Welp, I'M BACK! AND I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT SCIPUNK63 ON TUMBLRS HELP! GIVE THAT GAL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE! (AND FOLLOWERS!) IM COOKIEROOKIE-CONTROLROOM ON TUMBLR!


Stanley sighed heavily, trying to ignore the burn in his throat and eyes from the stinging, hot, ever persistent tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. He was almost to the stop sign that was located at the end of his block, but he skidded to a halt. Slamming on the brakes, he found that he couldn't contain himself anymore. Shakily, he gave a last ditch effort not to cry, by suddenly releasing the breath he didn't know he was holding. However, not even that could hold back the river.

"Stupid school," He muttered, hands tightening on the wheel as the tears began to stream. "That stupid project... My stupid dad... Stupid... Stupid me... Great going, Stanley..."

He furiously rubbed his eyes to the point that he was sure that they were red from his hands and not from tears. The honking of another car horn behind him jerked him back to reality, forcing him to make yet another last second choice.

'Where do I go now...?'

Almost unconsciously, Stanley found himself making a left turn, heading towards a familiar surrounding. He found himself going towards his old hang-out; Glass Shard Beach. It was where the swing set he and his brother had claimed all those years ago sat, waiting and welcoming. With a fresh batch of tears forming, he found himself parking and then slamming the door of the StnlyMble shut. With quick and jerky movements, he soon sank into "his" swing, proceeded to drop his head into his hands, and wept for all that he lost.

"D-damn it..."

It was a long time before he was able to see again. The tears hadn't stopped, by they had cleared up enough. Once this was finally done, he sighed and threw his head back, letting out a course laugh.

"You never did want to let me live, did you, universe?" Stan laughed, his throat now sore. "Heck, was I even supposed to?"

Only silence responded, as he expected. With a heavy sigh, Stan turned his head skyward and began to study the stars above him, as though they held all of the answers.

"Yeah, thought so..."

Turned back to face the horizon, he caught what looked to be more stars, only to realize quickly that it was a boat, floating closer and closer to shore. Stanley frowned, knowing that the Beach law required all boats had to be out of the water by dusk. Squinting, he tried to make out what was happening on the boat, or at least try and see who was crazy enough to be out this late. It turned out to be two children, who suddenly tumbled out of their boat and into the water. Stan's eyes adjusted to the dark, crashing water, and was able to see the silhouettes of a boy and girl. They were ferociously punching, kicking, and splashing at each other as they seemingly attempted to get to dry land. The boy was a little further behind the girl, until he suddenly lept forward from the water and crashed on top of the girl, dragging them both further under the water.

"O-oh geez-" Stanley gasped, suddenly leaping from the swing. "W-what should I do!? Should I hel- Ho-"

"Let go!" The girl's strong voice suddenly rang out as her head broke the surface.

With a quick fist, she landed a harsh knock against the boy's jaw, and processed to kick away from him. In an instant, she was back to swimming as fast as her thin arms seemed to be capable of carrying her.

"Ow! You'll pay for that!" The boy shouted angrily, taking a moment to collect himself before swimming off after her "Get back here!"

The girl still beat him to the sand, and she stumbled onto the shore. However, the boy wasn't too far behind. Without thinking, Stan rushed to the girl's assistance.

"Hey, kid-" He began, only to have the girl stomp right passed him.

"I don't need any help! I'm fine." She called over her shoulder bitterly.

"Hey," Stan said with a small and worried grin. "Just making sure... You two fighting seemed a bit worse than what I just went th-"

He paused, realizing that he knew very little about this girl and was probably just talking out of his ass right now. Frowning, he decided to take what the girl said as gospel and went silent.

"Is that so?" She hissed, wringing her wet hair out. "Whats your problem?"

"I-I guess." Stanley shrugged, frowning. "I just got kicked out by my parents and I really only have my car-"

"You have a car?" She snapped suddenly. "Mind giving me a ride before my brother gets here?"

"Um... sure?" Stan said with a bit of uncertainty. "Where to? Home?"

"No." She muttered. "Just... away from here, if that's okay. I can foot you the gas money and-."

"Nah, that's fine- What about your brother or whoever that guy i-" Stan began, but he stopped when the girl sent a death glare his way. "I'm just not gonna ask."

She nodded her head, and began speed walking a little, with Stan following close behind her. He silently pointed out the car to her, and unlocked it.

"Just sit on my jac-" Stan began, but by then she had practically jumped into the passenger seat, dampening the fake leather seats, much to Stan's annoyance.

"It'll dry. Just get in." With that, Stan followed in suit.

Once in, he strapped in his seat belt, started the car, and then hit the gas. From his side view mirror, he could see that the boy had just made it to the sand by then.

"Eat dirt, Benjamin," the girl hissed, then lowered her head. "Wake me up when we get somewhere."

Stan dared not oppose, and turned his eyes back to the road. He stayed silent, and listened to the sound of her breathing, waiting until it evened out to signal that she had fallen asleep.

"Bosy kid." He aired his grievances the moment he felt it safe, and looked down to her quickly.

With her asleep, he was able to get a better look at her. Or rather a couple of quick glances while still trying to keep his eyes and car on the road.

"Let's see-" He muttered, piecing his glances together into a small picture in his head.

She wore a green dress with draping sleeves that fell over small, honey arms. Shiny black hair, which honestly reminded Stan of his own mother's, was tied back into a thick braid. Her nose was sharp and tilted upwards like his mother's also. Despite the resemblance to Ma Pines, she still had a rather statue like resting face like Filbrick. Then again, this could have just been Stanley's emotionally damaged mind playing tricks.

"Gotta be it. Unless this kid is my lost baby sister." He joked to no one in perticular. "Not that I'd really want my family around me right now... Not after I was just kicked out by them..."

Stan sighed, and took one last glance over to the child. If he had to guess her age, then her overall form put her at twelve to fourteen, and she was a little too thin for his liking. Frowning, he casted his last glance at the cigarette tray in his car, the one that he usually used for loose change. From the looks of it, he had just enough to feed the kid something from a small stand or something, but that was about it.

"Good thing I had those Toffee Nuts earlier... Looks like dinner is going to the new kid."