There's Always Trouble In Paradise

The mistake

My back slammed up against the lockers as three of Kevin's teammates stood over me; one of them with his face right to mine.

"So you think you can turn our best team player into a faggot?"

"I did not do such a thing."

"Why can't you go after your own kind homo?"

Uneducated jocks were one of my favorites to deal with. Even more enjoyable when they were uneducated, homophobic jocks. I knew coming out this soon was not a good idea. We should have stayed with our original plan.

"Hey nerd! Are you listening to me!?"

A fist was brought before my face. I was still exhausted from Friday's dealings; the very long weekend of getting endless calls. And texts from Eddy and Ed did not allow me to relax either. Kevin was too busy dealing with his own drama because of our coming out, that I have not even seen him since Friday night. Needless to say, these three jocks were the last thing I wanted to deal with and I had no energy for them.

"Gentlemen, for your understanding, I am not the one that turned Kevin gay. Kevin is not gay, he is bisexual. No one in any sense turned him; he was simply born this way. Kevin and I just happened to enjoy each other and started dating. Very much so like one of you shall do once you discover a lady you enjoy. I do not see how my relationship with Kevin is any different than yours with your girlfriends. Now if you would please excuse me."

I pushed the first jocks fist out of my face and slipped by him and the other jocks. How can one have such nerve to treat another human being so wrongfully so? I need to find my Kevin, it has been long over due for him to comfort me.

"FAG!"

A fist went flying through the air and made a crash landing into the back of my head. I stumbled onto me knees and kept myself down, not wanting to face what might come if I stand back up. The three jocks stomped passed me, spitting on me as they made their way by. Yes, it was far too soon to tell the school about us. I have months left of dealing with this chaos and I am not looking forward to it.

I made my way slowly onto my feet, putting my hand on the lockers beside me for support. My head was already pounding and neck aching from the punch. Yes. I needed to find my Kevin. I was on a mission to find him; slowly making my way through the crowd of people in the hall. It seem even harder for this trip since most of the students seem to be pushing me back. How did other students deal with this hate after coming out? It has only been one day back to school and I already have had more than enough. I kept pushing my way through the crowd, holding my head down to try to ease the pain in the back of my head. Even my beanie was starting to feel too tight and painful, although I know it was not.

A familiar cool, deep, but sweet voice danced in my ears and my head shot up. I winced in pain but I was too overjoyed to care; my Kevin was in eye sight, talking to Nat and Nazz. By this point I did not even care if Nazz was hanging on Kevin's arm, I did not care about the pounding in my head. I raced down the hall to my Kevin and without a second thought, clung onto him like a lost child finding their mother. He was my main source of comfort and protection, and I needed him more then anything.

"Um, Edd? What are you doing?"

I buried my face into his chest, breathing his musky scent in deeply. "I missed you."

I felt Kevin's strong hands wrap around my shoulders, but instead of pulling me in, they pushed me away. "This isn't the place for this right now dude."

Is it possible for your heart to sink into your stomach? Because I believe mine just did.

Nat patted Kevin on the bag and smiled wide, looking between the both of us. "Now come on Kev, don't you think that's harsh? This isn't going to fix anything. Just be out and proud already."

Kevin wouldn't even look at me.

"Kevin. What's going on?"

Before Kevin could say a word, Nazz stepped in between the two of us, giving me as serious of a look as she could give me.

"Now listen Double D. This is totally for the best for you and Kevin. He needs to like be able to focus on his sports and not drama if he wants to keep a good streak for college. I totally came up with a plan that Friday night was just a prank Kevin wanted to play on his team. They'll leave him alone and you alone. And like everything will be back to normal. Totally the best for both of you."

I didn't know what to say. How was this the best for me? This meant I was back in the closest again; or at least Kevin was.

"I'm going to be alone in all this then?"

I saw pain from my words twitch across Kevin's face. He hated not being able to protect me and knowing that I was in pain. He bit down on his lip before he turned to face me and blurted out the most venom words that I've experienced since we started dating.

"Just get the fuck lost Double Dweeb! No one fucking cares!"

Not only was my heart in my stomach, but now it was shattered into a million pieces. My eyes started to water up and I could see the pain start to grow in Kevin's face. But I ran before anything else could come out of anyone's mouths. I ran as fast as I could. I ran down the halls. I ran out the school doors. And I ran all the way home.

"Fuck Kevin."

• • •

A gentle kiss was placed on the back of my head, and my beanie was slowly removed. Strong fingers stroke through my hair as my face was buried in my pillow. Kevin's voiced broke the sweet silence in my room.

"Edd, I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

I grabbed my blankets in clenched fists. "Go away."

Kevin laid a soft kiss on the back of my shoulders. "But baby."

"No!"

I turned around and slapped his hand away from me; Kevin was shocked at my reaction. I have never struck him in anyway before.

"Not again! I'm not going to let you get away with this! You really hurt me! You broke my heart! Fuck you and go screw yourself!"

The shock grew more and more with each word I have yelled. Kevin has never seen this side from me before; I have never seen this side from me before. But I guess hurt and anger brings out the worst of people.

"Edd. It's for the best for you and me. It's going to protect you. I know you don't like it dude. But it'll help."

If I had the guts to slap Kevin across the face. I would. I was so angry, it was unreal.

"Protect me!?"

I lifted up the back of my hair, showing the red lump that was already starting to bruise on the back of my upper neck.

"How is that protecting me!? You being there for me is the protections I need!"

"Who the fuck did that to you?"

"Some of your team members. But it does not matter. We were only joking with them anyway, right?"

Kevin wrapped him arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Tomorrow show me who did this to you and I'll take care of it."

"I'm only some dweeb you know."

"You know I didn't mean that. Right, Edd?"

I did not say a word, I could not even look at him. Even if he says he did not mean it, why would he still say such hateful words? I can not understand. My body moved to Kevin's as he placed a kiss on my lips, his lips tasted bitter and of smoke. My lips stood still, and he noticed, pulling away quicker than he hoped.

"Don't do this to me Edd."

I slowly got up from my bed, opening my bedroom door. I have had quite enough.

"You may leave."

Kevin stared at me, and then with out a word, he obeyed me and left.