Bebe was close to Kenny's face in an instant. Kenny could feel the anger pouring off of her, for a moment he wondered if she really was going to kill him. "Well, if you're gonna kill me, take your shot," Kenny replied, blankly, not knowing what to say.
"You're such a fucking asshole," Bebe seethed, Kenny glanced to Wendy who was standing next to him, looking as uncomfortable as him. The whole hallway seemed to have their eyes on them as well, Kenny had a feeling they all knew this was coming.
The room was heavy, Kenny felt like the weight of the world was pressing down against his shoulders. Bebe must've realized this too, because instead of talking to Kenny she abruptly shouted, "What are you fuckers looking at? Don't you have a class or something?"
Everyone quickly looked away, Kenny knew they were still listening, though it did take some of the pressure off. Bebe turned her gaze back to the pair, "What does this bitch have that I could never offer you?" She sneered.
Kenny's mouth hung agape but before he could say anything Wendy replied for him, "You're calling me a bitch? We were best friends just a few days ago!"
Bebe rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Yeah, that was before you started whoring yourself out. Shorter skirts, thigh highs, come on Wendy. You're not fooling anyone."
This time Kenny couldn't stand by, "Bebe, if you wanted to date me so bad then why did you suck everyone's dick in high school, including mine. You never liked me."
"You stupid, prick." She growled, "I asked you out so many times and you always turned me down."
"Yeah and I remember going out with you to dinner and you telling me about your other friends with benefits and me telling you the same. I thought we were just having fun, it's not like we were connecting on a deeper level or some shit-"
"Oh," Bebe cut him off, "And you connected on a deeper level with this bitch?" She jutted her finger towards Wendy.
Kenny just knocked her arm away, stepping slightly between her and Wendy. He was suddenly feeling very protective over Wendy, the same way he'd always felt for Karen. "Yes, in fact, I did Bebe and I don't see what's so hard for you to accept. Wendy is way better than you in every way, she's prettier, she's smarter, and..." Kenny stopped for a moment glancing back at Wendy.
"And what?" Bebe's eyes narrowed.
"And well I mean," Kenny turned back to Bebe, "She fucks way better than you too." Kenny started to laugh, he even heard Wendy giggle a bit.
"THAT'S IT!" Bebe lunged at Kenny, pushing him, catching him off guard.
He fell, his body landing with a thud on the cold linoleum floor. Bebe took this opportunity to pounce on him, like some sort of deranged wild animal. Before Kenny knew what was happening he felt Bebe's fist make contact with the side of his head and then rapidly her other hand came down on the other side of his face.
It wasn't the first time Kenny had been punched in the face, but this time it came as somewhat of a shock to him. Unable to think too clearly he put his hands up to block his face. He thought about fighting back, but he didn't want to get suspended for punching someone— a girl no less.
This fight only lasted for moments because, like all good high school fights, it came to end with Bebe being dragged off him by the hall monitor and the school's resident cop.
Kenny laid on his back for a moment, staring at the bright white lights that shone down on him. "Damn." He groaned, reaching up and feeling his face.
He felt someone grab his hand and help him sit up, it was Wendy, with a look of concern on her face. "Does it hurt?" She asked, reaching out and softly brushing her fingers on Kenny's face.
"No, what's the damage?" He asked her softly, smiling crookedly. Even right now with a busted-up face, it was like he and Wendy were the only two people in the world. She cut through all the noise that was created by everyone else.
"Your lip looks bad, it's bleeding a bit. I think you might get a black eye." She replied softly.
"Damn, she kinda got me good." Kenny looked around, seeing other students glancing in his direction as the first bell rang to get to class.
The vice-principal walked up to them, "Kenny McCormick, you need to come to the principal's office now."
"He didn't do anything, Bebe attacked him." Wendy defended, helping Kenny stand up.
"Just get to class Miss Testaburger." The hall monitor dismissed her with a wave of her hand. Wendy and Kenny exchanged a look and Kenny smiled softly, trying to assure her it would be okay.
Kenny followed the hall monitor down the hallway with Bebe being brought along begrudgingly by the school cop. When they got to the principal's office they sat in chairs on opposite sides of the room and waited to be called back.
Kenny could feel Bebe staring daggers into him from across the room. "You didn't have to attack me, you know?" Kenny said nonchalantly as he reached up and felt his busted lip. "We used to be friends you know."
"I always wanted to be more than friends." She shot back quickly, "And you turned me down just to leave me for my best friend. You're an asshole, Kenny."
Kenny just rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "Like I said, I had no idea you liked me like that. I thought we were just fucking around. Besides, I could never love you the way I love Wendy."
"Oh, so you two are in love now?" She sneered, "What does she have that I don't?"
"She has a lot that you don't have." Kenny snapped back, "She's smart and pretty and unlike anyone I've ever met. I think she can look right into my soul or something. She's the only person who's ever taken the time to get to know me. What do you even know about me? You don't even know my favorite food."
"I thought your favorite food was chocolate," Bebe replied, choosing to ignore everything else Kenny had said.
"Exactly my point." Kenny just shook his head. Bebe didn't even know about his disdain for sweet things. He wondered if she was pulling this out of her ass.
"I would always give you Twix bars in ninth grade. You always took them." She replied.
"That's Karen's favorite candy. I was just taking them home for her." Kenny replied flatly.
The principal's door swung open, "Stevens, McCormick! Get yourselves in here." He barked.
Kenny just sighed as he pushed himself up off the couch and walked into the principal's office with Bebe following close behind.
The next ten minutes was a lecture that Kenny wasn't interested in hearing. He hadn't done anything wrong anyways, just fell in love with someone else. The principal explained that he had contacted both of their parents and Kenny knew that any moment now Kevin would be barging in to beat his ass. Kenny looked outside the window and watched the snowfall as the principal continued his lecture about not fighting in the school hallway.
"You're both looking at a week of suspension." The principal finally said, bringing Kenny back to reality.
"Suspension? I didn't even do anything." Kenny shifted his eyes to the principal. It's not like he necessarily cared about getting suspended, but he knew child protective services did.
"Yes, Mr. McCormick. I know you didn't do anything but it's school policy to suspend all students involved with a fistfight."
"No, you can't suspend me. Please, I literally didn't do anything. She attacked me! Do you see my fucking face?" Kenny gestures to himself and the principal just narrowed his eyes.
The door swung open again and Kevin walked in. "What the fuck did you do, Kenny?" Was the first thing he said. Kenny turned around, revealing his beat-up face. "Oh my god. What happened to you, Kenny?" He changed his tone quickly.
"Got my ass beat by a girl," Kenny mumbled, he was sure Bebe was looking smug in the seat next to him.
"We've just discussed their punishment. Suspension for a week." The principal informed Kevin.
"This is bullshit, I didn't even touch her. She came at me. What am I getting suspended?" Kenny complained again.
"Please watch your language, Mr. McCormick." The principal chimed in. Not bothering to answer Kenny's question.
"Yeah, he's not getting suspended." Kevin butted in, "You can't suspend him for that. Kenny needs to be going to school, he did nothing wrong."
"As I was telling Kenny, that's school policy."
Kevin just looked at Kenny and then looked at Bebe. "Look, I'll give it to you straight." Kevin turned his eyes to the principal and began speaking, "Our mom and dad are in the big house right now and I'm supposed to be looking after Kenny and my sister. I have worked so damn hard to get everything up to snuff for my family, just so these two aren't torn from the only thing they've ever known. If you decide to suspend Kenny for some bullshit reason, that's it. He didn't even touch her, and from the looks of it, he took most of the beating. If you suspend Kenny not only are you sending him to a group home but you're sending his little sister there as well and putting out family into more of a spiraling pit than we already are. This is our last chance. I am begging you, please do not suspend Kenny. If not for him, at least for the sake of my family."
Kenny looked up at Kevin from his chair. He'd never seen him speak with so much conviction. He couldn't turn to look at Bebe, he imagined she had a look of disgust painted on her face. Kenny didn't feel embarrassed though, she had already known how fucked up his life was.
The principal deeply sighed, Kenny glanced up at him. He hoped he would change his mind, for Karen's sake at least.
"I am sympathetic of your predicament..." the principal started, glancing at Kenny before looking back at Kevin. "Kenny will be given detention instead."
"This is bullshit!" Bebe blurted out, "If he gets detention I want detention too."
"As the instigator, your punishment will be handled differently, Miss Steven's." Bebe sulked in her chair.
The principal insisted Kenny go home for the day to rest. Kenny wasn't opposed, the principal offered to mark it as a school-approved absence so it wouldn't mess up his record.
Kenny slowly followed Kevin out the front doors of the school. Staying a few steps behind him.
"So you got your ass handed to you by a girl?" Kevin laughed at him as they stepped outside of the school.
"What was I supposed to do, hit her back?" Kenny smiled crookedly, "Maybe I should have, she kind of deserved it anyways."
Kevin just laughed and patted Kenny on the back. "Don't say I never did anything for you, Ken." He grinned. Kenny smiled back. It was one of the first genuine moments he had spent with his brother since he'd come back.
"Yeah, I guess having you around is alright sometimes." Kenny began walking towards his truck, "But don't tell anyone I ever said that." He called out to Kevin as the distance between them grew. When Kenny thought about it, he really wasn't too bad.
•••
After school ended Kenny returned to pick Wendy up. Bebe wouldn't be giving her a ride any time soon. He waited by the flag pole for Wendy, arriving right as the final bell rang. Other students began to pour out of the high school to head home for the day, paying no mind to Kenny.
Wendy walked out a few minutes later, her face lit up when she saw Kenny waiting for her. She walked over and hugged him and then pulled away, "Are you okay?" She asked, worriedly looking up at his face.
He pulled her closer, "I'm fine. It's just a little scratch." He kissed her softly.
"What happened to Bebe?" Wendy asked as Kenny still held her close. For a moment Kenny knew what it felt like to be Craig and Clyde, in love, without a care in the world. He wondered if it was this feeling that gave them the confidence to make out wherever they were.
"She was suspended." Kenny explained, "She told me she had a crush on me. She's... jealous, I guess."
"That bitch!" Wendy stepped away from Kenny, obviously annoyed. "She called me a slut and now she's jealous. We've been friends for years and she finally showed her true colors over this." She paced back and forth, "She never even mentioned having a crush on you before. She even explicitly told me she was just into your dick. She'd literally rant to me that she didn't like your personality."
Kenny shrugged, "I don't know if she really had a crush on me. I think she was lying."
"Then what else could she be jealous of?" Wendy groaned, "This sucks, I can't believe she would act this way towards me."
"I think she's jealous of you," Kenny replied after a moment of them standing in silence. "She wants to be you."
"Why in the world would she want to be me?" Wendy asked, "Because I'm dating you?"
"No, because she wants what we have and she can't have it. At least not with anyone here. Bebe's got of a reputation with the guys here. I don't think any of them want to date her..." Kenny trailed off, "But you? You're everything. You're smart, beautiful, kind. You're dating someone she was previously sexually attracted to." Kenny grinned, Wendy laughed grabbing his hands.
"You always know what to say." She replied softly. "Red thinks the same thing."
Kenny smiled and stepped closer to her, "Well maybe you should listen to us because we're on the right track." He leaned in to give her another kiss but before their lips could meet they were interrupted.
"Aww, are you two like a couple now or something?" A voice asked, Kenny and Wendy, turned their head to see Nicole Daniels standing there with a camera around her neck.
"We are," Kenny replied, grinning and putting his arm around Wendy.
"Kenny, I never thought you'd settle down." She mumbled, lifting her camera. "Do you guys want to be immortalized in the yearbook?" She held the camera to her eye.
Wendy nodded and smiled. Kenny kept his arm around her for the photo, grinning.
Snap.
Nicole turned around and showed them the photo, "So cute. I'll be sure to put this one under 'most unlikely couple of the year'."
Kenny just rolled his eyes, Wendy just laughed.
"Are you two going to the Valentine's Day dance this Saturday?" She asked them.
"I mean, we hadn't planned on it," Wendy replied to her.
"I didn't even think about there being a dance this Saturday," Kenny replied, he hadn't even thought about Valentine's Day being then either.
"You guys should think about it. See you in chemistry, Wendy." Nicole walked off.
The crowd of students had dispersed since Wendy had exited the school. "Shall we get going?" Kenny asked, grabbing Wendy's hand.
They walked towards the parking lot. "Wendy, I'm really happy I met you."
"I'm happy I met you too Kenny. The last two months have been amazing getting to know you. Things have been so crazy, but you've helped me make sense of it all." She smiled softly. They reached the truck and the pair climbed inside. Kenny turned on the truck and quickly turned down the radio so their eardrums wouldn't get eviscerated by the sound of Judas Priest.
"I kind of want to go to the dance." Wendy looked over at Kenny, "I mean if you want to. Stan never wanted to go to a dance, so I've never been." She added.
"The dance? I've never been either." Kenny mused for a second, "Let's go, it'll be fun. I don't know where I'm going to find a suit though."
"Don't worry, I think my dad has one. You two are about the same size." She grinned at him, "This is so exciting."
Kenny was excited too.
•••
Wendy felt like the rest of the week flew by as she excitedly looked forward to the dance. She had gone out with Red to pick out the perfect prom dress and now she stood in front of her mirror waiting for Kenny to arrive at her house.
The dress she had gone with a deep purple color, long and flowing, with an a-line top and a low cut back. She had even curled her hair for the occasion, something she rarely did. The short curls hug just below her shoulders. She had done her makeup meticulously, making sure every stroke of her eyeshadow was right.
Even now, moments before she was supposed to be ready, she was combing her eyelashes with a spoolie, making sure everything was perfect.
Everything had felt perfect to her the last few days. She'd been so wrapped up in getting ready for the dance she hadn't thought about Bebe at all. She hadn't been at school either, which helped. Wendy was expecting a text from her, but so far nothing had come through.
Wendy put on her earrings, long dangly silver ones, to go with the silver shoes she had picked out. She stood up and twirled, "Finally." She said admiring herself again in the mirror.
"Wendy, you're date is here!" Her father called up to her.
She smiled to herself, "Coming!" She called out as she walked out of her room and began the descent down the stairs.
Kenny was standing at the bottom of the stairs with Wendy's parents. He wore a suit that was loaned to him by Wendy's dad, it didn't even fit half bad.
When he finally got to see Wendy walk down the stairs his eyes lit up. Wendy couldn't help but smile uncontrollably at the look Kenny was giving her. It was like she was the most beautiful thing in the world to him.
As she got to the bottom she stopped, twirling around, "what do you think?" She asked.
Kenny smiled softly, "You're gorgeous." He replied walking over to her. "These are for you." He extended a bouquet filled with purple and yellow flowers to her. His eyes raked over her, taking in every part of her being.
"These are beautiful, Kenny. Purple is my favorite." She looked down at the flowers and then back up at Kenny. He looked so good in a suit, not using under his orange jacket.
"Oh, this is for you too." Kenny pulled out a corsage with deep purple roses on it. It perfectly matched the dress Wendy was wearing and the tie Kenny had bought. Wendy extended her wrist and Kenny slid the corsage over her hand.
"And this is for you." Wendy grinned and pulled out the boutonnière she had picked out, a purple rose as well. "Thanks for going all purple with me." She looked up at him.
He just chucked and stared down into her eyes. He could get lost in those eyes for days. Wendy's mom took the flowers Kenny had brought and put them in a vase as Wendy attached the boutonnière she had gotten him to his suit.
"We just have to get some pictures of you guys before you go to the dance!" Wendy's mom exclaimed, she was already holding a nice-looking camera in her hands.
Kenny and Wendy both went outside to pose for the photos. The two couldn't stop staring at each other. Both intrigued by the other in such nice clothing.
They posed for picture after picture. Kenny was just happy he got to hold Wendy close to him. He was worried about his busted lip that would now be forever immortalized in the photos of their first dance together.
Eventually, her parents were satisfied and they waved them off as the pair hopped into Kenny's truck. "Are you excited?" Wendy asked Kenny as soon as they closed to doors.
"Of course I'm excited, I get to spend the whole night with you." He replied.
Wendy blushed softly, "Do you really mean that?"
"Of course, babygirl." Kenny looked over at her and smirked, "You look so fucking good in that dress."
"You don't look half bad yourself." She replied, reaching her hand over to feel the silkiness of his suit. "I'm so glad we met. You kind of saved me in a way."
"Whatever, you totally saved me and you know it," Kenny replied, shaking his head slightly. "I'm just lucky that I get to be with you."
"No, Kenny I mean it. You really did save me. That night, on New Year's Eve, things were so crazy then. You took me away from that nasty part at Cartman's house, you cut my hair for me, you taught me how to loosen up."
Kenny glanced over at her, "Oh god, I was just being myself." He grinned goofily at her.
"Shut up." She laughed, "You're just so special. I just want you to know that."
Kenny felt a wariness spread throughout him. It was so rare that people complimented him so deeply, so meaningfully.
"Wendy, you're the only person in the world who's ever said that about me." He looked over at her as he turned into the school parking lot. The lot was filled with cars, it seemed like every teenager in town had shown up to the dance.
"No one has gotten to know you like I have." Wendy said softly, "You're amazing."
Kenny parked near the back of the lot. "You saved me, Wendy Testaburger." Kenny said softly, "And I never want to lose you."
Wendy unclipped her seatbelt and leaned over to Kenny, pulling him close. He reached down and undid his seatbelt as well, turning to face her. His hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
Their eyes met and they stared silently for a moment. A kind of understanding passed through them. A deeper understanding of each other that neither one was able to get from anyone else.
"Wendy..." Kenny reached up and rested a hand on her cheek, brushing a few stray hairs out of her face. "I've never been in love before, but I know I'm in love with you. I've never felt this connected with someone."
Wendy leaned in for a kiss. Their lips locked as Wendy wrapped her arms around Kenny pulling herself closer to him. The pair kissed passionately and slowly, both melting into the kiss.
Wendy pulled away, "I thought I was in love, but it's nothing like I feel now." She replied, dreamily, tester her head on Kenny's chest. "I love you."
"I love you too," Kenny replied, kissing the top of her head. The pair sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company and the quietness of the school parking lot.
After a few minutes of silence Wendy pulled away from him, "Do you promise you'll dance with me inside?" She asked.
Kenny laughed, "What else would we do at the dance?"
Wendy just smiled, "Let's go inside then, I'm excited."
They both pushed open their doors and got out of the truck. Wendy looped her arm through Kenny's and the pair walked towards the school.
Kenny always thought it was strange to visit the school outside of normal school hours, but tonight it felt okay. They walked down the hall towards the gym. Kenny pushed open the door, holding it for Wendy as she walked inside.
The gym was decorated for Valentine's day with pink, red, and white hearts on the wall. Across the room, there were tables with punch, all with matching heart-covered tablecloths. Kenny thought the decor looked a bit tacky but seeing Wendy smile made him forget all about it.
"Let's go dance." Wendy grabbed Kenny's hand and pulled him out onto the dance floor. She lead him through the crown until she met up with Red. Red was there was Kevin Stoley, an unlikely pair, but they looked to be having fun dancing together.
"Wendy, you look so good!" Red exclaimed upon seeing her friend.
"You do too!" Wendy smiled brightly and looked between Red and Kevin. They both hadn't stopped dancing.
Wendy turned to face Kenny and grabbed his hand, "Let's dance!" She said excitedly as she began to dance. Kenny joined in with her, having a good time.
As they danced more people made their way over to the crowd towards their little group. Craig and Clyde had shown up along with Kyle and David. Kenny thought it was good to see them together, even if they were just dancing in a group with their friends.
The DJ announced a slow song and the group started breaking off into pairs. Kenny pulled Wendy close to him as their bodies swayed back and forth to the music.
Craig and Clyde were making out nearby, but it was hardly a distraction for the pair who was engrossed in each other eyes.
"I love you, Kenny," Wendy said softly, resting her head on his chest.
"I love you too, Wendy." Kenny held her tight, never wanting to let go.
