What was out of the ordinary, however, was that Cartman didn't insult Kyle. At all. He just looked in his direction, made eye contact and acknowledged Kyle with a simple, "Kyle." When the two best friends came onto the bus. Cartman then put his headphones in and turned straight ahead, pretty much ignoring Kenny, who clearly didn't care as he was doing something on his cell phone. Probably checking out some dirty pics or porn if Kyle had to guess.
Kyle didn't dwell on it too much. He had actually been looking forward to today for several reasons. One, he had finally caught up on most of his school work, save the most current project. He would just finish that over the weekend. He and Stan would finally get to talk more in person than they had in the past month or so, plus, dare he say it, he would get to spend more time with Cartman. Since Cartman had been acting more human and friendly lately, Kyle really kind of liked being around him. Of course they still insulted each other, but it lacked the usual malice.
The thing that didn't set right with Kyle was why Cartman was being so nice to him of all people. He had barely mentioned their agreement and for some reason Kyle wasn't constantly worried about him telling people. Also, his thoughts concerning the fatass as of late had genuinely been creeping him out. 'Handsome? Nice? Even looking at his butt?'
'What if he really was gay?' Kyle honestly would have no issue with this. His family on the other hand was an entirely different story. No, my issue would be the fact that it's Eric fucking Cartman and he hates me and absolutely everything about me.' Yeah kind of a big lifestyle difference there.
Kyle was a little apprehensive about his doctor's appointment on top of all of these confusing thoughts, but this went to the back of his mind. He really was a one step kind of person about these things.
"Earth to Kyle," Stan waved a hand in front of his face. "What's been up? You look like you're thinking really hard about something?"
Kyle's face reddened slightly, "No just thinking of some silly little things that's all. It's pretty embarrassing, I'll um tell you later."
Stan grinned and whispered, "Were you thinking about someone, maybe?"
Kyle mouthed I'll tell you later as the bus pulled up outside of their school.
Cartman was MIA most of the rest of the day, not that much of anyone noticed. The only one who really had a lot of classes with him was Kenny. Kyle and Stan were taking AP courses and rarely saw the other two boys except in the hallways or lunchtime.
Stan and Kyle got to lunch fairly early and had barely sat down with their lunches when a super annoying voice said snobbily, "Wow, you really are like a gay aren't you Kyle?" He looked up into none other than the annoying, pale face of Red. Neither boy replied.
She shoved his arm, trying to knock his food off the table. Kyle grabbed her arm, not hurting her, just keeping her at a reasonable distance. "What's your problem?"
Red scoffed angrily. Crossing her arms, she huffed again. "Me? Problem? Ha. You're the one with the problem, the gay problem. Now you're trying to turn poor Stan gay." She was wearing a skin-tight pink dress that barely covered her mid-thighs. If either boy had wanted to, they probably could have seen up her dress all the way as she wasn't wearing underwear. 'Too bad Kenny was missing this' Stan thought.
"Shut up Red. And leave us alone. We'd like to eat lunch in peace." Stan said dismissively, beginning his lunch. Red yelled angrily. "No! It's too late, fuck!" She grabbed Stan's arm trying to get him away from Kyle and tried to slap Kyle, when someone from behind caught her arm. It was Cartman. "Is there a problem here, bitch?" Cartman on the other hand had absolutely no problem calling anyone out of their name especially people who pissed him off.
'Always quick to the point', Kyle thought sweatdropping.
"Besides Kyle being a fag and turning people gay? I don't have one." He increased pressure on her arm, "Ugh, stop you fat bastard you're hurting me." Red whined.
"Like I give a shit." He shoved her slightly, "Now go away and be a slut somewhere else."
Kenny who was standing behind Cartman, tried in vain to look up her dress. She had walked off too fast. "Goddamnit, Cartman. I can't ever have fun."
"Kenny, seriously."
The two sat down and began eating their lunch like nothing had happened.
Both Stan and Kyle were shell-shocked. Not only had Cartman come to Kyle's defense, he had actually ignored a golden opportunity to insult both Stan and Kyle. Was this an episode of the Twilight Zone or something?
"Wow you must really hate Red to stick up for Kyle over her." Butters stated.
Cartman looked annoyed, "Who said you could sit here?"
"It's a free country, so I-I-I I guess, I just- Oh hamburgers." Butters picked up his tray and walked away to sit with Jimmy and some other friends.
"Thank God." Cartman said.
"You guys are being awfully quiet. What's up?" Kenny asked.
"Oh uh, nothing." Kyle said.
The boys made conversation about school, girls (well that was mostly Kenny), etc.
Stan snapped his fingers, "I just got a cool new video game today. Anyone free to come over and play it?"
"I'm in." Kenny nodded immediately and mumbled something nobody heard clearly.
Cartman shook his head, "I have business after school."
"Ok? Kyle?"
Kyle hated nothing more than lying to his super best friend, but he couldn't risk telling Stan here or period right now about what was going on with him, not knowing how concerned Stan would get and try to help. "I have a lot of work to do Stan, but by this weekend I should be free. What's going on then?"
Stan frowned at first but then smiled again. "Oh well, I was thinking you could spend the night Friday night and then we could all go to Token's big party."
Kenny's ears perked up, "I fucking love parties."
"Yeah, we know poor boy." Cartman said with his mouth full.
"You all are coming right? Everyone's invited." Stan smiled, "just bring food or drinks and there's no charge."
Kenny looked panicky.
"Don't worry," Kyle patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah", Stan added, "we've got your back dude."
"We can go to the store with our fake IDs Friday night then?" Stan asked.
"Yep, it's a date." Kyle grinned, high fiving his friend.
"God, really." Cartman and Kenny both rolled their eyes.
"Are you coming to the party Cartman?" Kyle asked.
"No, parties are stupid. Everyone gets drunk off their ass and people just randomly fuck. No thanks, Jew." He got up to leave the lunch table.
"His loss," Kenny muttered and resumed texting someone.
"Who you texting Kenny?" Kyle asked trying to look and see the name on his phone not so discreetly.
"Noone!" Kenny quickly closed his flip phone and looked flustered.
"Fine, fine! Geez, chill out." Kyle laughed. It was really unlike Kenny not to advertise whatever he was doing or looking at on his phone though, especially if it was related to a girl.
The rest of the day was uneventful, however, when Kyle was walking to Cartman's car after school (he must've gone to get it sometime during school if Kyle had to guess), he was approached by Clyde.
Clyde just stood in front of him and cracked his knuckles, sneering. "Can I help you?" Kyle asked irritably and sardonically, just because he was a bit smaller didn't mean he allowed himself to be bullied. Besides, he had never liked Clyde all that much, just tolerated him for the sake of mutual friends.
Clyde shoved him so hard he hit the ground, scraping his elbows harshly. "What the hell, Clyde? Seriously, what's your deal?"
Clyde grabbed him by the collar and jerked him up quickly, "My deal Brofuckski is that I heard you got physical with my girlfriend Red." He began squeezing Kyle's neck. 'This guy is crazy.'
He tried to get away from the larger football player, but to no avail. He choked out. "I didn't. She's obviously still mad I rejected her four years ago. I don't like her at all. Let go of me." Kyle tried to scratch Clyde or hit him, but Clyde's grip got tighter.
Kyle saw spots in his vision. He was having problems breathing.
Suddenly, Clyde's grip was gone and someone was gently lowering Kyle to the ground. Kyle coughed and when his vision cleared, noticed Clyde was gripping his face and Cartman of all people was practically holding Kyle like a doll.
Kyle stood up quickly, "I'm gasp, fine. Um, thanks."
Cartman nodded and continued to glare at Clyde. "I'll break more than your fucking nose next time, dick."
"Watch your back! Both of you fuckers. Your time is coming." Clyde said, clutching his bleeding, clearly broken nose. He mumbled something about someone not paying him enough and stalked off.
Cartman and Kyle got in Cartman's car. It wasn't super impressive, but it was nice enough. It was an older Mercedes 1980 model, burgundy in color, and Cartman thought it was cool, so there.
They rode in silence for a few minutes. "You didn't have to do that. I hate owing you for a favor on top of the one you're already doing for me." Kyle was honest. He really wouldn't be surprised if Cartman turned around and tried to get him to suck his balls because of this for owing him or something crazy.
"Don't mention it. How's your neck?" Cartman asked awkwardly.
"I'm fine, but really, you didn't have to do that. And thanks for the ride."
"It's seriously fine."
They pulled up outside the clinic. "Well are you going in with me?" Kyle asked in what he felt was an incredibly stupid way after Cartman made no move to get out of the car.