Title: Third Time is the Charm

Author: Miarae

Summary: It's his last year of high school and Stan thinks an exchange trip would be fun. How do you randomly encounter someone that used to be your best friend? Style.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: My very first SP fic. I'm really excited about writing this.

If this were a fairytale it'd start out with the perfect sentence, drawing everybody in right from the start. But this isn't a story, it's my life, and I've never been great with words. There are amusing little things that I can tell you, things that'll make you laugh, but this story isn't one of them...

At least, I don't think it is. I wouldn't know, since I can't exactly look into the future. Yes, this is a diary and no, I'm not some fairy. Plenty of guys keep a diary, okay?!

Anyway, onto the important things. I'm Stan Marsh, 18 years old and I live in South Park, Colorado. It's where I spent my entire life, and made friends that will be around for the rest of my life. It's great fun, but sometimes I long for something else. Something more. And that's the exact reason why I've signed up for an exchange trip at school. They want to raise awareness for other people, get our town widely known and some more of that stupid shit. Frankly, I don't care. Booze and babes, that's what it's all about! I wonder if they'll put me with a nice girl...

Stan looked up from his position on the bed when he heard the familiar sound of the computer, telling him that he had just received e-mail. Looking back at the diary he added a few short sentences in sloppy writing.

They've given us nothing but the email addresses of the people we're supposed to stay with. Something about getting to know one another without prejudice. I sent an email to him/her this morning. Will write more when I find out who this mystery person is!

Putting the diary under his pillow he darted over to the computer, opening the mail that sat waiting for him. The e-mail that he'd sent out this morning had been nothing special, just a small introduction that said he was Stan, lived in a small village in Colorado, and something about his favourite pastimes. The e-mail back was roughly along those lines as well.

Hey Stan,

It's nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to seeing your town. When I was younger I used to live in a really small town as well, and I'm willing to bet that if I went back there, everything would still be the same. It's a nice thought actually, isn't it? That some things stay the same no matter how fast you're changing?

Look at me, my first e-mail and I'm already being philosophy guy. Yep, I'm a guy, sorry to burst your bubble! I hope we'll get along, though I feel that it is only fair if I warn you now. I'm gay. Some people have problems with that, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up. So dude, if you decide you'd rather room with a chick...no hard feelings.

If you do decide you'd like to meet me, here's some random info about me. I'm 17, live in San Francisco and spend most of my time either skating or playing the guitar. I've started skating after I moved to SF, and some people say I'm pretty good at it. Who knows, maybe you've seen yours truly in the paper. I've been in there a couple of times after I won some lame competition. Do I sound like a complete asshole yet? I don't mean to be, but it's kind of hard to talk about hobbies without at least mentioning how good you're at it. If it helps, I totally suck at playing the guitar. No rhythm at all.

Looking forward to hearing from you dude.

Stan smiled. Okay, so it wasn't a girl, but he sounded like a nice guy. He wondered for a moment what to write back, his fingers already on the keys, and decided to just go with the flow. That's what this was all about after all, wasn't it? Getting to know the person without the masks or stereotypes attached.

Hey dude (I noticed you didn't mention your name. Are you just shy or does it suck?)

You sound like a pretty cool guy. I'm glad you told me about your being gay, but it doesn't bother me. Some people from my town might dislike it, but fuck them.

It sounds like you'd fit in with my friends. My best friend plays the drums, we jam together sometimes, I play the electric guitar and another friend of mine plays acoustic guitar and sings. His voice is pretty good, though you'd have to ignore anything other than singing that comes out of his mouth. He's a selfish bastard, but we've hung out for over ten years and our group wouldn't be the same without him.

Other than music I work at a local pet shelter during the summers. My parents got me the job after I got into trouble (again) for trying to rescue some poor dog. It's a pretty cool job, the pay is crappy but I love the animals. It's always nice if you feel like you can contribute to the world somehow. (Hey look at me, I'm as philosophical as you are ;) )

Up until three months ago I used to hang out with my girlfriend as well, but we broke up. She tried to force me to go to the same college as she does, and threw a big bitchfit when I told her that I wasn't going to fuck up my future just to stay close to her. Apparently she'd been saving up for a ring to ask me to marry her, though that's just a rumour I heard in school. You're lucky you're a guy or she would have killed you for so much as looking at me.

-Stan

Stan,

Your girlfriend sounds like a total psycho, dude. You're lucky to be rid of her, if you ask me. Your friends sound cool though, I'm looking forward to meeting them. I used to know a guy like your friend (the singer). He was a stupid fatass, but we kept hanging out with him because..like you said, the group wouldn't be the same.

I usually don't have too much time to hang out with friends, except when I'm skating. That's sort of my second job. My first is washing dishes at a restaurant. It's a sucky job, long hours and shitty pay, but I've got to do something. It's just me, mom and my little brother at home. Dad died a few years back, so I'm pretty much the only one who brings in any money. I've actually been saving up for this trip for a damn long time. Didn't think I was going to have enough money until I won that competition.

Look at me, I sound like a total fag. What's your life like, other than hanging out with friends and working at the pet shelter? And what's your family like? Do they like having me over? My mom is psyched about having you here, so be warned. She's kind of...intense, but I love her to death. The only thing I can't stand is her trying to set me up with all kinds of guys. Mom's just don't need updates on their kids love life, right?

Gotta go now dude, hanging out with some friends tonight. Hope to hear from you soon!

Stan had read through the e-mail, eager to know more about the guy that would be spending two weeks with him, just a month from now. It was nice to get to know him like this, and only when Stan had already hit the reply button did he realise that he still didn't know the others name.

Review please!