Winged Cupid Painted Blind Chapter 17 - Who Ever Loved That Loved Not at First Sight
A/N- Thank you all for the reviews for the last couple of chapters, I'll return to my regular schedule after the next chapter, thank you for your patience concerning my other fics.
Edd wakes up early the next morning with nervous anticipation of meeting Kevin that day. Wondering when where and what they were going to talk about, it's not like they could talk openly in the lunchroom with all their friends around. Nor would it be easy for them to sneak off to talk in private somewhere, for there was always someone around that could easily over hear what they were saying. So maybe he should have made more of an effort to talk to the jock last night when he came over, and not squandered the opportunity, for who knew when the next time would come around that they could have some privacy. Getting ready on time he heads down and gets his breakfast of eggs toast and bacon then heads out to the bus stop. Back on his usual schedule he finds himself to be the first one there, sitting his book bag down on the ground he sits upon it and waits for his friends. Sitting there he returns to his thoughts, wondering what he should say to Kevin, whether he should let it return to the way it was or make him work for his affections.
Five minutes of pondering and he is brought out of his thoughts by a horn honking from across the street. Looking up he sees Nat waving him over from out of the driver's side window and Kevin getting out of the passenger side to stand by the car and holler at him. "Hey Edd," he waves his right arm in a beckoning motion. Edd looks around feeling a little self-conscious, getting stared at by the few people who had arrived since had been sitting there. Mustering up his resolve and telling himself not to care that they were giving him a judgmental glare, he stands and retrieves his book bag from the ground and runs over to where Kevin stood. "We thought we would give you a ride," Kevin says as he opens the back door for Edd, "It's probably the only time we will get to talk freely today."
Edd looks in the car apprehensively then whispers to Kevin, "But what about Nat?"
"He knows," Kevin states with an embarrassed look on his face that he basically outed Edd to Nat, "I mean, who else was I going to talk to about this."
"It's cool Double Dangerous," Nat called out to him, "Didn't I tell you your secrets are safe with me."
Edd let out a sigh and climbed into the backseat, Kevin motions for him to scoot over and then climbs in with him. Putting the car in drive Nat hits the gas sending the car forward with tires squealing and a bellow of smoke behind them as they left. Kevin turns to face him and places his left arm on the back of the seat, "I've been thinking, maybe we should start from the beginning again, you know a fresh start."
Edd's checks went red, he has never talked openly about this to anybody, especially with a third party present. "I don't know Kevin, seems kind of pointless seeing as we already know each other."
"I just want you to know that I will do whatever it takes to win your trust again, that we stay friends for now, and you make the choice on whether or not we become more later on." Kevin looked very vulnerable at this moment, "I do hope you choose to become my boyfriend," Edd's heart skipped a beat at that word, "It would make me very happy."
"Believe me Edd, he means what he says," Nat chimed in and they both looked up to the front of the car. "You should have heard him last night on the phone when he got back from your house."
"Shut up Nat," Kevin lightly smacks him on the back of the neck.
Nat laughs it off and continues, "He was a blubbering mess, asking for advice on how to woo you," another smack to the back of the head, "Hey I'm driving here."
Turning back to Edd, Kevin laughs off Nat's remarks then becomes serious, "So what do you say, want to give it a shot." He extends his right hand to Edd, "Hello, I'm Kevin Barr it's a pleasure to meet you."
Edd laughs lightly at the gesture and takes Kevin's hand, "The pleasure is all mine Mr. Barr." Kevin smiles warmly at Edd then rustles his beanie a little with his left hand.
They sit in a comfortable silence for the remaining three minutes of the trip, Kevin wanting desperately to reach over and hold Edd's hand but he thought better about doing it, he could tell that keeping to just friends was going to be difficult. Parking the car in the schools parking lot Nat turns off the engine and faces the both of them, "So Edd, do you have any plans for this Saturday?"
Edd shacks his head, "My friends might come up with some movie marathon or some form of Tom Foolery between now and then, but as of right now I do not."
"That's no fun," Nat states, "Why don't you come with us," he motions to Kevin with his right hand, "Kevin here has been invited to Nazz's costume party, and she normally throws one hell of a party."
"Good call Nat, you should come," Kevin secretly thank the gods for Nat being his friend.
"I don't know," Edd responded apprehensively, "What about my friends." It truly was more about the people who might be attending the party then leaving his friends behind.
"Bring them with," Kevin responded quickly then changed the subject, "So do you have a costume idea that we might theme as a group?" Edd had an idea but he wasn't sure if it would go over well at that party, leaning forward he whispered it in Kevin's ear. "That's perfect, and I know who I will go as then."
"What," Nat looks between the two of them wanting an answer, getting nothing but their smiling faces he asks again, "Would somebody tell me what the hell I am going as already."
"Oh you'll see," Kevin said with a wicked grin upon his face, "Nat are you free after school, we need to take a trip."
"Why, where are we going?" His curiosity was boiling over now and it was easily read upon his face.
"Don't worry about it, I'll get you gas money, just trust me." Kevin opens the door and exits the vehicle followed by his friend and future boyfriend.
"I don't know Barr, anytime you say trust me I am in for some shit." Kevin just waved his concerns off and the three of them made their way into the school building.
They walk into the lunchroom to wait for the morning bell and Edd gets the usual glare from Tim, but he ignores it, holding his head up high and marching past the dim boy. Finding his friends he takes a seat, "Where the hell were you Sockhead, we though you skipped," Eddy said rather loudly but only gives an "oh," when Kevin and Nat sit down on either side of him.
"Yeah we had something's to talk about," Kevin states rather matter-of-factly.
"Oh had to make up after the lovers spat," Eddy says in a snide manner.
"Eddy I wish you would give that joke a rest, Kevin and I are merely friends," Nat gives a little contained laugh that earned him a glare from Kevin.
"Yeah Eddy," Kevin begins giving him a look that told him to back off his friend, "We were just making plans," a kick under the table from Edd to Kevin's foot, Eddy noticed and Edd just smiles playing it off.
"Plans," Eddy's interest was piqued, could he have invited Edd to the party at Nazz's?
"Yeah for this weekend," another kick this time to Nat's shine which got a complaint from the boy.
"Why, what are you guys doing this weekend?" Eddy was going to pry this out of them if it was the last thing he did.
Edd pulled a notebook from his backpack as he spoke, "Nothing major Eddy, just going to go see…."he opened his note book and started writing in it, resting on his lap and leaning against the table so Eddy couldn't see it, "a football game." He tapped both Nat and Kevin's foot to draw their attention to the page, on it he had written, don't tell him about the party.
Kevin stammered out a response as quickly as he could, trying to remember if any games were happening this weekend, "Yeah, we're going to go see Summerville University play against the University of Fall Grove." He hoped he had remembered right and that there actually was a game going on between them.
"You know the rivalry between those two," Nat added trying to put some authenticity to the lie, "Should be fun just watching the fans get into it."
"Oookkkk," Eddy wasn't sure what the hell was going on here but he was sure something was being hidden from him, "You all have fun with that, just tell me when have you been into football Double D."
"I don't know, Kevin just helped open my eyes to the merits of the sport."
"Right," Eddy drawled.
Kevin props his elbow on the table and rests his chin in his hand, "That's what friendship is Eddy, give and take, sharing interests and learning from each other." The bell rings and the room goes into a chaotic mess of students heading toward the door, "You should try it sometime," Kevin stands and retrieves his books, "You might learn something." Eddy was bristling around the edges, how dare that asshole imply that he didn't know a thing about his friend, he knew plenty, much more then Kevin did anyways. Getting into the hallway and at a reasonable distance from Eddy and Ed Kevin asks, "So why don't you want him knowing about the party?"
Edd fumbled with the strap of his book bag as he replied, "I just don't want him seeing me in that costume, I'll never hear the end of it from him." A thought hit him, if he was too scared to let his friend see it why would he let others who were already prone to pick on him, "Maybe we should come up with a better costume theme, I don't know if I want to do that one anymore."
"No Edd, it's perfect, with me and Nat at your side everyone else will think so to," Edd looks over and sees that Kevin's face was serious about what he said. He was the expert on social events after all, might as well take a chance and see where the evening will take him, it was after all just a costume and easily played off as such.
"Alright, I'll trust you," Edd stated and it was visible that a little bit of worry had been removed from his shoulders.
Kevin gave him a weak smile trying to reassure him that he knew what he was talking about, but with those words Kevin was now nervous, if what he said turned out to be false would Edd blame him for his even worse social standing, was it even worth the risk. Reaching the intersection that Kevin would have to leave Edd's side they say their farewells and Kevin had to yet again stop himself from leaning over and kissing Edd goodbye, damn it's the most natural thing to do but he couldn't do it now, even if they were more than friends.
Nat comes walking by and teases, "I saw that," and makes a kissing sound when he is standing shoulder to shoulder with Kevin. "You've got it bad my friend." Kevin looks over and sees that Nat's eyes are firmly planted on Edd's butt and smacks his friend in the chest, "What, I'm not going to touch, just admiring the goods."
"Just keep it that way and we're cool," Kevin starts to walk off then turns around and mouthed he's mine.
"Yeah whatever dude," Nat laughed and waved his friend off.
"Just be ready to leave right after school," Kevin called back to him as he walked off. The day went by slowly for the three of them, Nat's mind going in circles wondering what horrible costume Kevin was planning on throwing him in. Kevin was trying to firmly stick to his guns on this choice, not wanting to ruin his chances with Edd if it all went south, but he also did believe the theme was a good one for them to do. Edd was excited for the trip they were going to take together, wondering where it was they were going that would get them the costumes he wanted them to wear.
Finally the last bell rings and the three of them meet by Nat's car and they all climb in, Kevin getting in the backseat with Edd, "You know you can sit up front Kevin."
"But I want to talk to you."
"You can do that from the front just as easily as back here."
"Yeah dude, give the boy some space," Nat added looking at his friend in the rearview mirror, "I aint no chauffeur."
"Fine," Kevin said and climbed up to the front between the seats, while doing so Edd got a very nice view of his perfect ass in those tight jeans.
Nat seeing this smiles to himself, "You like that, don't ya?" Edd looks up and sees Nat staring at him in the rearview mirror and turns his head with a big blush upon his cheeks. Nat just laughs loudly then says, "It's cool dude, it is a nice one to stare at." Kevin looked between the two of them once he was seated feeling like he missed something, but caught the gist quickly and blushed himself a little. Hitting the road they drop by Edd's place to drop off a note for his parents and pick up some money he had been saving from his allowance that he kept hidden from Eddy.
Dear Mother and Father,
I am going out with friends to go costume shopping and I will more than likely be home late, so please don't worry. I will call you once we reach our destination, god willing that there is an available working payphone to be found.
Your Son,
Eddward
Hitting the road again they traveled out of town toward the city of Summerville, it took them forty five minutes to reach the outskirts and another fifteen to reach the costume shops. Edd felt lucky that there was a payphone on the corner and he calls his parents collect, not only getting admonished for calling collect but for not asking them in person if he could go. Ultimately his mother let it go, feeling happy that her son was getting more friends and doing more things, hoping he was staying out of trouble was going to be her nightly prayer for awhile though. Entering the building and looking around, Edd quickly finds a few pieces of what he was looking for, the clerk sees what he was looking at as he holds it up and walks over, "Good choice honey," Edd looks up and sees an African American woman with a curly afro and a beautiful smile. "But might I suggest this one," she pulls out another almost identical costume and presents it to him, "It's already glittery and might fit you better."
Nat seeing what the clerk was presenting Edd looks over to Kevin and asks, "Are we?" Kevin just nods and Nat smiles broadly and starts to go on a rampage looking for the costume he wanted that matched his friends.
"Why don't you go ahead and try it on," she points to the fitting room close to the counter. Edd steps inside and takes off his shirt and undoes the costume, the clerk being a little excited herself looks around for pieces that would help the boy finish his look.
Ten minutes of fumbling with the costume and Edd steps out of the little room to be greeted by Nat whistling a cat call, "Wow looking hot D."
"Yes honey it looks good on you," The clerk stated, directing Edd to spin as to show it all off to his friends, Kevin was speechless, his jaw slack. "I found you a few other things to complete your look," she hands the items over for his approval, "But unfortunately we don't carry shoes," her look was apologetic.
"Don't worry D, I got you covered," Nat called from behind the rack of clothes, "What do you wear, a size nine?"
"Ten."
"You two are a match then," Nat came around the rack with his costume in hand, "I got the perfect pair of shoes at home for you," ready to make his purchase he heads to the counter.
Edd hands the items the clerk gave him over to Kevin and retreats back into the dressing room to change back into his normal clothes. Coming back out he finds that Kevin had already purchased his costume and was waiting to hand him back his items, dropping them all on the counter the clerk rings them up and hits the total. Seeing that it was over his limit Edd turns to Kevin, "Kevin, can I borrow a little money, I seem to have exceeded my budget, if you would be so kind I will pay you back when we get home."
"How much do you need," Kevin asked as he started to fish out his wallet.
"Twenty bucks," Edd looked embarrassed for having to ask this of him.
"Honey," Edd looks up at the clerk, "For an outfit that fierce I'm giving you the employee discount," She hits a few buttons and twenty one dollars falls off the price, "There now you're golden."
Edd smiles up at her and hands over his money, "Thank you," he says shyly.
"No thank you," She hits the cash button and deposits the money in the drawer then hands him his change, "Just do me a favor sugar, and rock that look."
She passes him his bags and Edd takes them, looking down shyly, "Don't worry, we'll make sure he does," Nat answered for him.
Saying their farewells to the clerk they head out of the building and back to Nat's car, Kevin takes the bags and places them in the trunk, "We'll keep these over at Nat's house until Saturday."
"Why my house," Nat said exasperatedly throwing his hands in the air.
"Because your mom is use to you doing crazy shit and won't think twice about it," Kevin closes the trunk and goes up to the front of the car to get in.
"Fine whatever," Nat climbs in and unlocks the doors for his friends, "So you know I was thinking, that maybe we should ditch Nazz's party."
"What," Kevin looked back at Edd and could see that he was having the same thought he was, that Nat was uncomfortable showing up in this theme, "No, I promised Edd we would go dressed the way he asked."
"Oh don't get me wrong," Nat states, "I'm excited about the costume choice, I just have a better idea than some teenage rump fest," looking over to Kevin with a grin upon his face, "It will be fun, trust me."
Truthfully Kevin didn't even want to go to the party, because he knew that Nazz would be hanging all over him the entire time, especially dressed in his costume. Looking back to Edd he asks, "Would you be cool with the change of plans?"
Edd thought about it for a short moment, he had already had second thoughts about going to the party and now that he has purchased the costume he was kind of committed to wearing it. Taking a small leap of faith, for Nat has already proven himself a trustworthy person and lots of fun when you take what he says lightly, "Sure, if Nat says it will be fun then I trust him."
"See, Edd's up for it," Nat says smuggly looking toward Kevin with a smirk firmly planted on his face.
"Alright we'll go with your idea, just don't make me regret it," Kevin leans back in the chair praying to god that Nat wasn't going to steer him wrong.
"Cool, then we'll meet up at my place around three Saturday, we'll have dinner get ready then head out from there." All were in agreement and with the arrangements made Nat starts the car and heads back home, he was so looking forward to this weekend and knew his friends would be thanking him for the suggestion once it was all said and done.