It was first period history class. Mr. Garrison was running late so the students were just killing time talking and doing stupid shit. Saskia stretched out as she made her way next to Cartman. Zack had spent the previous night scolding her about the boy and what a bad kid he was. Saskia was telling Cartman all about it. "Yeah and he kept saying how Stan and Kyle told him you're a bully, and you're a racist, you'll only end up using me blah blah blah."

"And you believe him?" Cartman was afraid to look at her. He was afraid she'd say yes.

"Nope." That surprised him. "Even if it's true, I haven't seen it and I don't care. We're friends Eric, and I hope we can be for a long time." Her smile was infectious and made his heart speed up.

"Yeah well, don't get used to it dork." He snorted. "You do anything stupid and I'll rip on you for it." He smirked at her.

"Thanks for the warning." She laughed.

Just then, Kenny walked up to the two. Saskia hadn't noticed before but Kenny was in all her classes just like Cartman, except 5th period.

"Saskia, can I talk to you in private for a second?" Saskia, thanks to Cartman's help, was begining to understand Kenny's muffled way of talking.

The girl looked away without even acknowledging him. Kenny frowned but before he could call out to her again, Cartman spoke up. "Beat it Kenny. She doesn't want to talk to you." The larger boy gave the blond a cold glare. That wouldn't deteriorate him though.

"It'll only take moment. Please." He was standing in her line of vision now so she couldn't ignore him. With a sigh, the girl stood up.

"I'll be back in a sec." She told Cartman but the boy wouldn't drop the glare he was giving the blond. He only nodded in acceptance to Saskia.

Pulling her aside, Kenny began. "Hey. I'm sorry ok? I didn't mean what I said. I was just trying to get some information out of Cartman."

"By talking shit about me?" She shot back.

"No I just... well..." He was getting a little flustered. He knew, at this point, he had to choose his words carefully, or he'd end up fucking this up more. "I just wanted to make sure Cartman wasn't using you... and I... I'm a jackass ok? I'm sorry."

"I know I'm not hot or whatever, like the rest of the girls here Kenny, but... seriously, you don't even know me for you to be talking about me like that. Sure, I don't dress or act like one of the many whores around here, but to be honest, I don't give a shit. I'm not trying to impress anyone and I'm happy being a tomboy because it means I wont be walking around spreading my legs to every asshole that says hello. No. I have self respect and If I don't fit your definition of 'beautiful' or whatever, It doesn't matter to me. So ok. I forgive you, but this doesn't mean I'll stop disliking you. And I know you're only apologizing because you think my brother will kick your ass if you don't. But as you saw in gym yesterday, I don't need him fighting my battles for me. I can kick your ass on my own." With that, the girl left Kenny, who's eyes were wide in shock. Saskia took her seat next to Cartman.

No girl has ever talked to Kenny like that before. At least not since 8th grade. Once Kenny started puberty, he became taller, more athletic, fit, gained a six-pack and all the girls swarmed to him like flies to honey. Since then, there had never been a girl to tell him no. Every chick in South Park High wanted a piece of Kenny Mccormick and who was he to deny them? But then there was Saskia. A simple, plain girl, who not only had become best friends with Eric Cartman, of all people, and in only two days, but absolutely did not want anything to do with Kenny.

As Kenny watched her walk away and sit next to Cartman, he realized there were two choices for him. One, leave her alone and that'll be that. Or two, try to get to know this girl, who at the moment posed as a challenge for the boy. He decided with the ladder.

"Dang Sas..." Cartman stared at the girl who was blushing a bit.

"Yeah well, he really pissed me off..." She huffed. Saskia made sure her back was to Kenny. She was smiling but trying to force it away. Cartman noticed how nervous she seemed and she started biting her nails. "Is he still looking at me?" She whispered.

Cartman looked over her shoulder and shook his head no. "Why? What do you care if he is or isn't?" He would never admit it but he felt a little jealous that she'd ask that.

"I was... trying to act tough and shit... so I didn't seem like a pushover but I was so nervous and I got flustered..." She clasped her hands together in an attempt to calm herself down.

Cartman began to laugh loudly, which only angered the girl, and caused Kenny to look over in their direction. She lightly punched his shoulder. "S-shut up!" She was blushing like mad now in embarrassment.

"You're too cute Sas..." Cartman wiped tears from his eyes.

~~~~~~ 5th period with Kenny and Cartman ~~~~~~~

"I can't believe I got stuck in home economics." Cartman rested his head on his desk. "This fucking sucks..." he muttered.

"Yeah it's kinda gay but at least it's safe here." Kenny happily ate a cupcake he had just finished icing.

Cartman scoffed. "I'd rather be in metal or wood shop. This class is for girls." Kenny merely shrugged. He was rather enjoying his cupcake too much to worry about Cartman's whining.

"Alright class! Everyone get your aprons and mini deep fryer's because we're going to make deep fried donuts today!" The teacher's high pitched, overly happy voice, annoyed Cartman. He looked over at his partner and glared at him.

"Jesus Kenny, you're going to get diabetes like that!"

"Like you're one to talk fat ass!" Kenny spoke with a mouth full of icing and cupcake wrappers in one hand.

About 20 minutes into cooking, Kenny grabbed some tongs and was attempting to remove the freshly cooked donuts from the hot oil. He didn't see the small puddle of water next to him from when Cartman was washing dishes and he slipped. Kenny knocked over the deep fryer, which missed him by a hair, but unfortunately some hot oil splashed on his arm.

"Aww shit!" He yelled. Cartman rushed over to him and inspected the damage.

"Ok it doesn't look that bad Kenny. Here." The larger boy helped the blond stand up. "We gotta get you to the nurses office." Cartman explained the situation to the teacher and she rushed them both out.

The walk from class to the nurses office felt like an eternity. Kenny kept reassuring Cartman he would make it there just fine on his own but the boy ignored him. "Shut the fuck up already. We're friends and I'm gonna make sure you're alright." He wouldn't look at the blond. Kenny knew that if he asked Cartman why he was being so 'chummy' right now, he'd probably get smacked or yelled at. The blond decided it was best to let Cartman do as he pleased, lest he regret it later. Not that Kenny minded having Cartman worry for him. After all, Cartman was the Stan to Kenny's Kyle whether he admitted it or not.

"Craig what the fuck are you doing here?" Cartman inquired, all the while pushing the lean boy out of his way.

"I have a stomach ache and need to go home." The boy replied in his usual nasally voice.

"Yeah fucking right! You're just trying to get out of that exam you have today! You fucking liar." Cartman glared at him. "Oi! Where the fuck is the nurse?!" He slammed his fist at the nurse's station.

"Geez Cartman, shut the hell up will ya? Some of us are sick." Craig narrowed his eyes at the larger boy. When Cartman looked over at him, Craig gave him his signature one finger salute.

"Stop being an asshole Craig!" He shot back.

"Hey, hey! What's going on out here?" As Cartman turned around to yell at who he thought was the nurse, he slightly gasped in surprise.

"S-Sas?!"

"The one and only." She smiled. "What's with all the yelling?"

"Cartman's being an asshole as usual." Craig replied. The larger boy shot him a death glare only to earn him the bird again from Craig.

"Craig seriously? I know you don't have a stomach ache." Saskia replied with an exasperated sigh. "Here." She handed him a note to excuse him from 5th period.

"Thanks Sas! I knew I could count on you!" The boy happily exclaimed. Or at least Saskia thought he was happy. It's always hard to tell with that boy and his stoic face. None the less, Craig quickly got up from his seat and gave the girl a quick peck on the cheek. "I owe you one." He flipped her off as a goodbye and she sighed again.

Saskia thought nothing of the kiss Craig gave her. He had done it often enough while she worked with him at Tweek's coffee shop, for her to think anything of it. If anything, it was just his way of being friendly. As for him giving her the bird, that was pretty normal too. "What are you doing here?" Saskia raised her brows at both boys.

Cartman was a little pissed at Craig's little 'thank you' kiss. He wanted to badger Saskia with questions regarding it but opted to put it aside for now. At the moment, Kenny needed medical attention. "Yeah... well Kenny needs to see the nurse. He got hot oil on his hand and he's bleeding."

Saskia let a small gasp escape her lips and motioned for the boys to follow her inside into an exam room. There, she asked Kenny to sit up on the patient chair. As she was examining Kenny's hand, Cartman spoke up. "So what are you doing here?"

"Well, this is my elective. It's a special class for students who are thinking of going into the medical field. It allows me to shadow the school nurse and help out. To get a feel for something I could be possibly doing in the future." Saskia rolled up Kenny's parka sleeve so she could get a better look at his hand.

"I guess that makes sense... so you want to be a nurse?" The girl nodded in response to Cartman's question. He had a lot more to ask but decided against it. At least until a later time.

"Explain what happened." Saskia's back was to Cartman but he knew she was talking to him. He mainly talked about why they had home ec rather than how Kenny got burned. Saskia knew he was obviously embarrassed about anyone knowing he was taking cooking class but she didn't care. She was more preoccupied with the damage to the blond's hand. Eventually, Cartman got to the part on how Kenny had gotten hurt and Saskia was grateful for that.

Her warm hands were gently clasping Kenny's cold, clammy ones. She softly caressed his burnt hand and tenderly massaged it. "Tell me when it hurts ok." Kenny nodded and allowed her to continue what she was doing. After a minute, the girl let out a soft sigh. "Ok well, the damage isn't that bad. It's a first degree oil burn. I'm assuming you feel heat and a pulsating pain radiating throughout your hand and up part of your arm right?" She tilted her head to one side at Kenny.

He thought it was the cutest thing. The way her hair just slightly cascaded down her shoulders from how she tilted her head. The way her hands touched his burnt one with such gentleness and such caring made his heart start beating faster. She was being so careful with him, as if she was afraid he would break. He'd never experienced such a tender touch before. He hadn't realized he'd been starring at her and blushing until Saskia spoke up.

"Kenny? Are you alright?" She pressed a hand up to his forehead. "You're burning up!" She lightly gasped. "I'll need to bandage you up and have you lay down here at least 'till the end of 5th period. I'll let the nurse know in case you need to stay longer." Saskia turned to Cartman who had been glaring at them both the whole time. "Eric, I'm sorry but you're gonna have to go back to class. Let your teacher know what happened and I'll see you in P.E ok?" Her smile made the large boy blush a little.

"Yeah, whatever." He replied. Cartman swallowed hard. This girl was getting under his skin and it had only been two days that he'd known her. Fuck that. All women were whores. All they ever wanted was to sleep with him ever since he'd join the football team and lost his fat only to be replaced by muscle. Girls would flock to him almost as much as they did to Kenny. And the only thing they ever wanted was to sleep with him. Not that he ever said no, but he wanted an actual relationship. To feel that warm fuzzy feeling that gay-ass Stan would brag about whenever he thought of Wendy. No. He had to keep his guard up. He couldn't let this girl get his emotions all riled up.

Once Cartman left, Saskia gave Kenny her full attention. "You need to be careful! Do you realize how horrible this burn could have been?!" Even though Saskia was scolding him like a 5 year old child, Kenny couldn't help but chuckle.

"What's so funny?" She asked while gently cleansing his hand with some peroxide. It stung the blond but he swallowed the pain. It wasn't that bad and besides, he wasn't going to appear like a pussy in front of Saskia.

"A few hours ago you hated me." His gaze traveled up from his hand to Saskia's face. She didn't look at him but her eyes were fixated on his hand.

She softly sighed. "I... I don't hate you Kenny." Grabbing some ointment, the girl very gently rubbed some on the blond's wound with a gloved hand. "You just... made me very angry you know?... How would you feel if it was me talking about you that way?" Still she did not look at him.

The boy shrugged effectively annoying her. "Fine. Whatever." Saskia grabbed some bandages and roughly placed them over Kenny's burn.

"Ow! What the fuck?!" Kenny cradled his hand and gave the girl a glare.

"Oh, did I hurt you? Sorry." Her sarcasm, though annoying, forced a smirk from the blond. Saskia removed her gloves. "Kenny, please take off your jacket."

Kenny raised a brow in confusion at her but then a mischievous grin played on his lips. "Well shit Saskia, if you wanted me, all you had to do was ask. What a naughty nurse." He winked at her and Saskia placed one hand on his chest and the other behind his head. Kenny's heart started beating violently. He could feel his blood rushing to his face to the point he thought he'd pass out. Why was this girl having such a strong effect on him?

Saskia gently laid him down on the exam chair. "Sure Kenny, I absolutist want you." Her words were coated in thick sarcasm. Once she was sure Kenny was comfortable, she moved behind the exam chair and lowered it so the boy was laying flat. Again, the curly haired girl placed a gentle hand on the boy's forehead. "You needed to remove your coat and lay down so that you can try and sleep off your fever."

'You're giving me the fever...' Kenny said to himself, though he wanted to say it out loud to her. "I was just kidding Sas..." he mumbled instead.

"Yeah I know." Saskia had walked away and returned with a thermometer. Placing it under Kenny's tongue, she waited a minute and took a look at it. "Hmm... it seems your fever has subsided." She looked at the boy once again. "How are you feeling?"

'Like... like I want a hug from you...' Kenny's heart started beating quickly again. "Uh... fine." Still laying down, the boy closed his eyes. 'Fuck... I gotta get over this shit...' he thought.

"Well, I'd rather be safe than sorry. There's still about forty minutes of class left so why don't you just rest here? I'll go tell the nurse and get your nurse's note ready so you can give it to your teacher tomorrow, ok?" The boy nodded and watched her gently open the door and carefully shut it behind her once she was out of the exam room.

Sighing heavily, Kenny started drifting to sleep with thoughts of the girl. 'Saskia isn't special... she isn't hot, she isn't sexy... she's just... nice... too nice for her own good...'

About half an hour later, Kenny woke up. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. That was the best nap he'd ever have. It had been completely quiet with no distractions, no yelling or screaming like every night at his house. The boy sat up but was startled when he realized Saskia was sitting at his side reading a book.

"Finally up huh?" Her eyes were fixated on her book and as she turned the page, he boy nodded. She closed her book and smiled up at him. Again she placed a hand on his forehead. "Alright, looks like you're pretty good to go. Here." She handed him a note signed by the nurse that he gratefully took.

Folding it and placing it in his pocket, Kenny asked, "What time is it?"

"Twenty minutes 'till 6th period. If I were you, I'd start heading to P.E now. I'll be leaving soon too." Saskia was about to exit the room but was stopped by the blond.

"Why did you stay with me?"

Without hesitation she responded, "To make sure you were alright of course." After that, she left without another word.

Kenny felt a strange feeling in his stomach. Like a strange tickle... maybe it was the burrito he had for lunch?

0o0o0o

'Ah wonderful P.E.' Saskia bitterly thought. She was punching the new sandbag inside the gym. Thank god no one knew it was her that punched a whole in the last one. The last thing she needed was to be responsible for it and have to buy a new one.

Saskia was lost in thought. She had found the nurse's files on the students of South Park High while Kenny was sleeping. The nurse had asked her to file away a copy of the note Saskia had given Craig in his file. While she was doing so, the girl noticed Kenny's file. Curiosity had taken over her and she quickly scanned through it.

'Malnutrition, abusive and very poor household, younger sister Karen Mccormick, older brother Kevin Mccormick.' Saskia sighed heavily. She felt bad for him. The girl knew she couldn't confront or ask Kenny about his home situation. And now that she thought about it, when Kenny had taken off his parka earlier today, she did notice he was rather thin. Sure he had a six pack and was fit but the malnutrition was evident if you knew where to look for it. His eyes had dark bags under them and she notice how he would sometimes smile weakly. Saskia felt a pain in her heart. Sure he was a total jerk to her but he didn't deserve the abuse he was receiving at home. She didn't know the severity of it but whatever it was, no one deserved it. The girl knew all too well about an abusive household and if it was anything like hers, then he definitely didn't deserve it.

Saskia was so lost in thought she didn't even realize Cartman and his friends making their way to her. The girl kept punching the sand bag again and again without fail, almost mindlessly.

"Whoa tiger, what did that sand bag ever do to you?" It was Kyle who spoke up first.

'OCD, grammar Nazi, profanity problem...'

"Ha ha yeah Sas, don't murder the poor thing." Stan was wiping the sweat off his brow with a towel.

'Easily depressed, especially when it comes to his girlfriend Wendy Testaburger. Ah Wendy... she has an STD... which means she's cheated on Stan at some point... I wonder if he knows...'

"Wanna hang out after school Sas?" Cartman was shirtless. The sweat on his chest glistened on his six pack and biceps, which had distracted her for a split second but she managed to regain her composure.

'Spoiled, anger management issues, racist, bully, emotionally closed and ... his mother is a... whore...' Saskia stared at Cartman for a minute in silence. Of course she'd never bring up anything she had read in each of their files. That was confidential information that shes shouldn't have read anyway. Deep down inside though, she wished that one day, Cartman would trust her enough to tell her about his feelings and his home situation.

"You like what you see?" It was Cartman that ripped Saskia away from her thoughts. She realized she was staring and she went wide eyed.

"Sorry, I was just thinking and you just happen to be in the general direction of where I was absentmindedly starring." She quickly responded to cover her ass.

"Fuck Saskia, who the hell talks like that? You sound like a robot. Dork." Saskia glared at the large boy but said nothing.

"Oh shut it fat ass! I bet you're too stupid to understand what she said anyway." Kyle interjected. Soon enough, as per usual, the two started bickering.

"Hey faggots." It was Kenny. Saskia quickly turned away and started punching the sand bag again in an attempt to distract herself from him. She couldn't look at him. Not after what she'd learned about him. "Gonna punch another hole in the sand bag?" He teased her.

"Hmph." Was her only reply.

"Aww c'mon you still pissed off at me?" The blond made an attempt to place a hand on her shoulder but was stopped by Cartman.

"Leave her alone man whore." He glared at the blond. "So are you hanging with us tonight or not?" Cartman turned to the girl once again.

"Well..." Saskia stopped punching and accepted the clean towel Stan offered her. She wiped her face and continued, "I'm meeting the goths today right after school. Then I'm hitching a ride with Craig and Tweek to work so I can't. Sorry Eric." At the mention of Craig's name, Cartman snorted.

"Fine. I doubt your bother would let you come over anyway."

"There's that too." She giggled.

"Are you for real?" Stan crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the girl.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"You're telling me you did not just fake that laugh?" Saskia furrowed her brows in confusion at the boy. "Geez... I can't believe you actually laugh like that..."

"What? What's wrong with it?" Saskia was starting to feel insecure now.

"It's just... really cute." Stan smiled and she blushed.

"W-whatever..." She looked away.

The rest of P.E, the boys were hanging out with Saskia. Or rather, she was hanging out with them. They would ask her questions about how she was so good at punching the sand bag and she told them all about her MMA classes on the weekends. She shared a little more about herself with them, since she was feeling guilty that she knew a lot about them without them knowing. Saskia told them she and Zack, though siblings, had different fathers. Zack's father left him when he was about five and Saskia's father left her when she was born. It was just her, him and their mother now.

She told them how Zack worked at a tattoo parlor every day after school and sometimes on the weekends. He helped their mother with the bills and all that. Saskia only did MMA fighting to protect herself and as a way to let out her frustration. She really wanted to be a nurse. She loved to help others and seeing other people happy made her feel good. That was the reason why she was seeing the goths today after school. She had bought them some cigarettes and a $25 dollar gift card to Tweek's coffee shop as a thank you for yesterday.

"God you're so fucking nice, it's sickening." Cartman was lifting weights and Saskia only giggled.

"Well, be glad I'm boring you with my kindness and not being a bitch to you."

"Ha, yeah like you are with Kenny." He laughed. There was an awkward tension that surrounded them all now.

Kyle cleared his throat. "C'mon Sas, Kenny said he was sorry, cut him some slack."

The girl sighed but smiled warmly at the blond. That caused his heart to speed up again. "Yeah, ok. I'm sorry I've been a bitch Kenny." She extended her hand to him and he stared at it for a second in confusion. "If you don't mind, I'd like for us to be friends." Perhaps this way, she could help him. His situation was horrible and she thought maybe if he had someone who could relate to him, that would lift his spirits.

Taking her hand in his, Kenny pulled her into a hug. Saskia was expecting a hand shake at most but this truly surprised her. The girl blushed deeply and hesitated at first but eventually hugged him back, after he said he wouldn't let go until she did.

"Alright break it up Kenny, before you give her herpes and shit." Cartman pulled Saskia away from him and everyone just laughed it off.

Well, at least today was better than yesterday.