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Chapter 1

Kyle sat in his 6th period class, staring at the big clock on the wall. Just 15 minutes before he could escape the intellectual prison- and Eric Cartman. Kyle looked around to see if anyone looked as miserable as him, but everyone was engrossed in their own conversations- apparently Craig's parents were going to buy him a brand new mustang for graduation- Tolken was being shipped off to some great royal school in London- and Wendy was having yet another party at her house that night. None of it really interested Kyle, except for the fact that he wasn't invited to the party. As a matter of fact, he was never really invited to parties- he usually just tagged along with Kenny. There had been something missing for awhile. He had been depressed, rather introverted lately, and he didn't know why. His parents took no notice, brushing it off because of the fact that Stan had moved away a year and a half ago, and it's just 'normal' teenage behavior.

The fact was, Kyle had missed Stan...so much that the memory of Stan clouded around him day and night. He had gotten a total of 2 calls from him since he had moved, but Stan was in the big city now- Denver. Stan's father had received a huge job offer from a big company in Denver, and within three months, Stan was gone. It all happened so quick, and for some reason, Kyle just couldn't adjust. Stan had been his best friend since Kindergarten, now he was left with Kenny (who was much too obsessed with his girlfriends) and Eric (who was much too obsessed with tormenting him).

"Kyle." said a soft voice, pulling him from his daydreams. "It's time to catch the bus."

"Ok, ok.." Kyle huffed, upset he had been disturbed.

"So Kyle," asked Kenny, "what are you doing later on?"

"Well, I figured I would just stay home today and work on the song I've been writing." Kyle replied.

"Well if you change your mind, let me know. Wendy has plenty to drink at her house and it'll be a lot of fun." Kenny said as he stepped up onto the bus. "Plus, I heard Stan's coming back for awhile."

"What?" Kyle was shocked. "How do you know?"

"Well, Trixies older sister lives in Denver and is a secretary at the company his dad works for. He told her Stan didn't want to go to the University there, so he was going to come back here and consider the Junior College. He's coming tonight, and Trixie invited him to the party." said Kenny.

"Well dude, I guess I'll have to think about it, but.." Kyle trailed off.

"Don't worry, Wendy didn't invite Cartman this time after the last time he ate all the fried chicken, drank the entire 1/5 of tequila, then puked in the pool." Kenny replied knowingly. "I'll meet you at your house at 7:00."

Later that day...

Kyle was still in shock. This was unbelievable to him, almost like a dream come true. Wait- a dream come true? That sounded kinda fruity. Damn, now he felt strange that he had even said that. It was almost 6:30 and Kyle hadn't thought of what to wear- black pants- his favorite black t-shirt with a giant eye on it- his black and white converse all stars- and a backwards black baseball cap. This had been the majority of his attire for the past 6 months. He grabbed his chain wallet and was out the door. Kenny was 15 minutes late, but that was usual for him. He had an old beat up El Camino, the color was primer and rust. He jumped in and they were off.

When they arrived, there were already at least 20 other people there, most Kyle had never seen before.

"Kenny baby!" Wendy approached them already a bit tipsy, "I've been waiting for you..."

Kenny quickly followed her back into the house, knowing what was coming to him. Kyle also knew, so he stayed behind, alone by the bar. He found what seemed like a good bottle of vodka and started chugging. He didn't even want a chaser, he just wanted to get the edge off. He couldn't stop thinking of what he had been thinking earlier. I mean, sure, he missed the guy, but he didn't miss him like that- but if he didn't, why was it bugging him so much? He drowned that thought in another swig.

"Kyle Broflowski, you haven't changed a bit."

Kyle spun around with such speed he almost threw himself off the chair. The tall handsome figure that stood before him was laughing softly in amusement.

"I wasn't trying to put you in any kind of danger, I was just saying hello.." He chuckled.

"Stan, you scared the hell out of me!" Kyle shot back in embarrassment. He quickly analyzed the situation and realized how stupid he probably looked.

"Good to see you dude, how's Denver?"

"Ah, it's ok, but I really miss it here just hanging out with you guys." Replied Stan. "Where's Kenny?"

"Umm, well, see, he and, uh, Wendy..." Stammered Kyle.

"Oh, I see, no need to go on, I'll just hang out here with you." Stan agreed.

Kyle sat there taking shots with Stan until there was a loud commotion over by the pool. Everyone had gathered around beneath the second story balcony. Butters was balancing himself on the railing, flailing his arms like a bird. Through gossip in the ever growing crowd, Kyle and Stan found out someone had put acid in Butters' beer. Now butters was trying to fly west.

"Butters! Get down here this minute!" Wendy yelled out frantically.

"This kid's way out of it!" Some kid yelled out from the crowd.

"Shut up!" Stan screamed. "Butters! Listen to me! You can't fly dude, it's just not gonna happen. Come down, you're not a bird!

"Yes S-Stan- I am a bird! I-I am Freeee!" Butters replied.

Just then, two arms grabbed him from behind and pulled him back inside.