Unfortunately this is where the Stenny relationship gets a little sour. May the Stenny fans forgive me! But every good story comes with its own drama, so to each his own. Maybe it's not as bad as it seems once you've read the chapter a couple of times. But things definitely go downhill, especially for Kenny! Just for the record, all four boys of South Park are my favorite characters and I have different reasons on why I like each one of them. But that's a story for another time. Get to reading!
The next day, it was a cold afternoon; yellow-colored clouds swam in the dark purplish-blue sky. The wind blew through the trees where leaves came raining down and piling onto the sidewalks and lawns. I wasn't looking forward to having to rake leaves soon. Instead the four of us were walking up to Bebe Stevens' house where everyone else was gathering for the big party. Once we were inside, Butters was there to happily greet us. I've always liked him and even invited him to hang out with us. Looking around the living-room, I saw our other classmates.
Like everywhere else we go, Stan and I held hands to show that we were still together. But every so often I'd catch the girls giving me evil looks, acting like I had no right to be with a handsome and charming guy like Stan. I didn't give a shit what people thought… However I would look side-ways at Stan and wonder what he was thinking. Whenever he noticed the girls flashing him dirty looks, he would merely smirk at them and then turn to kiss me passionately on the lips as an act of defiance. God I loved him…
"You'd think those damn jealous bitches would learn by now," I said, cuddling Stan in my arms. "Sometimes I wonder who they're madder at."
"Probably me," Stan said, smiling amusingly. "Why don't you and I sneak to somewhere more private and really have some fun?" Stan's hand started to slip underneath my shirt, but I reached down and grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Not in front of everyone, dude," I playfully scolded him. "Let's just enjoy the party for now." As much as I wanted Stan to touch me, I couldn't risk it. My chest was still bandaged and healing from the knife wound. If Stan saw it, he'd know right away that I'm Mysterion.
Stan put an arm around my waist and led me over to where Bebe Stevens stood talking and laughing with her giggling girlfriends. We politely said happy birthday to her and I took in the sight of Bebe's curvaceous figure and nicely-shaped big breasts. I remember once being attracted to Bebe in my younger years. Then I noticed Stan eying me funnily; leaving me embarrassed at my wandering thoughts. Smiling sheepishly up at him, I took Stan by the hand and pulled him away.
"I'm starving. Let's go get us something to eat. We can turn it into a romantic dinner," I suggested.
Stan agreed and we went into the kitchen where we found Craig and Clyde already helping themselves to the foods available for the guests. But we also found none other than Wendy Testaburger standing in the corner, looking visibly upset about something. We looked over at her in concern and we decided to go approach her to see what was wrong.
"Wendy? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Stan asked her.
"Huh? Oh, it's you Stan. No, I'm fine. I was only standing here, collecting my thoughts while I erm…," then Wendy's violet-blue eyes started tearing up. "I'm sorry. It's just that I had a fight with Bridon. He stormed off to god knows where. It was a silly squabble. I hope he comes back to me eventually."
As Wendy wiped her eyes, she then attempted a smile."Thanks for checking up on me, guys. I could really use a cooling off period. Why don't we all grab some food and sit down to talk?"
"Sure, why not?" I said. I felt sorry for Wendy. Maybe when I get the chance, I'll go look for Bridon and try talking to him. I couldn't help it; I always want to help everyone.
In minutes, Stan, Wendy and I sat on the couch with plates of food to eat while listening in on other people's conversations. I was really having a great time and Stan and I were getting along terrifically. I still couldn't believe that a popular golden boy like Stan would ever fall for a poor boy like me. I loved Stan so much that I couldn't imagine losing him. As if reading the loving thoughts going through my mind, Stan reached out and took my hand into his. We exchanged affectionate smiles and continued holding hands.
Then Wendy smiles over at me. "So how have you been, Kenny? You seem to be doing great these days. I'll bet Stan here had something to do with it, right?"
"Yes. Stan is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I love him very much," I said happily. After finishing my meal, I got up from the couch. "Well I'm ready to start gorging on snacks next. Anybody care to join me?"
"I'm still in the middle of eating," Stan replied. "But bring me back snacks too, Kenny! I'll be waiting for you here."
With that, I got up from the couch and started heading for the dining-room where they kept Bebe's birthday cake, cookies and homemade cupcakes. I was thinking on bringing back brownies for me and Stan to share when I heard a group of girls talking again. And like usual, they were discussing the relationship between Stan and me. Ever since the Halloween dance, nobody has accepted us dating. Mean jealous girls still acted catty while guys threw insults at us. Everyone thought Stan was too good for me and would treat me poorly because of it. And right now, more people was bad-mouthing us all over again.
"I can't believe Stan Marsh is still dating that McCormick kid. What does he see in him? From what I've heard, the McCormicks are always in trouble with the law and are from the poorest part of the neighborhood. Why on earth would a guy like Stan want trash? Is he deliberately trying to piss people off?" A red-haired girl was saying to her group of girlfriends.
"I wouldn't worry," piped up another girl. "Stan isn't really serious about Kenny McCormick. He's only waiting until someone better comes along. Kenny is hot and all but he's not boyfriend-material. How can he be? The McCormicks are nothing but trailer-trash, everyone knows that. Anyway, Stan is weird for dating someone so beneath him."
The girls all laughed and my anger grew. It was one thing to talk shit about me, but I hated it when they said bad things about Stan too. I'm sure poor Stan gets criticized all the time for dating someone like me. How much more of this bullshit can I take? I hoped Stan wouldn't change his mind about me. I know in my heart that Stan would never mess around on me. While I stood there and felt lost, I decided I needed some fresh air. Now I opened the back-door and stepped out onto Bebe's backyard to collect my thoughts.
"They're wrong…," I muttered to myself. "I love Stan…that should be enough. I shouldn't be judged for it." Unfortunately I wasn't alone in the backyard.
Before I had a chance to struggle, a hand clamps over my mouth and I felt lots of hands grabbing me roughly from behind. I saw too late it was TJ Olson and his gang of friends who were sneering nastily at me. "Come on boys; let's put McCormick here where he really belongs!"
Back in the living-room, Stan started worrying when Kenny didn't return to him. He got up from the couch and went around looking for his boyfriend around the house. Wendy went with him to help look for Kenny. While going around the house, Stan was aware of the snickering, the pointing, and the snide comments being thrown at him. It was clear that everyone disapproved of him dating Kenny. All these stupid high expectations people had for him and he refused to live up to them. Honestly, South Park could be the most judgmental town to live in.
"Ya know, you and Kenny are quite an unusual pair," Wendy was saying conversationally. "So tell me, Stan. How did you two ended up falling in love? I'd like to hear the story."
"Huh?" Stan said distractedly. He was looking around the crowded living-room, looking for Kenny. "We started seeing each other and we grew close. Hey did you see where Kenny went?"
"No. I didn't see where Kenny went," Wendy replied. She watched Stan with curiosity. "You must really love him. I know people are saying you two won't last… But I don't believe it. It's just like with Bridon and me. Everyone used to say that what we had was just a fling. But Bridon realized I was perfect for him after all. We've been together ever since."
Stan was hardly listening to a word Wendy was saying. Going through the rooms of Bebe's house, Stan looked all over for Kenny. He was starting to panic when he didn't see his boyfriend anywhere. Where the hell did he go? During his search, he did find Cartman and Butters in the kitchen. Stan made his way through the crowd over to them.
"Hey guys! Have you seen Kenny? I don't know where he is. I've looked all over but I can't find him. I'm really worried," Stan told them. He was becoming increasingly upset.
"It's okay, Stan. I'm sure Kenny is around here somewhere," Butters siad reassuringly by giving Stan a sympathetic pat on his shoulder.
Then they all heard it. There was a loud crashing sound, followed by wild laughter. And then Stan heard Kenny's shouting voice coming from outside. Without another word to Cartman or Butters, Stan headed straight for the back-door and went outside. Looking frantically around the backyard for Kenny, it wasn't until Stan ran to the side of the house that he saw what just happened. TJ and his friends were laughing their heads off because they dumped loads and loads of trash on poor Kenny who was covered head to toe with disgusting heaps of trash. Now he sat there humiliated as Stan stood there staring in shock. Cartman, Butters, Kyle, Wendy, Bridon, Bebe and all the others came running and saw what was going on too. Soon there was crazed laughter from everyone except for Stan, Wendy, Kyle and Butters.
"Were you looking for your boyfriend, Marsh?" TJ jeered. "He's just hanging out with the trash-bags! But don't worry; you can always look for another boyfriend in the trash pile. You know what they say; one man's trash is another man's treasure!"
There was more cruel laughter after this. Stan slowly approached me and I couldn't stand that he saw me looking so pathetic. Suddenly it was all too much. I was finally reaching my breaking point. Stan reached out to help me to my feet but I slapped his hand away and got back onto my feet. I couldn't face Stan and instead I walked right by him. I didn't need this. I didn't deserve to be treated like this. I can't believe it's come down to this. I decided to leave and spare myself any more shame. But Stan caught up with me and grabbed my hand to stop me from running away.
"Wait up Kenny! Don't leave. TJ is a total dick. I punched that asshole in the face for this," Stan told me quickly. He brushed off my clothes and any pieces of trash clinging onto me. "Kenny, please. Talk to me. I know you're upset. Don't let this ruin what we have."
"Fuck it. I can't do this anymore. What's the point? Nobody wants us to be together. I can't keep doing this and neither can you," I said angrily. The whole time, I avoided Stan's eyes.
"Stop talking like that!" Stan snapped. "I don't give a shit what anyone thinks! This doesn't change anything for me! I still love you. I'm not going to stop seeing you just because everyone thinks I should be dating a stereotypical popular beautiful blonde bimbo. You're crazy if you think I'm going to let something like this get in the way of our relationship!"
But I was too emotionally vulnerable and I was looking for a excuse to get away. "I wouldn't want to embarrass perfect popular star athlete, Stan Marsh," I said sarcastically. "I guess it wouldn't look good for your image if you're seen in the company of poor lowlife trash! Did you know there isn't a girl here that wouldn't love to suck your dick? Every day people remind me that I'm not good enough for you and that sooner or later, you're going to trade me in for a newer model!"
"Kenny, you're wrong. You're saying things you don't mean," Stan argued. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. Just because TJ pulled a mean prank on you doesn't mean you have to break up with me. You're being way too sensitive." Stan tried to caress my face but I pulled away bitterly.
"Stop pretending that everything is okay!" I yelled at Stan. "I'm tired of everyone treating me like the plague. And trying to convince you I'm not worth it. If you don't want to be seen around me, then go hang out with Kyle. Or better yet, why not Wendy? Go on, don't worry about me. I'll be fine." With that, I turned and ran away from the man I was supposed to love.
I felt like shit, my stomach was turning and I was already feeling guilty for my touchy behavior back there. Worst of all, I was feeling depressed. My god…what was happening to me? All my insecurities, my doubts, the self-hatred; it was all rolling into one to create this ugly person that I was turning into. Ignoring all the laughs and mockery from the other classmates, I ran into the bathroom and tried to wash off all the trash that had been smeared all over me. I didn't want to look in the mirror… I didn't want to see what I've become. I tried to calm myself down but only to realize how tired I was of calming down.
When I exited the bathroom, I bumped into Kyle who was looking very concerned for me. "Kenny? Are you feeling okay now? Stan is looking for you. He's still worried," Kyle said gently.
But I couldn't face Kyle either. All I felt was guilt and humilation on having treated Stan like garbage. I had to get out of here. I wanted to leave. I had to apologize to Stan. Now I went back down the hall to find Stan and make it right. Kyle followed me as I went looking for Stan around the house. However when I entered the living-room… I caught Stan in the arms of a pretty girl. The girl was all over Stan that it was sickening to watch. The sight of my boyfriend being with someone else brought out a jealous rage in me unlike any I've ever experienced before. Kyle tries to stop me but I marched over to them in a huff.
"You son of a bitch!" I literally ripped Stan away from the giggling girl. "What the fuck is your problem? So this is your idea on getting back at me? I thought you were better than that!"
"For crying out loud, Kenny! The girl is drunk and I was trying to fight her off!" Stan protested impatiently. "You're making a fool of yourself, Kenny! This isn't who you are. How could you say all those heartless things to me? I don't have to put up with all that!"
"I don't know what to think anymore," I said sadly. "Everything is falling apart. I knew we'd face repercussions when we got together, but I didn't think it would get this bad. You're so great and popular, Stan. Nobody wants to see you with someone like me. A man who has nothing to offer…"
"So now it's my fault that we can't stay together?" Stan suddenly accused me. Looking into his face, I saw the hurt in those midnight-blue eyes. "What utter bullshit! You're going to break up with me because I'm too good for you? Is that how this is going to go down?" Our argument was starting to attract the attention of everyone in the room. And things were only about to get worst.
"Will you two stop fighting? We're in the middle of a party here," Kyle tried coming in between us and to stop our argument. "Cartman, will you get over here and help me? Listen Kenny, you need to leave."
"Stop meddling in this, Kyle! I'm so tired of you constantly taking Stan's side. What about me? Aren't I your friend anymore? And why do I have to leave? I don't hear anybody kicking Stan out!" I was out of control at this point.
"Hey don't talk to him like that asshole!" Cartman was yelling at me now. "Both you and Stan are acting like a bunch of retards! Will you both please step outside before you drag this on any longer?"
Feeling pissed off and ashamed, I spun on my heel and started heading for the door. As much as I hated to admit it, I really did need to get out of there. Everyone was staring at us. I never thought things would get this bad. Stepping outside, I saw that it was already night-time. The inky-black sky had dark-grey clouds and a shining full-moon. Stan followed me outside and he was still so angry that he wouldn't look at me. I wanted to say sorry to him, I wanted to take it all back. But I've already made way too many mistakes.
"I can't believe you behaved like that," Stan murmured to me. "This wasn't my fault. I tried to help you Kenny, but you wouldn't allow it."
"It never ceases to amaze me on how you always make it all about you," I glared at Stan. "You said that you would love me no matter what. But I guess that wasn't entirely true. Maybe you only loved the idea of me. Sorry I can't be perfect. I guess I really was nothing but an embarrassment to you."
The more I thought about it, I began to realize something. "It hurts to have people look at me and treat me like I'm beneath them. I've seen it all my life. But what hurt more than anything was people telling me that you didn't really love me. That I'm only a piece of ass to you. I was ridiculed and bullied just by daring to be seen with you. I can't believe that this whole town could be against me so much. People even went so far as to think I only wanted to be with you for your money!"
The truth came out… Stan stared into my eyes and was surprised because he never knew about my any of this. It was my biggest wish to be with Stan Marsh. But I didn't know that it would come at a price. I should have known that our love was something that would never be accepted. And then I had another realization… Stan and I didn't trust each other enough. Because of our backgrounds, we didn't understand a thing about each other. How could we? After a long silence, Stan was the one who broke eye-contact and hung his head in sadness.
"I didn't know loving you was causing you so much pain," Stan said solemnly. "I can't tell you how sorry I am. Maybe…maybe it's best we split up. It's what everyone expects of us, right? Don't worry; I'll never stop being your friend. But I care about you, Kenny. I think you're the one who doesn't deserve me."
My heart torn up like shredded paper when I watched before my eyes the man I loved with every beat of my heart, walk away from me. He started walking down the street and Kyle hurried off to follow him; probably to provide him with some comfort. But I didn't move… I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Did Stan really break up with me? No…this isn't what I wanted. I thought we could work it out. It didn't have to end like this. How could I ever let this happen?
"Stanley…," I couldn't move. I knew it was too late. And then I came to accept it as well. Maybe Stan was right. This was for the best. Maybe it was always meant to end this way. Perhaps this was too much for both of us. But no matter what happens… I'll never stop loving Stan Marsh. My heart would never let go.
I didn't realize I was being led away by Cartman where he gently puts me inside his mom's car and proceeded to drive me home. I guess the party was over. During the ride, Cartman didn't say much to me and I was grateful. I couldn't talk about what happened. My brain was still trying to cope with the fact that Stan was no longer here with me. Not to mention that I was heart-broken and tired. All I wanted was to go home and head to bed.