Hey guys! I did promise you I would bring you chapter 9 faster! I think I like this one better and that means I'm back in my groove again! YAY! Finally! We can all cheer and throw a party! And while you guys do that, I'm going to finish chapter 10, since that is also already started... I'm on a roll and have no desire to slow down. Who's ready for more!?

Comment and review like always! Love you guys! Enjoy chapter 9!

Chapter 9 – Study Away the Absence

And that's how it went for the next few weeks. Kevin would come over to my place after his football practice to work on his homework and for me to tutor him if he needed. Most of the time, however, I was surprised to see that he did not really need my help. When he did end up getting stuck, it was something small that I was able to correct for him and explain his error, to which he picked up the process even faster. He was fairly intelligent, even though he never gave himself the credit he deserved for it.

I spent my study periods with Nat and Kevin at their table, talking and studying with them. However, Nat never seemed to have anything to do, and when I inquired about that, he said that he got all his homework done days in advance. I will admit to my surprise at that, as he was not someone I would expect to be so on top of everything he did like that. When I brought up my surprise to him, he feigned being hurt.

"Double Delectable! How could you think so little of me?" He put his hand on his chest to add to his ridiculous reaction.

I shook my head, attempting to cover my tracks. "I meant no offense, Nathan. It is just that I thought you would be like Kevin what with all the classwork I am sure you have to do on top of your football practices." Kevin turned to me with an incredulous look on his face.

"Hey, Dork, what is that supposed to mean?" I shook my head back to him and put up my hands.

"No, Kevin, I did not mean anything insulting by it. I simply know how busy you are and what with the practices, time can appear to vanish."

Nat shook his head and looked at Kevin. "I don't know, dude. I'm certainly offended. For this little cutie to even think of comparing me to you is completely unacceptable. I'm so much more studious than you are." Kevin's eyes narrowed on Nat.

"Only because if you get your work done sooner, that gives you more time to go bother Rave when he's attempting to get stuff done."

Nat gave a cheeky grin in response. I giggled, listening to them go back and forth, clearly joking and enjoying themselves. Rave would occasionally sneak to the library to check up on us. He frequently said that he did not trust Nat to be alone with me and that Kevin was no better. He also did not think I could keep the two jocks well behaved enough in the library, but since most of the time they were picking on my social slip-ups, it kept them mildly amused enough to behave themselves.

It was the middle of October when things started to change, I think. Kevin was able to walk home with me so we could get an early start on his tutoring. He said that football practice was cancelled because the coach had an appointment for his son that afternoon after school got out at the local dentist and his wife was unavailable to take their child. Whatever the excuse, it was nice to have someone to walk home with since Eddy and Ed have not walked home with me in weeks.

We were quiet for most of the walk back to my house. Kevin remained a respectful distance from me, walking on the roadside of the sidewalk while I walked closer to the grass. When we finally got to my house, I went through my routine of unlocking the door by retrieving the key from under the garden gnome and then replacing it once the door was opened. Kevin watched me go through my routine with a slight grin on his face.

"You keep that grin to yourself, Mr. Kevin Barr." I grinned and walked past him and he took his normal position on the couch and set his books down on the coffee table in front of him. "I'll get us something to drink. Water like usual, Kevin?" He nodded and I walked into the kitchen and poured two glasses of water from the filter in the refrigerator. I walked back out with the glasses and Kevin was lounging on the couch, his books still closed and he was looking around the room. "Kevin, you should be working on your math homework. Is that not why you come over after school? So I can help you work on it if you need the assistance?"

Kevin shrugged and leaned forward to grab his textbook and his notebook. He started working on a problem while I walked over, set the glasses down on the coasters on the coffee table. I watched him work steadily then got up and walked over to my book bag. I pulled out my own chemistry textbook and started thumbing through it casually. I saw Kevin raise an eyebrow but he quickly went back to his work.

After about fifteen minutes Kevin put his pencil down. I turned to him and set my book to the side. "Was there something you needed assistance with?" He leaned back and gave me a piercing look. My face dropped and I gave him a concerned look. "What is it Kevin? Is something the matter?"

Kevin shook his head and he crossed his arms. "No, I'm good, Dork. Just curious about something." I nodded, giving him the go ahead to ask. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why have I never met your parents?" I blushed a vibrant red. When he saw me blushing, I think that made him blush as well. "No, no, no, I don't mean it in any… romantic way… I just mean that I never see them. Not that I'm looking to meet them for any specific… reason." He turned away, rubbing the back of his neck just under the bill of his cap.

I nodded and rubbed my knees, my hands getting cold all of a sudden. "Well, like I told you a few weeks ago. My parents work at a hospital in another city. Instead of completely uprooting my life with them, they decided to leave me alone in the house, knowing full well that I can take care of myself." I sighed and rubbed my hands together. "They check up on me via phone calls to make sure I am getting my school work done and that I am eating alright. They come home when they can, for holidays and the like."

Kevin watched me closely. "When was the last time they came home? Like, I haven't seen a car in this driveway in a long time. Maybe, last Christmas?" I looked at him; shocked that he paid that much attention, even so long ago. Then I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I realized that he was right.

"You are right, Kevin. I have not seen my parents for almost a year. They even missed my birthday this year, this summer. I received a phone call that was cut short because of a surgery my father had to begin."

Kevin's piercing green eyes shone through his red bangs peeking under his cap. "You're telling me that your own parents haven't been home to see you? Not even on your birthday? Why? Don't they love you, dude?"

I quickly nodded my head. "Oh yes, Kevin. They do love me; they say so every time they call. They just are very busy and have important jobs. I know that. So I do not hold it against them." Kevin remained silent, but his gaze never left me. I could not figure out what it was he was thinking, or what he wanted from me. "Is there a reason for your inquiries, Kevin? I cannot understand why you would be so interested in my parents." I believe I may have come off more terse than I had planned because Kevin's expression changed. He looked hurt; I could see it in his eyes.

Kevin turned away from me and sighed. "Its not that I'm interested in your parents, dude. I'm confused as to why your parents would distance themselves from you like this. Is it because of their work, or…" Before Kevin could finish his statement, the phone rang. I sprang up from my seat on the couch and ran into the kitchen to take the cordless off of the wall and answer it.

"Hello? Oh yes, hello Mother. How are you?" I could feel the smile cross my lips, and Kevin's gaze on me from the couch in the living room.

"I am well, Eddward. Are you taking care of yourself well? You have everything you need?"

I could feel my smile fading. "Yes, mother. I am well. I am currently studying with a classmate. I have everything I could need and the allowance you and father send me provides me with enough to obtain the food I need." I paused a moment before I turned around, away from Kevin, and queried further. "Mother, if I may, when are you and father going to come visit again? It has been nearly a year since you have been home last."

There was silence for a beat before there was a heavy tone on the other end of the line. "Eddward. You informed your father and I of a bit of information the last we visited. When you have corrected that horrid act we will continue to come and visit, time permitting of course."

I nodded slowly, as if my mother could see me. It was easy for me to recall the event that she was speaking of. I felt my shoulders slump; my hands shake, and tears start streaming from my face. However, I did my best to keep those actions out of my voice. "Of course… Mother." And with that, my mother said her goodbyes and hung up her line. I set the phone down on the receiver and stood there, tears wracking my body.

I went to turn around and turned directly into Kevin's chest. His green eyes looked down at me, confusion and sadness in his eyes. His broad arms wrapped around me and pulled me close. He did not say anything; he only held me close. I did not know what else to do, so I buried my face into his chest, crying uncontrollably.

"My parents are not going to come home." He pushed me back just enough to look down at me, confused. I could not look up at him while I spoke. "Last Christmas was the last time they had come home. It was also at that time that I informed them of my orientation… That I am gay. Eddy and Ed already knew well before this point in time, and I have made no effort to hide it from anyone at school." Kevin nodded. Everyone at school knew my preference, and it did not bother anyone, at least not to the level of out right action against me.

Kevin pulled me close to him, doing his best to soothe me. "And when your parents found out, they, what? Up an left?" I nodded in answer. "Well, screw'em then!" I looked up to him, aghast at his response. "Sorry, but come on Dork. If they are turning you away because of something like that, then they don't deserve you." He walked me back to the couch where we sat a moment in silence before he broke it. "Alright, you're coming to Nat's Halloween party at the end of the month, understand? We're going to get you out of your head and out of this house." He paused a moment and I looked at him. "You spend a lot of time here alone, Double D. I'm just going to make sure you enjoy life while you can. Come here."

He leaned back in the couch and motioned for me to come closer. I slid over a slightly and he pulled me the rest of the way so that I was leaning against him. He put his arm around my shoulder and used his hand to push my head down against his chest. I breathed in his scent and could feel myself relax. "Kevin, I have another inquiry for you." He nodded and waited in silence for me to ask. "Why do you care so much? Not to be rude, of course, but the past few weeks I have noticed a change in your demeanor toward me."

His arm around my shoulder pulled me closer. He remained silent for a few moments. His body radiated heat, warming me and calming me down. His hand moved to the top of my head and rubbed my head slowly. "Because I care for you, Dork. More than I probably should." I looked up to him, questioningly. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Alright, listen, Dork. My orientation may be in line with yours, and while Nat is gross in how he acts and what he says, he has a point." I blinked at him, turning red slowly. "I'm crushing on you Dork. The quarter back jock has a crush on the small skinny Dork. Cliché isn't it?" I laughed and curled up closer to him. His blush was almost as red as his hair.

"Mr. Barr, thank you. Thank you for being you. And for caring for me." Kevin nodded and held me close. We fell asleep like that until his cell phone went off after the sun had set. Groggily, he used his free hand to dig through his pocket to pull out his cell phone. He answered it and I could hear a deeper voice on the other end of the line.

"Oh, crap, sorry dad. We passed out during studying. Didn't realize what time it was. I'll be home shortly." He looked down to me with a slight grin on his face as he hung up his phone. "Oops."

I giggled and went to sit up, but he pulled me back down to where I was. He leaned forward and lightly kissed me. I could feel my pulse race, my palms sweat, my cheeks flare in a vibrant hue that rivaled the color of his hair, and my mind go blank. All that mattered was how close we were, the kiss he placed on my lips, and his smell that permeated through it all. When Kevin broke the kiss, I found myself getting a little depressed that he did so, but knew, logically, that it was time for him to head home. I sat up on the couch as he stood up and grabbed his things. He walked over to the door and I followed him. Turning to look at me, he wore a large smile on his face, his stance casual and he bent down to look me in the eye.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Dork. No more crying, understand?" I nodded softly. "Good. If you need anything, you have my number. I put it into your phone earlier when you fell asleep on my chest. Figured you should have it now." I blushed and looked over to my phone on the coffee table.

"Thank you Kevin. And I promise, I will not cry anymore." He nodded and kissed me softly on the cheek.

"Good. Night, Double D." I responded in kind with my own "good night" and he walked out the door and across the street to his own house. I believe I could see someone watching out the front windows of his house. I assume it was his father, waiting for his son's return. I brought a hand up to my lips and smiled, closing the door and locking it for the night.