Stragglers ducked into their classrooms as the teachers throughout Peach Creek High took attendance. Those students who were already seated stared listlessly into space or played with their phones under the cover of their desks. In room 125, a heavy-set woman with a pleasant face clutched the edges of her clipboard as she checked-off names.

"Bailey, Christine."

"Here."

"Baker, Jim."

"Big Jim's in the house, y'all!" The room erupted in laughter and several members of the football team hooted their teammate.

"Err... umm... Thank you, 'Big Jim.' Moving along..."

"Barr, Kevin."

"Here."

Kevin slouched in his desk, one arm slung behind his seat. Though he remained immobile, his eyes scanned the room before landing on Nazz. As his best friend, she had faithfully perched herself in the chair to his right. Every year since middle school, by some stroke of luck, they had been thrown together in the same class for homeroom. The cheery blonde brushed aside a few pieces of her short fringe, glowing from where she sat.

"Hey, dude, how's it hangin'?" she whispered from across the aisle.

"Hey, Nazz," he tilted his head toward her, the movement so minute it was almost imperceptible. "S'okay, I guess. Same ol', same ol'."

While their teacher, Ms. Woods, continued to take attendance, they recounted the events of the summer and exchanged class schedules. Every so often, though, Kevin's eye would drift to his peripheral vision. He missed the tail of what Nazz had been saying when Ms. Wood came to the end of the student roster.

"Torres, Philip."

"Here."

"Turner, Diggs."

" 'Sup!"

"Van Bartonschmeer, Nazz."

"Here!"

Kevin tensed, his breath hitching as he strained his ears.

"Vincent, Eddward."

"Present!"

His shoulders eased back into a more relaxed position as the air passed through his lips. The truth was, he'd been avoiding the Ed's throughout most of the summer. Now was the first time in nearly three months that he had been in such close proximity to any one of them- Double D, in particular. C'mon Kev, he's a guy! A total DORK. When the bell rings, just keep walking. Do. Not. Talk. To. Him.

"Kev?" Nazz touched his shoulder. Kevin shot up straight in his seat.

"S-sorry, Nazz," Kevin rubbed the back of his neck, fighting the deep blush creeping across his cheeks. Luckily most of the students had already filed-out into the hallway.

"No problem," she giggled into her hand. "Look, I'm gonna go ahead. I told Sarah I'd help her open her locker. Hopefully I'll get there before Ed does. Later, dude!"

Kevin rose from his seat to grab his backpack, but soon collided with the person behind him. Turning around, he watched in horror as Double D was sent flailing backwards. With no time to think, his hand flew to the other boy's arm and held him in place.

"My apologies, Kevin!" A small smile tugged at the corner of Edd's mouth.

Damn it! Did he seriously grow another inch over the summer? Kevin's eyes surveyed the lanky teen for a moment before landing on his own treacherous hand- still clasped around the other's thin wrist. He snatched the offending hand away and buried it deep into his jean pocket.

"Don't sweat it, Dork," Kevin lifted his backpack on to his shoulder and turned on his heel in one smooth motion. Just keep walking, just keep walking, just keep...

"Oh, Kevin!"

He stopped in his tracks, not bothering to turn around; however, it didn't stop Double D from closing the short distance between them. Kevin crossed his arms in front of his chest, lightly tapping his foot against the linoleum tile.

"What is it? I gotta get to my next class."

"Ah, yes!" Edd had begun to tremble, his eyes flicking over to Kevin's foot as it continued its incessant tapping. "I was wondering whether or not you were taking Auto Shop again this year with Mr. Asher?"

Kevin eyed him a moment, as if debating whether or not to reply. Finally he ceased his tapping. "Yeah, I am. What of it?"

A few drops of sweat rolled down the side of Edd's face as he swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. "Well, you see, it would seem that Ed, Eddy, and I require your assistance. The cylinder in Ed's van is clogged with excess fuel, but I fear there may be other unforeseen problems with the vehicle. Would you be so kind as to look it over and clean the cylinder?"

"I dunno, man..." Kevin turned his head away as he fished around for an excuse. "I was gonna meet up with a coupla' the guys after school... Talk strategy... for football... or somethin'..."

"Oh! N-no worries! I shall just have to seek help elsewhere. Perhaps I can locate a few resources at the library and do the job myself. While I detest the thought of all that filth, one must do whatever one can."

Kevin watched as the boy shrank away, his head hanging just a little past his shoulders. A knot had begun to tighten in the pit of his stomach, cinching tighter and tighter with each step Edd took.

Finally it became too much to bear. Kevin let out a huff, his nostrils flaring with the punctuated breath.

"Alright, alright! I'll fix the damn car! Meet me in the parking lot at lunch. Got it, Double Dweeb?" Kevin shouldered past his companion and into the hallway. He barely caught the "Thank you!" which echoed in the distance as he raced to his next class.