Title: Basket Boy

Rating: T (Teens +)

Pairing: Kevin / Edd (Double D)

Summary: Peach Creek High School's annual 'Basket Boy Auction' was here, and Edd somehow lands on the roster. Kevin decides to step in to help this nobody at least get one bid, no matter how low, to save him from the social embarrassment. Kevin tries his best to keep things focused on the auction, but between these boys are memories from freshman year that threaten to broil to the surface. Edd slowly starts to change, and people are starting to notice their strange relationship. Kevin can't focus - but he knows the past needs to be mended before all eyes are on them.

Chapter 1

Mouse

It was February 2nd, and the roster for this year's "Basket Boys" was up.

((Kevin's POV))

I always hated this damn school's ideas for fundraising. I mean, team Car Washes? Fine. Candy Grams? Whatever. Bake Sales? why not. Never will I ever understand the idiocy of the idea behind the 'Basket Boys Auction' though. Basically, you get either put on the list by popular class vote or sometimes they just pick you at random, or volunteer to if you have the stupidity in you. You're signed and prettied up to be walking talking eye candy up on a stage as people bid for you in hopes to win one date with you. It's basically a line of bachelors waiting to be plucked from the pen. Sounds pretty brutal, right? It is. I mean, if you're a good looking, popular, preppy boy, sure, you don't have a damn thing to worry about, you were practically born for the role. I mean, I was a basket boy last year when I was just a sophomore. Chosen by vote, not out of choice. Someone threw my name in the ballot and my baseball team took it upon themselves to make sure I got the popular vote to get me on that roster. Jerks. Like hell I would ever sign up for something so stupid. Yeah, I was the pick of the litter, raised nearly 80 bucks on that auction. Wasn't even worth it, the girl was as mindless as any other hormone infested girl in this school. Yeah, if you're a looker, you don't have to worry about not being bid on. But... it's when you have a sock-headed geek who's probably president of the science club by now on that damn list. That's when your stomach begins to knot. That's when you start to remember those gapped teeth. That's when you start to remember he had a damn pet cactus or speaks like the dictionary is a religion. It's when you remember who exactly you're dealing with. Don't get me wrong, the Einstein-Ed is alright - he's really not a bad dude in my eyes, but let's face it. He's not exactly the most desired guy in this school, I'd be surprised if more than 5 people even know him. This auction is going to haunt him forever if he gets caught up in this mess. I can see it now... his name announced, the entire auditorium dead silent, and the slow realization that every single pair of eyes on him are looking in either pity or indifference.

I stood there in front of that list for what felt like hours. Just... Staring. Any other name on that list didn't even matter to me. Eddward. The one and only Eddward that was spelt with two D's. This would end him, this would be his absolute ruin, destroy whatever little reputation he had left. My eyes widened at the sight. Of all the dorks in this school you picked... Him. Slowly, I heard the girls crawl up to examine their fresh prey, the lionesses all purring the names of their desired mouse. They all started shoving me back as they scrolled down the list, and I could hear their insincere words of "good luck" as I fell back behind the crowd, grimacing at the sight.

I knew not one of them even thought twice about Edd.

They nearly took up half the hallway of the main entrance, all loud and giddy as ever. Slowly I woke up, turned away, and started my way towards the cafeteria. I shrugged my bag strap higher up my tense shoulders, and continued walking, his name rolling in my mind over and over. When was the last time I talked to him? In classes maybe? The occasional "excuse me" in the bustling hallways? How the hell did he end up on this list? This couldn't be happening, it couldn't. It could have been someone, anyone.

Anyone but him.

((Edd's POV))

School was always something to look forward to in my books. Literally.

I never got bullied - teased, yes, just not too bad. I remain within the serenity of my own small crowd or keep to myself, avoiding unnecessary trouble from the occasional "snotty prep" as Eddy put it. I always had a general idea behind social classes within school walls, but I could honestly say that I never cared for it completely, I'm uninterested to take any part in moving beyond my small circle. We, being myself and my two beloved close friends, are more or less outcasted aside from the occasional class group assignment. Eddy, however, was always the stubborn type, trying to force his way into crowds that, put bluntly, didn't accept us. Oh, how my dear friend always has that remarkable will to never give up though... It was very seldom that he ever lost hope or ran out of ideas. Ideas that seemingly always dug us into a deeper hole. And it was those scams and games that always got us into trouble with someone one way or another.

I always thought one of those ideas of his would take root and grow into a catastrophe soon enough.

"- Come on! I would totally pick up a few babes with this stupid auction!" Eddy boasted, grinning like a millionaire at nobody in particular as he let his imagination run wild. On our way to school, the three of us all talked the usual nonsense before the subject of the schools "Basket Boy Auction" took place. I looked at him with a distastefully deadpanning expression, showing my disagreement that I made no effort to explain.

"Don't you think this is a bit drastic, Eddy? Surely there are other ways you can attempt to make friends or entice a young lady. Have you tried looking into school clubs like I previously suggested?" I attempted. Eddy merely waved a hand in the air, wanting to ignore my presence at this point, I'm sure.

"Relax, what the worst that could happen? Besides, if I were you, I'd be more worried about how good you are at charming the gals, Double-D." He peered over through smiling eyes.

"M-me?" I yelped suddenly, my heart dropping as it all began to slowly click.

"Yeah, you had to know I wasn't gonna go down with this ship alone, of course you're gonna be in it! Lumpy here too, I threw all three of our names into the suggestion box. You two gotta make sure I get the highest bet, even higher than shovel chin's from sophomore year!" he beamed, imagining his award already. Is THAT what this is? The petty need to outdo Kevin? I shook my head, wishing I didn't just hear what I had thought. He couldn't have.

"You can't be serious!" I screeched. Me? A BASKET BOY?

"Why not! Rosters up, as soon as we get there, check for my name will ya? It will be under the section 'sure to win'." He winked as he opened the thick door and walked into school, immediately turning into a separate hallway with a very tired Ed in tow. He was without a doubt watching another monster marathon yesterday... I turned away and ran down the main hall as fast as my skinny legs could carry me.

'It will be okay... The only way any young man is accepted on that list by volunteering is by vote from fellow peers, I have a chance...'

I looked directly at the crowd of approaching girls surrounding a pink paper taped to the office window. I looked ahead with anxiety before I impacted with another person standing by. The hit caused me to fall back and before I shut my eyes in a flinching reaction, I caught the glimpse of ginger hair and a red cap, his body turning to me in surprise. I opened my clenched eyes and looked up, fighting the urge to frown when I did indeed recognize the familiar face. I smiled nervously yet apologetically, twiddling my thumbs as I sat on the floor.

"Pardon me, Kevin! I wasn't watching where I was running, excuse me-" I started to stand before I caught sight of his hand stretched outward towards me. Taking it, I launched upwards, not expecting the swiftness he tugged my arm with. My body leapt forward and fell into Kevin once more. I fell into his chest, shutting my eyes tight and tensing my shoulders. Quickly he grabbed my shoulders forcefully and pulled me away, making sure I was well balanced before releasing his strong grasp.

"It's no problem, dude... Just watch where you're walking." He said without taking one real look at me.

Kevin.

Kevin was always a puzzle. He was a brute, certainly. Once our childhood tormentor, I only remember moments of his negativity and physical altercation when directed towards my group of best friends as a whole - mainly just Eddy, honestly. Kevin always had a bone to pick with anyone involved with Eddy in any way, and didn't take too kindly to anyone affiliated with him as we grew older. Yes, even through puberty the two always held a Montague to the others Capulet-like aura to them. But once, when it was just us... He was calmer in a sense. Nicer. It was always something that caught me off guard, knowing two sides of him without explanation.

I looked at him apologetically once more before he took one glance behind him to the swarm of females, then finally to me, into my eyes with a hint of pity before walking away. Turning, I watched him leave, watched his shoulders straighten and his back arch slightly from his tense slouch to his relaxed, laid back, yet charming stance he always held in order to hold his pride high. I nodded to myself, reminding myself where it was I stood compared to Kevin Barr before I had any thoughts of crossing him again in the future. I sighed, telling myself again that I was never to get involved with that life as I walked over to the roster on the window. The crowd slowly parted ways, girls whispering their hopes and desired boys. I slowly made my way to the front, my heart slowing down from it's rapid palpitations with every name I passed that wasn't mine nor Eddy's. I sighed through my gapped teeth, happily finding my peace again until...

"Oh my..."

.

.

.

.

4/13/2025

Hi.

So I started this fanfiction when I was 14 - I think in freshman year of high school? I'm now a 25 y/o married adult working in my dream career. Time has flown my friends, but this silly ship never left my heart

I'm starting to come back - I'm making Kevedd art and re-editing these chapters in the hopes that I can actually finish this one out. I think it would be fun to pass time with while relaxing in cafe's and maybe be able to finish a fanfiction in general haha!

Nobody may ever see this - but if you - follow me at jayday_art on Tumblr and Twitter for more kevedd content :) until next time!