Surprisingly, the drive was quite comfortable. Then again, Nazz was there, and she was always able to break things down so it was casual and easy- it's something Kevin always appreciated about her.
She and the dork were talking about one of the classes they shared together- with Nazz doing the most talking. It wasn't so much because she was a chatterbox that could never shut up as much as it was she could tell Double D wouldn't offer too much of his own commentary. While he could easily keep up with a conversation, he didn't seem to be the one to take control of the wheel with it unless it was about academics or something.
Kevin himself just hummed in response, otherwise focusing on the drive. There were a few red lights, but otherwise it was just a couple minutes. He still couldn't believe Double D was going to walk home with that stuff- it wasn't light, what all he had. Briefly, he wondered how often he made the trek home alone like that. No doubt the small, twig of a teen was sore and exhausted.
That being said, Kevin would have been more than happy to leave Double D on his own. While they weren't enemies, they weren't friends. No doubt they'd both get harassment from their respective social grouos should they suddenly get buddy buddy. Kevin's teammates and pals still made fun of the dorky trio- a lot of people even thought Double D was gay and there was no doubt he heard about the rumors and the name calling. He never reacted to them though, which had the jock curious. What was the truth to some of these rumors?
"Hey dude, we can help you put your stuff in." Nazz's offer broke Kevin from his thoughts, earning another groan from the jock. Why was she always so intent on being friendly and considerate? After years of friendship, the redhead knew he wasn't going to be able to get out of it without her calling him out on being a dick. There wasn't a good reason to deny him, either.
"That's quite alright, but-"
Jesus, why was it so hard to help him? Eddy always seemed ready to others to do work for him, but Double D was the exact opposite in that he tried to do everything himself.
With a roll of his eyes, Kevin pulled in the driveway. It was empty most of the time, so he almost felt special having his car in there. "Deal with it, dweeb. Nazz isn't going to let either of us say no."
The girl's satisfied smirk only confirmed that, and they were graced by a small, rare, irritated sigh from the other- quickly replaced by a smile.
The expression seemed forced for a moment before that melded away, making Kevin wonder if he was imagining things.
"Thank you- in that case, I baked cookies the other day and still have some left over. Let me give them to you since you're so insistent on helping me out." His offer was kind enough, but something about the wording and tone made Nazz and Kevin share a look.
No longer did he think he imagined the forced look on the other boy's face.
It was almost as if he felt bothered by their help- something that annoyed him honestly. They didn't have to help him, so why couldn't he just be grateful they were trying to make it easier for him?
Kevin thought about the usually empty driveway they were in.
Maybe they weren't making it easier on him.
If he really was irritated, he was back to being polite and genuinely warm. He chatted with Nazz while Kevin opened the trunk- he grabbed the cleaning chemicals while the other two grabbed the food. The Dweeb did get other things than vegetables, but it didn't look all that appealing to him anyways.
"You know Kev," Nazz whispered, almost excitedly- she leaned over and was smiling up at him with a weird twinkle in her eye. Like a little kid sneaking to see presents. "I've never been inside Double D's house before."
It was a treat and a rarity- they had been in everyone's home in the cul-de-sac except Double D's- Eddy had held a few (admittedly not-lame) parties and get togethers in middle school after The Incident, and Ed had invited them to one movie night that might've been a little too gorey for Kevin- but Sarah had also invited them over for birthday parties, which brought them over and into the same house.
Double D was the mystery one.
"Yeah, me neither. During the summer once he let me chill on his porch and gave me lemonade though." A nice memory- a fuzzy one, but Kevin could easily remember how polite and kind Double D had been to him. Back then they were still Bully and Nerd, but the dork had always been polite and readily forgiving.
"Right- when you tripped into a mud pile in front of his house?" Kevin confirmed it with an embarrassed scowl, bumping against Nazz warningly- playfully. Her response was a giggle before they stepped inside the warm home.
He was grateful she was his best friend.
They considered the dating scene, and even did so for a month. That wasn't for them though, and they preferred their friendship compared to a forced relationship.
Walking into the nerd's home, neither teen could say they were surprised by how neat and orderly Double D's house was. It was rather large and spacious- but also had some pretty nice furniture and stuff in it. There were pictures on the wall, but largely of individuals. Not many, either- Kevin tried to see if he could glimpse a family portrait, but it was a failed mission. Judging by Nazz's sigh and pout, she did the same thing.
Kevin was surprised, though, at the lack of trophies and awards on display- his parents happily showed them off with loud pride that made him embarrassed and warm. Thankful to be their son as they pat him on the back and laughed with him during his embarrassing stories.
With how accomplished the nerd seemed to be, surely his family would do the same?
"Woah dude. That's a nice set up." Nazz whistled, walking to the kitchen with her eyes on the living room. A very modern, minimalistic room with a nice looking stereo system and big TV. "This would be a great room to have a movie night in." Her voice was on the edge of suggestive, and Kevin shot her a look.
"Sorry, but I don't think that's something my parents would ever be fond of." Double D laughed quietly- a different tone. One Kevin faintly recognized from earlier in the week during the argument.
Kevin's curiosity from before rose, but he knew it was stupid so he kept his mouth shut, quietly following after the two.
"That sucks, Dude. I hear Ed talk about his movie nights with you and Eddy; you guys ever watch them here?" She and Kevin both placed their bags down, and Double D pulled out a Tupperware container for them. "Seems like the best place to do it with how big the couch is and the TV."
"A few times, but Eddy and Ed get rather messy, so I decided it was best not to entertain them in my house for very long. And-" he caught himself in such a way both Nazz and Kevin noticed, even though he tried to brush that "and" off as a cough. Didn't do a very good job of it, given the jock caught it and decided to question it.
"And what, dude?" Kevin prompted. Wondering if this had to do with his parents not fond of people being there.
He wanted to desperately to ask.
But he knew from Nazz that it was better he didn't.
He already felt a little dumb for even prying about that, rather than letting it go.
"Nothing, I just caught myself before I began rambling like Eddy says I do." He offered a smile to the two, but Kevin felt it was a little... tight. Was that a lie? Is that how he lied? His smile again melded and seemed natural and smooth- poised and perfect.
Kevin had a feeling both he and Nazz noticed how tense the other got this time, even if only for a moment.
There was a few seconds of awkward silence as Double D gathered the cookies, the nerd muttering curses under his breath as the plastic lid those cookies were contained in fought him for a bit. He did get it though, and he gave most of them to take home. They knew where he lived and went to school with him- they could easily return it. Or not- he didn't seem too bothered by it. It was labeled with "cookies", right above "Medium Tupperware".
Dork was still weird, that's for sure.
"Dude you've hardly left any for yourself." Nazz tried to decline, but it felt like the decision was sealed when the lid closed and he handed it to her, that pleasant and warm and poised smile on his face.
"Don't worry about it. I likely wasn't going to eat them anyways, and I normally make more for Ed and Eddy."
"You like baking?" She took the Tupperware and opened it, taking a cookie and nibbling on it. Double D didn't have a moment to respond as she practically moaned. "Oh dude-" she took some bigger bites. Kevin didn't know what was funnier- her eating those ravenously or the dork's growing horror at the crumbs dropping. "These are so fuckin' good."
If Nazz was praising them like that, Kevin definitely had to give one a try.
"Oh Christ man- yeah fuck." Despite not being fresh, they still left some satisfied warmth in his belly that had him feeling content and comfortable. "Are you a wizard? Can I sell my soul for a lifetime's supply?"
Double D's eyes widened a bit before he let out another soft laugh- though this sounded more surprised and genuine than before- covering his mouth and shaking his head. "I'm glad you two enjoy it, but you have your own groceries to attend to."
Kevin knew a dismissal when he heard one- though it wasn't wrong and they did have to prep and choose movies.
While they could easily walk themselves out- and it's what they would do with anyone else- he actually took them door to say goodbye. "Have a joyous evening with your friends, Nazz and Kevin. Thank you for helping me with these groceries."
It sounded formal, too formal. "Yeah, no prob dude. Any time." The jock offered, getting a brow raise from Nazz and another, tight lipped smile from Double D.
He wanted to know what those smiles meant, but he didn't know why.
He didn't think that would stop him.
"Of course, Kevin. See you later."
You think you know someone, but then you don't. And all of a sudden, you're noticing everything different that goes against what you perceived them to be.
And boy, if that doesn't make one curious.
Kevin's curiosity is more akin to someone being curious about other's lives. Like when people are curious about others' drama, even though they themselves don't want to be a part of it or even have anything to do with all members involved with the issue.
Sorry for any errors- I did go over it a few times but the flu and allergies are kicking my ass right now lol. It's also 1:30am, and once I finished writing this I sneezed like 20 times.
Prayers that you're all doing well, though!
