Chapter Text
It was that time of year again, the time to let your imagination loose and enjoy a few moons of fright, delight and fun, the time to spend ages preparing an astonishing look for an alter ego, to decorate each and every inch of your house in fake spiderwebs, ghostly figures and whatever one might fancy, and let’s not forget, cooking for hours all sorts of festive delights. Yes, autumn has reached Peach Creek and Halloween is just around the corner, or better said, 2 weeks away, which puts every person in town into a happy yet hyper mood, especially the inhabitants of The Cul-de-Sac .
The bell rang and the halls quickly filled with young students and chatter, the sound of hurried footsteps echoing through the corridors. Kevin was the last one to exit the classroom, a cloud of gloominess surrounding him as he lazily dragged his feet on the floor. He headed towards his locker and stopped once he had reached it, his eyes shifting slightly towards the piece of paper in his hands. Kevin brought the paper to his face, slightly cringing as he read it again.
''-Ugh! I got a B- for the project?! After all the hours I’ve spend going over the notes again and again and all the research I did to write that 15-page-long essay?! *sigh* hate Chemistry…I wish they would’ve given me a Physics or Mechanics project instead *he mumbled as he put his books inside the locker and got the one for the last class*''
Just then, a hand moved rapidly past Kevin’s head, closing his locker and trapping him in place. Kevin spun around on his heel because of the initial surprise and saw a familiar sight, a tall, athletic boy wearing a black ski hat with two white stripes on each side, the casual smirk on his face revealing the gap between his front teeth, the boy, but of course, was no other than Eddward and he, as always, was followed by his ’’minions’’ Johnny and Jimmy. Eddward’s grin widened as he begun to speak.
’’-Hello, cirouille… *grinned the taller boy* Well, perhaps if you had studied the fundamentals of chemistry first, the composition, structure, properties and change matter, or at least the definition of the atom, you wouldn’t have made such trivial errors. ’’
’’-W-what?! Well excuse me since Chemistry is not my strength! Plus, it is very hard to understand! *said Kevin as he averted his eyes from the taller teen*’’
’’-Oh, citrouielle, perhaps for a decadent and simple-minded individual. *chuckled Eddward*’’
’’-W-what?!? Nobody could understand all of that information in such a short period! I-It’s not my fault, you know! *growled Kevin slightly embarrassed*’’
’’-Yes, of course, but I find it endearing that you managed to write the first sentence completely wrong, and furthermore, writing each chemical’s name wrong, it’s a miracle that you managed to recieve a B- for that aberation. *grinned the swimmer*’’
Kevin’s face turned bright red, his freckles standing out more than ever and his reddish hair wasn’t a big help in the current situation since it really made him resemble a pumpkin. Kevin moved his eyes to the taller teen, preparing deliver a comeback, if only he had found one…
’’-Hahaha, look at him! He’s completely orange! Like a pumpkin! Or a tomato! Isn’t that right, Plank? AHAHAHA! *laughed Johnny*’’
’’-Hn! As if his fashion taste wasn’t enough! Even his intelligence is lacking! *said Jimmy with a disgusted tone yet a teasing grin*’’
Kevin felt more embarrased, he wished to sink into the ground or run for the hills and live in the forest for the rest of his life. Why did he have to see Edd now?! Why did Edd make a habit of ridiculizing him?!
The bell rang and the swimmer closed in on the smaller geek, his face inches away from Kevin’s, his hot breaths brushing against Kevin’s ear and neck making Kevin shiver ever so slightly, just then, Eddward made a few steps back, his superior grin still on his face which made Kevin even more embarrassed, flustered and angrier.
’’-Well, ou revoir, pumpkin! See you soon, you don’t want to be late for your classes, do you? It would be bad for your already mediocre grades. *winked Eddward as he gave Kevin a wicked grin*’’
Kevin squeezed his books and when the trio wasn’t in sight anymore he made a run for It, he was already fed up with Eddward’s constant teasing, sure,he never hurt him physically since he disliked violence, but Eddward was a master when it came to public humiliation and smart teasing through verbal attacks, he was even better at mind manipulation.
Kevin reached the classroom and he still had some minutes before the class started so he made his way to his desk and slumped in his chair. It was Friday, finally week-end, after all the work he spent on that project in the past 2 weeks he was gratefull to have some time to relax. Kevin took a deep breath and allowed himself to calm down after that unfortunate encounter in the hallway, remembering each time Eddward decided tos stir up Kevin, how he always ended up pinned agains a wall or a locker, how Edd’s crystal-clear blue eyes pierced holes through him and made his breath hitch…but why? Why did he always lose these verbal fights with Eddward? Why was he always so embarrassed and nervous when Eddward pinned him against walls and began talking with that signature smirk of his? Why was Eddward always picking on him?
Kevin suddenly woke up from his daydream state as he felt a hand on his shoulder, he twitched as he was caught off guard and turned to see Nazz standing next to him.
’’-Hey, dude, are you okay? You look a little…lost? Did something happen? ’’
Nazz was like a sister to Kevin, they were best friends ever since they were small and they always supported eachother, gave advice in dire situations, laughed together, went through bad times and good times, so he felt like he could trust Nazz with anything just as she did too. When she came aut of her closed for the first time, of course that did not change anything and Kevin felt closer to Nazz , like twins who share everything with eachother.
’’-Hey, Nazz. No…it’s just that I am a bit pissed with the results from the project, plus I am tired since I worked on it for the past 2 weeks. *he took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes before putting them back on*’’
He couldn’t tell Nazz that he had to deal with Eddward again, she wouldn’t be able to do anything now and it would just make her worried and angry for the rest of the class. The encounters with the swimmer’s captain became a routine since they started high school over 1 year ago, so Kevin was kind of used to it, it did make him angry and ashamed and nervous but he expected it all.
’’-Are you sure, Kevin? You look quite beat, are you really okay? *said Nazz as she studied Kevin’s reaction*’’
’’- Yeah, I am good, just tired, a bit hungry, but tired. *joked Kevin trying to forget the encounter in the hall*’’
’’-Dude, you look like one of those broken robots you try to repair, all lifeless and sparkless *said Nathan from the desk next to Kevin’s*’’
’’-Nat boy is right, Kevin! You must eat more meat! You look like Nana’s sheep after it got lost in the woods for 1 month. *added Rolf from his desk*’’
’’-Guys, I am fine, really, I just need a good sleep and I will be as good as new. *sighed Kevin as he stretched his arms*’’
’’-Ok Kevin, if you say so. At any rate, can you guys believe that there are just 2 weeks before the big night? We should all decorate our houses and make some food and - OH – I know! We should team up and make the greatest hounted house! The principal said that they will turn the school into a huge hounted house! We should join and help out! ’’
’’-Well, yeah, Nazz, but we would need lots of help to decorate the whole building and such…plus that we’ll have to work a lot to finish it before the deadline… *said Nathan on a lazy tone*’’
’’-Nazz girl is right, Nat boy! We shall use the power of the herd to bring out the fright that makes Wilfred’s fleas jump off his tookus, yes? *agreed Rolf cheerfully*’’
’’-Wait…what? What night? Wha haunted house? *asked Kevin confused*’’
’’-Kev, it’ll be Halloween in 2 weeks! Surely you haven’t forgot, did you? *asked Nazz with a raised eyebrow*’’
’’-WHAT?! I completely forgot! Halloween, in just 2 weeks! Finally some good news! Aaah, after all this work at school there’s something fun to do! *yelled Kevin as he rose from his seat in an act of joy and excitement*’’
’’-No wonder you are so out of your element, to think you’d forget your favourite holiday! *giggled Nazz* Well, the principal has already started the preparations, we can help however we can, we can come up with new ideas too! ’’
’’-Well, it might actually be fun, it won’t hurt if we join in, we have to prepare our own houses anyway so why not help up with the haunted house too. *laughed Nathan*’’
’’-Yes! And Rolf can take care of the food, no other makes food as good as the son of a shepard! *said Rolf as he held Wilfred on his desk*’’
’’-Haha, sure dude, but I will help too and bring some food as well. We will meet tomorrow at my house and make some plans about our own houses and our costumes and Monday we can come and help up at school. *laughed Nazz as she headed for her own desk*’’
They all agreed to it and the bell rang, the students all hurried for their desks and the teacher soon followed. Kevin was still hyped after the talk. The last class was History, and the teacher was quite cool, she always made the lessons fun. The teacher brought the portable TV stand and put a documentary about Halloween and its roots. Kevin managed to pay atention to the documentary, his thoughts being all over the place so he lost focus every now and then.
’’-I can’t believe I forgot about Halloween! Forget about that stupid project and about Edd’s constant teasing! This is your favourite holiday! Enjoy it! I need to catch up with the preparations and to make a costume! *Kevin thought, still smiling from ear to ear*’’
The last class was over and everyone hurried aut of the classroom, towards the exit. Kevin said goodbye to Nazz, Nathan and Rolf and headed towards his locker to get his stuff and go home. He still hasn’t decided if he wants to rest or to prepare for Halloween, but either way, he was in a great mood. He opened his locker and got his bag which had quite a few Halloween-themed badges on it and stared at the big Halloween poster he had in his locker, hard to believe he hadn’t noticed it for 2 weeks. Just as he was ready to leave he heard footstept behind him, he anticipated what was going to happen and tried to leave before the person got close but unfortunately he was not fast enough.
’’-Well, hello, pumpkin. Where are you going in such a hurry? Don’t you know that only a barbarian leaves without saying anything ? *said the blue-eyed teen*’’
Kevin tried to speed up and ended up tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his belly, the sound echoing through the empty halls. Great, just what he needed, to act like buffoon in front of Eddward, lucky him. Eddward chuckled ever so slightly as kevin stuggled to get up and to keep a straight face, to hide his embarrassement.
’’-Pumpkin, you have quite a unique natural grace, indeed. I must say it is utterly amusing to observe these hopeless attempts to keep your head up and hide every emotion even if they are written all over your expression. *grinned Eddward as his gaze rested upon Kevin’s bag and the bages on it* Looks like my pumpkin is already enjoying the holiday spirit, quite a marvelous holiday, yet it is ironic how you, pumpkin, love the holiday whose main attraction are pumpkins. *smiled the swimmer*’’
’’-Ugh! Well, it’s a great holiday! Now, excuse me, I need to leave! *Kevin got irritated and started walking but Eddward pinned him against the lockers, his blue eyes piercing holes through Kevin’s*’’
’’-Pumpkin, don’t you know a minnow can’t escape a shark? *he grinned wickedly* I can’t wait to see your costume… *Edd’s face got closer to Kevin’s ear* And I can’t wait to show you mine at the haunted night at school. *purred Eddward into Kevin’s ear, making him shiver, their chests barely touching*’’
’’-W-what?! W-well, why would I…I mean…well there will be lots of costumes and I haven’t planned to wear one yet… *Kevin mumbled slightly panicked as he tried to sink deeper into the lockers, to pus some space between him and Eddward*’’
’’-Oh? But you will pumpkin, I know how much you love Halloween… *Eddward put his knee between Kevin’s thighs, earning a panicked yelp from the smaller boy as he dropped his bag on the floor* And just so you know, I also have a fascination for Halloween. *grinned the swimmer as he backed away, leaving Kevin into a flustered and confused mess* Until the next time, au revoir, citrouille! *Eddward smirked as he left*’’
Kevin stood there a few moments to process what had happened, then he grabbed his bag and dashed outside to his motorbike, he quickly put his helmet on, started the engine and began head home.
’’-W-what happened?!? Why did Eddward do that? Ugh…but… somehow it felt quite strange…NO! I need to clear my mind! Halloween! Yes, think about Halloween! *sigh* What a twisted way to end the week… ’’
The rest of the road was silent, no cars or people in sight, just the golden leaves gently fluttering in the wind and the weak rays of sun trying to make their way down to earth, warming it up ever so slightly. Kevin arrived home, and he decided that he needs some rest after that day, he wanted to escape his thoughs by sleeping, forget it all, and focus on tomorrow, when he would meet up with his friends and plan their Halloween.