Wow, it's been a while since this story has had an update. Lol here's one now :) Gotta admit it's refreshing to write Edd and Kevin with different personalities from my other story. Writing young love can be exciting. There are so many moments in a teenager's life that could make for some great drama and comedy. Serious when I was a teen... uh, nah let's not go down that road. That's a story for when I'm 80 trying to skate board off the Eiffel tower or something.

For now, I can't say when the next update will be. Just that it's currently in progress. Hope you guys enjoy it and thank you for all the wonderful, inspiring comments you guys have been leaving. Now on with the story!

For the remainder of the hour Eddward walked with his scowl planted firmly in place while Nazz happily carried on, chatting on about her friend who told another friend who knew a guy who said Eddy had been apprehended by the school counselor. This phased the sockhead very little but she didn't seem to notice how much deeper his scorn was driven the more she spoke so negatively about him. From what Kevin could tell Edd was still very sore over the entire ordeal and while he tried to change the conversation on more than one occasion there was just no stopping Nazz when she got her motor mouth running.

"After hearing about what happened it seemed the student advisory board took a stand and decided to get involved," She said, walking hand in hand with Kevin as they trekked down one of the many halls of the convention. "Had an over the phone interview and everything."

"With the board?" Eddward sounded perplexed, if not slightly exasperated. "That is not within their jurisdiction."

The blond shrugged. "I don't really care. I just don't want more people to get involved, you know? It was bad enough they got the principal to stick his nose into it." She ran her fingers through her hair, her other hand swinging Kevin's back and forth at their hips. "That jerk. Did you know he sent my mom a letter about all this?"

Kevin snorted, knowing full well what the principal was like.

"That's nothing new. He once called my dad's work just to tell him I got into a scuffle with some jackass on the football team."

Nazz rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well that was for a fight. This was for a prank."

"A prank indeed." Eddward muttered, his eyes casted to the side.

Stopping at the turn Nazz tugged Kevin along until they stood before a floor to ceiling window, outside a gentle breeze tugging at the tree tops and bushes as they watched from the comfort of being inside. They had several hours of day light left, plenty of time to explore the convention to their heart's desire but it seemed rather than move on Nazz wanted to remain where she was, reciting over and over how much of a prick Eddy was and furthering Eddward's dark mood. Kevin could feel it radiating off the sockhead in sonic waves and he could see it in his eyes just how much of a concern Eddy was to him.

Kevin never liked Eddy to begin with but Eddward had been his friend for years. The short stack was nothing but a two timing scammer with only his needs put first above all else. Never mind the needs of his friends who cared for Eddy in the most open and honest ways. Even in his anger Kevin could sense Edd's dislike for staying upset. While the red-head thought it utterly ridiculous, he could see in that in Eddward's heart there was no room for true anger. Truly he wanted to forgive him but probably didn't know how.

In his mind Eddy didn't deserve that sort of kindness. His actions alone spoke louder than any excuse he could have possibly given. Kevin couldn't let it go and he would have been understanding if Edd couldn't either; but this was the sockhead of all people he was thinking of. Stick figured, dorky little Eddward who had stood up to Eddy's brother like David had Goliath, who had a seemingly endless supply of patience and empathy. Kevin supposed it disturbed him most to know just how deeply this stunt of Eddy's had hurt the people around him. Ultimately he hoped that in the end Eddy got a taste of his own medicine. He was long over do for a pounding and what better way to delivery his head on a platter than to sit back and watch his petty empire crumble around him?

Revenge best served cold.

Of course, there was one other fact he couldn't deny. An important one that was finally sponging away the tension of their past. Had Eddy not done what he did, he and Eddward would probably never have had that moment in the bathroom. He never would have been there to comfort him, to hold him, to ever have opened up to the sockhead the way the he did in that particular moment. The wedge between them would still be just as great as it had when they were kids on the playground; and while there was still a sense of uncertainty in their current relationship Kevin could count himself lucky to be able to stand right beside him and get to know him on a deeper and much personal level. This was a transformation of sorts he was grateful to have though the way it had transpired was more than a little unnerving. Still, Kevin counted his blessings. Blessings in the shape Eddward's smile whenever he found the will to break through his brooding and just be.

Eddward looked so beautiful standing there, his lean figure resting on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the people two floors down gathering around a display. His frown had flipped some, the corners of his mouth tipping naturally up as the world beyond the window captured his attention, no doubt distracting him from his own thoughts. Without realizing he was staring Kevin's hand slipped out from Nazz's grasp. The blonde's blue eyes danced up towards Kevin's relaxed stare. Her own smile had dropped and confusion was written on her face as she tugged on Kevin's sleeve, speaking rather softly.

"Hey."

At first Kevin didn't respond.

"Kev."

Kevin's green eyes blinked and for a second he felt a surge of vertigo. He hadn't realized he had been staring, hearing Nazz talk but not listening to a single word she had said. Clearing his throat he looked down to his girlfriend, rubbing both palms nervously against his pants. "Uh yeah?"

"You ok?" She asked, keeping her voice low. "You seem a little… distracted."

Kevin felt his neck warm up but he refused to let a silly little flush give his thoughts away.

"Yeah I'm fine. Just… thinking."

"Oh." Nazz looked back out the window, his fingers clasping in front of her. She licked her lips, tasting the wax her lemon flavored-chap stick before speaking in a soft mutter. "Been doing that for a while now."

"Huh? Sorry I didn't quite catch that." Kevin's eyes had flashed over to Edd once more.

Nazz sighed. "Nothing. Forget it."

Kevin's brows immediately furrowed but before he could ask a large crowd of people suddenly flooded into the hall. A pair of double doors had opened at the end of the hall and the people that had been inside suddenly scurried out in a loud and obnoxious clatter. Eddward's attention was caught by the crowd and he moved away from the wall to fish through the sea of people, Kevin and Nazz following closely after him.

"Oh I think this is the room we were looking for." Kevin said, pointing to the sign above the door.

"I suppose their previous exhibit had run a tad longer than expected." Eddward grinned. "Shouldn't be too much of a problem. I have been looking forward to this exhibit for a while now."

"Really? How come?"

Eddward shrugged, his fingers reaching up to brush away the fallen strands of ebony that covered his ear. Kevin wanted the honors but he was content with just watching him brush the hair back, wondering offhandedly just how soft Eddward's ears felt in that moment.

"There is a minor competition being held today. It's designed to invite dancers to audition for a nationwide competition."

Kevin whistled. "Impressive."

Eddward fucking chuckled of all things and Kevin couldn't stop the smile that split across his face.

"N-not entirely." Eddward said, rubbing his hand against his reddening cheek. "It's open to persons of all experience. Of course those who have more experience will be held to higher forms of criticism. The most standard of procedures of course."

Kevin nodded in understanding. "Yeah. Sort of like junior baseball right?"

Edd's blue eyes danced in Kevin's direction and as he smiled he shook his head. "I suppose one could see it that way."

"Think of it as an athletics championship." Nazz chimed in. "First place, second place, etcetera for the top players and the same for the next level down."

"Oooh." Kevin snapped his fingers. "Gotcha."

Nazz shared a knowing look with Edd. "Sometimes you gotta explain things outright to him. He can be a bit of a block head."

"Uh. I'm standing right here you know."

Nazz chuckled and patted his chest. "Yes sweetie. You are standing. I'm so proud of you."

Kevin couldn't have glared any harder at her.

To his consolation however Eddward broke into full blown laughter, slapping his knee and trying desperately to hide the gap in his front teeth. Kevin found himself grinning a long, even when Nazz playfully elbowed his side.

"Should we go inside now or what?"

Eddward was quick to sober up, biting back more laughter as he said "Yes lets." And held open the double doors. As soon as Nazz walked inside Kevin held the door for Edd who didn't seem to notice the gesture but Kevin didn't seem to mind, not as his chest came to just within inches of Eddward's back. Together they took in the decor of the room, Nazz wandering towards the right and Edd steering towards the left where Kevin followed.

The exhibit was rather plain for what the sports player was expecting. The room looked similar to that of a reasonably priced hotel room, with large red drapes hanging from the ceiling to the ground and a massive amount of chairs stacked up long the back wall. Many were placed around a raised plat form that sat in the dead center of the room, a pale cream colored marble surrounded by a sea of floral maroon carpeting that looked a little more like color vomit than anything else. The platform secured on the marble had a thick black base with pointed metal rods that jutted out from the bottom, providing balance and locking it into place. A single silver pole sat in the center of it and Kevin felt his mouth go dry as realization slowly crept up on him.

Oh. He was going to watch Edd dance again.

Well, more like he was going to watch Edd dance on a pole for a third time!

He damn near had heart palpitations just thinking about the first time he saw Edd on a pole. God who ever thought I'd be saying that? Clearing his throat and trying not to look nervous he flashed Edd a subtle grin and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder.

"Check this out. They've got high tech speakers up in the corners."

Edd's eyes glanced up from the assortment of chairs to the speakers and nodded. "Fascinating."

Kevin quirked a brow. "Fascinating? Really?"

Eddward frowned. "What? I don't understand. What is something wrong with the word?"

"Nah." Kevin said shrugging. "Just didn't take you for a Trekkie."

"T-Trekkie?!" Eddward's eyes blew up to the size of saucers and his cheeks immediately turned red. "H-how on earth did you know?"

Kevin laughed as Edd paced away, his cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of pink as his fingers clamored together in nervous habit.

"Dude it's kind of obvious. The way you talk and stuff, it's like that pointy eared alien. You know, the one who smacked his captain around or some shit like that."

"Like Spock?"

While Kevin wasn't that well adverse in the geek-dom of Star Trek he did not miss the way Edd's eyes sparkled when he said that. In a way the fictional character did remind him a lot of Edd who could be just as logical and sharp witted. The similarities were pretty uncanny and it was hilarious that Edd hadn't realized just how transparent he had been.

"Oh dear I didn't think my television preference was that discernable." Edd clapped his hand to his face, his eyes dancing away shyly. "Oh my you must think I'm an even bigger dork than ever."

Kevin blinked a few times before shaking his head, mindlessly throwing his arm around Edd's shoulders. Strategically he drew him in close, Edd's shoulder digging into his chest as he huddled over him a little closer. Briefly Kevin looked over his shoulder.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Edd's eyes danced. "Of course."

Nazz was off on her own checking out the platform as he steered Edd off to the side. While he was enjoying his alone time with Edd he couldn't ignore Nazz for long. He didn't want her to grow suspicious and cause a scene. He doubted she would take things that far but, as they said, hell hath no fury like a female scorned. Leaning closer Kevin lowered his voice to a whisper, his words dancing over Edd's ear in soft puff of warm air.

"Ok you gotta promise not to tell anyone. Got it?"

By the look in his eyes Kevin would say Edd was absolutely intrigued but had the decency to look humble about it. He crossed his finger over his chest.

"Cross my heart."

Kevin scratched the side of his head, his eyes dancing nervously about. He hadn't ever told anyone about this before. Not even his father knew but he had wanted to keep it that way. He was the trophy sports boy after all. If anyone found out his reputation at school would be tarnished and no doubt word would get around to his team mates and coach who would just hound him for being a prissy boy. It really was no big deal. He knew it would all be said in temporary jest but he'd rather avoid all that. Why he felt compelled to tell Edd this was beyond him. It shouldn't have mattered to either of them what Edd liked to watch on his down time but he seemed genuinely upset that Kevin knew. He figured it must have been a secret of his own that he tried hard to protect. He hadn't wanted to seem anymore dorky than he was already known for and knowing this tickled Kevin's heart.

Honestly, it was no big deal but he understood the implications just the same. Offering an encouraging grin Kevin pressed his lips dangerously close to Edd's ear, unintentionally catching a whiff of his natural male scent in the process. This caused his toes to curl.

"I'm a bit of a Star Wars fan myself."

Edd reeled back. As though having been told the answer to one of life's greatest riddles.

"Kevin Barr!" There was no wiping the shock from his face. "You are not."

Kevin darted his tongue to sweep across his bottom lip. "No joke."

"Honestly? Truly?" Edd's face lit up like the fourth of July, his hands cupping his mouth in astonishment as he struggled to keep his excitement from raising his voice. "That's impossible. I don't believe you."

Kevin crossed his arms, his signature smirk making its way across his face. "Well believe it dude. I've read all the books, seen all the movies and trust me when I say I refuse to weigh in on that whole bullshit situation about Gweedo. That is a can of worms I plan to stay faraway from."

Edd's jaw dropped. "You are being truthful."

Kevin felt his cheeks warm. "Yeah well, uh, don't go tellin' everyone ok?"

"Oh goodness gracious no! I would never." Once more Edd crossed his chest, his eyes blown wide in earnest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Stick a needle in your eye?"

Eddward grimaced. "Disturbing imagery. But I can assure you your secret is safe with me."

Kevin smiled, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Good. Yours too."

Edd shook his head. "T-that isn't necessary. Everyone already knows how much of an egg head I am. What is another factoid about myself to harm?"

Kevin quirked his mouth to the side. "I guess but it's not my secret to tell."

Edd nodded in understanding, coming to stand rather close to the sports player than he was used to. Their shoulders pressed together and the sockhead felt his heart flutter softly in his chest. He hadn't been expecting this sort of conversation with Kevin of all people. Edd had been told a great many secrets by a number of people who placed their trust in him however it caught him off guard how open Kevin was offering to be with him. Edd could only return the gesture in kind, however it didn't feel as though this sudden exchange of personal information had been done out of obligation. Rather Kevin had exposed a part of himself that perhaps no one else knew about. To him it like finding the Arc of the Covenant and discovering just what untold treasures had been hiding inside of it all along.

It made Edd wonder if this was how Kevin felt when he found out Edd danced. And not just danced but pole danced. Surely this sort of shocking information could be used to anyone's advantage but Kevin had yet to prove himself an opposing force in Edd's existence. Sure there had been a time of discrepancy but it felt as though those years had long since fled. Just foggy little memories waiting to be replaced with happier moments. Between them something was budding and he could feel it in his gullet. Something warm. Inviting. It made him feel hopeful for the future in the face of such a twisted present.

"I suppose that makes us enemies."

Kevin smirked. "How about we be closet dorks instead? It'll be our little two man club."

Edd's lips quirked upward. "I suppose that will do. It is, as Spock would say, the most logical option."

His hair once more fell out of place but before he could reach up and tuck it back Kevin's hand swept in.

Edd's eyes widened in surprise as Kevin's fingers graced the side of his face, caressing the soft round expanse of his cheek before tucking the hair back behind his ear. Edd's heart flopped in an instant, his belly rumbling and rolling as the familiar feel of butterflies made themselves known. Kevin hadn't even realized what he had done until their eyes met, blue clashing with green in an unreadable meeting of gazes. Kevin lost his train of thought, his hand stilling in the air just beside Edd's face.

Whoops.

"Hey guys!"

Kevin dropped his hand as Nazz jogged over to them. "I think I found the entry table."

Edd was the first to speak, his tone and posture so natural looking one would never have guessed he could make a good liar. Kevin certainly didn't.

"Splendid. Have you signed up?"

Nazz nodded. "Yup But you better hurry if you want to get a spot. A line is starting to form."

Edd glanced over the blonde's shoulder and sure enough a crowd of people had begun to swarm around one of the tables towards the front.

"Oh my. Excuse me. I'll… I'll be right back."

Before he went however Edd's eyes danced from Kevin to Nazz, and then back to Kevin before turning on his heels. His mouth had been propped open as if he had something to say but instead held back and Kevin felt like kicking himself. Damn his luck today.

"Ok? That was weird." Nazz said. "Did something happen between you two?"

Kevin's eye snapped in Nazz's direction, his hand coming over his mouth as he sighed into it. "Sort of."

Nazz frowned. "Oh. I'm sorry. Should I have not interuppted or-"

"Nah its cool babe." He muttered. "I'll be right back."

Nazz pursed her lips before noding. "Sure thing. I'll just be over here. By the chairs. If you need me."

Kevin didn't even give her a chance to finish before he jogged after Edd who had successfully immersed himself into the growing crowd. It was easy to spot him however with those big baby blues and that silky head of hair. Somehow he had managed to make his way to the front, a pen and clipboard in his hand as the person on the other side of the table unenthusiastically read over the disclosure agreement. Typical, Kevin's mind hummed. Always so thorough.

Edd was so focused on writing his name neatly in the center signature line that he didn't even notice when Kevin came up upon him. He nearly jumped when he handed the clipboard back, his back accidently colliding with a solid wall of hardened muscle. Kevin was quick to catch him, his hands falling over Edd's shoulders.

"Hey dude I huh- Oh sorry."

Kevin awkwardly cleared his throat, dropping his hands instantaneously from Edd's shoulders. After what he did the sockhead probably didn't want to be touched.

Edd pressed the tips of his fingers to his ear, tugging on it gently as he took a comfortable step back. He'd almost forgotten how to breathe with how close their bodies were. Kevin had a presence that was thick and clung like molasses to the air. It was damn near suffocating but Edd wasn't about to admit that outright.

"It-It's ok." He stuttered.

Kevin had trouble looking the sockhead in the face but it seemed Edd was having the very same problem. He couldn't have made things any more awkward between them. For all he knew Edd hated to be touched without consent.

"Look I didn't mean to do that back there." He said with a tilt of his head, scrambling for some reasonable explanation. "It's a habit. I'm kind of a touchy person. Got no sense of space."

Kevin chuckled and Edd tilted his gaze further away.

Nice going dorkatron. Now he really felt like kicking himself.

"So yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things weird or anything."

Edd cocked his head back up, stroking his fingers over the slender curve of his arm. "I understand. There is no need to apologize."

"Are you sure?" He asked. " 'Cause I didn't mean to get all into your space. I was just-"

Edd held his hand up, cutting the red-head off. "Oh no I promise. It's fine Kevin." A gentle smile spread across his lips. "I assure you if there had been a problem I would have confronted you."

This did little to reassure him however. "You sure?"

Eddward tucked one hand behind his back, raising the other to perform the signature Ta'al.

"Affirmative."

Kevin bit down hard on his lip. His nerd alert was going haywire but that had to be the cutest thing he had ever seen.

"I take it this isn't the problem I'm looking for?" Kevin raised two fingers swiped them slowly in the air.

Eddward's grin widened and he gave a hearty chuckle. To show there was no animosity between them Eddward reached his parted fingers for Kevin's and pressed their hands together, swiping the air with him. He wanted to prove to Kevin he truly was ok and that he had nothing to fear. Contrary to what Kevin had initially thought Edd loved to be touched. In a way he was like a kitten ready to purr at the drop of a hat at the first friendly hand to pat his back or stroke his arm. Sure, Kevin had startled him but he should have known better. With an outgoing personality the jock really had no sense of personal boundaries and that was fine with Edd.

Kevin's eyes danced over their hands, his cheeks dusting over in pink as he felt the soft silken pads of Edd's fingers press into his own.

Edd's hands felt firm yet amiable, long and slender digits hiding their strength behind a fragile façade. It made Kevin's heart leap in his chest and the jock collapsed his hand firmly around Edd's fist.

"So we good then?"

Edd slipped his fingers to grip Kevin's hand back. "Indeed. We good."

Nazz had perched herself in one of the many chairs located near the back. The room had steadily begun to fill with more people and with every new person that walked through the door it spiked her already fraying nerves. While she loved performing she wasn't quite used to doing so in front of such a large number of people. And it was safe to assume that after Eddy's stunt her nerves had been left perfectly frazzled. Nazz was a popular teenage girl. She loved to be loved by others but the potential for criticism was killing her.

She had hoped when she came back from signing up that Kevin would have offered her some comfort, but alas, he wasn't at her side. In fact he hadn't been at her side for quite a while. Usually this wouldn't have concerned her. Kevin had a short attention span and did things on his own, often without consulting her, but lately it seemed Kevin's attention was being misplaced. His mind focused on other things and not on the time they were sharing together. It bothered her that it seemed Kevin was no longer listening to her.

For a while she wondered if maybe she had done or said something wrong. Or maybe he was just having an off day and hadn't told her yet. She could get behind that and forgive him quite easily. They'd been together for a long time now and no relationship was without their snags, but somehow this felt different from all those other times. Like there was an actual disconnection between herself and her boyfriend and the solid ground they had been trekked for years suddenly began to crack and crumble.

The blonde's eyes flashed in Kevin's direction, the very smile she longed for in that moment casted in another direction.

Kevin and Edd were not quick to return but the cheerleader made no fuss about it, instead forcing herself to smile and scooting over to let them sit beside her. As she suspected Kevin chose not to sit beside her.

"So what number did you get?" She asked, forcing her tremulous thoughts to the back of her mind.

Edd peeled back the sticker the entry table had given him and smoothed it over the leg of his shorts.

"Thirty seven." He said, peeling the sticker back and smoothing out the wrinkles he had accidentally made. "Yours?"

"Twenty nine." She said, patting the sticker perched on the belly of her shirt as the room continued to fill with people, both competitors and spectators alike. "But I don't know. I'm kind of having second thoughts about this. I think I might have a little stage fright or something."

Edd's eyes jumped up from his perfectly placed sticker. "Oh no Nazz you shouldn't back out. You are a wonderful dancer."

Nazz merely shrugged, crossing one leg over the other as her nails dug into her seat.

"Thanks Double D but I'm not sure I'm competition material you know? I mean, I'm nowhere near as good as you."

"Talent is relative." Edd retorted. "One man's talent is another's frustration and vice versa. What you lack in strength you make up for beautifully in speed. Why, I don't think even our instructor can achieve the leg lines you perform so quickly. That takes impeccable training."

"Oh Double D that's sweet of you."

Edd patted her hand. "Never discredit your abilities Nazz. I've seen your work and I will happily vouch for you if necessary."

Nazz giggled. "I don't think that's how it works but thanks. I really needed to hear that."

Her eyes jumped briefly from Edd's to her boyfriend's but as she suspected the red-head wasn't paying much attention. So she bit back the urge to sigh. At least she had gotten some words of encouragement. Edd on the other hand smiled and turned his attention back to the front of the room where a woman in black flats and a crayon pink dress stepped forward. She didn't stand on the platform but in her hand was a microphone which she tapped obnoxiously on before speaking to the crowd.

The woman announced that the auditions slips had been turned in and were in the process of being filed. The doors were to be closed shortly and that anyone needing to use the restroom had better do it now. Nazz quickly excused herself, leaving Edd and Kevin to their own devices once more. Kevin was about to ask if maybe he should head out and grab them some water but Nazz had ran off much too quickly for him to get the words out. Shrugging it off Kevin turned to shower the sockhead in attention, resting his elbows on his knees as the seats around them quickly filled.

"So I guess you're going to dance on that thing?" He said pointing to the pole in the center.

Edd nodded. "Yes. I checked with the judges and I have confirmed that it is static."

Kevin pretended he understood what Edd had said and hummed. "Take it you got some back up choreography? Or watcha gonna do?"

Edd shrugged. "I do. I devise them in order to use them as warm ups, however, I have grown quite bored with them. I might just attempt to free style it."

"Oooh." Kevin crooned, poking his elbow into the dork's side. "A risk taker. I like that."

"Well I am rather adverse in the sport you know." Eddward snorted, batting his arm away. "Ach! An inkling of consent and already that inch has turned into a mile. Honestly at times you can be worse than Ed."

Teasingly Kevin reached his hand to lay it flat on Edd's face, his palm easily cupping the sockhead's tender flesh. "Oh now you don't like to be touched huh? Can't make up your mind?"

Edd squealed from the pit of his throat, grabbing Kevin's hand like it was some sticky five year old's and leaning as far from it as he could.

"Kevin Barr you are impossible!"

"Well which is it?" He shoved his hand further into Edd's face who craned his neck to escape. "Huh? Which is it? Come on out with it."

Edd couldn't hold back the urge to laugh as he pushed against Kevin's arm. Eventually the jock took back his hand but not before Edd reached out to gently smack his bicep.

"Honestly."

Kevin quickly sobered as Nazz made her way back through the rows of chairs, brushing back her hair from her face as she plopped down beside Edd.

"That was fast."

Nazz heaved a sigh and Kevin turned his head in her direction. "You ok?"

Nazz nodded but did not answer him right away, instead tucking her arms protectively around her middle as she slid back in her seat. "Have they announced anything yet?"

If Edd had noticed anything off about Nazz he made no show of having known. His smile was still firmly in place when he turned towards her and told her no. Nazz kept her eyes straight ahead, her tongue rolling about behind her teeth in a thoughtful way was the announcer once more stepped up towards the platform. The doors behind her had closed, the click of the lock and the flashing of lights overhead grabbing everyone's attention. The room quickly went silent and the announcer had no problems calming the crowd long enough to begin talking.

"Before we begin," the woman started. "I want to reiterate just how the rules here work. No one will be permitted to enter or leave the room except in cases of an emergency. This is to cut down on interruptions."

Nazz leaned over to Edd and whispered. "Well duh."

Edd snickered but Kevin just sat quietly, his arm swinging around the back of Edd's chair.

"There will only be one break half way through. We will announce when the break will be had. In the meantime there is a door leading to the south wing of the room. Those waiting to take their place on the stage can warm up in there. Only those who have signed up to participate can enter that room. Guests will have to remain in this room. If you wish to end your visit with our exhibit or have changed your mind about participating, for everyone's convenience, the doors will only be opened at the break. One of our volunteers will be at the judges table if you wish to no longer participate. Thank you for everyone that has shown interest in our exhibit. Please enjoy the show. Dancers you may now enter the south wing."

Nazz breathed through her nose softly. "Well looks like it's time to boogie."

Taking Edd's hand the blonde leaped to her feet and began dragging him towards the south wing. Edd stumbled after her but chuckled as he caught his footing and the two disappeared behind the open doors into the next room. Kevin watched them go, his mouth left hanging open from the words that nearly left his mouth but never had the chance. Well this was odd. Was Nazz avoiding him?

Nah. She's probably just nervous. I should probably get them some water though.

Kevin stood when a woman with caramel skin suddenly crossed his path. Glancing up Kevin recognized Mrs. Garcia, Edd and Nazz's dance teacher. She had been sifting through her bag when she bumped into his leg, her dark eyes dancing apologetically in his direction.

"Ach perdón- Oh, hello again." Her bright smile nearly encompassed half of her face as she looked around for another familiar face. "I didn't expect to run into you Mr. handsome. Where is Edd?"

Kevin jabbed his finger over his shoulder. "In the next room."

"He entered into the contest? How exciting!" The woman sat down beside Kevin, dropping her heavy bag between her feet. "Ooh I'm so proud of him. When he first started out he was so shy. Such a sweet little conejito."

Kevin lifted his brows and the woman waved her hand.

"It means bunny. He's just like them. Soft and sweet."

Kevin couldn't help but agree. "Yeah. But there's a lot more to him behind all that fluff ya know."

The instructor nodded. "Of course. There is always more than meets the eye when it comes to people." Her eyes danced knowingly, completely going unseen as Kevin mindlessly brushed his fingers over his wrist. "Especially our friends… and our loved ones."

The jock smiled absently.

"Well I'm sorry to cut this short Mr. Kevin but I have to get going. So much to do, so little time. I do hope we get to meet again soon."

Mrs. Garcia grabbed her bag, huffing slightly as she lifted the heavy haul over her muscled shoulder. Kevin stopped her however, standing with her in a failed attempt to help her lift it.

"Uh I hope you don't mind me asking but what's so heavy in the bag?"

The woman blinked at him before grinning. "Oh that's just some extra water I had left over. I figured the dancers could use it. This place has poor working AC. The entire room down stairs had a black out and they can't get the darn thing to turn back on. Aye aye aye."

"Oh ok." Kevin shook her hand and stepped to the side to allow her through. "Well you have a nice day ma'am. Since you're headed in Edd's direction can you make sure to give him two waters?"

"Sure thing. But why?"

Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. "Well he got a little over heated today so I just want to make sure he's ok."

"Ah." Mrs. Garcia's grin widened. "I see. Well you have a nice day."

The dance instructor took her time bouncing around from person to person in the room. From her earlier exhibit she had gotten to know some of the conventioneers, all of them fans and a few having become prospective students. She didn't linger long however as the lights overhead began to dim again, signifying the competition would start soon. She wouldn't have much time to doddle and while she would have enjoyed standing there and talking for hours she knew the students would probably appreciate the extra refreshments she had to offer.

When she entered into the south wing she found many dancers scattered about. Some on the ground stretching their mile long legs and others performing hand stands and acrobatic tricks she could only ever dream about. She caught sight of Edd resting on the ground beside yet another familiar face, their backs arched from the floor as they crawled their feet by the tips of their tops up the wall. Mrs. Garcia recognized the core exercise she had taught them and happily sauntered up to them.

"Well I'm glad to see you two are keeping up with your training outside of the studio."

Edd and Nazz's eyes flashed up mid flex.

"Oh Hi there Mrs. Garcia! I didn't expect to see you here."

The elder woman smiled. "Well I could say the same to you Nazz. Wow so both of my students are competing? I've never been more proud to call myself a teacher."

Where Nazz decided to topple onto her side Edd finished the rest of his flex before arching his back further and flipping over. Landing gracefully on his feet Edd turned towards his teacher and cocked his head to the side, his hat sliding off to the side to reveal a falling veil of black that tickled his ear.