We Came Out

No one at the table said anything as Edd retreated for the door. Edd had just gotten to the cafeteria entrance when Kevin's shock wore off. "Shit, Dee!" he shouted. "Dee! Wait!" He scrambled from his chair and dashed after his boyfriend.

The cafeteria was on the third floor of their high school, and Edd was halfway down the first flight of stairs by the time Kevin caught up to him. Edd hadn't responded to Kevin's shout and he jumped when Kevin grabbed his arm at the second-floor landing.

"Dee?" Kevin asked, concerned as Edd's eyes turned on him, slightly out of focus. "Dee?"

He ignored the few students who passed them with curious glances. Kevin did realize they were in the way of foot traffic, so, holding Edd's upper arm, he pulled the boy from the stairwell into the second-floor hallway and kept walking down the mostly empty corridor looking for somewhere for privacy. He could hear Edd's breath starting to catch. His boyfriend must have begun to realize what he'd done.

"Kevin?"

He stopped, Edd bumping lightly into him. It was Mrs. Travers, his Geometry teacher. She was at the door to her classroom, holding a coffee cup, and looked at him and Edd with concern.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Um, not really," he answered, looking up and down the hallway. "Uh, can we come in your classroom for a minute? Edd needs somewhere quiet."

The teacher studied both boys, her head tilted slightly, then stepped aside. "Yes, of course. Come in," she invited.

Kevin guided Edd into the classroom and over next to Mrs. Travers' desk. Her husband, Mr. Travers, the Health Education teacher and Kevin's baseball coach, looked up at them in surprise. He was seated in a chair pulled up to his wife's desk and stood up when the boys came in. Once the door closed, Kevin pulled Edd into a hug and the boy clung tightly to him, his arms around Kevin's middle and his face hidden in his chest. Kevin could feel Edd shaking.

Mrs. Travers gave the pair a moment. Kevin's pressed his cheek against the top of Edd's head. "Kevin," she finally said softly, "what happened? Is Eddward okay?"

Kevin lifted his head to gaze at their teacher and his coach, who now stood next to his wife. "Um," he hedged. "We kind of," he paused as he felt Edd's grip tighten. "We came out."

It took a moment for Mrs. Travers to understand. "You're…together?" she asked.

Kevin nodded then turned his eyes away. He didn't want to see Coach Travers' face. He felt Edd turn his head, probably so he could breathe. The boy kept hitching his breath, but he hadn't started crying yet as far as Kevin could tell. Kevin pressed a kiss on the top of his hat. "We just sort of announced it to everyone at our table in the cafeteria."

"Ah, I see," she replied sympathetically.

Before anything else could be said, there was a chime from a phone. Kevin recognized it as Edd's text notification. "That's probably Eddy, Dee. Do you want me to check?"

He felt Edd nod, though the boy didn't release his death grip. Kevin reached into Edd's front pocket for the phone and looked at it over Edd's shoulder. It was Eddy, asking if Edd were okay.

"Eddy wants to know if you're okay," he said softly. "Want me to answer?"

Edd nodded again, so Kevin keyed in the unlock code and responded, typing awkwardly with the thumb of the hand holding the phone. "this is kevin edds with me hes not ok but im with him."

Eddy texted immediately back. "Where are you?"

"Dee?" he asked. "Eddy wants to know where you are. Do you want him here? And Ed?"

"Yes, Kevin," Edd said in a small voice.

"Nazz and Rolf will probably come too, do you want them to stay away?"

"No."

Kevin texted back "travers room 214"

It took a few minutes for their friends to get there. Eddy didn't bother to knock; he barged into the room and stalked over to Kevin and Edd. He didn't say anything, but Edd loosened his grip on Kevin and stepped away. He was immediately engulfed by both Ed and Eddy, cocooning their friend in a three-way hug.

Rolf, Nazz, and Jake had stopped just inside the door, so Kevin, Mrs. Travers, and Coach Travers moved over to them, giving the Eds privacy.

"Is Edd okay?" Nazz asked in a soft voice, not meant to be heard by the trio on the other side of the room.

"He hasn't said anything," Kevin answered helplessly in a similar quiet voice. "I don't know."

"What exactly happened?" Coach Travers asked.

Kevin reached up and rubbed at his temples with his fingertips. "Some of our friends were bugging me about who I sang that damn song to yesterday. I wouldn't answer. Jason suggested it was a guy and kept nagging me. This is my fault."

"Kevin, he was egging you on. It's not your fault," Nazz told him.

"I should have ignored him. I didn't expect Edd to say anything."

"What happened next?" Mrs. Travers pressed.

"I admitted it was a guy. I just said that I'm gay. I have no idea why. I promised Edd not to say anything," Kevin said in a guilty tone. He sighed, "Jason and me were getting into an argument and he kept asking who it was. I wasn't going to tell him, I swear. But Edd just looked at me, stood up, and told Jason it was him. I can't believe he did that. Then he just left and I chased after him."

Nazz snaked her arm around Kevin's waist, while Rolf's went around his shoulders. They all stood, watching the Eds comfort Edd. Kevin ached to be the one there holding him, but he knew the Eds served as a very calming presence for his boyfriend, and Edd was probably mad at him on some level.

"That was brave of him," Mrs. Travers finally said.

"Yeah," Kevin agreed. "But he didn't want to do it this way. I don't think he ever wanted to do this. I don't know what to do."

"You probably should take him home, Kevin," his coach suggested.

"Yes," his wife agreed. "He won't be able to go to his last two classes anyway. Edd is in my class last period. Doesn't he have French before mine?" When Kevin nodded, she continued, "I'll let Madame Cauchon know that Edd had to go home. Who teaches your last two classes?"

"Mr. Hollingsworth and Mrs. Pope," Kevin answered, his eyes still on Edd. "And then practice…"

"I think you can be excused from practice today, Kevin," the Coach said kindly.

"I'll inform your teachers as well."

"What's your locker combo, Kev," Jake said. "I'll go get your stuff."

Kevin told him the combination and Jake left. Kevin wriggled out of Nazz and Rolf's embrace and went to Edd. "I've got this, guys," he said quietly to the Eds.

Eddy shot Kevin a glare, that softened quickly. He nodded, and he and Ed let go of Edd so that the boy could return to clinging to Kevin. "Can you go grab his stuff from his locker?" Kevin asked Eddy. "I'm just gonna take him home."

Eddy nodded and grabbed Ed by his arm to drag the taller boy out. "C'mon Lumpy."

"But Double D, Eddy. He's sad."

"We're helping him this way. Let Kevin comfort him."

"But we always do…" Kevin heard Ed's protest as they disappeared through the door.

Edd had burrowed his face into Kevin's chest again. Kevin leaned his butt against Mrs. Travers' desk and held Edd close while they waited. "Dee? I'm taking you home, okay?"

"But my classes…" Edd mumbled thickly.

"Mrs. Travers said it's okay to miss today and she's going to talk to your French teacher and tell her what happened."

It took a few moments for Edd to finally nod.

"I don't think you're in any shape to sit in class right now anyway, sweetheart," Kevin whispered to him.

Jake returned first, as Kevin's locker wasn't far from Mrs. Travers' class. He held Kevin's bookbag and a light jacket.

"Why don't you, Rolf, and Nazz head to class. It's almost time for the bell to ring," Coach Travers said.

The three nodded. "We'll be over after practice, Kevin," Nazz assured him.

"We'll be at Dee's," he told her.

After they left, the coach looked at his wife. "I'm sure the boys don't want to run into anyone. You brought your bike, Kevin?"

"Yes, sir."

"The parking lot is probably full of students coming back. There'll be students in this classroom soon and the halls. How do we get them out?"

"I guess they can sit in the main office until everyone is back in class," Mrs. Travers said thoughtfully. "At least they'll avoid almost everyone. Is that okay, Kevin?"

"Anything to make this easier on Edd," Kevin said. "That okay, sweetheart?"

Edd nodded and pulled himself from Kevin's embrace, running his arm across his face. Kevin grabbed a few tissues from the box on the teacher's desk for him, which Edd accepted gratefully. The Eds returned at that moment with Edd's bag and jacket. His lunchbox was already on one of the student desks. Nazz must have grabbed it before they chased after Kevin and Edd.

Edd wasn't meeting his eyes, which worried Kevin. "Come on, let's get to the office before there's a bunch of kids in the hallways," he suggested, touching Edd's elbow to get him moving.

It worked. Edd allowed Kevin to direct him. The small teen looked even smaller at the moment, lost and dazed as he was. Mrs. Travers went in the direction of Mr. Hollingsworth's classroom, while Coach Travers accompanied them all down the hall, down the stairs, and into the main office. They passed many other students walking through the halls to their own lockers or classes, and all gave the small group curious looks. Kevin imagined that his worried expression, Edd's lost one, and the angry expression on Eddy's face was probably confusing. He also knew that the news that he and Edd were a couple would travel fast throughout the school, but at least for now, it looked as if it hadn't spread far and wide yet.

The school admin assistant looked up as the group came into the office. Edd cringed against Ed as he noticed that the front office was exposed to the hallway. Two of the walls were glass. Coach must have noticed it too, because he asked Mr. Chalders, the assistant, if Edd and Kevin could wait in the Assistant Principal's office. Mr. Chalders looked at Kevin and the Eds then nodded. "She's at lunch," he told Coach Travers. "Will the boys need to wait long?"

"Just until everyone is back in their classrooms."

"Do they need to speak to Mrs. Halsey?"

"No. But Kevin Barr and Eddward Vincent will be going home. I'll explain later."

Kevin noticed the frown as they followed the coach into the small office. Eddy told Edd they would be over after school was out, then dragged Ed out to go to their classes.

"Once you hear the bell, Kev, you should be clear to head out?" When Kevin nodded, he continued. "I need to get to my sixth-period class, but if you need anything, let me know, okay?"

"Thanks, Coach," he replied.

"Yes, thank you, Coach Travers," Edd said in his polite way, though his voice was still rough.

"My pleasure, boys. Come to either me or Clara at any time. For anything."

Once he left, Kevin wrapped Edd up in his arms again. He honestly didn't know what to say. Edd's silence unnerved him. Edd had just outed himself and their relationship and had nothing to say to Kevin about it? Kevin expected anger or even hysteria. Especially after how Edd reacted the evening before when he found out about Jake. Kevin was more worried, however, for when Edd finally let him have it. He knew Edd had to be angry about Kevin coming out and forcing the issue.

The bell ringing startled both of them apart and Kevin finally got a good look at Edd's face. It was splotchy red, as were his eyes. While Edd hadn't exactly cried, his eyes were full of tears, which made his long lashes damp. "How 'bout I get you home, sweetheart?" Kevin asked as he reached up to cradle Edd's cheeks in his hands.

"I think that is a good idea, Kevin," Edd said, his tone subdued. Edd had briefly met his eyes, but they were soon downcast for a moment before his lids closed fully.

Mr. Chalders watched them curiously as they silently passed by on their way out of the office. Kevin could see that the hallways were clear. He had Edd's messenger bag hooked across his body, as well as his own bookbag on his shoulder. He didn't dare touch Edd, though he wanted to do something – hold his hand or his arm as they walked down the hall toward the back door that led to the parking lot. The halls were quiet, save for the muted voices of teachers beginning their lectures that filtered through closed doors as they walked past.

Kevin pushed the door open for Edd, who squinted at the bright April sunlight. He stepped through the door, then stopped short so that Kevin bumped into him. "What's wrong, Dee?"

Edd just pointed to the side. Kevin understood. The parking lot was in the back, tucked behind one wing of the high school. At least six classrooms faced the lot and Kevin knew that any students sitting in the rooms could see them leave the building.

"There's nothing for it, Dee," he said in what he hoped was a soothing tone. "The bike's right there," he gestured to his red motorcycle parked in one of the front spots. "If we want to get out of the building we're going to have to go by some of the classrooms. Maybe it hasn't spread too much yet."

Edd nodded and Kevin saw him swallow and press his lips together. Edd straightened up as well, pulling his shoulders back as he tried to stand as tall as he could. "You are right, Kevin. Let us just get to your bike and go. They all know now. Or they will. There is no need to hide it."

Without saying anything, the pair went to the bike. Kevin thought he might be imagining things, but it did feel like dozens of pairs of eyes were suddenly focused on him. It made him self-conscious in a way he'd never experienced. He'd been the center of attention many times, but he wasn't sure how to take the attention from something like this. He wanted to be out, but he wasn't stupid enough to not know what may happen to him now that he was. He didn't care about his social status as much, that stuff never meant anything to him. He was more worried about losing his friends. He didn't miss the expressions on Ben and Joel's faces when Edd made his announcement.

Kevin unhooked Edd's helmet and handed it to the boy before putting their bags inside. He unlocked his helmet from the handlebars he usually attached them to and put it on. Edd followed suit, buckling the strap under his chin. Kevin mounted the bike and put in the key as he felt Edd climb up behind him. Edd's arms snaked around his middle and he felt Edd's helmet press against his back. Despite everything, Kevin couldn't help but smile as he started his bike, backed it up, and finally drove Edd away from school.