A Bump in the Road

By, the Unlucky-charm.

We all sat in a circular form on my carpeted floor and decided to brainstorm for a while. That 'while' had now turned into 15 minutes of us silently staring at either our feet, the floor or a wall. I started to get worried because not only did my brain not know what to do, but all four of ours minds together couldn't come up with a single good idea. Although, it was probably because of all the tension in the room. Ike was noticeably disappointed in me, while as Kenny was plain angry. Stan, however, looked stoked; as if he was ready to support Bebe, me and the baby.

Baby...

If you think of one, you are reminded of words such as 'small' or 'cute' or 'new'. Those are happy words...

So why is it that when I'm the one thinking of it, a big ol' ugly problem comes to mind, hm?

Is it because I'm still in high school? Or because I'm not financially stable? Maybe because I expect myself to take care of a child when I wasn't even responsible enough to remember to put on a condom!

"Oh! I know!" Stan suddenly spoke.

His eyes were wide with excitement as he slammed his palms in front of him, making a thudding noise against the carpet.

"What?"

Everyone leaned in and looked back at him hopefully, expecting an amazing, unfailing plan. Stan shrunk back and looked away from us.

"Um, well guys, it's not that good..."

I should have known better than to have reacted that way. The whole world knows that Stan doesn't do good under pressure.

"Just spit it out." Kenny said, tapping him on the knee, urging him to go on.

"Well, I mean, um, Kyle could maybe just call her...?"

We all stared at him blankly and didn't look away as we spoke.

"I have a question, Kyle." Kenny said, addressing me but keeping his eyes glued on Stan.

"Yes Ken?"

"Should we kick him for coming up with such a stupid ideas, or should we kick ourselves for not having thought of it earlier?"

I actually pondered the question for a few seconds until realizing it was a joke and laughing.

"But even if I do call her, what am I supposed to say? Not that I can even do it in the first place... I think it's a little to early and-"

Next thing I knew, Stan had me pinned down on my bedroom floor. His scent took over my breathing air and his jet black hair swayed in my face. He smiled at me and laughed, but then stopped when he too felt my own pants come off.

"Kenny what the fuck!"

"Dude, so unnecessary." Stan added.

"I'm taking his cell phone." He said casually, as if what he was doing was not perverted at all.

I didn't even bother to say anything else, knowing now that Kenny had my pants, he wasn't giving them back to me any time soon.

Kenny took out my phone and started dialing a number; probably Bebe's.

"Put it on speaker." Stan said and clamped his hand on my mouth.

I yelled but only muffled sounds came out. And all Ike was doing what sitting there, bored, staring at the ceiling, not bothering to even make an effort to help me.

'Hello?'

It was her.

"Hi Bebe? It's Kenny. Listen um, Kylie here want to talk to you."

'Then why are you the one calling?'

"Oh um, he had his hands full...yeah."

Kenny's voice rose a little, signaling a lie. Luckily, Bebe didn't know him well enough to be able to notice.

Stan removed his hand just in time to release the sound of me yelping.

'Kyle?' She called.

"Um, right, hi? Bebe? I think we need to, um, talk to each other...?"

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a distant squeal.

'Yeah, I think so to.'

"Great so um, I guess we should meet at the coffee shop?"

'I'll be there in half an hour.'

She hung up.

Kenny shut the phone and grinned at me.

"Nicely done." He congratulated and helped me up.

Stan pounded my fist and then pulled me into a tight hug.

Ike, on the other hand, lay on the bed, his arms tucked comfortably under his head, and chuckled sarcastically.

"What is it twerp?" Stan scolded.

"Oh nothing..." He said and yawned. "Just that Kyle has slept with this girl and now she may or may not be pregnant with his child... and yet, they haven't even been on a date yet."

I opened my mouth to argue with Ike or at least reason with him but Stan beat me to it.

He pounced on the bed and sat on my brother. He dug his fingers into his shoulders and pushed them down further and further into the mattress.

"You little fuck! You think your brother WANTED this to happen? You think this is how it was all planned out!"

"Stan!" I yelled but he didn't even bother to turn and look at me. He kept his eyes glued on Ike, his jaw clenched, holding in every insult and every punch to his face.

Eventually, with the help of Kenny, Stan stepped off of Ike. My dumbass of a brother blushed in embarrassment and straightened himself up.

"All right, Kyle, go get ready so we can take you to the cafe." Kenny said and began to leave the room with my pants still slung over his shoulder.

"Uh Ken? My pants?"

Kenny sighed and threw me the pants.

"All right, I'll give them back this time... but ONLY this time."

I smile and shook my head. Sad part is, he really wasn't joking.

I slipped on my pants and headed out.

Kenny's car smelled strongly of cigarettes, sweat and Swiss Army cologne, but I wasn't paying much attention to that right now.

I sat in the passenger seat and held on to the sides of my chair tightly. Our driver was recklessly swivelling in between other cars, going over the speed limit, ignoring red lights and stop signs and not even worrying about pedestrians. Occasionally, I would take the risk and take a look in the back seat where Stan sat, clutching at his seat belt.

"Kenny, would you please slow down." Stan pleaded with his eyes tightly shut.

"Fine, Jesus Christ, you guys are such pussies."

Kenny slowed down but it was no use since we were already parked in front of Tweak's coffee shop. It was a small establishment with big transparent walls through which you could see the dozens of people sitting quietly at the tables.

Entering the cafe, we were greeted by a sudden gust of warm air emanating from the vents on both surrounding walls. Behind the counter, was as usual, Tweek, in complete bliss at the center of his very own caffeinated haven. He worked rapidly, his slender fingers manoeuvring the machines with ease. When he saw us he smiled and then shot a critical glance at our slush covered boots. We smiled apologetically at him and wiped our feet on the matt at the entrance.

As we awkwardly walked deeper into the shop, we were hit by the strong welcoming mixed scents of coffee, caramel and chocolate. I was doing everything to keep my face composed and my nervousness to a minimum. The smells invading my nostrils really did help me keep my calm but the panic I felt when I saw her sitting in a corner, her legs crossed, book in hand, was nothing like I had expected or could have controlled for that matter.

"I can't do it." I said.

"Dude, what the hell. You had SEX with her! This is just talking." Kenny pointed out, which didn't make me feel any more confident.

"I know, I know, but what am I supposed to say?"

"Ask her if she's pregnant or not." Stan answered to my completely rhetorical question.

"Yeah, right, 'hi babe, hey listen, are you pregnant?' That doesn't sound weird at all!" I said with heavy sarcasm and a little too loud since Bebe noticed me.

I made the mistake of looking at her and making eye contact. She waved me over with a blushing smile.

"Guys come with me, please." I pleaded.

"No!" They said at the same time and each gave me a small shove before leaving the place.

I took in a deep breath and blushed instantly because she was staring at me and I was making it way to obvious. Finally, watching the floor, I walked to the table.

"Hey." She said, looking down at her book.

"Hi."

"How have you been?"

The red crept into her cheeks as she forced her eyes to look at me.

"I'm sorry, babe."

It just came out. I didn't mean it to... it just did.

"I-It's all right Kyle, no worries." She mumbled.

She seemed worried. That wasn't a good sign. I sat across her and held both her hands in mine.

"N-no, it's not but, whatever. I just, um..." Shit, I was totally messing up. "I want you to know that I was serious about the 'going steady' thing."

"Well, then, that's wonderful really."

I managed to get a grin out of her, but at the same time, her hands started to shake in mine. Now that really wasn't a good sign.

"You cold?" I asked stupidly. Of course she wasn't, we were in a goddamn coffee shop.

"Oh, um no, I'm fine."

She was lying. This was the worst sign yet and also the last straw. I couldn't take the awkwardness anymore and judging by the look on her face, she wasn't too happy, which bothered me as well.

"Bebe..." I whispered and lifted her chin up. The damn lighting in the place was so odd, I couldn't tell if her eyes were welling up with tears or if they were naturally shiny like that.

Her full lips parted and she breathed in some air a little too rapidly. Her eyes though, were turned away from mine.

"Look at me." I ordered.

And so she did.

Big brown almond shaped eyes looked directly into mine and I swear I could have taken her right there at that second. She was just so beautiful, it was ridiculous. How could someone like her ever like someone like me? It doesn't matter, as long as she's mine and I'm going to make sure it stays that way.

"You know, I care about you? A lot." I started slowly.

I used my husky voice just in case. Kenny had always told me that whenever I'm lost in words, I should use the husky voice; it makes everything sound a little better. Despite that, she wasn't answering. Instead, she was trying to avoid my gaze again.

"Babe. Look at me and answer...please? For me."

She gently tilted her head and finally froze her gaze on me. She released her hands from my grasp and slid them underneath the flaps of my hat. She tangled her warm fingers into my wavy auburn hair and pulled our lips together in a strong passionate kiss.

As her tears rolled down her cheeks and crossed over to mine, I cupped her face and broke the embrace.

"Bebe..."

"Kyle...I-I'm..." She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle the sobs, but they came out anyway and tore my heart out as they did.

"It's okay..." I said, keeping my calm.

"It's all right..." I repeated. "Just tell me what happened."

She took in a deep breath and wiped off her tears. She regained her straight face and grabbed on to my hands again.

"I might be pregnant."

"Might?" Now the hell did that work?

"I took three... two of them were positive, the other negative." She explained.

It had to be said for me to take it all in... and now that it was, I felt faint.

"Go and see the doctor, babe." I said.

"Yeah, Wendy already made me an appointment."

I was sort of relieved that she wasn't completely lost in this. She had an idea of what was going on and was ready to face it, as long as she wasn't alone.

I wasn't exactly the biggest Wendy fan, but I was also quite thankful that she was Bebe's best friend. She was down to earth (lucky for Stan, who most certainly wasn't) and would have taken action if Bebe hadn't.

"Good." I said, but I felt like I should have said something a little more comforting. "and um, you know I'm with you in this, all the way."

"Thanks Kyle." She said it and meant it.

We talked a little more and avoided the subject of her pregnancy. We spoke about us, our relationship and other things.

"I'm really sorry." I found myself saying for the millionth time. "I should have acted sooner than to have left you heartbroken."

"It's okay, at least you came around."

"Yeah, and got you pregnant. Yey." I rolled my eyes in annoyance towards myself.

She giggled and rubbed circles on the back of my hand with her thumb. "It's okay." She mumbled.

I gave her a blunt look and arched my eyebrow at her in reproach.

She laughed and blushed. "Okay, it's not 'okay' but I rather you than anyone else."

My eyes widened; I was taken aback. I didn't know if I should've been scared, confused or actually...flattered? Was it a good thing that she said that? I mean, it must've been some kind of compliment since she said she'd rather me than anyone else.

I took a moment and imagined Bebe, pregnant, with hm... let's see... Craig's baby?

I automatically flinched at the thought and didn't even WANT to think about her with any other guy. She was mine and I guess I could be okay with being hers too.

"Yeah, I'm happy it was me too." I said.

Half an hour later, I had walked her to her house. We stood on the porch, saying our goodbyes, and I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to make a move and kiss her. I ended up deciding against it, in fear of her parents watching through a window or something.

"So, I'll see you later?"

I nodded and stepped down the two steps that led to the driveway.

"Kyle?" I heard her call.

I swung around and looked at her standing on top of those two steps, knees bent, ready to jump.

"Yeah?"

She threw herself at me and I caught her with ease. I held her thighs against my sides as she wrapped her legs around my torso. Her arms around my neck, we gazed at each other's faces, inches apart. Her warm hands crept under my hat, ready to take hold of my hair again, but I refused to let her make the move this time. So, I leaned in roughly and pressed our lips together. She opened her mouth and I let my tongue slip in. She moaned softly and then separated herself from me.

"Bye." She said.

I waved goodbye and made my way home.

It was really unfair, I thought to myself. I am a very responsible person; I never disobey important rules, I'm always careful, I don't piss people off, I'm polite...

I'm generally a good person.

So why is it, that the one time, the ONE time I mess up, it costs me mine and my lover's life? How come, when Cartman messes up, in the end he's fine? Why does NOTHING bad happen to that fat ass hole whenever he acts like a dick, which is always!

Cartman has probably murdered people a bunch of times and he's still living his life being a spoiled brat and getting everything he wants.

But when I do something bad, when I make a mistake, I end up watching my whole world crumple in front of my eyes. And there it remains, waiting for me to rebuild it from scratch for the hundredth time.

My mental ranting ended when I finally got home. All I wanted to do what strip down to my boxers and go to sleep in my fluffy warm bed. But of course, that wasn't an option...

"Hey Kyle! Welcome back!"

Now, please God, tell me why the hell Stan and Kenny came back to my house when I wasn't even there.

"What are you guys- where's Ike?"

They had made themselves comfortable in my living room and started to play video games.

"He's sleeping." Stan said, with a hint of relief in his tone.

"He's such an angel when he's sleeping." Kenny added with a sign.

Way to sound like an old person Ken...

"So what happened with Blondie?" Stan asked, his eyes shifting to me for just a short moment.

I flopped down on the couch in between them and told them the story with no feeling whatsoever. I didn't feel like talking, I didn't feel like moving and I didn't feel like having my friends over; I wanted to sleep and nothing more.

"So she's knocked up?" Kenny asked.

"Maybe." I answered.

"What are you going to do if she is?"

I had avoided that question with Bebe during the whole evening and I could tell that so was she. That worried me a little, because that meant neither of us knew what the hell to do! What was there to do! Either get rid of it or...

Become parents...

I clutched the couch cushions tightly and my whole body suddenly clenched; every muscle at the same time. I heard a few cracking noises coming from my knuckles, my feet and my back. A massive amount of sweat started to drip down my forehead as the room temperature, for some reason, got hotter and hotter. A soft whimper of pain escaped my open mouth, which caught the attention of my two friends sitting on the floor.

"Kyle.. what the..."

Then all the air was cut off. I coughed and tried to inhale but nothing was happening. I made choking noises and wanted to grab my throat with my hands but they were permanently buried in the fabric of the couch.

"Get his inhaler, fast!" Stan yelled to Kenny who sprinted upstairs to my room.

My raven friend grabbed my shoulders tightly and shook me a little.

"Kyle! Kyle! Dude, open your eyes!" He yelled.

My eyes were closed? Yes, yes they were.

I forced them open and saw him face almost pressed against mine. His blue orbs examining me and his mouth blowing warm air into my face.

"Kyle, buddy, just nod or shake your head okay? Are you having a panic attack?"

I nodded and dug my nails deeper into the sofa. I felt like my heart stopped along with everything else in my body. Before I knew it, Kenny had run down the stairs, tossed Stan the inhaler who shoved it into my mouth. I took three breaths then pushed Stan's hand away. I didn't need it anymore, this wasn't just another one of my random panic attacks because this time, I really did have something to panic about.

I managed t let go of the cushion and burry my face into my now free hands. I felt tears well up in my eyes but I didn't let them fall, so that my friends wouldn't see them. I clenched my teeth to keep down a sob but it came out all broken anyway.

"Kyle... what's wrong?" Kenny asked.

The couch shifted and I felt two arms drape around me; the bigger one was Stan's for sure so the other one must be Kenny's.

"I-I can't be a dad, guys. I just...I can't." I said in a forced, angry whisper that, as low as it was, lingered and echoed in the quiet room.

I felt the arms tighten and I knew both of them were hugging me from each side. I also knew they would be here for me, as long as it took and no matter what it took.

"Kyle... listen dude, I know you didn't intend this to happen, but you have to be strong." Stan told me.

"How do you want me to do that! I'm going to be a goddamn father." I said harshly.

"Dude, you need to be strong, at least for Bebe. Just imagine what she's going through, I mean, she IS the one carrying the kid. So, if you're not strong, she'll just fall to pieces. By keeping it together, your helping her do the same Jew boy." Kenny said. I heard the smile in his voice and I couldn't help but smile back, even though he probably couldn't see it.

I peeled my hands off of my sticky red face and took and deep, noisy breath.

"Thanks guys."

I patted them both on their back s and got up. I yawned and stretched, trying to signal them that I'm tired so they could leave but...

Stan and Kenny just stared up and me with wide saucer sized eyes filled with cluelessness.

"Ugh. Fine, you guys want to crash here?" I asked half-heartedly.

They both nodded and got up with me, ready to go upstairs. On the way up, we all gasped when we saw Ike sitting on the staircase in the dark. His glow in the dark light blue eyes made him look like a tiny little monster. Luckily, his little boy voice didn't match at all.

"So, she's pregnant?"

"Not sure yet bro. How about you stop eavesdropping and go to bed, hm?"

My already sleepy brother nodded slowly and dragged himself to his room.

"God he's cute when he's not being a fuck." Stan said while yawning and heading to my room where he took my bed.

"Well Ken, you can go and get ready, I'm going to brush my teeth."

The blonde nodded and walked off down the hall.

In the bathroom, I heard him open the closet in which were the sleeping bags I kept for sleepovers. No one knew about them...maybe because no one ever bothered opening that closet to check if anything lied behind it.

I brushed my teeth and then spit out the foamy tooth paste into the sink. Looking back up, I saw Kenny in he reflection, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, smiling at me sweetly.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Can you name him after me?" He asked.

God, I was too tired for this. I ran my fingers through my hair and chuckled a little.

"You know dude, you're not making this easier on me...but sure, if Bebe's okay with it."

"Cool." Was all he said before disappearing back into the hall.

"I'm sorry if it's a girl though." I added a little louder so that he could hear me.

He reappeared in the reflection and looked at me with a slight frown.

"What's the female version of Kenny?" He asked.

"Kelly?"

His eyes shifted to the side, as if pondering that possibility for while. Then, he gave me a thumbs up and left for good.

I found them laying in my bed, Kenny spooned up against the snoring Stan, both sleeping pleasantly.

I cursed them both under my breath for having taken my bed, before falling onto the sleeping bag and drifting off into a deep slumber. A slumber where pregnant lovers didn't exist and where Cartman was punished for everything he did in an eternal pool of fire.

A perfect world...