Part 2-The Fear Chapter 2-Bonus Chapter Taylor

I couldn't believe it. Kyle Broflovski actually asked me out on a date! I can't even believe it right now! Okay, calm down, Taylor, don't get too ahead of yourself. It might not even be a date, but based on how nervous he was I guess it is. But what if the other guys are there? No, don't be stupid. If it were all of us together there's no way Kyle would've been that nervous. Yeah, it has to be a date. Oh, but what if it's just a casual outing? Goddammit, how in the world was I so chill earlier when I can't even keep my thoughts in line right now?

Okay, calm down. Just listen to Garrison's lesson and focus on your notes. Wait, what class is this again? Oh right, science. Focus, Taylor, you're good at this subject. Actually, you're pretty decent in all of them. Just like Kyle. Wait, what? No, stop it! Look up and pay attention to Mr. Garrison. Shit, goddammit, Kyle, why do you have to sit directly in front of me? Okay, new plan. Just look down at your notes and just listen. Tune out everything else and just focus.

All right, let's see. We're currently learning about fish. Fish are vertebrates, have scales, and live in the water. Most live in saltwater, like the oceans, and some live in freshwater, like the pond Kyle and I are going to later. What? No. Stop! Fuck, I can't deal with this! My thigh is starting to go numb from the constant pencil drumming thanks to my stupid nervous habit. Why can't class just end already?

Oh hey, it just did. I really wasn't paying attention thanks to my obnoxious thoughts, but all I know is that the final bell rang and I am free!

"Come on, Taylor!" Kenny shouted happily as he grabbed my hand and started pulling me down the sidewalk. "We can go hang out at the park!" Kyle and Stan had just boarded the bus, leaving me a split second to wave a final goodbye before suddenly being dragged away from the school. We ran for a good while, both of us in decent enough shape that we almost got to the park gates before stopping to catch our breath. Despite it being the beginning of a new weekend, the park was near empty since we had bolted almost right after the bell rang. We both made a mad dash towards the swing set, claiming two seats before any other kids decided to come play here as well.

"So, why bring me here?" I decided to ask almost as soon as we had sat down. Kenny shrugged, silent for a while as he tried to get some decent air on his swing. The wind pushed his hood off of his head while my hat stayed in place as I was only casually pushing myself with one foot. When he was finally high enough, Kenny jumped off and landed perfectly on the ground a good foot away from the swing set. He managed to get a giggle out of me as he turned around to take a dramatic bow before coming back over to reclaim his swing.

"I don't know," he finally answered as he sat down, slowly pushing himself with one foot as well. "It just seemed like the best place for you to go."

I looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"Well," he sighed, reaching back to grab his hood, but decided against it; the weather was beautiful today. "I guess because we didn't want your good mood to be ruined."

I looked forward again, gently smiling as I thought about Kyle's question earlier today. Kenny was right; I was in a good mood, and the fact that he had said "we" must've meant that Kyle and Stan were trying to make sure I stayed happy as well. Even weeks later, I still can't believe that I actually have trustworthy, caring friends.

"Besides," Kenny interrupted my thoughts, "I honestly couldn't think of any other place to go!" We both laughed as we began to actually start swinging, and in the brief silence my mind started to race again.

All of them had clearly been able to tell that I was happy, and while I'm not quite sure what Stan is doing right now, Kenny had actually planned since the hallway incident that he would spend time with me at the park while I waited for Kyle. We could've gone to his house, hell, I could've been stuck going back to my house. But no, they were doing things to help both Kyle and me out.

"Hey, Kenny?" I muttered shyly, but it was just enough to get his attention.

"Yeah?"

"Um, when it's time for me to meet with Kyle at the pond, would you mind walking with me?"

"Absolutely," he answered immediately.

In that moment, I finally learned what true, genuine friendship felt like for the first time in my life. Today had been a good day.