The room was hot, though the windows were wide open. The moons light easily able to illuminate the entire room, even reaching the smallest of cracks. Though there was another source of light beaming strong and bright, it was the screen from his phone. It nearly blinded the ginger when he had woken up at 3 in the morning unable to sleep. After failed attempts to fall back asleep he finally surrendered to insomnia deciding to scroll through Facebook seeing his "friends" post pictures of their fun summer adventures. He hoped he'd have some fun during this summer, though it was a bummer that Nazz wasn't around and well, all the mystery with the party and Ed and Eddward's secrecy was hard for little Kevin to fully enjoy himself. His birthday was right around the corner, he was going to turn 17 officially one year left before he'd become an adult under law, with all the adult responsibilities, and no way in hell was he close to being ready for any of it. What he was ready for however was getting the hell out of town.

He scrolled through his contacts and stopped at the letter E feeling a rush of suffocating emotions run through him, though maybe it was the hot air trapped in the small room. He had planned on sending the raven haired boy a message the night after his hang out with Ed, however, because of circumstances he had decided to give him the silent treatment for the time being. It had been a couple days now, and he had yet to figure his thoughts out or some way of conveying his questions and emotions out to the other without yelling. There have been too much anger and yelling in recent times in his opinion, and the thought tired him out. Besides after a couple of days to cool down he began to clearly analyze some things. One Eddward would obviously not respond well if he approached in a violent manner, and most likely either close up or avoid answering by lying more and well that wasn't going to get him anywhere. And two, there was a reason for everything, a reason why the swimmer had lied about it. Eddward had told him that Ed had been there, which made no sense because that would mean that Kevin had easy access to the potential truth. So in other words, Eddward had lied knowing fully well Kevin was going to find out the truth any way. The questions that needed to be answered now were why had he lied? Why the fight had broken out among everyone in that party and why was there no scandal about it? Lastly, why was Ed of all people being shady about the events of the night...

It was now possibly 4:30? Maybe 5 in the morning and the ginger knew at this point he wasn't going to be getting sleep. He rolled onto this stomach grabbing the phone tightly in front of him holding a breath that nearly choked him as he built courage. Finally, he clicked on the contact and wrote a simple [ hey], he stared at it for a good five minutes before closing his eyes and pressing the send button. Then quickly shoved the phone under his pillow and prayed that his screaming nerves would calm down, perhaps it was fear? He did feel a hint of fear, what exactly for he wasn't sure, just the thought that he had just sent a text to his former bully was ridiculously unbelievable.

He kept his eyes closed praying it had been a dream, then as he felt vibration from under his pillow and he mouthed a silent fuck. He reached under and looked at his phone surprised the teen had been awake at this hour. [what?] Had been the reply making him roll his eyes, then guilt crept in as he remembered the hour and thought that perhaps he had woken the swimmer up.

[Didn't mean to wake u...] He wrote back and sent it feeling extremely awkward.

After a short couple of minutes he had received a reply [Already was awake] it said.

The gingers eyebrows shot up confused as to why the heck the raven haired boy was awake this early in the morning. So he dared to ask [ 5 in the morning? During summer break?]

[Why are you awake?]

[Can't sleep, so what r u doing?]

[Maybe I can't sleep either]

[U're starting to sound shady as fuck man]

[Calm down nerd, I was out on a run until you interrupted me]

Pft…Kevin let out a series of chuckles thinking how ridiculous the swimmer was waking up at such an hour, it made him sound as if he was training for the Olympics or something. Then he stopped for a moment…he wouldn't be surprised if he was. "Fucking hell… only Eddward Vincent wakes up at 5 in the morning on summer break" he rubbed his forehead feeling a slight headache begin to build up [Of course u would be]

[So, why can't you sleep?]

The tired ginger stared at the ceiling contemplating the question and wondering what was the best answer to give. He didn't want to confront the swimmer through messages, obviously talking in person was best.

[I just think too much] he looked at the clock for a moment […um can I come over later today?] he asked.

[My response has never seemed to stop you from coming over before]

Rolling his eyes…god I do that a lot don't I? huh… he typed his next message [Right, what time r u free?] he asked due to the newly found knowledge that the teen worked, though he didn't know his schedule.

[Preferably after 4]

[Alright, thanks] Kevin typed without thinking much about it

[What for?]

He paused to think for a moment. He remembered the few times Eddward had done something for him…his stomach grew a bit somber wondering if the swimmer was ever going to thank him for everything he has done…probably not, that was just the way the guy was. [I don't know] he replied.

[You should try going back to sleep. Lack of sleep will critically hurt your thinking and learning capabilities]

Kevin rolled his eyes once again; stopping a moment wondering if his eyes might get stuck mid-way if he kept rolling them this constantly. [Gee, very informative as usual] with that he placed his phone under his pillow again and rolled to face the other side. He sighed…there it was again, that awkward way the other seemed to display concern…if it could be able to be considered as concern. Maybe, he was misunderstanding, but it was just enough for little Kevin to take note that it was abnormal for the swimmer. He had realized that the taller teen had begun showing potential worry for him since the night at the other's house. He wondered why…was it guilt? Regret? Did he feel in debt to him for staying by his side after what had happened? Possibly, but he could never be sure with Eddward. Either way he was filled with some relief at the thought that the raven haired teen was making some progress once again…he hoped for the other to open up once again.

He closed his eyes knowing well that he wouldn't actually sleep, but being engulfed in darkness and silence was calming for his headache. His chapped lips parted filling his lungs with cool air, bringing his overwhelming hot body to a relaxing state. Ever so slowly he began to let his mind scroll through memories with Nazz and Rolf a year ago, and when he had won his first quiz bowl…and the sunset on top of the school roof as he leaned into a certain warm body…

.

.

.

The quiz bowl captain had been constantly in contact with him ever since Nazz had left making Kevin think that the teen thought he was lonely or something without Nazz. In reality, he was far from lonely without Nazz, he supposed because the blond girl liked to call in the morning and talked for 2 hours straight. As much as Kevin liked to talk with his friends he couldn't help but feel like he was being babied in an overprotective way by both.

"Yeah Nazz, I already ate breakfast…" he smiled hearing the girl chatter on about how he should eat a lot of fruit in the morning and all the nutritious benefits of having a well-balanced breakfast and such. To Kevin, all that mattered was just eating great food. "Uh huh, yeah…yeah, ok have fun. See if you can charm someone and have your first summer romance" the young ginger chuckled out imagining Nazz's red face "Alright then, talk to you tomorrow, bye" he ended the call with a smile.

He placed his cell phone in the pocket of his shorts and strolled upstairs to his room, slowly. He was wearing simply the pair of basketball shorts for it was way too hot to be wearing anything else. The wooden floor felt almost calming under the touch of his freckled small feet. He shoved his hands inside his pockets and took a seat on his computer chair. The boy looked up at the ceiling feeling sort of numb from his lack of sleep. He was in a state where he really wanted to sleep but his body was wouldn't allow him. His mind was in a weird mixture of going blank for moments and then suddenly screaming out thoughts, ideas and most of all questions.

Blinking he lowered his gaze and looked at his sketchbook…he had to start thinking of projects if he wanted to attain a great scholarship. So he set aside his thoughts about everything else and picked up a pencil and began doodling out ideas, and concepts. Much to his frustration, he didn't get many good ideas.

Instead the boy rested his cheek against the palm of his hand looking to the side to see his alarm clock flashing 12:23 pm…still a couple hours until he had to go over to the raven haired teen's home. Kevin wondered if he could make a visit to the shop, but knew the swimmer wouldn't appreciate his sudden appearance. Maybe he could go in someday when Eddward wouldn't be working. Though he had to figure out his schedule first… Maybe he should get a job? It might help him get his mind of all the stress and help his father in some way. Maybe it would only add to his stress…

The ginger decided to take a shower and attempt to take a nap, for if he didn't he was afraid he'd drive himself crazy with his overthinking mind.

Heavy footsteps walked along a hot payment through a deserted neighborhood. It had been a long time since he had walked through his neighborhood, he didn't like it one bit. Always bringing him an eerie feeling, despite the fancy houses and cars the neighborhood always seemed to be a ghost town. Maybe it was the memories the placed brought him, of his two friends… maybe it was the tragic event that happened in the neighborhood, or maybe it was the feeling of guilt that made him feel afraid of the area. Either way, he was slowly being consumed by his past knowing well that down the street in the familiar white home was the residence of someone he wished to never be in contact with ever again.

He was going to attempt to talk to this person for the first time in over 2 years. Though he had had tried to escape for as long as possible, he knew the situation was unavoidable. Especially after the lemon brook party… This time, he couldn't turn his back, there was someone innocent slowly crawling into the spiders web. His plan was to simply get him to release the victim before destroying the poor thing. He didn't know what the bully was thinking getting this boy caught up in all this, though he hoped for the sake of everyone that he would quite this sick game.

He eventually reached the house he was looking for and stood out looking straight up at it. He began to feel nauseous as memories flooded in like a thunderstorm…the sensation was so overwhelming it made him almost want to vomit. He didn't know what he felt any more guilt, regret, shame, fear, or maybe anger? Possibly a mixture of everything.

The house was grim looking even though it was the middle of the day and the sun was still up high in the sky. Then he remembered the home had always been that way, it was odd how some things just never appeared to change even when the people around did. It seemed just like yesterday that he and his two pals had been running around the neighborhood plotting shenanigans and causing trouble for the kids who used to live here. It seemed like a breath ago that their big fight had occurred. As he closed his eyes for a moment breathing in trying to steady his heart rate he couldn't help but surrender to the flashbacks that caused his head and chest slight pain. The yelling, the punches, shoves, and insults…the confusion and heartbreak he had felt that day cutting through ripped open wounds.

They had been three innocent children at first and in a small span of time everything had taken a complete turn.

He missed them…

The friends in his memories that is

For they had grown up and followed in the wrong path; all living distinct yet similar lives. He knew they wouldn't ever to go back to being the way things used to be.

Finally, he took steady steps to the front of the house and gave three knocks. He stepped back and listened intently for any signs of movement from within knowing the teen was most likely locked up in his room. He always was.

He decided to knock once again after a couple of moments, before deciding that the teen was not home. He knew the teen would no doubt answer in a promptly time unless he had perhaps seen him coming. So he decided to do the next best thing and took a seat at the foot of the steps of the front porch and simply waited taking in the scenery of the quiet neighborhood.

It had been a long quiet day in the shop; Of course, that was how it was almost 90 percent of the time. It was part of what he liked about the job, that and the wondrous history behind every single thing in that small place. The owner, Ms. Adams had been exceptionally conversational today begging him to bring in a certain red head back into the store. Was there anywhere he could possibly be able to run off to that the ginger boy would not follow? He highly doubt it. Somehow the small teen was always able to creep into new aspects of his life, and learn new characteristics of his persona. He knew the nerd was highly observant of him for a while now. The boy looked at him with curiosity and questioning eyes. Though he knew the teen was now guarded and protective of himself he was still carefully showing compassion. The new knowledge that the boy was picking up began to make him afraid, though what made him most afraid was that he was allowing the boy to gather information, allowing him to build a weapon against him.

The swimmer knew he didn't deserve it, none of it. His company, his compassion, his support…none of it. Maybe that was why he was allowing the ginger to do whatever. Every time he saw the boy the memories of the beat up just came crawling back. His disappointed freckled face and fogged olive eyes burned strong in his mind. Guilt and sadness were branded into his chest with the hot iron of remorse. At least he still had some humanity left he smiled grimly stopping at a red light. The silence in his car made him turn his head and look onto the empty passenger seat where the ginger boy once sat half-asleep mumbling questions. It had been the day he had done something good for once. He prayed he would be able to once again, though cowardice latched onto his neck strongly. Would it ever be able to let him go?

If only the ginger hadn't found him that afternoon…he wouldn't be feeling any of this, he wouldn't have to deal with any of this…no expectations, no hurt, no confusion, no disappointments. He would have long been gone, done with this world.

Yet the more time he spent around the ginger the more he felt…grateful? It was weird, abnormal, alien, but somehow he began to wonder what would have become of the ginger had their encounter on the bridge not happened, had he been…gone.

Would the ginger still be dealing with the Jimmy and Johnny? Most likely...Would their terror have escalated to an extreme? Would Kevin have been better or worse without him around? He shook his head lightly as if the action would shoo the thoughts out of his head and focused on turning into his neighborhood. With one final thought, he pulled into his drive way…Had they never had that encounter his disappearance would have held no significance on the gingers life…it would have been for the better perhaps.

As he pulled the key out of the ignition he looked onto the porch and found a familiar face making eye contact with him. The teen was giving him a soft smile, though it appeared friendly he knew better. The unnerving smile suffocated him…he never thought he would be looking onto the teen's face ever again, well he had thought the same before Sam's party but he had seen him briefly that night, the idiot. His body tensed as he slowly began to build walls all around himself, mentally and emotionally. When he 'relaxed' he stepped out of the car and closed the door with an intimidating shove.

"Howdy Double D"

"Don't EVER call me that again!" Eddward stepped closer portraying his usual bully persona and made himself tall and strong. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I just came to talk" the teen announced placing his hands up in surrender

"How DARE you come here! You have no right to show up at my door, or have you forgotten what happened, Ed?" Eddward stared down at the brunette in utter disgust.

Ed made no movement from the spot he was sitting on though he moved his gaze to the side as the feeling of guilt crawled back up his throat. He knew Double D, er…Eddward…wouldn't do anything to him, he was just being protective. So he stayed in place and in silence for a moment. "Look D, I didn't come here to apologize…how could I? Besides do you really deserve an apology after all you have done? Eddy's been on the bad side longer than you but even he hasn't done half the stuff Sam's ordered you to do."

Eddward tensed feeling his anger slowly begin to rise "HE is not in the situation that I'm in, and you know it"

"You could have always just said no" he replied looking up at the raven haired teen directly for the first time "I did"

The swimmer rolled his eyes "You know well it's not that easy…Sam's got a bounty on your head since you left, and now he may as well have placed one on mine for the stunt you pulled at the party"

"Interesting I haven't heard news; I would have thought Sam would be at our door the morning after ready to beat the living shit out of us both" Ed scratched his hair in thought "oh, by the way thanks though I didn't ask for your help"

Eddward crossed his arms annoyed "If this is all you came for go ahead and leave for good this time if you would please."

Ed finally stood up sighing heavily "No, that isn't exactly the reason why I came…" he stared down intently at the blue eyed teen.

"Then enlighten me would you?" Eddward held his stare up at the taller brunette.

Ed chuckled "Same sassy Double D"

"I SAID DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT!" Eddward bit back his veins popping out in a threatening manner. A sudden memory hit him as he breathed heavily…

"Someone far scarier than me minnow" he said comically.

The ginger swatted the hand away laughing uneasily a bit "Don't call me that"

"Minnow" Eddward said again

"Seriously...I hate it"

"Fine fine, I guess old habits are hard to get rid of" Ed shrugged "It's about Kevin…Kevin Barr"

"What about him?" Eddward asked a bit taken aback.

"You need to let him go" Ed crossed his arms now

The swimmer was utterly dumbfounded "What are you talking about?" he asked

"Don't act like you don't know. If you continue to let him follow you around like a puppy you'll end up hurting him! Let him go before he gets too mixed up in your personal problems. He doesn't need that in his life, let him focus on his own" Ed spat out, it was typical of Double D to do something like this, Marie Kanker hadn't asked to get caught in his web, he had lured her in and ended up breaking her.

"I didn't ask for that nerd to come waltzing into my home! You think I haven't tried to get rid of him? He's a stubborn little shit, I can't convince him to go away! Everywhere I go he follows, I don't have him on a fucking leash for fucks sake, he's doing this willingly!" Eddward gave a shove onto the brunette "Something neither of you ever did…" he mumbled out.

"Because he doesn't know what he's getting into" the brunette said lowly "If you don't get rid of him, you know Sam will go after him…you know better than to get attached"

"I'm not!" Eddward quickly spat out though his chest ached with the unspoken words…it's too late…

"Good, then leave him alone" the taller teen began to walk away when he heard a rumbling and a bunch of loud mischievous laughter. Nervous sweat hit them and in a split second both stared at one another.

"Get inside" Eddward said


Guys you have no fking idea how excited i am about writing the next couple of chapters! Hold onto your seats cause drama, so much drama and no pause!...it's all going to lead to some emotional bonding b/w our protagonists lol

Ok with that please leave a review, i enjoy reading them very much and helps me stay motivated!

Let me know if you have any thoughts, predictions, and any feels (Tell me what are your thoughts are on Ed and Eddwards encounter?)

Look forward to the next time i update! and let's see what happens next!

I hope you have a lovely Day/Night xoxo