of the fire filled the living room with ambience. I sighed and told him to come up to my room.

I gathered some supplies from my bathroom to help reinforce the wound. I took off the old gauge bandage and put a new one on and wrapped the edges with medical tape. His wound wasn't fully healed, but it was good enough so that he could go. I made sure I disinfected the area as well before going any further.

"You're good to go Kevin." I got up and put the supplies aside.

"Thank you." I nodded and we both headed back downstairs. It was almost 8:30, so we decided to go. We put on our heavy jackets and shoes, and faced the cold. It was still snowing, but it calmed down a bit. We aren't very far, Nazz is just a few houses down but the snow made it a bit difficult to walk. Kevin seemed nervous to see her, I would be too if I were him. I am not sure if she will be happy or mad to see Kevin, considering that he isn't suppose to be out for another two weeks. Kevin walked a bit slower as he tried to get something from his pocket.

"I got her this, do you think she'll like it?" He took out a small box, and inside the box was a necklace. But it wasn't jewelry, I could see it was made out of string and had a small rock that was hanging off of it. I could faintly see a painted face on it, but looks to be smeared and cracked over time.

"What is it?" I asked. We stopped as he looked down on it, inspecting it.

"When Nazz and I were kids, we used to paint faces on rocks. We imagined that they were alive, and use to play with them. We lost a majority of them but this one I found deep inside my closet." Kevin's face seem to reminisce his childhood; the street lamp underneath us made him glow as a cold breeze swept his hair to the side. He held the box tightly in his hands before putting back inside his pocket.

"I really think she'll love that Kevin. She enjoys gifts like that." I assured. I realized that Kevin's real self only showed when Nazz was involved. Before he used to be tough and act like nothing ever hurt him, but I never would have thought he would give such a thoughtful and nostalgic gift. He's changed so much throughout the years, but maybe it wasn't change; maybe he's always been this way but never shown it to others.

We reached Nazz's house and I could see through the covered window the shadows of our friends laughing and walking around. I looked at Kevin and he was frozen in place, his eyes gleaming from the warm lights.

"Come on Kevin it won't be that bad." I said. Kevin glared at me speechless as he took small steps forward. I knocked on the door, hearing footsteps come forth. Kevin hid behind me, and could hear his hard breathing. The door opened and Jimmy appeared. He smiled and gauged the room.

"Guys! It's Double D!" His voice echoed through the large living room and upstairs. I walked inside and instantly felt warmth. The walls were a soft egg-shell color that glowed yellow-orange from the fireplace. The large Christmas tree shined bright and lit the room, while the smell of food flooded the whole house. I took a step forward and realized Kevin was already inside. He looked around in fear, like he were trespassing in a giant's house. I could hear multiple footsteps come from the kitchen and backroom. There Rolf, Eddy, Ed stood frozen. Their surprised faces said it all; they turned to the left, and saw Nazz and Sarah standing at the stairs. Kevin looked up at Nazz with her faces expressionless.

"Happy birthday, Nazz." Kevin said lightly.