Xavier was arguably the most popular boy in the school, he was a nice guy too. Italian with short, black hair and a piercing up in the cartilage. His eyes were a deep blue and he had this smile that just made you speechless. He had this reputation for being a gentleman, so it was the talk of the school as to who he was asking to the dance. Up until that day, Edd didn't pay much mind to him. When he found out Xavier had asked Kellie and she said yes, Edd didn't really know what he was expecting, but it felt like the earth would shatter, bleeding screams of the damned to fill their ears… but no. Edd faced the reality that he wouldn't have been able to work up the courage to ask her anyway, she might as well go with someone who'd be good to her and who wouldn't be too shy to actually ask her to dance… He wasn't so charismatic. Eddy said it was good, since he wasn't an idiot and could tell where Edd's affections went. He told him he could finally focus on something more important.

Edd didn't want to focus on anything at the moment, which made his moral obligations a little complicated. He leaned out the window, sort of staring off at the Barr household and wondering if it'd be okay to drop by for dinner. Well… he knew it would be, but if it'd be awkward he wouldn't want to go… no it'd only be awkward for him. He sighed and closed the window, he'd go back to his bed, he wasn't very hungry anyway. Lovesick, he turned the lights off and just decided to brood like any normal teenager that lost the battle. He'd be over it later and work on his homework, perhaps make food… Until someone bounded up on his bed. He jolted with a sharp yelp and looked over. Kellie sat on the other end of the bed.

A girl was in his room.

Kellie Barr was in his room!

"K-Kellie? How did you get in here?" He blinked.

"You left your door open, when you didn't hear me knocking I just came in. Mom wants you over again." She hopped back up, bubblegum slipping between her lips and forming a sphere before popping abruptly and Edd winced, the amount of germs that now infested his room, let alone whatever she was now pulling into her mouth.

"I suppose I could come over…" He said, his voice quiet as he tried to pretend he wasn't already thinking about it.

"She likes you, you know, she says you're a good influence or whatever. So you coming or what?" Kellie's arms crossed over her chest.

"I-I'll go!" He piped, standing and remaking his bed with familiar mutters of 'messy, messy, messy' when he noticed her laughing. "Is something funny?"

"It's just… you still act like a kid, dork." Her laughter was interrupted by a snort and she clammed up, her face going red to match his.

Now it was his turn to giggle. "H-hey, don't stop laughing on my account, that was cute." Immediately he wished he hadn't said that.

"Cute huh? You comin' on to me, dork? I have a boyfriend now, y'know."

He was painfully aware. "I thought Xavier was merely your date for the Winter Formal."

"Not since lunch when he asked. I'm very happy about it." She grinned, his heart ached. She'd never look at him like that.

"Well, congratulations then." He smiled. "I suppose I can't keep your family waiting then, I'll eat with you."

~.~.~

"You like her don't you?" The question came out of the blue, luckily Edd and Mrs. Barr were in the kitchen by themselves. He could feel his ears heat to fever pitch and he laughed.

"I-I suppose I'd consider her a friend, yes."

"You're no idiot, you know what I mean." Mrs. Barr had a smirk identical to her daughter's. "I can tell."

Could one really confess such emotions to the other party's mother? He frowned and went back to the dishes, scrubbing at a spot until he was really just going through repetitive motions. His hands were already getting sweaty, he let out a breath and put the dish aside before going to a new one.

"C'mon, you can tell me. I'm not going to say anything to her. She's got some stiff right now anyway. There's nothing really interesting about him based off what I've heard. Besides, if you can't talk to your own mom, might as well talk to me."

"... I may have… small… feelings harboured for your daughter." He swallowed, moving onto a new dish. "Though with this recent development of a suitor, it seems I've no chance of earning her affections."
"Bullshit." She snorted. "Kellie's too thick to realise other people really like her, got that from Henry. She's attracted to confidence, which is something you're obviously lacking. Confidence, kindness, and presentation. She's just like any other girl, wanting a strong support system that won't overpower her."

"Unfortunately I'm not confident or very attractive." He muttered.

"That's not true, I said you were cute. That's a good thing. Handsome is something any guy can be, but cute is difficult, and can score major points."

Was he really getting advice on picking up girls from Kellie's own mother?! How unheard of and… completely welcome. He took in the details she gave, thinking them over with what he already knew and decided that she was right. If you were a pushover then what girl would want you? Too confident and you have an ego and that repels them… perhaps there was hope for him yet.

"Isn't the point of everything to be yourself?" He asked.

"Yes, but the point of being in a relationship is also to improve yourself." Irene smiled. "Confidence is not just something you have for dating, but for life as well. It's important."

He nodded, knowing that much very well. If improving himself as a person would get Kellie to pay attention to him, then so be it. He was worried, though, that he'd go about this all wrong, possibly ending up in serious pain from rejection.

~.~.~

Kellie would cling to Xavier's arm, showing off to the other girls. After all, one has bragging rights when one has obtained the impossible. She seemed genuinely interested in him too, it didn't take long for Edd to realise this was the boy she'd been interested in that she'd mentioned to him before. He watched their happy smiles and decided he had no place in her heart, and if she was happy with Xavier then he shouldn't interrupt. Besides, these stories rarely had good endings to them. You crush, they go out with someone else, you move on… but moving on wasn't as easy as he thought. When he saw her he still thought so fondly of her. With her new boyfriend he felt useless and worthless. He couldn't compete with that if he tried. Still, he would remain supportive. Lonely, but supportive. Finally, the night of the dance had come and Edd did decide to go with the other two Ed's he'd been sorely neglecting the passed few days. Eddy was kicked out before entering due to the booze they found stashed in his jacket, so it was just Edd and Ed now, not that Ed stayed around long, he'd wandered off, causing Edd to have to go looking for him. He stopped when he saw Kellie with Xavier once more, dancing and laughing together like they knew they were meant to be and he swore his heart broke. He decided it'd be best to continue looking for Ed, who'd shoved his entire head into the punch bowl!

"That's completely unsanitary, Ed." Double D sighed, pulling the larger boy out of the drink.

"I was being a fishy, blub blub!" Laughter, hollow and deep, left Edd, his shoulders shaking with the brainless noise.

"Now it not the time, I didn't spend thirty minutes tying that bowtie for you to ruin the silk!" He huffed. Behind him he heard familiar giggling and when he turned, blonde hair and a pretty green dress met his eyes. "Oh, hello Nazz."

"You're a neat freak as always, Double D." She smiled. "Eddy's not with you?"

"Eddy got taken away by the bad men at the door!" Ed shouted quickly.

"Volume, Ed, please." Edd sighed. "He was caught sneaking alcohol in and was kicked out."

"Ah, I see." She nodded. "You wanna dance then?"

"I-I…" Edd swallowed. "I don't dance, I'm afraid…"

More giggling. "Dude, then why'd you come to a school dance if you don't like dancing."

Edd's eyes flicked to Kellie and Xavier before going back to Nazz, praying she didn't see. As luck would have it, she did, and looked over her shoulder before a grin, small at first, started slowly growing over her face.

"Ooooh, I see now. If you want to dance with Kel, just ask!"

"N-Nazz, she has a date, I wouldn't want to intrude, it's not polite!"

"So? You aren't going to get a chance to talk to her otherwise. Might as well steal her away. If you're so worried, I can distract Xav for ya!"

"... You'd do that?"

"Sure! Besides, her boyfriend's pretty cute, might as well enjoy myself." She disappeared just as the song ended and snagged Xavier from Kellie, leaving the redhead looking sort of lost. Edd took the moment on instinct, horrified at his own eagerness. She looked at him, sort of like a lost puppy, it was too cute.

"Good evening, Kellie." He smiled, the gap in his teeth showing. "Would um… would you like to dance?"

She blinked, staring at the thin, bony hand he'd extended and after a moment she took it, smiling. "Sure!" He'd be the first to admit he couldn't dance very well, though based on the smile she wore, she really didn't care. They mimicked each other's moves, tripping over their feet and just laughing and making fun of themselves the whole time. The music changed, it was slow, and almost instantly Kellie stepped back but in a burst of confidence he grabbed her hand again.

"One more?" He asked, sheepishly looking down.

Kellie bit her lip and looked over to Xavier who looked absolutely worn out. Nazz was chatting him away and they were just smiling and talking. It seemed to be that moment that she nodded and said she would. She smelled nice, her hair had been curled that night and she looked stunningly more feminine than her usual tom-boy appearance would lead on. While Edd thought she was beautiful all the time, she looked especially gorgeous tonight. Bodies close, his hands high on her waist and hers on his shoulders they rocked slowly to the music. He could feel his heart threatening to jump out his throat, beating at his chest as if to get out, and he prayed to god that she didn't hear it. Her breath was slow, warm on his shoulder, when exactly had she gotten this close? Slowly, hesitantly, and with the utmost uncertainty, his arms wrapped around her in a hug and he just felt like time could stop and he'd be happy if it did, stuck in that position forever. The happiness did not last long, as a strong hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him away from her. Xavier did not look happy that Edd had been getting so close to his girlfriend. He quickly apologised, saying goodbye to Kellie he left. He didn't just leave the area, he went and grabbed Ed and they left the gymnasium altogether. He'd made a cheat out of her, it wasn't his place to make any sort of romantic contact with Kellie. Maybe if he'd just kept it friendly… but then… she'd hugged him in return, hadn't she? Or was his admiration for her so delusional he only believed her to be returning it?

Edd let out many a noise of protest, but still he dragged the large boy home. Eddy tried to get Edd to tell him what had been going on in there from the moment they left to the moment they got to the cul-de-sac, but Edd refused to speak. He just headed to his quiet, lonely home and picked up the phone. He'd call his mother and father, maybe one of them could give him something to work with, after all he rarely needed their help.

"Eddward?" The sweet hum of his mother's voice picked up after the first ring.

"H-hello, Mother." His voice was so soft she was immediately tipped off to something being wrong.

"Eddward, baby, what's wrong?"

He began explaining the whole thing slowly, hearing her make sounds of affirmation on the other end, not until he finished his tale of worry and unrequited love did she finally speak.

"Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong. You stepped back when he came by, right? It was a mistake. I'm sure Xavier understands that. Now, as for Kellie, I think it's safe to say she's just as confused as you are. Relax, sweetie, just apologise in the morning and see where it goes from there, alright? Say hello to Irene and Henry for me, tell them I'm grateful they've taken to inviting you over. Be polite and courteous at all times."

Eddward smiled. "I will be."

"Alright, I'll say hi to your father for you. I love you, Eddward."

"Love you too, Mother."

"Sleep well, we'll be home this weekend."

"You too, I eagerly await your return."

They hung up, at least his mother understood well enough to help. He missed them so, but knew their work was important. Missionaries often have to stay away often. He'd go over to Kellie's tomorrow. Pleased it was Friday, he went upstairs and read until he was too tired to see, falling asleep shortly. Perhaps he could make it out of this awkward spot alive.

Only two more chapter's to go~