Ch. 6

After the night that Stan saved Kyle from getting arrested at Craig's party, he would catch Kyle looking at him sometimes. During class and lunch and when they passed in the halls. This wasn't like before at all, Kyle used to just ignore him, apparently not anymore. Stan couldn't really understand what the expression on Kyle's face was though. It wasn't one of anger, or happiness… it wasn't really a sad expression either. Longing perhaps? Naw, it must just be his imagination.

Anyway, it was finally the day of their trip to New York. The one they'd been waiting for since the beginning of the school year. They quickly said good-byes to their parents and then headed for the bus. Unfortunately, the boys totally forgot about their bus seat and room arraignments.

"Oh great!" complained Cartman. "I forgot that we're stuck with the Goth Jew. This trip is gunna fucking suck. All he's gunna do is walk around like a fucking pansy, being all depressed and shit. Weak!"

"I know…" said Stan with a sigh, "…it's gunna suck total ass."

"Come on guys," said Kenny. "Maybe it won't be so bad. He did used to be our friend. Maybe he'll remember or something and come to his senses."

The three boys quickly shoved their duffle bags underneath the bus and then boarded. They ended up getting the seats they wanted; Stan was in the very back, Kyle would be next to him, and Kenny and Cartman were in the seats in front of them.

"No Kenny, I want the window seat!" Yelled Cartman as Kenny plopped himself down next to the window, not budging. "Kenny! Meh, Meh Kenny!!"

"Dammit Cartman!" yelled Kenny. "Fuck off!"

"No! I want to sit there you poor piece of crap!"

"Arg! Fine! If you're going to be a whinny fat piece of shit then go ahead! Jesus Christ!"

"Aie! I'm not fat you asshole!"

As the two switched places they noticed Kyle approaching. He angrily plopped himself down next to Stan. He didn't say two words, just crossed his arms and starred at the back of Kenny's seat.

"Why Kyle," said Cartman with an evil smile, "how much sand's in your vagina today? There must be an entire beach in there now."

Kyle said nothing.

"Where are the rest of your faggy Goth friends," pressed Cartman, trying to get a rise out of him, "having sex with themselves?"

"No," said Kyle calmly. "They didn't want to come because this trip is full of a bunch of gay conformists. I didn't want to come either but I already paid for everything and I couldn't get my money back."

"Awww, the Jew can't waste his money!"

Kyle still didn't say anything. Cartman was getting bored of this so he turned around in his seat and started talking to Clyde who had just sat in front of him. Stan looked over at Kyle just in time to see Kyle mumble under his breath; "Go fuck yourself Cartman…" This surprised him; it was the first time Kyle had said anything back to Cartman, even if he didn't hear it, since the beginning of the school year.

A few moments later their teachers made their announcements and put some rules in place and then they were off. It wasn't very exciting and everyone pretty much settled down after 20 minutes of boredom. They left around 7pm and wouldn't get there until the next day sometime. Stan had a portable DVD player with him to keep him from wanting to kill himself, and Kyle sat next to him, quiet, until Cartman started being Cartman;

"Aw fuck!" exclaimed Cartman as he rummaged through his carryon bag.

"What dude?" asked Kenny.

"My mom only packed me two boxes of Poptarts!"

"Yah, like you need more than that fat-boy…" shot Kyle without thinking.

Stan looked at Kyle, surprised. Kyle looked back at him, also surprised at his actions.

"What did you say, Jew?" asked Cartman, turning around in his seat.

"He called you fat dude," informed Stan half laughing.

"Aie! For the last time! I'M NOT FAT!"

"Okay," said Kyle, now smirking, "If you aren't fat, then I'm not a Jew."

Cartman looked at Kyle, pissed, not knowing how to come back. Stan started laughing his ass off. Kyle just continued to smirk.

"Fucking asshole…" Cartman finally mumbled, turning around in his seat.

When Stan was finished laughing he looked over at Kyle, he was frowning and starring at the back of Kenny's seat again. Stan frowned wondering what that was, why Kyle had just acted like his old self for a minute and then went back to being a depressive dick. Stan just sighed and went back to watching his DVDs. He had just stuck in "Asses of Fire" and got about 10 minutes in when he noticed Kyle looking over his shoulder.

"Uh, yes?" asked Stan, wondering what Kyle was doing.

"Oh…" said Kyle, surprisingly timid sounding, "…um… is that… 'Asses of Fire'? Like the original one?"

"Uh huh…"

"Cool… I um… I haven't seen that since we were in third grade… when it first came out…"

Stan was quiet for a moment. He didn't know what was going on but it seemed like whatever was up Kyle's ass was starting to descend for whatever reason, and he was glad.

"You… wanna watch?" asked Stan.

Kyle looked at him, surprised, "You wouldn't mind?"

Stan shook his head, handing him the left headphone. They both watched, laughing occasionally, it was sort of awkward. Once they were finished, Stan put his DVD player away and then the two fell asleep like the rest of the bus had managed to do.

The next morning they arrived around 10 am to New York. They quickly grabbed their bags, obtained their keys and headed up to their rooms. The boys ended up with a room that had a lovely view of Central Park.

"I'm not sharing a bed with Kenny!" decided Cartman as they got in the door. "His poorness might rub off on me."

"Shut up dude!" yelled Kenny, punching Cartman in the arm.

"Ow! Kenny, knock it off!"

"Then stop being a fucking dick!"

"Share a bed with me Stan," said Cartman. "I'm not sharing one with Captain Welfare or his sidekick, Jewboy."

"Go fuck yourself Cartman!" yelled Kyle as he put his duffle bag down on the bed closest to the window.

"You'd like that wouldn't you Kyle…"

"Guys," said Stan, having enough. "Knock it off! Fine Cartman, I'll share a bed with you if you'll shut the fuck up!"

"That's fine," said Cartman, pleased with himself.

Stan caught Kyle's eyes after the sleeping arrangements were settled and he could have sworn he saw disappointment in them.

'Naw, must be my imagination again…'

"Come on you assholes," said Cartman, pulling Stan out of his thoughts. "Let's go get lunch now. I haven't eaten in like an hour, I'm dying!"

--

At lunch it was established that they could roam around on their own for awhile, in groups, and had to be back to the hotel by 5:00pm for dinner. They would be seeing "Macbeth" at 7:00pm. The boys were trying to figure out what to do but were having a bit of trouble agreeing on something.

"Um, I think that we should go to that fudge factory Craig was talking about and then maybe to an amusement park, there must be one around here somewhere, and then to the fake haunted mansion ride and then we should find a Taco Bell!" decided Cartman excitedly.

"We don't have time to do all that Cartman," reasoned Stan as they walked along. "At least not the amusement park part and why the hell would we want to find a Taco Bell if we're eating at 5:00 anyway?"

"Pft, fine Stan, be a party pooper."

"W-what about looking around Central Park first?" suggested Kyle quietly. "It's right there and it's free."

"That's not a bad idea," agreed Kenny.

"Why should we do anything he wants to do?" whined Cartman. "He fucking ignored us for months! Fuck Kyle!"

"Cartman, just let it go for now okay?" said Stan, knowing that Cartman had a point. "Let's just enjoy our trip."

"But I wanna go to the fudge factory and the haunted mansion! Meh meh!!"

"Arg, fine!" yelled Kenny. "I'll go with Cartman and Stan you go with Kyle. We'll met up at 3:00 for the haunted mansion and then go back to the hotel, 'kay?"

"Okay," agreed the other three in accordance.

As they went their separate ways Stan started to feel awkward now that it was just him and Kyle. They walked along in silence for a good 5-10 minutes, hands in their pockets, looking at flowers and things until Kyle finally spoke;

"Hey… Stan?" he said quietly, not making eye contact.

"Uh, yah?" replied Stan, still feeling extremely awkward.

"I-I'm… sorry…"

"W-what?!" exclaimed a very surprised Stan. He stopped and looked right into Kyle's eyes.

"Look, I've been a total dick to you and the guys… mostly to you. You've saved my ass on two different occasions and all I did in return was yell at you. I ignored you and ditched you for people who didn't really care about me… I… stopped hanging out with them about a week ago by the way. I made a huge mistake; they didn't give two shits about me. I did keep my promise you know… I haven't done drugs since that night you were over at my house… and not just because you threatened me. I value what you think. After that night at Craig's I realized how much I missed you and the guys, my real friends..."

Stan's head was spinning; he couldn't believe that this was happening. After all those months his best-friend in the entire world, the person that he had feelings for and admired more than anything, was finally coming to his senses. He didn't know how to react. Happiness and anger hit Stan all at once and he blew up.

"What the fuck Kyle?!" he yelled. "You're my fucking best friend and out of butt fucking no where you stop calling me and talking to me and hanging out with me? You start doing drugs, hanging out with a pile of douche bags and yelling at me for no reason?? You expect me to forgive you and have everything go back to normal??"

Kyle looked away sadly and nodded.

"Do you know how much shit you've put me through?" continued Stan, trying not to let tears fall. "You fucking ass master!!"

"Stan I… I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you I swear! I can't live without you… you're my best-friend… in the whole world."

"Go fuck yourself Kyle!"

Kyle stood there for a moment, he look sad, hurt and confused.

"I… I guess I deserve that," said Kyle in practically a whisper. "I was foolish to think you'd take back my friendship after what I did… I'm so sorry Stan…"

Kyle looked into Stan's eyes one more time, trying to find some sign of forgiveness in them; nothing. Stan stood there with a stone cold expression, arms crossed. Kyle averted he gaze to the ground, put his hands in his black denim jean pockets and slowly walked away. Stan continued standing with his arms folded and watched as Kyle slowly walked out of view. He wondered if he had done the right thing or not.

"I'll talk to him later," Stan assured himself. "After he gets a taste of what it feels like to be totally deserted by his best-friend…"

--

Yay... okay, I couldn't figure out a way to turn Kyle around so yah... here's what I came up with. Once again, it probably sounds rushed so sorry. I'm working on chapter 7 and there might be a chapter 8, I'm not totally sure yet. I'll hopefully have chapter 7 up soon!