A/N: Hi, I'm glad you decided to take some time and read my first South Park fic! If by the time you finish this you enjoyed it, feel free to like, favorite, follow, or review if you feel so inclined. I hope you like it and seeing as this will be a multi-chapter see you in the next chapter, ciao!

© South Park belongs to the great Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Vain

Chapter 1: Letting go

Kenny's P.O.V.

I don't know what I was expecting after the whole 'Kick Starter' scheme blew up in our faces and we ended up having to go back school, but all I can say is...well, shit. As soon as my friends Kyle, Stan, Cartman (I honestly don't consider the fatass my friend. I never quite figured out why we continue to hang out with him either) and I stepped into the hallways of our school South Park Elementary, we were met with accusing eyes. We knew we'd fucked up believe me, all that money made and we didn't get squat; all because some dumb football manager didn't like us screwing with his precious football team name. Man, screw the Washington Red Skins! Even so, we tried so hard to play it off like nothing, but it seemed that for once in their lives people surprisingly decided they just didn't want to let this particular incident go.

"What are you guys doing here?" I heard a nasally and monotone ask. The voice belonged to the one and only Craig Trucker. He and his friends, Token, and Jimmy came up to us Token looked pissed, while Jimmy and Craig (Big shocker... for Craig anyway) looked indifferent. "What'd ya mean, we're just going to school," Cartman replied trying play off this new-found awkwardness.

"I thought you guys said didn't need school," Jimmy said. "Yeah, I thought you guys said you had a startup company and school was for douche bags!" Token chimed in clearly pissed. We were stumped, how in hell were we going to get out of this? We all gave each other questioning looks. We knew one of us would have to go out on a limb and try to save our asses. And better to do that than the No.1 delegated peace keeper himself: Kyle.

"Oh, well... pfff, yeah, the startup company thing didn't really work out," Kyle stated hoping to ease the flames of unrelenting hate. "Yeah, but you told us to all go fuck ourselves," Craig replied. I mentally sighed, why the hell did everyone suddenly care? Damn!

"No, no, guys, guys! What we said was—" Cartman said, trying to get in his two cents, but nope. "You told us your company was going to make ten million dollars and the rest of us could go fuck ourselves." Craig stated (once again) I was mentally grinding my teeth. 'Fucking let it go Craig, geez!'

"W-we were trying to be funny!" Kyle said, giving an apologetic laugh. "Yeah, well no one's laughing Kyle," Jimmy replied. 'That non-funny douche bag!' I unknowingly was curling and uncurling my fists. Apparently, our interrogation was over, because everyone gave in and walked away. I for one breathe a sigh as everyone left, I just wanted to get this day done and over with. I looked over at Kyle and saw the clear look of shame and disappointment.

In a way I couldn't help but feel bad for him. He wasn't like me; unaffected by the way people viewed him. He wanted to be seen in a positive light, so this was definitely one on his self-esteem. I walked over to my green hat ushanka wearing friend and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked at me with a sad expression. "Don't worry Kyle, I'm sure this'll all blow over soon." my voice always muffled through my parka.

"I hope so Ken, I can't take all this back lash from one stupid dumbass mistake."

"It's weird. Out of all the dumbass stunts we've pulled, we haven't had this much hate directed at us before. Not even when we did the whole Peruvian flute band thing with Craig."

"We did kinda screw him out of his birthday money his aunt gave him, so I can't really blame him," Kyle stated. "Oh, c'mon Kyle what's better being part of an ancient Mayan prophecy and being able to shoot lasers out of your eyes and killing a Guinea pig pirate Or a hundred bucks?"

"Uh..." Kyle started.

"Ancient Prophecy, duh!"

This earned a laugh from Kyle. "There's the cheery Kyle I know, cheer up dude." Even though you couldn't see it, I was giving Kyle a small smile through my Parka. "T-thanks, dude, I'll try. Well, I'm gonna go get my books and head to class, I'll see ya there." I nodded. "Yeah, see ya, " I said and watched Kyle walk over to his locker, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway alone. Fatass Cartman was nowhere to be seen (not that I cared). I eventually followed Kyle's lead and headed to my own locker to get my books and head to class. As I was unlocking my locker, I just happened to overhear hear Stan and his ex-girlfriend? (I think... I don't know... they go back and forth so much it's damn ridiculous) talking and Stan trying to reconcile with her (again)

"Hey, Wendy!" his voice sounded passive, as if he were trying to play it cool. 'I can't wait to hear how this plays out.' "You're back?" her voice seemed unhindered by this revelation, like she automatically knew the outcome. "Yeah, the starter company thing didn't really work out." Stan seemed to state quite blatantly. 'Stan ma 'boy you're already screwing this up.' "Oh wow, I'm shocked." I could help but chuckle as Wendy's voice was filled with so much sarcasm. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. "So, hey I was wondering if you still wanted to go see that stupid Maze Runner mov—" "You broke up with me Stan!" I inwardly flinched, the anger in her voice clear and pronounced.

Once again, one of my best friends just wasn't getting their way today. "You said you had to be free to chase your dreams." "I thought my life was going in a different direction... I-I just felt that I... I had to give it everything I had, ya know? I had to focus on one thing." "Is that why you told Clyde you broke up with me? Because you'd be 'dripping in bitches?' At that moment I could help but face palm. 'God, Stan you're an idiot!'

"God, why does everyone suddenly remember what everybody says?" I then heard the sound of a locker slamming, which I can only assume was Wendy's. "I'm happy Stan. I'm happy I know who you really are now! You're someone who can't be counted on, you're someone who can just bale on the people you love." And then the hallway was quiet. Damn, this day started off like shit and just seemed to get worse and worse; at least in my friends cases.

I heard was sounded like a lackluster sigh, which I knew could only belong to Stan and watched as he dragged himself slowly to class. I would've comforted him like I did Kyle, but I had a feeling he rather be in the company of his own thoughts.

After I knew Stan had entered the classroom, did I decided to head in too. I sighed, "This is going to be long day isn't. Fuck." The bell sounded just as I walked in.

Wendy's P.O.V.

I clenched my teeth in anger. Why wouldn't he stop staring? His stupid half glances were starting to grate on me. I knew he was hurt, but he was one that broke up with me not the other way around. It's funny, if this younger me this whole break-up drama I probably would be crying, and Bebe or Red would have to comfort, but now... I was done. I, Wendy Testaburger no longer wanted anything to Stan Marsh. The ironic thing about that, however, was Stan currently make his way over to my table. Bebe, gave me a knowing look. "You want me to get rid of him Wendy?" I shook my head. I knew that with my mental vow in place, I couldn't back down, I needed to enforce it. "No, I've got it Bebe. Thanks though." I gave her a smile and she smiled back.

Stan eventually made his way over and was giving me a slight smile. I for one wasn't in the mood. "Not, be rude Stan, but what do want?" I watched as Stan began to haphazardly squeeze his fists. "W-Wendy, can I—talk you...alone? Please?" he looked at me with sad eyes. "Stan..." I sighed, "Alright. I'll be back Bebe." She nodded. I hopped down from the lunch table and Stan and I walked over to a corner of the lunchroom for privacy.

Both our group friends gave us somewhat confused, yet understanding glances before looking away and going back to whatever they were previously doing. We were once again face to face. My arms were currently crossed and I was silently tapping my foot in silence. A minute ended up going by and we were just staring at one another. "Stan, look, I—" before I could lay down to Stan how I felt, chapped, yet warm lips crashed themselves on mine.

I quickly pushed him off. "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU, STAN MARSH! WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT?!" I exclaimed, alerting everyone in the cafeteria to our current predicament. I was infuriated. This was truly a new low for Stan. I gave him a hard slap across the face. I watched as Stan grabbed his cheek, he looked as if he were on the verge of tears. "W-Wendy, look I know—I know I fucked up, but...I-I need—"

In that moment all I could do was give a snide laugh. "O-Oh, so now you want me back?" My amber irises staring cold and hard into Stan's dark brown ones. "You left me Stan, not the other way around!" "P-Please Wendy!" he tried grabbing my hand, but I pulled away. "Y-you just don't—I tried to be nice about this Stan, but you know I don't really care at this point anymore. Stan read my lips, "WE ARE THROUGH! No more back and forth between us! I-I can't do it anymore, alright. You had your chance!" And with that I walked away back to my table. I could sense all eyes on me, but I refused to acknowledge them. As I sat down at the table, I lazily picked up my fork and began to play with my salad. The tomato I was rolling back and forth was hell of a lot more interesting than anything I had to deal with today.

"Wendy are you alright?" I heard Red's soft and kind voice ask. I looked up from my playing with my salad. "At this point Red, I just want school to end."

The screeching sound of the bell pierced my ears causing me to jump as it echoed through the cafeteria signaling the end of lunch. 'Oh, thank god, only one more class left and I can go the hell home!' I hopped down from the table and exited the cafeteria, Bebe and Red both absorbed in the own conversation as they followed a little ways behind me.

Kenny's P.O.V.

I still couldn't believe Wendy Testaburger had actually done it—she was actually done dating Stan. "Well, shit," I mumbled as I watched Wendy walk out of the cafeteria. It was weird, I never though in a million years I'd actually have respect? Was it respect? Or was it something else entirely? Whatever it was, today I'd seen a side of Wendy today that somewhat exhilarated and mystified me at the same time. The weird part of it though, was this wasn't my first time feeling like this when it came to Wendy Testaburger. The first time I felt this when I watched as Wendy beat the ever-loving shit out of Cartman for making fun of breast cancer. (God, I absolutely loved that fight. I kinda wish I'd brought a video camera to use on Cartman for blackmail. Damn it) the way she refused to take Cartman's crap, regardless of the consequences. I was completely breath taken, not to mention she had one hell of a right hook. (I mean, I could've sworn Cartman lost three teeth that day)

"Hey, Ken you coming?" I heard Kyle call. I looked around and realized that Kyle and I were the only ones in the cafeteria. I ran up to him and gave an apologetic look. "Sorry Kyle, I spaced out there for a bit." Kyle just smiled slightly, "No prob, dude. C'mon before Mr. Garrison gives us detention or something for being late."

"Pfft, Detention's like a second home for me. Not one bit scary, just boring as hell."

"Well, that's great for you, but I for one—" "Yeah, yeah. Let's go mister 'Goody two-shoes' I said jokingly.

"Hey." Kyle tried to hit me, but I easily dodged out of the way and ran down the hall toward our classroom. I could hear Kyle running behind me. "Kenny, wait up!" I heard him call. "You're too slow!" I teased. Kyle eventually caught up, slightly out breath. "Damn you and your athleticism!" glaring daggers at me. "You know you love me," I said give Kyle a cheeky grin. Kyle just rolled his eyes and I opened up the door and we both made our way inside and took our seats.

I took a glance over at Stan every now and again. He seemed devoid of any life. (Great, I have a feeling that emo Stan might be making his return sometime soon, shit) I even bothered to glance at Wendy. From what I was able to observe on the surface she seemed unaffected by today's events, but I had a feeling inwardly she just wanted today to be over. "Kenny, are you done?" I heard Mr. Garrison ask, snapping me back to reality. "H-huh?" I asked. Thankfully do to my parka cover most of my face expect my eyes, no one could see the blush of embarrassment that was on my face right now. "Well, Kenny. Now that I have your attention, I'd like to talk about your next project assignment." Everyone in the class groaned.

"Oh, stop you big babies!" Mr. Garrison snapped. "This one will be a team effort. Think of it as a look of perspective. You will be paired up for a month with someone in class, and hanging out with them each day—including weekends..." More groans echoed through the classroom. But Mr. Garrison paid it no mind. "Learning everything you can possible can about said person and then once the month is up you're to write a report about how the time you've spent together helped you learn more about one another. See it's pretty simple. Ok, now I need to assign partners."

Before Mr. Garrison could speak, Kyle raised his hand. "Mr. Garrison can't we choose our own partners?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Mr. Garrison wasn't in the mood to argue. "Because, Kyle! Now the faster you let me get through this the fast you all get to go home."

"Shut up, Jew!" Cartman said.

"Screw you, fatass!" Kyle snapped.

I watched as Mr. Garrison rubbed his temples in frustration. "If you two don't mind!" Mr. Garrison practically yelled. This shut both Kyle and Cartman up, I for one couldn't be more grateful. "Kyle and Bebe."

"Cartman and Butters. Seeing as Butters will be back at school next week."

"Craig and Stan."

"Jimmy and Timmy."

"Token and Red.

Clyde and Tweek."

"And finally, Kenny and Wendy."

I continued to stare a Wendy as after everyone left class and she went up to Mr. Garrison trying to reason with him about something. "I'm sorry Wendy, but my decision is final." Wendy let out a small huff, before taking her leave. I quickly got up grabbed my backpack and ran after her.

"Wendy! Hey, Wendy wait up!" I called. I watched as she stopped her back facing me. "What is it Kenny?" her voice sounded worn and tired. "Look, I know I'm not your first choice for a partner considering my reputation—"

"So, what do you want, a medal?"

I couldn't help but laugh at Wendy remark. "I don't really need a medal. I already know how amazing I am."

My smart remark caused Wendy to turn around to face me. I could see bits of unleashed anger in her amber irises. "Oh, don't flatter yourself! Dick." Wendy snapped. "I'll take that as a compliment." I wiggled my eyebrows. She just looked at me, her anger slightly rising.

"Ugh, why did I have to be stuck with you? And for a month no less."

"Oh, c'mon. At least I'm not Stan," I stated.

I swear I saw Wendy visibly flinch at the mention at Stan's name, I'd messed up. "W-Wendy, I'm—" "J-just meet me at the park tomorrow, got it?" Was all she said as she turned sharply on her heel and walked away and out the front doors of the school. I inwardly sighed. This was a 'great' start to a month long project...