Kevin's POV
Kevin figured Double D was bluffing when he said that most of the school was going, never did he think that the ENTIRE school would show up. Kevin asked Nat and Nazz to tag along and they obliged. They didn't want Edd to torment their friend so they agreed to go along. They found seats near the front, Nazz's girlfriend, Marie Kanker has saved them seats, seeing how Edd and Marie were good friends. Nazz sat next to her girlfriend Kevin sat in between. After a few more minutes it started.
Johnny came up with a mega phone, "Hello Peach Creek High!" The crowd roared. Kevin nudged Nazz, "This isn't a formal thing, why is everyone here?" Nazz sort of shrugged, "The whole school really likes our swim team, ESPECIALLY the star, which is Edd. And when someone challenges Edd, everyone wants to see Edd win".
Johnny continued into the mega phone, "Today we have new timer, Jacob Dinks," The crowd booed while the kid named Jacob gave them the finger. "And star swimmer for the Peach Creek Sharks team: Shark Eddward Vincent!" The crowd reeled. Edd gave Johnny a look that said, 'why did you do that?' Kevin nudged Nazz once more, "Shark Eddward Vincent?"
Again she shrugged, "I heard that when the team or team players have a match or they are swimming outside of practice, like today, they are referred to as Shark followed by their full name, or just Shark." Nazz frowned, "It surprises me Johnny didn't just refer to Edd as 'Shark'". Her eyebrows were nit together but she shrugged it off none-the-less.
Johnny turned to the two boys, talk for a bit then returned to his mega phone, "Alright Ladies and gentleman! First to get to 5 laps is champion, cheating is not allowed, and neither is being a bad sport should you lose" Johnny looked back at Edd who only shrugged. Kevin made notice of Edd's new uniform. His pants came down to his ankles and there were two bright white lines following down the side. Kevin chuckled thinking of Edd's hat. The two boys edged onto the platform and got into their stance.
It was then that the room changed, the atmosphere seemed denser, Edd seemed much more dangerous now than he ever had. Johnny held the mic up, and a blazing bell resonated through the building. Kevin blinked a few times before realizing he never saw Double D jump into the pool, he was that fast. The cheering and screaming did not falter once. The people around him held their vocal cords the entire time.
Kevin tried to watch Edd swim but he couldn't seem to seem him until he turned. He was already on his last turn. "Nazz, where is Edd?" Nazz only shrugged and asked Marie the same thing, Marie turned to him, "That's how Edd swims. That's how he performs." Kevin thought about this but never fully understood. Suddenly the crowd went crazy, Edd had just hopped out of the water while the Jacob was just now rounding his last. Double D swiftly grabbed his folded towel Jimmy was holding and walked back to the locker rooms right as Jacob got out of the water.
"Hey!" Jacob was now out of the water and running towards Edd, "I said hey!" Then nothing, the crowd was jeering and exiting the building while Kevin couldn't stop looking where Jacob and Edd left. Into the locker room. Kevin quickly stood and began pushing past people to follow the two boys. Nat and Nazz were calling out to him but Kevin continued on. Edd was a dick no doubt about that, but he also had feelings, and today Kevin felt like Edd was having an off day. He didn't know what to do, but he wanted to do something.
As he entered he hear Jacob yelling while Double D kept his composure. Kevin jeered around the corner and quickly found the two boys. Edd had his locker open while Jacob was behind him, yelling in his ear. As Double D kept ignoring him, Jacob only grew more and more impatient, in which resorted to Jacob pushing Double D against his locker.
"H-Hey!" Kevin spurted and the two boys turned. Edd's face suddenly look more alive and Jacob grew a blood chilling smile. Jacob reached for Kevin just in time for Edd to pull him back, slamming him against the locker.
"I s-saw you". Edd had one arm on his throat so that it was hard for Jacob to talk.
"I…th-…all, wth hm" Jacob raised a shaking finger to Kevin before dropped him. Edd turned to Kevin, "Turn around". Hesitantly Kevin turned and heard a small bang. Petrified he turned around, Jacob was on the floor unconscious with Edd looming over, Kevin took a step forward.
"What is wrong with you Barr?" Edd's voice was loud and menacing. His eyes looked like they were out for blood. Ed stood and strode towards Kevin, pushing him against the wall. "you could have been hurt, Jacob is fucking insane, what the hell is wrong with you! Can't you just be a nerd that DOESN'T stand up for himself?" Edd's voice was shaking and low. Double D dropped him and returned to his locker. He waited, then slammed both fists onto the locker, stifling a scream of frustration.
Kevin stayed, "I…I just wanted to make sure you were ok".
Edd stilled…and looked out from under his arms at Kevin, his eyes were pitch black, and haunting. His voice shaking he asked, "Is that all you wanted?"
Kevin began to nod then stopped, thinking about what Nat and Nazz had told him at lunch. He was alone and he would rather ask him now then in front of everyone. However, Edd seemed terrifying and upset, so Kevin waited, "No, but you seem to be inconsolable so I'll leave".
Edd stopped him, "If you want to say something I would say it now." Kevin turned to see Edd in the same position, yet more relaxed. Kevin nodded, and gathered his courage. He walked slowly towards Edd, closed his eyes and opened his mouth, "Will you go to homecoming with me?" His blood was pounding in his ears, and his whole body shook. What was he going to do if Double D laughed at him? Kevin heard nothing at first so he opened one eye, just in time to see Edd look behind his locker door. Silence still, and it remained for a long while until Edd came back with his signature hat on and goggles off.
His face was composed and full of nothing, "that depends pumpkin," Edd stood closer to Kevin, he could feel his heart racing. Edd was still shirtless and water dripped from his chest. Kevin tried not to stare but he couldn't help but look.
"Do you want to go with me?" Edd grew closer, they were barely touching, "Or are you just trying to a fine a date?" Kevin looked back up at Edd, his face showing nothing, Kevin didn't exactly think about if he wanted to go with Double D. He knew that he needed a date, and Nat told him to ask him anyway. That's when Kevin thought about he said, if double D truly does like you, he will either say yes, or show it, either blatantly or very subtle. Kevin then looked back up at Double D, and swallowed.
"I-I think you want to go with m-" Edd slammed his fist against the locker, making Kevin jump, "That is not what I asked you." Kevin, still scared from Double D's wrath, looked up at his face and stopped. The boy standing before him looked…hurt, almost wounded. This was the first time Kevin actually saw him look so sad. Kevin really did think about his answer now, this was a boy, Edd had troubles just like anyone else. He was the same as Kevin, he was human.
Kevin gulped, looked at Edd and told the truth, "I want to go with you". Edd immediately tensed up, his eyes were cloudy and black still. Then he moved forward and Kevin stiffened closing his eyes. Suddenly he felt pressure on his chest and looked down, Edd hung his head against Kevin's chest, his voice was soft, "I don't believe you". Edd then turned, grabbed his neatly folded items in his bag, and left Kevin to his own thoughts.
Kevin began walking outside the locker room and found Nat and Nazz searching for him. "What happened?! Where did you go?" Nat was asking Kevin so many questions, but Nazz was the only one who really understood Kevin's expression, and quickly shushed Nat.
"Kevin…? What happened?" Kevin looked at his friends. The building was now vacant and silent. Kevin sighed and told them what happened, leaving out the part were Edd knocked Jacob out. Nazz was the first to squeal, "You WANT to go with him Kevin?! Oh my God that is too cute~" Kevin blushed and brushed it off
Nat laughed, "I'm sorry he turned ya down bro, but"
Kevin cut him off, "He didn't exactly say no he…didn't really give me an answer."
Nazz and Nat understood and put their arms around his shoulder, leading him outside to think of another plan
Edd's POV
Edd entered the gymnasium right as the last bell rang, Johnny and Jimmy right behind him. He looked back at the two, "You sure lots are coming?" Johnny and Jimmy nodded and Edd grinned, "good". As more and more people entered, Edd began to stretch in his swimmer's uniform. When half the gymnasium was filed, Jacob came in from the locker rooms. As he entered, his pace slowed, he looked at all the kids laughing and cheering in the stands. Infuriated he sped to meet the 3 boys.
"What the hell is this man?" Jacob gestured to the crowd of fans. Without stopping his stretch routine, Kevin said, "Peach Creek High".
Jacob frowned, "That's not what I meant."
Finally Edd stopped and looked at the boy, "Then I would suggest being more informative with your words. Would you care to stretch?" Jacob looked disgusted with Edd, but shook his head and nudged around him. It was then that Edd found Kevin standing in the doorway, absolutely mesmerized by how many kids had shown up. Double D silently laughed at himself, this isn't even a match dork.
Edd did a few more stretches, all while watching Kevin. After a moment, Johnny started up his megaphone, "Hello Peach Creek High!" The crowd roared. Edd was never into the attention, he loved to swim and that's why he did it. When they had meets, his first year, he was caught off guard a bit, but eventually grew into the noise, and was able to drown them out.
Johnny continued into the mega phone, "Today we have new timer, Jacob Dinks," The crowd booed while the kid named Jacob gave them the finger. "And star swimmer for the Peach Creek Sharks team: Shark Eddward Vincent!" The crowd reeled. Double D looked at Johnny with a face that said, you know I hate it when you do that. Johnny only smiled and walked over to the boys, "Alright fellas, what's the special today?"
Without missing a beat, Edd said, "100 laps, whoever taps out first loses. Whoever finishes first wins." Jacob practically passed out, "Are you out of your fucking mind?" Edd and his two friends looked at him, their expressions were serious. Jacob blanched, "5 laps whoever finishes first wins." Johnny looked at Edd, who grinned then nodded.
Johnny then returned to the megaphone, "Alright Ladies and gentleman! First to get to 5 laps is champion, cheating is not allowed, and neither is being a bad sport should you lose" Johnny looked back at Edd, Double D was never good at losing at something, especially his swimming, but Edd never lost at swimming, so he only shrugged. Double D quickly fixed his cap and goggles. Folding his towel he handed it to Jimmy who made sure not to ruin it. Then the two boys stepped up to the platform, and took their stance. Edd then closed his eyes, tensing and relaxing his muscles.
The room changed, just as Edd wanted it to, he glanced at Jacob who was staring at Edd, his face concerned. However, noticing Double D watching him, he looked back at the pool, showing as much confidence as he could muster. Johnny held the mic up, and the bell resonated through the building. Edd blindly charged for the water, smoothly joined his companion. He stayed under as he swam. This is why Edd loved it so much, you could barely hear the outside world. It was peaceful and quiet, even with the cheering and screaming. Edd began counting the times he turned, and only came up for air when needed. At his last turn he slowed, and grabbed the wall peacefully. HE didn't want to get out of the water, but knew he had no choice. He gathered his weight and pulled himself up. The crowd went crazy, Edd looked back at Jacob, and then at Johnny, "what lap?" Johnny chuckled, last lap, he'll be out by his next turn. Edd nodded, grabbed his folded towel from Jimmy and began to dry himself off as he walked to the locker room.
Just before entering, he heard Jacob, "Hey!" He could hear Jacob running towards him, "I said hey!" Double D continued forward, without so much as a glance in Jacob's direction. As he reached his locker Jacob had reached him, "What the fuck man I thought we had a fair fight?"
Double D showed no emotion, he was enthralled in the small scenario in his head. Kevin coming to great him and tell him how amazing he was. That was all Double D could think about today. Kevin and his flustered face. Edd rapidly opened his locker, and fished for a few things while Jacob continued his rant. Finally Jacob hand enough and pushed him against the locker. Something Double D was waiting for.
"H-Hey!" The two boys turned to see a small ginger haired nerd standing there looking troubled. Edd suddenly felt numb, even though Jacob was no threat to him Kevin stood no chance. Jacob then reached for Kevin, and Edd hastily grabbed him and thrusted him against the locker. One arm over his neck so that he wasn't able to talk. Jacob wriggled under Edd's arm, but Double D was much more built than the boy. Finally Jacob tried to speak.
"I s-saw you". Edd's eyes knit together, furious and confused. He only pushed harder against Jacob's throat.
"I…th-…all, wth hm" Jacob raised a shaking finger to Kevin. Edd's heart suddenly stopped. Double D knew exactly what Jacob said. Jacob had seen Double D in the hall with Kevin. He was sure he saw him wait until Kevin left for class as well. He had been caught. Edd didn't want to resort to this but he had no choice. He dropped Jacob and turned to Kevin, "Turn around". Hesitantly Kevin turned. Edd then pushed Jacob on his right side and hit him cleanly a few inches behind his ear where his temporal lobe laid. He hit hard enough so that Jacob would more than likely not remember what happened today, but didn't kill him. Edd turned Jacob over to make sure he was knocked out, when he heard Kevin step forward. Then Double D snapped.
"What is wrong with you Barr?" Edd's voice was loud and menacing, and it actually caught him off guard. Edd knew he had an anger problem but he never sounded so ferocious. Edd stood and strode towards Kevin, pushing him against the wall. "You could have been hurt, Jacob is fucking insane, what the hell is wrong with you! Can't you just be a nerd that DOESN'T stand up for himself?" Edd's voice was shaking and low. Double D hated acting this way, especially in front of Kevin. His grammar and language was outrageous and monstrous. He didn't want Kevin hurt, but there he stood, ready to take what Jacob was going to give him. Double D dropped him and returned to his locker. He stood there for a minute or so, counting to 10. But he couldn't stop picturing what would have happened if Jacob hand gotten a hold of his fragile nerd. Then at the last image of a bloody and bruised ginger, he slammed both fists onto the locker, stifling a scream of frustration.
Kevin's voice was soft, "I…I just wanted to make sure you were ok".
Edd stilled. He had hear that phrase before, but it never felt like it did when Kevin said it. Edd didn't feel like people actually cared about him. Johnny and Jimmy were his friends but they were mostly there for the fans. When Kevin said that, Eddward believed Kevin meant it. Edd grimaced, thinking Kevin doesn't want you though, Kevin doesn't like you. Double D immediately numbed his body and looked out from under his arms at Kevin, he could tell from Kevin's expression just how evil he looked, "Is that all you wanted?"
Kevin began to nod then stopped, thinking deeply. He stood there for a moment trying to determine what exactly to say, until finally he looked back at Edd, "No, but you seem to be inconsolable so I'll leave". Kevin turned to go.
Edd stopped him, "If you want to say something I would say it now." Edd figured Kevin was at least going to say congratulations or something like that. Edd knew that if Kevin did say that, Double D would be ok. Kevin nodded, and gathered himself. He walked slowly towards him, closed his eyes and opened his mouth, "Will you go to homecoming with me?" This time, Double D almost passed out. Are you kidding me you little shit I was expecting more time to think! Can you just stop being so damn cute and let a guy think! Yes I want to, but I can't Oh my God I could kill you and kiss you right now! Edd was screaming at him inside while Kevin's face began to redden. God, Edd could stare at his blushing face all day, Edd wanted to just lean in and kiss him, but kept himself sturdy. When Kevin began to open his eyes, Double D quickly hid behind his locker, then realization hit. Edd's thoughts came back to the conversation he overheard at lunch. Kevin was just trying to win Edd's demands. Edd sighed, knowing it was too good to be true. Edd took off his cap, and towel dried his hair before placing his sock hate on his head. He looked back at Kevin, keeping the perfect poker face, something he had learned to control years ago.
"That depends pumpkin," Edd stood closer to Kevin, Edd could hear Kevin's heart racing, making his own heart beat fast. He saw Kevin looked at his chest, and his blush getting stronger. Double D grinned inside, and his heart banged against his chest.
"Do you want to go with me?" Edd grew closer, they were barely touching. His face was so close to Kevin's, it was hard to keep his composure, "or are you just trying to a fine a date?" Kevin looked back up at Edd, Double D would see the trouble in his face. He knew then that Kevin didn't want to go with him, he just wanted him to leave Kevin alone.
"I-I think you want to go with m-" Edd slammed his fist against the locker, making Kevin jump, "That is not what I asked you." Edd was having a difficult time keeping his poker face. Kevin was the only person Edd knew that actually cared about him. He wanted Kevin to want to be with him, but he knew that it would never happen. Kevin was never going to want to be with him. Kevin looked up at double D, and his face molded into an expression Edd had never seen before. Was Kevin confused? This agitated Edd and only made him more upset.
Kevin gulped and looked at Edd, with an expression Edd was finally able to identify: worry. "I want to go with you". Edd immediately tensed up, and he felt himself lock down. Kevin was just toying him now. He chuckled silently in his head, who has become the bully now? Utterly defeated, Edd he moved forward and rested his head against Kevin's chest. He could feel Kevin's warmth, and hear Kevin's heart racing. Edd didn't want the moment to end. He wanted to move closer. However, he felt Kevin stiffen, and he sighed, "I don't believe you". Admitting defeat, Edd turned, grabbed his neatly folded items in his bag, and left Kevin in the locker room.
Usually Double D would never leave the locker room until he was fully dressed and everything was neatly packed away. However, considering the situation, Double D figured the best he could do, was leave Kevin and change in the public restroom and be with his own thoughts. As Double D entered the facilities, he checked each stall to make sure they were vacant before entering the larger one to change.
What would he had done if Kevin really did want to go with him? How preposterous, Double D thought, Kevin would never want to be with him. All he did was torment him, how could Kevin ever forgive him? Edd wasn't really worth it anyway, knowing his reputation came first.
…yeah but what if it didn't? Edd stopped and thought about this. What if Edd wanted Kevin to be his number 1? IF the roles were switched, Eddward would want Kevin to make him his #1, despite his reputation. Double D finished changing and gathered his things neatly before heading home. Edd tried to imagine it. A strong, popular, sports guy, Kevin. Who everyone loved and admired, with a small raven haired nerd next to him, smiling at him as Kevin smiled back.
If Kevin could put Edd first, couldn't Edd put Kevin first? Edd thought about Kevin's cute blushing face, his smile and the way he tried to stand up for himself. Everything Kevin did seem to mean so much to Edd. He always felt happy when he was with Kevin. He loved seeing the dork every day. Edd didn't want to lose him, but did Edd really want to make Kevin first?