This was not how he had things planned; he never wanted to come out least to the entire PCHS senior class. No this was disastrous. Just simply, horridly disastrous. However he couldn't allow Marie and Nazz to be ridicule like that in front of all their friends; the late May night was warm as Edd slowed his sprinting down once he was free from the building. His breath came out shaky and his body shook from the events that just took place.
He leaned up against a pillar to get himself under control; he refused to allow anyone to see him in such a state. He ran his hand through his inky locks loosen the hold his bun had on his hair. A heavy sigh escaped his lips; he could feel a migraine coming on today was just not his day.
Edd's heart finally calmed down only to startled once more as someone held onto his shoulder, he was prepared for someone to cause drama over his sexuality and he was more than ready to give them what's what. He clenched his fist ready to connect it to whoevers jaw only to find a certain redhead at the other end of his swing. "Oh shit!" the jock exclaimed dodging just in time.
"Fuck shovel chin. I thought I would have to hurt someone." He berated, "Nah, it's alright."
The ravenette returned his gaze back out to the parking lot not wanting to make conversation, the only sounds were the guests inside mingled with the rushing of cars speeding by on the nearby freeway. He gritted his teeth as the pain of his headache finally blossomed full force along his forehead; he had never planned to come out this way nor at all to the to kids that he grew up with. But he knew he couldn't allow Tara to bash on his friends that would just be another win for the homophobes that stalked the halls of school. He thanked any all mighty deity that he would never have to see them after gradation.
"So… I'm the only straighty in this odd ball group?" Kevin's humorous voice pulled Edd back too reality, the raven-haired just simply nodded not wishing to look at him. "Cool." He furrowed his brows in confusion; he was ok with this? Yes, he knew Kevin and himself weren't the best of friends and didn't quite see eye to eye on several things. But he didn't care what his preferences were in the romance department; yes his dearest and closet friend was gay, however they had been close since they were in diapers practically. Edd had been nothing but troublesome since he went into remission.
"You peg me for someone who wouldn't be so calm and collected about this." He stated, He laughed at Edd's words, how could he find any of this humorous. He just outed himself in front of all of their classmates and he was laughing, "Dude, chill Nazz is gay and were cool." He shrugged as if everything was that simple, Edd shook his head in disbelief, "You both have known on another since you were young, that's different."
A stern look crossed his face before his responded, "So have we. Yeah we've had our differences. Doesn't mean I'd hate you for something you couldn't control."
Edd was dumbfounded; he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had always imagined what Kevin would say in this type of situation, however it had never been so reassuring. "Ha, something I can't control." He mumbled, "What you say?" he sighed and shook his head, "Nothing." As their awkward conversation came to a reluctant close on Kevin's half Nazz and Marie walked out of the building. The seemed calmer than before. Nazz had cried away her make up and was now sports a freshly wash face, Marie held onto as if she planned to float away. "We should ditch this stupid thing and get to the real party!" Marie suggested, Edd moved away from the pillar he was up against and headed toward the car. "I second that."
They all settled on going to the diner and then heading over to downtown Peach Creek. Thankfully once entering the diner no one was there from prom, most likely everyone had gone to one of the after parties. Edd was glad for this, he didn't want to have to deal with anyone's hate or pestered with their innocent questions; that had been one of his many fears other than the crippling hate that accompanies one when they open up about their sexuality. Are you the guy or the girl? How does it work? Have you ever got into a sword fight?
It was clear from the lack of knowledge that many people in this small town that most people were in fact not gay or had never interacted with someone who was gay because the crazed Christians had driven them off with their pitchforks and mobs.
He would gladly offer them insist if they didn't treat him as if he was an animal in a zoo or some science experiment. He mentally sighed as the others ordered their food; he had practically crawled into the far corner of the booth slouching down as far as he could. Kevin had slide in beside him all the while Nazz and Marie were lost in their own little world holding onto one another.
They ate their quickly and quietly once it arrived, and before he knew he was back behind the wheel driving downtown; little shops lined the 2 mile street area, a fountain stood present in the center with water flowing. It was some place small and sweet for local concerts and people to get together; kids from school loitered the nearby parks and hung out at the old Peach Creak High turned middle school that was close by. Restaurants offered patio seating to enjoy the lively atmosphere offered by the downtown area as several ice cream stands stood in competition with one another.
The girls walked off hand in hand seeming to be whispering sweet nothings too each other leaving the two former rivals to their thoughts. It was Kevin who dared to finally break the silence, "I have a cousin who's gay." Edd gave off a short laugh, "I don't know him."
The jock pushed his shoulder playfully; if one didn't know them they'd think he had been flirting with the sockhead. "I didn't think you did. Strange enough were both named Kevin. Our moms are sisters, they were pregnant around same time didn't let anyone know what they were naming us and it was too late to do anything since everything was already in writing." He chuckled at the family memory. The silence greeted the pair once more at the mention of Kevin's mom.
"Kids a little nerdy, but stupid brave and a little stubborn." This time it was Edd's turn to push Kevin innocently, "Sounds like a certain local redhead I know." A deep hearty laugh vibrated through Kevin's chest, while Edd grinned wildly at the sight before him. "Guy his with is kind of a douche. Smart, but a douche. Never know when he's insulting ya'. But they seem to love each other," He paused "So are you-" he didn't have to continue to get where he was headed with his question, curiosity was the biggest thing people had when it came to things that they quite couldn't grasp.
"No." Edd responded flatly this stopped the ginger dead in his tracks, wide eyed with shocked look. "Someone from-" He shook his head not wishing to vocalize such a answer, he couldn't understand how someone like Kevin was so open and calm about this let alone get why he was even answering him. He knew why, that tiny glimmer of hope that if he divulged his deepest darkest secrets then maybe Kevin would as well. And if they shared secrets, he prayed one of them would be in his favor.
"What do you .. um ya know?" He sighed dramatically, however this was going a little more into depth than he would like. "I think that's for me to know." Kevin gave him a smirk, "So who's gonna find out?"