Chapter 6

Kevin woke, to hear birds singing outside his window. The sun was streaming into his room from the open window. He looked around the room searching for something. There by the window was his desk where he had done his homework and looking out the window towards Edd's house. He remembered the day he had moved his whole room around to get that desk at the window. He had thought that if he saw the raven haired boy across the way doing his homework that he could pretend that they were studying together. From that day forward doing his homework had become a pleasure, and his grades at school had improved vastly. The teachers and his parents had both questioned as to why the sudden improvement but the small red haired boy would not explain. He just told them that he had decided that he liked studying since his desk was in the window.

He would see Double Dee across the way and wave at him every evening and smile at him, even on days when he and the Eds had been fighting he always smiled and waved. He had promised and one thing about Kevin was that he never went back on his promises to a friend, no matter what.

The room felt like something was missing. He looked around to see all his pennants and flags, sports pictures were all in place, his books and games all were where they was supposed to be. The it dawned on him, the picture that usually was on his desk was missing. He usually kept it on the desk right under the window so that he could see it, and look out at Edd at the same time. He thought back to the day that it had come into his possession.

It was a Friday afternoon during the summer break. He and Nazz were thought to be a couple, but were just friends. They had decided to go have some pizza and as they were leaving Kevin's house they saw Double Dee across the way looking sad. Both of the other Eds had dates and didn't want him around as a third wheel.

"Hey, Dork!" Kevin yelled at the raven haired boy, which caused said boy to cringe and wonder what the red head was angry with him about this time. He looked up at the couple across the way and thought they made a lovely couple and the thought made his sad. He wished he could be standing where Nazz was, but there was no way that would ever happen, why would the most popular guy in school, the head jock, and one of the most handsome guys Edd had ever saw be interested in him. He watched as they made their way across the street and up to his porch.

"Hey Double Dork, we are going for pizza, ya wanna come with us?" Asked the athletic redhead that stood grinning in front of him.

"Salutations Kevin, no thinks I would not want to intrude on your outing." Said Double Dee sadly.

"Aw c'mon Dee it'll be fun, and we want you to, so it won't be intruding in the least" Nazz responded shaking back her long blonde hair.

Kevin reached down and caught the raven haired boy in the black and white beanie by the wrist pulling him to his feet. And started down the drive way with his hand still clasped on Dee's wrist. Double Dee looked down at Kevin's hand.

"Unhand me you ruffian" Laughed Double Dee

"Not until we get to the Pizza joint." Kevin retorted "But if you promise to come with us, and not try to back out then I will let go of your wrist."

"Okay, if you are sure you want me then I will attend you to the pizza place.

The Pizza place was a small store front just a few blocks from the cul-de-sac. It had small tables that were set enough apart that you didn't feel closed in by others. There were red and white checked table clothes. The waitress led them over to a booth towards the back rear of the restaurant. As they were being seated Kevin noticed that an older man was sitting at a table a couple of rows over. He was writing in a note book and would on occasion type something into a laptop at his side. There was a printer sitting next to the lap top and a digital camera on top of that. Now that's what I would call a old school dork. Probably what Edd will be like when he's that old. Kevin grinned to himself.

"What's with the grin Kev?" asked Nazz as she spied the grin on Kevin's face. The red head just laughed a little and nodded his head towards the other table. Both of his companions looked over at the older man and smiled. Nazz, knowing Kevin like the back of her hand, had an idea of what Kevin was thinking and said, "Yes, he does Kevin."

Kevin looked at the waitress and said "We'll have the large 'everything but the kitchen sink' pizza and a large pitcher of sweet tea. Is that good with you guys?"

"No Jalapenos for me" piped up Nazz

"No anchovies for me" said Edd.

After the waitress had walked away with their order the teens started talking about their day at school and what they planned to do in the future.

After the pizza arrived Nazz turned to Kevin and asked, "You know class rings will be in next week, who are you going to give yours to Kevin?"

"No body, I worked hard to get this far, so I've earned the right to wear my ring proudly. If I decide to give someone a ring, I'll buy them one. But no body can have this one. I had it especially engraved inside."

"Oh, has some bimbo captured your heart at last Kevin?" asked Nazz.

Kevin smiled at Nazz, he and she both knew that there would never be anything between them but a platonic relationship. They had been friends for so long that they were more like siblings and anything else would just be wrong. Both were happy with their relationship. And used each other to keep away undesirables and unwanted affections. Both knew that one day another would come along and capture their hearts and they would pretend to break up and become just friends.

Kevin then turned to say something to Dee, but the boy was lost in thought so the emerald eyed boy reached over and touched his hand to get his attention. He knew that when Dee zoned out like that you could talk all day and he wouldn't even notice until he refocused on the world around him.

"Come back to the world Dee. Hey Dork where are you?"

"Oh, sorry Kevin, I was just thinking that it is so nice that you and Nazz wanted me along on your date It is so much better than being out with Eddy trying every stupid pick up line on any girl that walked by and Ed and May so wrapped up in each other that they forget anyone else is around."

"Aww, Dee, We both wanted you with us, we both love you and want you to be happy." smiled Nazz. Then Nazz turned to Kevin and said, "Let me out Kev, I gotta go 'powder me nose' so to speak" Laughing Kevin stood up to let her out.

Edd laughing stood up and said "I have to go also, can I escort you milady?"

Nazz giggled and took the arm Edd offered to her and they walked away laughing.

Kevin laughed at them and sat back down watching his two friends walking away laughing and having a good time. Nazz is so sweet, and it feels good to hear Double Dork laughing and having a good time.

I still love that Dork, when he laughs and smiles showing that gap in his teeth it's all I can do not to kiss him.

"Excuse me young man, I want to give you this picture that I took of you and your friends enjoying yourselves and here's a little poem I wrote just for you. Have a good night, and oh yeah since I enjoyed watching your group interaction. I'll treat y'all to your pizza." said the older man with a southern accent, then he smiled and walked out of the restaurant.

Kevin looked at the picture, he saw himself smiling at Nazz and his hand was touching Edd. He then looked at the paper the man had handed him and read the words.

I See You

I see you sitting in the booth

with your friends

Read you like an open book

I watch and see

What story unfolds

A gentle touch

a slight smile

Love is in your eyes

Which one you love

You are not sure

She sits next to you

He across the way

You sit close to her

you touch his hand

a smile for her

a grin for him

which will it be

that finally wins your heart?

Which will it be

that finally wins your heart

You don't know

Neither do they

Both vie for your love

the choice is yours

Do you know

are you able to love both

Do you dare?

Kevin read the words through twice, smiled and folded the paper and put it in his wallet. He wasn't ready to show that to the others because they would ask questions that he wasn't ready to answer. He knew what he wanted, but not how to get it. He didn't want to ruin a friendship over something that maybe couldn't be.

When the others returned he showed them the picture and both exclaimed over it. And said it was cute and both wanted a copy. Kevin said he would scan it when he got home and email them a copy. After a little while Dee stood up and said that it was getting past his bed time and must hurry home.

"No wait Dee, it's the weekend, you don't have to get up early for school in the morning." said Kevin.

"Yes, Dee stay out with us a while longer." pleaded Nazz, giving Edd the puppy dog eyes.

"No, I must really be going, you know I have a strict regime and must stick to it, so that my world has order. Thanks for the great time. I value our friendship and do hope we can do this again sometime. Well here comes Nat, I am sure he will be glad to feel my space. Hey Nat, over here!" Said Edd spying a teal haired boy just entering the restaurant.

Nat cam running over shouting "Hey Double Cutie with da booty" causing Double Dee to blush. When he got to the table he grabbed Dee in a tight embrace and kissed his cheek."

"Nat! We are in a public place, please control yourself." Dee said as he blushed hugging the teal haired boy back. "Hi Nat, Bye Nat, I was just leaving." Double Dee turned and bowed to the group at the table and said "Have a good night, 'Parting is oh such sweet sorrow, I shall see you on the morrow' and laughingly made his way out of the restaurant.

Nat turned and saw Kevin grinning at him, and replied to the red head's wink. "Dat Azz, Kevin Dat Azz, Oh be still my beating heart." Nat fell into the other side of the booth from Kevin and Nazz laughing.

"Hi Nat, I see you are silly as ever." Said Nazz laughing at Nat.

"Hi Nazz, when you gonna throw this lump away and come with me?" Nat said with wiggling eyebrows.

"When you decide that you only want one person and not everything that walks past you."

"Oh, to be forever lonely then." Nat grinned at Nazz.

"Well since I can't have Nazz, How about you Kevin you gonna let me have dat booty anytime soon."

"Ha Ha, Nat, I'm afraid you are just going to die a lonely old green haired freak!" Kevin said laughing at his friend and team mate. The two boys had become friends on the first day that Nat had attended Peach Creek High school. Kevin had learned to laugh as Nat's strange comments. Nat had even drawn out of Kevin that he had sexual thoughts about a certain boy and had helped him come to terms with the fact.

Kevin was startled back to the present when Dee walked into the room. Edd walked over to the bed and looked at Kevin propped up on some pillows. To Kevin the room had seemed to take on a lighter feel when the dork had entered the room. He smiled at the cyan eyes looking at him.

"Well Mr. Barr has some new nurse slipped in and fixed you for the morning? I see you are already propped up and ready for the day."

"No, I fixed my own pillows, this morning Dee" The red head said proudly my strength seems to be coming back slowly but surely. "hmm since a new nurse hasn't been here I'll get ready for your morning cleansing, think you can do it this morning or will you still want help?"

"I think I might be able to do my left side, but with that arm in the cast how am I going to do the right side. Plus I know you wanna see me naked. He he" Kevin winked at Double Dee.

"Now, Now, You seem to be getting like Nat. I will have to ban him from visiting if that keeps up. Retorted Dee.

Kevin just pouted and gave Dee the puppy dog eyes. Which caused the raven haired boy to grin and say "Ok, he can keep visiting, just you behave."

Kevin grinned, "Ok I'll try to behave, The bath can wait, I want to show you something. Look in my desk the top left hand drawer and bring me that picture."

Dee went and got the picture. Looking at he he said that he remembered that night and that it was a great feeling that Kevin and Nazz had wanted to have him with them. Kevin agreed that it was a great evening and the first of many. Until Nazz had started dating Ricky, but the boys had continued their Friday night pizza party.

"But what I wanted to show you was this." The emerald eyed boy pulled off the backing of the picture and took out a paper from the back of the picture. "The man I told you about that took the picture also gave me this poem. I want you to read it."

Dee read the poem, then looked at Kevin, "How could I have been so dense, for someone with my I.Q. I was sort of stupid about things sometimes."

"I didn't really realize it then either. But the next weekend I saw him there again, Nazz had went out with Ricky and you had some excuse about homework. So when I got there he was sitting at the same table writing again, so I went over and asked if I could join him while I was waiting on my order."

XXXXX

"Hi sir, may I join you for a bit until my order comes."

"Well, hello there young man, where's your friends?"

"They couldn't make it tonight, so I am flying solo."

He laughed at that and looked at me with a question in his eyes.

"Well sir, I wanted to ask you about that poem you gave me."

The older man smiled and got a far away look in his eyes for a moment. "Oh yes, the picture. You young people reminded me of something that happened in my life a long time ago. Years ago there were three teens eating pizza, two boys and a girl, friends having a good time, but each wanting so much more. It was me and two friends we had ran into each other in the mall and decided to grab a quick bite to eat"

Kevin blushed for a moment then asked, "you were in my situation? Is that how you understood?"

"Well, sort of," He pulled the picture up on his laptop and pointed at the picture, putting his finger over Edd. This one would have been me. My friend and his girl friend at the time was out on a date and had invited me to have some pizza with them."

"Wow, that's so close to what we did." Kevin said startled.

"I know I could tell by the look in y'all's eyes. It reminded me of that night so long ago. My friend and I had been friends since child hood. When we got older our friendship developed into something a bit more. A friends with benefits kinda thing, as it where. It was good while it lasted, but he later decided that he was straight and walked away. It happened after someone caught us in a compromising position and outed us to his parents. He had told me that he loved me and we would someday be together, but then when it came ""down to it, he just couldn't handle the pressure. He said he didn't want to be a fag, and that if I ever came near him again he would beat me horribly."

Kevin sat there with a stunned expression on his face. What would be his reaction if something like that happened? His reputation meant a lot to him, but Edd did too. He became afraid of himself, would he hurt the dork so badly? Or would he be man enough to stand beside Double Dee through it all. Dee is my world, I don't think I could live without him in my life. I've fought for him in the past and I will fight for him now. And I will keep my dork in my life no matter what! I love him!"

"I'm sorry young man, have I bored you with my tale of woe?" asked the older man.

"I'm sorry sir, I got caught up in my thoughts, you were saying?"

"I can see from the look in your eyes, you have made a decision, I just hope it is the right one and that you never come to regret it. I see your pizza has arrived and I won't bore you with myself anymore."

"Wait, sir, what happened to your friend?"

"Oh, him, he moved to another state and got married and had several children. He would come back to visit his parents. We would bump into each other and try to be friends, on a few occasions we even tried to be lovers again, but something would always scare him and he would take off again. He even contacted me awhile back and said he wanted to try us again, but alas too much time has passed and the feelings just aren't there anymore. I guess what I am trying to say is, if you love that young man, do so with your whole heart and being. Be with him no matter what, but don't hurt him or desert him or he may lose his love for you. He does love you, I saw it in his eyes and smile when he looked at you. Now go, your pizza is getting cold.'

Kevin got up and went to his table. He sat in his usual seat and looked across the booth, he smiled, then he frowned. He stood up, grabbed his pizza and went back over to the table where the older man was sitting.

"I have to know, what about you sir? Did you find someone? Do you ever think you and your friend will get back together."

"No, I don't think we can get back together, we've tried but afterwards, I walk away and don't miss him. And the sex feels like more of a hook up as you young people say. It took some time and a horrible bit of drinking and depression on my part, but I finally let myself find someone new. It started out as just a meet up to quiet certain urges. But slowly over time I developed feelings for him and grew to love him very much. So you see love has a way of working if you try hard enough. We went through a lot together, even me cheating on him with my ex. He never let it come between us. He knew I loved the other so much. He passed on a few years ago and I do miss him dearly."

"I guess what I am trying to tell you is, if you love this young man dearly and trully want it to work, then grab on with both hands and don't let him go, no matter what, reputation (who really cares about that), Parents, (they'll get over it) and friends, if you lose them over that then they weren't really friends." The older man smiled a sad smile and looked at Kevin. "Both of them had beautiful green eyes, like yours. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean that as a come on."

Kevin blushed and grinned, "Thank you sir, for the advice and the compliment. Your friend wasn't named Kevin was he?"

The older man laughed "I take it your name is Kevin, but no his name was Barry"

All Kevin could say was "Wow, what a coincidence, my last name is Barr. Sir, would you mind if when ever I see you in the future I can say you are a friend of mine? I made need more sage advice to help me along my way with this relationship."

The older man laughed again, "Well Kevin, I'd be proud to be your friend and you ever need advice you can usually find me here or if I am out of town, here's my card with my number on it, call me anytime. And if I may, would you mind if I check up on you once in awhile."

Kevin grabbed his phone and dialed the number on the card and said. "There you have my number, Call me anytime to check up on us, or even if you need to talk, I won't mind."

"You know Kevin, you remind me so much of my second boyfriend. He had a warm heart and was always willing to listen to others and try to help out. Well so that you know it's this old fool calling you I guess you need my name. It is..."

XXXX

"And that's when I put my ring in that box I made for you Dee. I wanted you to know that I loved you and wanted you to be a part of my life. No matter what happens, we will be strong together."

"What coincidences, the green eyes, even similar names, but what was the older guys name Kevin?"

"I just texted him and told him I was telling you about the picture and the poem."

"What did he say? What was his name?" Double Dork added.

"No, Dee, I won't tell you his name because you will freak, for sure." Kevin grinned at Double Dee he was enjoying keeping him in suspense.

"It was Kevin wasn't it, because it couldn't be Eddward, because my name is the only instance of it being spelled like that."

"Ok, Dee I won't tell you I'll show you." Kevin grinned and turned his phone where Dee could see the last message on the phone.

Eddie: about time knucklehead. Good luck!