A/N: Okay, second chapter... soon, like I promised. seriously though, I know this story is out there and people have read it... did I lose everyone that was reading before? Damn... hope someone finds it again and gets excited^^
The closer I came to South Park, the more nervous I got. Sure, I had been nervous to start with, but this was almost unbearable. I could hardly keep hold of my steering wheel my hands were shaking so hard, and I kept loosing focus of the road. I simply did not want to drive up to my old house and have to look at the disappointment on my parent's faces when they saw me. I wasn't doing this for them, I was doing it for Ike, and the last thing I needed was my parent's getting in my face about leaving my potential future as a lawyer behind me. This is why I had opted for staying at the motel just outside of town, instead of at my old house. It would make it a lot easier if I just had to drop into the house every once in a while instead of actually staying there and enduring my family for the entire two weeks I would be in town.
I planned on seeing my family, and meeting Ike's fiancé, before checking into the Super Eight. Then I planned on looking up Kenny, and finding out how pissed he was at Stan and me. But, no matter how pissed he would originally be, I knew he would get over it. That guy couldn't hold grudges for the life of him, especially when it came to our old group of friends.
My hands clenched involuntarily on my steering wheel as I saw the exit for South Park. I was less than ten minutes away now- there was absolutely no turning back.
I was just coming around the bend of the exit when I noticed a car in the ditch. I slowed down a bit as the hood of the car was slammed down, revealing a very agitated girl. I pulled over behind her and got out.
"You need some help?" I questioned, stopping next to the trunk of her beat up Honda.
"Pretty sure all the help in the world wouldn't start this piece of junk up again." She commented bitterly, thumping the hood in exasperation.
I took a few steps closer, trying to figure out if I knew this girl from somewhere. If she was going into South Park, it was pretty likely.
"Do you want a ride to town?" I offered, discreetly looking her over, from her long brown hair to her slim body. I had definitely never seen her before, though.
"Uh," she hesitated, giving me a cautious look as she walked around to the driver's side door. "I'm sure I could probably just call the towing company."
I scoffed and leaned the side of my body against the car. "Yeah, if you want to be stuck out here half the night. The closest town that could tow you is about three hours away."
The girl pursed her lips in irritation and glanced around the deserted highway. "Damn, this really is the middle of nowhere, isn't it?"
I laughed and nodded in agreement. "Pretty much. Where are you from, anyway?" The girl gave me a strange look and took a small step backwards. Someone is a little too paranoid.
"It's just that I used to live in South Park and I know just about everyone that lives there. You learn to notice new faces in that town."
"Right, sorry," she gave me an apologetic smile and brushed some hair out of her face. "I tend to get a little up-tight when I'm in areas I don't recognize very well. I'm from New York," she explained. "Guess I'm not used to strangers being so kind."
"Well you better get used to it, because you're on your way to a town full of overly friendly red necks that I'm sure can't wait to let you know what a beautiful haircut you have, girl." I adopted a southern accent at the end, making her giggle. "So, will you let me give you a ride?"
"All right, just let me get my stuff." She gathered a few bags out of her back seat and gave her car one last, longing look before following me to mine.
"My name's Kyle, by the way." I informed as she slid into the passenger's seat.
"I'm Sarah." She smiled genuinely as I started the car, probably wondering how in the world I managed to talk her into doing this. It was one of my few gifts, really. To charm people into doing just about anything I wanted.
"What brings a New Yorker to such a quiet mountain town?" I questioned as I drove back along my exit.
"Well," I caught her glance down at her hand from the corner of my eye and noticed a small engagement ring on her finger. "I'm getting married."
"Wait, wait," I started, barely able to suppress my laughter at the complete irony of the situation. "Let me guess to who?"
"Okay." Sarah agreed, smoothing out her skirt self consciously.
"Ike Broflovski?"
"No way, how did you know that?"
"He's my brother! I'm coming back to town for his- your- wedding." I explained, glancing over at her amused expression.
"Well, now I feel even more ridiculous for acting so leery of you." She declared, chuckling to herself.
"Don't worry about it." I assured her as we turned down the street to my old house. "I assume you're staying with my parent's, right?"
"Yeah." She nodded as I pulled up into the driveway and turned off the ignition.
"Well, home sweet home." I murmured to myself before reaching into the back seat for Sarah's bags. "I've got this, you go ahead."
"Thanks." Sarah got out of the car and nearly skipped to the front door. I smiled to myself at the look of excitement on her face. My brother could have done a lot worse for himself, that's for sure. I wondered, for a moment, if he had even told her anything about me. He hadn't seemed too confident that I would come in his letter.
I got out of the car with a little less enthusiasm as Sarah, and a little more trepidation. The front door opened just as I was handing Sarah her bags, revealing my mother with a look of excitement covering her features. I stood back as my mom wrapped her large arms around Sarah's petite body, nearly swallowing her whole in the embrace. Her eyes opened over Sarah's shoulder and narrowed into dangerous slits as she caught sight of me. If looks could kill...
"Please, go right in Sarah, Ike is in the kitchen."
She was silent as she watched Sarah walk away, only turning to look at me when she was well out of ear- shot.
"Well," she started, crossing her arms over her wide chest and giving me a disapproving glare. "I can't believe you came."
"I told Ike I would," I declared, trying my hardest not to give into my instincts and back away from her dominating presence. "In my letter... didn't he tell you?"
"Oh yes, he told us. I just didn't think you would actually come." "Yeah, well I'm here." I shrugged and looked up towards the ceiling of the porch, trying to wish away this
horribly awkward moment.
"That's great," she replied in that sickeningly fake-happy voice that always struck a chord with me. "But I think you should come to see him later. As you can see," she motioned behind her where Ike and Sarah were sitting in the living room, consumed in a deep conversation. "He's pretty busy right now."
"I think he'll want to see me." I stated firmly, attempting to push past her. She placed her hands on her hips, though, and blocked the entire doorway.
"Not now, Kyle."
Our eyes locked in a stubborn starring match that I lost the moment I looked at her. I could already see that she was in full 'defensive-mother mode', and even if I was Abraham himself, she wasn't letting me through that door. My jaw clenched in recognition of defeat and I took a step back.
"Fine. But I'm coming by tomorrow, ten o'clock. Okay?"
She nodded stiffly and stepped back inside, slamming the door behind her. I didn't move for a good minute, just glared at the back of the door, wishing I could burn a hole through the worn wood. Finally, I took a deep breathe and returned to my car. My hands shook slightly as I put the key in the ignition, and my legs shook a little more as I pressed down on the gas.
"Fuck..." I breathed as I drove blindly around the familiar streets, not really caring where I was going. "Who does she think... what the fuck... mother fucking... fuck!" My voice grew in volume as my hands clenched painfully against my steering wheel. Why was she the only person who still made me feel like throwing a fit, like I was a little kid again? She was so fucking unbelievable!
I came to a stop outside of my motel, not even remembering how I had made it there. I wrenched my door open and got my bags out of the trunk before entering the small lobby, and walking briskly up to the check-in counter.
"Hello!" A cheerful, red haired girl wearing a green vest and white blouse greeted me.
I glanced at the nametag on her chest and smiled. "Hey Red! It's me, Kyle."
"Oh!" She laughed a little as her cheeks turned vaguely pink. "Hi Kyle! How have you been?"
"Good," I replied, nodding as I readjusted the strap of my suitcase. "You?"
"Oh, you know. Nothing really changes around here." She responded, her voice taking on a somber note. "You were lucky, you got out."
I looked down at the dirty counter, feeling embarrassed for some stupid reason. "I guess so."
"Well, I found your reservation." She announced, her voice sounding light and cheerful again. "You're in room 319."
"Thanks, Red." I gave her a warm smile as I took the key she held out and quickly walked away. As I walked down the hall to my room, I wondered just how many of my old classmates still lived in town. Could Stan and I have been the only ones to leave South Park? No way, that would be... pathetic.
I wrinkled my nose in slight distaste as I opened the door to my room. Really, I wasn't suspecting something high-class, but I guess I had forgotten how poor South Park was.
I threw my bags onto the small bed in the corner, trying my hardest not to think about what it would look like under a black light, and sat down on the edge of it. I checked the time on my phone and smiled when I realized it was only eight at night. It was time I found Kenny and convinced him to come out drinking with me, because I honestly couldn't remember the last time I went out to a bar and had fun. Not that Stan and I didn't have fun; it was just a little different since we were together now. Besides, Stan had never been a big drinker like Kenny and me. Back in High School, when we'd go out to a party he'd spend his time with Cartman. Weird, I know, but Cartman never drank, and I guess that was the only similarity him and Stan really shared with each other. That or they just couldn't find anyone else to hang out with on a Friday night.
I decided to check at Kenny's house first. This was assuming that he still lived with his parents, which was actually pretty unlikely since the last I knew he couldn't stand his family. But maybe they could at least tell me where he lived now.
"Hello?" I called through the screen door, hoping someone was home to hear me. There was a shuffling noise coming from the kitchen, and I smiled as a frail looking woman came to stand in the entryway.
"Who's there?" Kenny's mom called out in her high-pitched voice, looking reluctant to come too close.
"It's Kyle." I announced, but continued when she didn't seem to remember me. "I'm one of Kenny's old friends from high school."
"Oh." She replied, and stepped forward into the light. I almost gasped at how awful she looked. Her hair was matted down with grease, her face was dirty and swollen and her clothes were torn in several different places. "Kenny doesn't live here no more." She stated as she opened the screen door and stepped outside to talk.
"Uh-" I fumbled with my words for a moment as I continued to take in her appearance. What had happened to her? She hadn't always been this bad, had she? "Right, I didn't think so. Do you know where he does live? I'd really like to see him."
"No, but he works at the gas station down town. You could probably find him there." Kenny worked at a gas station? I thought he was going to community college to get a degree in engineering?
"Thanks, Carol." I could feel my face fall into a look of pity for a moment as I reached out a hand to lie on her shoulder. "It was good to see you."
"You too, Kyle." Her dirty face beamed at my show of affection, her smile revealing several missing teeth. "You always were such a nice boy."
I had to leave before I actually started to cry. What had I left behind here?
South Park only had one gas station, so I knew exactly where Kenny's mom was talking about. And I didn't like the idea of Kenny working there- at all. Kenny was supposed to do something with his life. He was always telling us how he was going to get out of South Park, and break from the curse that held the rest of his family as the poorest in town. He wasn't supposed to be selling packets of cigarettes and lottery tickets to the hillbillies in this town.
I walked up the cracked sidewalk, weeds claiming the edges and pushing up through the ground around it. I saw Kenny before I even got inside, through the window next to the cash register. It didn't afford a very good view though, and I bent my head down, feeling anxious as I opened the door. A small chime went off, signaling the employee's that a new customer had just walked in, and I took a deep breath.
"Oho!" Came a shout to my right, and I looked up to see a guy with black hair and blue eyes sneering at me. I always hated how much Craig looked like Stan, especially since they were complete opposites of each other. Where Stan was caring and sensitive, Craig was mean and spiteful. His features took on a sharper edge to coincide with his attitude, where as Stan's were softer and less severe. It didn't change how much they resembled each other, though. I had often joked with Stan when we were younger that they were actually illegitimate brothers, and his dad had fooled around with Craig's mom. Stan didn't appreciate that so much.
"Look who's come back to town!" Craig yelled, now standing only a few feet away from me. He had a rag thrown over his left shoulder, and was wearing the customary uniform of black pants and a red shirt.
"Hey Craig." I forced a smile, trying to persuade him into not being a complete asshole for once in his life. I really wasn't in the mood.
Craig's sneer never faltered from his face, though, as he glanced around me as if looking for someone else. "Where's your little fuck buddy? I thought you two skipped town together."
"Stan didn't come with me." I answered in a monotone, keeping my face expressionless. If he knew how much his insinuations really bothered me he'd stop assuming Stan and I were and item and ascertain that it was actually true.
"Relationship troubles?" Craig questioned, his face twisting into a disgusted look as he looked back at me.
"No. My brother's getting married, as I'm sure you've heard. So I came back without him."
Craig nodded and stepped around me, his cocky stance making me want to punch him right in the fucking face. Maybe I could manage to fuck his teeth up even more. "Hey, Kenny," Craig suddenly yelled, grabbing the blonde's attention from the register. He must have been pretending he didn't see us before, because there was no way he missed that scene. "Don't you want to come give your idol a hug? I thought you've missed him so much!"
Kenny clenched his teeth almost audibly. "Fuck off, douche bag. I have nothing to say to Kyle." I flinched as he spat out my name like it was the most hateful thing to ever leave his lips. I stepped towards
him, though Craig was still in front of me. "Kenny, could I please just talk to you for a minute," I glanced towards Craig and bit my lip. "Alone?"
"Why?" Kenny's eyes landed on my face and I swear I had never seen such a heart breaking thing in my life. His face was thin and sallow, and his once bright blue eyes were now encased by dark circles and sunken deep into his face. He looked fucking horrible.
"Because I want the chance I never got before. To explain myself."
Kenny's lips pursed into a tight line and his eyes shone with a guarded expression. Craig turned to look at me over his shoulder and smirked.
"Why don't you just get the fuck out of here, Broflovski? We're all finished with the two golden boys of South Park. Have been for a long time."
Kenny heaved a great sigh as he rubbed his temple in annoyance. "That's enough, Craig."
"Whatever, Kenny. You always were such a fucking pussy for those two. Go ahead, take his side, see if I fucking care." Craig spoke softly, but with a dangerous undertone, his eyes darkening with anger. "Just remember that he fucking left. He doesn't give a fuck about anyone here, so I don't know why you'd think you're so special."
Kenny didn't seem to be listening to a thing Craig was saying. His tired gaze was fixed solely on me, and didn't break until a few seconds after Craig had slipped into the supply room, mumbling curse words under his breath.
"What do you want, Kyle?" I was almost surprised at the change in his tone of voice. Just minutes ago he sounded spiteful and angry, but this sounded almost... broken.
"I- I..." I closed my eyes for a second, trying to find the right words for this occasion. I had never been good at this kind of thing in the first place. One of my greatest weaknesses has always been my ability to talk myself out of a situation. I always got tongue tied and ended up spewing the first random nonsense that came to my head. "I live in Seattle."
"What?" Kenny's brows drew together in genuine confusion before a look of anger flashed across his face. "If you just came here to fucking gloat, then-"
"No, no, that's not what I meant!" I interrupted, taking a desperate step forward with my hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"Kyle, I really don't have the time or interest to devote to this right now. So would you please just get to the fucking point?"
"I never wanted to leave you, Kenny." I blurted quickly, taking another step forward so I could rest my palms against the counter Kenny was standing behind. "Neither of us did. Sure, we wanted to leave this fucking town, but we didn't want to leave you. Or any of our friends. It wasn't personal and you fucking know that."
Kenny took a step back and folded his arms over his chest. "Do they have phones in Seattle, Kyle?"
I could feel my face scrunch up with confusion, but I answered anyways. "Yes."
"And I know for a fact that you've had my number memorized since you learned how to count, yet you've never bothered to call. Sorry if I don't believe your pathetic excuse, but if you really missed me you could have called at least once. In the entire five fucking years you've been gone." Kenny spat out the last words like venom and made a face like they left a bad taste in his mouth.
"I know," I shook head and leaned forward in desperation. "I know it sounds bad, but you have to look at it from our perspective, Kenny! When we left, we had no intentions of ever returning to South Park. Ever. It was a stupid thing to try and convince ourselves of, but we were just so fucking sick of it. And since we believed we'd never see anyone again we figured it would be easier to make a clean break." Kenny's neutral expression never changed as he continued to regard me with emotionless eyes. "We knew it would be too hard for us to stay away if we stayed in contact with you. I won't deny that it's a fucking lame excuse, but Kenny, you're one of my best fucking friends! You always have been- why would I purposely try to hurt you?"
Kenny took a step forward and placed his hands on the counter also, leaning in so he was only inches away from my face. I threw all of the honesty I could muster in my expression, realizing that he was scrutinizing me. Finally, he took a deep breath and leaned away, letting his arms fall to his side in an open gesture.
"Fucking shit cocksucker!" He swore loudly, and I started to back away until I caught his lips twitching at the corners. I smiled at him and he closed his eyes and smiled back, shaking his head. "God dammit, Kyle! You're so fucking lucky I'm shit at holding grudges."
All I could do was smile like an idiot.
Kenny took off early from work and decided to take it upon himself to reacquaint me with my hometown. He insisted that I let him drive me all around, even though not a god damned thing had changed, and listen to him instruct me like a freaking tour guide. Honestly though, despite the fact that I bitched about it the entire time, I had missed Kenny too much to give a shit about what we did. Just being with him again was enough for me.
"And there's Bebe's new house, she's living there with Red and Millie. Sometimes I go over there and we all fu-"
"I think I get the point, Kenny!" I interrupted loudly, throwing up my hands in a motion for him to stop. Kenny chuckled to himself and took a sharp left. "That's right; I forgot that you don't really swing that way."
"Uh, what are you talking about?" Stan and I had never told anyone from South Park about us, or the fact that we were gay. How could he know that?
"Well, I mean I know that you still like women. Sometimes. But you're mostly attracted to dick." The way he was speaking was so off-hand I wondered if maybe I had told him once. But I knew I was always so careful about masking my sexual preferences- there was no way.
"Where the fuck did you get that from?" I sputtered out after working my mouth silently for a few seconds.
"Jesus, Kyle. I know you and Stan were, like, super gay friends or whatever in high school, but I knew you pretty damn well, too."
"There's no way you could have known that."
"Bullshit. You and Stan are fucking open books to me. We were best friends, and I like to think that I can tell if my best friends are gay or not." There was a tinge of bitterness in his voice that was hard to miss.
"We still are." I replied quietly.
He turned his head to look over at me, a street light illuminating his expression as we drove under it. "What?"
"You said we were best friends. We still are."
Kenny returned his eyes back to the road and shook his head, but I didn't miss the small curve his lips made. "Maybe. You've got a lot of ass kissing to do though, Broflovski."
"I'm sure you'll have completely forgiven me by the end of tonight." I challenged, smirking at the side of his face.
"I might have been easy to convince," Kenny started, a sly look appearing on his face. "But I know a certain someone who won't be quite as simple to persuade."
I could feel my face fall. "Is Cartman really that pissed at us?"
"Well, I don't know if it was ever humanly possible for him to dislike you any more, but he's considerably more irritated with Stan."
I sighed as Kenny continued to drive in silence. If Cartman was seriously pissed then it would take nothing short of a miracle to convince him to forgive us. Not that it was on my list of priorities at the moment- Cartman was a total douche bag- but we had also been sort-of friends since preschool. Stan would be more upset than me, I think, but he can't stand people not liking him in the first place. It drives him crazy. He's one of those people who had to please everyone, no matter what cost to him.
Kenny took another turn down our small main street. "Where are we going?" I questioned, suddenly brought out of my own thoughts.
"You're going to have to deal with Cartman sometime. Might as well be willingly and with me than accidentally when you're by yourself."
I sat back in my seat and closed my eyes. This was not something I was looking forward to, or even anticipated. Coming back to South Park was not a fucking vacation for me in the first place, and having to deal with a pissed off Eric Cartman was going to make it a whole hell of a lot worse.
A/N: I looooove hearing feedback. And, tell me your favorite part, please :) I love to hear it, just leave a review! I miss my reviews from the old story... wish I could transfer them and all of the people who had this story on alert... I know you're still out there and hope you find this story soon!
