I don't own the South Park characters.
Chapter 2 – Count me in
"What's even more interesting about the praying mantis is the way they mate. While mating, the female-
Bzzzzzz Bzzzzz
…
"Right. As I was saying, the female will eat the male's head and-
Bzzzz Bzzzz
…
"Kenny McCormick."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Is that your phone that's interrupting my lesson?"
"Well, uhm-
Bzzzzz Bzzzz
"Can't you turn it off?"
"I can't ma'am, it's nothing like the other modern cell phones. I either reply or smash it on the ground" the teen smiled slightly at the teacher. "It's probably mom trying to tell me our house is on fire again, or something…"
The teacher sighed and rubbed her temples. Kenny was a special case indeed.
"You may go out and reply, but be back in 5 minutes, clear?"
"Cristal" Kenny grinned and left the class. Once he entered the empty hall, he leaned against the wall and checked his phone. Three messages from…Craig Tucker? Curious, he called the other boy, and was met by his annoyed, whispering voice.
"Dude, I told you not to call me when I'm in class. Didn't you read those messages?"
"Yeah, well, I told you not to message me while I'm in biology, either. You know she's watching every move I make. Anyway, what's the deal?"
"I can't tell you right now. Garrison's gonna ask Token something, I just know it. Meet me after school in the backyard"
"At the stairs where those goth kids hang out? You got it, Tucker" Kenny grinned and hanged up. He lazily opened the door to the classroom and took his seat.
"Everything okay, Mr. McCormick?"
"Yes, ma'am. Ma just found a rats nest behind the fridge and freaked out. No biggie"
X
"Dude, I'm telling ya, once winter comes and it starts snowing, I'm gonna shove Wendy's face in the biggest snow-covered-dog-turd I'll find and then-"
"W-won't you..GAH! Get in trouble with S-. Stan?"
"Psh, yeah right. Stan's the biggest pussy I've ever seen. I bet he fights like a girl." Clyde replied, smiling towards his blonde friend.
Him, Tweek and Token were currently heading back home. They seemed quite care-free, even if the gang was missing one of its members.
"So…where's Craig again? It's not like him to stay at school after classes. Of his own free will, that is."
"Jesus, Token, I told you four times already! I. Don't. Know. Ok?! He told me he'll catch up with us later and then *poof*. No more Craig"
"GAH! POOF?! Just-..just like th-at?"
"Yes, Tweek…I MEAN NO! Tweek, he didn't disappear, alright? I was trying to explain how fast he ran off, you understand? Like, those metaphors, y'know?"
"Dude, I don't think he gets it…" Token said, noticing Tweek shaking and blinking furiously.
Seriously. You have to be extremely careful with what you say around Tweek. The dude always exaggerates. I mean, it was not like Craig was in trouble or doing something stupid and stuff, right? He was not like that.
X
"You can't be serious…"
"I'm dead serious"
"Well, I can't tell that for sure, can I? Since you have that serious…poker face on like…12 out of 24"
"It's 24 out of 24"
"Oh right, I forgot you frown even when you sleep"
"Kenny would you just stop fooling around for once in your life? I'm not the type that just goes telling stuff like this, and you know it"
"Calm down Craig, I know, ok? I got it. I just can't help but wonder if you know exactly what you're putting us into"
"Us?"
"What?"
"You said *us*"
"Didn't you just invite me to come along earlier?"
"So you're in?"
"Yeah, well, dunno how to put it but life at home isn't quite Heaven on Earth. I mean, I've been thinking about running away for like, 4 years. But I don't exactly have a precise destination or a car so…"
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I don't know dude, everybody else's life seemed so much better than mine, I just didn't think someone would want to leave their luxury and just, hit the road with the poor kid y'know?" Kenny sighed, trying to find his words.
All of his life he was constantly reminded that he was lower than the rest and that he'll never fit in. His house was a wreck, his parents were fucked up and his older brother was a mess. There were times Kenny thought his only goal in life was to take care of his little sister, Karen. But since she was no longer living with them,(she was staying at a classmate of hers) Kenny slowly lost his purpose and started to fade away. For a depressed teenager like him, it seemed that suicide was the only answer.
So one night, two years ago in Stark's Pond, a trembling Kenny with a rope in his hand could've been found wandering in the dark, looking hesitantly at the trees. Luckily, Craig found him and stopped him from hanging himself, and that's how they became friends. But, even if they were pretty close, Kenny never thought of telling Craig about his wish of running away.
Needless to say, he was shocked when his black-haired friend made the first step and asked him to tag along.
"So how's it gonna be, Tucker? You DID plan it all out, didn't you?" Kenny grinned, his blue eyes full of excitement.
"Trust me, McCormick, we won't end up lost in a desert, or looking for food in trash bins" Craig smiled slightly.
"Psh, dude, I'd rather live with you in a cardboard box than go back to that hellhole".
"That won't be necessary. Here's what you'll have to do. You go home, pack your bags silently. No one has to know, got it? Take whatever you want with you, shit, take anything that's considered yours, we'll have plenty of space. I'll come for you at let's say, half past midnight, okay? So make sure you don't fall asleep and sit by the window. I wouldn't want to have to honk for you or someth-
"Wait! Hold on!" Kenny clasped his hand over Craig's mouth. Man, this dude talked a lot when he was excited.
"Honk for me? With what? A bike horn?" Kenny asked, slightly amused. He didn't quite get the honking part.
Craig, however, was not amused.
"Oh yeah, Kenny. I'll come to get you with the bike. We'll ride towards the sunrise on our two-wheeled trusty steed. You fucking moron" he slapped Kenny on the back of his head, while the blonde shook with laughter.
"I was obviously talking about the CAR's horn, you idiot. Bike horn… " Craig facepalmed.
"Wait. You lost me again. What car?"
"Uh…my car?"
…
"You…"
…
"…you have your own car?"
"Yep."
This time Kenny was a little more confused than before.
"Since when?!"
"Since I turned eighteen. Bought it with my own money. Actually, money that grandma kept giving me for sweets. I just saved and saved and bought it. I didn't drive it, though. So it's still in the garage, collecting dust."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" this time, it was Kenny's turn to facepalm. "You had a car all this time and didn't even drive? Who does such a thing, dude?!"
"Where the hell am I supposed to go with it? Drive it to the kitchen? Anyway, as I was saying, make sure you don't fall asleep, and keep an eye out for me. The car is blue, even if I doubt you'll see the colour in the dark. You should also get some rest once you finish packing. Actually…no. No. Scratch that. I'd rather you sleep during the whole ride than have you talk non-stop."
"Should I take offence to that?"
"Whatever. I don't care. Just make sure no one will suspect a thing. See you at midnight." Craig started walking towards his house, when suddenly Kenny grabbed him by the arm, making him turn around.
"Dude, I think you just lost me again. You mean we're leaving today?"
"I don't know about you, but I don't plan on staying here any longer. So make your choice McCormick. You're coming with me, or not?"
Kenny looked at Craig's silver irises, trying to find out if he was really serious. Once he made sure there was no sign of fooling around in his eyes, he grinned and made his choice.
"Count me in".