Edd struggled against Nikolas's kiss. The raventte managed to push him off of him.

"Why can't you just leave me alone!" Edd pleaded.

"I missed you."

...

Edd saw Nikolas two days after Jasmine's body was found. The man was lurking outside the dorm. At first Edd didn't see him. It wasn't until Jazz's abuser spoke, that the raventte looked up from the ground.

"Hello there, Eddward. How are you."

Edd froze at the sound of his voice. He turned around. Terrified, "you know perfectly well how I am."

"Oh that," Nikolas said shrugging, "eh she had it comming."

"How DARE you say that! Jazz is dead because of you!"

"Let's put the past behind us shall we?"

"Not on your life!" He spewed with venom. "Get lost!"

A meaty fist came flying toward Edd's face

...

Kevin Barr stood outside after he dropped his dork off. The teen sighed anxiously as he lit up a cigarette. He thought about the gentle boy he cared so deeply for. Edd had always been bullied. He was an easy target. Scrawny, adorable nose forever in a book. Kevin had vowed to protect him from the bullies. The jock knew he could take on just about any guy at school, taking them down if need be. but this? he thought. This was a whole new level of torment. No one knew what happened when Edd was gone. The dork didn't let on about any of it. Sure he was a little more reserved, but otherwise had seemed his same old dorky self.

dammit, Kevin thought, why couldn't you just say something? Kevin put his cigarette out, was about to light another when he heard a crash from Edd's house

"Shit!" The athlete sprinted across the road a swung open the door.

...

Kevin was enraged at the scene in front of him. Nikolas Rainer was attacking the raventte. He had him sprawled on the floor, blood pouring from his upturned nose. Edd was fighting tooth and nail to break free. The coffee table had been overturned, glass littered the floor.

"Dam Eddward, you're stronger now. That's hot", Nikolas taunted, unaware of Kevin's presence. The comment had Kevin seeing red. Without hesitation, the six' three quarterback picked up the intruder by the back of his neck and threw him against the opposite wall. Before he had a chance to stand, Kevin tackled him and started pounding him.

"What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Doing. Here." Kevin screamed.

Edd shot up and pulled his redhead of the man. "Kevin! Stop! You're going to kill him!"

"So what! He deserves it, D" Kevin spat blood. dammit, my lips busted.

"I know he does, Kevin, but you don't deserve to go to jail."

Terrified blue met livid green

Kevin's heart broke when he saw Edd's face. His left eye was swelling shut, lip was busted and his nose, oh God his nose, was bent at an odd angle.

"Oh God, Edd I'm sorry." Kevin sobbed placing a hand on the dorks cheek, "I'm so sorry,"

Edd grabbed the hand, kissed his fingertips, "it's ok, I'm all right."

The man on the floor groaned and stirred as the police showed up.

...

Nazz had seen Kevin rush over to Edd's house in such a panic, she knew something was up. She called the police, thankful she did. The couple looked awful. Both were covered in cuts and bruises. Edd nose had to be reset. It would heal but would never be the same. The next three hours were spent talking to police.

"So, let's make sure I have it all ok?" The young officer asked. A conformational nod was mad and he continued.

"You met Nikolas Rainer at an engineering program three months ago, correct?"

"Yes,"

"He was in a relationship with Jasmine Murray?"

"Correct, and abusive one." The teen said, fuming.

"Ok. And after Ms. Murray died, he began to stalk you?"

"Yes, he told me that he wanted to get to know me. Since I was such an influence on Jazz's life. I didn't want anything to do with him. After a few days it became worse.

"Tell me what happened son."

Edd gripped Kevin's hand before he said, "he began to make sexual advances to me. He followed me everywhere. When no was around, he would strike. I couldn't hide from him. He was everywhere, I was terrified. I began taking a boxing class at the community center in town. I hoped it would protect me." Edd was barely whispering at this point.

"About two weeks after Jasmine was found, he followed me back to my dorm room again. He held me down and," edd shivered before continuing, "he started to undo my belt. I could barely move." The cop nodded, "it's ok, go on when you can."

Kevin whispered, "are you ok?"

Edd nodded weakly and continued. "I couldn't take it anymore. I somehow pushed him off of me and punched him in the jaw. He left."

The cop nodded again and asked, "did you see him again?"

"No, not until today at school. I thought it was over. The next day I flew back home." Dropping his face in his hands, Edd said. I don't know how he found me."

The cop smiled, closed his notepad and said, "it's alright son, we will find out. Thank you, I think we have enough to go on." With a nod the cop left.

Kevin had stayed with him after. The two stayed up for hours talking and holding each other. It wasn't until Edd started to doze off, that the redhead made him go to sleep.

"I don't know how I could possibly sleep, Kevin."

Kevin looked at him. The boy looked positively crushed.

"I'll make you some tea ok?

"O-ok. Thank you."

"You're welcome dork. Now get into bed while I get the tea." Edd obliged.

Minutes later Kevin returned, tea in hand.

"Here," he said as he handed him the cup. "Drink up."

Edd smiled a little as he took the cup.

"I'll stay until I know you're asleep ok?"

"Kevin that's not necessary. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me dork. I'm staying whether you want me to or not. Got it?"

The raventte blushed, "ok."

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN

I know, I know.

thank you all so much for continuing to read my little fanfic. I appreciate it, I really do!