Winged Cupid Painted Blind Chapter 10 - The Sweet Birds, O, How They Sing!
A/N- Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out, but my little addiction to World of Warcraft has lead me in the pursuit of epic gear along with the frustration at the hands of DPS that think their healer (me) should heal them through the fire they refuse to get out of. But I digress, on to the shenanigans. Warnings: Bullying based on someone's body type, language.
As the spectators filled out of the stands and into the parking lot, Edd made a mad dash toward the school to change out of his marching band uniform. Reaching the band room he quickly switches from the uniform into his street clothes, forgoing modesty in his rush he decides to just change quickly in a secluded corner of the storage room behind some racks. Placing his uniform on its hangers and back on the rack, he then places his instrument in a storage bin so he can pick it up Monday when he returns to school. Changed and free of the cumbersome case he rushes out of the band room and down the hall at a quick pace just below a jog, minding the rules so as not to be stopped by his band teacher who was coming down the hall toward him. "Goodnight Mr. Bruner," Edd said and kept going at his quickened pace barely hearing the reply sent back to him.
Exiting the building he picked up his pace to a jog, making his way in the direction Kevin had told him the car would be parked, reaching his destination he slows down. He spots Nat leaning against the car flirting with Tracy, running his fingers through her long straight black hair as he spoke to her. The smile upon her face and a blush upon her porcelain skin told Edd that she was enjoying the attention he was giving her. Edd had always found Asian American girls to be very pretty and Tracy was no exception to this in her own geeky way, though he was young he understood that you didn't need to be sexually attracted to someone to know that they were beautiful. Kevin on the other hand was awkwardly conversing with Myrtle, he would bring up some topic for discussion and she would give him short quick answers in response. Having been the social outcast most of her short life due to her weight, the acne she got with the onset of puberty and the fact that she wore glasses she was now having a hard time determining why Kevin Barr would be talking to her so the situation made her nervous. Matter of fact the whole idea of going to a party filled with jocks, cheerleaders and the rest of the popular kids at school had her scared, if it wasn't for Tracy getting star struck by Nat they would be on their way back to Tracy's house for that sleep over they had planned earlier that week. But Tracy practically begged her to come once Nat started whispering in her ear, most likely promises he hoped would wiggle her friend out of her pants and that he had no intention of keeping.
Kevin spotting the raven haired boy greats him enthusiastically, then turns to Nat smacking him on the arm with the back of his hand snapping him back into reality, "We're ready to go man," Nat scowls a little at Kevin for having interrupted his moment with Tracy.
He returns his attention to the girl and says something softly to her then bops her on the nose gently with his finger, she smiles and walks to the other side of the car getting in the passenger seat. "All aboard ladies, the love boat soon will be making another run," he sings the last part like the old 80's theme song, then opens the backseat door for Edd and gives him a sly wink as the boy climbs in. Myrtle gets in the back on the passenger side, and as Kevin was climbing in Nat address him playfully, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, stud."
Puckering up his lips Nat began to make a kissing sound while batting his eye's at the boy, Kevin being as much of a joker as his friend grabs him and gives him a quick kiss then gets in the car, "Next time I'll use tongue, asshole."
Nat closes the door and gets into the driver seat, fanning himself with his left hand he says in a very bad southern accent, "Oh dear looord, I's got the vapors." Then he collapses his head between the two front seats right hand to his forehead as though he had fainted dramatically.
Edd, Myrtle and Tracy do their best to hold in a laugh, Kevin just rolls his eyes and pokes his friend in the temple a scowl upon his face, "Come on dude, were going to be late."
Nat opens his eyes and cracks a smile, "Talk to me dirty daddy, you know I like it when you're angry,"
Kevin leans down so his face was six inches from his friends face, "Turn me on anymore with those pouty lips of yours and you might get a mouthful," He kisses the air in front of him then leans back into his seat.
Nat gets back up and starts the car, "Not with that Vienna sausage you won't." Putting the car into drive they head off into the night, exiting the parking lot they take a right onto Peach Creek Drive and head down the strip. Driving past all the fast food restaurants they headed into the country, finding himself between Kevin and Myrtle with no place to put his arms Edd crosses them hoping to stop awkwardly trying to find somewhere to put them. Only to find that he was now brushing his hand against Kevin's well defined biceps, an urge to stroke them with his fingers comes over him but he quickly shakes that thought from his mind. Ten minutes after entering the country they turn into the gravel driveway of Tommy's parents farm, at the right side of the house and positioned slightly behind it stood an old style barn with a blazing bonfire in front of it that was providing light and warmth for the chilly night. Pulling into the designated parking area there were several other cars already there, signaling that a fair amount of people were already here, getting out of the car the five of them made their way over to the fire and the barn filled with talk and loud music.
Tracy like Edd had a ton of courage for this event because of who was accompanying them, Myrtle on the other hand was feeling like the fifth wheel and was sheepishly following the group. Kevin noticing this stops and waits for her to catch up to him then wraps his arm around her, "Come on girl, I got ya," he smiles at her warmly, "Just relax and have fun, they really aren't all that special you know."
She was yet again confused as to why someone as popular as Kevin would be considerate of her feelings, but she had to admit that he helped pull a weight off her shoulders if just a little bit. Walking past the fire they enter the barn, to the right stood a table with an expensive looking multi-tiered home stereo system upon it that had a turn table on the top. On the table to the right of the stereo lay cassette tapes and CD cases, and on the floor standing up in milk crates were several vinyl records, in front of the table a boy from the football team was playing DJ with the assortment of music provided, Currently Jump by The Movement was playing. The barn itself was decently cleaned all things considered and well-lit, in the back of the building was a refreshment table with a variety of 2-liters of soda and bags of chips, along with the usual paper plates and plastic cups placed upon it neatly. Along the walls where several hay bales for the kids to sit upon leaving the middle as a make shift dance floor, which several of their classmates were already making use of in what Edd would personal describe as lacking rhythm or style.
As soon as they had entered the barn Nat had spirited Tracy away to try and play Romeo once again, effectively leaving the three of them to fend for themselves. Kevin directed them to one of the hay bales then excuses himself as well, he turns his head and looks around him quickly but did not see Tommy, finding him would be simpler if Nat hadn't decided to bale on him. Not seeing his objective anywhere in the building he heads outside and turns the corner to find Tommy leaning his back against the side of the barn gazing up at the moon. Hearing Edd laugh on the other side of the wall he knew to keep his voice down, "Hey come on Tommy, she's inside."
"I don't know man, I didn't think I would be this nervous about it," Tommy let out a sigh.
"Shit, I never thought I'd see the day that Tommy's spine would turn into Jell-O over talking to a girl, dude you're the man who can face down a charging linebacker and not flinch." Kevin turns his head to the wall and looks through a crack to see Edd and Myrtle in a lively conversation, "Is it because it's her, or are you always like this?" As far as pep talks go he wasn't sure if tapping into the boy's sense of masculinity was the right call or not.
"It's her, I'm scared at what she'll say."
"What she'll say or what they'll say?" Tommy looks over at Kevin sternly after what he had just said, but his expression faltered.
"Both," If he was being honest he didn't want to be laughed at no matter what, but he couldn't bear the thought of not making that girl laugh, he loved her laugh from the first time he heard it.
"They're not going to matter in seven months, don't kick yourself in the ass later because you didn't take a chance now." Kevin took in a deep breath then let it out slowly as he thought of a solution to this situation that might make them both a little more at ease with each other. "Look, how about I bring her out here and you two can sit and talk, away from prying eyes, and get to know each other."
"Would you do that?"
"Sure, but if you decide to date her, then you do it out in the open, no hiding her or being ashamed of her because she doesn't fit your status in the school." Kevin's expression was one of seriousness and determination, "If you can't do that then tell me now, I will not let you hurt her."
Tommy's face had a serious expression on it as he weighed his options, it didn't take him long to decide that Myrtle meant more to him then some reputation that wouldn't mean anything shortly anyways. "I get what you're saying and I will not hurt her."
"Good man," Kevin pats him on the shoulder a few times, "Wait here, I'll be back in a minute with her."
Shortly after entering the barn he was sidelined by Nazz who with too much excitement in her voice which betrayed her feelings for him and a smile upon her face greeted him, "Hey Kev."
"Hey Nazz," He replies half heartedly, he didn't have time for her puppy love at the moment, he needed to get to Myrtle quickly so Tommy didn't have a chance to chicken out on this again.
She looks over her shoulder in the direction in which he was looking, "Oh, that is so sweet of you to hook the dork up," turning back around she looks him in the eyes, his face was expressing the disbelief he had with the tone in her voice, "They make such the cute couple don't they, if they were seniors this year we might actually have some compotation at prom." Myrtle excuses herself and heads over to the refreshments table.
"First off Nazz, it's not like that, they're not dating." He points over to where Edd was sitting but not paying attention that some girls were headed over to Myrtle, "And secondly I pretty much told you to fuck off about prom." He didn't mean to be so rude to her about this, but something about her tone when she was talking about Edd pissed him off.
Over at the refreshments table Myrtle was busy pouring herself some diet coke and refusing to look at the chips being offered, "Look girls its Myrtle the hurdle." Myrtle instantly stiffened from the cruel nickname Amy had decided to give her as a few girls started to laugh, "Watch out Betty, she might take your had to get those chips." Myrtle looks to her right and sees the aforementioned girl standing next to her with her hand on the table next to the bags of chips.
Myrtle turns to walk away from the bullies, but with a cruel smile upon her face Betty picks up the soda she had left behind, "You forgot your drink Hurdle," and flings it at her drenching her back and staining her white sweater. Tommy had turned the corner just in time to see what had happened, thinking that Kevin was taking too long he had decided to come ask Myrtle to come walk with him. At first he thought his initial fears were justified, but when the girl ran past him sobbing, her tear stained face shattered his heart and his legs ran after her of their own accord.
In the excitement of the situation Kevin had slipped away from the unpleasant conversation he was having with Nazz and takes Edd's wrist in his hand and pulls him from where he was seated and out the door, "Let's get out of this nest of vipers for a moment."
From their perch in the hay loft Nat and Tracy saw what transpired after Myrtle screamed, "I should go get her." Tracy said as she buttoned the top of her shirt up.
"She'll be fine, Tommy's got her, didn't I tell you he was interested."
"Yeah I know that's why you wanted me to convince her to come out here in the first place, but I should…"
He brushes her hair away from her neck silencing her with the contact, "That's not the only reason," then kisses her neck applying a light suction to it, eliciting a soft moan from the girl. The interesting thing that had caught his eye a moment ago was Kevin leading Edd out of the barn by the wrist, "Just a little further to go" he thought to himself.
Kevin leads them around to the side of the barn, stops and slams his fist against the side of the building, softly he speaks while trying to control his temper, "I just don't get people like that anymore." Releasing Edd's wrist, he leans against the wall and slides down it to sit upon the ground, "Why do they have to hurt someone in order to make themselves feel better?"
Edd joins him on the ground, "Maybe they see something in the person they are envious of, and therefore must tarnish it. I don't know really, I'm probably just grasping at straws there."
"You're probably right though, but do you know what really pissed me off the most about that whole thing?" Edd shook his head to signify he did not, "That someone I thought of as a kind person showed me how cruel they could be." The picture of Nazz laughing at Myrtle's expense replayed itself over and over in Kevin's head, he knew she was a better person then that, he could only hope that what he saw was her just getting carried away in the moment. They both sat in silence for a good ten minutes letting Kevin calm down, he has always been at a station within the school that he has never had to confront the outcome of bullying before, but now that there was someone he cared for in his life that suffered from it he was more attuned to its affects and his heart ached for Myrtle. Leaning his head on Edd's shoulder he whispers, "I know I have said it before, but I never want to see you get hurt like that again."
Edd's heart was racing at such intimate contact, sure Eddy and Ed have done something similar in the past, but his heart doesn't yearn for them like it does for the red head. Regardless of how many times he tells himself to keep it on just friendly terms with Kevin his heart keeps finding ways to fall even deeper. "Thank you Kevin, I appreciate that a lot," he rests his head upon Kevin's baseball cap. A moment later he looks up and sees Tommy leading Myrtle into his house, he cocks a brow at this new development but relaxes when a moment later they exit again, Myrtle wearing Tommy's letterman jacket to cover the stain on her back.
They walk by the two boys sitting on the ground and into the barn again, "Looks like they get their happy ending after all," Kevin said with a slight smile on his face, Edd hummed his agreement at that statement. A few moments later Songbird by Fleetwood Mac starts to play. Kevin licks his lips and asks a question that had formed in his mind when Nazz made her statement about Edd looking good together with Myrtle, "So you've never told me, but is there someone you're interested in?"
Edd swallowed the lump in his throat, "Why do you ask," Kevin had not removed his head from his shoulder yet, that coupled with the song had him feeling like cupid was using a mini-gun to shot those arrows tonight.
Kevin's palms were sweating, "Just curious."
Edd's nerves were on edge should he lie and say no, would he push for a name if he answered honestly? "Emmm, Yes there is someone I am interested in."
"So who's the lucky girl?"
"It doesn't matter really, they would never be interested in me." Edd sighed knowing full well that these words were probably true, and the weight of his unrequited love for Kevin threatened to crush him.
"I promise I won't say anything."
"That cow, who does she think she is," Amy's voice could be heard on the other side of the wall.
"Tommy could do so much better," Betty added, "Why he has to make a spectacle of himself and dance with that lard ass is beyond me." Kevin's blood was boiling once again, but instead of escalating the situation by lashing out at those two ignorant children and in turn getting their boyfriends who were on the football team angry at him and thus starting a fight, which would escalate because Nat would get involved, he choose to focus on the good things that were happening in that moment. Peaking through the crack between the boards both he and Edd saw Myrtle and Tommy slow dancing to the music, they were both smiling broadly at the new couple.
"And the songbirds keep singing like they know the score,"
Kevin looks over at Edd, and with a smile upon his face Edd turned and locked eyes with Kevin, the jock could swear that the blue of Edd's eyes would have, in that moment, shamed even the most brilliant of sapphires.
"And I love you, I love you, I love you like never before, like never before, like never before."
A/N- Hope you like this angst filled chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait. Sorry I normally don't write song lyrics into the chapter like this but I wanted those words expressed at those exact moments.