A/N
Sorry guys, gonna be a little dark for a bit. There is dancing though! And don't worry, everything is happening for a reason, I promise.
...
"W-what is it?" Kevin asked fearfully.
"Judge Garrett had Nikolas transferred to Middleton minimum security prison today."
Kevin couldn't find his voice. At the look on his face, worry sunk into Edd's bones.
"Kevin, are you still there?" Mathew asked with deep concern.
"Y-yea I'm still here. Why would he do that?"
"Apparently, the honorable judge doesn't view Rainer as a threat. I'm sorry son. Is Edd there with you?"
"Yea he's right here."
"Put him on will you?"
Edd's eyes green widened as he listened to Mr. Barr. After explaining the situation he said, "I'm going to do my best to keep him away from you both, ok? I will get a dam PPO if I have to." The man was pissed. He couldn't believe the rotten bastard of a judge.
"O-ok t-thank you for letting us know Mr. Barr."
Mathew made sure to conceal his anger as he replied, "of course son. You two better get home safe now ok?"
"We will. Good bye."
"Good bye." The caller was ended and Edd handed Kevin his phone back. Emotions and logic flew from his body as he did.
"Are you ok D?" Kevin asked green eyes searching blue.
"I don't know." The raventte answered numbly.
Kevin could only hold the teen as he tried not to fall apart himself. I wish Ma was here he thought as their worlds spiraled again. she always knew what to say.
The air hung thick as the two headed home.
...
The weekend was spent quietly. Neither teen felt social. Impending doom seemed to fill the air. By Monday it had lessened slightly, though it remained on the back burner in their minds. They pushed through the best they could.
"Sockhead, what's wrong with you?" Eddy knew something was up with his best friend.
The genius picked at his lunch. "Nothing, everything is fine."
"Don't lie to me dude. I know it isn't."
"Please can we forget it?" Edd pleaded. He couldn't deal with this today.
The wrestler levelled a look at the boy. Turning to address the redhead next to him he said, "do you want to fill me in?"
Kevin sighed. He wanted to talk about Nikolas about as much as Edd did. "Not really, no."
Eddy rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Fine, whatever. You can tell me anything though, you know."
"I know." Edd said quietly as Ed and May sat down. Ed took one look at everyone and said, "what happened, double D?"
Edd looked blankly at his lunch and said nothing.
"Eddy? Why is double D sad?" Ed tried, beginning to get upset.
"I don't know lumpy, neither of them will talk." He said crossing his arms.
Uncomfortable silence fell. May was the first to break it.
"Hey, maybe we should skip the rest of the day? Go to the pier or something."
Everyone looked at her quizzicaly.
"Hey it was just a thought. Might get your mind off it all." She continued a less enthusiastically.
Edd forced a small smile as he said, "thank you May, but I think I'll stick it out here."
The Kanker smiled back as the warning bell rang.
...
The week passed without any Nikolas incident. Both Kevin and Edd decided it was ok to live a little, albeit cautiously.
Saturday came and with it, so did homecoming. Edd worried about the game. He didn't want Mike to cause any problems for Kevin. The genius really hoped the rivals father wouldn't show.
The homecoming parade went out without a hitch. It was a beautiful October day. As the sun reflected off the marching band a spark of happiness flooded the raventte's mind. maybe it will be ok he thought as the football team passed. A blush crept across Edd's face when Kevin blew him a kiss. Nat giggled relentlessly.
"Dude you two are too freaking adorkable, I swear."
Edd's blush deepened. "Hush Goldberg." He said laughing.
"I'm just saying!"
Edd shook his head as the parade ended. The two teens followed the crowd as they walked to the high school, meeting up with Kevin and Ed. Nazz and the cheerleaders weren't far away.
Kevin smiled when he saw his boyfriend. He looked genuinely happy. good
"Hey babe, enjoy the parade?" The jock said mimischievously.
Nat snickered making Edd hit his arm playfully. "Stop it!" Kevin cocked an eyebrow. Edd giggled.
"Yes I enjoyed it, Kev." Edd said, well aware what the nickname did to the redhead.
Before he could say anything Nazz sauntered up to the group.
"Hey dudes who's ready to beat some Lemon Brooke losers?" She asked excitedly.
Everyone whooped in unison as they headed toward the field.
Peach Creek High won by a landslide. Nothing nefarious occurred. Good feelings followed everyone as they headed home to get ready for the dance.
...
Edd looked in the mirror. Thankfully his tux still fit him. The genius breathed in. To say he was nervous was an understatement. He had never been to a dance before, not once. Edd had always been an introvert, but Kevin Andrew Barr was slowly changing that. Edd was willing to let him. Taking once last glance sideways at his reflection, he decided he looked presentable and headed downstairs.
Kevin fidgeted nervously as he waited. Barbara Vincent quietly waited with him. The boy looked quite handsome in his tux. She truly was trying. if only Eddward could see. she thought as footsteps were heard. Tears filled the mother's eyes at the sight of her son. He was growing into quite the young man.
Edd smiled shyly as he descended the steps. Kevin's looked of adoration set his cheeks aflame.
"Hello Kevin." He said looking at his boyfriend. The redhead blushed in return.
Hey dork. You, you clean up good." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"T-thank you. You do as well."
Mrs. Vincent was overwhelmed as she grabbed her camera. Wiping away a stray tear, she said, "come on, stand next to each other. I want to get a picture."
Edd all but rolled his eyes as he said, "is that really necessary, mother?"
"Yes." She said simply.
Edd sighed. at least she's trying he thought as Kevin wrapped his arm around his waist. The two put on smiles as the camera flashed.
Barbara looked up from the camera and smiled. They really were good together.
"There. Now you boys should probably get going."
Kevin looked at his watch and nodded. Waving goodbye to the woman, he led Edd outside where a limo waited.
...
The limo pulled up next to a blue Chevy. Half of the cul-de-sac kids filed out. The other half exited a second vehicle. The group walk in as a whole. Kevin and Edd's hands never leaving one another.
The gym was decked out in with streamers and balloons in school colors. A live band played as several students danced. A cheer went through the air as Kevin and Ed walked in.
May pulled Ed onto the dance floor. The teen looked helplessly back at his friends. Edd just laughed, shaking his head. The girl was relentless. Everyone wandered off leaving Kevin and Edd alone next to the refreshment table.
Kevin gazed lovingly at Edd. The raventte caught him starring.
"What?" He said raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing. I'm just glad to be here with you is all."
Edd blushed again, but smiled. "So am I." He said. He meant it too. Kevin had a way to make him feel ok whenever he was near.
The band began to play a slow song. Kevin's green eyes danced with mischief as he held his hand out. "Care to dance dork?"
Taking the hand offered, Edd said, "with you, anytime."
Both hearts beat as one in tune to the music. Edd's mind felt at peace with Kevin's hand on his waist. The jock was a surprisingly good dancer.
Blue eyes twinkling, he said "why Mr. Barr where did you learn to dance like this?"
Kevin blushed furiously as he answered, "Ma made sure I knew when I was younger."
Edd saw a flicker of sadness play in Kevin's eyes. Edd lay his head on Kevin's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry Kev. You must really miss her."
"I do." He replied sadly, "but it's ok. I know she'd be happy if she saw me tonight."
Edd smiled at the idea. "That's a wonderful thought." He said as the song ended releasing each other, the couple headed back to the refreshment table, where Nat and Rolf stood chatting.
"Hello double Edd boy. How are you?" The son of a Shepard said.
"I'm doing well, Rolf. How are you?" He asked as he poured himself some punch.
"Rolf is trying to convince Nat not to spike the bowl of punch."
Edd nearly choked on his punch. Grabbing a napkin he said, "Why would you do that Nat?"
Nat laughed and said, "it's tradition man! Tradition!"
"No tradition Rolf has heard of."
Kevin laughed.
At the look on Edd's face he said, "what?"
Edd just rolled his eyes as he grabbed a cookie off the table.
Lighten up man!" Nat said as he handed Edd a cup of good punch. "Here try some. It's good."
"No thank you." Edd said firmly.
Nat shrugged his shoulders and chugged the cup.
"Dude, take it easy!" Kevin said grabbing the empty cup.
"Oh relax. I'm fine." Nat said words slightly slurred.
Edd shook his head. this is what alcohol does he thought as Nat began making another cup. Rolf took the cup from him and poured it in the trash.
"Aww why'd ya do that?" Nat whined.
"Rolf doesn't like poison."
Nat stumbled forward a little.
"We should get him outside before a teacher figures out what's up." Kevin said, looking around.
"You're right." Edd said logically. The three helped the ininebriated teen outside. He swatted their hands away as they set him down.
"I'm fiinne." He slurred.
"No you are most certainly not." Edd said.
"Hey what's going on sockhead." Eddy said as he and Edd walked out.
"Nat decided it would be a good idea to bring alcohol on school grounds." Edd explained, irritated.
"Jesus, man how stupid can ya get." Eddy said.
"I told yoou I'm fiinne."
"Maybe you should listen to him." A voice came from the parking lot.
Kevin's blood boiled as he found the source.
"Garrett, get lost."
"Come on Barr, my new friend and I just wanted to congratulate you on a good game."
"N-New friend?" Edd choked out.
A smirk crept onto Mike's face. "Oh that's right. I think you've met already."
Everyones blood ran cold as Nikolas exited the blue Chevy next to the limo.
"I told I'd see you soon pumpkin." The man said sweetly.
Edd was shell shocked. this can't be happening he thought not again
His daze was broken as Eddy spat venom at the intruders. "How the hell did you get out of Rose Water jackass?"
"Oh didn't Eddward tell you? My friend Judge Garrett transferred me to Middleton last week. After that it was quite easy." Nikolas's voice dripped with honey.
Edd sunk deeper into himself as Nikolas started walking towards him. Ed sprung into action. No way in hell was the monster going to hurt double D again. The 6'4 frame slammed into the man. Chaos broke out. Mike swung at Kevin, who in return pile drives him into the cement. Rolf and Eddy took on the other two Lemon Brooke football players who had showed up. Edd stared at the scene in horror. all my fault resonated through his head.
He couldn't take it. He ran inside to find coach Kar. The ex-marine was the only one he could think of that would be able to take on the mess unfolding outside. Finding him by the bathroom Edd ran to get his attention.
Randall Kar stopped Edd as he sprinted up to him. Holding his hands out he said, "wish slow down what seems to be the problem?"
Edd was out of breath as he spoke, "Kevin-wheeze-Mike-cough-fight-sputter-outside."
Coach Kar didn't need to hear any more. He hurriedly grabbed a few teachers and rushed out the door. Edd followed behind them. The scene in the parking lot had become more bloody.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE!" Randall screamed. No one paid him any mind. He and the other teachers rushed in and did there best to break the brawl up. Edd slumped next to Nat, who was dozing in and out of consciousness.
Suddenly, a crack was heard. Edd looked up, terrified what he would see. His friends were a bloody mess but they seemed ok. Mike was holding his jaw as Nikolas lay on the ground groaning. Coach Kar was standing above him, looking quite satisfied. Pulling his phone out, he dialed the police.
"Hello, yes I'd like to report an escaped prisoner." Holding his hand to the speaker and looking at the boys in front of him he said, "you four better leave." Turning to Garrett and his cronies he said with all the furry of hell, "not you three" the boys froze in place as Rolf, Edd, Eddy and Kevin scurried back inside.
Kevin stopped and helped Edd and Nat up. Dragging the half passed out teen to the limo, they helped him file in. He promptly began to snore.
Kevin was still rattled as he shut the door. He looked at Edd, who stared blankly out the window as police lights shone.
Kevin grabbed Edd's hand, "hey, it's ok. Coach will take care of it."
Edd looked at him, "I h-hope so."
Kevin smiled weakly as he said, "he will." Pulling Edd's hand up to give it a soft kiss, Kevin froze. Edd's wrist was covered in twisted pink lines. Memories of his mother flooded his head as he choked out, "Edd w-what d-did you do?"
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
*hides until the end of time*
I warned you...