Something More

Chapter Twenty Three

As we continued to walk we noticed the bus, my bus, taking its normal turn at the corner. The kids in my neighborhood were getting off. I continued walking with Marie.

"What do you believe is going on?" I wondered. She smiled with a slight hint of red to her skin.

"We think that he likes you, well, Nazz does. I still think he's an ass." That got me to laugh. It was a chuckle I hadn't heard in a long time. It wasn't forced. She did that often, I wonder why I haven't spent a lot of time with her.

I hate to admit, but even from the distance I can see Kevin clearly. It was like I was always aware of his presence, even if we didn't speak. She thankfully didn't notice.

"I don't quite agree about the ass comment, but I'm still not sure if he likes me in that manner. I'm not even precisely sure if he likes me as a friend." She rolled her eyes. It was entertaining to watch, I smiled.

"Well, if you paid a little mo- Is he walking to your house?" She stopped her pace, so I froze my own. He was. His fit frame was stepping up my porch, and clearly knocked on the door. She gave me a look of surprise. She didn't seem upset, but very inquisitive.

I immediately quickened my pace. My parents were home, and I wasn't sure if they would speak. I hoped not. My father-son conversation was recent and if Marie was right, my father could immediately tell. Both my mother and father were perceptive.

"Should I go with you?" I could see her internal dilemma, she seemed slightly uncomfortable.

"No, thank you." She smiled.

"Make good choices." And just like that, she jogged away.

My front door was slightly ajar, so I pushed it open. Voices were audible from the entrance.

"You boys are friends?" It was my mothers voice.

"Um, something like that." His voice was uncomfortable, whether it was from the question or his situation I will never know.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be home soon." That was my fathers voice.

"Excuse me?"

"We're both quite aware you didn't come to speak to us."

That brought a blush to my cheeks. I put my bag down, much rougher than I normally would have, and closed the front door, much louder; so they would all know I just came home.

"Eddward?" My mother called.

"Yes?" I walked into the room, she was standing, but Kevin and my father were sitting besides one another. "Oh, hello, Kevin." Although I knew he was here, I feigned surprised.

"Hey.." I would have assumed he would greet me as 'dork' as he always did, but something stopped him. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" I glanced at my father for permission, and all I found was mischief and approval.

"Of course." I smiled, welcoming.

We both walked to the porch, I would have led him to my room, but he seemed more inclined to talk here. That was fine.

"Listen, don't talk, just listen." I opened my mouth to reply, but quickly closed it. I nodded, obediently. "When I was younger, a few years ago, actually, I met a beautiful girl. She was blonde and perfect, outgoing. We started dating and after a few years we thought it was time to take it all the way-"

"Nazz." I interrupted, stating plainly, internally annoyed and unsure why he was telling me this. This wasn't how I thought this was going to go.

Kevin looked equally annoyed. "Don't interrupt." He threatened. "Well I can honestly say I tried. I set up the right mood, my parents weren't home." He looked away from me, like he was talking to himself now. "I tried so hard, but I couldn't do it. Being around her for all those years, laughing, kissing, being kids. I'm still a fuc-" He cleared his throat. "I'm still a kid, a teen, I should have been able to do it, but I couldn't. It didn't feel right." He took off his hat, ruffling his crimson hair, it almost glowed under the light. "There must have been something wrong with me. I mean, she's beautiful, understanding, everything a guy would want in a girl, but I didn't want it." He laughed, it was humorless.

"I slept around. I didn't touch any of them like that, the thought disgusted me; but, I got girlfriends, talked them up, they mostly went after reputation at school, I didn't care. I did all of that, broke a few hearts because I was 'badass Kevin' who didn't care about anyone. I wanted to be something I wasn't so badly it hurt." He finally looked at me. My annoyance was long gone, this story was actually quite sad. "All that time, I couldn't help but notice you." My eyes widened. I immediately clutched my hat, trying to comfort myself, willing myself not to interrupt. "I cheated on Nazz and that's no excuse, I never even told her about the other girls. I couldn't even figure out why I needed other girls. They mostly spread their relationships with me around school, but I denied it." He glared at nothing in particular, dozens of emotions crossing his face, before it settled on longing.

"Eddy's the asshole, manipulative and clever. Ed's the dumbass who's loyal to a fault. Then there's you. The bright eyed, sarcastic, quick witted, beautifully brilliant boy that was always around. The guy I overlooked because I was never looking in the right place." He had begun to smile, but it began to disappear. "And I fucking bullied you guys because I was some hotshot."

"It's quite alright, Kevin." I couldn't help but reply.

"No, it's not." He gave me a sad expression. "That's not what I came here to say, but I'm sorry." He took a deep breath. "I really care about you, Double D. I don't know how much, but I know it kills me whenever you hang around Nathan, or Marie." He looked like he was struggling with his next words, or that he didn't know what to say at all.

"Do you care about me, like you originally thought you cared about Nazz?" I looked up at him, wide eyed. I hated putting him on the spot, but right now, I didn't care. I needed to know.

"I wasn't sure with Nazz, I wanted to be, but I wasn't. I'm sure about this." He looked beyond hopeful. He reached out for my hand, lightly touching the skin.

"I can't choose between you and Eddy. My friends come first Kevin. If you can't get along with Eddy why should I try giving this a shot?" My words burned my tongue, but they needed to be said. I almost couldn't breathe.

"Because I would honestly do anything to be with you." He didn't pause in his response, though he seemed hesitant for my own.

"I care about you, as well." His eyes didn't leave mine. He looked like a young boy who saw his parents for the first time in years. He looked, how I had felt and that was amazing. "But as long as that is happening, I'm not sure we can be together." He didn't seem upset.

He let go of my hand, taking a few steps back. "But you like me so I have a shot. Just wait for me to fix this, please?"

I smirked, tilting my head. "I've waited for a long time, Kevin. I can wait a while more."

Kevin seemed to be surprised at my words. He took a step towards me, cupped my cheeks and kissed me. I was still slightly dazed when he smiled. "Just wait for me." He kissed my nose, before leaving me alone to my thoughts.