"I'll see you at school."Kevin kissed Edd's cheek and crawled out the window, leaving Edd alone in his room with his thoughts.

"Shit," Edd sunk to the floor. He pressed his fingers to his temples.

"Why did I say that, why, why." He hugged his knees to his chest, gently rocking back and forth. A voice came from the other side of the door.

"Edd? Are you even awake in there?"

"I'll be down in a few minutes," his voice cracked. Edd got up, wiping the wetness from his cheeks. He took a deep breath and walked over to his closet. His drawers and closet space were specially organized by underwear, socks, t-shirt, and pants, with a few well chosen jackets.

Edd had chosen a light blue button down, and slipped on a pair of faded jeans. He put on some white Keds and looked at his reflection. His stone blue eyes stared back at him. He felt a pressing guilt. Edd ran his hands through his hair.

"I shouldn't have mentioned the Captain."

Edd reflection began to blur, he felt his throat get tight.

He knew.

Kevin had told him how his father was. The Captain was an ex-marine. He was harsh, strict, and believed in discipline. "Respect and discipline," he said, "are the only things that matter in life."

Edd recalled Kevin's last incident with his father.

That night Edd was woken up by frantic tapping on his window and a bruised, disheveled Kevin crying into his arms. Edd got no sleep that night. Kevin slept in his arms, occasionally waking up in a panic, and Edd would soothe him.

He didn't want another night like that… for Kevin's sake.

Edd shook his head.

"Its best not to dwell, focus on the task a hand," he told himself. He wanted, no, he needed to be there for Kevin, to be a rock.

He sighed.

Edd grabbed his backpack and walked out his door, and through the living room.

"See you after school!" he jogged out the door and walked to the end of his drive. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

[To: Edd]

[From: Ed]

[OMW b redy]

Edd rolled his eyes, "He better not be texting and driving again."

A clunky off white station wagon pulled down the street and screeched to a stop in front of Edd.

He smiled to himself and climbed into the back.