Hey, everyone! So, here's the seventh chapter. I have some unhappy news to share, also. I know how everyone loves how fast I update. I want to keep you all very happy, but school starts tomorrow, unfortunately. Christmas break has been fun but now I need to get down to some serious studying, seeing as I have my finals coming up in no more than two weeks. This is not to say I will be ditching this story. I may or may not be able to update as often. I do type very quickly so … it won't take long for me to post more chapters; it may just be a bit delayed. I don't know all this for sure yet. We'll see what this week is like for me in school. My Science teacher LOVES to give homework and torture us. It may be his favorite thing in the whole world. Haha. Hopefully you'll keep reading though and giving me more excellent reviews. Cartman and Kenny have been neglected in this fic so I'm putting them in quite a bit this chapter. I'm trying my hardest and I love you all! (MUAH)

A Visit with Kenny

-Stan's POV-

I peaked inside the room. The walls were painted a depressing yellow color that must've been originally meant to brighten up the room. Kyle's Mom was fast asleep in a chair by his bed and his Father wasn't anywhere around. I had been avoiding having to look at Kyle, but I knew if I didn't now, I'd regret it when I got home.

Just one look. One look to tell me he's alive and I'll go home.

I had been expecting tons of machines surrounding the cot he was asleep on. Instead, he was hooked up to an IV and two tubes ran up his nose. I wonder how much that hurt. Of course, he was probably unconscious when they did it.

I looked back out in the hallway, making sure nobody was in sight. It was completely empty. I ducked into the room, quietly closing the door behind me.

Now what?

I cautiously made my way over to the edge of Kyle's bed. I was trying to keep my footsteps quiet so I wouldn't wake up his Mom. I was afraid of how she may react.

I looked down at Kyle. His face was still considerably pale and the bags still kept their place under his eyes. He looked troubled, even in his sleep. He was still beautiful, to me. Madison doesn't deserve him. She takes him for granted and one day, she'll regret it.

I gently grabbed one of his hands. It was so cold. I place my hands under and over his.

"I'm sorry, Kyle." I whisper, wondering half mindedly if he could hear me.

"You didn't deserve this. I hate to see you have so much pressure on your shoulders." Why was I apologizing for something he had brought upon himself? He could've talked to his parents about what they were causing him to do. He could've talked to his school counselor. This wasn't his last resort. It was his first and dumbest.

"Kyle, you're an idiot." I sighed. There wasn't much point in me staying here. I didn't want to get caught by Kyle's Mom. It wouldn't be good for her to wake up and see me holding her eldest son's hand.

I wonder where Ike is.

I reluctantly let go of his hand and exited the room, taking one last look at Kyle. I could've sworn he had a smile on his face. I half wondered if he was faking. That fucker always liked to stir up trouble.

Snap out of it, Stan. You're losing your mind.

I was glad to get out of the hospital and into the cold night air. Being in there was like staying in a dramatic movie that you were the star of and you couldn't get out of.

I didn't want to go home right now. I couldn't face Mom's concern. She'd have a billion questions waiting for me.

I know everything isn't okay, but I want to pretend it is.

I walked on down the street, not quite sure of where I was going and I ended up at a broken down shack that was Kenny McCormick's house. Gosh, it was cold out.

What was I going to say to Kenny? He would want to know what happened to Kyle. I think he deserved to know … he had helped me out in the past few days. I can tell Kenny.

I walked up to the door and just as my finger pressed the doorbell, the door swung open. Kenny huffed and puffed for air and seemed startled to see me standing there, cheeks pink from the cold.

"Hey, Dude. What are you doing here?"

'Hey, Kenny. I just got back from the hospital and I need to tell somebody about my undying love for Kyle.' It's what I wanted to say but instead, I nodded a hello.

"I just needed someone to talk to."

He nodded understandingly and stepped out from the house.

"Not here. Dad's drunk." He grinned but I could see a bruise showing up from where he had been smacked. Kenny never did have the best life at home. I wondered how he put up with it. If it had been me, I would've killed myself by now.

"How about the pond?" I suggested. He shrugged carelessly and pulled a cigarette and lighter out of his pocket. Over the years, Kenny had become a nicotine addict. It must've started with that time we all decided to try cigarettes behind the school and ended up burning it down instead. I smiled at the fond memory.

He offered me one and I took it. I usually didn't smoke but I had heard that cigarettes helped lift tension. I needed all the help I could get right now.

He lit his first, blocking the small flame on his lighter with his hand to keep it from going out and I leaned my head over towards him so he could light mine. We continued our journey to Stark's Pond, where we had shared many happy childhood memories.

"It's cold out, huh?" I suddenly felt awkward around Kenny. We rarely hung out together. Kyle or Cartman were always there with us.

"Mmmm …" He was trying to blow smoke rings through his mouth.

I puffed on the cigarette. God, it tasted awful. But it was taking my mind off Kyle. Mom would kill me if she saw me with a cigarette dangling from my mouth.

"So, Kyle's in pretty rough shape, huh?" His assumption startled me.

"Yeah, he's not doing too good. His Mom told me that they're going to start therapy on him as soon as he's awake. If he fucks around with his digestive system anymore, that could be it for him, though." I could feel that same tightening in my chest. I was getting pretty used to it by now.

Kenny stopped walking. I turned back at him curiously, swallowing back more tears.

"Why are you stopping?"

Kenny threw the butt of his cigarette to the ground, putting it out with the toe of his worn out shoe.

"Stan, you can cry in front of me you know. I'm not like Cartman. I know you're human." He offered a friendly smile.

I snorted. "Kenny, to be honest, I'm all cried out. I'm trying to keep from crying. Fuck, I sound like a pussy."

"No, you don't. It's okay, Stan. Shit happens. Kyle will make it. He's a fighter." He gave me a pat on the shoulder.

I found little comfort in his words. I had been telling them to myself all day.

I wasn't finished the cigarette but I threw it to the ground anyways and stubbed it out with my foot. I felt like throwing up from the taste that was left lingering in my mouth.

"It's not that, Kenny. Damn it, you should have just heard how he talked to me in the washroom today … like, it was my fault that he had become bulimic. And maybe it was my fault. God, the fight with Eli really fucked me up. I've been fucked up all week!"

He looked at me, concern carved into his blue eyes. His hood was down for once, and the winter wind gently caressed his blond bangs against his forhead. Kenny would've been really handsome if he didn't smoke so much. His skin was lined like that of a much older man. He knew how worked up I was getting.

"Where do you want to go?"

I thought for a minute.

"Aw, hell. Let's go see, Fatass. Maybe, I can take my mind off all this by kicking his sorry ass at game sphere."

Kenny grinned and put an arm around my shoulder. We walked like that all the way to Cartman's house.

We arrived there and his Mom welcomed us in with concern and questions about how cold it was outside. Cartman's house had always been a good hangout, aside from the fact that his Mom was a crackwhore. She was pleasant and friendly, though. I wondered if she knew about Kyle.

"Come on in, Boys. Eric is watching T.V." She said gesturing towards the family room.

We walked in to see Cartman sitting and laughing at Terrance and Philip. I always wondered why we all grew out of it before he did. I was starting to think he might never.

"Hey, Cartman." Kenny was the only one who rarely called him 'fatass' or 'fatfuck'.

He looked over automatically. "Oh, hey, you guys. What are you doing here?"

"We thought we'd come and see if you wanted to play game sphere." I replied.

"Stanley, Stanley, Stanley. You never do learn, do you?"

"Shut up, Fatass. I can beat you any day." I knew he was referring to the game by the way he eyed it mischievously. It looked like it hadn't been played with in weeks. The controllers were carelessly thrown about on the floor and a slight dust had settled over top of it.

He shoved off the couch with a grunt and waddled over to it.

"Well, c'mon then. Let's get this over with."

-----------------------------

"AYE! You killed my guy, buttfucker!"

"HAHA. STAN THE MAN LIVES ON!"

Kenny, Cartman and I had been playing for over an hour now and I had beaten them both each time. I smiled and leaned back with a look of pure satisfaction on my face.

Cartman shut the game off angrily. "Fuck, that game is gay anyways."

"Or, maybe you just suck, Fatboy."

Cartman sat back against the couch for a minute.

"So, uh, Stan. How's Jewboy doing?"

Well, atleast he was showing some concern.

"He was still unconscious when I left. His Mom told me that he has some damage done internally. He'll need therapy when he wakes up."

Cartman nodded. I can tell he doesn't know what to say. Kenny notices, too, for he slides closer to him and places a hand on his shoulder. Cartman's afraid to show that he really does care about Kyle. Despite all the names they call each other they are still friends.

"Well, when you go and see him again, tell him I say I hope he feels better."

"I'll do that." Even Cartman had feelings.

I look up at that clock on Cartman's VCR. It's flashing 11:02pm.

"Oh, shit. I better be getting home though. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye!"

"Bye, Stan."

"Later, Marsh."

I walk down the steps of his house and wonder if my parents are still awake. I really hope they're in bed. I don't feel like playing twenty questions right now.

The porch light is on when I walk up to my house.

Great. They're probably awake.

I shuffle around in my pants pocket for my house keys, find them, unlock thefootandwalk in, waiting to be pounced on.

Nothing. The kitchen light is and I walk in to find a note on the table.

Stanley,

We had to rush to the hospital. Shelley overdosed on Tylenol and has to get her stomach pumped. We'll call you and let you know what's happening. Please go to sleep, though and don't worry about this.

Xoxo

Love, Mom

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Oh no. More drama. Haha. I have to add it. It just adds more suspense. Stay tuned. More to come :-)