Stan staggered back into a row of lockers, shocked at what had just happened.
A steady stream of blood flowed from his nose.
"What the hell, Kyle?!" The boy cupped his hands around his face to prevent any more drops from staining his jacket.
Kyle's right hand was still balled into a fist, he seemed just as shocked as Stan.
He had just hit his super best friend in the face over some trivial argument they were having at lunch.
The hit was strong enough to make him bleed.
Any feelings of anger immediately morphed into regret.
"Stan… I…," Kyle tried to explain himself.
Stan ignored him as he walked down the hall to the bathroom, Kyle followed.
"Stan, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…," Kyle approached his friend at the sink.
"Yes you did!" Stan yelled, "You don't just accidentally punch someone in the face, Kyle!"
"I just… I don't know what came over me…," Kyle was genuinely remorseful.
Stan said nothing.
Kyle watched as fresh blood continued to wash into the sink.
"I – I could get an ice pack from the nurse if you think that might help?"
Stan held multiple towels up to his nose, "No."
"That's bleeding pretty bad, maybe I should take you to the nurse's office?" Kyle offered, concerned.
"No!" Stan was clearly agitated.
"I could -," Kyle was interrupted abruptly by Stan, "Look, Kyle, what part of 'No' don't you understand?! I don't want your help!"
"Stan, please… I'm sorry it was a mistake… It'll never happen again," Kyle moved to place a hand on his friend's shoulder, practically begging for forgiveness.
"Get away from me!" Stan shoved him back.
"Please! I'll do whatever you want me to! What do you want me to do?!" Kyle sounded desperate.
Stan just glared at the boy.
"Hit me!" Kyle moved closer to Stan.
"What?"
"Hit me in the face and we can be even!"
Stan looked at the boy as if he was crazy.
"I'm not gonna hit you, Kyle…"
"We're super best friends, Stan… You know I'd never do anything to hurt you in my right mind…"
"I don't want to be friends with you anymore," Stan spoke concisely.
Kyle had never heard Stan speak so seriously.
"Y – You don't mean that…," Kyle challenged.
Stan said nothing.
Stan watched as Kyle walked to the other side of the bathroom in defeat, sliding to the ground with his back against the wall looking as though he was ready to cry at the thought of losing his best friend.
Kyle buried his head into his arms resting on his knees.
Stan removed the towels he held against his nose, the bleeding had stopped.
He sighed as he walked over the boy on the floor and slid down close beside him.
After a few moments of silence, Stan spoke, "You're right…"
Kyle looked up, "Huh…?"
"I didn't mean that…," Stan avoided eye contact, "I know you didn't mean to… I kinda overreacted too…"
"So… We're still friends then…?" Kyle made a point to ask.
"We never stopped being friends, dude," Stan smiled.
The two shared a hug before proceeding back to Garrison's classroom just in time for the after-lunch bell.