Three Weeks Before Prom, Monday

Over the weekend, Edd texted Kevin, requesting if they can move their meet-up time to 6:30, since he forgot how long it takes to get from the community center to the cul-de-sac.

Kevin agreed, figuring it would give him some time to get homework done prior to their dance lesson. However, around 6:00 pm on Monday, Edd texted again saying he will be a little later because Nazz wanted to go somewhere. They would text every 15-30 minutes for updates, but Nazz apparently had her own agenda and didn't drive them home until almost nine that night. Kevin spent that whole time struggling through homework and getting more and more stressed about learning how to dance.

Meanwhile, Edd found himself being dragged to the mall, so Nazz can pick up the shoes she ordered for prom. He didn't mind, honest, since it was on the way. What did bother him was the inevitable question.

"So, are you going to prom?"

"Nazz, why would I bother with such triviality?"

"Because it's prom, dude, and you've been all gung-ho for all other school dances in the past, even the middle school ones!"

"But that was different."

"How so?"

"It felt like a vital part of the academic lifestyle. But now I know my quality of life will not be adversely affected if I don't partake in all major school events."

Nazz paid for her shoes, seeming to drop the issue. However, on the way home, she took a sharp right, suddenly pulling in to a local coffee shop and demanded that Edd sit a spell and talk with her. Edd said he needed to get back soon, though he couldn't tell her why, but she convinced him with "the best chai tea in town."

Edd sipped at what probably was the best chai tea in town, and allowed the barrage of questions to continue.

"So, you really don't think prom is important enough to attend?"

"Affirmative."

"But can't it possibly be fun enough to go anyways?"

Edd pondered this for a minute. "I suppose it can be fun, but I'm still not sure I want to put forth that much effort to attend."

"C'mon, Double D. It would mean a lot to me if you would go with us."

"'Us?' As in you and Kevin? Oh no, I'd rather not impose. I-"

"No, I don't…" Nazz sighed. "I just meant… like… all of us… D, are you worried about going stag?"

Edd was suddenly really focused on swirling his drink around as he spoke. "In all honesty, yes… Typically it wouldn't bother me, but right now… it just fells… off. I don't know why?"

You do know why, Eddward. You're having feelings for someone you shouldn't and being at prom will probably just make it worse.

Nazz reached a hand across the table, placing it on Edd's arm. "Dude. There's nothing wrong with going stag. Pretty much all of the cul-de-sac are going stag. Jimmy, Rolf, I believe Ed as well, even Nat."

"Nathan's going stag?"

"Yup!"

"That's somehow understandable yet surprising at the same time."

Nazz shrugged. "He probably just assumes that everyone there is his date."

Edd laughed. "I wouldn't put it past him… Oh, by the way, I told Kevin about this story your grandmother mentioned in passing… about doing acid… do you mind explaining that one to me?"

"Depends on which acid story you're talking about."

"Which one!? There's more than one!?"

Nazz laughed. "Yeah, hold on, if we're going to do this, we should probably get some sustenance."

Before Edd could register what she had said, Nazz was already at the counter, ordering food for them. Guess I should send another update text to Kevin. I hope all these delays are not bothering him.

A few minutes before nine, Kevin got a text from Edd saying he's finally home, if Kevin still wanted to get some practice in. Kevin replied that he's on his way, but not for practice. He felt his phone vibrate, most likely a response from Edd, but chose to ignore it as he made his way across the street. Kevin knocked on the door, shifting from foot to foot uneasily. Edd let him inside and was surprised that he didn't have to remind Kevin to take off his shoes. Kevin must have recognized that in Edd's facial expression, and mumbled out, "I've been here enough times to know the drill, dork."

Edd nodded and waved a hand towards the living room. "I hope you don't mind if I finish this problem real quick."

Kevin nodded as he peaked at all the homework material laid out on the coffee table.

"So, you said you were not here for practice?"

"Yeah, I figured you still had a lot of work to do if you're just now getting home, and judging by how much of this stuff looks untouched," Kevin waved vaguely at the school work, "I was right."

Edd sighed and slouched a little, "I'm afraid so. I'm so sorry about this, Kevin."

Kevin waved him off. "It's no big deal. Really. So, what did Nazz need?"

"She had to pick up some stuff for prom, and she wanted to get dinner apparently. Or at least that's what it turned into when we got to talking about prom and her grandmothers supposed drug habits."

Kevin laughed. "Well… that's one diverse dinner table subject."

"Indeed, it is."

"So… you going to prom?"

Edd just shook his head.

"C'mon now, you should totally go!"

"You sound like Nazz."

"Good. She knows what she's talking about."

Edd rolled his eyes.

"Seriously. Please go to prom. I'm sure you'll enjoy it much more than staying home."

"I just don't see the point."

"The point is it'll be fun, and you need to go."

"Kevin… so why did you come over?"

Kevin blanched at this apparent deflect from the prom issue. "I just figured I'd come over to reschedule. I don't want you getting worn out on Mondays and Wednesdays just to accommodate my schedule."

Edd thought about it for a moment. "Tuesdays and Thursdays? I'll be home and already halfway through homework by the time practice is over, so you can just come over whenever. Though this next Tuesday won't work for me."

"Choice!" Kevin grinned at Edd, causing a blush to crawl up his cheeks, before standing. "I should probably get out your hair now so you can get back to homework."

Edd nodded before standing suddenly. "Do you have a VHS player by chance?"

Kevin squinted at him. "Actually, yeah, somewhere in my closet."

"Good. I found something that may help you until our next lesson." Edd reached into his bookbag and pulled out a VHS tape. He handed it to Kevin, saying, "They brought over the supplies from the old senior center today. I found this and snagged it for you."

Kevin turned the tape over in his hand. It was a ballroom dancing instructional tape, for the basics on waltz, tango, and foxtrot. "Dude. Thanks! Seriously."

When Kevin made it back to his bedroom, he locked the door, pulled out his VHS player, and got ready to at least start on the waltz. However, it took only about two minutes of just watching the footage to feel absolutely silly and stop the tape.

I feel like an idiot. I know why I'm doing this, for prom, so I can not look like a dumbass, but I feel like a dumbass right now. No one's gonna dance like this at prom, but I can't really bail on these lessons. That'll defeat the purpose.