Beakers and Beanies

Chapter 12

Kevin had a hard time expressing his feelings. He could however admit, to himself, that he was afraid of messing up the life he found comfortable and on the perfect difficulty level. He lost the homecoming game and is borderline failing chemistry but at least his friends are by his side and Edd is acknowledging him and well... maybe doing a little more than that. But now he just left the dance with Jay. A guy. That is gay. With his arm. Around Edd. Who is also gay. Kevin may be failing chemistry but he knows that's an equation for a possible reaction or something.

He stands up from the table of friends he was sitting at.
"Hey.. Kev? You good bro?" A teammate asks.
"Yeah, yeah. Hey I just remembered I think I left something in the bike's seat. I'll be right back."
Nazz furrows her eyebrows. "What did you leave?"
Kevin finds himself rolling his eyes. "SomeTHING Nazz." He answers sternly, causing her to bring her eyebrows closer.
"Ok. Go then."
Everyone at the table mutters, "ooOooOoo" And she stands up. "I'm going to the bathroom." As she walks away a teammate speaks up.
"Bro you better go get her or she's not gunna give you shit tonight." The table laughs as a couple girls shake their heads.
Kevin's chest aches at the disgusting comment combined with the people slipping out of his grasp.
"You're right."
He finally walks out of the gym.

...

"So... are you okay Edd?"

They're sitting on a bench near the parking lot, away from people but close enough to hear anyone coming over. Edd looks up from his folded hands on his lap.
"Yes, Jay. Thank you."
A silence follows and just as Jay is opening his lips to speak Edd beats him to it.
"So, Jay, how long have you been in Peach Creek?"
Jay squints for a memory.
"Uh, well I moved here the later half of the second year of high school. My mom used to be best friends with Kevin's mom and so, after my parents split, she helped us get back on our feet. She's really nice, I kinda owe Kevin's family a lot."
Edd nods, smiling just a little. "Are you... close with Kevin?"
Jay looks to meet his eyes but Edd keeps them down. "We used to be I guess. We would visit when I was younger but not enough to, like, be best friends or anything. But we have had some hefty convos."
Edd nods. "Did he, perhaps, ever speak about his sexual orientation?"

'Ah... well that comment was a mistake.' Edd thinks instantly.

Jay raises his eyebrows a little.
"Hey... Edd... are you, uh, interested in Kevin?"
Jay asks.

Edd instantly freezes.
"P-Pardon me, Jay. I, I'm just being nosy, really." His cheeks get pinker by the second and Jay finally ducks his head in search for Edds eyes.
"It's okay Edd. I'm like super fucking gay so no judgement."
Edd instantly looks up only to bump Jay's chin with his head.
They both pull back but Jay interrupts Edd's apologies with his laughter.

"It's okay Edd." He sighs, recovering from his laughing fit.
Edd nods and silence takes over again.
He gains a rush of confidence from Jay's comfort and speaks up,
"I also... I also... am homosexual."
Jay cracks a smile at the way he phrased it.
"Nice... nice. Well... feel free to ask your friendly neighborhood gay if you have any questions."
Edd chuckles and smiles a warm tooth gapped smile.

"Thank you Jay."

Jay couldn't help his heart from skipping a beat.

Fuck.

Jay scoots a little closer and nudges Edds shoulder.
"But if Kevin doesn't feel the same I'll be-"

"Jay?"

They both suddenly look up to see an out of breath Kevin.
Edd scoots away from Jay and Kevin can't say he appreciates the sudden red in his cheeks as he doesn't know why the tint is there.

"Yeah Kev?" He answers, disappointment hanging onto his tone.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Kevin says though he barely acknowledges Edd.

"Why of course." He stands and follows Kevin around the corner.

...

"What's up Kevin?"

"What's wrong with Edd? Why are you with him?" Kevin asks.
"Well one of your asshole teammates was literally harassing him in there so we stepped out for a break."
"Oh..." Kevin says, shoving his hands in his jacket.
Jay scoffs.
"What?" Kevin asks, defensively.
"I just... I don't get it."
Kevin's green eyes flash at his tone. "The fuck is that supposed to mean?"
Jay shakes his head.
"Don't start with me. You can pretend you're the big shit with everyone else but we both know you need to do better." Kevin's teeth clench and Jay continues, "Tell Edd I'll see him later." He pushes past Kevin and towards his parked car.

The red head is left feeling a bit more defeated as he pushes himself off the wall and back around the corner to meet a stiff Edd.

"Hey..." He starts.
"Hello Kevin." Edd answers with a warm, shy smile.

Fuck.