Title: A Lifetime of Style

Disclaimer: I do not "own" South Park or any of its characters. The lucky bastards Trey Parker and Matt Stone do, however. I only own this plot idea.

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Chapter 6: Gift

Stan is getting along better than expected with Wendy gone. He and Kyle are roommates and share nearly all of the same classes. As super best friends, they wanted to spend as much of their non-girlfriend time together as possible.

The only class that the boys do not share is Intro to Creative Writing. Stan didn't bug Kyle to sign up for that one. The raven-haired teen reasoned that Kyle was never much of a literary person, and it would be a bit difficult to explain to the ginger Jew just how meaningful this class is to him. Kyle doesn't even know about Stan's secret stash of poems and short stories. Due to his many issues while growing up, Stan felt that writing was a therapeutic outlet to escape from his problems. It was sure better than hitting the hooch. Stan doesn't think that his literary gift is some kind of big secret, but he is a bit afraid that Kyle would think it's "gay." Plus, the topic never came up, so why bother sharing that intimate detail?

When the poetry unit of the creative writing class begins, the professor informs Stan that the student union holds a weekly poetry slam on Thursday nights at 8 and that he should think about reading one of his own works. Stan is a bit hesitant but tells the professor he'll keep it in mind. Later that night, Stan has a burst of inspiration and gets out his journal to jot his thoughts down. He examines the finished product and decides that this is the poem he will read at the slam.

On Thursday afternoon, Kyle tells Stan that he's going to the movies with Bebe at the 7:45 PM showing. Stan is relieved that he can now participate without Kyle having to find out about his hidden talent. When Stan reads his poem on stage, he reads it with such passion that he doesn't even notice Kyle and Bebe entering the building. The movie was sold out, so the couple figured they'd just hang out in the student union. Kyle is taken aback by how well-written the poem is and by Stan's passionate delivery. He is dumbfounded that Stan had never shared this facet of his life with him.

Once Stan is done, he sees that Kyle is in the audience. His cheeks turn scarlet red and he walks out of the building. Kyle tells Bebe he's going to talk to Stan, and for her not to wait up. He chases after him.

"Dude, wait up! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Tell you about what?" Stan asks, completely embarrassed that his best friend of 15 years just discovered his deepest, darkest secret.

"Tell me that you're such a literary genius!"

"The topic never came up."

"You know about my talents, Stan! I wish you would have shared yours. Now, please, explain why you couldn't tell me?"

"I was afraid you'd think it was…gay or something."

"GAY?! GAY?! Dude, you've got an awesome gift! That's not gay at all. That's actually really cool."

"You think so?"

"Of course! Stan, did you hide this from me because you were afraid of what I'd think?"

"I was a little scared, yeah."

Kyle put his arm around Stan's shoulder. "You can be a real dumbass sometimes, y'know? I don't care what your talent is or what your dreams are. You're my super best friend, and I'll support you no matter what."

Stan and Kyle smile at each other as they walk back to the dorms. Stan shows Kyle a couple of his creative writing assignments, and Kyle tells him that he would make a terrific author someday.

One week after the poetry slam, Stan's professor stops him again and hands him a list of competitions that he thinks Stan should submit his poems and short stories. He tells Stan that he has a real gift. Stan takes the list, smiles, and says he'll consider it.

Later that day, Stan is working on a paper for his freshman ethics class when Kyle walks in. Kyle sees the list on Stan's bed.

"What's this?"

"Oh, nothing. Professor just gave me this list of contests for me to submit my stuff."

"You're going to enter, right?"

"I may, I may not, haven't decided yet."

"You're entering, Stan. This isn't debatable. You have a real talent, and the world needs to know about it! If you don't enter at least one of these things, I'll personally kick your ass!" Kyle says in that fiery tone of voice that would scare anyone straight.

Stan enters every contest on the list.

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