"Kevin and Red Are Dead"
Chapter 1
by John
"So," a devilish grin crossed Red's features, resting her chin on her fingers as she grinned across the table at her best friend, "See what happened last night on the new episode of Space Trek?"
"Oh, yeah." Kevin nodded, stopping a big spoonful of mashed potatoes just short of his mouth as he looked back at the redhead, "Well, it was a good one mostly, but I think-"
A boy with a blonde bowl-cut suddenly ran up to the table, plopping down his tray, eyes wide, "Is it true?"
Red stopped chewing on her green beans, raising an eyebrow, "...is what true?"
"I was just talking to Francis, and he says that Jason White told him that Annie says that Kyle Broflovski says his brother was abducted by aliens!"
"...oh, yeah, that was Kyle's story this week." Kevin shrugged simply, looking to Red.
She swallowed her green bean, "Last time it was a tumor, right?" he asked, trying to think back.
"Prostate tumor, actually." Kevin replied, "Mr. Garrison didn't really buy it, either."
"Right, right."
The blonde was ecstatic at the news, "Don't you guys see what this means? The aliens are finally here."
Red's eyebrows lowered in disappointment, "...Bradley, please don't tell me this is another-"
"I've been telling you guys I'm not like the other kids. I mean, you've read the comic books, right?" Bradley asked, seeming to pull from his pocket the cover of The Amazing Mint-Berry Crunch #76, all drawn in crude crayon.
"I'm a few issues behind." Red replied flatly, sipping her juice box and now wishing she was anywhere else in the world but sitting with these dorks.
"Still waiting on the Christmas special you promised was coming." Kevin replied with a more playful look.
"There are no aliens in South Park. That's just an urban legend." Red denied, sipping her juice box.
"But then why is my urine green?" Bradley asked, crossing his arms.
"Probably because you refuse to see a doctor about it." Red rolled her eyes.
"I'm just saying that-" Bradley began to explain, when suddenly Red covered her mouth, and the redhead sank in her seat, "...is she okay?" he asked Kevin.
Wendy Testaburger walked past the group with a tray in hand and an adorable, big smile, the raven-heared girl heading back to her seat, offering Kevin a passing nod of acknowledgment.
"S-sorry, I just didn't want her to see me sitting by Bradley Bagels."
"...well, I was actually on my way back to choir practice before we head out on tour again. Miss Stevens is real excited about it. Says we'll be gone a good month or two." Bradley grinned, "...I'm just bummed I have to miss out on the whole alien abduction thing."
"I'll keep you updated." Kevin replied with a shrug, "Tell Millie I said hi!" he waved as Bradley sped off, before turning his attention back to Red.
"...You don't buy this visitor stuff, do you, Kevin?" Red asked, "I know you're a sci-fi fan but you don't actually believe that stuff?"
Kevin poked his food, "Well, I'm sure there's intelligent life somewhere out there in the universe... but I'm not sure they'd steal little kids, mutilate cows." he was quiet a moment, then whispered, "...or go anywhere near the fat kid's ass either."
Red smirked, letting out that soft chuckle he so appreciated hearing, "Yeah, okay. I can work with that."
His other best friend gone, Kevin looked around and whispered, "So, what's the deal with Wendy?"
"Ugh, it's not really her. It's just... I can tell the other girls think I'm, y'know, weird, and I'm just hoping one day they'll see me as one of their own, you know? I just kind of dream that someday, it'll be me and Annie up there with the popular girls, you know?" she rested a hand on her cheek, glancing over at the table where Wendy now sat, next to her best friend Bebe and some others.
"Oh, I understand that." Kevin nodded, trying to use his plastic knife to cut into the salisbury steak a little, "Well, if there's ever anything I can do to get you up there, I promise I will." he smiled.
"You're sweet." Red nodded, "It's just something I think I have to figure out on my own."
"Fire Drill! Fire Drill! Everybody out!" came a voice from the cafeteria, as Chef called out in his big burly voice. Most kids went running, some with their food, some without. Pip stayed in place, seeming completely unnoticed.
"I guess lunch is over." Kevin shrugged, picking up his tray, milk carton and apple still present, "Want to head to my house and play Rebel Assault?"
"Sounds like a plan." Red nodded.
To Be Continued...
Yeah. I'm thinking I'm back.
I have to offer a special thanks to the fic "McCormick and Testaburger Are Dead" by a now orphaned account. The vague ideas behind this fic have been in my head for years, actual years, but the idea never felt viable until I saw how that fic tackled its own ideas.
Your comments, reviews, kudos, support and constructive criticism are welcome and appreciated more than ever. Every little e-mail I get about these is an incentive to continue and makes my day a little brighter.