All We Are

by Ariela246

Eddward frankly was a very mysterious guy. There were people in school who respected him, most, however, feared his intimidating presence. Little Kevin had no idea how Eddward had gotten so much power in his possession, but he hoped someone would step up and give him a piece of his own medicine. [REV!KEVEDD] SLOW BURN(Warning: Graphic Violence & Self Harm! Please read with caution)

55. Chapter 55

Wow… so it's been a year… sorry :(

DISCLAIMER: All We Are is currently under construction. I am changing more than I planned but nothing major (mostly background stuff). The most notable change is the Vincent residence. I changed the house to fit what I had originally imagined it to be but for whatever reason got too lazy to write it lel. Also I may add more scenes every once in a while, all chapters with new scenes in it or major changes to writing and so forth will have a note at the top in case you don't want to reread the entirety of the story.

If you would like a description of the new house, I have edited Chapter 14 to give a hopefully good image of it. I recommend rereading the entirety of All We Are once I'm done editing all chapters BUT you totally don't have to if you don't want to. I hope the changes I'm making don't throw you off too much but I am so much more happy with it. Also, I can now totally wrap up some things within the story that I have just totally forgotten about, (again nothing major).

I wanted to finish editing first but that is going to take much longer than I wanted because of my busy schedule with 2 day jobs, sorry! So, in the meantime I'll write with the current changes in mind. Again, sorry if this bothers you but please bear with me.

Another change I am making is changing Sam's father to being known as the "King of Beasts" aka the Lion. I came up with Sam's father before the Northern Fangs and I realized too late that it could get confusing having both be represented as wolves.

Hopefully I write more than just a chapter this year lmao I can't believe myself…

*Also I do hope you are all staying safely indoors and staying positive in these trying times. Sending love to you all!

---

The crushing of soft snow was the only sound he heard in this quiet atmosphere. Not even a bird's song could be heard, nor the flowing of water. The dawn rose over the tallest trees awakening its creatures, and bringing a muted color to the tall grey trees. Breathing in felt like swallowing an ice cube but Eddward Vincent didn't mind. He'd been up and down this snowy mountain on much colder days.

The mornings were always gentle up in the mountains. The daylight provides little warmth and slows down the minutes in the morning. Following the trail of sunlight and watching it break through the gaps between trees, branches and leaves made the area a kaleidoscope of light.

Being up here in the solitary silence of the cabin both helped ground him and made him feel like time had stopped. He wished it had stopped. He wished he didn't have to go back to reality.

He closed the trunk of his car, all set to start heading back into Peach Creek. Shoving his hands into his pockets he looked back at the cabin. Leaving this place made him a bit uneasy but he had to go back. He had already spent a week away from everything and everyone…

…He had shattered…

But he was better,

At least for now he was.

…

When he entered his grand home once again it hadn't felt like before he had left. Melancholy always lingered through every shadow of the home, but as he stared at the entrance where a forest green beanie hung he couldn't help but smile. The moment he stepped into the living room so many things were amiss that perhaps habitually would have poked at his OCD but in that moment it made him feel welcomed. How odd it was to finally feel welcomed in your own home.

Eddward Vincent had walked into his family room to find blankets undid and crooked pillows as well as two books on the coffee table. The more important aspect of this anomaly was that there were many gifts placed next to the fireplace all with little cards with his name written on them. In the kitchen there was a half empty mug on the table beside a board game he recognized as Ed's.

Smiling he walked towards the garage turning on the light to the room seeing that indeed the motorcycle had been fixed up and the culprit for the messy living room was none other than Kevin Barr. He noticed a tool box still open and a half drunk glass full of water next to the vehicle. No matter how much he wanted to clean it all up, he found the messiness was endearing. It meant there was someone home and someone had been waiting.

It was New Year's Day, though ideally he hadn't planned on returning until Sunday afternoon but he had another gift to give to the freckled boy. He hoped Ed and Nazz had found their respective gifts waiting for them on the dining table where he had left them.

Eddward normally would have brushed off the holiday as he had done every single year but he knew his friends. He knew they would have come over eventually and bombard him like they had done on his birthday. He had felt terrible leaving them like that but Ed had been right he had needed to get out.

He opened the garage door receiving a rush of cold air in the process. The afternoon streets were dead silent in his neighborhood and the only sound he could hear was the faint music coming from the town's park. As he unloaded the car he wondered if his friends were having fun at the town festival.

Ed would take care of them in the midst of the New Year chaos. The giant teen had always been that good of a guy, the best honestly. Eddward still couldn't believe that the brunette had picked up the phone and rushed over, no questions asked when he had called in a state of desperation. Eddward didn't like asking for help, never had but that night he had been close to hitting rock bottom again.

Those pesky nightmares had sent him spiraling once again. When he woke up the room was awfully dead silent allowing his thoughts to flood his brain until he felt like blood was gushing out of his eyes and ears. Of course, the sensation had all been in his head but the overwhelment of his panicked state made the imagery seem so real.

Being alone during those crazed vulnerable moments also meant that there was nothing physically stopping him from grabbing his pocket knife. Shoving the sharp edge of his knife into his forearm always had a way of bringing his mind back to reality. It was fucked up but it helped him in some way. His heart would steady as he watched the blood spill down his arm. He knew that if he cut deeper, just a little more, all his suffering would cease.

His head felt like shattered glass leaving the echoes of his nightmare to escape and become more prominent in the lonesome darkness. He had been stripped bare by his saturated guilt and fears. They had clawed at his sweat covered skin leaving long gashes of resentment and self hatred to bleed through.

No amount of pleasant memories had aided that night. His scar, his little fucking scar burned so feverishly driving a pained yell from his raspy dry throat. Eddward could easily remember it being created so vividly. The feeling of the sharp edge of the wine glass stabbing into his head until his vision had been blurred with red and his ears had numbed from his high pitch screaming.

When Ed had arrived that night, he had found Eddward on his bathroom floor in a rough state. Eddward was very conscious of how he had looked that night and he felt terrible for having the taller teen deal with him. But the fact that Ed had willingly stayed by his side the rest of the night was so much more than he would have asked of Ed or Kevin. Thanks to the taller teen helping him calm down he was able to get a few hours of sleep that horrid night.

It had been early in the morning that Ed had advised him to go to the cabin and it had been the right choice. The cabin had always been Eddward's sanctuary. He felt much more level headed whenever he was there. Everything was quiet and far from enough where no one could find him. He also liked that the cabin was small enough and wasn't as grand and hollow like the wretched Vincent house. Eddward had stopped at times a bit upset during his get away knowing fully well that Kevin would have loved being there with him. But in that moment it also seemed to be best for now that he spent time apart the teen knowing everything was getting too real with his feelings. He needed to step away and reevaluate their friendship because he was quickly realizing it was far more than what he shared with Ed and Nazz.

This white house was maddening and he hated it more every year that passed. It managed to sink it's nails into his head recalling his past memories. The ones where his mother would dance around these very halls. The ones where his father would pace the room murmuring about things little Eddward didn't understand. And the ones where he was forcefully dragged up the stairs, and the many times when he had been so eager to find his family as it was in his early years of life only to find the ghost instead.

In his solitude, up in the snowy mountains he had done a lot of thinking... and for the first time ever he had let himself be exhausted. He had let himself feel every bit of tiredness from all his dreaded emotions and his ill mentality. He was tired of fighting against it...he was tired of having to keep on losing control. He needed to start figuring out how to control this torment if it wasn't going to go away. Eddward had sat down one day thinking about Ed's words and let them internalize. It was still hard to believe everything his friend had said and a part of him knew he might not ever be ok with accepting but he had enough with internally murdering himself about it every single time. He didn't want to repeat that horrifying night.

His father had made it more than crystal clear that he and his mother wanted nothing to do with him and finally he had decided to close that chapter in his life. He was truly giving up on them. No going back. He had suffered enough because of them. It pained him to think about not having the opportunity to even once see his mother, but he had come to understand that the woman he remembered and the one who was out there somewhere were completely different people. The mother he knew, the one he adored and yearned for…she was gone.

He let himself accept that fact no matter how depressing it was. Eddward would be legally an adult in a year. He would finally leave and try to move forward to a life he once thought he didn't want. A future away from everything poisonous in his life…

That was where he started and the rest would follow.

Eddward made his way up the stairs and into his bedroom wanting to take a nap when he noticed something tiny and prickly sitting on his window. He walked up to it and ran a finger along the cactus pot looking down at it curiously "Who brought you up here?" he questioned it leaning down taking a closer look at the little plant. As he moved the plant he saw a sticky note peeking from under.

In a cluttered writing that Eddward instantly recognized as Kevin's a little message was written down. I hope this little guy will help make your space a little livelier. P.s. He likes music. The raven haired teen smiled, sticking the note on the window instead and leaning against the wall, staring down at the cactus. "I suppose this means you're my roommate now" he murmured touching the cactus lightly feeling the point poke his finger.

Perhaps he would go outside to see the fireworks in the evening.

…

Eddward made his way to the bridge where the better view of the fireworks would be although quite aware that it was crowded at this time. The night had turned much colder although the sky was as tranquil as could be, both moon and stars appearing brighter among the darkening sky. As he got closer the park's music only got louder and someone's muffled voice speaking through a microphone. Eddward pulled the scarf Nazz had given him tighter shielding him from the winter's breeze.

The crowd covered most of the bridge so he stood at the side with his hands in his pocket knowing there were still some minutes before the display began. He stood still eyes looking at nothing in particular as the people around him blurred together. He was still tired... emotions in the pit of his stomach waiting to strangle out every breath of air he held in his lungs. He closed his eyes for a moment shutting everything down... People were loud and they all were chanting and laughing and singing... but with his eyes closed, he was able to focus on a loud laughter that caught his attention. Opening his eyes, he moved forward and scanned the crowd wondering if his suspicions were true.

At the far right side of the bridge he spotted Ed's head of brunette hair with his loud laughter standing out above everyone else. Eddward smiled as he spotted a bright blonde head of hair and red cap on Ed's left, they were much harder to see since they were on the shorter end but they were all together. Eddward then pushed through the crowd until he was in the middle and could more clearly see the red hat on the other end of the bridge. Eddward could tell the teen was pensive as he wasn't entirely paying attention to Nazz and Ed and instead looked forward.

He couldn't help but recall the message Kevin had sent him which made him smile when he had seen it a week ago. It had helped him stay grounded knowing Kevin was patiently waiting for his return. It was endearing, and yet it baffled him at the same time thinking how latched they had become to one another. He couldn't imagine a time where his little pumpkin wasn't beside him, and Eddward didn't know what to make of it.

"I know you have feelings…feelings for him" Ed's words echoed in his mind once again, but this time he let the thought linger.

A long time ago, when Ed had first showed up at his house the night Trevor and his goons showed up he had made it clear to the taller teen that this wouldn't happen. Eddward was more than certain that he wouldn't connect with Kevin and in retrospect drag him into his fucked up life of crime and mental issues. He wasn't going to mess up Kevin like he did with Marie.

He thought about what had happened ever since… had he messed up Kevin? He wasn't entirely sure. Kevin presented a strong will and fire in his heart that didn't ever seem to burn out. The only time he had seen it dim was when he had turned his back on Kevin and Nazz at the end of the school year. A fire that reminded him so much of Blaine.

Marie had been different. Marie had been just as mentally fucked up as him and they both knew that very well. They had a lot of fights but never to the point of being abusive, never like what was whispered in the school halls. He had loved her, but it was never the way she wanted and deserved. They both accompanied one another as they fell further down in their respective hell.

She was always lying flat on the ground of his backyard with a lit cigarette between her thin lips. Most times quiet and only ever asking Eddwrad to sit beside her. He would sit, then hold her hand as she would ramble about wanting to physically run away as far as her lungs and legs would let her. "Would you miss me?" she would ask every time as if she was really going to do it. Eddward almost always believed her and he would respond "I wouldn't be too far behind" she would laugh out "You'll follow me?" he would always just smile never truly answering her question. She'd scoff "I'll take you with me"

And then she did it, she ran away.

Not alone like she said she would, she took her entire family with her, finally far too broken down that her sisters begged their mother to seek help for all of them. She left...and Eddward did not follow. And she did not take him with her like she said she would.

She left resenting him.

People around began shouting that there was a minute left and ripping his attention down to his phone as Kevin's message brightly shined on the screen. He didn't like remembering the ugly last couple of weeks in his relationship with Marie. He liked remembering those quiet normal moments between them. Eddward typed a simple reply feeling his chest flutter as he sent it off. He looked up in time to see the other get the message as everyone was counting down though their voices were but a muffled sound in his ears as his focus was on the boy.

The loud explosion of the fireworks did get his attention seeing the first colors in the sky a bright red and blue. It was beautiful, he hadn't ever truly cared for such a display but it was like seeing it for the very first time again and it was beautiful. Was Kevin looking up? He glanced down, meeting blurred olive eyes staring right at him. Eddward held his breath realizing he'd been caught. Though he quickly realized there were tears in his pumpkins eyes. Why was he crying? The smaller teen stared at him solemnly and Eddward in that moment wanted nothing more than to go over and comfort him. However, the large crowd between them wouldn't allow that and he smiled hoping it would cheer Kevin up.

And Kevin did smile, but his stare wouldn't waver from him. He didn't turn back to look at the fireworks nor did he stop crying. Eddward felt a sense of dread at the pit of his stomach and he didn't know what to do. They were in the middle of a tight crowd unable to move until the display was over in the next 8 minutes. What was upsetting him? He looked over only to see both Nazz and Ed completely unaware of the boy next to them.

Finally a handful of minutes later, Kevin looked away wiping his face and sniffling before looking back up but this time his gaze didn't met Eddward's. With a breath out, Eddward could only just stay put waiting for the final minutes to come to an end. He watched the red cap turn different shades as lights of purple, yellow, and blue flashed onto it but Kevin's eyes were dark and his lips pressed tightly. Once in a while someone would lean into his field of vision and that's when Eddward would notice the freckled boy look up searching for him again. It made him smile, though it was hard keeping sight of the smaller teen when over half the people had their phones out recording a spectacle he no longer cared about. He tightened his fingers into fists as another cold breeze danced right passed them. Kevin had shivered reaching a hand up to cover his exposed ear and Eddward frowned at the fact that Kevin not covered properly.

Loud clapping and cheering resonated through the entire town and it was then that the crowd immediately loosened up and began moving. Eddward took this moment to push through the crowd to meet Kevin who had been lost in the midst of all the movement. As he pushed between a group he spotted Kevin making his way over now only a mere 4 feet away from him. There was something lonesome in those lovely green eyes that made Eddward speechless and he felt guilty. Taking a few steps forward he noticed Kevin's shoulders relax as he let out a sigh though eyes glistened. Eddward lifted his hands to cup the freckled boy's face and soothingly wiped the remaining tears from his cheeks.

As soon a broken whimper was let out of Kevin's lips Eddward leaned down wrapping the smaller teen in a tight hug and pleased when the other's arms wrapped around him as well. He closed his eyes tightening his hold, hearing the other sniffle under him. Was Kevin crying because of him? Had it been because he had left without a word? Or was this about something else?

"I've missed you…" Kevin's broken voice spoke quietly.

The raven haired teen let out a soft laugh "It's only been a week"

The freckled boy seemed to lean further into his embrace and tightened his hold on him "…I know" he mumbled. "I'm happy your back"

"...As am I" Eddward somewhat lied. He was glad to see the three of them again but honestly he wasn't completely thrilled to be back. Opening his eyes and seeing Nazz and Ed standing right in front of them. His felt his face flush and gently pulled away from the shorter teen giving the other two a smile. "Happy New Year" he called out awkwardly.

Both Nazz and Ed smiled rushing over to engulf him in another embrace "Happy New Year silly" Nazz mumbled out with a soft laugh.

Once they freed him he gave Ed a sheepish look "Sorry" he mumbled referring to the night he had called him over. To which Ed shook his head and smiled as a way to say no worries. Ed pulled him into another hug one that reassured Eddward that their friendship was solid. He looked back at the ginger haired boy who wasn't looking at them but rather down at the ground his arms crossed and Eddward couldn't help but feel unsettled. Had he done something to upset him?

…

The morning after was quiet, but then again it was out of the ordinary for Eddward Vincent. The thing was that Sam hadn't called him at all since before he left and he didn't know whether to feel relaxed or concerned at that fact knowing that Sam was normally gloating about how his birthday was coming up in a few weeks. He looked down at the blonde's birthday present knowing the teen didn't require much of anything having the privilege of coming from a stupidly rich father. But it was simply a gift of respect knowing Sam was going to haul his ass to his yearly masquerade party.

It was the one day of the year where Sam allowed himself to splurge throwing a party that could compete with that of the Great Gastby. It wasn't for his spoiled ego however, Eddward was well aware that Sam only wanted to bring in the big men and make connections. Now that he would be eighteen, initiation was right around the corner and it was the perfect time to network. His father's best would show up, or at least their underboss would, to judge his character and worthiness. Most all Captains of age under Sam knew of the possibility at this particular party, sure they were highschoolers but this was the real deal. They all strived to get that invitation from Sam, it would lead them to get recruited in the future or immediately. But Eddward was aware that the real thing was fucking hell, whatever they were currently doing in Sams gang was but mere kids play.

In Sam's gang no one died, these were just fights. In the actual thing, one had to be cautious of enemies and even the people in our own gang as well as your boss. In the real thing, you piss someone off, your dead. Sam is harsh with some of them, he likes to torture and punish those he considers close to see how loyal they were. Sam likes to do much worse to those who disrespect and break his trust, but as cruel as he can get it's never to the level of these big bosses. Sam's father? You even look at him the wrong way and you could get an ear cut off or eyeball pulled out.

Sam wanted to become his father, and he wanted Eddward by his side as his underboss, consigliere and his fucking hound. Eddward has been through hell and back with Sam's 'training' to prove his loyalty and strength above anyone else...besides Johnny that is. Eddward didn't know why Sam had started to truly distrusting Johnny. But just a year ago, if Eddward was Sam's hound, then Johnny had been his raven. The platinum blonde was much closer attached to Sam than he had ever been, easily whispering information and secrets among each other. It had made Eddward annoyed but he never truly cared enough to argue back or question anything Sam ordered.

Sam had material on Eddward, from dirty jobs Sam himself had sent him to accomplish to evidence of the biggest secret he had ever kept, and not to mention the way he had successfully made Eddward instinctively fear the blonde. Eddward blamed himself for getting into this mess but he at that point didn't care about much of anything. He didn't think he would still be alive. He had thought he would be lucky to be killed while under Sam, that way he didn't have to do it himself. And hell, if anything were to get out after his death he would be laughing in his grave watching his parents suffer their well deserved humiliation.

Ripping his thoughts about the party and everything else, he hid the gift in his closet for safe keeping knowing if Kevin or the other saw it they would freak out. The cactus on his windowsill was plump and prickly, it almost seemed happy where it sat. Eddward had accustomed a habit of staring at the plant admiring its golden thorns. He heard the sound of a car turning off in front of his driveway and with a raised eyebrow he turned looking out the other window spotting a light brown car and a woman with rose gold short hair stepped out. He quickly stepped away from the window, feeling his heart stop. What was Kevin's mother doing at his house? How did she find him?

He felt his chest tighten at the thought of receiving the woman in his home alone. He didn't even have Kevin next to him to reassure and calm him down. He jumped at the sound of knocking and he looked out again. Part of him didn't want to answer... but he did want to find out why she was here. So taking a deep breath he made his way downstairs. He desperately hoped this would be a quick visit. Releasing the breath he had been holding he finally opened the door to find the small freckled woman standing with a softness in her ageing features. "Mrs. Reid"

The woman gave him a smile "Good morning, Eddward" she stared at him for a long moment before letting out a laugh and gesturing to the bag in her arms "I'm sorry to bother you, but...may I come in?"

Eddward felt the panic in his chest all over again but he stepped aside "p-please" he watched her slip out of her shoes in the entry way and walk into the small living room as if she had been in this huge house thousands of times before and knew his habits. She set down the bag on the coffee table and looked around taking in everything.

"It's weird how this house still feels the same even after all these years. Well, there is much less...stuff but believe it or not I used to sneak into your mother's room all the time. Her father was a very stern man, and your mother quite the rebellious one." She stood staring at his mother's portrait. Eddward figured that she had assumed Isabella never left her childhood home, meaning she already knew where he lived. The thought kind of scared him. "She's always been so beautiful" she murmured, "this must have been taken before you huh?" She turned, giving him a smile seeing the boy nod before looking back. "I miss her so much... have you heard from her?"

Eddward shoved his hands into his pants pockets trying to hide the nervousness in his hands "n-no, she's a very busy person"

"Hm" Liz turned around raising an eyebrow at him "you're such a good son...you must get lonely without her around" she smiled making her way to sit on the couch and placing a hand on the spot beside her "sit with me, I have something to show you"

He sat down hesitantly reaching to pull at his hat nervously watching her reach for the bag and placing it at their feet. "I heard it was your birthday last month and since you weren't around during Christmas...". She looked up at him with a spark in her eye "I've brought some gifts for you"

The statement made Eddward blush "um...I-It's truly not necessary"

The woman giggled again patting his leg "hush, you're going to love what I've brought you" she reached down and pulled out an album and placed it on his lap. "This is an old album I had and I rearranged the photos inside. I've been a photographer since I came out of the womb" she laughed looking at the cringy stickers and doodles all over the cover "I have so many lovely memories stored in here... I would love to share some with you"

Eddward looked down at the old photo album with some magazine cut outs glued to the cover. He opened the page and saw the first page with what he assumed was Liz handwriting stating the year and something of an introduction to the album. Turning the page once more he finally saw five scattered polaroid photographs. He felt his heart stopped, hand lingering at the edge of the page seeing a little pale girl with his identical face staring up at him with the most mischievous smile. He noticed another girl with long light brown hair and a heavily freckled face smiling next to Isabella. "Your mom and I go a long way back... we were friends since childhood. Peach Creek was much smaller back then, only one elementary, one middle school, and peach creek high. We met during recess on my first day of first grade, I wandered to the monkey bars and your mom was sitting at the very top with a book in her lap. It was my favorite book and I was so excited she was reading it."

"What book was it?" He asked feeling his childish desires crawling up his chest the more Lizzy spoke.

"Where the Wild Things Are" she smiled "it's a classic, did she ever read it to you?"

He nodded, recalling the woman's figure leaning against him as she read while he was half paying attention, deciding it was better to play with his mother's long hair. "A handful of times" he murmured.

Liz gave him a sad smile "I only read it to Kevin once... when he was about 5 months old." She breathed in then pointing to the photographs and started telling Eddward more stories. The time Isabella punched a boy in her grade because he had hit Lizzy with a basketball and all three of them got put into timeout. Turns out that boy was none other than Tom Barr himself. There was a photograph of Tom and Isabella pulling at each other's hair. "They didn't get along for about two years" she smiled "but we kept bumping into him around town and would always end up hanging out. I think the moment we became friends with him was when I was about eleven, your mother thirteen and Tom twelve, we were walking by the trailer park. Tom used to live there and he was playing baseball by himself when he hit the ball and it went right through old grinch's window, he was a very nasty man who hated kids, and we saw how terrified Tom was watching the grinch storm out angrily yelling at him that he was going to kill him. So Isabella ran up and grabbed Tom and she lifted a finger" Lizzy lifted her hand, her middle finger prominently in the air she laughed out "and flipped off the old grinch before breaking into a sprint with Tom and I following behind laughing"

At the mention of the trailer park, Eddward recalled the time he hung out with Ed and Eddy... Eddy the idiot used to mess with the Kanker sisters at the trailer park. That's how he met Marie although he'd known of the sisters from school.

"From then on, we were inseparable" she sighed lingering on a photo of the three of them a little older. Lizzy with overalls and wavy long hair, Tom with the brightest pumpkin hair and a bright red sports jacket, and finally his mother, Isabella with high waisted jeans and a white turtleneck. Her gap toothed smile prominently displayed from her wide smile, arms around Tom in a tight hug.

He continued to flip through pages watching them grow up before his very eyes and Lizzy would pause telling him stories of their past. All of a sudden he felt himself choke. He went from curious at the beginning to excited to utterly distraught that this raven haired girl would end up becoming the woman who haunted him till this day. He looked away trying to regain his composure.

"Oh, this is Malcom Jones"

Eddward slowly looked back seeing they had reached their high school years. A dark skinned teen who was much taller than Isabella stood next to her with an arm around her, his wavy afro only adding to his height. Isabella leaned against him, her hands in her leather jacket. "Who is he?"

"That's your mother's first boyfriend" she smiled "he moved to Peach Creek during high school. He was the same age as Isabella. He was actually the swim team captain back in our days" She nudged him "Now it's you huh?" Eddward simply nodded "I need to go see one of your competitions, Kevin tells me you are a spectacle"

"I-it's not that exciting...he exaggerates" Eddward let out a nervous laugh feeling a bubbly sensation at the mention of the freckled boy.

"I'll have to be the judge of that" she giggled "he admires you so much"

He looked at the woman who reached for his hand and took a hold of it with her small warm freckled hand. "...who does?"

"Kevin silly" she gestured at the photograph again "He reminds me of Malcolm in the way he talks about you. Malcolm was completely head over heels for Isabella" she sighed out and Eddward hoped to god she wouldn't notice his flushed face "it was so much fun to mess around with them when they were crushing on each other. Oh, don't tell your father this" she whispered to Eddward "but all these years I totally had thought they had gotten married despite her father's disapproval" she shrugged "but life happens and we meet new people. Surely your father is just as great or else she wouldn't have married him and had you"

Eddward felt himself cringe at her words. Little did she know... he just gave her a small smile. She turned the page once more and Eddward felt his heart stop once again, only this time his blood turned cold. There was a photograph of Isabella with her back to the camera, her long hair pulled up into a high ponytail, hands in her leather jacket posing next to a motorcycle with Malcolm in the background with his Swim Team jacket. What was on the back of the leather jacket was what terrified him the most...because the leather jacket that was on the photograph was identical to the one he was hiding under his bed. In the very same white old gangster font EAST SHARKS and in blue outlined the silhouette of a shark.

"What's this?" He pointed to the jacket he was wearing.

"Oh" Lizzy laughed out loud "your mother, furious with her father, went and joined a gang! Can you believe it, well they weren't the bad sort, absolutely kind people. They looked out for one another especially since back in our days there was another gang called the Great Whites, don't know if they're still hanging around... hopefully not, but those people part of that gang did so much trouble in town. They used to say the town was theirs, and they would leave their stupid mark all over. They'd sell drugs at the school campus, bully kids and they'd pick murderous fights with the Eastern sharks. Eventually they got busted for the drug selling but who knows what happened after. Are they still around?"

Eddward felt his panic start all over again as he looked at the woman's curious eyes. He shook his head "...haven't heard of them..."

"Hm, serves them right. They were nothing but a bunch of criminals" she sighed out "best to stay away from that crowd. Nothing like the Eastern Sharks, they were a family. That's why Isabella joined, and she loved them" she turned the page and finally they had a photograph of Isabella and Malcolm in their graduation gowns, a bright blue with a white tassel. "We only hung out as a group until the end of July before Isabella and her parents moved away. Malcolm had left town to go to college a year earlier but as far as I knew he and Isabella were still in a relationship. Maybe the long distance just didn't work for them" she pointed at the last photograph of Isabella and Malcolm sitting down on the beach looking out into the sunset while Tom was standing close to the camera with a can of beer in hand.

"I have one more thing for you" she reached into the bag once more pulling an old leather jacket. The very same one from the photograph... "she gave this to me, since I was going to stay in town and the Eastern's cared for me just as they cared for your mother even though I wasn't a member." She smiled, placing the album on the coffee table and handing the jacket in his hands.

"Toms says your father is frequently out of town...and with Isabella away. I want you to know that you can turn to us, or to me if you ever need anything." she stared right at him with a determination that reminded Eddward so much of Kevin. "I know we have barely gotten to know each other but..." She paused giving his hands a squeeze "you're welcome to lean on me, not only because you're Isabella's boy, but also because you're a wonderful young man Eddward. You've treated Kevin with so much kindness and patience. I'm truly, truly so genuinely happy you both found each other. I wish you could have been friends since childhood. But the point is, you've been so admirable to my son, and I don't want you to feel so lonesome in his... enormous house." She looked around with a sigh "your mother hated this house. She said it always made her feel so small and depressed, said it was haunted by terrible memories." She reached to caress Eddward cheek "I hope it's not the same for you but..." she ran a thumb close to his eye as if wiping a tear "It may seem so"

Eddward was utterly speechless as he looked down at the petite woman he gave her a small smile unsure of how to respond "I won't be here long" he knew he had about a year before he would move out.

"Are you planning on leaving Peach Creek for University?" She smiled a warm smile.

"We all are"

"That's good. Go further in life than this lame old town. There's so much out there for you and Kevin to explore. And I hope you both stay connected despite distance." She lowered her head before bumping her shoulder with his as if wanting to say more "So..." she stood then placing her hands on her hips "you haven't had dinner with us in a while and I'm well aware you can cook for yourself but if you don't mind I'd love to cook something for you" Eddward looked up at her with wide eyes. "I've brought some groceries, I wasn't sure what was needed and I didn't want you malnourished. I mean I know you're capable but it's so easy to pass up meals and such when you're alone at your age." She giggled "I won't be long"

Eddward nodded standing up to follow the woman out to her car. He was in a state of numbness as he watched Lizzy wonder around the kitchen having him sit at the table. It felt very weird, uncomfortable and oddly nostalgic.

He wondered if Kevin knew his mother was here.

…

Blue dyed hair was the only thing that stood out against the dead grass underneath it. His eyes lowered following the trail of hair to sickly pale skin and pressed thin chapped lips. The girl had her eyes closed and if he didn't know any better, he'd think he was looking at a corpse.

She smelled like nicotine and was bone thin. He traced a hand through her boney fingers and bruised arms. The girl was peacefully sleeping, he watched her chest rise and fall and with a touch to her pulse on her thin cold neck it only confirmed that indeed the girl was still alive. However, the touch seemed to wake her up as her eyes fluttered open and stared up at him through dark brown eyes. She may have been alive, but her eyes said otherwise.

With a hand she pulled at his collar forcing him to hunch over her. Her thin finger traced the scar on his head and it led her to stroke his long wavy locks. She grabbed a chunk of his hair and pulled again and he closed his eyes.

He felt himself fall and everything went black.

"It was your fault"

He opened his eyes seeing that the girl was no longer underneath him and instead a familiar boy with light brown hair now stared up at him with muted coffee eyes. He felt his heart stop and his body shake as he stared at the boy underneath him splattered with blood.

"You killed me Eddward Vincent. You killed me"

A loud sound of broken glass was heard behind him. The scene turned dark once more but Eddward's eyes were wide open unable to tear away at the injured body underneath him. He quickly noticed that they were no longer outside...that he was in the fucking room again.

The one with the lamp at the center except when he finally turned he saw the bulb of the lamp had been the thing that broke. There were wet areas all around and he noticed it was all red...it must have been blood. He turned back to the bloodied body of Blaine but now it was the blue haired girl again...her wrists were bleeding.

"Marie" Eddward whimpered out holding onto the girl's wrists. The paleness of her skin was now close to white.

"I hate you" she cried out staring up at the ceiling "I hate you"

Eddward felt someone reach from behind and thrust his head back and the sensation of sharp glass cutting into his head made him scream out. He reached up to free himself but saw his hands had reversed to that of a childs, weak and thin. His childish scream couldn't be heard.

And then he heard them…

Those god awful laughs.

...

Monday morning Ed, Nazz and Kevin had all gathered to watch Eddward open his presents and it made him horribly flustered being stared at like a small child. However, despite the usual happy laughter going around between the three he did notice Kevin being distant though in a much more subtle way than that one awkward week they had. Kevin did sit next to him but never as close as he used to nor did he set a hand on him the entire day. Though he still looked up at him and smiled and acted as if everything was just as it was, his small changes in behavior did make Eddward ponder. He hadn't called the freckled boy by his nickname in a long while too afraid to cause a negative reaction once more. He wondered if the freckled boy was even consciously aware of his distance. Nazz seemed to give Kevin side glances meaning she knew whatever it was that was happening with him. He was probably over analyzing the situation, but he was hyper aware of everything at the moment. He hadn't slept at all last night as the quiet night filled his thoughts. The new information on his mother had left him restless, and he kept on wondering if he was able to get more information dug out if he kept on investigating. But to what end? He had already decided to stop. Was there any true reason why he should continue? And that was when his father's voice had resonated in his head until he had noticed he had been hyperventilating pulling him out of his thoughts. He only got three hours of sleep, but not well rested sleep at all.

"Eddward I need to intervene" Nazz called out walking behind him and placing her hands on his shoulders. The raven haired boy simply glanced up giving her a raised eyebrow to which she smiled down and ripped off his black striped beanie. "Please let me cut your hair after school today" she giggled taking a hold of a section of long hair that went past his collar bones.

"no" Eddward frowned, reaching up to cover his head with his hands.

"Why? It's getting too long, you looked better with the short length you had back in the beginning of our sophomore year" she tried running her hands through his scalp but he gently pushed her hands off. "It'll make swimming easier" she tried to argue but Eddward simply shook his head, stealing back his hat.

"I hate people touching my head" he mumbled out putting his beanie back on.

"What do you mean? You let Kevin touch your head all the freaking time?" She gestures a hand to the boy next to them. Everyone had their eyes on the freckled boy and Nazz only smirked watching her best friend become more flustered with the prolonged silence. "What if he cuts it then"

"I said no" Eddward mumbled with much let bite this time.

"I'm going to cut it sooner or later Vincent" Nazz placed a hand on her hip the other continuing to rest on the swimmers.

Ed stood up then raising his arms high above his head and yawning "alright kiddos, we need to get going class start soon"

With that they all started to gather their things. Nazz and Ed cleaned up the small mess of paper from the gifts while Eddward went upstairs to grab his bag. "Kevin" Ed turned to him when the raven haired boy was out of earshot. He looked up from his phone giving him a questioning look making Ed stand up and walk over leaning close to him "everything ok with you?"

Kevin chuckled out "of course, why wouldn't it?"

Ed simply gave him a look before shrugging "I don't know, last time you and Eddward were in the same room you bolted out or started choking. What was all that about anyways?" He asked curiously.

Nazz let out a laugh before turning it into a cough that made Ed raise his eyebrow "What do you know?" The girl just shook her head shrugging.

"It was nothing Ed. I was just having a weird week. It's fine now" he looked away feeling his face start to warm up.

"Is it?" The taller boy asked "I still feel like you're being weird"

"I don't think I am." Kevin frowned crossing his arms now "what's wrong Ed?"

"I don't know yet" The brunette sighed out deciding to maybe let it be for now. After some minutes he looked upstairs "maybe you should go check on him, he's been up there a while" he elbowed Kevin.

The freckled boy followed his gaze and nodded "...yeah" he didn't meet Ed's stare and instead dashed forward making his way upstairs.

Ed turned to Nazz and frowned at her "Spill. Now" he demanded.

She gave him wide eyes standing up and walking up close "it's nothing terrible Ed, calm down"

"Well then, why won't you tell me?" He whispered.

The small smile on her face wouldn't go away and she simply shrugged "Let's just say a realization kind of bitch slapped him hard. But trust me when I say it's nothing terrible. In fact, it's fantastic." she leaned her hip on the edge of the couch looking up the stairs "it's just a matter of time"

"Whatever it is that's going on, is honestly kind of annoying me right now" Ed frowned leaning against the couch too.

"Why?" Nazz looked back up at the boy with a concerned look.

"If I can tell Kevin is being weird, guess who's even more aware of it" Ed pointed upstairs.

"You think so?" Nazz looked up a hand on her hip.

"I know so" Ed sighed out leaning down towards Nazz "Eddward knows something is up and I am sure as hell that he thinks it's because of him. And when he starts to get anxious about it, he over thinks everything and when that happens then he start making stupid decisions and gets depressed all over again. It's been a month now Nazz"

Nazz simply looked at him with worried eyes "is that why he left?" He questioned in a small voice

With defeated shoulders he nodded "Part of the reason... I've never seen him so... gone. I was terrified of letting him go alone but he needed to be away from everything and everyone." He crouched down on the floor, hands hugging his legs and stayed silently for a moment as Nazz sat down leaning next to him "I can't imagine how bad it must have been dealing with this shit by himself for so long. No one to tell him everything was going to be fine. No one to just hold his hand to keep him grounded and let him cry it out. I can't imagine how he was after what me and Eddy did to him..." He turned to Nazz with stern eyes ``I'm not letting that happen again, so you need to talk to Kevin and tell him to get his shit straight. Because I'm not going to let him mess with Eddward's emotional state."

Nazz hooked an arm around Ed frowning "You know Kevin doesn't mean it... he probably doesn't realize we're all aware of how he's been acting. But your right, I'll seriously talk to him"

"Good" Ed breathed out "...thank you. Sorry"

"It's ok Ed, I get it. You love Eddward as much as I love Kevin. And... well, I care about Eddward too you know" Nazz smiled sheepishly resting her cheek on the boy's arm. "We're all going to get through this one way or another''

"They're just hurting each other by not fucking confessing huh?" Ed mumbled out

"It's called pinning my friend"

...

Kevin stood quietly at the door frame looking at Eddward staring down at a leather jacket with the east sharks logo on it. For a moment he was highly nervous thinking it was the exact same one and he wondered if Eddward had known he had taken it and had somehow stolen it back. But then he remembered it was currently under his bed at home, he knew it was. So where had Eddward gotten this one? Why did he have it?

It was then Eddward looked up and met his eyes "you're not getting this back" he said grabbing the jacket and shoving it in his closet. It was then that Kevin knew the raven haired teen didn't know he had stolen it back. So for now he couldn't ask whose it truly was.

"I know" he pretended to pout walking into the spacious room. He walked up to the edge of Eddward's bed where he sat down to gaze at the cactus on the windowsill. "Do you like him?" He gazed at Eddward a moment addressing him as he turned back to stare at the plant.

"It's a him?" Eddward chuckled, grabbing his bag and throwing it over his shoulder. When Kevin nodded then the raven haired boy looked at the happy plant "quite the peaceful company" Kevin looked up at him, "yes, I do like him" Eddward smiled seeing Kevin smile.

"Have you named him?" Kevin leaned back in his hands

"Why would I name a plant?" Eddward raised an eyebrow leaning against his desk

Kevin frowned "why wouldn't you? It's your new roommate after all"

Shoving his hands in his coat pocket he suggested "well since you have spent more time with it, how about you name it?"

"Me? But he's yours"

"Fine, give me some name suggestions and I'll pick" Eddward surrendered endeared by the way the freckled boy bit his lip in thought staring at the plant.

"let's see...Cereus?...Señor Prickly, Needles? Camelius? Spike?..." Kevin suggested "like one of them"

Eddward simply shook his head with a smile on his face so Kevin continued "The green one, Denizen of Deserts, Oh! I know" Kevin laughed out "Spikasaurus Rex"

"Nope, I reject all those names" Eddward shook his head "something more simple"

"Hm, you're no fun" Kevin pouted but started thinking once again "Gregory, Carl, James, Tex, Sting...Adam...are you sure Spikasaurus Rex isn't like the best name ever for a cactus"

"No it definitely isn't, but I did like James" Eddward shrugged.

"James?" Kevin bit his lip again in thought "...might as well call him Jim for short"

"Jim...Jim the cactus" Eddward smile turning to grab his labeler and typing away "alright" he stepped closer ripping the tape off and placing it on the pot "Jim the cactus it is"

Kevin laughed feeling giddy at the label placed on the pot. It made it seem that now Jim the cactus was officially Eddward's. "It's cute" he said.

Eddward had paused with a soft look on his face as he glanced at the small plant almost as if he was watching a sleeping kitten. Then he turned that look on Kevin and it made the freckled boy's chest tighten and his eyes unable to rip away from those ocean eyes. Eddward looked as if he wanted to say something more, or perhaps just stay in the comfortable silence of this moment a second longer. "Come on, we're going to be late" he motioned for Kevin to follow along and Kevin watched as Eddward looked away and opened the door leaving him sitting there speechless.

...

"Captain" Eddward heard a familiar voice call out to him as he was headed to the natatorium to do some laps. He turned, seeing Jimmy making his way and stopping a mere two feet from him. "Got a message from Sam." He said quietly.

"What is it?" He eyed the boy suspiciously

"First off, he wants us all to meet him at the factory Friday night. I'm pretty sure he's going to announce his birthday plans and what not" Jimmy looked around the hallways seeing no one since it was during class time.

"Alright He could have just sent me a text" Eddward grumbled out.

Jimmy simply laughed out "sure, but his next message has to be given to you directly" he once more looked around before leaning close to Eddward and wrapping an arm as if hugging him. Eddward gave him a look but the blonde ignored it whispering into his ear "I've brought you Tombstone" he whispered so quietly and then Eddward felt Jimmy place a small package in his jacket pocket. Jimmy then leaned back "Sam says it'll help." He looked down at Eddward's pocket.

Eddward then placed his hands in his pocket feeling that there was a bottle in the small package. He had taken matters into his own hands by calling Sam early in the morning before Kevin and others arrived asking if he had anything to...well, calm him down. "Have you...?" Eddward started wondering if it was wise to receive these drugs from Jimmy.

"Yeah, it totally numbs you out, emotionally and mentally. The first couple of times, it makes you feel like you're dead, that's why they call it that" Jimmy chuckled quietly "but before that, you're definitely" he made swirling motion with his finger "Euphoric... it's nothing hardcore so you should be fine coming to school after you get used to it" he cleared his throat watching two students quickly walked past them then when they were out of ear shot "just don't take it before you're going to swim, you'll definitely drown." He chuckled out "Sam says to take it in the evening before you go to sleep. If you take it in the morning, make sure to get the high out of your system before coming to school. By the time your here you'll be numbed, it's fucking great. Easier to deal with the teachers shit"

"...alright" Eddward glared at another who started walking down the hallways but turned around seeing them standing there.

"Sam says no more than one a day. Says he still needs your ass to function. He'll have your head if you're on it while you're on the job."

"Noted" Eddward turned around and started to walk away.

"Does he know?" Jimmy called out with a teasing smirk on his face. Eddward then turned, giving him a glare warning the blonde to stay out of it. "...better hide it well Captain, just saying" he bit his lip hiding his malicious smile before waving a hand and walking away.

Eddward closed the natatorium locker doors behind him and breathed out thankful the place was empty. He made his way to his locker and placed his bag on the floor as he took a seat on the bench pulling out the small package Jimmy had given him. He opened it seeing a small clear bottle with about 60 sapphire pills in it. Opening the bottle he shook one pill into his hand examining it and seeing a tiny skull engraved in it. He hoped it would help him. He placed it back into the bottle and the bottle into the package then stored it in his bag.

That evening after he showered he laid down on his bed waiting for the tombstone to kick in. He felt silly, it wasn't his first time experimenting with drugs. No, he never did anything hardcore nor did he liked the feeling of becoming so dumbed down. He was after a different feeling, not the one that made everyone smile and laugh but rather the one where he could feel pure nothingness before the euphoria engulfs you. Maybe then his nightmares would stop and he could finally sleep through the night.

Closing his eyes the familiar sensation of euphoria started kicking in to his system making him relax. He raised a hand staring at it noticing that he felt warm as if the blood that ran through him had finally warmed up, or it might be that he was numb to the coldness of the house. His body relaxed, he felt lighter almost like the feeling he had when he was at the cabin watching the stars with Kevin at his side. He felt small in the vastness and emptiness of his house. And for a moment he felt the same warmth he had when Blaine had grabbed his hand in the middle of the woods and twirled him around singing a song that was now blurred and muted from the aging of his memory. But little Eddward had laughed and smiled unaware of the tragedy that was soon to follow them.

The euphoric feeling lasted some time until finally it started to die down over time relaxing him further and further until he couldn't think anymore and his nostalgic memories faded from his mind. He stopped feeling hot or cold or anything at all. He couldn't feel his lungs breathing, was he even breathing? He pressed a hand to his chest checking to see if it was still rising and falling. Eddward couldn't truly feel his body against the bed anymore, he was weightless. His eyes were open, yet he couldn't see the reality of his surroundings. The darkness made it seem as if he was back in that dark room with the single light at the center. Turning his head to the side he could see the shadows moving about the walls of his room and could still hear the small creak from the trees outside.

Then everything seemed to stop, his lungs, his heart...then finally his brain. It was as if his soul had detached from his body and for some reason Eddward felt safe at that moment because everything he had felt before this just... disappeared. It was pure nothingness and finally, finally it was the state that he desperately craved for.

It worked.

He fell asleep much later into the night with no care in the world and in the morning realized there had been no nightmares, and nothing to stress him out. He hadn't felt this peaceful in a really long fucking time. And it made him smile.

...

The week had started lazy as they only had to turn in a minimal amount of work that had been assigned over break and now they were preparing to end the semester within a week. There just wasn't much to do these days and it made everyone at the school move slow. Middle of the week Ed had offered the gang to come over to his place to hang out, Kevin thought it a perfectly good opportunity to meet Ed's younger sister, Sarah. He had heard small talk about her between the Ed's and Kevin could tell just how much Ed loved his sister, it was sweet.

They all agreed to stop by after school except Nazz who awkwardly excused herself from the conversation. Kevin quietly watched as she left, her head lowered with shoulders sank. He didn't understand why she always got like this when Sarah was mentioned but every time she left like that Eddward watched her with a solemn look on his face. Kevin wondered what she had told him back then when he had chased after her. What was so secretive that she hadn't told him yet? It stung a little honestly, but he was glad Eddward was aiding her in that regard. He was glad Nazz trusted Eddward to share something personal.

Everything seemed normal for the most part but besides Nazz's odd reaction, he did notice something else slightly askew. As Kevin started to look up at Eddward, who had his attention back to Ed, he noticed Eddward's eye bags were getting a hell of a lot better. He assumed the trip to the cabin had calmed him down enough to keep the nightmares away. Kevin noticed an odd behavior that morning from Eddward, and he wondered if the teen was unsettled about something. He didn't worry too much about it knowing it could be just casual stress about competitions, school...the gang and so on.

When school ended that day, Nazz sent a text to the group chat saying her mother needed her home. So Kevin and Eddward made their way down from the library where they had hung out waiting for Ed to get out of his last class. Kevin had ignored doing his homework, unable to concentrate and spent his time reading a novel he had picked up while Eddward had been better than him and actually managed to get half his assignments done.

They met Ed at his locker and walked together to Eddward's car since Nazz had already left campus. Kevin wasn't too worried now since Sam had personally taken Nazz home once in a while and today happened to be one of those days. It disturbed him to have to trust the bastard after everything he'd done to Eddward in the past. It was still hard to believe that Sam, as psychotic as he seemed sometimes, had taken an infatuation with his best friend. It wasn't hard to see at all, the way he looked at her during passing or the way he'd linger a bit too close to her. He wondered if Nazz knew... well of course she knew, because she had taken full advantage of the guys crush on her. Who knew if she felt the same way though. He'd had to talk to her about it one of these days.

But here he was, sitting next to his own...

Kevin looked up out the car window faintly seeing the reflection of a raven haired teen. He felt his ears get warm and he lifted his sleeve to his face trying to cover it up. "Cold?" He heard the familiar low voice speak out to him. Kevin shook his head, turning to look at Eddward directly who quickly glanced his way.

"Kevin!" Ed's cheery voice cut through his stare "which class are you taking next semester?"

He thought about it for a second before remembering what he had signed up for "AP Studio Art, I think"

With a whine Ed sat back "Dang it, I won't have a class with you this year." He then tapped Eddward's seat "what about you?"

"I'll be switching to Physical Education for my 3rd period" Eddward replied making a turn into the neighborhood.

"Don't you have enough physical activity in your daily life already? Just rest up man" Ed sat forward pressing his cheek to Eddward's seat.

"I would say I have been lacking actually recently" Eddward shook his head "I've been preoccupied" he mumbled out.

"Sam hounding you again?" Ed asked to which Eddward nodded his head. They all quieted down as Eddward parked on the street in front of Ed's house. Kevin followed the Ed's out of the car and across the yard to the small home. It is only slightly wider than his own home, the chimney giving it a very cute aesthetic with the light brown color of the house. They walked up to the door and waited for Ed to open it letting them in.

Kevin was the last to step inside and he took a moment to look around noticing the white flower pattern wallpaper on the walls. There were many picture frames all over the walls as well and that was when he spotted the little girl with ginger hair a little darker than his own smiling as she pulled at a young Ed's ear. "Sarah?" Ed called putting down his things on the living room floor that Kevin noticed made Eddward hand twitch as if wanting to pick it up and put it in its place. Kevin lifted a hand to cover his smile and looked away.

He watched Ed walk down the hall and poke his head into what he assumed was the girls room. He heard a happy gasp as the tall boy said something as he walked inside. It didn't take long before Ed walked back out with a giggle and made his way towards them. "She'll be out in a second" he elbowed Eddward with a giggle that made the raven haired teen frown with a slight blush.

They only waited for about a minute before the door opened again. A thin long girl made her way out of her room, pushing the wheels on her chair. Although she was sitting and knew she was younger Kevin could tell she was rather tall, probably about Eddward's height. She had a lot of hair, the length of it just passing her hips and just like the picture it was a shade darker than Kevin's but ginger nonetheless. She wore an oversized black flannel that hung off her shoulders revealing she wore nothing else underneath, but her legs were covered by a blanket. Her bright brown eyes framed by the eyeliner she wore and her cherry lips pulled into a wide smile as she spotted Eddward in the room.

As soon as she got close to them she reached her hands up keeping her eyes locked on to the raven haired boy. Kevin watched quietly as Eddward stepped forward kneeling down to give the girl the embrace she wanted. She tightly wrapped her fair arms around Eddward letting her head lean against his shoulder. After a long moment she opened her eyes quickly spotting Kevin then finally let go of Eddward but not before cupping his face and giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. She finally looked over at the freckled boy "You must be Kevin. Ed talks a lot about you." she spoke softly giving him a sweet smile and raising a hand in greeting.

Kevin stepped forward taking the girls hand and shaking it "It's nice to meet you Sarah" he felt something at the pit of his stomach, almost unnerving.

"It is" She gave him one more look before turning to her brother "Where's Nazz?"

"Sorry, something came up" Ed gave her a sad smile "How about I get us some snacks?" He changed the subject making his way past everyone.

"Too bad...I really do miss her" Sarah pouted twirling a ring on her finger. "Well, why don't you both sit down" she gestured towards the couch in the living room. Once they had sat down she addressed the ginger boy "Kevin, how did you befriend this grump?" She giggled, reaching to place a hand on Eddward's knee. "Because, no offense, but you don't seem like the type Double D usually hangs around"

With an awkward laugh Kevin and Eddward made eye contact then he smiled looking at Sarah "Odd circumstances" he shrugged.

Sarah hummed with a smile "Ed tells me you're good friends with Nazz" leaning her elbow on the edge of her chair, her hair shifted to the side exposing more skin. "How has she been? She doesn't seem to want to come see me" she frowned, lifting her hand to Eddward's thigh.

Kevin was hyper aware of the girls seduction under tone and felt rather uncomfortable assuming she wasn't aware of Eddward's preference but that didn't seem to bother the swimmer seemingly accustomed to the girls touches. Perhaps it was just the way she was, she could just be a flirtatious person like Nat and Sam who knew no personal boundaries. "That's not true" Eddward spoke before Kevin could get a word out. "She'll come around, just give her some time. She misses you too"

The ginger haired girl smiled looking down at Eddward's hand that was now holding hers. "Hopefully she'll come by soon. I really want to see her again. I've been so lonely, you don't come around often enough either" she pouted.

Ed came in with a bowl of popcorn and a bag of chips placing them in the coffee table then placed a few sodas and water as well. "Sarah, don't bother Eddward too much" he scolded.

With a puff she turned to Eddward once more "Am I being a bother?" She frowned and when Eddward just smiled and shook his head making her turn to stick her tongue out at Ed. "You get to have Eddward all day and I only get him these short few hours that he comes by. Let me have him"

"Alright alright, so long he's fine with it" Ed laughed sitting on the floor and handing the snacks around. Sarah had a lot to talk about, sharing many of her experiences with Kevin and every once in a while would make googly eyes at Eddward. Sarah was content to learn new things about Eddward through Kevin and once in a while would address Kevin into the conversation. However, throughout the entire thing Kevin couldn't stop staring at how her long fingernails about trail along Eddward's leg and arm, it baffled him that Eddward wasn't bothered by it at all. He'd only free his hand to occasionally scratch at his other arm or rub his eyes as if tired. She would also twirl her ring whenever she was listening and observing.

"Like it?" Sarah commented noticing Kevin's stare on her ring. She raised her hand showing off the ring in the shape of a crown. "Eddward gave it to me" she looked at it then at Kevin "he knows my taste so well, it's gorgeous. I wear it all the time, that's how much I love it" she giggled turning to look at Eddward "thank you" Eddward just gave her a small smile.

Sarah reached over placing a hand that the edge of Eddward's beanie and lightly tugged at it "If I got you a new one would you wear it everyday?" At the statement Eddward seemed to tense up making Sarah go quiet before she started laughing "you wouldn't take this one off would you?" She then turned to Kevin, her left shoulder becoming more exposed as her shirt fell only slightly more. "Do you want to know who gave this to him?" She giggled out. Kevin and Ed only stayed quiet looking at Eddward who pressed his lips together. "Marie Kanker'' she laughed out "he's still so hung up on her, he won't even take off this old rag" she turned to the raven haired teen "it's cute but you should really move on."

The room stayed quiet for a moment before Kevin pointed at her ring "It's real pretty" Kevin mumbled before taking a sip of his soda. She seemed to be delighted at his comment and lifted her hand once more to admire it "um...May I ask how you know Nazz?" He decided to change the subject. He didn't think he ever heard Nazz mention Sarah before which he found odd now, but he was curious to know.

Sarah breathed in looking up at the chimney recalling her childhood "same school for one. She was always so pretty you see, there were a lot of boys who liked her but she was always...a nerd." Sarah chuckled out running a hand through her hair "she got made fun of because of that, but I admired her. She was short, smart and girly. Always one of the top students but of course she couldn't beat this one" she patted Eddward's thigh "Nazz has always been so kind. I admired her a lot for wanting to be something more than a pretty face." Sarah stared at her ring for a moment "She was my reading buddy in my third year that's how we became friends''

"I am curious why she didn't mention you at all to me though. I'd thought we were close" she stared at Kevin as though Nazz was hiding right behind him and it unsettled him further.

"I wouldn't know" Kevin frowned looking at the time on his phone and deciding to book it, girl drama wasn't his forte. "I should get going, I have a lot of homework to get done " he started to stand when Eddward stood as well.

"I'll take you home," Eddward announced, putting down the bottle of water.

"You can't leave yet, it's only been an hour" Sarah complained taking a hold of Eddward's hand "It's too soon Double D"

"Sarah" Ed frowned, opening another can of soda.

"You don't have to. I don't live that far from here I can walk" Kevin smiled looking down at the ginger haired girl "She's right"

"It's fine, I'll drive you" Eddward insisted then looked down at a wide eyed Sarah "I'll come back Thursday for a bit before work alright?"

"You promise?" Sarah grabbed at Eddward's sleeve almost desperately.

Eddward kneeled down again taking her hand "promise" he said placing her hand on her lap.

"You always say that" she frowned placing her hands around his face and leaning forward to kiss his cheek again "just come back soon" she watched them put away stuff before her and Ed saw them to the door "you come back soon too Kevin" she smiled at him her long hair pulled to her left side exposing her blush fair skin. Her brown eyes almost a bit too observant of him leaving Kevin feeling confused and anxious.

"I'll come again" Kevin smiled opening the door "It was nice to finally meet you" he gave them a wave of his hand before following Eddward out and back into his car.

It wasn't that far of a drive five minutes at best but it seemed to him that Eddward was purposefully driving slow to drag those minutes longer. Kevin looked over at him and Eddward seemed almost unbearably tired, his eyes unfocused and a hand lightly scratching at his leg. "Have you been sleeping well?" Kevin decided to ask.

"I have" Eddward answered "why do you ask?"

"I don't know, you just seem really tired..." Kevin frowned looking at Eddward where Sarah's hand had been. "Is she always like this?" He asked.

"Sarah? Like what?" The raven haired teen asked, giving him a glance.

Kevin slouched in his chair looking out of the window"Um...she seems a bit potent... I don't know"

"She can be a lot" Eddward smiled "but that's how she is. She means well, don't get intimidated"

"She seems to really like you too" Kevin mumbled out gripping his seat belt. "I'm assuming she doesn't know?"

Eddward frowned, finally pulling into Kevin's driveway. The house was empty at the moment; only a couple of kids in the neighborhood could be heard playing. "She's always been that way. She likes to tease"

"She's more than that" Kevin chuckled out "she had her hands all over you" he undid his seat belt looking out to his house.

"..." Eddward looked over to Kevin unsure of how to respond "...Ed says it's sweet"

Kevin looked at Eddward then before letting out a breath "want to go in?" He motioned with his head to the Barr home.

"I thought you had homework to do" Eddward raised an eye at him

Kevin smiled "I do, but maybe you can help?"

"I hardly think you need my help, Barr" Eddward smiled leaning forward with both hands on the steering wheel.

The freckled boy shook his head "I'm always going to need you, Eddward" he motioned again feeling his chest flutter as Eddward turned off the engine in acceptance.

"It's been awhile since you came over" Kevin said as he closed the door behind them.

"It's has" Eddward set his coat aside looking around at the Christmas decor that was still up "I like your tree"

"Thanks, we've had that tree for the last twelve years. It's incredible it's still holding up" Kevin dropped his backpack by the dining table and sat down.

"Was your mom and her husband over for the holidays?" Eddward took a seat across from him setting down his own bag.

"Yeah, they came over '' he frowned wondering how Eddward was alone up at the cabin those days "it was kind of weird. I'm only now getting used to calling her mom and this was the first Christmas with her."

"You know, she was over at my place this past weekend" Eddward watched Kevin lay on the table.

"Really? I didn't know." Kevin sat up with wide eyes "what did she want?"

"Just delivered a Christmas present" he smiled remembering the album "it's an album of old polaroids of my mom and her. Even your father is in there"

"Whoa"Kevin pressed his lips "...did you like it?" He questioned if the album only brought Eddward bad memories of the woman.

"I did" The raven haired teen nodded "you resemble your father a lot"

Kevin smiled remembering the photograph he had seen at the wolf pub "and you your mother" he'd been nervous to mention his discovery wondering if it did any good to give Eddward that information. The woman was gone, she'd abandoned him. Why bring her into his life again? He'd decided to stay quiet about it.

He then took out his textbooks and tried to do homework. Keyword tried. Once again he only managed to get through one assignment before he got distracted by the presence of the other. As he was flipping through his English language text he spotted a photograph of a pumpkin field. The image made him look up at Eddward and realize something. He realized it had been an awfully long time since Eddward had called him by his nickname. Eddward only typically called him pumpkin when they were alone but the last time he called him that was...a month now? Why had he stopped calling him that? He realized Eddward only ever called him by his name now and he wondered why. Kevin wondered if Eddward would call him pumpkin now that they were truly alone.

It dawned on him that the last time Eddward had called him Pumpkin was the day when he had that stupid dream. Oh my... Kevin felt the heat rise to his face again recalling the memory of the dream. He placed a hand to his face as he looked back down to his text forcing himself to pretend to be reading. He could still remember it now, the way dream Eddward had been so...seductive.

He wasn't going to lie...he had had another dream like that over the break but this time he didn't tell Nazz. It was just as mysterious as it was erotic and he hadn't known what to do with himself. He tried to push those thoughts into the vault of forgetfulness. He shouldn't be on that train of thought, it'd be too dangerous.

But he secretly wondered if Eddward had those dreams too, about whom? Certainly not him. He wondered if the raven haired teen had done anything with anyone or if he was just as inexperienced as he was. If he had done something had it been with a girl, he couldn't imagine Eddward doing something with a guy. Marie had been his girlfriend for some time... Kevin wondered if she knew Eddward's secret?

Marie Kanker... Kevin looked at Eddward's hat feeling his mood slowly drop the longer he stared at it. He wondered what their relationship had been like, and why Eddward cared so much about her that he held onto the hat. Obsess over it too. Part of it he knew was to keep his scar hidden but there was more meaning to the hat and that's what made him curious.

"You've been on that page for the last fifteen minutes" Eddward's voice pulled him away from his curious thoughts.

He looked down at the image of the pumpkin patch and decided to just go for it "I was just thinking we should go pick pumpkins next year for Halloween" he pointed to the image and emphasized the word to see if the other would get a hint.

"Perhaps, Ed would be thrilled" the raven haired teen simply mumbled out not looking up from his last assignment. Kevin let out a small huff and left it at that for now, maybe he was overthinking it.

...

The following day, Kevin and Nazz were sitting in their third period Spanish class when he finally decided to talk with Nazz. There was a nagging thought in his head that wouldn't go away. To simply put it, he was left unsettled after his meeting with Sarah and he wanted to figure out what that was all about. He thought that maybe it was just him seeing too much into it, but that was the problem, he was the only seeing it. Kevin wasn't that oblivious to not know when someone had undertones of malevolence. Maybe that was just the way she was...

Kevin paused on his worksheet turning to Nazz hoping she wouldn't avoid the subject. "Hey Nazz" he called when the blonde girl turned to give him her attention Kevin set down his pencil and leaned closer talking in a quiet voice. "How was Sarah back then? Before the accident I mean"

Nazz tensed up at the mention of the ginger haired girl but with a stern voice she spoke "what do you mean?"

"Well, personality wise. You knew her...I'm just curious" Kevin shrugged, keeping his stare on Nazz and watching her take a deep breath before answering.

"She's always been a bit intense if that's what you're wondering...she was really rebellious back then. I can't imagine her mellowing just because of the accident. Her heart has always been in the right place... it's just her mindset that's wired differently..." Nazz answered with a frown continuing to answer her worksheet as she spoke.

"What does that mean?" Kevin placed a hand on his cheek looking at her intently.

Nazz paused again looking up at Kevin for a moment before looking back down "...Sarah loves Ed a lot...but she's always been really mean to him, like...to the extent of it being abusive in my opinion. Everyone thinks it's just her throwing a tantrum because she's the little one in the family but that's not it." Nazz pulled some of her hair behind her ear "she's spoiled rotten"

Kevin took a moment to recall her being at all what Nazz described. "She didn't seem like that at all yesterday..."

"I do hope she's gotten better...Ed really cares for her and I wouldn't want what they had before to ruin their family" Nazz looked back up to Kevin and gave him a questioning look "did she intimidate you?"

"I wouldn't say that" Kevin picked up his pencil playing with it "she was just...off somehow"

"She'll warm up to you" Nazz smiled, "it's just because she doesn't know you"

"Hm..." Kevin nodded then "was she always so touchy too?"

Nazz let out a snort that got a handful of student's attention including the teacher and she placed a hand to her face, pretending to focus on her work. When the attention wasn't on her she replied "I'm guessing she was all over Vincent, hm?"

"Completely" Kevin mumbled out tapping his pencil on the table.

"Jealous?" Nazz hummed out with a smile on her face.

Kevin eyed her "no..." he looked back down at the blank space in the question "...he wasn't even bothered by it at all..."

"Really?" The blonde girl pressed her lips together "maybe they're close"

Kevin shook his head "I think he just has a soft spot for her, she's Ed's sister after all" he sat up answered a few more questions before turning it over and placing his pencil on top finally finished with it. "Also" he started before he was quieted by the teacher. With a sigh he laid back down waiting for Nazz to finish.

After class ended as they walked out of the cramped classroom he started his train of thought again "Have you noticed Eddward's eyebags are like gone now?"

"Oh" Nazz raised an eyebrow at him "yeah I did notice, maybe the solo trip did him a lot of good"

"Maybe...but is it weird that I feel like something is off with him?" Kevin spoke out softly doubting his thoughts.

"What makes you say that?" Nazz questioned.

"I don't know. I mean he seems normal but askew in a way. Like…" Kevin motioned his arms around a bit frustrated he couldn't explain himself well "Just a feeling I guess"

"You worry too much for him" Nazz shrugged spotting a tall dirty blonde coming their way "it's probably stress. He's got a lot on his plate ya know" She gave Kevin a smile. "You're being paranoid Kevin"

"Afternoon, freckles" Sam placed a hand on Nazz's shoulder "I'll walk with her if you don't mind"

Kevin looked at Nazz who just shrugged and let them go on their way. He turned to walk to his classroom before turning to see Nazz and Sam one more time. He really needed to talk with Nazz about this phenomenon between the two of them.

...

Kevin and Nazz were making their way to their second class of the day that they shared with Eddward. As they approached the classroom they saw the raven haired teen heavily leaning against lockers that were across their classroom. Kevin then felt a chill of panic strike through his spine when he saw Jimmy standing beside the raven haired teen talking to him like old times.

Nazz and Kevin stopped in their tracks, watching the interaction. Jimmy chuckled at something and Eddward still had that tired look on his face, his lips moving slowly as he responded to the blonde. He seemed either completely out of it or just miserable. Kevin turned to Nazz and the girl shared his worried expression.

Jimmy finally looked up making eye contact with the pair before leaning in to the raven haired teen and whispering something. Eddward looked up at him giving him something like a glare then watched the other walk away. It was then that Kevin walked up to Eddward who slowly turned to look down at him with those half shut eyes. Kevin gave him a questioning look with dropped shoulders. "What?" Eddward asked, rubbing his eyes.

"What was that?" Kevin gestured towards the direction that Jimmy had left.

"Nothing." Eddward mumbled "Sam sent him to remind me of our meeting tonight"

"Meeting?" Kevin noticed Nazz standing a few feet from them giving them space but close enough to hear them.

The taller teen nodded "Sam's birthday is in two weeks. He's just going to handout the invites to the main event"

"Are you going?" Kevin frowned continuing to stare at Eddward's unemotional expression made him feel more uneasy the more he stared at the teens face.

"I'm kind of forced to" Eddward closed his eyes for a moment too long then continued "Don't worry about it"

Kevin felt too uncomfortable at Eddward's current state to let it pass. "Um...Eddward—"

Eddward finally pushed himself forward wrapping an arm around the freckled boy tugging him a bit too close to his side. Kevin felt his lungs stop and looked at the raven haired teen who simply stared down at him a good long while in silence that made everyone around them stop and stare as well. "It's just a dumb party..." he paused a second before pushing Kevin forward "...come on class is about to start" he mumbled looking up noticing Nazz then stopping to raise a hand to brush her bangs to the sides "You're the one that needs a haircut" Nazz simply giggled then glared at the students continuing to stare although half the crowd had walked away.

"I think I like him like this" Nazz whispered to a red faced Kevin who was still in Eddward's hold.

...

When Nazz had decided to see where this little infatuation would take her. Most certainly not the smartest thing she had decided to do and she was very well aware of it but something in her heart had reasoned with her mind. Kevin had given Eddward a chance. One that changed all of their lives for the better despite everything else that had followed. In her heart she knew that Kevin had been right all along…so why was the situation with Sam any different? She knew Sam wasn't Eddward but she wanted to give it a try and so far Sam hadn't proved her wrong although he seemed to warn her.

She understood that Sam wanted something else than Eddward. Sam was a different case, and he wanted Nazz to join him instead of joining her. She only hoped that this wouldn't end in tragedy for either of them. Nazz was still getting to know the person that was Sam Dubois and she was curious and terrified to know his truths. This is why she was still hesitant about everything that surrounded and was Sam.

The day when she had told him she was willing to meet him halfway she had meant it. Nazz would make an effort to not talk entirely back at his comments and instead would frown or give him a side eye. Her openness towards him seemed to have amused Sam because he would take advantage of this opportunity she had opened up. The school week had been rather interesting to say the least, oftentimes she found herself walking next to Sam in the hallways. Although Kevin and the other boys had looked at them with weird and confused expressions she was also happy that they didn't pry, yet at least. Eddward seemed to be the least opposed by them but she guessed he already knew something was up, well, they all did.

The problem with this current situation was that Sam wasn't necessarily making an effort into this whole, meet-each-other-half-way thing. It was a bit of a frustrating thing but since they had only started this week she had decided to overlook Sam's behavior for now.

She still had two of Sam's sharks follow her everywhere she went and it was very unnerving sometimes but after what had happened a couple months back made her more afraid to be alone. They kept closer to her and although sometimes it was intrusive it did keep her feeling safe. Jimmy had kept low key since that night and she wondered why? Had he regretted it? He knew she knew and at this point all she wanted was to figure him out. As far as she knew, the teen hadn't made an effort to seek Sarah now that she was awake and if she really cared about her then why hadn't he? Why keep a grudge? Why come after her? Why not just expose Nazz for the terrible person she was? Ed would hate her for letting such a tragedy happen to his baby sister.

There were a lot of questions when it came to Jimmy that both intrigued and terrified her. Which was the reason why she hadn't spoken out, she was both itching to know the truth and at the same time fearful of what he was capable of doing to her friends. Sam was testing Jimmy as she overheard from Eddward and Ed's conversation and he was just waiting to see if the boy would slip up. But Jimmy was smart, he kept loyal and he kept obedient. She knew he was calculating and cunning but at the end of the day what was he after?

Did he truly love Sarah to that extent? It seemed almost insane that kids so young could love so obsessively. Maybe she had been wrong, maybe it hadn't been him that night and rather someone else. But how did that explain the bite marks she had seen on Jimmy's wrist? Were they even bite marks? Jimmy and Johnny were always getting into fights…Nazz looked out her window seeing her babysitters talking in the car across her street. It was Friday evening and she felt bad they had to spend their night looking out for her until late. She wondered what Sam was currently up to. Was he out causing trouble or was he just as bored as her in his home?

[Meet me at Eddward's?] Nazz sent out a text to Kevin then grabbed her coat slipping it on and decided to go out feeling almost claustrophobic being practically on house arrest. "I'll be back later mom!" Nazz called out as she opened the front door. Her mother put down her novel looking over to Nazz and simply asked her not to stay out too late. She smiled and stepped outside into the cool evening. Immediately the sharks spotted her and started the engine following her.

After some minutes of slowly driving close to her one of them stepped out of the car and walked a few steps behind her "Why are you out this late in the day?" they asked quietly, "you should go back home it's not safe"

Nazz let out a sigh glancing behind her as she addressed them "It's not that late and I have you looking after me right? Meaning I'm safe."

"You weren't so safe last time one of us was with you"

"Well, what's going to happen if you fail again?" Nazz raised an eyebrow then continued walking when they frowned at her "Look, I'm tired of just being home all day every day. I've been on house arrest since before break and nothing has happened. I'm heading towards Vincent's place"

"Sam wants you as secure as possible" they argued reaching a hand to hold her arm "It's easier for us if you ride with us instead"

"I want to walk" she barked, ripping her arm out of their reach and walking faster. She understood that they were just there because Sam ordered them to and in truth they didn't give a damn. She also understood that she was being a little bit unreasonable but she was fed up with all this surveillance as well.

As she made her way to Eddward's place she got a text from Kevin saying he was on the way. She found it funny that she found comfort in the Vincent residence as vast and empty as it may be. The house was still where she and her friends shared many pure and happy moments. It was almost a second home like Kevin's house was. However, she knew that the most important was the fact that it had become a place where they could just be together. Many times now they stayed all together on Eddward's couch sharing a blanket, talking, laughing, watching, studying.

It was a comforting space for her, though she knew well Eddward loathed the place. She can only imagine what traumatizing horrors the boy must have experienced in the house. She frowned, feeling chills up her arms from recalling the day she and Ed had walked into a bloodied bathroom.

…

He and Ed were sitting on the stairs talking about Sam's upcoming birthday party. Eddward knew he could bring a plus one but was it going to be ok if he brought Ed along with him?

Ed got up to open the door leaving Eddward thinking about the possibility of taking Kevin instead. It wasn't going to happen but he liked to think about it. Kevin Barr in a dark forest green suit standing beside him. He'd look up at Eddward with those curious bright olive eyes uniformed by his outfit and yet it would surely brighten the boy's pumpkin head.

"...I'm tired Ed" Nazz's frustrated voice could be heard.

Eddward sat quietly watching as the girl came into view wearing a white coat. Her pretty blonde hair tucked behind her flushed ears. She seemed to be upset about something as she had her hands tightly tucked to her sides and her eyebrows furrowed. "What is wrong?" He asked.

"You too?" She breathed out crossing her arms.

"What?"

"Nevermind…can we talk?" She asked, giving Ed a look of apology.

It took a second for Eddward to focus in and read the words between what she had just said. "Yeah" he stood up starting up the stairs.

"Be right back" Nazz gave Ed a smile and followed Eddward up the stairs. She followed up into the study room where the athlete closed the doors behind them.

"So, what is on your mind?" Eddward said turning around and walking to a seat.

"Sam…" she sighed out

"Sam?" Eddward quirked an eyebrow as if he was surprised.

"Yes, Sam" Nazz said exasperated "...I...I don't know I think I'm insane"

The raven haired boy scoffed, lifting a hand to cover his smile "Are you talking about your flirting with Sam?"

This comment made her face heat up and with a puff of breath angrily sat down beside Eddward and frowned at him "I mean...I haven't truly...done that" she mumbled out embarrassed.

"So, eyeing the guy whenever he walks by and letting him put his hand all over you isn't flirting?" Eddward gave her a raised eyebrow.

"I-..." The girl pouted looking away before returning his smile "This is weird. I didn't think the mighty Eddward Vincent had any idea what flirting was"

"I'm observant is all" Eddward laughed out "besides… this whole thing between you and Sam caught me off guard. After everything somehow Sam managed to seduce you too"

"He didn't…" she sighed out exasperated "Maybe? Did he?" she looked up at him with a plea.

"He has a way with people and I personally can't say whether he is heartfully infatuated with you or just playing around. However, you do seem to be giving him a chance as I have seen a clear change between the two of you." Eddwrad gave her another small smile "Just be cautious Nazz. I wouldn't fully trust Sam if I were you."

The blonde girl leaned forward placing a hand on Eddwrad's arm "Vincent, you know him better than anyone else that I know of. If you were able to change for the better, is he not capable of that too?"

Eddwrad held her hand with his free hand and shook his head "I warn you that Sam and I are very different, he is ambitious and cunning. He has always wanted to overthrow his father and become someone far more powerful and dangerous. And as long as I have known Sam, I can confidently say that one day he will achieve his goal." He looked at her in the eye seriously "You don't want to be by his side when he does achieve it"

"Why?" she asked cautiously, afraid of his answer.

"Sam is a much...darker person behind closed doors. But at the moment he also has a humane side to him that is yet still understanding and compassionate, that is the side of him you've seen. I warn you now it is better to leave him now and not later."

Nazz couldn't envision what Eddwrad described but she was fearful to find out what Sam would become. Yes, what he did now was horrible but what has Eddward seen? "Then why haven't you left him?" she asked.

Eddward pressed his lips together tightly "If I am truly honest...I have a complex relationship with Sam"

Nazz's shoulders sank as well as her heart. Was she doing alright by falling by Sam's seductions or was she making the biggest mistake of her life. "I don't understand?"

The athlete simply shook his head "There's so much of him that you haven't seen Nazz, and I hope you never do. Once he goes to work for his father...he'll be a broken and changed man. His father will make sure of that."

Nazz bit her lip, a fury of emotions stirring in her stomach. "What has he done to you that makes you so afraid of him?" She whispered out.

Eddward pressed his lips into a firm line and looked down at their hands "...you don't want to know and I rather not remember"

She frowned, giving the boy's hand a squeeze "ok…"

"Is that all you wish to speak about?"

She looked back up at him with a guilty look on her face "how is Sarah?" She quietly asked as if the boy downstairs would hear their conversation.

Eddward gave her hand a squeeze mimicking her action of comfort "why don't you ask Ed?"

"Vincent" she pleaded

"Talk to him Nazz, he needs to know and you need relief of this torture" he leaned forward reaching to cup her cheek with his free hand "What happened to Sarah was not your fault"

"...i'm scared" she closed her eyes and sniffled feeling her chest tighten and her throat clog up from all the words she wished to speak but couldn't come out.

"He'll understand Nazz, he cares about you too" Eddward tried reasoning with her. It pained him to see the girl suffer such heartache.

She shook her head softly "I've only done him bad Vincent. I let his sister get in that car and she could have very well have died. If I should have spoken to him about it I should have done it years ago"

"May I confess to you?" The raven haired boy spoke out softly. He waited until Nazz opened her tearfilled eyes and gave him a confused look. "The day when Kevin...overdosed. He came here…" he paused feeling the panic and guilt of not stopping the ginger boy that night. "He was clearly highly distressed and he wanted to go back home. We had a little fight and I let him go…"

Nazz stared at Eddward with wide eyes her tears had stopped "The next thing I know is that he's in the hospital. I've never felt so much regret until that moment, I asked myself why had I let him go? I could have stopped him and he would be safe. I knew he wasn't ok and that he could have easily crashed"

"Vincent…" Nazz gasped out holding his tights so tightly. "I didn't know"

"Kevin could have suffered a much greater fate...but he's alive and well now and I try to make up for it every day. That's all I can do"

"...B-but...you've been with him ever since, you apologized and helped him through his issues" Nazz shook her head once more closing her eyes tightly "I'm a disgraceful coward! I didn't step up and apologize when it happened. I hid and didn't have the courage to go see her while she was in coma for years. What kind of person does that make me Vincent? I'm despicable"

"Yet you have today to confess your guilty heart to him. He will forgive you, it's Ed we're talking about Nazz. We all have made mistakes, some bigger than others but we can't expect to rewind time. We can't fix what we have broken but we can pick up our pieces and build off of what we have." He leaned forward, forcing the girl to look up at him, " If you let this stay quiet for longer, you will tarnish your friendship with Ed. If you value your friendship at all, you will tell him the truth."

"It's because I do care for him that I'm terrified to confess" she sobbed out.

Eddward looked at her for a long time quietly before standing up and kneeling in front of her wrapping her in his embrace. "It's ok" he whispered out comfortably running a hand through her blonde locks. In that moment, he understood what she was feeling more than anyone else.

…

Kevin was almost to Eddward's house when he stopped his motorcycle at the edge of the street. He looked behind him with a suspicious look before scanning the street. From the moment he left the house he had felt like someone was watching him, and it wasn't Sam's goons. At the moment there was only one driving opposite of him and when she noticed Kevin's sudden haunt she pulled out of her car running over to him. "Everything good?" The girl asked.

"I don't know. I think I'm just imagining it" he mumbled out quietly turning to her giving her a look as if to stay on alert. She got his hint and casually went back to her car. She drove ahead of him and had them turn towards a long street. Kevin kept his eyes on the rear view mirrors on her car and as they continued to drive down the street noticing a suspiciously familiar car turn the street. He just couldn't place his finger on where he had seen this car before.

He decided to turn a street separating himself from the girl. If the car followed him, it was definitely after him, but if they continued forward then he was just paranoid. Just as he thought everything was safe he saw the car slowly turn on his street and Kevin's heart sank. He immediately turned another street between houses and continued forward needing that confirmation.

The car turned into the street following him and then sped up. A panic raised through his veins recalling the danger he felt back on the highway…

THAT WAS IT! This was the same car that had attacked him that night. Kevin raced through the street to gain speed then forcefully made a U-turn and speed forward towards the car. He noticed the person had hesitated when he turned caught off guard and as Kevin passed the car he made sure to look right at the person who was driving.

There was still some daylight at this time in the evening yet Kevin couldn't be more confused than ever as he saw a hockey mask and a white hoodie covering the person's identity. Kevin calmed his beating heart and thought about where he should run off to? Where would be safe? He couldn't drive to Eddward's, if this was the masked man then they would be able to locate both Eddward and Nazz. They were both at the Vincent residence and Kevin wasn't about to hand them over to this villain.

The girls car was long lost and Kevin could only hope she would call Sam but for now he had to drive in the opposite direction. Away from Eddward and Nazz's neighborhood. So he raced at full speed heading down towards the north side of town hoping he could shake him off and make his way home. Maybe head into the highway and shake him off that way.

He could hear the cars engine roar throughout the quiet streets of Peach Creek. Only a few kids out and about stared at their high speeding vehicles racing through, it must be amusing to them ignorant of the danger he was currently in.

Kevin continued to turn streets and rapidly try to figure out how to lose the masked man from his tail. As he made another turn the blood in his body turned cold, it was a dead end. Kevin heard the car turn as well and he quickly made another U-turn hoping to drive past the car again but this time the car was ready and blocked him. Kevin's motorcycle would have bumped into the car but Kevin ended up kicking off of the side of the car. However as he tried squeezing through the gap at the back, the car pulled in reverse almost smashing against his motorcycle.

The ginger teen quickly realized he was going to have to abandon his beloved motorcycle if he was going to get away. He could squeeze through the yards of homes and if he was lucky the fences would slow down the masked man. So, he quickly threw his helmet off and let his motorcycle drop at the edge of the street making a run for it. He jumped to climb over the fence but the shoulder that he had badly damaged in the accident was stinging with pain as Kevin forced it to lift higher than his body would allow it. He couldn't afford for his body to fail him now, damn the pain he had to climb. Pushing through the pain he landed on the ground and ran behind the house. He could hear the masked person get out of the car and their heavy footsteps smacking against the concrete of the street.

Kevin's chest felt so tight, and his heart had all but nearly stopped but he kept on running, jumping the fence again, proving much more difficult this time, he headed into the wooded area that was behind the houses. He knew he needed to either get out into the public eye or hide. Kevin felt his phone ring from his jacket pocket and he knew it was Eddward but he couldn't answer right now. Kevin knew that Eddward would find him and then put himself in danger alongside him and he wouldn't allow that to happen. Sam, Sam would be the one to end this situation. Kevin just needed to last as long as it took for Sam to arrive.

Turning to look over his shoulder, he saw that the hood had come off and now short brown hair was sticking out which only baffled him. It wasn't blonde and curly, it wasn't Jimmy. He ran as fast as he could and when he was far enough he turned to run out of the wooded areas back into the streets hoping the masked man wouldn't see him. Once out in the open, there would be fewer areas to hide but maybe just maybe he could find help.

He groaned at a sharp pain rang through his shoulder as he pushed his limits. He knew he might injure it again...but he had to get over another fence and towards the front where a street was once again. As he was running back into the concrete he heard the shift of the fence and saw the guy following. Kevin breathed in and continued to run towards the busy area of the town. He bumped into a couple of kids he quickly recognized from school and as soon as they saw his state they all ran away. Kevin continued towards the center but it was still far away. There were few places to hide now and he didn't entirely know where he was at the moment. His mind was a mess of pain and anxiety and exhaustion.

He could hear the footsteps getting closer, this was someone used to the chase. He was fast and Kevin couldn't out run him. He didn't know what to do but to push forward. His lungs burned from how fast he was breathing in that it almost didn't seem as if he was. His legs were on fire, never before having to run this fast for this long. Was he going to have to fight him?

Kevin could hear the god damn masked man getting even more closer and Kevin had no idea what was that he should do. Scream? His lungs hurt too much to scream. He felt panic begin to eat at him, everything in his body yelling to just run. But he was slowing down, and everything hurt and the masked man was faster and stronger than he was. He wasn't ready to fight someone like this guy… the J's that was a different story but this was someone who was ready to kill, and Kevin wasn't ready to fight like that. He knew he didn't have a chance, no matter what little practice he had had with Eddward, he knew it wasn't enough.

He closed his eyes, hoping to find more strength somewhere deep in his gut just to keep on pushing forward. But the masked man was attempting to grab at him now, his fingers brushing against Kevin's jacket. When he turned into a corner he felt the masked man finally grab his arm and spun him around violently from the brute force of their running speed. Then as he prepared to be attacked something smashed against them tripping him hard causing him to fall down.

He wanted to get up and continue running but his lungs couldn't take it anymore and he wheezed hard as he leaned on his side. "COME BACK" Kevin heard a familiar roar in front of him and with wide eyes finally looked up, seeing loose raven locks and a dark red shirt.

With a rapidly beating heart and burnt out legs Kevin speechlessly watched as Eddward ran after the masked man. His stomach flipped as he realized Eddward was going after someone who potentially wanted him dead. Out of breath and sweating despite the cold weather, Kevin stood up on shaky legs and stumbled after them.

Quickly, he noticed that they were heading back into the wooded area behind the houses and he felt sick. He couldn't lose track of Eddward, he could be in danger and all alone with that psychopath. He picked up the pace as he saw that up ahead Eddward had managed to grab a hold of the mask man and both had fallen to the ground throwing punches at one another.

"Eddward!" Kevin coughed out, hunched over and hand on his chest.

The raven haired teen turned around for a split second and glared at Kevin "Get the fuck out of here Kevin!" The masked person took this distraction to their advantage and hit Eddward on the neck with their elbow causing the swimmer to choke while the other slipped away.

With a growl Eddward stood back up and turned to Kevin pointing a finger at him "Run back! Ed and Nazz are making their way here!" he began chasing the masked person once again.

"I'm not leaving you alone with that maniac!" Kevin gasped out starting to follow as well.

"DON'T ARGUE WITH ME RIGHT NOW BARR" Eddward didn't turn back this time and instead ran faster disappearing ahead.

Kevin came to a stop out of breath and his heart in his throat. He was terrified of what that man could do to Eddward and his legs and hands were trembling, why couldn't he do anything? "Kevin!" "Eddward!" he heard Nazz and Ed calling out for them.

"Ed!" Kevin yelped out as loud as he could walking back to where they might be. In seconds he saw them running towards him "Ed! They went that way!" he pointed, pleading for the taller boy to go after them.

With a terrified look on his face Ed gave Nazz a squeeze to her arm and ran ahead past Kevin and disappeared as well. Nazz ran towards the freckled boy and immediately embraced him "Oh Kevin" she gasped out tiredly. "We were so scared!"

"I'm ok Nazz, come on we need to follow them!" Kevin grabbed her hand pulling her forward.

"We need to get out of here!" she argued "Sam is on his way they're going to be alright, you're tracker is waiting for us."

"No! We can't leave them alone. What if something happens to them and we're not there to stop it?" Kevin pulled her more.

She shook her head, "What can we do?".

"ANYTHING" he begged, pulling her harsher before she gave in and they made their way towards where the Ed's had gone to. They followed down a slope and slowed down when they heard yelling and pained groans. Finally they spotted Ed trying his best to pin down the masked man as Eddward was on top of the guy throwing punches. Kevin watched as Eddward grabbed onto the mask and yanked it off throwing it to the side.

They were all silent as finally...finally they got an identity to this mad man. Kevin tried calming down his breathing as he and Nazz approached the scene. It took him a moment to recognize the person that was underneath Eddwrad. "Trevor…" Ed spoke out shocked.

"You fucking bastard" Eddwrad growled out grabbing Trevor's white hoodie in a tight fist. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" he yelled out punching Trevor in the face hard enough and then he punched again and again and again.

"EDDWARD!" Ed yelled out hunching over protecting Trevors body from Eddward's attacks.

"Get out of the way Ed!" Eddwrad yelled out trying to shove Ed off.

"Eddward stop!" Kevin stepped forward kneeling beside him and wrapped his arms around Eddwrad "Stop!"

"This bastard is probably the one who made you crash!" Eddward tried to break free of Kevin's hold "And he's trying to fucking go after you again, as if I'll fucking let him live after this!"

"Stop it! Sam's on his way, he'll handle it!" Kevin glared at Eddward holding on tighter. "Stop!"

Eddward looked down at Kevin with a harsh expression; it almost made Kevin shrink away but he was determined to hold his ground. "...Keep him pinned down while Sam gets here" An enraged Eddward instructed Ed as he finally stood up wrapping an arm around Kevin's waist and lifting him up carrying him to where Nazz was.

As Kevin was placed back down he couldn't allow himself to let Eddwrad free of his grasp so he stood with both his hands holding onto Eddward's red shirt tightly not trusting the teen wouldn't just run back and attack Trevor again. Kevin felt Eddward's arm lean against his shoulder and only then did he let himself start to calm down. "What happened?" Nazz spoke out.

It was then that Kevin truly looked at his best friend and saw how puffy her eyes were as if she had been crying. "Are you ok?" he asked.

Nazz looked at him confused before glancing at Eddward who gave her a look "Oh! I-I was just so scared…Tell us what happened Kevin?" She tried changing the subject.

"..." Kevin knew her better and was well aware she was lying but he let it pass for now "I was heading over when we saw the car following us."

"Why didn't you make your way to my place? You were only a few blocks away?" Eddward spoke out now seemingly more calmed down from his rage.

"As soon as I saw he was wearing a mask I didn't want to lead him straight to you! Nazz was with you too it would be like hitting two birds with one stone" The freckled teen argued his hold on Eddward still there.

"This is the second time he's come after you!" Eddward spat out "What would happen if we didn't make it on time? He might have seriously injured you again or worse!"

Kevin felt the hand that was on his shoulder lower and now grasped his arm in a tight hold pressing Kevin close to Eddward's side. "What would have happened if he was actually after you?" Kevin asked letting his suspicions be known. Trevor had nothing against Kevin, but it seemed that he had a lot against Eddward. What if he was trying to get to Eddward through him?

"Don't be absurd. He couldn't hurt me" Eddward growled out glancing behind them "And I'm going to make sure his fucking legs can't ever chase even a fucking snail ever again"

"Stop!" Kevin yelled out "You're not going to do anything you hear me?"

Eddward raised his eyebrows appalled at Kevin's words "You expect me to let him free? He could do this shit again!"

With a roll of his eyes Kevin responded "I don't expect you to set him free. I expect Sam to do the dirty work, not you"

"Speak of the devil" Ed mumbled out, glaring ahead of the group.

"My...my my" Sam walked towards them with wide eyes staring at Trevor with almost a devouring look in his eyes. "Trevor! My most disappointing minion" Kevin's bodyguard was following right behind him and gave a nod towards Kevin. Kevin noticed the girl carried a pouch on her hip "Let him go Ed" the brunette quickly let go of a beaten up Trevor and walked to rejoin the group.

Sam motioned for the girl and she immediately took Ed's place but instead lifted Trevor up. The blonde teen took a hold of Trevors jaw and lifted it looking at Eddwrad's hits. "He did a number on you huh?" Sam mumbled out "Yet, you didn't learn from the last time you defied me? Oh! But not only did you do that!" Sam laughed out turning to look at Eddward ``Not only did he do that"

Kevin let go of Eddward now knowing Eddward wouldn't attack the guy now that Sam was around. He watched Ed slowly step closer to them and Nazz was looking wide eyed at Sam. "He fucking betrayed me" Sam shook his head slowly. "He went behind my back and fucking tried to fuck around"

"S-Sam..." Trevor gasped out with a bloody nose and mouth "You're gonna eat your own shit"

"Me?" Sam spat out with a wide smile, "You are amusing" Trevor only huffed out in pain but glaring up at Sam "Now...let's talk for real Trevor. You're far too stupid to come up with this masked man scandal. So, whom are you working for?"

"It's just me" The brunette gritted out.

"That's a lie" Sam smiled down "There's another"

"..." Trevor kept silent only glaring up at Sam.

"You don't seem to be scared of me" Sam gave a terrifying look that made Kevin's stomach sink. "That's mistake number one, mistake two…" The blonde pulled out a knife from his boot "Is trying to go up against me you worthless little shit"

Trevor just started laughing and then stared at Sam with wide craze eyes as if he had just recalled something "Your first mistake was overestimating your worth. The second? Underestimating mine"

"I'm trembling with pure terror" Sam laughed out "Tell me who is behind this and I'll be merciful" Sam demanded growing less patient by the minute. Trevor didn't speak, instead moved his gaze towards the group staring right at Kevin's wide eyes.

Kevin couldn't explain the uneasiness that grew in the pit of his stomach. Trevor's eyes were wide with curiosity now. It was as if the guy was looking for a response to whatever question he had in his head. After a moment, Trevor looked back up to Sam and cracked a smile "It's but a simple game of cat and mice"

"Mice…" Eddward spoke out voice steady "There's more than one person you're targeting?"

"Trevor I'm giving you one last chance to speak out" Sam only glared at Trevor but the blonde's presence was dangerous.

"The game changes every time, mutt" Trevor smiled. The name seemed to really irritate Sam for some reason and suddenly Kevin could see how dark Sam had become "Now it's going to be hide and seek"

"I recommend you be cautious with your next words" Sam calmly spoke out. However, his words were said with a venom that Kevin hadn't ever heard from anyone and he knew something bad would result from Trevors next move.

Trevor unnerved or perhaps an absolute idiot only stayed quiet and instead spat at Sam.

"Oh…" Sam didn't move staring at the spot on his coat that Trevor's spit had landed. "You want to play like that? Let's play for real then" Sam's voice although quiet, thundered through Kevin's spine. The blonde turned to give Eddward a look before turning to motion a direction at the girl holding up Trevor. Immediately, Eddward grabbed Nazz and pressed her to his chest covering her eyes and with his other hand turned Kevin around pressing him close under his arm as well. He was shielding them from whatever was about to happen and Kevin could only turn to see Ed's reaction.

"No No NO NO NO!" Trevor could be heard yelling out as Sam grabbed a hold of the teens tongue.

"So you don't want to talk?" with a skilled and harsh swipe of a knife Sam cut Trevors tongue off. The piece falling on the ground leaving Sam's hand completely covered in blood and some even splashed onto his clothing. Trevor's face was completely soaked instantly of horrifying amounts of blood and tears. The girl let Trevor cry out for a long minute before letting him drop and pulling out things to stop the bleeding. "Then don't talk," he said with the same dark venomous tone.

Loud muffled screaming rang through Kevin's ears and he saw Nazz's shoulders tremble as she gripped tightly onto Eddward. Kevin turned to see Ed who had paled ghostly white and looked like he was about to hurl. He turned to look up at Eddward next who seemed to be holding his breath, his hand tightly wrapped around Kevin but his eyesight didn't waiver from the scene. As if he had experienced this very thing far too many times and that thought made Kevin uncomfortable.

He wasn't watching but just listening to Trevors screams and groans of pain was unbearable and eventually Kevin turned to hide his face into Eddwrad's side like Nazz, covering his ears with his hands. He heard Ed stumble away and barf out unable to hold it in any longer. Eddwrad only held Kevin more tightly as if knowing what it was like to hear these screams for the first time. The freckled boy tried to focus his attention on the cold dog tag that was pressed to his freckled chest.

After what felt like an eternity of listening to Trevor groan and sob in pain Kevin felt Eddward shift making him look up at the swimmer. Eddward seemed to give Ed a pity look before motioning towards Nazz. The tall brunette made to grab Nazz, keeping her turned away from the scene "Let's get out of here" Ed mumbled out softly.

Eddward let Ed take Nazz when he finally looked down at Kevin. "You alright?" He frowned, sadly sorry Kevin had to be present for something so terrible.

"I didn't mean for that to happen when I said I wanted him to do the dirty work" the freckled boy croaked out, unable to truly find his voice.

"Sorry" the raven haired teen gave Kevin a comforting rub to his back before lighting pushing him forward "Let's go home" Kevin nodded, keeping an arm wrapped around Eddward's waist needing the help as he couldn't entirely stand straight.

"You're leaving?" Sam called out harshly "Someone has to account for this!" He gestured towards a still crying Trevor.

"Have her do it!" Eddward gestured to the girl before walking again and pulling Kevin along. He noticed Kevin's small steps and how walking up the small slope proved difficult for him. "Get on my back, I'll carry you" he stopped Kevin and crouched down.

"No, it's ok. I can make it up" Kevin gave him a smile. He felt so exhausted but also a stir of emotions from Trevors screams, he could almost hurl. He couldn't imagine how Ed must be who actually saw it happen.

Eddward stood up leaning forward and placing a hand on Kevin's back. "Don't argue with me Pu-"

Kevin looked up wide eyed waiting for the rest of his sentence. The raven haired teen stared back with similar wide eyes seemingly having caught himself. Kevin didn't know what to make of this, why didn't he want to call him Pumpkin? Finally, Eddward looked away. "Come on" Eddward nudged him instead.

With a frown Kevin crawled onto Eddward's back wrapping his arms and legs around the teen tightly. He watched as Ed and Nazz walked far ahead of them holding hands. Nazz had a hand to her mouth probably feeling just as sick as he was. Ed just stared down at the ground, his free hand in his pocket. "Were you being serious back there?" Kevin mumbled out closing his eyes and resting his head on Eddward's shoulder.

"About what?" The raven haired teen asked slowly making his way up.

"Wanting to kill Trevor"

The freckled boy felt Eddward hold his breath before speaking out "He's attacked you twice now...he could have killed you"

Kevin opened his eyes watching tree upon tree pass them by "I don't think he would have gone that far"

"You don't know that," Eddward argued with a stern voice. Some of his earlier anger spewing again.

"I do, because he wasn't after me. He was after you" Kevin hid his face then tightening his arms around Eddward.

This made the raven haired teen stop and shift his head as if looking back at Kevin "but he attacked you" Kevin could feel Eddwards hold on him tight as well as if realizing what Kevin meant.

"...to lure you out" Kevin whispered out keeping his eyesight right on Eddward's exposed head. He had come out running to help him and forgetting about his beloved striped beanie. A part of him was giddy that Eddward was in such a rush to save him.

They started to walk again now finally on steady ground "So you ran away from my help hoping Sam would find you first" Eddward's voice lowered making Kevin lift his head up.

"You were in higher danger than I ever was," the freckled boy confessed.

Suddenly, Eddward stopped again and bent down. Kevin took this as he wanted him off so he stood back up and watched as the boy made his way towards the nearest tree and just gripped it tightly with his hands. "You...you can't just risk yourself like that Kevin! Don't you remember the last time he went after you!" Eddward turned around facing Kevin now "you were seriously injured. Trevor was coming back to finish the goddamn job!" Kevin was speechless as he watched the teen yell at him with a panicked face. "Stop trying to be the hero! Next time I might not make it on time! What happens then?" Eddward had now taken a hold of the smaller teen by his arms.

"Aren't you playing the hero too? You're putting yourself in danger by responding to their threats." Kevin lifted his hands holding onto Eddward's long hands. "If someone is after you, do you think I can just sit back and let you go after it? If there's a slight chance of me saving you, I will take it"

With a grim face Eddward seemed to hesitate. However after a pause of clear conflict in his mind, he finally leaned down wrapping his arms around the smaller teen in a suffocating embrace and hiding his face in Kevin's neck.

Kevin held onto Eddward's shirt missing this embrace from the other since the night of the New Year. The smaller boy felt his face warm up as he felt the other's hot breath tickled the nape of his neck. Kevin let his eyes fall once more just enjoying the quiet moment. It felt like it had been so very long since they were like this.

Taking a deep breath in, Kevin wanted to place a kiss to the other cheek but he didn't know if it was ok. Last time he did it Eddward didn't seem to mind. The problem was that this kiss wasn't friendly… It was intimate and selfish and filled with so much desire. His face was further warming up the more he thought about it. He was staring down at Eddward's hidden face panicking, until finally he leaned forward and instead pressed his cheek to Eddward's.

He didn't move away, instead stayed still unable to breath hoping Eddward wouldn't pull away. He felt Eddward squeeze him in response and it made his chest flutter. They stayed silent and without moving a second longer until Eddward finally broke away with flushed ears "You're recklessly chaotic Kevin Barr"

"You're the one ready to kill '' Kevin argued back pulling at Eddward's shirt then noticed Eddward quickly wince. Kevin stayed quiet for a second before looking down and saw a wet spot on the taller boy's side. Without hesitating, Kevin snuck a hand underneath Eddward's shirt and touched a cut on his side. "You're hurt!" he gasped out looking back up at Eddward ``Why didn't you say something! You probably bleed more from carrying me, you fool!"

With flushed cheeks, Eddward looked away trying to pull away Kevin's cold hand. "I'm alright, it's just a small cut"

"Like hell it is! Oh my god Eddward!" Kevin pulled back his hand seeing how much blood was covering his hand "Shit!"

"I'll live Kevin '' Eddward gave Kevin a smile but it did nothing for Kevin as the smaller boy swung Eddward's arm over his shoulder and pulled him along.

"Let's see about that when we get you back home" Kevin angrily mumbled out.

…

"So what's going to happen to Trevor?" Nazz spoke out watching Kevin bandage up a shirtless Eddward.

"He's going to be fine...well he will live at least. Sam will make sure of that" Eddward responded looking away from the freckled boy "But...he will suffer a bit more torture than what he experienced tonight…"

"Sam wants information out of him" Ed clarified for him "He will keep him around until he can get that"

"But he can't properly talk now" Nazz exclaimed, her skin still pale from reflecting on the night.

"...He doesn't have to" Kevin answered with a frown lifting a hand "He can still write"

"This is so messed up...Oh my god" the blonde girl turned around a hand on her mouth once again "I'm going home...I need...we still have school tomorrow"

"I'll go with you" Ed said "Your trackers are outside, they'll take us home"

Kevin sat back on the couch placing everything down "I'll stay with Eddward…" he looked to the side to see Eddward's reaction.

"Ok" Ed sighed out looking over at Nazz "Ready?"

Nazz nodded moving to give Eddward and Kevin and hug and a kiss to the both of them "Try and get some sleep...I'll see you both in school tomorrow"

"I could say the same to you" Eddward gave her hand a squeeze.

"See you tomorrow" Kevin gave her a smile and then she looked back at Ed who had grabbed his jacket and put it on. She followed him out of the house and down the front yard where Sam's members were.

The ride back home was quiet but Nazz kept her head on Ed's arm as she tried not to think of the gory act that Sam had easily committed that night. When they arrived at her house Ed walked her to the door and gave her hand a squeeze "Don't think about it"

She looked down at their hands "It's kind of hard to do" she mumbled out before meeting his eyes once more "How are you feeling?"

The brunette let out a fake chuckle "Could be better"

"Same" she whispered out breathing in and then letting it out slowly "ok, see you tomorrow"

"night" He gave her a smile before making his way back to the car.

She quickly made her way back to her bedroom and didn't turn on the lights. She threw her coat to the side, not caring where she landed as well as her shoes. Finally she jumped onto her bed feeling her sickness return. What a horrible thing to be present for...Eddwrad was right, she was scared. However, could it truly be too late to turn the blonde boy around? Has Eddward ever done something this bad?

Nazz suddenly sat back up, disturbed by her thoughts and emotions. She should run away from him like Eddward advised her to but something in her couldn't turn her back on Sam just yet. She was about to get ready for bed when she noticed a flicker of light outside.

Peeking outside her window she saw a motorcycle and a tall dirty blonde with his lit phone in hand. With the other hand in his pocket he raised his other hand and gestured for the girl to come down. Nazz stood frozen, a part of her horrified as she recalled Trevors screams and cries.

Hesitantly, she turned to grab her coat once more before making her way downstairs. Her mother now fast asleep on the couch while her dad was in his office typing away.

Quietly she slipped out the front door and slowly made her way towards the teen in the evening's cold breeze. "What are you doing here Sam?"

Sam put his phone in his jacket and lifted both his hands to cup Nazz's cheeks as if shielding her from the cold. "I came to see how you were doing love" he tilted his head looking at her puffy eyes "are you scared?"

With a breath she looked up at him. She could feel her hands begin to tremble and she knew "yes"

"And yet you came down" Sam smiled down at her "You're brave my love"

"Sam...I don't think I can…" she breathed out realizing the very hands that were holding her were the ones that had cut off Trevors tongue. "I can't...You…" she reached to pull away the blondes hands disturbed from his touch "...You didn't even hesitate"

Sam tilted his head letting her pull away his hands and instead he held onto her frozen ones. "It's hard for me to feel sorry for imbeciles like him...My father conditioned me that way"

Nazz breathed in holding onto Sam's firm hands tightly "how many times have you...done something like that?" She questioned terrified of his answer.

"Oh sweet thing" Sam cooed at her "I've done and seen far more than what your mind could ever imagine" he let her hands go but gently wrapped his arms around her bringing her close to him. "Trevor needed to be taught a hard lesson, I've been nothing but forgiving at his past mistakes but do not fear love. He deserved it, he would have gone after Kevin or you and this time he would have made sure to finish the job."

Nazz stayed still listening to the teens soft voice "why go after us? We don't know him"

"To get back at Eddward or me. In this line of field we make so many enemies but so long as you both stay behind me, you will be safe from any harm. I will make sure of that" the blonde teen ran a hand through the girl's hair.

"Nazz" She turned her head to look up at Sam "you won't ever have to experience what you did tonight. But you must understand why I did it"

With a dry throat she spoke quietly "Trevor was dangerous…"

"Yes, and he had the audacity to threaten us all." Sam gave her a firm look "That's unforgivable"

"...unforgivable..." Nazz mumbled after him before looking back down and scared for everyone involved in this messed up world. What would happen if she turned her back on Sam now? Would he hurt her like he did Trevor? Would Sam hurt Kevin or Eddward?

The air was cold, but nothing felt as cold as the feeling of being embraced by unregretful bloodied hands. And nothing felt worse than the feeling of her heart still beating with the hope that this man would change one day. Was this how Kevin felt that night he had gone to confront Eddward after he had turned his back on Kevin? Was Kevin just as conflicted about Eddward? Was there hope for Sam?

…

"He appeared again?" The green haired teen looked surprised at Kevin as he sipped away his espresso.

He and Kevin had wandered off into the Wolf Pub after school hours. Eddward had swim practice that day, Nazz was off somewhere with Sam, and Ed had run off very excited to apply for various jobs around town. The tall teen had been so happy to finally be able to help out his parents and it inspired Kevin to apply himself as well.

However, in the meantime, Nat had spilled all the latest gossip in Lemon Brooke High and updates on Northern Fang problems with the masked man. Kevin had told everything that had happened to Nat, of course excluding how he was in relation to Eddwrad and Sam. "Raine's been trying to get him out of hiding since this whole thing started, who knew they just need a pretty ginger boy to lure out our big bad man"

Leaning over the table with wide glitter covered eyes Nat stared at Kevin "Raine got a good look at the masked man though, over Fangs security cameras! It fits the description of the guy who got your friend."

"Security cameras?" Kevin stared at Nat with curiosity.

"Yeah, this guy walks up to Fangs front door and just stares right at the camera. I mean he's got the mask on and all but like what the fuck right?"

Waiting for Nat to continue Kevin finally says "Then what?"

"Nothing just flashes The Great Whites logo stabs at the shark and leaves. Raine's convinced Sam is taunting them"

"Wait wait wait...How is Sam taunting Raine? Shouldn't the masked man be doing that to Sam directly instead of the wolves if that were the case?" With a sigh Kevin sat back holding onto his coffee "I'm still so confused, first Nazz then the great whites, the northern fangs and now me...I don't get it" Kevin shook his head exasperated "Trevor didn't confirm anything. He just said Sam underestimates his worth, but how does it all connect"

Nat sat back "What does that mean?"

"I don't know" Kevin sat back in his chair thinking about how Sam was sure that Tevor didn't act alone, and that instead there was someone giving the demand "I think someone might have found him worthwhile. Someone scarier than Sam"

"Like who?"

"An actual Mob boss?" Kevin suggested though the thought was absolutely crazy.

"What would a Mob boss have anything to do with you and your friend and a shitty teenage gang?" Nat spat out flinging his arms around "He ain't got nothing better to do? No, you want to know what I think?" he waited for Kevin to nod before continuing "I think Sam really and I mean really pissed off another Gangster brat and they want to get him where it hurts. Another petty evil Gangster is the closest thing that makes sense"

"What hurts Sam?" Kevin was curious to investigate further into this theory.

"That shark of his, Vincent? Everyone at Fangs knows how closely chained he's got the guy. The guy is a loyal hound, Raine says that Sam and his brother make sure to train their pets. I'm sure Sam wants him as his, so it would make sense for enemies to target his most valuable possession ya know " Nat sipped at his coffee "I think they want Raine to do the dirty work for them. Ya know, like wolf vs shark?"

That comment made Kevin let out a cough from almost choking from his coffee. "What do you mean by training their pets?…"

"Like...actual pets, you know how we all train our dogs to behave and what not but like with people." Nat pressed his lips together "Ok...well, a little different. I've heard that Training Pets means that they beat the disloyalty out of them. They manipulate the person into fearing them and therefore fear the idea of doing anything against them. They train their 'hounds' into doing anything without question."

Kevin's throat went dry...Eddward's behavior at the beginning of their journey made sense. It wasn't just Eddward's secret that Sam held over his head. The cage fighting...He wondered if that was a part of Sam 'training' Eddward. Pushing down his nausea, he thought back to process what Nat was theorizing and it totally didn't seem so crazy. For another Gangster kid to want to get back at Sam, they must have spies around town like Sam did. It was possible that someone found out that the Wolf's son was doing his 'initiation' in the quiet town of Peach Creek.

Those spies could also be the reason why there seemed to be multiple masked men. Someone was out to ruin Sam's initiation. That's why they were provoking the Northern Fangs to pick a bad fight with the Great Whites. Like Nat had stated, have the Northern Fangs do the dirty work. The masked nan would end up fucking up two gangs at the same time while they sit back and laugh.

If he remembered correctly, Sam said The Great Whites gang was a family thing. It was passed down the line to those who wanted to then graduate onto the real thing, working right under the big bad wolf himself. Let's say if there were actual spies around town they might have seen Sam take an incredible interest in Nazz.

That would explain the attack, but the attack on him, twice? He would understand if it was Jimmy, but it hadn't been had it? Both times it had been Trevor. Perhaps… Trevor had a personal vendetta against Eddward. If and when approached by the Gangster, Trevor then saw an opportunity to go after Eddward and thus tying his attacks in as well. Unless, Nat was right they were going after Sam's pet.

However, why not go straight for Eddward instead? Why did Trevor have to attack him to then get at Eddward? Or perhaps, Trevor was angry from what happened last time. But Trevor had been behind the wheel the first time hadn't he? Meaning there was a reason that started further back.

"...Nathan…" Kevin stared at his green haired friend in realization as all the pieces were coming together "I think you just may be right"

"You don't think it's crazy?" Nat perked up "I still don't know how you and your bestie fit in the equation. Wrong place, wrong time maybe"

"You're not crazy at all...and I think I know how I can help Raine" Kevin's eyes sparkled with mischief as he remembered Trevors words.

"Your first mistake was overestimating your worth. The second? Underestimating mine"

That hadn't been Trevors' threat, that had been the threat of the masked man. The guy behind the mask, the one seeking revenge. The puppeteer.

"Call Raine"

…

"Kevin do you even hear yourself! This is a terrible idea! No, no. We need to go to Eddward and Ed for this" Nazz stared up at Kevin wide eyed as she paced his room. "We got away because we had Ed and Eddward and Sam protecting us! We take that away and our risk is much higher" She turned around facing the wall of Kevin's room "Since when are you so...reckless"

"Since I learned that there was a possibility of stopping this threat. There is no real threat to us Nazz. The threat is for Sam and Eddward and we have to protect Eddward like he has been protecting us. The threat for Eddward is real and it's dangerous and I don't want him anywhere near that." Kevin gave Nazz a serious look. He knew this was the right thing to do and it was his only lead.

"Raine and the gang will be our protection, Nazz. They're good people that we can trust too."

Nazz stopped and breathed out heavily shaking her head "I don't want to get involved in this Kevin...I can't let you get involved in this. We need to trust Sam and Eddward can handle this mess. They caught Trevor already and soon anyone else who is also involved behind the masked man persona. It's probably rebellious kids trying to get back at Sam more than anything."

"This is serious Nazz!" Kevin gasped out outraged at the girl's conditioned words "Just because Sam's giving you attention and heart eyes, you think you can trust him? He cut off Trevors tongue! No one in their right mind would do something like that!"

"Eddward! He's done similar things Kevin!" Nazz stood up "They're not all that different! How can you defend Eddward and then judge me for wanting to trust Sam? Just because you haven't seen Eddward?"

The freckled boy stood wide eyed, staring surprised at the girl's outburst "Are you serious?" he breathed out and with a shake of his head he started walking out of the girls room "I'll do this alone then"

"Kevin! Don't you dare!" Nazz ran after Kevin downstairs and the boy shut the front door heavily "Kevin!" she yelled out opening the door and ran barefooted to where Kevin was already swinging a leg over his motorcycle. "Stop! I'll tell Eddward! I swear I'll tell him!" she grabbed onto the handle tightly.

"If something happens to him because you stopped me…" Kevin glared at her harshly "Sam can easily protect himself, he's got an entire gang and family guarding his back but who's protecting Eddward?"

"Sam is! And yet you're the one getting him into these dangerous situations! Who's the one who's going to suffer the consequences of you getting in trouble?" Nazz shouted angrily

"And what do you all expect me to do! What happened to the Nazz who was willing to rat out the J's?" Kevin grabbed onto her hand tightly "What happened to that Nazz? You turned into someone so cowardly! Nazz last year would have been the one to fight until the end and now you expect me to sit and watch as everything goes to shit?"

"How dare you!" Nazz cried out shoving Kevin by the shoulder and pushing away his hold on her "How dare you! I've been through too much and you know it! I'm terrified Kevin! I'm so terrified for you and Eddward and Ed and for myself! We're already so involved in this as it is!" Her hand shifted to grab onto the boys coat "How dare you call me a coward when all I do is worry for everyone. I think about the safety and consequences of everyone around me! You don't! You're reckless Kevin Barr! You're reckless!"

"I've suffered through shit too Nazz!" Kevin could feel his heart ripping watching the girl cry but he was angry she wouldn't stand up for Eddward after everything the raven haired teen has done for her. "Worse, in my opinion" he mumbled out firmly "and you know it, but I'm not going to let Eddward fix everything on his own. I'm tired of standing behind him, he needs someone to shield him too."

"What do you expect to accomplish! Every single time you try to solve it on your own you get hurt!" Nazz argued feeling her tears stain her cheeks "You are not going to help the situaction if you fucking die Kevin! How's that going to solve anything?"

"I didn't want to do it alone" Kevin breathed out "You're leaving me to do this alone"

"Because you're being irrational!" she screamed out frustrated feeling her lungs hurt.

"Wanting to protect someone I care about isn't being irrational!"

"I care about you!" Nazz yelled out.

Kevin could feel his chest rip open watching her hand tremble at how hard she was holding onto him. "I'm doing this..." he turned on his motorcycle and started in reverse.

Nazz gasped as she was being pulled forward by the movement of the vehicle "Kevin! Don't" she breathed out unable to let go yet "Kevin please!" Finally, Kevin went a bit faster making her trip and lost her grip on him. "I won't let you do this!"

With that Kevin drove away leaving Nazz a frantic mess in her front yard as she stared after him. Then looked towards the direction of Eddward's neighborhood. If she ran, Eddward would be able to catch up and stop Kevin.

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Hope your enjoying the update so far...