4 months later.
School has started. Ed and Rolf are in 8th grade. Eddward ,Eddy ,Nazz and Kevin are in 7th grade.
Kevin's Pov
School started about a month an a half ago. I'm still in all my sports but I'm keeping my grades up ,I don't want my dad to be disappointed. Junior High is very different than I expected, the other kids from the cul-de-sac arn't in all my classes. The classes are a little shorter but there are more of them, and of course they are way harder. The only person not struggling with the workload seems to be Double D, Nazz and I are doing ok, but Eddy is already failing. I really think that this means we are gonna have to grow up a bit this year if we want to pass. If we are to childish I think we'll just end up at the bottom.
I wonder if this is how Rolf and Ed felt last year when they first came here? Like everything was on fast forward except them.
I have football tryouts after school today. I really hope I make it even if one of the dorks is on the team. I know it will be worth it. I still like baseball better , but baseball doesn't start till spring and I wanna be in athletics all year so I have a better chance when I get to high school.
About a week after my mom told dad and I about her cancer they told all the adults in our neighborhood and they told their kids. I wanted it to stay private but my parents thought it would be best for them to know in case something happened and my mom needed help. My teachers know as well, and I really hate the looks of pity they gave me when my mom came to let them know.
I don't need your pity.
Everything at home is a bit different than it used to be. Mom works from home now, and she doesn't do as much as she used to. Dad works longer hours but spends more of his spare time at home with us. They both insist that I still spend time with my friends and don't dwell on what's going on. They even sent me to a baseball camp during summer. It was about two weeks after my breakdown at the creek when they surprised me with it. The camp lasted a whole month. I think it will give me a leg up in the spring when is time for baseball try outs.
I met tons of guys who love the game as much as I do, but one became one of my best friends. His name is Nat, and he is the biggest goofball I've ever met . He creeped me out at first but once I got to know him if felt like we had been friends my whole talk on the phone a lot, and hang out on Sundays cause we go to different schools.
Speaking of Sundays, they have really changed at my house. We used to use Sunday as our family day, it was the one day of the week that we always spent together. Now though since we spend so much time together during the rest of the week Sunday had became our day to do our own thing. I usually go hang out with Nat at his house since I chill with Rolf and Nazz on Saturdays. My dad goes to his buddies houses and watches sports and stuff.
My mom seems to use the day to do all the cleaning and cooking for the whole week. Me and dad come home Sunday night to a spotless house and the freezer full of ready made meals. Dad always tells her to relax, that she doesn't have to do all that work , and she just smiles this beautiful smile like she knows a secret that she won't share with us.
As I make my way to the locker rooms to get ready for try outs I hear the Eds arguing next to the door . I decide to listen for a second in case Eddy is planning a prank or scam.
"Shut up sock head!"
"No Eddy , I will not shut up. Your grades are deplorable and you need to come to my house for a study session today."
"No I don't, you just need to let me copy off your work, and I'll pass just fine. "
...
Ed leans in and looks at Eddy like he's retarded, which I think is hilarious since until recently everyone thought he was the stupid one of the trio.
*cough* " Eddy... Double D isn't even taking the same classes as you, all his work is different than yours..."
Suddenly Eddy's face turns this weird mix of rage and sickness like he's pissed and nauseous at the same time.
At this I can't help but crack up laughing at the look on the dorks face. Then I walk forward and head in the locker room. As I pass by I lean down near Eddy and smirk at him.
"Dork."
Right before the door closes Eddy puts out his foot and kicks me in the back of the knee, fucking up my balance and making me fall.
I'm pissed so I turn around and grab his collar about to punch the shit out of him when a slim hand is placed on my shoulder catching my attention. I look slightly up into the bluest eyes I've ever known.
Indigo...
"Kevin please do not resort to violence. I know Eddy started it , but I would rather you not lose your chance at making it onto the football team over this little altercation. Not only would it look bad, you getting into a fight right outside the locker room, but you will be late for tryouts if you take much longer. I will handle Eddy for you, his punishment will be me letting his father know about his grades. Is that ok? "
He's looking at me with complete trust, like he knows I'll make the right choice and for some reason I can't bring myself to disappoint him.
It's those fucking eyes, they hypnotize you...
"Yeah, Double Dweeb I get it. Just make sure he stays away from me, or I will fuck him up. "
"Kevin language! OH! Ed you and Kevin need to hurry, come to my house after and I'll help you with your homework ok?"
"Yeah Double D I'll be there, could you make me some buttered toast for a snack though? "
As he says this Ed grabs my hand and drags me in the locker room not even waiting for an answer, like he knows that Double D will agree. And of course he will.
Double D. Eddward. Edd. He is the weirdest kid I know, he's a germaphobe who would rather hang out in the library or research bugs than go outside and play or even go swimming. I've never met his parents cause they are always busy with work. Now that I think about it I really don't know much about him other than that. Oh, wait no I know that he's the nicest person anyone has ever met.
As I get dressed I start thinking about how Double D helped me that day. How if he hadn't come along I might not of gone home that day. About how when I got home it was so much easier to talk to my mom and dad about how I felt.
Thanks Edd...
The coach comes in the room and tells everyone to go out onto the field. As he walks out the door he smacks Ed on the back and starts talking to him. I listen as I follow them to the field.
"Your keeping up with your grades this year, right Hill?"
"Yes sir I've got all Bs so far. "
ED has all Bs?!
"How are you doing that boy? I know your usually barely a C student."
"I told my friend about needing to keep my grades up so I can play and he's been helping me study twice a week. He's kinda a genius so its really helping"
Ah! Well that explains it.
"Good, good. Just make sure to keep it up. "
"Yes sir"
Wow Ed sure matured over the last year.
Suddenly the coach yells for everyone to get ready. He starts us of with some warm ups then splits us up based on who is trying out for what. I'm hoping to make quarterback. Ed is technically already on the team but even the regular players have to participate to determine if they are first or second string.
I watch the group Ed joins and realize he must be a linebacker and all I think considering his strength is thank god were gonna be on the same team.
We go through a few drills then get taught a couple plays. Then it starts. We get grouped into mini teams and are told to do the plays we just learned. Over and over we repeat the plays until the coach says he has decided.
"Ok boys I'll post the results in the locker room in thirty minutes"
Ed walks up to me and smacks my shoulder as we walk back to the locker room to shower and change. He leans in a bit.
"Dude you did great, I'm sure you'll make the team. "
Its weird taking to Ed but with him not trapped in a world of movie monsters and comic books he seems just like any normal dude. It helps that he spent the last school year without Eddy forcing him to do scans and sit to though.
"Thanks man. "
Then he walks off. I jump in the shower once I'm back in the locker room, to get rid of any stench and dirt. I finish my shower quick and put on my jeans and t-shirt. As I walk up to the bulletin board I see Ed with a goofy grin giving me a thumbs up. I look at the list of gut who made the team.
And there it is.
"I made the team... I made quarterback! "