Hey guys! Chapter 11 is up and I'm going to be working on chapter 12! I love this whole "I have free time to write" thing. I hope you guys are enjoying it so far, and while it may seem like things are going slow, that's because I have something big I'm going to be working on soon and I don't want to rush it or its effects on the rest of the story, so stay with me while I work. I hope you guys enjoy everything and don't forget to comment and review!
Love ~~ CB
Chapter 11 – Rave is Right
The next few days went by quietly without any crying experience on my part, as I promised Kevin. We spent our mornings walking to school together, talking casually as friends frequently do. Whenever we made eye contact, however, we would mutually turn away and blush hues deep enough to rival the color changed leaves. The morning of Nathan's Halloween party was no different as we walked to school.
It was a Friday morning with a soft breeze blowing down the streets while we walked. I was in an orange argyle sweater, skinny jeans, and casual shoes. Kevin was wearing one of his football jerseys, as they had an away game after school today and Nathan's party was to take place afterwards. Over Kevin's shoulders was his football bag that carried his gear and other jerseys. I did not understand why he carried his numerous jerseys with him to his matches but I never asked. I assumed he had his own reasons for it.
"So you coming to our game this afternoon? It's against the same team as Homecoming and should be a good game." I nodded and smiled. I remembered that game, watching Kevin play the field in the last half of the game, determined to win the game to make a point.
"I would love…" We both blushed. "I mean, I would thoroughly enjoy going to the game, however I have no mode of transportation to arrive to the location." I rubbed the back of my neck. While we have had many nights of tutoring and studying since the night of my mother's phone call, nothing more had happened aside from enjoying each other's company. We had not talked anymore about that night, or about what we admitted to each other. While I would have enjoyed getting closer, I knew that Kevin's social status may be hindered by presence in his life like that. Right now, my presence in his life as his friend has barely raised any attention from our fellow students; I think I would like to keep it that way for Kevin's sake.
Kevin adjusted the gym bag over his shoulders and looked over to me through the corner of his eyes. "Oh, don't worry about that Dork, I'll figure that out if you really want to go. I'd suggest getting a ride with Nazz, but she'll be with the cheerleaders." He grinned slyly as we walked up the steps of the school. "I'll figure something out, Dork. Just be ready at the end of the school day. Wait right here at the end of the day."
I smiled to Kevin and nodded. "Alright, Kevin. I will wait at the end of the day right here at the entrance of the school to see what you have figured out. I look forward to it." He blushed a little bit and smiled. He waved to me as he walked into the school and headed toward his locker prior to his first class. I went in the other direction to do the same with a small smile on my face.
Study period was interesting. I sat at my new 'usual' table with Nathan and Kevin. While I attempted to get Kevin to work on his homework incase he required my assistance, it was impossible to get either of the boys to focus on anything but the coming game.
"So, Double Delightful, are you coming to our game today? A little pregame to my amazing Halloween party, and I think you'll enjoy watching us trounce that prick Flynn again." I turned to face Nat.
"Nat, language." He grinned at me and made a kiss face in my direction. I blushed and looked down at the table. My eyes glanced over in Kevin's direction and I could feel my face heating up more as he was leaning back in his chair, his jersey pulled tightly across his chest. "But yes. I am hoping to go to the game today." Nat leaned forward and waved his hand, as if prodding me further. "And yes, I have intentions of coming to your Halloween event as well, Nat." Nat smiled and leaned back, satisfactorily. His shirt did something very similar to what Kevin's did; however, Nat's lean muscle pulled at the shirt a bit differently.
Kevin grunted and gave the leg of my chair a kick. I assume I must have been looking in Nat's direction a bit longer than I had meant to be looking. Nat's grin got broader and he spoke in a hushed voice. "Now, Kev. No need to get jealous. I have my glowing beauty to torment. I'll leave this delectable piece to you, babe." He winked and Kevin glared at him and muttered some words I'd rather not repeat under his breath. I became fascinated with the wood grains of the table rather than the vibrancy I'm sure was growing on my face.
"Goldberg, what did you do now?" The three of us looked up to see Rave walking into the library and over to our table. Nat winked at him and smiled. "Don't give me that. While it doesn't take a lot to get Edd flustered, you're the one who tends to be the culprit for it." Rave sat don across from me between Kevin and Nat. Occasionally, Rave would sneak out of his oil painting class that he had this period to come and sit with us in the library. Normally he would state that he was already completed with his art piece so being in the class was unnecessary. He would scold Nat regularly, for just about anything that I could tell, but it never kept Nat away. "Get off of me Goldberg." Nat had scooted his chair over to sit up close to Rave and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Even while Rave snapped at Nat, he did not push him off, he simply sat there with a scowl on his face.
"Oh, Rave, were you thinking of going to the game tonight before Nat's Halloween party?" Rave looked across the table to me and raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I just assumed you were going to go to Nat's party since you two were so close. I apologize if I assumed in error." Nat got even closer to Rave, if that was even possible.
"Here that babe. You can't deny it. Even our little cutie can see that you have the hots for me." Nat went to kiss Rave on the cheek but Rave caught Nat with one hand and pushed him back, his palm on Nat's face. I giggled and looked over to Kevin, whose forest green eyes were watching me rather than our two friends across the table. I blushed and slid my chair closer to him, if only by a couple inches. Kevin used his foot to wrap around the leg of my chair and pull me closer to him. I leaned against his side and smiled. He blushed, but stretched an arm around the back of my chair and rested his hand on the side of my arm opposite him.
Rave grinned from the other side of the table. "I was thinking about going. I take it you have a vested interest in going, Edd?" I blushed but nodded softly, Kevin's hand slowly moved along my upper arm, his fingers tracing a subtle pattern that gave me chills. "Then how about this, Edd. Why don't we both go to root for our mutual annoyances?" He glanced over to the side where Nat smiled at him. "And I'll drive you. Unless you already have a way to get there." I shook my head.
"Thank you, Rave. Kevin and I were talking about that issue this morning so your offer is greatly appreciated." Rave nodded curtly then pushed Nat away as he tried to get even closer.
"Cool it Goldberg." Nat scrambled to get closer around Rave's arms pushing him away.
"But babe! You said you wanted to come to my game!" Rave rolled his eyes and sighed, looking over to Kevin and I for some assistance. I giggled a little while Kevin shook his head.
"You signed yourself up for that one Rave. He's all yours." Kevin grinned and relaxed in his chair with me next to him. There were a few whispers from other students in the library, however we never acted as forward as Nat did about any relationship we may have, not that we had a relationship to speak of, at least nothing more than a friendship, despite what I was hoping for. And, I believe, despite what Kevin was hoping for, not that we had talked about it since that night a few weeks ago. I shook my head, attempting to silence my thoughts as well as tune out the whispering that was happening around us.
I glanced over to the table Eddy and Ed sat at and made eye contact with Eddy. He scowled at me and turned away. He still has not spoken to me since the Homecoming dance, and while Kevin was all right with that and continued to tell me I did nothing wrong, I still felt uneasy about the situation. I turned and looked to Nat. "Um, Nathan, is Nazz invited to your Halloween party?" Nat turned to me and scrunched his face at the use of his full name, but he nodded. I sighed. "Then that means she'll probably bring Eddy." Kevin sighed and a look of realization came across Nat's face and he nodded slowly.
"Listen cutie. If you want I can make sure he doesn't come." I shook my head. I did not want to be that petty, in fact I did not want to be cruel to Eddy at all. I only wanted my best friends back. Nat nodded. "Alright, but don't you worry about it. There are sure to be a lot of people there and I doubt Kevin will let you out of his sights for long." He laughed and winked at us. Even as Kevin glared at his best friend, his grip on my arm was strong and comforting. We sat in silence for the last couple minutes of the study period, spilt across the table with our mutual crushes.
When the bell finally rang, Rave looked over to me. "I'll pick you up at the front of the school near the main entrance. Sound good?" I nodded in response and he smiled while the four of us walked out of the library to finish up our school day prior to the game.
Once the school day ended I put my belongings I did not require this weekend away into my locker then made my way to the front of the school. Rave walked out with me, talking casually about the game and the party later tonight and we walked over to his car. He owned a small sedan the color of a night sky. "She isn't much, but she gets me from point A to point B, and that's what matters, right?" He smiled as he slid into the drivers seat and tossed his shoulder bag into the back seat. I sat in the passenger seat and looked around at the interior. Aside from the bag he tossed in the back, the car was spotless, not even a layer of dust graced the dashboard. "I try to keep it clean. Nat mocks me if I don't, anything to push my buttons I guess, so I'd rather just limit the ammunition he has ahead of time." I smiled and nodded. That did sound like something Nat would do.
"You should see what Nat drives, Edd. Its impressive, and it helps that his parents are well off. It was a gift from his father but Nat doesn't drive it much. He said he prefers to walk to school and back, and normally I would agree, but I knew about the game today so I drove instead."
"What about Kevin and Nat? How are they going to get to the other school?" I looked over to Rave and he raised an eyebrow as if my question held an obvious answer.
"They have to ride with the rest of the team and the cheerleaders on the bus. It's an away game, Edd, team has to stick together. See? There goes the bus." He pointed out to a stray bus pulling out of the back of the school. "Come on, let's get going. The game starts promptly upon Peach Creek team's arrival." I nodded and Rave put the car in motion and drove out of the school lot.
As we followed the bus across town lines, Rave and I talked about varying topics, but it was not until we cross the town line for West Creek, about twenty minutes from our school, that he brought up a difficult topic.
"You know Edd, it's clear that Kevin cares for you." I looked at Rave and nodded. He smiled and looked at me from the corner of his eyes, not that I'm sure how he could see me through his relatively long magenta hair. "You two already had that conversation, haven't you?" I gave another nod but said nothing. "Then what's the matter? I know I'm not one to talk with the idiot I've fallen for, but Edd, I think Kevin is a great guy, regardless of the demeanor he sometimes puts out to the world."
I gave a short laugh and followed it with a small nod. "Oh, I completely agree, Rave. The difference is that I am who I am, and while I have never hidden who I am, at least not in terms of my orientation, I do not wish to force Kevin to do anything that he is not ready for or comfortable with. I will not lose much, Rave. Kevin has social status, and even hanging out with me as much as he does has elicited mutterings from our fellow classmates. I will not be selfish about this."
Rave pulled his car into a visitor parking space, not far from the field. He put the car in park, turned off the engine and turned to me. "That is complete bullshit, Edd." I turned to him, offended and aghast, but before I could correct him or scold him for his language he put his hand up and gave me a piercing gaze. "Kevin could careless about his 'status' as you put it. It's clear that he is interested in you. You're afraid aren't you? Afraid to let someone in." His last statement was not a question by the tone of voice he used, but I answered with a small nod anyways and turned away. "Look at me Edd." I turned to look at Rave, his intense look nearly making me turn away again. "I don't care two shits about social status, because once we leave this school, none of it will matter anymore. Kevin's talked to Nat and I about your situation." I looked at him, a look of anger beginning to cross my face.
"That was none of his business to talk to anyone about." Rave sighed and nodded.
"While that might be true, don't be mad at him. Don't use this as a reason to push him, or any of us away. Understand that he just cares for you and came to us for advice as to what to do to help you. And do you know what Nat and I told him?" I shook my head, arms crossed against my chest, indignantly.
"We told him to go for it. You have been alone far too long. You only had Eddy and Ed, and while we understand they are your best friends and it hurts to lose them, we want to be your friends as well. That means we are willing to help you no matter what, so don't push us away because you are afraid, or that you are so trapped in your comfort zone of your silent house that you don't want to try to step out of it."
I bit my bottom lip in a childish way, the gap in my front teeth clearly visible. I struggled not to let my tears slide down. Rave gripped my shoulder tightly. "Do you understand now?" I gave a weak smile and nodded. He patted my shoulder, reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a small pack of tissues and handed them to me. "Good. Now dry your eyes before we go find a seat. If Kevin sees that you were crying, I will be in a lot of trouble. And while I can handle Nat, I don't think I can manage a real fight against Kevin." I let out a choked laugh at the thought.
"I do not think that would end well either, Rave." He grunted and we got out of his car and walked towards the field and the bleachers. Maybe Rave is Right.