Hello! I feel horrible! I've been so stressed with schoolwork that I haven't really given a good chapter for awhile. The last chapter was extremely rushed and I apologize. I'm trying to make ends meet and time isn't agreeing with me. I'm hoping to get this story done by Friday, but we'll see what happens with that. Read on!!!

Some Patience

-Stan's POV-

Weeks had passed. Kyle showed improvement with each day he spent in therapy at the hospital. So much in fact that he was finally released to go home. He couldn't have been happier. Neither could I.

"I'm fucking stoked, Dude! That place was my nightmare! I actually can't wait to get back to school."

I smiled. In the past few weeks, I had visited him practically everyday, bringing his homework, keeping him company and playing video games for hours. I was happy that he was finally allowed to go home. His moods had turned into happier tales and as the days went by, the color in his face returned.

The old Kyle is back.

"I'm glad you're coming back to school, too. I mean, Kenny's fun to hang out with but it's just not the same without you there … making fun of Fatass."

Kyle gave that same rich laugh he always had. He had always been the type of guy that can make you smile by just laughing.

Him and I were now walking together to the bus stop. We didn't usually but his Mom had secretly called me and asked me to keep an eye on him for a while. Not that I minded.

It was quite cold out this morning, but I didn't care. I was too busy watching Kyle as he excitedly chattered on. His green eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight. Snowflakes danced off his hat and onto his pink cheeks. He was so perfect to me.

"So, how about it, Dude?"

Crap. I shook my head and blinked.

"I'm sorry, what?"

He grinned. "Stan, you're off in the clouds this morning."

I laughed. "I am? I didn't notice. How about what?"

He wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve, like a little kid would. "I was saying that my parents are going away this weekend and I'm going to ask Mom if I can invite you, Kenny and Cartman over. We can play video games and watch R-rated movies and everything."

"Sure, Kyle. It sounds like fun. My Mom won't mind. She's been pouring over Shelley ever since she overdosed. I think she's fine now." Shelley coming home had been unbearable. She was miserable, sitting on the couch all day, surrounded by balled up tissue wads, eyes red from crying. Not to mention, I got punched just about every time I asked her how she was feeling. Finally, Mom told me just to let her come out of it on her own.

He gave a grin. "Good. I'm glad everything is finally getting back to normal. I can't believe I could of d- …" He winced, held up his pointer finger for me to give him a second, and then gave a loud, hoarse cough; some aftermath of the damage that had been done to his esophagus.

I shivered. I knew what he was going to say. Died. I hated to think of what I'd be like if he had died.

His coughing fit calmed down after a few painful seconds of listening.

"You okay, Man?"

He nodded, red in the face. His expression said he was fine but I couldn't help noticing his watering eyes.

He never did finish his sentence and I was glad. I didn't want to hear the reality of the past. The future was my fancy for now. Aside from that, we had reached the bus stop and Kyle had forgotten about what he was going to say due to the excitement of seeing everyone.

"He-ee-eey! Look who's back. It's the Jew!" Cartman's choice of words weren't very pleasant but he said them with a friendly smile.

Kyle grinned. "Hey, Fatass. Nice to see you, too."

He gave Kenny a high-five and took the spot where he usually stood. I had always admired how Kyle seemed to get along with everyone, excluding Cartman. I watched in awe as he filled Kenny and Cartman in on everything that had happened; his therapy, his Mom being a bitch about the whole thing (Cartman had sneered under his breath when he said this, that she always had been a bitch), and just how he was feeling.

He seemed surprisingly calm. I had always wondered how he could be completely fucked and the next day he was joking about it and tempting fate. Just another amazing feature of Kyle Broflovski.

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Getting on the bus was like walking into a bar with a well-known celebrity. The bus was filled with laughter and daily gossip, but everyone stopped as soon as Kyle walked on. He looked nervous for the first time that day.

"HEY! Broflovski's back!!" I heard someone scream from the back. A cheer filled the small bus, a few claps and whistles amongst it all. And Kyle gave it a blush.

"Kyle! Kyle! Come sit next to me!" Bebe patted the empty spot next to her, after shoving Wendy out. She huffed angrily and plopped down into an empty seat.

Kyle shrugged, grinned sheepishly and took her offer. She let out a little squeal and bombarded him with information and news about school.

I grinned at him as he listened and pretended to care. I caught his eyes and he rolled them, but Bebe didn't notice.

There weren't anymore seats, except for the one … right next to Wendy. I knew if I asked her to sit down, she would either ignore me or vocally express her hate for me. The only time we had talked since that day in the cafeteria was when she came up to me and told me that she was sorry about Kyle.

I sat down without permission.

"H-hi, Wendy."

She stopped looking out the window and turned to me. "Hi, Stan."

Her voice is so quiet I have to strain my ears to hear her. She gives me a small smile. She seems as nervous as I do … or more.

I clear my throat, not quite sure of what to say. She saves me from it though.

"Kyle seems just like a star, doesn't he? With all the attention and everything, I mean. It's nice to see him back at school. I know you missed him."

I nodded. "I'm glad he's back. He's real glad, too. He's finally getting better and learning to deal."

She puts a hand on my shoulder. "You're a good friend, Stan. Kyle's lucky to have you by his side through this whole thing. I hate how it didn't work out for us but I just want you to know, I don't hate you."

This shocked me. I thought Wendy despised me. She had always been extremely sensitive and she took everything personally. And why did it seem like she knew about my crush on Kyle?

"Thanks, Wendy. I'm sorry, too." I felt like I was at a loss for words. "We'll both find the ones that mean the most to us."

She smiled. I can hear an uproar of laughter from the back and it causes both Wendy and I to turn around. Kyle is doing an impression of Cartman and is earning some smiles.

She laughs and I feel like I did back a few months ago. Like, everything is the same as it always had been.

But I know that nothing ever will be, but this is probably the closest it will come. I soak it all in, remembering it in my mind.

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We entered school with the same attention that was given on the bus. Only more of it this time. Kyle seems modest but I know he likes the feeling of admiration.

The day passes by quickly and soon, it's lunchtime. Kyle and I walk through the cafeteria, him with an average serving of food. It feels just like old times.

"Man, it feels good to be back. I really missed all this." He sniffs his food and pulls back suddenly. "Well, maybe not the food."

I laugh. "Yeah, I was wondering about that. Why don't they ever serve us anything that doesn't come out of a microwaveable box?"

I notice how his eyes light up and I look to see what he finds so interesting over my shoulder.

Madison. Go figure.

"Kyle!!!" She throws her body around him, clinging to him like a leech.

For weeks, she had been making a point of talking to me everyday. She kept trying to get closer and closer to me. I hated how dishonest she was to Kyle. She probably thinks that guys have no heart and they'll gladly go after their best friend's girl. I would never do anything to hurt Kyle.

"Hey, Maddy. How goes it?"

She kisses him and I have to turn away. I can't watch that. I can almost feel my heart breaking. I excuse myself.

"Hey, Kyle, I need to go grab something from my locker. I'll be back, okay?"

He pulls away and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, Dude. Want me to come?"

I shake my head. "No, no. It's okay. You sit and eat. I'll be fast."

He looks confused as I speed out of the cafeteria. I didn't know what I was doing. I guess I just needed sometime to make sure the tears wouldn't start spilling. What the hell is wrong with me?

I was never this sensitive.

I walk down the hallway, hands in my pockets. Why did I have to like Kyle this much? He has a girlfriend. He isn't gay. I'm just going to have to accept that.

"Where ya goin', Marsh?" I hear someone growl from behind me.

Son of a bitch. I know that voice. I turn around.

"Why do you need to know, Eli?" I snap.

He backs up, holding his hands up like the police had caught him, red-handed. That's when I notice that he has two of his friends with him. They used to be my buddies, until I got replaced.

"Whoa, easy, Boy. I was just curious. I mean, I thought you'd be kissing that Kyle kid's ass like all the kids are doing."

"Shut the fuck up, Eli. Dude, let someone else have the spotlight, for Christ's sake."

He grins at me, but there is no friendliness in it. It's pure evil.

"I didn't mean to diss your boyfriend, Stan. Ever since you got kicked off the team, you've been such a little fag. Whoever could do such a thing as take your position from you? Oh, wait. It was me. I guess some pussies just weren't meant to play football."

That did it.

I hurled such a strong volley of swear words at him that he backed up.

"Man, that Marsh kid is sassy. We should teach him to watch his mouth." I heard one of them say.

I feel them closing in on me, backing me against a locker. I'm surrounded. I'll never get out of this. If it were only Eli, I would've gladly taken the challenge. But, three against one? There was no way …

Eli grabs the front of my shirt and I close my eyes, waiting for the first punch.

"I'm going to enjoy this. I've always hated you, Marsh. You're really fucked now." He growls.

He punches me in the stomach and I fall to the ground with a groan. Where were all the kids in the hallways when you needed them?

The two other guys with him hold me down and Eli punches me in the face.

"This will teach you not to fuck with me!"

I wait for another punch and I feel him being torn up off me.

"HEY! BREAK IT UP AND MARCH YOURSELF RIGHT DOWN TO THE OFFICE. NOW!"

I open my eyes slightly, the world spinning. My focus comes back and I realize it's that teacher I knocked down a month and a half ago. I feel regretful for not helping her up at the time. She just saved my ass and I couldn't even take two minutes to help her?

Eli and his friends slump down to the office but not before he yells back at me, "this isn't over!"

"Are you okay?"

I sit up and steady myself against the locker. I manage to nod.

"Stan!" I think I can hear Kyle down the hall but I'm not positive. He comes and sits himself right next to my side.

"Stan! Stan! Are you okay?" I wish he would stop yelling. My head was spinning.

I nod and just as I'm about to tell him to quiet down, darkness takes me into her grasp.

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Yay! I'm proud of this chapter. It turned out like I wanted it too. Review and let me know what YOU think! Hugs and Kisses!