Beakers and Beanies

Chapter 7

Luckily, our dear Edd was able to eventually fall asleep that night. He had a dream though, more of a memory perhaps, of the time he had gone to the city.

It was for a science competition and his team and him stayed in an inn across from a tall building. He didn't know if the building was part of a hospital or a sort of home for elders but there were, what felt like, hundreds of different rooms. He stayed for two nights and before he went to sleep he'd stare across the street at the rooms.

They all had different colored lighting ranging from blue to light blue to white to a dimming yellow- most rooms however were dark. Not a single blind was open but that didn't stop the light from shining through the curtains. Both nights there was a room that had a green glow coming from it.

At first, he found it hideous and harsh- who on earth would request that color? But by the second night he thought it looked nice in contrast to the other flickering rooms. It wasn't as harsh as he had thought it was at first. It was warmer. He eventually also noted that there was a small garden and walking space reserved for the tenants of the building and there were lamps that lit the area at night. It was the first time he took a picture of something willingly-- that was just for his own keepsake.

This trip made him realize he might have other hobbies apart from science and labeling objects. This also, apparently, now applied to people as well.

Oh! It's also important to note that our dear, punctual, Edd had a meeting at 10 a.m. the next day.

He had expected to get up bright and early at 8 a.m. The meeting was to discuss the lighting for homecoming and who would manage the control pannel-- things like that. Well, Edd woke up with a start and looked to this right. The clock read "12:00 p.m." Late he might be but this boy had an internal clock of some sort to have known to wake up right at the hour. In his rush to get out he trips over his open messenger bag and its contents fall out.

"Messy, messy, messy," he mutters as he rushes to pick them up and change into a pair of black pants and a dark green knit sweater. He grabs his messenger bag and runs out the door and, after realizing his body won't let him run more than 10 meters, briskly walks the rest of the way to school. He arrives at the meeting but is met by people exiting the room.

The teacher looks at Edd, surprised by how out of breath and, well, not put-together as he usually is. He calls him over and passes him a schedule, "Here ya go Edd. You being late is rare so no worries, everything you need to know will be here. You'll be on the camera crew for the first hour but also please do help us set up in a couple hours. Thank you."

.

Edd throws water onto his face in the restroom, still a bit red in the face from the rush to school. He takes some deep breaths and looks in the mirror. This is his first calm moment since he woke up. He looks down at his green sweater and remembers his dream.

He also comes to the sudden realization that, not only is there a school dance tonight, but a certain Kevin will be attending.He begins to remember Kevin's firm grip on his sides and gets hot to the tip of his ears. There was a whole kiss too! He pulls his beanie down to cover them, "Y-you idiot!" he exclaims to himself.

Edd was never one to feel so self conscious about himself and what he wore  but he finds himself suddenly a bit nervous for the dance. He wonders if Kevin had even enjoyed the uh, saliva exchange, as much as he did. He thought of the kiss as him getting even but there had to be more-- he needed to be present and see if Kevin felt the same way about him.

He wanted to make sure he wasn't the only one feeling this way... but what if he was?

.

As for Kevin, the poor boy was left restless and unable to sleep no more than a couple hours. He had to, as one would say, fap one out in the locker room's bathroom before he left because of the vertical tent that his pants had pitched.

He had also remembered the dance after washing his face and looking at the dark circles under his eyes. He had to go, he couldn't miss it- and he had to go with Nazz.

Shit, he has to tell Nazz what happened! But who would his dear double dork tell about the kiss?

Nonetheless, one question was still left on both of their minds: "When can I see him again?"

.

"So what you're sayin is you got to go?" Eddy inquires with a eye roll.

"Yes Eddy, apologies but we've spoken about this." Edd replies sternly as he takes another sip from his tea and holds his gaze on the counter top of his kitchen.

"Man, this blows. We were gunna go to the movies then head over to the afterparty- don't leave me with chickenbrain again!" Eddy motions to Ed, who's sitting on the floor of the living room staring at a commercial about a straightening hair brush.

"Eddy, you think that will work on my hair?!" Ed calls from 5 feet away.

"No, but maybe it'll work on your unibrow," Eddy sends himself into a cackle with his comment and leaves Edd still silently sitting across from him.

"Hey, sockhead. What the hell? You home?" Eddy leans in while Ed jumps up and rushes over to add, "Double D, knock knock anybody there?"

He pushes his face between the mug and Edd's face, causing the raven head to pull back- "A-Ah, I apologize. I simply didn't get the correct number of sleep I needed. I'll be fine after this cup... Also I'll see you both after the event."

He smiles his friendly close-mouthed smile and the two look at each other.

Eddy starts, "Okay ya weirdo... We're erm gunna go get some burgers then. Have fun setting up, jus let me know when you want some shit alright?" Edd nods, understanding the curse word meant food.

"Yes Eddy, thank you."

He leads them out the front door and waves as they get into Eddy's car and drive away. He stands outside for a second after they leave. Living at the exit of the cul-de-sac, it was pretty easy to see the rest of the homes in the area. One, with now even more of a presence, was Kevin's home. It was in front and to the left of his view-- right beside Eddy's home.

Just as he was thinking about closing the door, he saw Kevin's open.

He jumps and locks the door, "Oh my!" The door slams behind him and he peeks through the curtains of the living room window to see Kevin looking at his home. Eyes meet as the redhead puts on his red cap and they both freeze. Edd tears his eyes off those of Kevins and looks down, face and ears flushed. Kevin, now suddenly able to show expressions, tries to hide a smile as he also looks down trying to hide a warmth he isn't used to.

Edd closes the curtains and paces the living room.

"Oh my, should I say good afternoon? Do I ask about the weather? Oh this is ridiculous what if he doesn't-"

His muttering is halted by four light and uneven knocks on the door.