The next day, Nick had to prepare himself to meet a few other kids. He was both nervous and excited at the same time. He really didn't know what to expect, he figured one of the kids would be Cartman, and he wasn't exactly looking forward to meeting him from what Butters had already told him. Although it wasn't exactly 12:00 yet, he decided to get dressed early so he wouldn't have to worry about it later. He then went downstairs to talk with his father.
"So, how are things going with the new office?" Colin had just got off the phone and was about to go and cook breakfast.
"The Mayor agreed to get me one, so that's a plus." Colin answered as he was cracking eggs into the skillet.
"But…" Nick knew that not everything was going to plan. His Dad had a certain tell that only Nick could see, a tell that made it clear when his Dad was distressed or worried.
"But she wants me to talk to the adults in this town about it, and she warned me that some of them are going to be a challenge for me to convince."
"I get the feeling that Butters' parents wouldn't mind, in fact, I get the feeling that they would be the first ones on board with a professional therapist, that isn't the school counselor." Nick stated, not actually knowing that the only professional mental help here IS the school counselor.
"Yeah, they should be easy, but I don't know about everyone else. So while you are talking to the kids, I will be out talking to their parents."
"Then I should probably tell you that the house where I am meeting a few of the kids, his parents are out of town. I believe his name is Stan." Nick didn't want his Dad to go to the house that didn't have any parents to talk to, and he also didn't want his Dad to just suddenly appear while they were having a conversation, that would have been awkward.
"Thanks, son, that is good to know."
"No problem, Dad."
After they ate their breakfast, Colin decided to head out and talk to the adults, while Nick waited for Butters to come by, and after a few hours, Butters had rung the doorbell.
"Hey, Butters." Nick said, smiling at his new friend.
"Hey, Nick." Nick noticed that Butters didn't have his hands behind his back and that he wasn't holding his right arm this time. In fact, his arms were right by his sides, and he that this little innocent smile, that some would call cute. "You ready to go."
"Sure am," Nick closed the door behind him, and then started walking with Butters.
"Man, none of them are going to believe that you became my friend so easily."
"So, I am going to assume that you get bullied a lot." Nick said, with a worried look on his face.
"Yeah, but it's not that bad. It was worse last year, but it had gotten a little better since then." Butters admitted.
"Did you ever fight back?" Nick asked.
"Well, there was this one time where I became really rude, and basically called everyone out on their behavior. My parents decided to send me to the place I was born in Hawaii, and Kenny came along to make sure I got on the plane. I am pretty sure it is because I called him the only decent human being in this town."
"So, you don't really fight back?"
"No, my parents would ground me if I did, heck, they even grounded me from just coming home with a beaten face."
Nick noticed what Butters said, and stopped in his tracks. "Wait, you got beaten up, and your parents grounded you for coming home with a battered face."
"Yup…" Butters didn't seem to know that this isn't normal.
"Dude, that is really fucked up."
"That is something Stan would say, isn't that funny." Butters said, trying to drop the conversation.
"Butters…" Nick said with a concerned look on his face. "Do your parents ground you for petty reasons like that often?"
"Yeah, I got grounded because I made a funny face in the yearbook picture by accident, and they kept grounding me because I made a funny face without really meaning to, and they put a paper bag on my head until I could stop."
"What was the face you were making."
Butters looked at him with his regular face, and Nick realized that he was right to worry about Butters. "So, they grounded you because you made a normal looking face in your yearbook photo?"
"Nick, why are you getting so upset?"
At that point, Nick saw that Butters was scared, he didn't even realize that Butters saw all of this as normal, and with that, he decided to drop it. "I'm sorry, let's just keep going. We can talk about this some other time."
Butters was glad that he decided to drop the conversation. "We should be almost there, let's get going."
"Butters, what do you usually do for fun."
"I go outside and play games with the other kids, I usually roleplay."
"That's cool, is it like Dungeon & Dragons or superheroes?"
"Both," Butters answered, with a smile on his face. "When we play D&D, I am a Paladin, and when we play superheroes, I change into my alter ego "Professor Chaos."
"Is there a story behind this Professor Chaos?"
"Yeah, but it's long one, let's just say that is the identity I take when I want to be the bad guy every once in a while." Butters didn't want his new friend to know that he seriously used this identity to try to cause trouble in real life, not just in games.
"I used to play D&D with my friend back in the city, I always loved being the types of characters who are known for stealth, but can fight with a bunch of people around. Like Solid Snake from the Metal Gear games, or an assassin." Nick admitted to Butters. I haven't played superheroes before, but I am not against to trying it."
"Cool, maybe I can convince the others to let you in on our next game." Nick smiled at the offer, if it meant making friends with others, he wouldn't say no. "That sounds great, thanks for the offer. You're a good kid, Butters."
"Aw shucks, don't go making me embarrassed now." Nick chuckled at Butters statement, he really did enjoy spending time with Butters, he thought he was funny and nice, and just an all-around good kid, he couldn't understand why his parents were so abusive or why he got picked on so much. But he would soon see why.
After a surprisingly long walk, Butters and Nick had made it to Stan's house. They both went up to the door, and Nick rang the doorbell.
"I got it." A voice from behind the door called out.
The door opens to reveal a boy wearing a brown coat and a red hat, from what Butters had told Nick, he figured this was Stan. "Aw, you must be the new kid, my name is Stan, what's yours."
"My name is Nicholas, but you can call me Nick for short."
"Oh my God, you talk." Stan exclaimed.
"Yes, I do know the human language, why are you surprised.
"The last new kid barely said anything, in fact, he was mute most of the time." Stan answered.
"Oh okay, can we come in now."
"Oh sure."
They walked inside Stan's house, and it was about the same as Nick's house, just with a different wallpaper and floor. As soon he walked in he noticed three other boys sitting on the couch playing video games. Nick wasn't sure which game, and he really didn't care so he just turned his attention to the three.
"Hey guys, this is the new kid, his name is Nick."
"Did Butters tell you that or the mute?" Cartman asked.
"I guess you're Eric Cartman." Nick said.
"Holy shit, he does talk!"
"Why are you making a big deal out of this, not every new kid we meet is going to be a mute." Kyle stated.
"Thank you." Nick said. "Judging from the clothes and hat, are you… Kyle?
"Yeah, that's right. It's nice to meet you, Nick." Kyle said shaking Nick's hand.
Nick then turned his attention the kid in the orange parka, he figured this kid ought to be Kenny.
"You must be Kenny." Nick said, with his arm extended.
"That's right, it's nice to meet you." Kenny said with his voice muffled, but Nick could somehow understand him.
"Butters told me a lot about you guys."
"Oh really, what did the little fag say?" Cartman asked.
"Well, from what he told me about you, I can say that you are one fat son of a bitch."
"DON'T CALL ME FAT, NEW KID!" Cartman shouted.
"What are you gonna do? Tell on me? You probably get that comment every day." Nick said, smirking.
"Actually we usually just call him fatass." Kyle admitted.
"SHUT UP, JEW, NO ONE ASKED YOU!" Cartman exclaimed. Nick saw that Kyle was about to yell back, but Nick decided to step in. "Fatass? Even better. A lot less to say. Say, Kyle, is Cartman always being an anti-semetist?"
"Every fucking day." Kyle said, trying not to strangle Cartman.
"Hey Nick, you better be careful when picking on Eric." Kenny said.
"Why? What could he possibly do to me?"
"He could kill your Dad, and have his pieced chopped up and serve it to you in chili." Butter answered.
"Come again?"
"Cartman killed Scott Tenorman's parents and served it to him in chili because Scott kept messing with him."
"What the actual fuck…" Nick said, surprised that this kid would do something that horrible.
"That's right, new kid, you better be careful what you say to me or your parents gonna get it.
"Don't treat me like shit, and we won't have a problem.
"Dude, he treats everyone like shit, and we do the same, just not to the point of what Scott did." Stan said.
"Alright, I will keep that in mind."
"So Nick, why did you move to South Park, not much out around here."
"Well, after some recent events, Dad felt that it wasn't a good idea to stay in a place full of bad memories, and he felt like we needed a new start somewhere, and he chose South Park."
"His Dad is a really nice guy." Butters added.
"We weren't asking you, Butters. Stan said, with a cynical tone.
"It's not that big of a deal, Stan." Nick interjected.
"My bad." Stan said, looking down. I have to be careful, this kid seems to know his stuff.
"What happened, did your Dad get caught fucking a kid?" Cartman asked. "And is your Mom in on it, too?"
"You better shut your mouth, Cartman." Nick said, with a voice so threatening that even Saddam Hussein would turn tail and run. "No, what happened had nothing to do with Dad, and my Mom died when I was seven."
Oh geez, we're sorry, dude, Cartman didn't mean to be insensitive." Butters said.
"You don't have to apologize for him, I already know he isn't sorry." Nick stated, with a furious look at Cartman.
Kenny was the one who noticed this time, and he asked, "So, do you have any siblings?"
Nick knew what Kenny was doing, and he was very appreciative of his effort, so he decided to play along. "I have an older brother who left home shortly after Mom's death. We haven't spoken in three years though. He and my Dad didn't exactly get along."
"What's his name?" Kyle asked.
"Edward Finn." Nick answered. "But that's enough about me, do any of you have any siblings."
"I have a bitch of an older sister name Shelly." Stan answered.
"I am going to take a wild guess and say that she used to beat you."
"Yeah… it was a bitch to deal with, and no one would help me.
"Yeah, because you were getting beat up by a girl." Cartman joked.
"Speak for yourself, Cartman. You got beat by Wendy." Kyle said, with a smirk on his face.
"Oh yeah, well I turned your crush against you."
"Goddammit Cartman, I told that I'm over her!"
While that was going on, Nick asked, "Who's Wendy."
"Stan's girlfriend." Butters answered.
"You have a girlfriend, Stan?"
"Yeah…" Stan said, blushing. "This is her." Stan pulled out a picture of them with their arms around each other.
"Huh, she is actually pretty. Lucky you." Nick said, smiling.
"What about you, Nick, have you ever had a girlfriend, or are you…?" Kenny began to ask. Nick knew what they wanted to know, and there was no harm in telling them.
"I never dated either sex, I wouldn't exactly mind dating a boy, but I do prefer girls." Nick said.
"So, are you straight or pansexual?" Kenny asked.
"I don't know, I like girls more than guys, but I wouldn't mind dating a boy." Nick shrugged and said. "More straight than gay. Anyway, do you have any siblings, Kenny?"
"I have an older brother named, Kevin, who is just sorta there, and a little sister named Karen, who I love unconditionally."
"That must be hard on your parents, considering your situation." Nick said, not wanting to be rude.
"Well, they are pretty shitty role models." Kenny admitted.
"What about you, Kyle?" Kyle was still arguing with Cartman.
"What?"
"Do you have any siblings?
"He's adopted, but yeah. My baby brother, Ike."
"I am going to assume Cartman doesn't have any siblings." Nick stated.
"No I don't, and I don't want any." Cartman stated.
"You don't have any, Butters, right?"
"No, my parents are afraid that they'll also be a troublemaker."
"You're not a troublemaker, Butters. You just have shitty parents." Nick said, without any reluctance.
"My Dad is kinda mean, true, but my Mom at least loves me."
"Even if they do love you, they shouldn't ground you for no reason."
"Awwww, look, it's only been a day, and the new kid already has a boyfriend.
"Do you want to die?" Nick asked Cartman without any sign of emotion. This made Cartman shut up.
"Do you guys know about Butters' parents?" Nick asked.
"Aw geez, you don't have to ask them."
"I need information, Butters." Nick said, with a sympathetic look. "You can leave if you want."
"Nah, I'd rather be here."
Nick got his phone out and started recording their conversation.
"Well, to be honest, we have known about his parents for a while." Kyle stated.
"His parents have always been strict with him, but he often gets grounded for no good reason."
"This one time, we got Butters out of the house, and I took his place for him." Cartman started laughing. "And-and, they kept calling to check on him every hour or so, and I said things to them that he would never say, and when they got back, I had already left the house, and they started beating him. Man, it was a fun watch."
The whole room went silent. Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Nick all had their mouths open.
"Dude…" Stan said. "That is fucked up." Butters looked like he was about to cry.
"It doesn't cost a thing to be kind, dipshit." Kenny said.
"Kenny, Butters told me that he considers you his closest friend. Has there ever been a time where either of you stood up to him."
"I made an anti-bullying program with Butters as the face of it." Stan admitted.
"I put off my birthday, when he went missing, which was also caused by Cartman." Kyle admitted.
"Give me the short version."
"Basically, I had my party at Casa Bonita, Cartman wanted to go, but I didn't invite him, I invited Butters, some trickery happened, and he tricked Butters to go into hiding. Although he did end up in juvie for two weeks, so it wasn't a win for him."
"Yes it was, I got to eat at Casa Bonita." Cartman said, dreamily.
"Cartman, you're a sick fuck." Nick said, nonchalantly. "What about you, Kenny?"
"I went with him to Hawaii and stuck with him even with Cartman teasing that we were a couple. Even held his hand for an extended amount of time."
"It seems to me that at least three of you have felt bad for Butters, but you didn't do anything to stop it."
"Well, the cops here are idiots, they know about Butters parents, and they still do nothing." Kenny admitted.
"Butters, I'm sorry you had to hear all of this."
"It's fine, I'm used to it at this point." Nick cut off the recording and saved it on his phone.
"Alright, now that is out of the way, I bring this information to my Dad, and he can get you an appointment for therapy."
"You would do that for me?" Butters asked.
"We're not going to sit by and watch this happen, Butters." Nick stated. "Are we?"
"Well, that depends. Is your Dad smart."
"The smartest guy I know. He doesn't take shit from anyone."
"Sounds like a Mary Sue to me." Cartman noted.
"That may be, but at least he isn't an asshole." Nick stated.
"Hey, would your Dad be willing to take someone in for free?" Kenny asked.
"Sure, I can get you or your siblings in."
"Wow, and to think that we used to bully new kids."
"Even if you did bully me it wouldn't have worked out."
"You know, we came here to have fun, why don't you join us and play video games." Kyle offered.
"Sure, why don't you join us too, Butters."
"Alright." Butters said, still a little melancholic. Kenny grabbed his and Cartman's controller and gave it to Nick and Butters.
"Thanks, Kenny.
"No problem, dude, consider yourself at home."