It's like hitting the jackpot in Vegas, 
It's like winning an award and being famous. 
It's like my whole life is like a holiday! 
And just in case if you ever wonder, 
When you catch me staring, 
I can't help it, I just can't believe you're mine 
When you see me smiling, 
I can't hide it, want to take you out all the time 
I just want to show you off

~Stevie Hoang

Kevin

I was really looking forward to school Monday morning, for once. It was the first day back at school after Double D and I had officially become a couple. Everyone would know we were together; that was a very proud and terrifying thing. How would people react? What would people say? But, then again, who fucking cares? I thought as I got ready for school. I threw my bag over my shoulder and raced down the stairs. "Bye Mom, bye Dad!" I shouted as I ran through the kitchen and out the door that led to the garage. I barely heard their reply before I was opening the garage door and climbing on my bike. I backed out slowly, catching Double D out of the corner of my eye. "Hey! Wanna ride?" I shouted. He looked at me, his gaze traveling over my bike with a look of fear and disdain. "I'd much rather walk, thank you Kevin," he shouted back. I held up one finger and he cocked his head to the side, staring at me in confusion. I whipped the bike around in the middle of the street and pulled back into the driveway. Within minutes I was running out of the garage to catch up to him.

"What are you doing? I thought you always drive your motorcycle to school," he said. "It won't kill me to walk," I shrugged. "Well, I enjoy your presence," he grinned. "Ed is going to be absent today due to a doctor's appointment, and Eddy's taking a 'mental health day' from school." He shook his head in disappointment, but his smile was still there. "You really care about those dor- your friends, don't you?" He clutched the strap of his messenger bag and let out a heavy sigh. "They are my closest companions, more family than friends. I do love them deeply...even when they act like 'dorks'," he mused. "What about your friends?" he asked. "I'm sure you have a great amount of love for them as well." I nodded, scratching at the back of my head nervously. "They're great, really and truly. I can tell them anything, and we have great times together. And they always have my back. I mean always, no matter what. I love 'em to death," I confessed. He stared ahead and nodded slightly, making a thoughtful hum. I wanted so badly to take his hand in mine, but I was afraid. Of what, I had no clue. Should I just take his hand, or do I ask? I worried. As if reading my mind, he reached up and gently pulled my hand from behind my head, tangling our fingers together with a timid pout. "I hope this is okay," he mumbled. "Only if this is," I whispered, leaning in to kiss him. The minute our lips touched, I heard a car horn blare. Startled, I jumped and nearly tripped over my own two feet. "Speak of the devil," Double D giggled.

"Hey, Lovebirds!" Nazz shouted. "Need a lift?" Nat hollered. I turned around to see her hanging out of the passenger window of his car and him leaning against the steering wheel to see around her. "Good morning, Nazz," Double D grinned as he waved at her. "Good morning, Double D. You guys gonna sit there on the sidewalk or are you gonna accept the offer?" she asked. "I appreciate it, but I'm content to walk," he answered as he continued on his way. I reached out and grabbed his arm, tugging him gently toward the car. "C'mon Double D, you can get to know my friends a little bit," I suggested. He bit his lip, nervously glancing between me and the car before he smiled. "Of course. That sounds like a wonderful idea,"he cheered. The minute we got in the back seat and closed the door, Nat shot off like a bullet. Double D's expression was priceless. "Scared?" I teased, nuzzling his cheek. "It seems I can't trust you or your friends to be in control of a vehicle," he grumbled. "Relax, I'm a safe driver. I just like to go fast," Nat chuckled. The ride to school never felt so long. Double D had my arm in a death grip the entire time, and Nat decided it was the perfect time to ask him any and every detail about his life. "Nathan, I can't really recall how old I was when I first met Kevin. Maybe ten or eleven. I-I think that's enough questions," he murmured as Nat parked the car. Double D got out hastily, slinging his bag over his shoulder and walking away. I shot a glare at Nat from the back seat, who just looked over his shoulder at me with an apologetic grin. "You scared him off!" Nazz scolded, smacking his arm before she got out and ran to catch up with him. "You made him really uncomfortable, dude. He hardly knows you and you crossed personal boundaries. Fix it," I demanded, leaving him to sit in his car as I chased after my boyfriend. I caught up easily, slowing my pace to match his as I took his hand. "Kevin, what are you doing? Public displays of affection are not allowed on school property, this is highly inappropriate!" he hissed as we approached the doors to the school. "There are probably kids right now in the halls shoving their tongues down each other's throats. Fuck the PDA rules," I scoffed, squeezing his hand reassuringly. He smiled weakly, his free hand fidgeting with the strap of his bag. We entered the school, and it was like one of those scenes in a cheesy teen movie; everything went silent and everyone was staring as we walked down the hall together. The quiet was suddenly filled with the buzz of hushed whispers.

Edd

Doctor's appointment? Mental health day? Those two think they're SO slick, I thought as I approached them in the hall."So, you and Shovel Chin are the talk of the school, and it's only been a day," Eddy chuckled, roughly throwing his arm around my shoulder. I initially flinched at the contact before letting out a nervous chuckle. "Surely not everyone knows," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Oh yes, Double D, everyone. Even the teachers," Ed chimed in. I could feel my face growing warm, my thoughts racing as we neared the doors to the cafeteria. Everyone knows? Oh dear, what will people say? What will they do? I fretted. This was it: the moment of truth. The entire populace of Peach Creek High School had all morning to process this new information, and now they would react. Will Kevin stand by me, or will he jump ship at the first sign of turbulence? I entered the lunch room, greeted with several stares. Eddy walked ahead of me and Ed behind, creating at least a small barrier between me and the other students. We went through the line; Ed and Eddy chose the burgers and fries while I chose one of the plastic containers of salad. "Double D, over here!" Kevin shouted, waving his arm and gesturing for me to come over. Although football players and cheerleaders crowded the tables, three seats between Kevin and Nazz were empty. How sweet, he even saved seats for my friends, I silently mused. I caught the dirty looks and snickers from a few of his teammates. Reluctantly, I pursed my lips and shook my head, making my way to my regular table. My friends from the swim team were sitting at a large round table beside ours, and Tyler leaned over, his bright blond hair tossed about the top of his head in its typical sloppy bun. "Hey D, are the rumors true?" he asked in a hushed whisper. "About Kevin and me being a couple? Well, y-"

I was cut off when someone yelled, "Fuckin' faggot!" I turned toward the sound, only to see one of Kevin's teammates doubled over with laughter and pointing at Kevin as he repeated the hateful slur. Kevin jumped up, slinging his lunch tray in the guy's face. People were staring, at him and at me. I assumed they had put two and two together. Kevin glared at the football player who was now covered with food before turning to face everyone. "Double D is my boyfriend. Anyone who's got a problem with it has to deal with me!" he announced. "And me," Nathan added, standing up and clapping his best friend on the shoulder. "Ditto!" Nazz chimed, standing proudly beside them. Before I knew it, the trio was leading a group of jocks over to our table. They sat around us, the seat to my right filled by my favorite redhead. Eddy and I exchanged a look as the table quickly filled with chatter. Kevin slipped his arm around my waist, causing me to gasp at the sudden contact. My cheeks were aflame. Kevin took notice and grinned, placing a chaste kiss on my cheek. My face was scarlet by now, I was sure of it. "You guys just look so cute together," a brunette cheerleader gushed-- Amanda, I think her name was. "Honestly Double Delish, you guys are just...adorkable!" Nathan said. Everyone laughed and murmured their agreement. For once, I wasn't the butt of someone's joke; I wasn't a pinpoint for ridicule or harassment. I was just one of them. My teammates filled the empty seats at their table with some of Kevin's clique. Maybe it would last, maybe not, but everyone was getting along. It was a joy I would revel in for as long as it lasted. I was brought away from my thoughts by Kevin's cheek brushing against mine as he whispered, "I'm so glad you're mine."