Hate – 9

Kyle: So Stan had this great idea – that we should pick a day of the week, and every week we hang out on that day, no matter what.

That night, Kyle sat at his desk, IMing with Cartman and Kenny. It had occurred to him that at lunch, they hadn't brought up their plan. He rocked back on his chair slightly as he chatting with them.

Kenny: Sounds good.

Kyle: We picked Saturday night… we figured it was the most convenient.

Kenny: Well, that works for me.

Kyle: Cartman?

Cartman: Yeah, it's cool.

Kyle: Sweet!

Kenny: Seriously, I think it's a great idea. We don't hang that much anymore, and last weekend was awesome.

Kyle: Yeah, that's what I thought. :D

Kenny: Well, I gotta go. I'll see you both at lunch tomorrow.

Kyle: Bye Kenny!

Cartman: Later.

Kenny: Bye.

Kyle watched his laptop screen as Kenny signed off. Although things seemed to have returned to normal, Kyle still felt awkward about the events over the weekend and earlier that day. He decided that he didn't have the guts to do it in person, but he'd apologize to Cartman anyway.

Kyle: Cartman? You still there?

Cartman: Yeah.

Kyle: I wanted to apologize.

Cartman: ?

Kyle: For… today… and the party. I don't know what's come over me lately.

Cartman: Is it that time of the month?

Kyle: Would it kill you to be serious for one moment?

Cartman: Probably.

Kyle: Screw you.

Cartman: Look, things haven't changed.

Kyle: What do you mean?

Cartman: Things haven't changed. Whatever we talked about at the party… things haven't changed. So don't apologize.

Kyle wasn't sure what to make of that. Things haven't changed? In a way they had. They had been talking more in the last week than they had since middle school. And for some sick, twisted reason, Kyle had found himself trusting Cartman to keep Kyle's sexuality a secret from the school. Kyle hadn't been able to trust Cartman since fifth grade. But even though he knew he shouldn't trust Cartman, for some unexplainable reason, he did. However, despite his feelings, Kyle knew that he wasn't going to have this conversation with Cartman. After all, talking about something so personal wasn't what they did.

Kyle: Ok.

Cartman: So… you're gay, huh?

So much for not talking about personal matters.

Kyle: Yeah, I guess.

Cartman: You guess?

Kyle: No, I… I am. I'm just getting used to admitting it.

Cartman: Well, you should ditch your hat.

Kyle: What?

Cartman: You should ditch your hat. It's ugly, and you're never going to get laid wearing it.

Kyle: Well, what about my hair?

Cartman: It's not so bad.

Kyle blinked, sitting up more in his chair. His stomach twisted nervously.

Kyle: You think so?

Cartman: Yeah.

Kyle: How do you know?

Cartman: I saw you without it the other night, remember?

Kyle did remember. He had taken it off before passing out against Cartman. He pushed the memory out of his head.

Kyle: Yeah.

Cartman: I'm surprised you do. Kenny was right - you were pretty wasted.

Kyle: Yeah… it's really embarrassing.

Cartman: Please. It's not like you're the first person to get drunk.

Kyle: That's true, but I was saying and doing stupid stuff all night.

Cartman: You weren't that bad.

Kyle: Yeah right. I can't remember everything, but I do remember making a complete ass of myself.

Cartman: It WAS pretty funny.

Kyle: To you, maybe. You aren't the one who has to endure Kenny hitting on you. Did you know that he grabbed my ass today after lunch?

Cartman: Whatever, you probably like it.

Kyle found himself chuckling at this. He shook his head.

Kyle: I would if it wasn't Kenny, maybe.

Cartman: You seemed pretty into him at the party.

Kyle: No. That was the alcohol.

Cartman: lol, I don't know. You were grinding against him pretty hard.

Kyle could feel his cheeks get warm. Kyle hesitated before typing a response, but decided that he didn't care. He was feeling rather brave, especially since the conversation was occurring online as opposed to face-to-face.

Kyle: It wasn't as if he was the only one I was dancing with.

There was a long pause. Kyle's stomach continued to do flips, and he swallowed nervously, his foot tapping on the floor impatiently. Finally, the reply came.

Cartman: Ah yes. I forgot about my cologne that makes me irresistible to gay Jews.

Kyle snorted.

Kyle: Yeah, you got to be careful with that stuff. You're going to attract all the gay Jews to South Park. Then what will you do?

Cartman: Well, since they'd all jump me at once, I'd probably die from Jew germs.

Kyle: I'd think you'd die from exhaustion first. You're probably immune to Jew germs by now.

Cartman: Yeah. If I wasn't immune before the party, I certainly am now.

Kyle: lol, you're an asshole.

Cartman: I know. You know that I'm hosting a party this Friday night, right? You coming?

Kyle: I don't know…

Cartman: Come on, you prude.

Kyle: I'm not a prude.

Cartman: Then prove it.

Kyle paused, weighing his options. He didn't want to get trashed again, but he could probably show up for a few drinks.

Kyle: Fine, I'll come.

Cartman: Good. I'll make sure to wear my cologne. See you tomorrow.

Cartman immediately signed off. Kyle gaped at his computer screen. Did he just have a flirtatious conversation with Cartman? Was Cartman just kidding, or was he semi-serious? Kyle wasn't sure, but he did know that the conversation had made his heart pound a little bit harder in his chest, and he couldn't stop smiling.