Eddward closed his back door quietly, kicking off his converse and brushing his silky hair out of his eyes. He stared at the floor, wishing he could melt into it. Suddenly, his mother opened the door.

"Eddward, dear. How was school?"

Eddward shrugged. "Fine..." he muttered. He took his messenger bag off of his shoulder and pulled out a paper. "Here," he said plainly, handing the sheet to Shiloh.

Shiloh took the paper and looked it over. "Oh I see... Ok, darling, I'll sign this and give it back to you after dinner tonight. Right now I need to go to a job interview. I'll be back in about an hour or so. Windy is going to pick up Willow from school."

Eddward wanted to talk to all people but his bitch of a mother, but he was suddenly curious. A job? In Eddward's opinion, Shiloh was good at nothing but ruining his life. "Job?" he asked, standing up straight. He was taller than her by about 2 inches.

Shiloh froze and looked at him, sensing the mocking tone in his voice. "Yes, a job," she said slowly. "I'm applying for one of those people who walks around stores helping customers and what not. I'm applying at Best Buy. I was actually in the grocery store when an employee heard me speaking and walked up to me and told me I had an amazing speaking voice. So, he wanted me to apply."

Eddward decided that the conversation was over. He couldn't believe he had stood in a room with his mother for over 30 seconds. He shuffled past her, brushing against her carelessly. "Good luck," he murmured as he walked away from her.

Shiloh frowned. "What is wrong, Edd?" she whispered to herself, half annoyed, half confused. She slipped on her green flats and was out the door.

Eddward walked up the stares scraping the wall softly with his sharp fingernails. He entered his room, dumping his bag on his bed. Biting his lip, he rolled his head back and forth, smiling slightly when his neck cracked. School was so boring today... Like I need to hear petty rules.

With the thought of school in mind, Eddward walked to his closet and slid the door open. He dug around through his many brand name clothes until he found it: his old school uniform. He pulled out the black suit, the white color and white wrist cuffs shimmering once they hit the daylight. He fingered the green tie with a half smile. Rickkson's Academy For Boys... I miss it. He carefully hung the uniform on the edge of the door and sat down on his bed, staring at it. I almost forgot... He got up again and went to open his closet door once more. His hand stopped before he touched the knob. He blinked back the stinging in his eyes and opened the door. His hands sifted through the closet until he touched the thick fabric he knew so well.

He pulled out the dress like it was a sacred urn. The same school uniform as his with the white collar and cuffs and the green tie, just obviously for a girl. He held it up to his chest and stood still. All the memories he had of her... Being with her... Laughing with her... Holding her... He looked at the tag on the back of the collar of the dress.

Property of Alexis Jem.

The stinging in his eyes came back again, except this time more powerful. Before he could grit his teeth to cry, he heard his name being called from downstairs. It was Willow.

"Eddward! I'm home!"

Eddward turned towards his door. He swallowed his tears and placed the dress in the back of his closet. He couldn't look at it any longer.

"I'm up here," he called quietly.

Willow came rushing to his room, followed by Windy staggering up the stairs. Willow hugged Eddward's waist, burying her face in his thigh. "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii," she said.

"Your mother said you were able to take care of her while she's at her interview. You gonna be ok?" Windy tilted her head with a you're-not-gonna-do-something-to-her-right look.

Eddward looked down at Willow who was still clinging to him. He placed his hand on the back of her head. He looked up at Windy and nodded.

Windy grunted in response and walked downstairs, exiting the home. Eddward waited until he heard the engine of her pick-up truck start. Then he pulled Willow away from him.

Willow looked up into her brother's eyes. "Are you ok?"

Eddward sighed through his nose. "Yes. Yes I am." He knew it was a lie. And he could tell Willow knew it, too.

"Ok," Willow responded. She tugged his jeans. "Come play with me."

Eddward looked around his room then down at the 5 year old. "Ok."

Willow placed the cloth on the stool she had gotten from the bathroom in the middle of her room. One by one, she placed china tea wear on the cloth delicately. Taking her china tea pot in her slim fingers, she poured Eddward a generous amount of invisible tea. Eddward smiled softly. His sister was a generous person.

After Willow poured herself some invisible tea, she sat down on a pillow she had placed on the floor. Eddward had picked up some Japanese habits and Willow always thought they were fascinating. She thought her brother was cool. She wanted to be just like him.

"So, how was school today?" Willow asked.

"Fine. Yours?"

"Funny. The teacher fell when she was running in the gym because at lunch someone spilled their chocolate milk and they didn't clean it up yet."

Eddward took this in. "And they have janitors..." he said to himself.

"How are the teachers?"

"Relaxed. But not as sweet as the ones back home."

Willow looked up at her brother. "We are home, Eddward."

Eddward didn't reply.

"How's the food?"

"I didn't really eat anything. I was not hungry."

"Make any friends?"

"No... Did you?"

"Plenty."

"That's good..."

Willow took a sip of her tea and then put down the cup. She looked at the ground and spoke quietly. "Did you find another Alexis?"

Eddward's breath hitched. He inhaled sharply. Another Alexis... There wasn't one. "No..." he replied in just above a mutter. Don't cry... You need to be strong for your sister.

"Oh... I'm sorry."

Eddward looked to the side. "It's fine. Did you find another Scott?"

Willow shook her head. "No. But I found someone who looks like him."

Eddward nodded. At least Scott is... alive... Alexis is-

"Would you sing the song for me?"

Eddward looked up at his sister. She was smiling with wide eyes. The song... Alexis' song...

"Yes," he said, adjusting his sitting position.

"Yay!" Willow sat very still and stared at her brother.

With a strong inhale, he began singing.

Seductive go bhfuil an méid a bhfuil tú
Seduce tú dom le focal amháin
Shimmers Do sciorta sa solas na gréine
Cad a chuala mé díreach tar
Tarraingt mé leat i mo lámha
Agus a shealbhú tú go dtí an oíche
Ach cé go bhfuil sé dorcha
Tá do shúile iomlán an tsolais
Nuair a tá sé in am chun tú a fhágáil dom
Nuair a tá do láithreacht chun dul
Gheobhaidh mé do aoibh gháire sna bláthanna
Agus do spiorad sa sneachta*

Eddward's voice was soft and eerie. It sent chills down Willow's spine. So much agony in every stanza, so much pain. Willow almost wanted Eddward to stop. The lyrics made her chest swell. When Eddward finished, his face looked tired. Singing what were once such happy lyrics now filled his mouth with a sour taste.

"I'm going to go lay down now, Willow. Thank you for the tea." Eddward stood up and walked out the room, closing the door behind him.

Willow looked after her brother walking himself out. She would do anything to comfort him. But what could she do, if anything...

Eddward pulled the blankets over his head and hid himself once again from the world. A sob escaped his throat.

Alexis...

Kevin twiddled his thumbs nervously. It was 7:34. Where was the new boy- Eddward? Kevin didn't stop thinking about him ever since he saw him the first day. All night he was tossing and turning, trying to rid his thoughts of the new student that clouded his mind. But it was no use. It just wouldn't happen.

Finally, Eddward arrived, wearing the same leather jacket and jeans. The dog tags were new, though. Or maybe Kevin hadn't noticed them the first time. Today was the second day of school. The real work began today.

Kevin smiled at Eddward even though the blacked hair boy wasn't paying attention to him. He was scribbling in a gold notebook this time instead of drawing in a black sketchpad. Kevin watched him curiously until Mr. Grant got up from his desk.

"Ahem!" Everyone in the class stopped talking and looked at their teacher. "Alright, I assumed last night that you would all know the rules so, you know all the rules now, right? Good. I figured that today we would start out by learning how to use some tools we'll use throughout the year as well as the Calculus book. So, everyone turn to page xxi in your books."

Frank Thompson raised his hand. "Um, Mr. Grant? I don't have my book."

Kevin chuckled to himself. "Oh, this'll be fun..." he siad to himself while opening his book.

"Mr. Thompson, you do realize that without a book you can't learn in my classroom?"

Frank nodded meakly.

"Now, I understand, the book is heavy and you're weak," Mr. Grant shook his head, "but a student is not a student with the proper tools. So, you're screwed, buddy. Look off of Ms. Clinton's book." Mr. Grant slapped the desk next to Frank's, alarming both frank and the junior sitting in the desk. "Ms. Clinton?"

Giselle rolled her eyes and scooted the already opened book a little towards Frank so he could see it.

"You'll want to take notes, too," Mr. Grant said before patting Frank's head and walking to the front of the classroom. "So, now that everyone has opened their books, we're going to pay attention to Mr. Grant."

Everyone was paying attention. All except for Kevin. He was again infatuated with Eddward. He stared (without making it obvious) at the teen as he looked up at Mr. Grant with his dark eyes. Who are you?

Second period wasn't any better. Kevin and Eddward were on opposite sides of the classroom. Kevin pouted as Mr. Meier lectured the students in the room on the classroom rules.

"Rule number 1: don't be stupid. You do stupid things, you get in trouble. Rule number 2: please keep your voice at a whisper. I know that won't happen so I'm going to change it to keeping your voice under a medium shout. Rule number 3: for every day you don't turn something, you loose 5 points. Those points go down the drain quickly. Be organized. Rule number 4..."

To Kevin, Mr. Meier was like a slurring purple blob. All the sounds and the feelings of the real world were out of Kevin's range. Kevin tried not to stare, he knew it was getting a little obsessive, but Eddward was just so... weird. Not like, in a bád way but... Kevin knew he had to talk to him before the day was done. Kevin... Kevin...

"Kevin!"

Kevin shuddered and looked up to see Mr. Meier glarring at him through his thick glasses. "W-What?"

"Take one," the history teacher held up the small packet of papers, "and pass it back."

Various snickers crept through the room as Kevin took the papers with red cheeks. He looked at Eddward and swore he saw a faint smirk. Just a faint one. Ah, so he does have emotion... Kevin thought with some sort of accomplishment. Kevin bit his lip and smiled. Heh... I made him smile.

Kevin's favorite class of the year so far had to be period three- choir. It was such a fun class with such a fun, charasmatic teacher. Mr. Ethans had been in love with music his whole life, and you don't really find teachers that teach just because of their passion. Most expect diligant work and a handsome pay or a handsome power. But Mr. Ethans? Just wanted to have fun with the kids. How cool is that?

Kevin took his seat in the front row of the bass section and watched all the other students filter into the room. Kevin smiled when he saw Eddward elegantly take his seat in the second row of tenors. I can't wait to hear him sing.

Once the sopranos stopped giggling over nothing, Mr. Ethans took over the floor. "Alright everybody I'm gonna take attendance so shuuuuuut uuuuuuup." The 50 year old teacher smiled and blinked his eyes nicely. "Now SHUT UP!" Everyone stayed quiet. A few altos laughed.

"Justin Anthony?"

"Here."

"Grayson Antreassian?"

"Heeeeeeeerrrreeee!"

"Ok, thanks for announcing that, loud and proud- Janniqua Asson?"

"Here."

"Brooklyn Bates?"

"Here."

"Marcus Benton?"

"I like pancakes."

"So do I. Makayla Brown?"

"Sup."

"Dustin Clearfork?"

"Here."

"Dustin Cook?"

"Here."

"Emma Cook?"

"Uh, she's not here."

"Ok... Kevin Deangle- oh wait, you're right there."

"You're damn right I am," Kevin replied, crossing his legs and arms with a cocky expression. The whole class erupted in laughter.

"Now, now, Kevin. Don't make mé play good teacher and send you to the office. You know I hate being a responsible person."

Kevin chuckled and looked at Eddward. No reaction. Damn.

After attendence, it was time to get folders. Everyone circled around Mr. Ethans as he pulled out a plastic crate containing black and blue folders. "Pick one and I'll give you a number. Put your folder in the cabinet near the door with the correct number on the slot when class is over." Everyone did as they were told. Kevin's number was 50. Eddward's was 49.

"Ok, today you are going to get your first pieces of music and your excersise booklet. If you loose your music I will have to kill you." Mr. Ethans gave everyone his innocent schoolgirl smile. The whole class chuckled. And was that a smile on Eddward's face?

At 10:18, the bell for fourth period rang. Mr. Ethans stopped playing the piano abruptly. "Oh! That's it! Remember, folders in the correct slot Nat!"

Nat turned around, slicking up his teal hair. "You can trust me, Ethans... You can trust me..." He smirked evily.

Kevin did his best to follow Eddward in the halls but, my God that boy was fast. Kevin had to shove through people in order not to loose sight of him. Kevin rushed through the science classroom door right as the late bell rang. "Yay... no detention for me..." Kevin murmured to himself.

In fourth period, Mrs. Tipps was a bitch, as usual.

Lunch was loud and busy as Kevin made his way upstairs to the commons with Jacob and Emmett. He scanned the vast cafeteria and was delighted to see Eddward right away, already in line, smushed against the wall. He looked so fragile. Kevin didn't want to disturb him. Instead, he got in line with his friends and tried talking with them like normal. It was very hard considering Eddward was just up a few feet.

The special was spaghetti with a breadstick and a side of mixed vegetable and brown sugar carrots, so Kevin decided to take it along with an apple and some chocolate milk. Chewing on the soft breadstick, Kevin's again stared at Eddward who was sitting in the same spot he had yesterday for lunch. He wasn't eating. He just had his legs crossed and his arms crossed, and he was staring at the table.

"Kevin?"

Kevin turned his head back towards his friends. Nat had been trying to get his attention. "Yeah, Nat?" Kevin siad as he took a bite of his apple.

"Who ya starin' at? Is it Erin again? Dude, I'm telling you, just go up to that bitch and make out with her in the middle of the hallway, no one's gonna stop you." Some guys how overhead the conversation chuckled. Nat ran his fingers through his hair.

"No, it's not Erin. And no, I won't do that to Erin because I'm too Mormon for that shit." Kevin laughed at his own sentence and took a gulp of his milk.

Nat rolled his eyes. "So, who ya starin' at, love?"

"N-No one," Kevin answered, suddenly embarrassed.

"Is it that new kid? The one with the cute beanie?" Nat nodded his head to Eddward.

Kevin had to think fast. He didn't want the pervert of the school getting an sleazy ideas. Kevin scanned the area surrounding Eddward until he saw a gothic kid picking as his food. The jock cleared his throat. "No, it's him." He pointed at the goth. "I dunno, just looks weird."

Kat gazed at the goth then looked into Kevin's eyes. He touched Kevin's cheek. "I'm watching you," he murmured in a low voice. He left the table with the wink of an eye and a wave over his shoulder at the other football players.

You don't need to watch me, Kevin thought as he shook his head and turned his attention towards his left out friends. Just don't look at him. But it's pretty hard, isn't it...

Kevin was growing very impatient in the locker room. Ever since he had walked in to grab his gym clothes from his locker, he instantly grew worried. Eddward was not in the room. Oh my god where is he? Kevin slipped on his gym shorts and placed his hat in his locker. Taking a seat on the wooden bench in the middle of the room, he stared at the entrance, waiting for Eddward to walk in. Two minutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes... No sign of him.

"Hey, Kev, is this your shirt?" Dickerson held up an old green T from the lost and found crate.

Kevin nodded. "Oh, shit, yeah it is." Dickerson threw the shirt to the redhead and Kevin caught it. He balled it up in his hands. Where are you, Eddward?

Kevin grimaced when he heard Eddy's shreiking laughter come from one of the shower stalls. Really? Eddy HAD to be in one of my classes? And I thought I was gonna get a winning streak this year... And he's in 6th period too... shit. He stood up and threw the old shirt in his locker, happy that his mom would be releived when he brought it home.

"Ed's not reatarted, he's just cute," Eddy was saying as he walked out of the shower in his jeans with no shirt on. He bent over (just a stupid attempt to show off his ass) to untie his shoes, chuckling to himself.

Everything Eddy did was pissing Kevin off. "What the fuck's so funny," he accidentally siad out loud.

"Excuse me?" Eddy asked, straightening up. "Did you have a question for me, carrot boy?"

Kevin grunted and stood up, hunching his back and clenching his fists. This was his fight face. "It's not, Jamison," he breathed.

"Oh, okay." Eddy turned around. He gave Kevin a sideways glance. ":Probably just wondering why the rabbits are nibbling on your head-"

"Shut. Up." Kevin was in no mood to argue with the douche inside of Eddy that always seemed to show.

"Or what?" Eddy started to walk towards Kevin, an amused expression planted on his face. By now, the whole locker room was watching. Some black boys had their mouths covered as they were trying to stiffle their laughter. Eddy was inches away from Kevin's face. He grinned. "Carrot boy, I think you just want my ranch dressing in your mouth-"

Eddy was knocked down by Kevin's fist burying into his stomach. A yelp escaped the blue haired boy as his butt landed ón the hard cement floor of the locker room. Everyone in the room gasped and giggled.

"Ohhhhh, Jamison down!"

"Ooooo, nice one, Deangle!"

"Shit, that looked like it hurt..."

Kevin threw and angry smile down at the flustered Eddy. "Hmm. And I guess you want my hard stud on your record player." The whole room errupted in an "oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Eddy got up and shoved Kevin against the lockers. "Look, you little motherfu-"

"Boys." Just then Mr. Beckons came in carrying a clipboard in his hand. The whistle that hung round his neck glistened in the flourescent lights that hung on the cement ceiling. He crossed his arms and sighed, obviously annoyed the the boys' immature acting. Especially Eddy's. "Jamison, I suggest you get your fothermucking hands off of Deangle before I use the actually swear word. It's either that or a 3 hour Friday School, your pick." Mr. Beckons glared at Eddy, his mercury eyes gleaming aggresively.

Eddy exhaled heavily and looked at his gym teacher. "Fine." He released Kevin, backing away.

"Thank you. Not get your motherfucking self away from him."

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!" The class was enjoying this.

Eddy blushed with anger and retreated to the back of the room. Mr. Beckons turned to Kevin. "Any you, 'carrot boy', stay out of Eddy's hair alright?"

Kevin leaned against the lockers. "Sure thing. As long as he stays out of mine."

"Well, I think we've got a deal. Seriously, boys, one more punch and you're both landing in Friday School. Got it?"

The two culprits nodded and gave each other one final glare.

"Okay. Everyone upstairs."

The Peach Creek Senior High School auxillary gym: smells of sweat, looks like sweat... even the floors taste like sweat if you have a faceplant. The class, 13 girls and 15 boys, was sitting in the center of the gym listening to their two teachers talk about the game they were going to play: prison ball.

Ms. Hill dropped a big bag on the floor of the gym, the soft cloth echoing lightly throughout the vast room. "Alright, today we're gonna play a little prison ball. I reckon you all know how to play this but in case some of you don't, here's the gist of things: two teams. It's like dogde ball, ok? You plet balls at the opposite team and the divding líne is the blue on in the center of the room, the one I'm standing on. If you get hit, you do the walk of the shame to the other side of the gym. The 'prison' is on the other team's side of the gym. You stand there until you catch a ball thrown to you by one of your teammates. They can't cross the dividing line to make it easier to throw the ball to you, you just have to make sure you catch the darn thing. This game goes on until I say it ends... which will be at the end of the class. We start our football unit tomorrow. Today is like a warm up to get our muscles going. But half of this class is on the football team so this should be easy. Ok, when I give you a number, remember it." Ms. Hill began to walk around the circle of students. "One... two... one... Leann, two... one..."

Kevin, being n team 1, made his way to the left side of the gym. He clustered up against the wall with some of his friends. He stood in between Rachel Merrill and Erin Wesley, Erin being the girl he liked.

"Hey, ladies, you ready for prison ball?" he casually asked.

Rachel twisted her finger into her mass of wavy blonde hair. "Oh my God, never. I don't wanna get my leg smashed by Cody again like last year."

Erin tucked her thick, black hair behind her ear. "Eh... We all know I just stand here and do nothing. I'm good."

Kevin smiled at her. He poked her grey-blue beanie. "Heh... you're cute," he complimented.

Erin chuckled and shooed his hand away. "Shut it."

Mr. Beckons placed the last yellow ball on the dividing line of the gym and blew his whistle. "Okay! Everyone ready?"

The boys on each team bent down and prepared to run. Kevin lazily stood in the center of them, his hands to his sides, standing up straight. "Uh huh," he replied loudly.

"Ok- go!" And with that, the whistle blew and the gym was in chaos.

"First element of art- lines. Now, everyone can draw lines, yes? A line can be curvy, striaght, zig zag..."

Kevin tapped his pencil on the black table where he sat and stared at Eddward who was seated on the opposite side of the room. Legs crossed, arms crossed, head bowed, just like in every other class. His hair covered his eyes and some of his sharp nose, making his face appear even more edgy than it did on the first day. Kevin was really mesmerized by it and he didn't even know why.

Mrs. Hogue placed a piece of paper in front of each of her students and also gave each of them a ruler. "Now today's task is simple- draw lines. Any kind of lines. Overlap them, make a pattern using lines, draw shapes using lines, anything. Just fill the whole page. Ok? Good, go."

Kevin watched as Eddward took his pencil in hand and began circling it around the white sheet of paper. I wish I was sitting next to you... But seats are freaking assigned...

"Hey, Deangle!"

Kevin heard the raspy half-whisper and turned his head to see his football teammate, Regi, looking at him. "What?" Kevin half-whispered back.

"Can you do this for me?" Regi held up his sheet of blank paper and made a pouty face.

Kevin laughed at those wide eyes behind Regi's round glasses. "No... You're a big boy, Reginald..."

Reginald growled when he heard his full name. "But c'mon, man... You can draw better than any guy can in this room. Except him." Regi threw his thumb in the direction of a music nerd named Jesse who was already scribbling away on his paper.

Kevin shook his head and looked at Regi with wide eyes. "Do it."

Regi threw his head back and groaned. "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..."

Kevin blinked his eyes when he saw Eddward quietly get up from his seat. His slim legs started to walk towards Mrs. Hogue, paper in hand. Kevin watched curiously as Eddward exchanged some words with the art teacher, tapping the picture with his finger. Mrs. Hogue nodded and traced her finger on the paper as if demonstrating. Kevin tilted his head, confused. Is Eddward getting help or...? After Eddward nodded at Mrs. Hogue's words, he returned to his seat... but not before grabbing colored pencils from the box in the back of the room. When he walked past Kevin, the jock could smell a sweet strawberry fragrance. Mmm... so he smells good, too... Nice. Kevin blushed. Maybe he was being a little creepy...

Kevin was blessed to have Eddward sitting next to him in English. The strawberry scent of the teen next to him filled his nostrils as well as his heart with a happy feeling. He looked at Eddward, who was writing feriously in his notebook, with a lazt smile. You don't know it yet, but you and I are gonna become friends. If only Kevin knew that they would become something more...

Mrs. Wagner clapped her hands and smiled. "Kids!" The 12th grader's chattering slowed to a stop. Ms. Wagner smiled and sat on her stool in the front of the classroom. "Well, I just wanna say that I've been so excited and so busy preparing for this year. It's been, oh my Gooooood it's been so stressful. Yet wonderful. Ms. Wagner's been all over the place getting this year revved up for you guys. Since I'm a nice teacher, I'm going to have us get our folders and grammar books tomoooorrow," she paused so everyone could let our their sighs of releif, "and today we're gonna do a little quiz/survey thing on English and what you know. Also, at the bottom of the page, there's a little questionnaire for you guys. Even though I pretty much know you all, I wanna get a fresh start to freshen up my memory because Ms. Wagner is allllll tired out from stressing over your last year. Senior year." She made a pouty face. "I'm gonna miss you guys." The class all replied with "me too" and "awwww I love you, Ms. Wagner".

The 48 year old English teacher smiled. "So, there's some funky questions at the bottom. Let me pass them oooouuuut..." Ms. Wagner grabbed a stack of papers from her desk and began passing them out to the rows of students.

Kevin took his paper and placed it on his desk. Hesitantly, he gave the stack to Eddward, watching his slender fingers slip the papers out of Kevin's hand. Eddward took his sheet and passed it along, brushing his hair out of his eyes. He noticed Kevin giving him glances. Why does he keep on doing that?

Eddward shook his head, erasing the thought of the glances from his mind. He looked at the first question on the sheet.

Correct the following sentence: They should've went to the grocery store.**

Eddward couldn't help but scoff quietly. My... this will be one easy year. American people must be dumb.

Kevin was already on the 9th question (2nd to last on the English quiz) by the time 4 minutes had passed. English was Kevin's strongest subject besides history that he enjoyed. He could get himself lost in books and writing poetry and anything to do with literature. He was planning on being an author when he was finished with college. After Kevin had finished the grammar questions, he moved on to the personal ones Ms. Wagner had given the class.

If you had to choose between a chocolate or raspberry muffin, which would you choose?

Kevin wrote "Chocolate- duh." on his paper.

Everyone asks what the best thing you did during the summer was. So I'm going to ask what the worst thing you did was.

Kevin thought hard. Suddenly, a memory popped up in his head. "I got lost on a hiking trail and I found this outhouse to stop to think in. Suddenly, this wild animal came out of nowhere (NO IDEA what it was), and the outhouse tipped over. It was so. Freaking. Disgusting. You don't even wanna KNOW what got on my clothes." was the answer to the question.

Last but not least, choose from the following (which one would you love to learn about): Shakespearean literature, macabre poetry, thesis writing, advanced grammar.

"Macabre poetry." ended up filling the last line.

If you had to choose between a chocolate or raspberry muffin, which would you choose?

Well, I don't really care for chocolate. Eddward choose the raspberry muffin, even though he had never had one before in his life. Maybe fruity muffins were a big thing in America. Fruity cakes and crepes were the big thing in Scotland desserts.

Everyone asks what the best thing you did during the summer was. So I'm going to ask what the worst thing you did was.

This question made Eddward's throat close up. The worst part of my summer? Alexis... Eddward ended up writing "I'd rather not talk about it." on the given line.

Last but not least, choose from the following (which one would you love to learn about): Shakespearean literature, macabre poetry, thesis writing, advanced grammar.

Well, that's easy, Eddward thought as he wrote "Macabre poetry." on the given line.

When the rest of the class was done, Ms. Wagner collected the papers.

Kevin threw his books in his locker and grabbed his backpack. He tossed the things he needed to bring home in the various pockets, zipped them up, and threw a strap over his left shoulder. Taking his athletic back in his right hand, he started his walk to the locker rooms. He smiled when he saw Eddward walk past him in the hallway, messenger bag over one shoulder with a flute case in his hand. Kevin tilted his head. He walks pretty fast, doesn't he?

The band room was crowded with the high school's musicians walking to and fro around the tiled floor. The percussion was practicing its cadences while the clarinets were working on their A flat trills. Eddward placed his bag in the corner of the room away from everyone's other things, and began to assemble his flute. He didn't notice another flute player watching him from the opposite side of the room.

"He looks really quiet."

The girl was startled by the voice behind her. "Oh yeah," she answered, brushing her brown hair back from her eyes.

"Do you like him?" the boy teased.

"Shut up, Ryan. I don't even know him."

"His name's Eddward," Ryan responded, crossing his arms.

The girl shot him a suspicious glance. "How do you know?"

"I found out yesterday. He was talking to Freytag and Bradley before we went out on the field. He didn't say much. I think he had some sort of accent though."

The girl let the information soak in. "Accent... He looks kinda pale. Maybe's he from Ireland or something. Somewhere in that part of Europe."

Ryan smiled and shrugged. "Maybe. You should go talk to him, Alyssa."

Alyssa shook her head. "Well..."

"Come on. You need new friend material, after what happened with Cheyenne."

"Okay," Alyssa said after a few seconds of silence. "Shouldn't you be with the percussion, Ry? Eddy can't understand that music for shit."

Ryan laughed. "Well, it's his first year playing bass. Last year he did quads rather nicely." Ryan glanced at the blue haired boy struggling with the heavy bass on his chest. "Yeah, he looks fucked. I'll go help him out. You," Ryan took Alyssa's shoulders and pivoted her towards Eddward, "talk to him."

Alyssa watched Ryan walk to the percussion players. She then took a deep breath and began walking over to the boy on the other side of the room.

Eddward had a assembled his flute, and he was just about to practice the school's theme song when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He gasped and flipped himself around to see Alyssa standing in front of him, her purple rimmed glasses reflecting the ceiling lights.

"Hi. Sorry if I startled you. You looked a little lonely."

Eddward didn't know how to respond. He had to bend his head down to look at her because of her height. He smile was bright and friendly. I don't need anybody, he thought to himself. He decided that he had to answer her though, even though he desperately didn't want to. "No. I'm fine."

"What's that accent?" Alyssa asked.

Eddward turned his head to the side. "Scottish."

Alyssa's eyes brightened. "Ohhhhhh so you're from Scotland! Cool."

Eddward was feeling quite awkward. He took his flute and music and played with his long shirt sleeve. Suddenly, Mr. Freytag's voice boomed from his office.

"Alright!" He walked to the center of the room, his assistant following close behind him. The band teacher sat in his chair, picking up his baton and sitting it in his lap. "Come on! You should have been ready by now! Sydney?"

The saxophone player smiled, embarrassed, and he stopped wandering around the room to take his seat. "Sorry, sorry..." He waved his hand and sighed loudly, making the class chuckle.

Mr. Freytag watched as everyone settled into their seats or on the floor if they were percussionists. Eddward slipped into his seat in the front of the room next to Mr. Freytag where the other flute and clarinet players were seated. He twiddled with his instrument's keys as Mr. Freytag cleared his throat.

"Okay, everyone. We're gonna warm up with a chromatic scale, then we'll get outside to the field. We only have 4 more days, including this one, until our first football game. It's NOT a home game. We're up against Lima. You'll need to be at the school on Friday at 4 pm to get ready. We'll be leaving at 5:30 to go to Lima. It's about an hour or so away from here. Mr. Bradley will write that on the board as well as a few other things. You all have your shoes and marching uniforms. I only need to get hats for- raise your hands again?"

5 students put their hands up.

"Okay..." he muttered as he counted the hands. "Good. Not as many people as last year. Okay. Quarter notes, chromatic. I'll do all the announcing crap outside." He sat up straight and raised his baton. "1- 2- 3- 4-"

The room filled with music as each instrument began playing the scale. As Eddy kept the beat of the scale with his heavy bass drum, he watched Eddward curiously. "Who is he..." he thought out loud.

"Drop and give me 40!"

Kevin rolled his eyes as he dropped on the dewy grass to preform 40 push ups for his coach. He panted as he counted out loud to himself. "1... 2... mm, 3... 4..."

The 40 year old African American slapped his clipboard. "Come on boys! Act like you're getting paid to do this! Let's go!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Kevin murmured as he rose his body to do his 21st push up. He unconsciously slowed when he saw the marching band make their way to the field. He was done by the time the band had formed their half time line. He heard 12th grader team band captain, Seth Green, shout "1! 2! 3! Hut!". He watched with wonder as the band marched in perfect unison in their individual patterns. Clarinets first... then trumpets... then percussion, the freshman cymbal players keeping the marching tempo with a clap of their metal instruments as they each took a step. Kevin wish he could be in marching band. But being an athlete had its downs.

Eddward knew the music and the marching steps for each song so well! It amazed Kevin how quickly the new boy could learn. He must be a smarty... Kevin thought with a chuckle.

"Yo, Deangle! Let's move it! What, are you brain dead or somethin'? I called your name at least 5 times!"

Kevin nodded his head. "S-Sorry, coach! Coming!" Kevin shot one last glance at Eddward, who was talking to Mr. Bradley again, then went to line up for tackling.

Practice for both the band and the football team was cut short that day because of a huge rainstorm that came out of nowhere. Seriously, one minute it was sunny, then the next thing you know, rain came tumbling down from the sky accompanied by booming thunder and flashing streaks of lightning. Kevin again made a petty excuse to his friends as why he couldn't talk with them and hang with them after school, then made his way to the school's back entrance to wait for his mom to pick him up. Hood up, he sauntered over to the brick stairs, instantly smiling when he saw Eddward standing by the school's sign with his messenger back strapped over his shoulder. He hopped up the stairs with his many bags and plopped them on a wooden bench that was already soaked with rain.

Casually, he walked over next to Eddward and stood with him. The two teens were only a few feet apart. Kevin looked at Eddward. Eddward looked at Kevin. Come ON, Deangle! Say something! Kevin noticed Eddward's facial expression and it made him uneasy. The darker teen seemed to be disturbed by Kevin's presence or at least, by how close they were. His shoulders were hunched and he stuck to the school sign like glue. Kevin awkwardly played with his lip. Okay... Any day now, Kev...

"Hey s-"

A car horn beeped and Eddward snatched his flute case from the ground and walked off. Kevin froze, mid sentence, his hand raised in mid air. The jock watched, mouth gaping a little, as Eddward slid into the passenger seat of a gray Honda CRV. The car drove out of the parking lot without so much as a single rumble from the engine.

"Hey, Deangle!" Dickerson ran up the the still frozen redhead, grabbing his shoulder lightly. "You forgot your hat." He placed it on Kevin's suspended hand and ran off towards the front entrance of the school. Kevin stood still a little while longer in the pouring rain, staring off into space. He grumbled and bent down, clawing his head with his fingers.

"Fuuuuuuuuck!" he screeched, stomping his foot and throwing his hat on the ground like it was a crumbled piece of paper. Don't be afraid! Just SAY SOMETHING! Kevin picked up his hat and put it in his athletic bag. He shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed, gazing around the backpack, secretly hoping Eddward would come back to pick up something he forgot. But he never did. He never did...

Wednesday was the same thing. Pouring rain. All day. Kevin watched Eddward with his strongest curiosity in every class, in the hallways, and in the commons at lunch and breakfast. His friends and teachers could tell something was up, and they stayed out his hair, just watching him with odd expressions on their faces.

Then Thursday rolled around... No physical or verbal contact... Kevin was scared to talk to Eddward... Nervous, too... But in 3rd period, Kevin found out something quite interesting...

Seductive is what you are

You seduce me with one word

Your skirt shimmers in the sunlight

What have I just heard

I pull you in my arms

And hold you until the night

And even though it's dark

Your eyes are full of light

When it's time for you to leave me

When your presence has to go

I'll find your smile in the flowers

And your spirit in the snow

They should've gone to the grocery store. (Yes, that's a real grammar mistake that most people make. I'm an English/grammar freak.)

A/N: Ok, this chap might be crappy, but Kevin's been infatuated with Eddward the first week of school (as you can obviously tell) and he ALMOST talks to him! XDXD I PROMISE that in the next chapter, Kevin and Eddward will meet... Then it's the first football game of the season!