Chapter 7. Drastic Times Call

Edd was sure that Blake's voice could be heard by all the neighbouring dorm houses. Which wouldn't be too much of a problem if he weren't yelling about Edd, his feelings for him, and that Kevin was going to die at his hands.

"Blake, stop, this has nothing to do with him," Edd pleaded at the foot of the stairs, watching the blond march up to the second floor.

"Like hell he doesn't! I leave you alone with him for one day and suddenly you're telling me you don't like me any more!" he yelled, not slowing his angry pace.

Edd wrung his hands together, shaking his head vigorously. "No! I said I just don't have the same feelings as you do, Blake! Which is different!"

But it was no use; the well-dressed young man was reaching to wrench Kevin's door open. After he disappeared inside where Edd could no longer see him, Edd ran up the stairs. He tripped a couple of times but luckily didn't fall down and reached Kevin's room. Inside, the two men were facing off.

"What did you say to Eddward?" Blake demanded firmly, his face hard and stony.

"Nothing that wasn't true," Kevin replied, crossing his arms over his fitted shirt. He looked almost careless- like the situation wasn't as fierce as it was. He suddenly smirked. "What you should be asking is what I did to him."

Edd gasped and covered his mouth, his gaze shooting to catch Blake's reaction. It was murder.

"Excuse me?"

Kevin shrugged nonchalantly. "Anyway, it's not like he needed someone else to intervene before he eventually figured out he doesn't want to fuck you."

His crudeness suggested that Kevin was either pissed, or not liking the situation he'd found himself in. Well, Edd thought so anyway.

Blake scowled. "Of course you would think everything has to do with sex," he spat, his blue eyes suddenly a lot darker.

Kevin narrowed his eyes. "Sexual attraction has to play a part."

"You're just a sex freak," Blake said, his expression dark. "You've slept with more more people in this school already than I've probably even met!"

Looking like he'd enjoy nothing more than to lunge at the blond man before him, Kevin uncrossed his arms. "My sex life has nothing to do with you and your non-existent one. Can we get back on topic here? You know, the one where you're just pissed off because you think I ruined your chances with our room-mate."

Edd took a step forward, forcing his face to remain as calm as possible, though he was almost on the verge of tears; the only two people in his life right now were arguing- over him- because of him.

"Look, guys, please stop this," he said, turning to Blake, "lets just sort this out downstairs. Okay?"

"Why?" Blake only glanced at Edd before looking back at Kevin. "You don't want me to knock your boyfriend's lights out?"

"What?" Edd gaped.

Laughing suddenly, Kevin smirked at Blake. "You stupid prick- you think the only way Edd would turn you down is if I stole him away? You're de-" He was cut off.

"Don't fuck with me, Kevin," Blake scowled, clenching his fists by his sides. "I've seen how you look at him, how you speak to him, how you hate me only because I like him."

Kevin was silent, only looking at Blake with loathing eyes.

"You've been jealous since the first day!"

"You're fucked in the head, Blake," Kevin snarled, walking towards the blond until they were nose to nose. "You just can't handle that he doesn't want you!"

"Oh yeah?" Blake said, not flinching from Kevin's closeness. "Then why did you say you'd done something to him? What was all that about? What did you do?"

For the first time, Kevin glanced at Edd. Edd felt hopeless, confused, frightened. He hated conflict, and the raised voices made his heart race in fear.

"I kissed him," Kevin stated. He closed his eyes before looking back at Blake in just enough time to receive a fist in the face.

"You did steal him away from me! You bastard!"

"Fucking prick!" Kevin cursed, cupping his cheek as he stumbled away. He gathered his ground and glared at Blake. "You're going to fucking regret that."

"Wait!" Edd yelled, the tears free from his eyes finally. Violence was not something he could just stand by and watch. He jumped in front of Blake, but facing Kevin, his hands in front of himself defensively. "Please, stop!"

A bruise was already forming on Kevin's pale cheek. Face twisted in anger, he looked like he wanted to kill Blake. Like he would only be satisfied if his fists were to break bones; if blood would spill. But he stopped.

Edd spun around to point a finger at Blake. "Get out!"

"But-!"
"Get out!"

Grudgingly, and still looking pissed off, Blake back up a few steps before spinning on his heel and leaving the room. He slammed the door behind him.

Gasping in relief, Edd dropped to his knees, his nerves completely frayed. He was shaking, his emotions all over the place. After a minute, Edd glanced at Kevin, who was still standing in the same place, not looking at him.

Saying nothing, Edd struggled to his feet and left the room. He was still shaking. It was early, but the intelligent, drained boy just went straight to his room; he needed to calm down.

He entered only to find Blake sitting on the end of the bed, head hung. Not wanting to talk to the young man, but also not seeing a way out of it now, Edd sighed and walked over to him.

"I really just want to go to sleep, Blake," he muttered.

When Blake looked up at him, he looked almost broken. "Eddward, please, just hear me out?"

Sighing again, Edd nodded and sat down on his computer chair; his legs felt like termite infested wood; fragile and weak.

"I-" Blake started, his elbows on his knees, "I'm sorry for scaring you like that. I just...couldn't not say something to that obnoxious bastard."

Not saying anything, but inwardly not liking the fact he was still cursing the redhead, Edd just leaned against his desk.

"Please understand- understand that he stole you away from me. He's not right for you, he's an arrogant jerk who has a reputation for sleeping with anything that moves. I would treat you so well, Eddward, please just give me the chance."

"He didn't steal me away," Edd said tiredly. "He kissed me, but that's all. We're not together, he was just helping me with something."

"Helping you?" Blake frowned. "Can't you see that he lusts after you?"

Flushing now at Blake's choice of words, Edd frowned also, but in confusion. "Blake, don't say that."

Putting his hands up in the air in a frustrated manner, Blake stood from his seat and moved to the door. He looked discomfited. Before he left, he turned to Edd. "Just tell me if you're going to give me a chance or not. Because if you're not going to, I'm moving dorms."

Edd's eyes widened and he sat up straight. "Isn't that a bit drastic?"

"I can't stay around you if you reject me. I like you too much to move on straight away."

Biting his lip, Edd stood up and fidgeted with his hands. "Blake...I..."

Nodding, Blake sighed, looking deflated, before he moved back into the room and pulled Edd into a tight hug. His clean, expensive scent filled Edd's nostrils and he felt such guilt.

"Please, Eddward, don't let Kevin take advantage of you. Don't let him use you," he whispered, squeezing the boy before letting go. He gave a weak smile, turned, and left.

Left with naught but his thoughts, Edd moved to turn off the light in his room and strip down to his underwear before falling on his bed in a heap and curling in on himself. He'd never asked for any of this.

-~X~-

The next day was Sunday, and that meant no school. Edd got up early and left the dorm house, deciding to go into the city for the day. He needed to get away from the two men he shared an abode with, at least for a day.

He spent the day browsing book stores, visiting the museum, and loitering in a darkish coffee shop, drinking hot chocolates. He also spent it sighing and shaking haunting memories from his thoughts.

But he needed this. He needed to be away from his problems for a while, to recollect and ground himself.

Even though he hadn't intended to, he drifted to sleep in the cafe, head against the padded wall and hands around the books he'd scored.

A soft hand on his shoulder, shaking a little, woke him up. One of the staff members was standing over him, looking a little amused. Wordlessly, she pointed to the large clock on the wall. It read seven.

"I'm sorry, but we're closing," she said politely.

"I-I'm so sorry- for falling asleep. I didn't mean to," Edd explained sheepishly. He gathered his things and struggled to hold all the books he'd bought.

The staff member just smiled at him and looked at his armful. "Would you like a plastic bag for those?" She offered kindly.

"Um, why yes, I would, thank you miss."

Nodding, she left momentarily before bringing back a bag and holding it open as Edd dumped his books into it. She smiled again and held up a small, folded piece of paper between her fingers before dropping it into the bag and handing it to him.

"My name's Jamie," she said before waving and walking away. "Have a nice night, sir!"

After leaving the store, Edd fumbled for the piece of paper Jamie had placed in the bag and opened it. He gasped, eyes wide, and he quickly shoved it into his pant pocket.

He had never ever received a girl's number before. Especially from a pretty waitress. Shaking his head, Edd wondered whether he was changing, whether this whole experience was altering who he was.

Putting all that aside, Edd stopped and looked at his surroundings. He had a couple of hours until the last bus back to the dorm.

So, he decided to just wander a while. But life threw him a boomerang and he lost his way. Completely lost, Edd started to worry. He checked his watch and found it was already eight thirty. Half an hour and he would miss the last bus. How on Earth was he supposed to get back home then? As it was, forty minutes later, Edd was still wandering the darkened streets.

Mentally preparing himself for sleeping on a park bench for the night, Edd found a mall and in it a payphone. Fumbling for change, he inserted a few coins and dialled his dorm house land line that he'd memorised upon first examination of it. He didn't care who answered, as long as someone did.

It almost rang out.

"Hello?" the lazy voice on the other end answered. Kevin.

"Kevin?" Edd breathed, hugging himself from the darkness surrounding him. He heard some youths in the distance laughing and shouting with drunkenness.

"...Double D? Where are you?"

"I-I'm in the city. I missed the last bus a-and I don't know how to get home," he said quietly, feeling very stupid and like he was burdening Kevin. He tried for lightness: "any advice?"

"Shit, Edd," Kevin murmured, and Edd could feel his frown through the phone line.

"I know- I'm stupid and pathetic. But, please...I'm scared..." Edd couldn't keep the tremor from his voice.

There was a pause from Kevin before he spoke again. "Look, tell me exactly where you are- the street address, and I'll get there as soon as I can."

"A-are you sure?" Edd asked, even though he didn't know what the heck he'd do if Kevin said no.

"I can't just leave you there, Edd, jeez," Kevin snapped. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just survive until I get there, okay?"

"Okay. I'll be on..." he checked the nearest street sign, "King street. Around two hundred, near a big clock."

Kevin hung up after a sound of affirmation and Edd was alone again. He scrambled out of the light illuminating from the phone booth and wandered over to some steps that led up to the clock.

He waited. It was getting very dark as lights were switched off, until pubs and nightclubs were practically the only things open.

He was freezing cold, hungry, and very scared. A group of youths, four of them, were walking past Edd, making lots of noise.

One noticed the hunched-over boy and pointed to him. "Hey, look! A hobo!"

The girl of the group peered over at Edd, who was practically shaking in his boots, and laughed. "He's not a hobo! He's just some kid acting like one."

The group laughed stupidly and the first man stumbled over to him and grabbed his plastic bag of books. "Bloody hell, he's a bloody bookworm! Look at all these!"

Keeping quiet, Edd accepted that he might have to give up his books as collateral damage to get out of this situation in one piece. But the books were soon forgotten as Edd became the main topic again.

"You wanna come party with us, bookworm?"

No hesitation. "N-no thanks."

"Aw, c'mon, it'll be fun. And we won't take no for an answer."

Next chapter is called, What Can't You Steal?

Teaser: Looking at Edd seriously, Kevin frowned a little. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I need to know," Edd breathed. He could still feel his cheeks- hot and flushed.