Yay. So apparently the fact that I felt unmotivated... is motivating me to write? I dunno either, but doesn't matter. I'm writing, so... yay!
And to bookyboo and cjmarie who suggested mobs and fangirls and fanboys hunting me down for not continuing... very motivating, haha. As much as I want to meet my readers... death by riot isn't high on my priorities list.
And yes... there will be a lot more... StanKyle goodness for a while... if not, till the very end.
I present to you chapter 26. Keep in mind... after this, there's chapters 27, 28, 29, and 30... and then we've reached the end... omg so excited! I hope you are. I definitely am.
Grudge 3. I wrote this chapter before the actual movie came out. Just in case Grudge 3 exists... this is mainly for those people who search for old stories, though. Obviously Grudge 2 just came out, so...
Thanks to cjmarie for movie-brainstorming with me.
Author's note at end. Kinda important question. For a writer, Zakuyoe writer, at least. Please reply and help me decide.
What Stan could formulate in his mind wasn't put to action.
It was a lot easier for Stan to think of things in his head. The circumstances and stipulations were a lot less severe and realistic in his mind. He could see himself doing things with ease, though inaccurately simulating the emotions and actions of the other boys. The plans that Stan had made in his mind to do while at the movie theater that night had ulterior motives, yes, but they were not backed up with enough courage and determination to initiate them.
Reality was simply too unrealistic.
As the two boys walked to the movie theater, Stan found it hard to not think about Kyle. He was confusing him, much like how he had done before. If Kyle had not said the statement he had, then Stan would probably not have found walking to the theater to be so hard to do. And it had been this confusion, the confusion that Kyle caused and created, that made initiating any of Stan's inner plans so difficult to do.
What else could Kyle have meant? It was a rather interesting question, and it was plaguing Stan's mind as he absent-mindedly walked with his friends to the cinema. One of the interpretations that Stan came up with was that he wanted Stan to win his heart. It was, of course, the one that Stan wanted more, but it also seemed the less likely, less logical. Why would Kyle want Stan to win his heart? It seemed like a rather pathetic idea that Kyle would want someone other than the person he was dating to win his heart...
The more logical reasoning was Kyle's indifference, but it was definitely something that Stan did not favor as much. It made more sense, and it had definitely been more realistic. Yet still... what point was there in trying to charm someone who you already knew wouldn't respond? As Stan had found himself doing a lot recently, he began pondering the options, and as much as he wanted to figure out for himself which one it was, he couldn't. Especially with Kenny there.
In his mind, Stan was formulating ways to determine the correct reasoning, but with the presence of Kenny it was simply too unrealistic.
"...You know, we could always watch that other movie again..." Stan heard Kenny tell Kyle.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Goblet in the Chamber of Azkaban?" Kyle asked. "No way dude. No fucking way. I am not watching fake broomsticks swing all over the place again."
"You know you liked it," said Kenny, but Stan stepped up.
"Definitely not... that movie..." Stan stuttered. "Anything but that movie..." Kyle and Kenny both looked at Stan curiously, but it didn't take long for them to realize what he meant by it. That movie had been the movie Stan walked out on, the movie he had left Clyde alone in the theaters.
And, of course, the movie that Kenny and Kyle had been kissing profusely during.
"There're always other movies," said Kenny. "How about Grudge 3?"
"Hell no," Kyle said defiantly. "No way I'm watching another Grudge movie. The second one sucked."
"I don't think I wanna watch it either," said Stan defensively.
"Well..." started Kenny, but he stopped for a while. Stan frowned in silence as a cold draft of wind blew through. Served him right for wearing a t-shirt and shorts in the cold. "Would you rather watch Big Gay Al's Rainbow Adventures?"
"NO!" yelled Kyle and Stan a little too quickly, and the movie had been settled. The movie hadn't seemed that bad at first. It wasn't as stupid as the last one, which negated Kyle's claims. There was no arguing, however, that the first movie was clearly the best. Towards the end the movie gradually grew more scary, though Stan defiantly told himself that he wasn't scared. A walk down a dark corridor. Creaking hallways. Nothing too scary.
A clutch of his shirt.
Stan jumped, but he covered his mouth before he could make a sound. He looked to his side, and found Kyle holding on to his arm for dear life. There was no denying that Kyle was scared. But why him? Kenny was surely to his other side... Hopefully Kenny wouldn't mind.
The woman on the screen opened a door, and it creaked eerily. Stan felt his arm being grasped tighter and tighter, and Stan wondered if he should tell Kyle what he was doing. Personally Stan didn't mind, and he even enjoyed the contact. Despite that Stan could barely feel his now numb arm, and the thought of breaking that contact was being considered.
A noise of a child, followed by a scream of a woman, and as something moved in the shadows Stan felt his arm being literally tugged on... painfully. Stan looked over at Kyle, who had buried his face in Stan's shoulder. He gave his arm a wiggle, alerting Kyle of his current position. Kyle turned his head up and stared at Stan. His green eyes, though only slightly illuminated, pierced him...
"Erm... oops," muttered Kyle, and he immediately let go of the boy. His face was focused intently on the screen, and with the limited amount of light the movie gave off Stan could see a slight tint of red in his cheeks. Stan sighed, and turned back to the movie.
Kyle had been blushing. But why did it matter so much? Of all things, Stan thought that Kyle would apologize for his actions, and cling onto Kenny's arm. But... that didn't happen. Was it a way of showing that Kyle was confused on who he wanted? No, of course not... Stan knew better. That was just what he wanted. Sighing again, Stan watched the rest of the movie.
After the last fifteen minutes flew by, the three boys were greeted by the familiar ruckus of people leaving the theaters. Dim lights led the way as Kenny led Kyle and Stan out. Dark skies met them, and when the three had finished putting themselves together and getting used to standing once more, the three began heading home.
"Interesting movie," Stan muttered, attempting to strike conversation. No one replied to his statement; only a mere nod of heads. The three continued to walk in silence, Kyle and Kenny walking slightly slower due to joined hands. Seeing this, like before, made him feel slightly uneasy, yet he couldn't help remembering Kyle's green eyes... and of course, his blush.
"See you tomorrow, Stan," Kenny said once they had reached Stan's house. Stan nodded, waving to the boys, and with a thrust of the door he entered his house, shutting it tightly behind him. It would be a hard night to go through, with many things to think about. But regardless of what he was going to do, Stan took off his shoes and headed upstairs, collapsing immediately into his bed.
The following day, Wednesday, seemed to lead towards an excellent day. Their English class had turned in their essays, which Stan had completely forgotten about. As volunteers read their papers Stan did his best to conclude his essay, writing illegibly in desperate need for time. Stan smiled as he finished, only minutes before the papers were called up. Again, a benifit for not being allowed to type anything.
Stan's second period was even more uplifting.. Coach Fagai was absent, and so the students did nothing for the whole period. While most students chose to shoot hoops Stan decided to sit against the wall. The best part of the class, perhaps, was Wendy being called out of class. Stan wondered how the police were coming along with the investigation, and he wondered if he should help by giving his information. Though... it did surprise him that they never called Stan down. Wouldn't they come to the conclusion that Stan, who had witnessed the death, would be the one to ask information from?
This idea had bugged Stan temporarily, and so by the time fourth period came around he decided to ask Kyle. They were sitting beside each other, thanks to the seat change a week before, but it was still impossible to talk about without being reprimanded by the teacher. So naturally, Stan did the only thing he could do.
Pass notes.
Stan flipped open his notebook and found a blank sheet of paper. He slowly tore it out along a perforated edge, and took out a pen to write with. Should I tell the authorities what I know about Clyde? Stan scribbled on the paper, and as he glanced at the teacher he tossed it onto Kyle's desk. He pretended to pay attention for several minutes, trying to establish an innocuous, innocent child in his teacher's eyes. After several minutes he heard a paper fall on his own desk, and he hastily opened the note and read it.
Only if you want to. It took five minutes to write that much? Rolling his eyes, Stan wrote a reply.
What's that supposed to mean?
Exactly what it says. Only tell someone if you feel that you're ready, or if it's absolutely necessary. No one's forcing you to, so don't think of it as a mandatory action. Stan sighed, blowing upwards while watching his bangs flutter with his breath. He looked at Kyle, who merely shrugged back at him, grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry," he muttered. Stan nodded. He continued to think about the concept throughout the class, and even into lunch. To tell, or not to tell... was that the question? Stan shook his head, making the resolution to think about it later. He sat down with Kyle at a lunch table, and the two seated themselves across from each other.
"I had nightmares from the movie, you know," muttered Kyle. Stan smiled, noting Kyle's reaction to the movie the previous night.
"I'd assume so," said Stan. "My arm's still in pain from all the pulling you did to it." Kyle chuckled, staring down at his lunch in embarrassment. That blush again... Stan looked at his own lunch, not wanting to see the red beginning to appear in Kyle's face. Somehow... it was almost as if it he was developing his own...
The moment was temporarily interrupted by Kenny, who sat down beside Kyle, and greeted them both loudly. The two returned to their senses, breaking away from their still untouched food, and noted Kenny's presence. After that it had become a normal day of lunch: Kenny and Kyle side by side, conversations of random topics, and occasional giggles. Stan found himself staring more and more at his food. Why had it only been now that Stan started noticing these things?
His thoughts were interrupted by a tap of his foot. Ignoring it at first, he continued to stare at his lunch bag, but after another tap his head jerked upward. He caught sight of Kenny, who was still talking about the success on his English paper that was written about poor economic status not being the greatest poverty. Kyle was a different story, and as Stan turned to him the boy was staring directly at him, with a goofy smile plastered on his face. Another tap on his foot, and Stan got the idea. He smiled, blushed, and fought back.
But then...
"Kyle, can I talk to you?" Not a harsh tone, but not gentle. Not a furious expression, but not pleasant. Not angered, but not happy. Kyle agreed to the request, and as he walked away Stan could only stare at the disappearing figure. How had he figured it out? Had they been that obvious? Stan shut his eyes in worry as he thought of what might happen... he never meant to get Kyle in trouble...
He sat still, alone at the table, and hoping for the best. Hopefully he hadn't screwed the boy over too much.
Random ending. Kinda choppy. But that was the effect I wanted. I wanted it to seem abrupt, just as it seemed to Stan. I hope you understand why I did it that way.
Anyway, I'm in the middle of writing chapter 27. Yes, Zakuyoe is actually writing ahead! Because as far as I know, I'm the only one who posts as he writes.
I finished writing the Epilogue though. Kinda had the thought in mind, and decided to write it. I'm not giving any hints on what it's about though.
okay more importantly... I had a new idea for a story in mind, and if I get enough people to like it (hence, that's why you'll tell me) I'll make this my main priority after Faith. Because, well, I like the idea, it's based off one of my dreams, and it seems like it'll be fun to write. Problem? It's completely unrelated to the South Park genre. I WANT TO MAKE IT A SOUTH PARK FIC. However, that means that it would be a AU story, or a story written in an alternate universe. Here's the summary:
A boy has an amazing ability to bring life to whomever he kisses. However, he becomes hesitant when the person in desperate need of a cure is a guy. But having the power to bring life does come at a price...
Again, it'd be sorta AU. But if you think it'd be an okay plot, please tell me. I really wanna write the fic. I'm excited for it, in a way.
Review while I finish chapter 27. Fast updates as the holiday break approaches. :)