*I really struggled to write this Chapter and I'm not sure I like how it turned out. I really hope you enjoy it! PS: There will be 1 to 2 more after this.*

Chapter 4

The next few days at school seemed to blur together. Nothing remarkable happened and the little town of South Park seemed like to settle into a quiet routine. The morning after he was attacked it took some convincing from Stan and Kenny for Kyle to go to school. But by the time they arrived the three of them, side by side, entered the school laughing and talking like always. Everyone (well most everyone) welcomed Kyle back with smiles, concern and frustration at what had happened to him. Kyle did his best to assure everyone he was ok and not to worry. (Still, Kenny and Stan stuck close by him – just in case) By the end of the day Kyle was back to his old self. And by the end the week the bruises were fading and the cuts were now just scars.

There wasn't much to worry about though. It was obvious that Craig and his friends were going out of their way to avoid Kyle. They didn't even make eye contact with him. And so things continued – until Thursday.

On Thursday, Kyle happened to bump into Tweek in the bathroom – literally.

"Agh – Kyle! Ngh –Oh man, I'm sorry!" Tweek yelped.

"Tweek! Calm down. It's ok," replied Kyle, dusting himself off and standing up.

"No – ngh – it's not! I'm-I'm not s-s-supposed – ngh – to talk to you! Agh!" Tweek explained twitching uncontrollably.

"Look Tweek, I don't know what Craig told you but just because I'm gay doesn't mean I'm a different person. You can still talk to me."

"N-n-no. I mean yes. Agh! I mean Cartman-ngh- Cartman said..."

"Cartman! So, he put you up to this?! I should have known! That asshole!" he hissed.

"Agh!" worried Tweek, "Wait – ngh – Kyle, wait!" he called after him as Kyle pushed through the bathroom door into the hallway.

Fists clenched tight and a face as red as his hair. Kyle could feel the anger radiate from him. There was a painful knot in his chest. The bell had already rung and the hallways were empty. Kyle walked through them, determined. It was his only thought – to find Cartman. And he knew exactly were he could be found.

The exit door flew open, slamming into the brick wall. The sun was blinding compared to the dim, flickering fluorescent lights of school. Cigarette butts littered the ground. Really the only kids who came to this back part of the school came to ditch or smoke.

There he was. Eric Cartman. His enemy. His tormentor. Who bullied him and made his life miserable every day. A remorseless, soulless, fat little douchebag.

"Kahl?" Cartman looked up at the redhead approaching him. "What's up?"

Kyle continued walking until he was only a few inches from Cartman. Eric stood an entire foot taller than the petite red head. He was bulkier too – although, Cartman had really grown into his body. He was still husky, but it suited him perfectly.

"Don't start with me fatass!" yelled Kyle, "Why have you been telling people not to talk to me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Kahl!" Cartman shot back.

"Stop fucking lying to me! You told Craig to tell his friends not to talk to me! Tweek told me just now! I know all about it!"

"Because you know everything Kahl?" Cartman snorted.

"What was that?!" he yelled.

"Oh nothing Kahl" said Cartman dismissively.

"Leave me alone fatass, I'm warning you!" asserted Kyle, jabbing Cartman in the chest with his finger.

"Or you'll what?" Cartman laughed cruelly.

"Seriously, what is your problem?! Things are difficult enough without out you telling to avoid me just because I'm gay!" Kyle continued to yell.

Cartman's eyes narrowed, "You stupid fucking Jew."

"Fuck off Cartman!" he screamed back, "You probably had Craig and them beat me up too!"

"You think you're so smart Kahl" sneered Cartman in a cold voice.

"Smarter than you fat boy!" Kyle replied.

"Oh yeah Kahl? Well, guess what? I did tell Craig and those guys to leave you alone after I saw what they did to you. I told them that if they ever fucked with you again, they'd have to deal with me. I told them I'd do horrible things if they ever came near you again! "

"Y-you're lying."

"Am I Kahl?" he said staring into those emerald eyes. He shook his head and started walking away, "Believe whatever you want. You stupid Jew."

The anger that had been building in Kyle finally overtook him. Throughout all the years, all the stupid shit Cartman had done to him – this was it – he could take no more. Without thinking, Kyle grabbed Cartman's wrist, spun him around and punched him in the face. Cartman punched right back. Cartman may have been more massive, but Kyle was faster. Back and forth, the boys fought and suddenly, Kyle found himself pinned against the wall with Cartman pressed his lips against his own. It was warm and passionate – filled with anger and teeth. Kyle was stunned but he didn't resist. When Cartman pulled away, Kyle noticed the tears in Cartman's eyes. He let Kyle drop to the ground and walked away. All Kyle could do was stare after him in shock.