Hey! So, school today. Dios Mio! My Science teacher PILED on the homework. Agh. My Spanish teacher also gave quite a bit. Haha. But, I decided to write this next chapter right now seeing as I'll be doing homework all night. Sooo, enjoy!! Also, a few questions. Is anybody who reads this left-handed? And … what do you do when the first signs of writer's block appear? I need to know everyone's way of dealing with it. More reviews are always appreciated :-) Read on!

Silently Broken

-Stan's POV-

Well, who didn't see that coming? Shelley had been fucked up for weeks. It all started when her jockass boyfriend dumped her. If she wasn't so mean to me, I would've kicked his ass. She was my sister, after all.

I sighed and glanced at the clock.

A little past midnight.

My hands felt unusually cold and I rubbed them together, trying to create some friction. There wasn't any point in staying up to see what would happen. Mom would make me go to school tomorrow, whether I wanted to or not. I had to go on with life even if I wanted to pause everything for Kyle.

I hated having to lie awake in bed. I couldn't sleep. No matter how hard I tried, every time I closed my eyes, Kyle's face appeared. Your subconscious really fucks with your mind this time of night. My eyes finally did close though.

The next time I opened them, it was morning. Bright sunshine poured in through my window. Somewhere off in the distance, I could hear the phone ringing.

I let out a groan of exhaustion.

Leave me alone … so tired.

I knew it was probably Mom. Who else would call this early? I also knew that she wouldn't stop trying if I didn't pick up.

I pushed myself up with a lot of effort and climbed out of my warm bed, setting my feet down on the cold floor. On my way out, I step on something sharp.

"Son of a bitch!"

I wince and look down. A toy car? What the crap? Where did that come- oh yeah. Kyle and I had been using it a few weeks ago to demonstrate a science experiment. It was Ike's toy car. I missed how normal everything used to be. Or how it seemed normal. The truth really does hurt.

I rub my foot gently, massaging the pain away. The phone continues to ring.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." I grumble. I never was a morning person. Maybe I should also think of cleaning up my room.

"Hello?" I answer into the phone, breathlessly from running down the stairs.

"Stanley, it's Mom."

Knew it.

"Hi, Mom. How's Shelley doing?"

I hear a strained sigh over the phone.

"It's been a long night. They just stabilized her. She was really lucky."

I couldn't help but be relieved. It wouldn't be the same without hearing her shrill voice screaming at me."

"That's good to hear, Mom."

She sounded preoccupied with something. "Yes, Stanley. Listen, just because all this has happened isn't any reason for you to miss school. We'll be bringing her home later today anyways. Now, go on and get ready. Have a good day."

Typical, Mom.

"Okay, thanks, Mom. Bye."

I hung up the phone. Might as well get going. The sooner the day was over, the sooner I could go and see Kyle. I race up the stairs and realize how I must smell. I hadn't showered in a few days. I wrinkle my nose in disgust.

Well, I've got time to shower.

I strip off my pajamas and hop into the shower, adjusting the taps so the temperature is just right. When had my hair become so matted? Goddamn. I squirt a quarter-size dip of shampoo into my hand and scrub my head with it.

I hated mornings. Everything about them. They say showers are supposed to wake you up. The warm water just puts me back to sleep.

I let the water run down my aching body for a few more minutes. Oh, God, I did not want to go to school. I knew what was waiting for me there. Kids would look at me with pity.

'Oh, look! There goes that kid who picked a fight with Eli. His best friend is in the hospital now.'

That's when it occurred to me. Mom won't know if I skip school today. She's going to be at the hospital for a few more hours, at least. I'll just make sure I'm out of here by the time she comes home.

I laughed out loud to myself. I was really losing it. A few weeks ago, I would never have the balls to lie to my own Mother. What does it matter now?

What does it really fucking matter?

I hop out of the shower and actually feel good. Maybe, good enough to face my enemy again.

I walk over to the mirror and see my nightmare. The monster I had become.

I'm shocked to see Stanley Marsh staring back at me. Clean black hair. Rested blue eyes. A natural slight pink blush in my cheeks.

"Nice to see you again, Buddy." I feel slightly silly talking to my reflection. But I'm glad to see the way he smiles at me.

I waltz to my room, flicking on the stereo as I go to my closet. Some hip-hop song was on and I was too lazy to reach over and turn it off. I had always been particularly fond of rock, myself.

I throw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater. It was no designer original, but it would have to do.

I pull my toque, the same one I had worn since I was a kid, over my slightly damp hair. It needed to be cut but I hadn't felt like doing much of anything lately. Oh well, no school for me today.

I end up walking to the bus stop, anyways. Not to be getting on the actual bus, but just to see some familiar faces before I play the game of hooky.

"Hey, Stan." Kenny's greeting comes first and Cartman grunts something that sounds like hello.

"Hey, you guys. How's it going?"

Kenny nods. "Can't complain."

Cartman doesn't answer. Not much of a surprise. My guess is that he is embarrassed over showing care for Kyle last night.

"By the way, I'm skippin' it out today."

Cartman snorts.

"What? Is there a problem, Fatboy?"

"Just seems a little hard to believe that a little pussy like you is going to skip. First a fight in school and now hooky. Careful, Stan. The police will be after you in no time."

I glare at him. "So, anyways," I look back to Kenny. "I'll see you guys later."

"Wait! Do you mind if I come? I wouldn't mind seeing Kyle." It scares me how Kenny can almost read me like a book.

I shrug. "Sure, if you want. It's not pretty though, Dude."

Kenny nods and stands by my side.

"So, I guess you're on your own, Fatass."

"AYE! I'm not fat. I'm big-boned." He says it like he's trying to believe it himself.

"Suuuuure, Cartman. Bye."

Kenny and I walk off, laughing as we can hear Cartman shouting profanities at us. It's the first time I laugh and actually mean it in days.

The hospital isn't far off and I silently pray, asking for god to keep my Mom and I at separate ends so she doesn't see me by some chance.

I'm glad for Kenny's company. I feel more at peace when he's around. He was my voice of sanity, right now.

A small snowfall has started and I laugh as Kenny dances around, comically trying to catch falling snowflakes in his mouth. He gives me a playful shove and sends me into a snowdrift.

"Hey! Watch it, McCormick." I growl, half-kidding as I swipe at the snow off my butt.

I feel sort of guilty … somehow feeling that it's Kyle's sickness that is bringing Kenny and I closer together.

We enter the hospital, him putting out his cigarette, me glancing around nervously for my Mom. No sign of her. But that same Nurse who had been flirting with me last night is at the desk again.

"Well, hello again! I see you brought someone." She gives me a wink and I feel Kenny nudge me.

"Go right on up, Handsome. I believe your brother is awake."

As we walk to the elevator, I hear Kenny whisper to me, "Your brother?"

I smirk. "Don't ask. It's a long story."

He gives me a crazy grin and we stop on Kyle's floor.

"What room is it?"

I point to the one we stop in front of and I can hear yelling coming from inside.

It was Kyle yelling. And it sounded like he was yelling at his Mother. Kyle never yelled at his parents.

Kenny and I exchange a worried look before I raise my fist and give the door a little knock.

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I would write more, but surprise surprise. South Park's on!! Please review and I love you all! (Hugs and Kisses)

-J