Hey everyone one! I'm back after a long period of "FML" because of all the job stuff that was going wrong. Thank you everyone who has been reading, reviewing, and lifting my spirits up. It makes me want to keep writing and getting all my ideas out. I'm sorry it has taken me a little while to post this chapter, so hopefully there will still be some readers who come back to me... Come back! I miss you all!
Read and Review, you have no idea how happy it makes me to read your reviews. It makes me feel like I'm doing good work, and if you have any issues, let me know. I'd like to make sure everyone can enjoy it.
Alright, that's enough out of me! Enjoy chapter 13!
Chapter 13 – Enjoying the View
As we pulled into the driveway to Nat's home I stared up at his house in awe. It was large, yet had a simple design with elegant features. Painted white with soft blue shutters, the sides of the house held a country-esque feel with vibrantly colored floors tracing the circumference of the house. Those flowers looked to be well maintained and when I commented on them, Nat remarked that his mother has little else to do but to take care of her plants. Further inquiry about his mother or his father was returned with short responses and quiet rebuttal. I was only informed that they would be gone for tonight's events and not to worry about it.
The house stood at three floors with a finished basement, which I enjoyed the chance to explore while Kevin was showering on the second floor. Nat was in his own shower that was just off his bedroom on the third floor. Rave was seated on Nat's bed, reading a book, and when I asked what he and Nat were going to be for Halloween, he stated that I would have to be patient and see when they came down for the party.
I continued to explore the house, enjoying the decorations on the walls throughout the house. It was easy to tell which rooms were designated to whom. One room had porcelain figures on high shelves with a small television in the corner. A small chair rested against the wall but the majority of the space for the room was left open. A yoga mat leaned against the wall next to the chair.
Another room I found became one of my favorites in the house. Upon opening the door to this room, I was greeted with the scent of a great many books. Looking around showed me that each all held a large bookcase that stored hundreds of beautifully bound novels. Glancing over them, I found many I had read before, but never owned, and some with titles I have never heard of before. If I could, I would have kept all the books I have ever read on hand in case I wished to reread them, however I did not want to take up much space in the house with just my books, so I generally only took books out at the library unless there were others that I knew I desperately had to own. I did not wish to take up my parents' space in the house with my own things. I did not think they would take kindly to that sort of behavior.
At the center of this room, in front of a large set of bay windows, sat a large wooden desk, artfully crafted, and a leather bound chair. I risked sitting in the chair if only so I could get a better view to really take in the vastness of the room. This room sat in the corner of the house, but rose through two of the three main floors. There was a walkway around the perimeter of the second floor, where more bookshelves stood, and a spiral staircase in one corner of the room that connected both levels of this marvelous library together. I sat in the chair, in awe of the place. Rave was not joking when he said that Nat was wealthy. The simple beauty of the outside masked the extravagance of the inside of the house.
"Oh, there you are. Was wondering where you went." I looked up to the second floor walkway and instantly turned red. Kevin was standing about three feet inside on the walkway, in front of the second floor door, dressed with only a towel around his waist. His muscular torso still glistened from the shower he must have finished only moments ago. "Come on up, we should start getting dressed for the party." I nodded meekly and walked toward the spiral staircase and began to make the climb up into Kevin's direction. He smiled gently to me as I came into view and walked over toward him. I kept my eyes down because I could not bare for him to see me that red again, let alone so easily. "Is something the matter, Dork? You can look you know. It isn't like we're hiding anything now." If I could have gotten red all over my body, I would have.
"It is not that, Kevin. I am simply giving you your privacy seeing as you are still currently undressed and nude." Kevin grabbed my hand and held it in his. He pulled me close to him so all I could smell was his scent. God, his beautiful scent, rivaled only by his well-sculpted body was enough to make me go weak at the knees. I shook my head trying to break that train of thought. He looked down at me with a sweet smile and kissed the top of my head.
"Alright, then let's go and get dressed. At least then I won't be making you uncomfortable around me." I shook my head. It certainly was not discomfort to be around him, unless you counted the ache that was building up elsewhere. Curse juvenile hormones!
Kevin held my hand as we walked through the house back toward the spare room and bathroom where Kevin had been showering only moments ago. He sat me down on the bed and walked over to his gym bag that he had brought from Rave's car. He rifled through it, looking for something and smiled. "Alright, I know what I'm dressing up as, but what are you doing, Double D?"
I shook my head. I had not really planned on dressing up, even if it was part of the holiday. "I did not prepare a costume, Kevin. I was only planning on coming to the party. I did not know if I needed to obtain a costume. Plus I would not want my parents to view the account they gave me with a 'frivolous' purchase such as one would be for a costume." While I would not have considered the purchase to be frivolous, I knew my parents would consider it such.
Kevin raised an eyebrow in my direction, and it was unbearable to look at him. It made him even more tantalizing but I knew I had to keep it together, lest I lose all sense. "This is a Halloween party, Dork. You need a costume. Let me see what I have." He went back into his gym back and continued digging through it. When he came out he had to things in his hand, one of which he tossed to me. I caught it, surprisingly, and opened it to see one of Kevin's football jerseys. I looked back over to him. "You can be a football player." When I made a face at him, he laughed. "Don't worry, that's my Home game jersey. It's clean. You can just put it on over what you are wearing already. Go on, toss it on."
I nodded and stood up. I put it over my head and it fell down around me without any issues. It was huge on me but when I turned to Kevin, there was a look in his eyes I did not notice before. He smiled with what almost appeared to be pride. "It is a little large on my frame, Kevin." I scratched my head under my beanie, embarrassed.
Kevin shook his head and walked over toward me. "You look perfect, Dork." I blushed and he pushed my shoulder enough to make me sit down on the bed. I looked up at him, a little scared about what he was going to do, but he only knelt down in front of me, which appeared to be tricky in only a towel. I shook the thought of the towel falling from my thoughts. He took the second thing he pulled out of his gym bag from it other hand and opened it. It appeared to be a bottle of black face paint, or something very close to it. He took two fingers, put them into the paint, and then dragged his fingers across both of my cheeks about an inch under my eyes. "This is to help with the glare of the Sun when we are playing, but for tonight its just good for the costume." He stood back up and backed up from me, surveying his work. He nodded approvingly. "Alright, I'll be back out in a bit. I'm going to get my costume on." I gave a small nod and he turned and walked back into the bathroom. I sat on the bed, rather in awe of everything that had happened today, and I allowed it all to sink in.
Kevin and I were… what? Dating? Even I was not sure of the exact level of our relationship right now. Yes, we were close, and yes he had made it clear that he wanted to come to this party with me and only me. But I could not figure out what that made us. Was I now Kevin's… boyfriend? Surely he did not wish to go that far. Not when he could so easily find someone more better suited for him. I decided I could not find the answer on my own and I required assistance. I walked up and knocked on the door. "Um. Kevin? Pardon the interruption but I was curious about something." I could hear a soft "uh huh…" from through the door. "What… What would you consider… us as?" There was silence for a moment so I quickly rushed to make the awkward situation right. "I do not mean to push you into anything you do not wish, I was just confused about everything that had happened today."
Kevin opened the door a little and stuck his head out. I was assuming he had dropped the towel and was changing. His hair was still a little damp as his bangs rested on his forehead. "Dork, chill. We both already know how interested in each other we are. Whether we call it dating, or being each other's boyfriend, I don't care. As long as I can take care of you, I'm good." I could feel the blush on my face, which I am sure, looked ridiculous with the black face paint on.
"But, Kevin, surely you could do better than just me. You are the top of the social ladder and…" Kevin cut me off by putting his finger on my lips.
"Dork, seriously, I don't want to be around anyone else from this town as much as I want to be around you. Stop over thinking it and enjoy the ride." He smiled and we both stood there for a beat gazing into each other's eyes. I could feel his deep forest green eyes boring into my soft blue ones. He gave a small chuckle. "Can I go continue changing?" I jumped back and nodded quickly.
"Oh, yes! My apologies, Kevin. I am sorry to have disturbed you." I walked back to the bed and sat down.
"Nothing to apologize for, Dork." He closed the door again and I could hear the sounds of rustling from where I sat on the bed. He must have been naked when he was talking to me through the door. He was not dressed and all that kept us separate was about an inch of wood. I had to fight my mind from making an inappropriate remark about inches. Curses I have been around Eddy for too long.
I remained seated on the spare room's bed, while I waited for Kevin to finish changing. The bathroom door creaked open and I looked up and bit back a fit of giggles. "Kevin, you look ridiculous. What are you supposed to be?"
Kevin stood in front of me wearing a green argyle sweater that was almost too tight on him. His pants were beige chinos and on his head sat a red cap, not unlike his normal hat, but he wore it so the brill was facing forward and the words "Quiz Bowl" were clearly displayed on the front of the hat. He had a pair of glasses, which had tape in the middle, resting on his nose. The grin on his face was both adorable and charming and I could not help but to smile up to him.
"Gosh, Dork, I thought it was painfully obvious. I'm a nerd, can't you tell?" He sauntered over toward me and looked down at where I sat on the bed. "And you're the jock, obviously." I raised an eyebrow up at him in judgment.
"I believe I am far from being a jock, Kevin. And you are far from being a nerd." Kevin laughed and I watched as his chest heaved from the laughter in the sweater. I could feel myself getting red so I tried to look away but Kevin caught my face in his hand. He bent forward till his face was right in front of mine.
"Are you telling me I can't be a nerd? Am I not smart enough?" His voice was a subtle whisper with his breath grazing across my skin to the point where I shuddered in his hand. I stumbled over my words, attempting to find the proper comeback to answer his questions.
"N-now Kevin. You know th-that is not what I meant!" I could feel my face getting redder as I was getting flustered. He smiled down at me and kissed me full on the lips. His body pushed me back onto the bed and he lay down on top of me. I squirmed under him, completely undone by his actions. He smiled and looked down at me under him. His weight was more than I had expected but was not overwhelming. It was almost comforting, knowing that such a large individual was so close to me and was strong enough to watch over me.
"Sorry, Double D. Couldn't help myself with you in my jersey. You're just so adorable." He ran a thumb across my cheek just under the face paint. "What do you say we go and find the others? I'm sure the party has started by now. I can hear music from the backyard." I nodded slowly, stunned into silence under the man who cares so much for me. He pushed himself up off of the bed, and off of me, and held out a hand to me. I took it happily and he pulled me up off of the bed with such force that he pulled me into his chest. He wrapped an arm around me and I put my hand on his strong chest and traced the muscles under the sweater with my finger. We walked out of the room together, and down the main staircase, following the sound of the music.
We greeted our friends as we walked through the house as they made their way around the first floor. "Ah! There you are, Double Delish! What took you so long? Did that mean Kevin try something? You're all red in the face!" Nat walked over to us and I could not help but to turn a bright red at his costume. Rave walked up next to him and punched him in the arm.
"Idiot. Calm down. You're going to scare Edd away and the party hasn't even started yet." I looked between the two of them and it was clear that something was between them. They both had on black slacks and black satin vests, but neither of them had a shirt on under the vests. Nat's muscles from football were much clearer without his normal clothes on. Rave was slender under his vest, not as defined as Nat, but he also was not a football player either. They each wore black masks that covered their eyes and that were ornately designed, and around their necks they both had bowties on. Nat's bowtie was a deep purple and Rave's was a brilliant shade of turquoise.
"Well, whatever the case may be, doesn't our little Double D look adorable in that jersey? A spare you had Kev?" Nat gave a sly grin under his mask. Kevin grunted and held me tighter. Nat smiled and wrapped his arm with Rave's and turned around and walked out through the living room and through a sliding door to the backyard. Kevin and I followed them and I looked around the living room in awe of its size and space. I think my look of awe remained as we walked out to the backyard. The yard was large and spacious. Torches lined the perimeter and in the far corner of the yard stood the DJ's booth. Large speakers were placed strategically around the yard playing the latest selection of music that I am sure Nat had organized.
"This place is amazing, Nathan. Your house, your yard, everything." Nat shrugged at my compliment and continued to lead us towards two peculiarly dressed figures.
"It's my parents place, so long as they keep paying the bills. At least, that's what father keeps telling me." Rave gave Nat a slightly concerned look, but nothing was ever brought up from it. Nat shook it off and smiled back to Kevin and I. "So long as they allow me my indulgences like these parties, then I suppose I can't complain, right?" I gave a small nod but turned up to Kevin. He shook his head slightly in a way that meant "long story."
We stopped in front of the two lone figures who were talking with drinks in their hands near one of the torches that lined the yard. I blinked and smiled when I realized who they were. The short figure wore a well-fitted white suit and white dress shirt and pants with a black tie that stood out sharply in contrast. On their head was a white fedora and at their hip sat a fake gun. I seemed to recall Eddy's idea for a gangster costume a couple years ago however he was unable to see that outfit to its fruition due to finances. I suppose being a junior and able to hold a job for a little while has been able to buy a few nice things for him.
Next to Eddy stood a blonde with her hair up in a high ponytail. The outfit she wore left little to the imagination however the warm October we have had must have been the reason for this style choice, right? The top was a halter that revealed her entire midsection and hugged her top where it was necessary. Her pants were black leather leggings, and while this outfit was revealing in nature, the real surprise was what was around her hip. A belt sat around her hips lazily but on either side sat what appeared to be two scabbards with matching swords to go in them. How she was able to procure those, I was completely at a loss to answer.
"Oh! Hi guys! Was wondering what was taking you two so long." Nazz giggled when she saw Kevin and I. "Kevin, what are you supposed to be? I get Double D's costume, or your claim as it appears, but I don't get yours." I blushed at what she made my costume sound like. Kevin's claim? Was that what it meant when I wore his jersey? That he was claiming me as his own? I blushed more at the thought. At this rate, the black face paint was going to bake right onto my skin and I was never going to be able to get it off.
Kevin grinned to Nazz and he nodded, boldly admitting to what she was saying. "Yeah, gotta make sure people know that he's with me, don't I? And I'm a nerd, Nazz. Can't you tell?"
Eddy scoffed. "Why didn't you just let Sockhead dress you? He would know as good as anyone how to dress like a nerd." Nazz giggled and Eddy gave her a small grin. I turned and grinned at Eddy.
"Oh Eddy, I am simply able to recount a lot of facts that are useful at the right time. You seem to have found uses for that ability for many of your scams, yes?" I gave him a sly grin and he blinked at me. A grin slowly crossed his face and he nodded.
"Yeah, I suppose your nerdiness has come in handy a couple times, D." We grinned rather idiotically at each other. This was the first conversation we had partaken in since the library after Homecoming. Kevin and Nazz looked between us, cautiously, waiting to see how the scene was going to play out.
"Are you two dorks good then?" Eddy cocked an eyebrow up at Kevin.
"What's it to you, Jockstrap? Can't two friends argue and make up in peace without your commentary?" I could see Kevin's jaw tighten and Nazz rolled her eyes. I raised my hands between them.
"Now, gentlemen, let us behave and enjoy the party, right Nat?" Nat grinned and simply stood watching the conversation with avid interest.
"Oh, don't mind me, cutie. I'm enjoying the show here just fine." I gave Nat a look pleading for help and Rave gave him a punch.
"You're an ass Goldberg. Come on guys, calm down. We didn't invite you just so you could duke it out in Nat's backyard for the best people in the school to see as your witnesses." Rave crossed his arms and gave Eddy and Kevin a disapproving look. The two of them glared at Rave and he simply cocked an eyebrow in response. "Well? Are we going to grow up a little now? If anything, for Edd's sake?" I blushed, not wanting the attention back on me, but Kevin sighed and nodded. Eddy only grunted.
Nazz smiled and grabbed both the boys in a tight hug. Kevin muttered something under his breath and Eddy only glared up to Kevin, but he did not say anything. "See? My two best guys are going to get along, right?" She eyed the two of them with a look more threatening than I have ever seen before. She released the two boys once her point had clearly been made and she turned back to me and smiled. I beamed back to her and walked up and looked at her outfit.
"Nazz, you must tell me how you came across such an interesting costume, let alone the blades that you have. Are they real?" Nazz giggled and nodded.
"Yeah, they are real. They're military swords, so they are mostly just meant to be on display and they belong to my father. I only borrowed them for the night." She winked. "As for the rest of the outfit, it was Eddy's idea. He wanted to come as a gangster and he thought I'd make a good assassin. Whadya think?" She smiled and spun for us to see. Kevin laughed.
"What kind of assassin spins in a circle?" Nazz stopped and glared at him, but spoke to me.
"Oh, and Double D, did you want to see the swords? My dad keeps them nice and sharp at all times." I believe I saw Kevin get a few shades paler. Eddy laughed and Nazz smiled. "Besides, Eddy was the one who helped me put the costume together. He bought me what I needed and helped me with any adjustments. He's actually a really good and caring guy when he isn't trying to act all tough." Eddy grunted and gave her a small nudge, and I am pretty sure I could see a deep red under the shadow of his fedora.
The night went on, we all laughed and socialized with others from our school. Even Ed was there with Sarah. It seemed that Nat was willing to try and be civil to my friends, and I thanked him for it. He only shrugged and told me that he would do anything to make sure I was smiling and happy. He said that I was "too cute to ever see sad." I shook my head and thanked him again before I found a table to sit down at and listen to the music in my own little space.
A feeling of peace enveloped me and I could not help but to smile because I finally found friends that I could really be myself with. Yes, I always had Ed and Eddy, but with their absence these past few months, I found myself struggling even with Kevin, Nat, and Rave being there for me.
I looked up to the sky that appeared to flicker above me with the glow from the torches around the large yard. I felt a smile cross my features as I gazed at the dim glimmer of the stars above all of us. The past few months flew through my mind at lightning speeds, from one football game to the other so much had changed. I was happy with my friends instead of crying about my loneliness on the walk to a dance with a sympathetic man who I barely knew at the time. Now, there was not a day that went by that I did not see that man who was once a stranger. No matter what I did, I felt my heart skip a beat and my breath stutter when I thought about the kiss he gave me in front of everyone. Surely many from our school saw, but no one has said anything since.
While I was still unsure about what Kevin and I were, I still knew how much of a risk he was taking by hanging out with me as much as he was. We have been casually together for a little while now, but only behind the curtains, behind the scenes. What would my parents say if they knew I was falling for another man this fast? They would probably officially disown me and cut me off financially. I shook my head and gave a heavy sigh, willing away those thoughts. They were not here, and they displayed no sign of coming home soon, so I was not going to put much stock in those thoughts.
"That was a heavy sigh, D." I opened my eyes looking up into vibrant green depths. I smiled up to the beautiful view that blocked out the stars, my Sun.
"Oh, it is nothing Kevin. I was merely thinking of the repercussions of… of whatever we are." He raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at me, his face only inches from mine. I could smell his cologne flowing off of him and it made my knees shake so I was thankful that I was sitting. His red bangs hung down under the hat and I could not help but to smile up at his handsome features. He smiled down to me, rolled his eyes, and kissed me with my head back.
"You think too much, Dork, did I ever tell you that?"
I giggled and shrugged as he walked around to sit in a chair right next to me. "Oh, maybe once or twice." Kevin grunted as he dropped into the lawn chair.
"Who knew the man I was going to date was going to worry over every little thing." I flushed at Kevin's words. While what he said in the bathroom hours earlier held a similar tone, he never did say 'date' or anything of that caliber, so I was a little shell-shocked from it. He grinned when he saw my awestruck features and leaned back in his seat, thoroughly proud of himself. "What a handful my boyfriend can be. Who knew?" Yes, that did it. If I did not have the seat to support me, I am fairly certain I would have collapsed right there on the ground in a puddle of mush. That word was not one I was expecting. This time, however, my silence did not get the same proud reaction from Kevin. He began to play with his hands and looked around nervously. "I mean, not to put any pressure or any label on it or anything. I'm not trying to push you into something stupid like that."
At that I had to laugh, and my laughter caused a confused look to grace Kevin's strong features. "Oh, Kevin, I do not mean to insult by any means when I was struck dumb. I simply was not expecting anything like that from you." Kevin began to defend himself but I held my hand up, still attempting to control my laughter. "No, Kevin, I would be honored to be considered your boyfriend. Nothing would make me happier." Kevin beamed in the torchlight and stood up from his seat so fast that the chair flew backwards. A few people stopped to look at what was going on but he ignored them. He crossed the space between us in less than two steps and pulled me to my feet and into his strong arms. He lifted me up and laughed.
"You just made me the happiest guy around, D. Come on, let's dance!" I laughed as he put me down and we ran to the open space left for dancing while a few people were rocking out to the music. Nat and Rave were dancing happily together and when they saw us, Nat beamed and Rave gave a knowing smile like he always did. Kelly Clarkson's "Catch My Breath" was playing while we danced in the yard under the stars.
Addicted to the love I found
Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud
Making time for the ones that count
I'll spend the rest of my time
Laughing hard with the windows down
Leaving footprints all over town
Keeping faith, karma comes around
I will spend the rest of my life.
We danced happily and Eddy and Nazz made their way out into the dance space and danced with the rest of us. Other students from school danced with us, but for me, it was like Kevin and I were the only ones, his tanned skin shining in the torchlight.
Catching my breath, letting it go,
Turning my cheek for the sake of the show
Now that you know, this is my life,
I won't be told what's supposed to be right
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,
I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down,
It's all so simple now
You helped me see
The beauty in everything.
Kevin smiled down to me as he pulled me close. "You were the one who helped me see, Dork. You helped me see that there was more to life than sports and my image. And what's better than that, is that you didn't have to do anything. You didn't have to do anything but be… you." I smiled up to him, my eyes fighting back the tears of happiness that was sure to flow out from my untrusting eyes. He put his hand on my face and rubbed a tear away with his thumb.
I shook my head in his hands. "No Kevin. You helped me. You helped me be me. You told me not to hide anymore. I will not let what others think of me hold me back from being me. You made me promise to be myself, and I have managed to grow from that promise, and I have you to thank for that." We smiled to each other and had a heated kiss in the middle of the yard for all to see. There were a few calls and hoots and hollers, mostly from Nat, but there were no negative words to be heard from anyone. We were among friends.
We stayed together until the late hours of the night. I yawned and looked up to Kevin whose chest I was leaning against while we all sat in front of a large bonfire. "It is getting late Kevin, I believe I will head home for the night." I kissed him and stood up. He went to move but I shook my head. "No, you should stay Kevin. Spend some quality time with your friends. You do not need to leave simply because I am an old soul and get tired easily." I laughed a little at my own humor and he rolled his eyes and stood up anyways.
"Well, even if you are an old soul, you're still my old Dork. Are you sure you are okay to go home on your own?" He put a hand on my cheek and gave me a concerned look. I nodded and gazed up into his deep eyes. God, how I could swim in those depths.
"I will be alright, Kevin. I believe I can handle walking a block or two to the cul-de-sac." He nodded and kissed me.
"Alright, text me when you get home, alright?" I rolled my eyes but nodded. I knew I had to agree to something in order to get him to stay without following me home. I knew it had been a long time since he had really spent a lot of quality time with Nazz and Nat and I wanted him to have that time, no matter what.
When he finally let me go, we gave each other one more kiss and a smile. Music was still playing softly from the speakers around the yard. Evanescence's "Haunted" played eerily around us, adding to the Halloween atmosphere. I walked through the first floor of the house, admiring it one more time before heading out and starting my quick walk home. Nat's home was only a few streets away from the cul-de-sac and it only took me a few minutes before I was back on the street heading into my neighborhood.
A couple minutes later, I knelt down to get my key out from under the garden gnome and unlocked my door. I turned and put the key back where I always kept it and pulled out my cellular phone to text Kevin that I had arrived home.
"Well, well, well. Hello there fag."