The Clumsy Butterfly
"No Kahl, you unco telltale! You got it wrong again!" I sigh. Dancing was never one of my 'talents'. I was so un-rhythmic it wasn't funny. Well, it probably is funny to watch, but it'll make the concert even more embarrassing. I was so angered when I couldn't get the routine to that 'Save the Rainforest' dance when I was eight... It still haunts me to this day...
"Hey, stupid day walker! Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh?" I say, trying not to laugh at the pudgy brunette in a tight leotard. But as I thought I was trying not to laugh, I didn't actually want to laugh. Cartman in a leotard, gracefully moving over the polished wood to help me fly in the end of term concert...
"Let's try it again." I say, determined all of a sudden to make him proud. After all, he would be on stage with me. Cartman glanced at his watch.
"No, sorry Kahl. Your time is all up I'm afraid." Our eyes met for a brief second, and then Cartman let something slip.
"I'm glad you didn't leave jewboy..." He covered his mouth awkwardly, then picks up his bag and rushes out of the school hall in his leotard. I stand there, in the middle of the dance floor. I'm glad I didn't go too. I think silently.
"How was today's dancing lesson bubby?"
"I'm
not a very good dancer."
"Oh cheer up, dancing's not that
bad."
"I'm
so clumsy! I'll humiliate myself at the concert!"
"Come
here Kyle, let me tell you the story of the clumsy butterfly." I
stare at her. She has to be kidding me. I'm almost seventeen. She
stands up from where she was polishing the already clean table and
walks over to me.
Once upon a time there was a clumsy caterpillar, which lived with a family of silk worms. All the children silk worms made wondrous, fine silver silk, and their parents were proud. When the parents found out that their caterpillar son could not weave silk, they told him that one day his abilities would shine through, and not to worry too much about it. All his silk worm brothers and sisters teased the caterpillar, called him useless. That night, when the clumsy caterpillar went to sleep he formed a cocoon. His family was so worried about him in the cocoon, but they didn't know what to do. None of their children had ever made themselves a cocoon before. But the next day, out of the cocoon emerged a graceful butterfly, with wings so delicate and pleasing to the eye, that all the silk worms were jealous. The magical butterfly said goodbye to the silk worms, and started a butterfly family of his own. His silk worm parents were very pleased, and cherished the magic butterfly as if he was their own child.
Mom stood up.
"Did that help you at all, bubby?"
"No."
"Good, now go upstairs and finish all your homework."
As I walk upstairs, I see my little brother Ike smiling at me from the doorway to his room.
"If it isn't Kylerina Ballerina!" He smirks.
"Shut up."
"I can't wait to see you dancing with that fat elephant!" I feel rage bubbling inside me, then something really, really weird happens...
"He's not fat, he's big boned!" I clamp my hand over my mouth, and rush past the now chuckling Ike. I close my bedroom door and fall to the floor in surprise. Did I just... defend Eric Cartman? The same fatass I've been calling fat for many years? This is really weird. Weirder than every conspiracy I've been a part of...
My phone starts to ring. Don't answer the phone or you will die. The thought just races to my head, but I shake it out and pick up.
"Hello?"
"Kahl?" Cartman says. I feel my blood freeze.
"C-Cartman?"
"I've decided not to give up on your case!"
"What are you talking about, fatass?"
"Meet me at Starks Pond stat!"
I glance at my watch.
"Cartman, we have to have dinner soon."
"I've
added a new part to our routine!"
"Geez, how gay are you?"
There is a long silence as I feel my face grow hot.
"I-I'll be there," I quickly add before hanging up.
I fall out of Cartman's arms again, and feel at least eight new bruises form as I crash onto the cold hard ice that was Stark's pond in summer. I can see how Cartman got so inspired-the lake is completely frozen over and glittering, and delicate snowflakes are falling around us.
"Cartman,"
I shiver pulling myself up, "there isn't going to be an
ice-skating rink when we perform in two weeks."
"I-I know
Kahl," he looks down, fidgeting; "I just needed to see you
again... for dancing reasons." I sigh and let it go.
"You really are getting more co-ordinated Kahl. I mean, you're still an un-rhythmic Jew but you're getting much better." I give him a strange sideways glance. Was that almost... a complement?!
"I really am the clumsy butterfly," I mutter under my breath, "and maybe, just maybe... Cartman will help me out of my cocoon."
