The genius and the jock were awaken by the smell of pancakes. Kathleen had come home off her night shift, took a nap and got up to make her boys a hearty First Day of School breakfast. Kevin quickly got up to make Edd a cup of tea. Edd stretched and wobbled into the shower. No more reindeer games on school nights. But Kevin sent him to bed with a smile. It was worth it.

Kevin dried his locks and hopped into the shower himself. Edd brushed his teeth and quickly got dressed. He had promised the girls he'd text them Kevin's reaction. But as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Kevin's jaw had dropped. The dweeb would be running around Peach Creek High in Kevin's shirt, an adorkable hat and the sexiest pair of skinny jeans known to man. He'd only get to see the brilliant boy at lunch, study hall and after school at practice, provided Edd didn't have swim practice or a meet. The levels of how not right and unfair it was haven't even been built yet. The selfie he sent the girls gave them both giggle fits. He was smirking at the camera, Kevin, still shirtless, jeans low on his hips, was behind him, hiding his very red face in his shoulder, but holding him tight.

A text went out.

Nazz: U gonna be ok there cap?

Kev: IDK. He's killing me. U get my laptop when I die. B sure 2 clear da search history

Nazz: lol u know u like it

Kev: I love him. He's KILLING me, tho.

Kevin pulled himself together enough to finish getting dressed (he wore his Captain America shirt, football team captain hat and blue Converse, because if he's gonna mope about campus sans Edd, he might as well have something to remember him by!) and have breakfast.

Kathleen made bacon pancakes. She didn't understand the boys giggling about it, but they ate and were out the door.

"I'll handle my own kitchen, Edd. Go! Enjoy your day," she told them as she shooed them out into the garage.

"We can walk," Kevin suggested.

Edd was limping. Kevin was afraid that a ride would make it worst.

"And not pull up to school on my hot boyfriend's hot motorcycle? I don't think so!," Edd replied, grabbing Kevin's spare helmet and buckling it on Kevin's head.

"If you say so." Kevin's grin was sly and his eyes sparkled. Oh, that sassafras.

They got to school with time to spare. They ran into Jonny first.

"So it is true! You're dating! Didn't see that coming," he said, brown eyes wide. He shook his head as he walked away. "Ya think ya know a guy..."

Some cheerleaders gave Edd dirty looks until Nazz and Princess showed up. Then they scattered.

"Like freaking cockroaches, man," Princess grumbled. She was sipping tea from one of her many Hello Kitty travel mugs. She handed Double D a to go cup.

"Earl Grey," she said. "Cheers."

They toasted and the four teens sat on the low wall that ran down the front of the school waiting on their friends to show up.

"Looking good, Double D!," Nazz said. He blushed.

"You alright, Edd?," Princess asked. Her genius friend seemed to be in pain.

He grinned. "Fucking fantastic."

Kevin turned as red as his hair. The girls gaped at the boys and then doubled over laughing.

Rolf and Nat walked up. Nat got what was going on immediately. Rolf was confused.

"Why is Casanova Kevin as red as Rolf's tomatoes?"

"Because Double D knows how to ride his bicycle," Eddy snickered.

He and Ed were strolling up the sidewalk, hand in hand with their girlfriends. Marie ran over to Nazz and Nazz hopped in her lap when she sat down. Kevin cocked a brow. Nazz just shrugged as she gave Marie a hug.

"EDDY!"

"Can it, D. It's true and you know it. Act shy if you want to. You know what they say about the quiet ones," Eddy said winking at his flustered best friend.

"Ok, ok! We've got 10 minutes til the first warning bell," Princess said. "Somebody find Jonny so we can kick today's ass!"

Ed quickly found Jonny and schedules were officially synced. Kevin suggested a weekend study group. Edd called him out on wanting his snacks. Everyone agreed with Kevin. Edd acquiesced as long as they actually studied.

The first warning bell rang. The teens stood up and faced a new school year head on.

"Let's do this," Princess said. "Rolf, care to walk me to class?"

"But Princess' homeroom is on the third floor and Princess is in tall shoes." The foreign boy was worried she wouldn't be able to make the trek in her stilletos.

She stood. Her shoes gave her an extra 5 inches in height, but he was 6'4 to her usual 5'3. She was just about at eyeball level with his throat.

"Ok, see you at the meeting then," she pouted.

Walking up the stairs, the mass of students parted like the Red Sea out of her way. Her hips swung like a grandfather clock pendulum. James tapped a stunned Rolf on the shoulder.

"You better catch up."

Rolf took off after her and Kevin doubled over laughing.

Nat just shook his head. "Her hips do not lie.

Edd turned red and Kevin laughed harder.

The morning went as well as expected. Being a freshman meant Edd only interacted with other freshman for most of the morning. Most were surprised at his sexuality than the fact that he was dating the handsome football captain. The rest didn't care. The hallways weren't as kind. He saw the stares and dirty looks. He returned a few. A boy can only take so much. Having a few classes with his friends eased his annoyance at the nosey and somewhat hateful student populace.

Kevin was in a similar boat. Except his was bigger. The girls kept flinging themselves at him. A few guys made derogatory remarks. Having his friends and teammates back him up helped. But he worried about Edd. That is, til third period.

Third period was a mixed honors English class. Kevin had his with Princess the next day at second period. Since the had a different teacher from Edd, she promised to tutor him. So Edd was alone for the first time that day. And Makayla Collins was in this class. She was a bottle blond, with brown eyes and a sophmore who had a crush on Kevin. But he didn't like her back. Something about her being a bitchy busybody. But she was convinced she could get him. Even after Cecily and JJ, she kept at it. And now Edd stood in her way. And she was not having it.

"So you're the nerd going out with Kevin," she said as she slid next to him before class started.

"Can I help you?," he asked, eyebrow cocked in annoyance.

"Yeah, you can. You can recognize your place here and leave the big boys to the big girls they belong, too."

"I don't see any big girls around here," he said, scanning the room. "Just a jealous little busybody who doesn't know her own place. If Kevin wanted to be with you, he would be."

"What did you just say, nerd?!"

"I said, 'If Kevin wanted to be with you, he would be.' And if you're not worth his time, you're certainly not worth mine. And if I'm a nerd, and we're in the same class, what does that say about you?"

She huffed, but shut up when she saw her peers snickering at her. The class wasn't full of complete eggheads, but there were enough smart people with some clout at PCH, that you didn't want to piss them off by saying you weren't one of them when you were. And everyone knew Kevin didn't want to be with her. No one did. She just wasn't dateable. She kinda needed a decent personality first. No one was holding their breath on that ever happening. And the nerd had read her like a book.

A cheerleader sent a mass text. Nazz was on that list. A basketball player sent a mass text that included Rolf. Both texted Kevin. And by lunch the entire Peach Creek High School student body knew one thing and knew it well; Eddward Vincent was dating Kevin Barr and Eddward was not to be trifled with.