"As I look
Beyond the ripples of my reflections
To examine my inner self;
The ripples begin to fade . . .
As the reflection lays beside me
Grasping my hand,
The inner warmth shields me
And the vision of my reflection appears
I see you. My Friend."
Stan checked his watch.
10:45.
"Dammit…"
He was already fifteen minutes late. Fucking wonderful. He shuffled quickly through the moist of the melting slush. 'This is awesome.' He thought to himself. 'Kenny actually comes back from Iraq after three years and here I am taking my sweet time. You're pathetic, Stan Marsh.'
He felt bad. He knew Kyle would give him a small lecturing when he arrived. It didn't matter though, he was used to it. After all, Kyle was his best friend, he knew how to handle it.
He wondered how Kenny looked after all these years. Better? Worse? Perhaps he's grown some muscle… What if he'd gotten wounded and was covered in bandages? Or worse…what if he died…?
He shook the unpleasant thought from his mind and scoffed in disgust of himself. He couldn't be dead. This is Kenny we're talking about. He could pull off anything, especially not dying.
Hopefully.
He approached the airport and looked throughout the crowd. Eventually he saw his usual gang of friends, all huddled up in a rather crude circle. Eric, Kyle, Craig, Clyde, Token, Tweek, Butters; and it seemed Wendy, Bebe, Heidi, Lola and Red decided to show up as well. Stan cocked his head slightly, surprised by his girlfriend and her posse's cameo appearance. Whatever. He was grateful having the girls excited for Kenny's being.
He ran up to them, beaming.
"Hey guys-!..."
His voice trailed off. He felt his limbs go numb and his throat dry, for he looked up, and there was Kenny. He still had his usual mop of golden hair, along with his unmistakable orange parka; unzipped, so that it exposed a plain white tank top, along with silver dog tags.
"K-K-K…"
The blonde smiled at his friend's distortion of words. The others kept to themselves, smiling at the united moment.
Kenny ruffled his hair gently. "Hey dude…"
Stan stared in disbelief. He was still in awe of the minute. Kenny had gotten taller, about an inch or two taller than him. He used to be the tallest of the four, now, it was obviously Kenny.
Stan's eyes grew heavy from pulling back tears. The veteran saw this and smiled once more, outstretching his arms. The raven took the hint right away and threw his arms around his neck, burying his face into the other teen's neck. He inhaled his scent: Cigarettes, alcohol, and pine needles.
He smelled like Kenny.
The girls aww'ed in unison, clasping their hands together. Clyde did the same, hoping to get some positive reaction out of them, while the other guys smiled. (except Cartman, who muttered something about fags) Soon enough though, everyone was enjoined in the embrace, converting it into a group hug. (…except Cartman)
It lasted a few moments, before Kyle stated to give Kenny some space.
"Awweh, c'mon Kyle." Bebe pouted, folding her arms tightly around her chest. Kenny whistled flirtatiously at the sight of the other blonde squeezing her breasts between her arms unknowingly. She immediately saw her error and punched him in the arm playfully, earning a couple snickers from Token and Clyde.
Kyle turned to Stan.
"So where were you? We had these big-ass fireworks forming a picture of all our faces while Metallica sang to us."
"Pfft, shut up dude."
The day-walker patted the boy's shoulder jokingly as Token shimmied his way to Kenny, looking up at him.
"Hey, Kenny, We were all going to go to my place for a party after this since you're back and everything."
"A party huh?" he smiled. "Ah, I don't know, it's been a while…"
Cartman scoffed. "C'mon Kinny, we already got the chips, music and vodka. Stop being an asshole."
"Guys seriously, I've waited fucking forever for a sweet party, but I should really concern my parents…"
"Already taken care of," said Red, holding up her cell phone. "Your mom said you can have fun tonight, and visit them tomorrow!"
"We invited the whole grade!" Lola beamed. "Everyone is going to be there!"
Kenny quickly shook off his uncertainty. "Uh, sure! A party…that'd be awesome!"
"I-I told you fellas he'd like the idea!" spoke a voice belonging to Butters.
"Alright, let's get the hell out of this airport then!" Clyde grinned, leading the way while the girls, then the guys followed. Except Kenny.
"You guys can go ahead…I'm just gonna drop by home quick, see my old room and stuff…" he said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kyle shrugged. "Sure dude. Hurry up, though."
"Aheh, you bet." Kenny winked at the red head and ran down the street in the direction of his home.
Tweek fiddled with his shirt sleeve nervously. "Nngh, wh-what was that all about…?"
Butters turned. "Well, what do you mean Tweek?"
"I mean…" he stopped to scratch his arm hesitantly. "He was acting a little jumpy…a-and he had bags under his eyes..!"
Cartman scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Look who's talking."
"No…" spoke Craig quietly. "Tweek is right, something's up…"
"Oh whatever Craig, you're just saying that because you have a boner for Tweek."
Craig spun angrily at the fatter boy.
"Shut up fat-ass, I'm serious!"
Token smiled reassuringly. "C'mon guys, take it easy. Nothing's wrong with Kenny. I mean, he's been in Iraq, he needs to take it easy."
Stan's head cocked once more in confusion. "Then why are we having this party?"
"Dude," Kyle stated, taking a hold of Stan's shoulder. "This is Kenny; drinking vodka is taking it easy for him."
He shrugged, still a bit unsure. (Taking the side of Tweek and Craig.) Then he remembered.
"Aw, shit…" he said, searching around in his coat pocket, only to pull out the pair of brown gloves from earlier.
Butters stared at them, puzzled. "Are those Kenny's?"
"Yeah," he replied. "He left them at my house awhile ago when we were studying. I was going to give them back to him but I-"
"Got totally choked up in the gay experience?"
Stan pinched the bridge of his nose in utter annoyance. "Cartman, I swear to God I'll kick your ass right here…"
"Let's go then bitch, I'll drop your ass!"
Stan stepped forward in a threatening manner, but Kyle stopped it before it could even begin. Which Stan had to admit he was grateful for. I mean, he had more muscle, but Cartman had more weight and could crush him in an instant.
"Come on, guys. Knock it off," Kyle stated, rolling his eyes. "Let's try to make it one night without the talk of ass-kicking."
"Cartman." Stan acknowledged.
"Ay!"
Kyle sighed. There was no use trying to stop Cartman. Really, he knew.
He glanced over his shoulder at Craig and Tweek, getting into Craig's car. They both looked a little on-edge—nervous, one could say…But for what purpose? Had Kenny really acted differently?
Kyle stepped into his car, staring down the road Kenny had disappeared into.
Maybe...