People change... Or do they? Some maintain that change requires an event of cataclysmic proportions, such as the death of a loved one or severe physical trauma. Others believe change is gradual and inevitable, brought forth by interacting with other people and the rest of the environment. Kyle belonged to the former group. Even when Kenny showed what everyone else thought were his "true colors", Kyle never gave up on him or changed his mind.
Cartman had long since moved away, after a particularly bad fight with Kenny, ending with the fat boy's complete and total humiliation in front of every student at the school. Even he couldn't recover from it, so he ran. Kyle was impressed by Kenny standing up to Cartman, but it was shortly afterward that Kenny changed. He had always been one of the quietest boys in South Park, always content with his situation, no matter what it was, so it surprised everyone when Craig, Clyde, and Token, who, at the time, were very popular amongst the school children, called him into their circle. Kenny didn't think twice and joined them, completely ignoring Kyle and Stan, who had been his friends for as long as anyone could remember. It wasn't long before Kyle and Stan tried to fill the void left by Kenny. They turned to Butters, who had already replaced Kenny before. At first, Butters was insulted the boys only treated him as a best friend when they needed him, but he was quick to dismiss that emotion and accepted his old role, half-hoping that it would be a more permanent one, while also expecting Kenny to come to his senses and stop the charade. His hopes for the latter were misguided. Kenny had never had much in his life, so, when he found himself in a position to have what he wanted, he just couldn't say no, even if it meant leaving his friends. Kyle was heartbroken.
A couple of years ago, Kyle had fallen in love with Kenny. To see him readily turn his back on those he had once called his best friends, all because of fame, was depressing, to say the least. Though it didn't make his feelings go away. Even when Kenny started mocking him for just about everything, it didn't affect him. Kyle knew – or, rather, he hoped – that Kenny was still the Kenny he knew and loved. The kind-hearted blond who, quite literally, wouldn't harm a fly. Someone who was devoid of evil. Sure, as kids, he and his friends, Kyle included, had done some stuff they all considered bad, but, when they grew up, that all changed. They became more empathetic and caring, to a point. The only one who didn't change was Cartman. He kept being manipulative, cold-hearted, insulting, and just all-around a bad person. Kyle was relieved and glad when Kenny stood up to him and forced him to leave.
Stan eventually became, at best, a distant friend to Kyle and Butters, forcing the red-head to become more involved with Butters. Stan simply drifted off and nearly became a hermit at school, staying away from the other boys. He had thought about rejoining the Goth Kids, as everyone expected him to, yet they wouldn't take him back. Eventually, he resorted to only interacting with the other kids only when he saw fit or when it was absolutely necessary. Kyle's entire world was falling apart, yet he took comfort in his deep-seated belief that he and Kenny would, one day, be together. Butters kept trying to convince him that the Kenny he had fallen in love with was not the person Kenny truly was, and even told him the various things Kenny had done that clearly demonstrated it, yet Kyle didn't believe him.
The boys were at Butters' house, having met there to play a few games, but their conversation quickly delved into the realm of Kenny, as it usually did. This time, however, Butters finally snapped for the first time in years.

"Dammit, Kyle! Are you really this stupid? Kenny doesn't like you. I'm not sure if he even can. Even you don't like him. He's not the guy you think he is. And if he ever was, he's not anymore. Get it through your thick skull: Kenny does not like you. Is this so hard to understand? I swear, sometimes I feel like I don't know you. You've always seemed like the smartest guy I've ever met, but... now... I don't know."
"...I'm not an idiot, Butters. I guess... I guess I just know Kenny better than you do. He's a good person."
"D... Did you not hear what I just- You know what, forget it. I'm being an idiot, like you. I can't expect a blind person to suddenly start seeing, so why should I expect you to develop a brain?"
"...I'm leaving."
"Kyle-"
"If you're going to be like that, I might as well not be here. I don't have to listen to this shit, especially from you."

Kyle left Butters' house as quickly as he could, ignoring Butters' stuttered apologies as he walked away from him and out the door.

"Fucking Butters..." Kyle thought. "I've known Kenny for longer than he has. I know what he's like. He's not like this... He's just... confused."

Inside, Butters was just as upset at Kyle. He sighed, trying to forget his conversation, until he decided to study so as to distract himself.

Kyle entered his room, with Butters' words still echoing through his mind. To shut out his voice, Kyle stared at a picture he had taken with Kenny, Stan, and Cartman several years ago, when they were still children. Kenny was still very shy back then, only looking at the camera because Kyle and Stan had practically forced him to. Even then, his hood hid most of his facial features. Aside from his short nose, rosy cheeks, and bright blue eyes, Kyle couldn't make anything else out. After comparing it to a more recent picture, Kyle saw a few differences – Kenny's cheeks were the same color as the rest of his skin – darker than Kyle's own, but still light – and his nose was slightly larger – but, overall, Kenny remained unchanged; untouched by time. His skin looked as smooth as ever, his eyes, if anything, resembled the sky even more, and his weight was perfect for his height – not too fat, nor too thin; just slender. Kyle was almost jealous of him for being so pretty.
Kyle's eyes started to tear up when he recalled that the picture he was looking at was the last they had taken together – before Kenny left them altogether. His finger hovered above the "Delete" key, wondering if he should just erase all physical traces of their friendship and be done with it. Tears started rolling down his cheeks as he gently pressed the button halfway.

"...No. I can't do this." Kyle thought as he dried his tears and moved away from the keyboard. "If I do this... It means I'm giving up on him. I can't do that. I won't do that. Fuck Butters. He doesn't know shit."

Several hours later, Butters lain in his bed, unable to fall asleep. He had calmed down somewhat, leading to regret over the way he had treated Kyle. He knew he was right – Kyle was acting like an idiot – but he had been exceedingly rude toward his friend. What Kyle needed was someone who would listen to him; not someone who would berate him. Eventually, Butters thought, Kyle would see the truth.

"I guess I'll just have to be there for him, doing what I've been doing – try to convince him he's wrong, but without being such a dick about it... Now if I could only get to sleep..."

The following morning, Kyle and Butters crosses paths at the school gate. Kyle glanced at his friend, acknowledging his presence with a weak nod, before heading inside. Butters quietly followed him, wondering how to apologize. Meanwhile, Kyle was glancing at Kenny every couple of seconds, trying to figure something out.

"Why doesn't Kenny take off his parka? It's a billion degrees out here! I know he likes it; it's his 'thing' or whatever, but this is just stupid. He must be boiling inside that parka."

Before he could even think of what to say, Kyle spoke up.

"What's wrong? You seem quieter than usual."
"Huh? I-I was just..."

Butters began to stutter uncontrollable, prompting Kyle to sigh and ignore him altogether. His eyes met Kenny's for a fraction of a second, but he quickly averted his gaze.

"Just give up on him, Kyle." Butters said hesitantly. "Kenny's a jerk, and you know it."
"That's not the Kenny I know. He's a good guy. And I mean a good guy."
"That's who he was... not who he is."
"...I don't believe that."
"Whether you believe or not is besides the point. The truth is that Kenny changed. Maybe it was the fame. I don't know. All I know is that he's not who you – we – thought he was... Do you think this is easy for me to say? I liked Kenny almost as much as you. He was my friend, same as yours."

Kyle turned his gaze toward Kenny. He saw him laugh with his new friends, slowly wondering if maybe Butters was right. Maybe the Kenny they knew was gone. Or maybe he had always been this way and just didn't show it because he didn't have the social status for it to be tolerated by others.

"Is this really who you are, Kenny? Who you want to be? Is this... who I fell in love with?"

Kenny and Kyle's eyes met for a second time, after which Kenny turned to his friends and openly, and loudly, mocked Kyle for his sexuality. Everyone within several feet of him burst out laughing, making Kyle blush from embarrassment, even though he hadn't heard what Kenny had said; only that he was talking about him. Kyle was about to walk over to Kenny and say something about it, until Butters placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Let it go, Kyle... He's not worth it."
"That is bullshit, Butters. I'm not gonna let this stand."

Kyle started making his way toward Kenny angrily, but Butters didn't give up. He grabbed Kyle's wrist and wouldn't let go.

"Kyle, I'm trying to protect you."
"Well, I don't need you to protect me." Kyle said as he tried to set himself free. "You can barely protect yourself."

Kyle finally broke free from Butters' grip and continued to walk toward Kenny. Kenny was growing a little scared, yet he didn't let it show, for fear that it would damage his reputation.

"Hey, Kenny, looks like the fag is gonna try to hit you or something." Clyde said.
"Um... Yeah..."
"Don't tell me you're scared, dude." Token added.
"What? Me? No! Not at all!"
"Well, you'd better figure out what you're gonna say to him, because he's gonna be here in two... one..."

Kyle stood in front of Kenny for several seconds without saying anything. There was no need. His angry expression told Kenny everything he needed to know. Kenny's friends backed away, forming a circle around him and Kyle in order to watch whatever was to come. Kenny desperately wanted to run away, but he knew that, if he did, all his fame and presumed glory would evaporate as quickly as they had appeared. He didn't want to hurt Kyle, yet he would, to preserve his status. Kyle clenched his fist as hard as he could, nearly drawing blood by the look of it, but, finally, he simply looked Kenny straight in the eyes and spoke.

"...You've become worse than Cartman." Kyle whispered angrily.

Kenny pretended not to be affected by Kyle's statement, much to the redhead's amazement. Kyle walked away, back to Butters. Kenny's friends approached him once again and wasted no time in asking what Kyle had said.

"He, uh... I-It was nothing. You know how kids are."
"Come on, tell us!"
"It really was nothing, I swear!"

Butters had the same question on his mind as Kenny's friends. Kyle was going to beat the crap out of Kenny; Kenny, Kyle, and Butters all knew it. Yet Kyle decided not to. He wanted to ask what Kyle had said and satisfy his curiosity, but he respected Kyle's privacy and decided not to ask, though Kyle summarized it for him.

"...You were right." Kyle said grimly. "Kenny's gone."

Kyle's statement didn't really bother Butters. However, his earlier statement did. Kyle was right that Butters couldn't even protect himself. Butters lowered his head, lost in sadness, until Kyle recalled what he had said and apologized.

"Butters... I didn't mean what I said earlier. I know you're just trying to help, but... Kenny really pissed me off. I'm sorry."

Butters raised his head slightly, with a weak smile on his lips.

"I'd hug you, but I don't want people to think that we're dating... At least no more than they already do."
"Thanks, Kyle." Butters chuckled.

A loud bell just above the boys' heads indicated the start of a new school day. As soon as it was over, they laughed.

"We really should have been somewhere else."
"Yeah... Let's go. My ears are ringing."

While the duo moved inside the school, Butters decided to show his amazement at Kyle's self-control.

"You know, I'm really surprised you didn't just kick his ass right there and then out of spite."
"Whaddya mean?"
"Well, it's just... I kinda admire you for doing that. Taking the high-road or whatever. Especially since you got pissed at me just for saying something once, and he's been at it for... a while."
"Y-You... You're right. I've been taking this shit from him for years."
"That's not what I meant to-"
"I shouldn't have held back. I should have..."
"What?"
"...Nothing. Let's just go."
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'm just gonna talk to him."

"Why don't I believe you?" Butters sighed.