Kyle*

After Ma's dinner and hours of catching up with each other, the boys went home. Ma invited them to stay the night, but Stan said he had work in the morning, not everyone is lucky enough to have a vacation. Then he smirked at me. Cartman flat out said nah and I was relieved. Not like I thought he'd actually stay. Maybe Ma was just being polite. After they left I kissed Ma on the cheek, thanked them for dinner one last time and told them good night. I walked in my room after ruffling my brothers hair and called it a night. My room was basically the same as I left it except for most of my belongings. My brother took my desk and chair, but my bed was still here. There was a lamp in the corner and a window to the left of my bed and that's about it. I sat in my bed after letting out a sigh. Today was amazing. Better than I expected. No awkwardness whatsoever. I wonder why I was so nervous? It's my damn family and best friends I knew for years. I guess I was thinking too hard. Speaking of thinking too hard, why the fuck was Stan so hot tonight? His hair is cut shorter than normal. It was almost a buzz cut but not quite, and his blue eyes seem to electrify when he was laughing or looking at me. He got a stud in his left ear that he didn't have before. It added an edge to him, and Cartman, well, he looked the same ahahaha. Honestly he could be a linebacker for the football team if he wanted to, but knowing his fatass he would never work out, let alone work with a team. My thoughts continued to drift towards Stan, I couldn't stop thinking about the way his eyes looked at me. Like he was looking inside me. I've never seen that look before. It made me remember the time when we were younger. Probably freshman year of highschool. We had a moment in Stans room where we shared a kiss, only because we wanted to try it out, not like we had feelings like that. Just too premature boys wanting to experience something different, and who better than with your best friend you've know since forever. The next day after that Stan broke up with his girlfriend at school. She kinda made a big deal about it but Stan didn't care. He just carried on like normal, expect he started dating boys soon after. All of us didn't think much of it because he's our best friend no matter what. Of course Cartman had some shit to say about it, but he was always joking around. I was just glad I could hang out with Stan, and everyone.

My swirling thoughts we interrupted by a chime on my phone, and I picked it up. It read, New Message.

I clicked on it.

Stan: Good to see you and the family today. Wanna hang out with everyone tomorrow? Kenny's gonna be there too.

I stare at the screen for a bit and don't bother to hide my growing smile.

Yeah, after I hang out with Ike for a bit, I promised him anyway.

Stan: Roger, see you later man

See ya.

I replied back and put my phone on the ground. I grabbed my bags after the party from Ma's car and now I started to sift through my things. A couple jackets, shirts and jeans. All around the same dull colors. I pulled out my phone charger and plugged it into the wall and my phone. I set an alarm for 0800 and set it back down. I set my folded clothes next to my bed by the wall. Then, I lay my bags right next to the dim lamp. It's been a long day, but I wish it would last for a little while longer. I had such a great day, seeing everybody, and with that I heard a light knock on my door. It startled me.

"Yeah?" I replied softly, thinking my parents are probably asleep now.

Ike opens the door and comes in with his thin, light blue blanket and his plaid jammies on.

"What's up, Ike?"

""I couldn't sleep yet. I'm just so excited you're here."

I laugh at his honesty and I motion him to come here. I sit on the edge of my bed and I give him a big old hug. He deserves it.

"I'm sorry I missed your Bar Mitzvah, Ike. If the roles were reversed, you'd probably come to mine. I'm a bad big brother, you know."

Ike sniffled and rubbed hit eyes on my shirt. It felt a little wet and I wanted to punch myself in the face.

"It's okay. I'm already over it. Like you said, you're here now and I'm a big boy now!" He lifted his face and gave me a cheeky smile with tears in his eyes. Almost made me cry. I nodded and ruffled his hair again.

"Yeah you are." I smiled back at him and Ike left go of a shaky sigh, trying to get rid of the tears.

"Well, Ike you can chill in here. I wasn't going to bed anytime soon." I lied. It was already 0100 am, but it was the least I could do, and I enjoy Ike's company. I haven't seen him for so long. Too long.

He smiled more genuinely this time and sat on my bed.

"Okay! I wanna tell you about this essay Stan is helping me write. Have you ever read How to kill a Mockingbird?" He asked. I pretended not to know so he could tell me about it. I was shocked to find him pretty enthusiastic, but that's what Stan does. Makes people enthusiastic with his lively manner, and it was a good book after all. I need to thank Stan for teaching Ike this.

"Isn't that crazy?" Ike said after he was finished.

I laughed.

"It sure is, buddy."

We continued to talk about random, but meaningful things throughout the night. I learned a lot about his school and his friends, and this girl, Mary, who he has a crush on.

We slowly fell asleep sitting up, with our backs against the wall, and Ike's head leaning against my arm.