Hope you enjoy! Please tell me what you think of the story so far. Too dramatic? Too angsty? I really need your opinions :)

Chapter 10: Things Change

Shelly was sitting on the living room couch, watching another one of her soap operas. "Hey turds." She greeted Stan and Kyle with a smile as they came through the door. Shelly was only joking. Ever since her braces came off when she was fifteen, she had been a lot nicer. When she saw Kyle, her perfectly straight smile became wider. "Ohh Stan, I didn't know you were having you boyfriend over." Shelly was already on summer vacation, and she had decided to visit her family, so Stan had caught her up on what she had missed, including his relationship with Kyle.

"We're not-" Kyle was about to deny Shelly's claim, but Stan cut him short.

"It's okay dud, she knows."

"Really?" Kyle asked. It was ironic to Kyle that Shelly would be the first member of Stan's family to find out.

Shelly nodded, then flipped her perfectly curled brown hair from her face. "It wasn't that big of a surprise anyway."

"Good to know," Kyle groaned. Shelly laughed.

"Well, we're gonna go up to my room." Stan looked at Kyle and motioned towards the stairs.

"Y-yeah," Kyle stammered.

"Bye you guys." Shelly waved after the boys and giggled.

The boys walked into Stan's room. "So what do you wanna-" Kyle never go to finish his sentence. Stan had finally gotten to kiss him at school, and he wasn't finished. He pounced on Kyle the second he got the door closed and immediately started clawing at his shirt.

Kyle got the message and quickly stripped free of his restrictive clothing. By the way Stan was tearing off his shirt, Kyle was sure that he was ready to just rush into it, whatever "it" might have been, but it would have been much nicer to go slower.

"Stan, hold on."

"What, what's wrong?"

"Nothing really. I was just wondering if we could slow it down a bit."

Stan placed his shirt softly on the bed. "Alright then." He leaned forward, his palms and knees resting on his mattress. Kyle began to blush as Stan's lips grew nearer, and eventually captured his. It was the most sincere kiss he'd ever received; no tongue involved, just Stan's gentile lips colliding with Kyle's, both boys with eyes closed. Stan finally retracted, and Kyle nearly fell trying to move forward with him. "How was that?"

"-Awesome-" Kyle gasped. It honestly was the best kiss he'd ever received. Stan made Kenny's kisses seem like a friendly greeting.

"In that case, I guess we should continue." Kyle nodded eagerly, but before he and Stan could so much as touch each other, a car door slammed outside. "Crap," Stan groaned, "My parents."

The boys slowly redressed, then dragged themselves down the stairs. This was supposed to be a happy occasion, but it didn't seem like it after such as wonderful moment had been ruined.

Randy and Sharon sat on the couch with Shelly, this time watching a made for TV movie. Shelly was the first to see the boys. Stan arched his eyebrows, which apparently was a sign to turn off the television. She must have been in on the whole thing.

"Hey!" Sharon and Randy cried out as soon as the screen went dark.

"Sorry you guys, but Stan has something to tell you," Shelly apologized.

"Stan, what is it?" Randy asked. All eyes were locked on Stan. Kyle held his breath and prayed that this time Stan would be honest.

"It's no big deal, really. It's just that, well... '."

Randy blinked. "Huh?"

Stan sighed. "I said that Kyle and I are dating and that I was scared to tell you guys because I wasn't sure what you guys would think."

"What happened to Wendy?" Sharon questioned. The way she was looking at Kyle made him feel uncomfortable.

"We broke up a long time ago mom."

"I don't know Stan, this seems a bit too rushed, don't you think?" Randy really didn't have any input, so he just nodded.

"No mom, I never liked Wendy."

"Kyle," Kyle's heart raced as Sharon called for him. "Why do you want to date my son?"

That was a hard question to answer. Not because Kyle didn't know why he liked Stan, but because he wasn't sure how honest he should have been.

"...Because I love him." That was the honest truth.

"Really?" Stan searched Kyle's face for any sarcasm or doubt, buy found none. "Wow."

"I'm not convinced." Sharon was still giving Kyle that look. "Stan, I'm sorry, but I find this very hard to believe. You make decisions too quickly and you're easily confused. Maybe you need time.

"But I love him mom." Even though Kyle already knew how Kyle already knew how Stan felt about him, it still made his heart skip a beat to hear him say it.

Sharon rolled her eyes. "Randy, care to help me out here?"

"Stan, listen to your mother."

Sharon groaned. "Shelly?"

"Sorry mom, but I believe Stan and Kyle."

"Alright then, how long has this been going on? A week? Two weeks?"

"...Not exactly," Kyle answered.

"Then how long?"

"Pretty long," Stan replied.

"How long Stanley?"

"Well you remember that day I came home from Kyle's house really mad?"

"Yes."

"That long."

"What!"

"Well, not exactly," Kyle added.

"What do you mean?" Sharon was starting to grow impatient.

The boys revealed the whole story from the very beginning. It was actually pretty embarrassing, especially when the revealed their night alone at Stan's house, making Randy casually leap out of his seat and make a dash for a "clean" chair from the kitchen.

"-And that's it I guess."

"You were making out in Stan's room just now?" Sharon was wide eyed.

"Well, an hour ago, but was that the most important part of the story or-?"

Randy interrupted Stan. "No, but how could you keep this from us for so long? Especially when you're doing your- things- in our house?"

"Well, you guys are just, you guys, y'know?" No response. "Sorry."

Sharon sighed. Alright, I guess I understand. "Y-your father and I-" Sharon ducked as Randy arms crossed over her as he reached for the remote, after deciding that the conversation was over. "Randy, please!" Sharon shot Randy a warning glance. "Your father and I will be keeping a close eye on you though." She looked at Kyle." I don't want my baby boy taken advantage of."

"Mom," Stan complained.

"I understand Mrs. Marsh. Don't worry, I'll take care of him." Kyle was fine with Sharon's skepticism, seeing as how his mom was the same way.

Randy quickly snatched the remote from Shelly. "Alright, everything's fixed now, so let's watch some TV."

"Randy," Sharon warned.

The phone rang before Sharon could get any angrier. Stan answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Stan." It was Kenny, probably calling from another payphone.

"Oh hey Kenny, what's up?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out. I can't reach Kyle on his phone, but if you can find him, bring him with you."

"Where are you right now?"

"Oh yeah, I'm at the mall by the sausage and cheese cart."

"Alright, I'll see you there."

"Is it okay if we go to the mall mom?"

"Sure Stan, have fun. You too Kyle."

The boys left almost immediately. They decided to walk; there was really no rush.

"So did Kenny give a reason why he wanted us to meet him?" Kyle took Stan's hand and entangled their fingers together, smiling.

"He just said that he wanted to hang out. Why, do you think he wants to talk to us about something?" Stan wriggled his fingers playfully and smiled back.

"I don't know, it's just that there's been a lot of stuff happening between him and Cartman..."

"I guess something might be up." Stan shrugged. They would find out when they got there.

Kenny sat by the old sausage and cheese cart, thinking about nothing in particular. His day had pretty much been crap. He'd spent his school day in a car with some whiny bitch that would barely let him get to second base, her friends kept on watching and refused to join them, and they had all abandoned him after he fell asleep at some chick flick that he had to pay for. But worst of all, he had lied to Cartman about wanting to be friends, and it had weighed on his mind all day. He had smiled at him and lied right to his face. Kenny didn't want to be friends with Cartman; he wanted to be in love with him. He had seen the way Cartman's face fell when he asked for friendship, but he couldn't find the humility he needed to ask for forgiveness. Why was he such a fucking loser?

"Hey Kenny," Kyle and Stan greeted. They were still holding hands, which Kenny had never seen them do. It was about time those two stopped being so secretive.

"Hey guys." Kenny subtly checked around them for any sign of Cartman. "Can I talk to you guys about something?"

Kyle looked at Stan knowingly. "Sure dude, what do you wanna talk about?"

"How do you guys feel about each other?"

"We love each other." Kyle said it without hesitation, and Stan fully agreed.

"Do you like it?"

"Being in love? Yeah, who wouldn't?" Stan squeezed Kyle's hand.

"I dunno. I just never thought that it was for me."

"Are you in love with Cartman or something?" It was meant to be more of a rhetorical question, but Kenny answered anyway.

"No, but I want to."

"Whoa dude." Stan muttered.

"Well, you can't force yourself to fall in love with someone, and you can't make someone fall in love with you." Kyle took over after Stan became too stunned to speak.

"I know," Kenny whined. "But how do you start to fall in love?" Kenny stood up and began pacing. Is there some sort of weird sex thing I could try?" He looked desperately at his friends. "What did you guys do?"

"..." Now Kyle was the one who was lost for words. It was Stan's turn to speak.

"Well Kenny...we haven't really had sex... in anyway.

"What!" Kenny practically jumped away from his friends as if they had burst into flames.

"Is that so hard to believe?"

Kenny recomposed himself. "I guess not. But I don't get how that's possible. How could you know you love each other if you haven't even fucked yet?"

Stan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You have a lot to learn." His palms were soaked with sweat. Kyle smiled; Stan was so cute when he was nervous.

"I guess you're right." Kenny thought for moment. "Well, thanks guys, I'll see you tomorrow- maybe." Kenny patted each boy on the shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Kyle turned around to face Kenny as he began to walk away.

"To Cartman's house, duh."

"What are we supposed to do now?" Kyle looked back at Stan.

"Well, we are at the mall...wanna see a movie?"

"It's a date then."

Kenny's fingernails dug into the windowsill of Cartman's bedroom windowsill. He really hoped that he wouldn't fall; now was not the time to die. Luckily, Cartman never locked his window, so Kenny just pushed it open and lifted himself into Cartman's room. It was only about five o' clock, but by the looks of it, Cartman was already in bed, asleep. Kenny slowly advanced towards Cartman's bed. Kenny decided to wait for Cartman to wake up and surprise him. Maybe they could talk things out. He made sure to lock the bedroom door in case Joe was still in the house.

Kenny sat himself down on the bed. He'd never seen Cartman asleep before. Cartman was sleeping with his hand over his face, twitching every few seconds. Kenny carefully moved Cartman's hand from his face and leaned over to get a better look.

"HOLY-shit." Kenny had to cover his mouth to keep from yelling. The entire left side of Cartman's face was so swollen that Kenny could barely make out Cartman's eyes.

Kenny leapt from the bed and ran out the door. Once he had reached the hallway he stopped and listened quietly to make sure that Joe wasn't around. It didn't sound like anyone was home, so he went to the kitchen and searched the fridge for some ice. He gathered so much that his hands were numb, and then placed as much as he could in a plastic baggie. Kenny ran back up the stairs.

Kenny tried to keep from waking Cartman, but as soon as the cold bag touched his face, Cartman woke and began screaming, then stopped to grab at his jaw, then screamed again from the sharp pain that was tearing through his face.

"Cartman, Cartman, it's me!" Kenny sill wasn't sure if anyone else was home or not, so he needed to get Cartman to stop making so much noise.

"Kenny?" Cartman squinted as best as he could. "What are you doing here?"

"That's not important. What happened to your face? Was it Joe?"

"What? No! I- tripped on the stairs and fell on my face."

"Oh, sorry dude, but that really freaked me out." Kenny smiled apologetically.

"So why are you here?" Cartman could barely talk, so he whispered to keep his mouth from moving too much.

"It's not important anymore." Another lie. Kenny was so ready to tell Cartman how he felt that it almost hurt, but by the looks of it, Cartman just didn't have the time or energy to listen. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to go to the mall with me on Friday, but..."

"No, it's fine, I'm fine. Of course I'll go." Cartman laid back down. "I'm going to sleep, but you can stay if you want."

"Huh?"

Cartman buried half of his face into his pillow. "Well Kenny, seeing as how it usually gets cold around this time of day and you don't have heating, I was trying to be nice by letting you stay warm until Mom or Joe come back home.

Kenny laughed. Same old Cartman. "Alright. I'll leave if I hear anyone coming."

Cartman nodded and let his head fall on his pillow. Almost immediately after, he fell asleep. It was just as Kenny had thought, sadly; Cartman looked just as troubled when he slept as when he was awake.

Cartman woke up, only for several moments. His jaw still ached, and now so did his head. He could hear the front door open and close, which caused his bed, no, someone in his bed, to move. Who was in his room again? Cartman tried to focus, but it just made his head hurt more.

"Crap..." Whoever's voice it was, they were trying to leave quickly. Cartman gave up. He shut his eyes and slowly started to drift back to sleep. Before he had completely blacked out, he felt someone's soft lips touch his swollen cheek, and then heard footsteps running towards his window. Cartman's eyes shot open.

"Kenny?" he whispered. No answer. Cartman lowered his eyelids and went back to sleep.

"Oh, great." Kyle saw Kenny heading towards them with a girl- some clueless brunette- hooked to his arm. Kyle and Stan were at the food court eating fries when they suddenly decided to show up.

"What is it?" Stan looked up from his curly fries. "Oh Christ."

"Hey you guys! I knew I'd find you." Kenny smiled, oblivious of the whole "date" vibe that Kyle and Stan had going. "This is Macy." Macy smiled and waved.

"Hi! Ohmygosh, are you two really gay? 'Cause Kenny told me so and like every gay guy I've ever met becomes my best friend!"

"Macy really wanted to meet you guys." Kenny was grinning like a complete fool.

"Kenny, can I talk to you for a second?" Kyle eyed Macy as he and Kenny walked farther from their dates. Macy sat down and began talking to Stan about shopping together. "Kenny, what happened with you Cartman?"

"Well, he got hurt and I thought that it would be better to tell him about it later. In the meantime, Macy seems like good company." Kenny gave Kyle that "you know what I'm saying?" look and took a long look at Macy's form.

"What happened to him?"

"I thought his mom's boyfriend had hurt him, but he actually fell down the stairs and hit his face."

"Are you serious? Kenny, that's the oldest excuse in the world!"

"Well there were all these boxes on the first floor, so I thought that he had tripped taking one upstairs."

"You better hope so. Anyway, who's this Macy girl? I thought you wanted Cartman."

"I do! But I didn't tell him how I feel yet, so what's the big deal?"

Kyle sighed. "Whatever Kenny." He headed back to the table.

"Hey Kenny, can we go see a movie?" Macy paused her conversation with Stan, to his relief.

"I don't have any money."

"No money? Why did you take me out if you have no money?"

"Sorr-y," Kenny said sarcastically. "But if I spent too much money on you, my family will go without water for a month." It was the sad truth.

"God Kenny," Macy giggled, "Your family is so damn poor."

Kenny was silent for a minute. "Yeah, I know." Kyle and Stan both stared at the couple with mouths agape. Macy had been nothing but rude the whole time since they'd met her, and Kenny was just taking it.

"Well, whatever, I brought some money, so I guess this won't totally suck."

"Great." Kenny looked at Kyle and Stan. "Can you guys- I mean, do you guys wanna come too?"

"Sure," they answered in unison.

Since he didn't have any money, Kenny was forced to see the same chick flick that he had fallen asleep watching, courtesy of Macy. He decided to keep himself busy with Macy's tongue. Kyle and Stan didn't mind; they were doing the same.

"God Kenny, your hair is so greasy! And did you brush your teeth? Ugh, sick!" Macy pushed Kenny away. "I heard you were hot, but this is totally not worth it!" She stood up from her seat. "Take this, just don't call me again." Macy threw a handful if change at Kenny and headed for the exit. Kenny waited to make sure that no one was watching, then bent over to collect the coins.

Cartman would have never pointed out all of his flaws, especially so loudly in public. Kenny had to go back and tell Cartman the truth.

Kenny didn't exactly arrive at the best time; he could hear yelling from the ground floor. Nevertheless, Kenny was determined to make it inside. When he finally did reach the window, it was locked. Did Cartman not want him to come in? Kenny swiftly knocked on the window. He was starting to lose his grip and he really needed to get inside. Finally, Cartman came to the window. His face was looking slightly better, the swelling gone down, but he was frowning.

"Why are you back here?" Cartman had to get rid of Kenny as fast as he could so that Joe wouldn't come in and see them together.

"I have something important to tell you." Kenny tried to lift himself into Cartman's window, but he was met with a hand to the face.

"It can wait until tomorrow," Cartman hissed. The fighting downstairs had ended and Cartman could almost feel Joe's anger as he got closer to his room.

"No, it really can't!"

"What then, what is it?" Kenny quickly pushed his body upwards with his weak arms and gave Cartman a swift, but heartfelt kiss.

"I want you back Eric." Kenny gave him a warm smile. At that moment his tired arms could no longer stand to be worked out so hard, and Kenny lost his grip. He went tumbling down to earth and landed hard in the snow.

"Are you okay?" Cartman yelled.

"I'm fine!" Kenny yelled. The worried expression Cartman wore as he closed the window was priceless; Kenny just had to laugh. But his laughter was soon cut short as his mouth filled with blood, and his head, which had once been numb, was now searing with pain. "Oh," Kenny thought. He had landed on large a rock that cracked his skull open. Kenny sighed and waited patiently for the seizure to begin.