You guys liked this fic so much that I finally caved and wrote a second part to this. I don't know if I will be continuing it on in the future but it is open for it so if people still like this then I will consider a part III but for now I hope you guys enjoy this. Took me a while but I'm happy I got it done and even like how it came out. Hope you do to! Let me know what you think. Ciao!
Eddy howled as his head collided with the thick cold metal of his locker door, his vision immediately starting to blur. The sight of green that had stalked him some down the school hall had thrown him back with as much force as it could muster, lifting the short scammer off his feet and holding him there. His pudgy fingers clawed and raked at the hand knotted in his front of his shirt but no amount of screaming could get his attacker to let go. Standing off to the side was loveable Ed, staring wide eyed and trembling in his worn out sneakers.
"What the hell is your problem now shovel chin?!" Eddy screamed, pointing an accusing finger at the jock. "You pissed because of that eraser joke? Come on, it was a classic!"
Kevin raised his fist and Eddy flinched.
"You fucking idiot! I nearly got thrown out of class because of you!"
"Me too!" Nazz cried from behind Kevin. Her eyes were blood shot and red, eyeliner streaming down her cheeks as the girl from her cheer squad held her back. Her boyfriend was out for revenge but she was out for blood. Had it not been for Stacy there was no telling what Nazz would have done to Eddy. "Were you even paying attention when he said those horrible things to me?" She cried. "Our teacher thinks I'm a no good tramp because of you and your stupid rumors!"
"Then what the heck were you doing on a stripper pole in the first place babe?"
Kevin growled and jerked back his arm, poised and ready to strike the bastard down. "You get me in trouble with the auto teacher and then spread lies about Nazz. You have the fucking gall to disrespect my girl in front of me."
Eddy shook his head frantically, his eyes dancing from side to side in search of a way out. "H-Hey Kev, let's talk about this. Be reasonable-"
"Reasonable is letting him wreck your face for what you did." Stacy sneered.
"Give him hell Kev!" Nazz spat venomously.
Eddy looked between the three angry teens; pleading in whimpers with Ed to save him but the loveable oaf wouldn't budge an inch. He was much too frightened to interfere even if he wanted to. In minutes Eddy was a crumpled mess of bruises on the floor. Kevin popped a few of his knuckles and threw his arm protectively around Nazz. The poor thing was in tears, rage seething past her usually cheery disposition. Awkwardly he patted her back, not quite sure what to say to console her.
"Hey it'll be ok." He said, earning a sob in response. "Hey uh you wanna get ice cream after school or something?"
"Don't think that's going to help." Stacy said off handedly and Kevin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. She was right to some degree. When Eddy was involved shit rolled downhill faster than he could say dork. The blond under his arm sniffled and used the arm of her sleeve to wipe away the mess on her face. Some traces were left behind, a smudge of black streaked over her nose and cheek. That hot angry glimmer in her eye had fizzled down to an ember.
"Kev," Her sharp stare flew back to him. "Can I ask you something?"
He stepped back, biting the inside of his cheek. "Sure. Shoot."
"Call Double D for me and send him to my house after school." Again she wiped her sleeve across her face, her white cotton blouse collecting a dirty black splotch on the wrist. "Eddy is just a jerk! He doesn't understand what it means to dance the way we do." She stomped her foot on the ground. "I hate the stigma that follows pole dancing. It's, like, totally unfair that people who work just as hard as ballerinas get called whores and sluts just because there's a stupid piece of metal is involved. It's what makes us unique not dirty."
Kevin nodded his head, his focus waning at the mention of a certain black haired beauty. Since finding him at the dance hall last week the jock couldn't get the guy out of his head. The image of sweet innocent Double D spinning round and around on a sleek silver pole with a tantalizing grin just wouldn't go away. No matter how many times he tried to think of Nazz somehow it always came back around to the sockhead. He hadn't seen him since Friday and here it was Monday. Briefly he wondered where Edd could be. He was always the punctual type and not seeing him in his usual spots was becoming a bit unnerving. Once again his eyes searched the hall, hoping to find any sign of the gap toothed genius but instead he was met with nothing but the sight of unhappy teens trudging back and forth between classes. Somehow it made school a bit… depressing. "Yeah. Depressing."
"Exactly! I mean, where does Eddy get off talking like that about me? I thought he liked me. And poor Double D."
Kevin's thoughts snapped back to attention, his furious green eyes landing on his girlfriend. "What did you say?"
Nazz sniffled and dropped her arm to her side. Kevin's grip tightened the slightest bit but it wasn't an embrace she didn't welcome. She turned fully into him and buried her face into his chest breathing in his thick masculine scent. "Double D, Kev. " He smelt of honey and grass, and it reminded her of that silly health kick he had started some time back. "You smell nice."
Kevin grit his teeth, barely able to hold himself back from pushing her off him like a dirty napkin. "What about him?" He really wanted to know.
She shrugged. "I was just thinking how upset he is about all this." When Kevin raised a brow she went on to explain. "After all that went down with the security guard prank and then having his best friend spread such horrible lies about pole dancers he was so distraught he just bolted out of class."
Kevin's eyes widened. He ran out in the middle of class? Impossible. Double D would never-
"The teacher told me to go after him and I did. I heard him crying in the boy's bathroom. He's so sweet and sensitive I just can't imagine why Eddy would do that."
Had it not been for Nazz holding onto him Kevin would have thrown her aside and ran across campus to find Edd. His insides stirred and he felt like heaving. Just knowing a few salty tears had touched those gorgeous blue eyes of his, for any reason, was enough to make his blood boil. He wasn't sure exactly what had been said when dork-o had started spreading that rumor and to whom it got around to but if one thing was certain it was that Eddy's head was about to roll. A few of his knuckles popped as he flexed his right hand. His fingers still throbbed from when he gave Eddy that beating but now he was in for a whole new world of hurt. Speaking of which- Kevin looked around and sneered- he was gone.
"Come on Nazz." Stacy said taking Nazz's arm. The trembling blond sniffled and nodded her head. "We'll catch up with you later Kev."
No sooner was Nazz out of sight was Kevin on a war path. His sneakers squeaked against the tile floor with purpose, his hands curled into fists as he sought out every boy's bathroom on campus. When he found the first two void of the sockhead he started to, quickening his pace. When he got a hold of Eddy- oh there was no telling what the furious red-head would do to him. All he knew was that it wasn't going to be good. His own mother wouldn't recognize him if Kevin got his way. If Nazz was this upset he could only imagine how distraught the ravenette had to be. He wasn't sure what to expect. Nazz had been a wreck when he caught her at lunch, tears running down her face and a look of pure hatred wrinkling her gorgeous face. If he were to see Edd this way… well there was no telling what he might do. Get angry? Perhaps. He knew this wouldn't sit well with him no matter how he found the dork. When Eddy got his it would be in full. He'd pound him so far into the ground he'd be pushing daisies by this time tomorrow. He'd make it so the scammer would never hurt Double D again. And Nazz, he added as an afterthought.
As he approached the fourth, and last, bathroom Edd could be in he was a bit relieved to find it was one of the singular rooms. He figured the guy wouldn't want to be caught crying like girl by some jock and hid in the most logical of places. No one came to this restroom. Inside was dirty and often smelt of mildew- among other things. Kevin took to leaning against the wall next to the door and listened in through the crack between the door and the jam. He heard a soft sniffle and immediately his heart began to ache. The dork was crying. It made him all the angrier. His fingers bit into the center of his palm, knuckles turning white as he tried to shut out the need to kick down the door and instead use his words. The jock was never one for verbal exchange but he supposed there was a first time for everything. Especially when it came to the dork.
"Yo open up."
He heard of pause in the sniffling followed by a soft shuffle. "Y-Yes?" It was the dork alright. His voice had cracked and Kevin bit angrily into his tongue.
"You got bugs in your ears or something? I said open up!"
Kevin stepped back when he heard the click of the latch and the door finally opened. A white faced dork with eyes bluer than any shade Kevin had ever laid eyes on stood before him, staring miserably down at the ground. He wouldn't meet Kevin's gaze and the jock didn't like that, not one bit.
"My apologies Kevin." His voice was under toned and soft. "Please excuse me."
Before the dork could get far Kevin threw his arm out stopping the nerd in his tracks. Edd's tear stained face looked up at him, confusion dancing in his blood shot eyes. Kevin merely shook his head and pushed the dork back inside. Once the door was shut and locked Kevin turned back to Edd, his eyes dancing over the sockhead with concern. In Edd's eyes he saw confusion, fear, and to his chagrin a lack of fight. He seemed to know what Kevin was here for and that bothered the red-head. Clearing his throat Kevin stepped forward beneath the ugly glow of the bathroom's light. His eyes trained hard on Edd's and never once moved as he spoke.
"Ok dork what's going on?"
Double D looked away, a lump lodging in his throat as he struggled within himself to say something. He wasn't one to lie but speaking the truth at the moment didn't seem possible. Not until he had time to process all the things his friend had said. Admittedly it hurt to hear such hurtful things coming forth from Eddy's big mouth, not that it shocked him Eddy would be so brazen, but that he lacked the ability to realize that enough was enough. No, Eddy had taken things too far this time. This time around he simply couldn't ignore Eddy's ignorance. He had hurt Nazz as well. The poor dear must have been in ruins and he was ashamed to not have stayed behind long enough to defend her against Eddy's accusations. The teacher had been horrendously cruel to her, calling her anything and everything vulgar under the sun. He couldn't imagine why Eddy felt compelled to reveal that photo of her and spread those terrible rumors. They weren't even true! Nazz was a fine athlete with incredible ability. Not some 'pampered tart working shifts on the corner' as Eddy had not so eloquently put it.
It was hard for him to look Kevin in the eye. All he could see was Nazz's face, pale and on the verge of tears. He was probably here to take him out and for all intents and purpose, he should. Though he had nothing to do with Eddy's deplorable behavior he would remain forever an accomplice by default. This thought sickened him. He was hurting too, if no more than Nazz was now. Then again a punch to the face would be heaven in comparison to this pain. At least his face would heal. This pain felt like a continuous punch to the gut. He wasn't quite sure when the agony would end.
"If you don't mind me asking-" Edd inhaled deeply, swallowed the thick humidity of the room. "Why are you here?" He might as well get this over with.
Kevin lifted a brow, flexing his fingers at his side. He wasn't sure what to say. "I think you know why I'm here." His voice was gruff and echoed throughout the small confines of the room. "Nazz is bawling and here you were hiding away in the bathroom." He took a brazen step forward. "You seriously think I'm going to let this fly?"
Edd squeezed his eyes shut, preparing to be hit. He stumbled back, his back hitting the grimy tile wall. He did his best not to flinch at the thought of dirt and whatever else coating the wall was now touching him and his clean clothes. He shook his head. Of course not, Kevin was going to get revenge for his girlfriend like a good boyfriend should, damn the consequences and damn whoever else is involved. Unable to help himself Edd turned into the wall, throwing his arms over his face. He hadn't meant to, it was just a defense mechanism, but at this point he was used to Kevin's beatings. He knew what to expect and where. It wasn't often Kevin tagged him in the face but when he did boy did it hurt. Kevin snagged Edd's shoulder and forced him back against the wall.
"I don't think so."
Edd gasped and his arms weren't quick enough to protect his face. The impact, however, was shockingly comfy. Instead of knuckles he felt tender flesh matching his own. His eye lids pried open spying the source of heat touching his face. A cheek; a round freckled cheek pressed to his own. Then he realized in that moment that he was no longer leaning back into the wall but into a much softer barrier. Instead of tile he touched muscle hidden beneath a thin layer of clothing. Instead of mildew and urinary extracts he smelt fresh grass with the slightest hint of honey. Two strong arms had found themselves at home around his shoulders. His eyes danced, beguiled and bewildered. Kevin was… Kevin Barr his bully was…
Hugging him.
An explosion of sudden heat pushed the sockhead past his breaking point. Like a fire it spread from his head to his toes, this new found comfort settling like hot coals at the pit of his stomach. He clearly didn't give a damn for the who's, the what's, or the why's when he in turn wrapped his arms around the jock and buried his face where it never should have been. He wept softly into Kevin's chest, pouring every ounce of fear and loathing into his sobs. His tears soaked through Kevin's shirt but he couldn't care less. He hugged the dork close, tightening his grip- anything to silence the heart wrenching sobs. His green eyes were trained on the wall behind Edd, his glare threatening to burn holes through the tile and dry wall. He wasn't sure just how many minutes he stood there holding Edd but he knew it hadn't been for very long. The dork was quick to collect himself, drying his tears on the sleeve of his cardigan before giving a sullen gap toothed smile. The jock admittedly crumbled inside. He made that smile happen. He continued to hold Edd close, rubbing his hand soothingly up and down the smaller boy's back. He tried desperately not to notice but he couldn't help it; he could feel by just the tips of his fingers alone the hard tones muscle hiding under the dork's clothing. Flashes of Friday came racing to the forefront of his mind and he swallowed. Hard.
"Kevin you are so kind."
Kind? That's a long lost word in his vocation. He smiled, albeit awkwardly, and pressed his chin to the dork's head. The dork's hat was soft and smelt of fresh scented detergent. "Uh yeah I guess."
Edd looked down to the ground and grimaced. The floor was dirty beyond comparison. How he managed to stay inside it for a complete hour and a half was beyond him. Already he started to feel itchy and clammy. His clothes were going to need a full blown steaming treatment to get the gunk of unseen germs off. He took to resting his head on Kevin's shoulder, willing away the butterflies that floated about in his stomach. Kevin Barr was never one for embraces and this moment in time had him awestruck. He had never seen the cul-de-sac king act so passionate for anything other than sports or his bike. This came as a complete surprise but Double D wasn't about to push the embrace away. He welcomed it literally with open arms. He needed some company. He couldn't go to Ed, he just wouldn't understand. Nazz needed consoling herself and Eddy was entirely out of the question. And then there was Kevin. His presence was strong, his countenance sturdy enough for Edd to depend upon. It made him feel safe regardless of the setting or circumstance that brought them to this moment. Edd found it easier to smile and sniffled softly into his arm. Briefly he wondered if anyone else had heard him weeping.
"I apologize for your shirt Kevin."
"Don't worry about it." The red-head felt the tension in his muscles ease the longer he held the other boy. Where Nazz felt rather angular and uncomfortable, Edd's body seem to fit right into place against his own. It was just unfortunate how it came about.
Kevin flexed his hands once more. "I swear when I get my hands on Eddy-"
"Oh no! Please don't." Edd had grabbed the front of Kevin's shirt, pulling the surprised red-head closer. His big blue eyes pleaded with Kevin's, never once looking away.
The jock raised an incredulous brow and deadpanned. "Why the heck shouldn't I?"
Edd then looked away, his round face scrunched as though he were in deep contemplation of his own words. Why shouldn't he let Kevin beat up Eddy? The boy deserved it and perhaps then some but… "Eddy is a fool." He eventually said, the words falling from his tongue in a hushed whisper. "A foolish fool, but… my friend." Even Kevin could hear the ugly undertone in that last word and Eddward didn't bother to correct himself. "Therefor I beg of you not to hurt him."
This feels like a bad soap opera, Kevin thought offhandedly and made a noise somewhere between annoyed and disgusted. "Friends, double dweeb, don't go running their mouths like he did." He hand fell over Edd's and he admired how soft they felt. He locked it to his chest, much to the dork's surprise. His cheeks were dusted with a light shade of pink as the sockhead peered up into the unmovable object that was Kevin. "I uh… I'm sorry he hurt like that man. It wasn't cool. I don't know what the dork said but I'm sure none of it was true."
Edd's jaw dropped by a fraction. The jock was trying to comfort him.
"Whatever he said about your, you know, dancing stuff I bet was a bunch of lies."
Edd shook his head. "No, he merely took it out of context."
"I don't care. The next time I see his dumb ass it'll be hanging from the flag pole out front."
The sockhead couldn't help himself. The mental image was just too perfect to ignore. He giggles. Kevin's heart throbbed with excitement. "After a good ol' fashion wedgie." The dork threw his hand over his mouth but the smile gleamed bright in his eyes. An incredible difference from just a few minutes before. "Maybe a swirly. Oh and wet willy for good measure."
"Eww!" Edd's hand dropped and the boy was in a full fit of chuckles.
Kevin tried to hold himself back but Edd's laughter was contagious. He felt a bubble of laughter fill his chest and before he knew it both of them were giggling into one another. Kevin was the first to collect himself and, reluctantly, stepped back. He didn't want the dork to be creeped out and took to standing with both his hands shoved into his pockets. Edd was smiling brilliantly with not a tear in sight. The red in his eyes was quickly fading and Kevin never felt more accomplished. Edd clasped his hands in front and glanced away, a tad embarrassed. It wasn't everyday one laughed along with his bully. It was strange not to feel the need to cower or beg for his wellbeing. He chalked it all up to Kevin being human. He knew all along the boy had a heart.
"You didn't have to come Kevin." Edd finnally said after a prolonged pause. "I am sure Nazz is in greater need of you."
Kevin shrugged his shoulders having almost completely forgotten about Nazz. "No big deal. She's with one of her cheerleader friends. Said you left in the middle of class."
Edd's mouth fell into a perfect 'o'. He looked pretty crestfallen at the mention of his departure from class and Kevin regretted mentioning it. "She wants you to come over to her house after school."
It was the sockhead's turn to lift an incredulous brow. "Why?"
Kevin shrugged. "I don't know. She was really upset and babbling on about your pole thing or something." As he suspect a light of recognition lit in the dork's eyes and Edd started to fidget. He loved how timid Edd could be and yet so perfectly confident in his… whatever that was last Friday.
"Thank you Kevin." Edd's fingers came up to his chest and twisted together. "I-if you'll excuse me I should be returning to class."
"Nah." Kevin pressed Edd back and smirked, his green eyes dancing mischievously. "How about we ditch."
"In here?" Edd sounded mortified. "I couldn't."
"No not here dork." Kevin scratched his chin before snapping his fingers. "How about I give you a ride to Nazz's?"
"The school day hasn't yet ended." Edd crossed his arms. The dork was being defiant and Kevin loved it.
"Come on she'll be cool with it. I always go to her house to ditch."
Edd frowned, shaking his head. "What about her parents? And how do I explain by attendance to one class but my absence in another?"
Kevin rolled his eyes. He snagged the dork by the upper arm and practically dragged Edd out of the bathroom. The dork squeaked and made a grab for Kevin's hand. The boy had shockingly strong hands but they were ultimately no match for the jock's grip. Edd stumbled down the hall as he watched Kevin drag him across campus and out of the building. Kevin's bike was conveniently chained to the bike rack out front and he was the lock picked in no time at all. "I always forget the combo," Kevin explained as he readied his bike. "Learn to pick locks when I was like ten."
Edd grinned, biting into the tip of his tongue as he contemplated actually getting on that thing. Kevin was an avid sports monster and though he was sure Kevin took every precaution to stay safe Edd simply couldn't bring himself to trust it. The bicycle would soon be replaced by an actual motorized bike, he was sure, but in the meantime his neighbor and bully had taken his hobby to a new found level. The bike had been redesigned recently by the looks of it. The wheels and chain looked well-polished and Edd couldn't' spot a single dent or ding in its frame. Located on the seat was a helmet chained into place. Kevin picked that lock as well and tossed the head gear to Edd.
"Here." Kevin stepped forward to place the helmet on the kid's head and clicked the safety latch into place. His fingers brushed Edd's chin and Kevin fought not to blush. He hopped right on and waved for the dork to follow. "Come dweeb. We gotta go before security catches us."
That was enough to get Edd right he needed to be. Once seated behind Kevin he leaned into the metal back piece, putting some distance between him and the jock. Kevin smiled over his shoulder and Edd felt his insides melt. "You ready?"
Edd nodded his head in affirmation though he couldn't actually say. He squeaked when the bike was lifted off its stand and wheeled forward. Kevin did his best not to laugh. Edd was… adorkable. He truly was. The first speed bump had Edd gripping the extended seat of the bike but not long after he felt himself relaxing. Once he was certain the bike wouldn't tip over because of him he started to become a bit bolder. He held out his hands and chuckled when the bike shook but held fast. Kevin really was an excellent rider.
"Ever been on the back of a bike before?"
Edd shook his head. "Mother and father did away with my bike when I out grew it and never had any intention of replacing it. They thought it much too dangerous."
"Lame." Kevin peddled a bit harder and the two zoomed out of sight of the school.
Edd lifted his face into the air feeling the wind whip gently as his face. The morning grey of the sky was quickly turning sunny and blue. The heat of the sun washed over his face and the sockhead felt elated. The harder Kevin peddled the higher Edd felt. Eventually Kevin slowed to a cruise and the two felt the speed was perfect. Edd watched the sunshiny horizon as they rode through town back to the cul-de-sac. Kevin kept his eyes on the bike path and felt the familiar tug of a smile on his face. Riding his bike always brought him a sense of gratification. It was his means of escaping everyday life, similar to when people took a walk or went fishing to clear their minds. The road was his haven and his bike acted as his wings, taking him closer to the clouds each and every time. When he got his hands on a motorcycle- man it was going to be sweet.
He looked over his shoulder and grinned. The dweeb looked happy. Good.
Nazz's house was the first house on the lane, a nice corner lot with more grass on their lawn then anyone else's. Her house was simple and white with a shingled brown roof. When Kevin's father got a bit too rowdy while drinking this place had become a safe haven for him. It was a place to feel secure when the world just didn't seem safe anymore. It was there for him when he needed a bed to sleep in and when nights turned trees into horrible misshaped monsters. It was probably around then that Nazz mistook his affection for something more than just friends. He didn't have to heart to tell her no, feeling indebted to her for all the times she let him into her bed when he was too scared to sleep alone. For a while he had hoped her infatuation with him would steadily decline but it seemed to only grow as they got older. Recently she had been talking about marriage and college. Kevin wasn't ready for any of that. He wanted to travel, to see the world and experience new heights before settling down. He couldn't imagine himself ever being married to her. Nazz was a great gal and all but he just didn't love her as she wanted him to, and Kevin couldn't live with being married to someone he didn't love; but, as always, he was too much of a coward to tell her. He intended to let her run with the motion until he just… one day disappeared. He chuckled to himself. If only things were that easy.
Kevin parked the bike on the side of house, chaining it to the fence while Edd took to hiding behind one of the porch posts. He thought it was cute how un-inconspicuous he was being. It amused him that the dork never ditched before and like a pro Kevin strode right up to the front door. Under a potted plant was a spare key Nazz kept outside in case she got locked out. He helped himself inside and Double D followed after him, keeping close for whatever insane reason the dork might have. Kevin didn't mind though.
Edd looked about Nazz's house with a bit of indifference. The lay out was similar to his own with a dash of feminine charm touch to it. Above the fireplace mantle was a family photo. Edd hadn't realized there was more to her family that just herself and her parents, and he gazed admiringly into the photo. Beside her was an older blond boy. They looked very alike in his opinion. He turned his gaze away when he felt a presence at his back and he shifted, nearly bumping into Kevin in the process. The red-head looked morose as he spoke, his tone heavy.
"Yeah I didn't know Nazz had a brother either."
Edd nodded his head. "They look so alike it would be easy to mistaken them for twins."
Kevin shrugged, staring deeply into the photo. He remembered the night Nazz got the call from the hospital. Her brother had been in an accident and didn't survive. He remembered it all so clearly though he wished he couldn't. Two weeks after losing him Nazz and Kevin got together. He insisted upon himself that it wasn't out of pity that he accepted her offer to dinner but the longer he let himself think on it the less his reasoning made making sense. "Want a drink?"
Edd smiled up at his bully and nodded shyly. "Water please."
Kevin handed Edd a water bottle and peeked into the fridge, finding nothing easily accessible to much on.
"Kev?"
The red-head lifted his head from the fridge. Well speak of the devil. It was Nazz standing in nearly all her naked glory. Her running mascera had been washed away and now her skin was glowing pink. Her blond hair hung in wet tendrils over her cheeks as she rubbed the corner of her towel over his nose. He remembered Edd was in the other room and almost tripped over himself. He felt like a caught cheating husband. It was downright silly, he knew this, but his face turned a sinful shade of red regardless. "H-hey babe. I didn't expect you to be here."
The blond smiled and tucked her towel tightly around her body. "Stacy gave me a ride home." Stepping up to the jock she planted a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you."
"Yeah." Kevin cleared his throat, taking a cautionary step back. "Uh, how about you go put on some clothes?"
The sweetness on Nazz's face turned sultry and she licked her lips. "What for?"
Kevin flickered his gaze to the entrance of the living room. "Edd's here."
"Ed?!" She tightened her grip on her towel looking aghast.
"No, not doofus, double dork."
"Oh." Nazz sighed in relief. "You scared me there. You realize he's seen me in worse right?" Kevin tried not to roll his eyes. "Seeing me in a towel should be no shock to him."
If not to him then to me, he thought on the sly.
Sashaying from the kitchen Nazz made her way back to her bedroom, stopping halfway through the door to wink at her boyfriend. "Besides, he doesn't even swing that way."
Kevin blanched the moment she was out of sight. Seriously? The double dork doesn't… you mean he likes… He swallowed hard, feeling a blush creep up his neck and across his face. Well this was a bit of important information. Rubbing his chin to do away with the blush he peeked back out into the living room, spotting his dork wandering about the décor. His heart did a funny dance within the confines of his chest and no amount of willing was enough to make it stop. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance after all. Nazz soon returned in some bicycle shorts and a tank top, moving from one room to the other. "Double D!"
The black haired beauty spun on his heels, shocked to hear his name but was immediately at ease when he saw who it was. "Nazz. I thought you were at school."
The blond giggled, sweeping him up into a hug. "Nah my friend took me home. I guess you got my message huh?"
Edd nodded. "Kevin did an excellent job delivering your message to me." He smiled knowingly at the jock whom spun around to hide his reddening face. To Kevin's relief he didn't speak a word of what happened in the bathroom and instead left it at that. "He was even kind enough to bring me here."
Nazz shifted her weight and cocked out her hip. "Well I had hoped you would continue the school day then come over so we could go to the studio for practice today. Oh well. I've got a lot of spare time as it is and an extra pole in other room if you want to get a head start."
"I-I suppose." Edd stuttered, "But I wouldn't want to impose."
"Not at all silly." Nazz led Edd to the spacious guest room where in the middle of the white painted walls was a single metal pole. He could tell it was titanium gold by just the looks of it. There was a unique shine to it that he found himself admiring and before he knew what he was doing Edd stepped up to touch it. The cool metal sent a shiver racing down his back and he grinned, feeling at home with hand wrapped firmly around it.
"Are you sure Nazz?"
She waved him off. "Go ahead. I've got some homework to catch up on anyways. When I'm done I'll come get you." Unwrapping the towel from around her head she shook out her wet hair. "Just make yourself at home. If you need anything ask Kev."
Nodding Edd left Nazz to do as she intended, turning to the pole and considering what he should do. His duffle bag with all his work out gear was stashed in his closet at home. He considered going home to fetch it but thought against it when he realized his parents might be home. They usually where when he wasn't. Convenient, he mentally huffed.
Once he was sure his fingers were locked on the pole Edd gave himself a quick spin around it. His feet lifted off the ground in no time and with the grace of a ballerina he made his trip around, toes pointed for added elegance. His sweater and khakis would make it difficult to do much but as he knew this wasn't his first rodeo. Opting not to strip out of sweater he instead twirled around as he was, lifting his feet and straightening his legs. He spun forward and backward, hooking his knee at just the right time. On a pivot he lifted himself up, fan kicking into a backwards showgirl. I wish the names of these moves weren't so vulgar, he inwardly grimaced. He did this again, three times, spinning faster and extending his legs as far back as they could go. His heart pounded against his chest and the dork no longer felt earth bound. With one hand he spun about, giving a majority of his body a chance to rest. He landed like a fairy would on a rose petal, steps soft and light as he stepped away from the pole. Grinning like an idiot he wiped the collection of sweat from his forehead and turned to do more but instead ran right into Kevin's chest. Edd stumbled back and blinked innocently at the jock. He could see the faintest tint of red on his cheeks but thought nothing more about. His own cheeks turned crimson when realized Kevin had been watching him the entire time. He had nearly forgotten the guy was there at all!
"H-hello Kevin." He stuttered bashfully.
Edd stood before him a fidgeting mess once more. It baffled him how strong willed he was on the pole and yet on ground he was nothing but a puddle of nerves. He snickered, waving his hand when Edd raised a brown of concern. The jock smirked, shoving his hand into jacket pocket. The sight had been incredible. With or without clothing Edd looked radiant. In a million years he never would have guessed that the sweet dorky kid he picked on could be so… amazing. Amazing? Yeah. Amazing.