A/N: This is kind of an idea that just came to me, its the first full-on South Park story I have that isn't a proper cross-over (which is still my main interest, but this one just seems to have taken shape before my other idea 'With Hate, The CIA', which was going to be next to launch), so hopefully it'll get me a few more views than the other story was doing.
If you're new to my stories, I'll just let you know that I host votes on my profile page, mainly on 'next chapter titles' or minor parts to the story, so visit after reading to make a contribution to the tally. Not much left to say but enjoy, and let me know what you think.
Extra note: I kinda realised that the first chapter-and-a-half is pretty much pointless in the bigger picture and that might be putting some people off, I just wanted a little filler and it got out of hand, so if you're not interested then SKIP TO HALFWAY THROUGH CHAP.2 WHEN THE ACTION STARTS. Can't remember exactly where, just look for the point they arrive at school in chapter 2.
Monday 13th May 2013, 07:10
After hitting his snooze button twice, a dreary Stan Marsh heard a knock on his bedroom door and a loud call from his mother: "Stanley, get up now, you need to get ready for school!"
That was it, his weekend was over. "Uuugh, fine," he mumbled, and got out of his warm bed to make his way downstairs, where a plate of waffles with syrup and a glass of milk was waiting for him in the kitchen as he said a collective good morning to the three other people in the room, to which he got back two friendly replies and a 'morning, turd'.
"Goddamnit, Mondays are the worst," the boy moaned as he sat at the table.
"Yeah, I know how you feel, but it's not any easier for the rest of us, son, it has to be done," Randy explained as he looked up from his newspaper.
Stan agreed with the comment, and quietly ate his breakfast while those around him talked and Shelley left the table. As he was finishing up 10 minutes later, Sharon asked her son: "Stanley, today's the deadline for the 'Same Name Cultural Trip' permission slips to be handed in, isn't it?"
"Err... yeah, mine's in my room, can you or dad sign it please?"
"That's pretty much the point sweetie, go get it then, I'm busy with these lunches," the woman stressed.
The blue-hatted boy had luckily put his last forkful in his mouth, and scampered upstairs to get the papers. After handing it over to Randy and watching him read and sign it, Stan thanked his dad and set the documents down on the table.
Sharon finished buttering sandwiches and knelt down to her son's level, stroking his face: "Oooh, I can't believe my baby's going to Alaska for 10 whole days."
Stan tried to brush off her motherly concern: "It's still over a month away mom, I'll be fine like last year. Kyle's mom's gonna be even more worried, he's staying with some family in Germany, at least I'm not on the other side of the world, I'm still in America... sorta. Besides, the 'other' Marshes are cool, Stan runs a wolf sanctuary and lumberjack business, remember, and he told me that if I came back next year, he'd let me drive a snowmobile, play with his snow soccer team, and help chainsaw a tree down with him, it'll be awesome."
"I know, and you'll have a great time, I know it, but I need to worry about you, you know? I just have to remember that this is such a great opportunity that your school is providing, and the fact that they're paying for everyone to go off around the world is just the icing on the cake for us parents, even if we're going to be on-edge 24/7 about it."
Randy commented: "Yeah, Principal Victoria said at the last PTA meeting that it's a way for them to use up their budget like last year, wish they had spare funds like that when I was there. Where are the others in your class going Stan?"
"Err... off the top of my head I know Butters has scored big-time and ended up with some millionaires mansion on Isla Island, Wendy's going to somewhere in Fiji, I just said where Kyle was going, and Cartman's going to a new host in South Africa 'cause he ran away from that place in Alabama last year. I think Kenny's one in Canada cancelled so they're trying to find a replacement host, and I don't think some of the others have been confirmed yet, either that or they didn't tell me."
"Well at least we're more prepared this time around. Ooh, we'll have to buy you a whole new wardrobe before you go," Sharon noted while pulling Stan's Terrance & Phillip pyjama top a little.
Both father and son rolled their eyes at this suggestion. Unlike kids in other towns, Stan didn't need a whole new load of cold-weather clothes to go to Alaska, he had plenty due to where he lived, but like most boys he also didn't want to deal with a day-long shopping trip of 'trying on' different coats and jeans, while Randy knew that the phrase 'whole new wardrobe' doesn't mean cheap. He made a mental note to remind his wife about that later.
Sharon half-noticed the responses but decided to drop the subject and move on: "Come on Stan, you don't have much time, go take a shower and get dressed."
"But... I like having my showers in the evening," the boy protested.
"Well you didn't last night, or the whole weekend for that matter. Now, Stanley," she firmly instructed.
Stan grumbled as he made his way upstairs to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and showering in just over 5 minutes. He hated being rushed like this, but his morning would get a lot worse and needlessly stressful if he didn't hurry up now.
After drying his hair and putting his trademark hat back on, he wrapped the towel around and went back to his room to get dressed. An orange t-shirt and jeans would have been enough for most American kids in the middle of May, but because he lived in South Park he had to get his coat and gloves as well. Luckily he had everything he needed for school already in his blue backpack, so was pretty much ready to leave as he hurried back downstairs close to 7:40.
"Here you go, fresh from the kitchen of mom," Sharon greeted with a black-and-purple 'Rockies' lunchbox as Stan walked back to the kitchen, and quickly answered what she knew the next question from her son would be: "PB&J, an apple, a chocolate-chip cookie, vanilla yoghurt, and a can of Fanta. Sound good?"
"Yeah, thanks mom," the boy noted with a smile as he packed the lunchbox into his bag, pleased at the unusually 'sweet' line-up.
"Are you leaving now or waiting a few minutes?"
"Err... now. Might as well," if there was one thing that he usually enjoyed about schooldays, it was hanging out with his friends at the bus stop.
"Alright, I won't be back from work 'till about half-four, so you kids have the house to yourself for an hour. I don't want to come home to any arguments, okay?"
"Sure mom, I mean, I'll try," Stan explained as he headed for the front door.
He was stopped in his path by his mother calling his name, and turned around to see her by the kitchen table with a know-it-all look on her face while holding the permission slip: "Forgetting something?"
"Ha-ha, yeah, thanks mom," he laughed off as he took the papers.
"Honestly sweetie, you'll be forgetting your passport in a few weeks as well unless it's wrapped around your neck with a bell on the end."
The boy rolled his eyes hoping she was only kidding, and left the house after exchanging kisses and goodbyes and slipping on his gloves.
A/N: This chapter was going to have a lot more to it, but I'm splitting it in two and saving everything for the next one because it got too long, so sorry if this looks like a slow start, just trying to ease myself into it. No chapter votes this time around, could barely think of one decent name for the next chapter, let alone two :/ . Not a huge animal fan, so I don't know if a 'wolf sanctuary' is a real thing, but, you know, whatever.
The mention of shopping can be taken as a tribute to all the hours and money lost by guys both old and young being forced to participate in this pastime. Only by raising awareness can we tackle this worldwide epidemic ;) .
A quick couple of extra notes on the story, though, there will be spoilers for past episodes (just a warning so I'm covered, it's now all your fault), there are a couple of 'cameos' from other animated shows in the next chapter, so just go with it (I don't think enough is mentioned for it to be considered a cross-over), and any Kenny lines you'll just have to imagine in his voice from the show, I'm not even going to try and write in 'mmph ffffmm mmmmmppph' all the time. So... yeah, again, enjoy and comment...