Alright, I'm having a hard time with this, so if it sucks big time, lemme know. And yes, I am aware that I generally start all these notes with 'alright' but that's just how it goes, dudes. To gremlin413, thanks for being a dedicated reviewer!! It really inspires me to keep going, just because I get your reviews! (Yes, I know, I sound like a sap, but blahhhh whatevs!) And the Wendy bashing and crying I promised IS well on its way, just not quite in this chapter.

It didn't fail today. Like always, the pain came back. As soon as Kenny stepped foot off the bus that took the students home, he felt empty again. And he couldn't help but think of Stan. They hadn't talked for a good solid week, but when he was brave enough to face his ex-best friend's sad gaze, the russet colored eyes were dim. They no longer held that glimmer of joy or amusement, just the dull emotion of loss and pain. It hurt Kyle to know that it was his fault for at least some of that joy, that he was at least some of the reason that Stan was hurting.

"So, Jew, I guess now that you know why I hate you, I suppose we can be real friends now, eh?" Cartman sank into the freshly vacant seat next to him, smiling. Just yesterday he'd broken up with Kenny…and he was talking to Kyle? He only managed to stutter and twitch nervously in response, which earned a hearty laugh from his new companion.

"Jeez, Kyle. I didn't know that my presence freaked you out so much." Again, he chuckled deeply, tapping his chin in thought. "You know, I haven't really talked to you much. Obviously, you still think I'm the same conniving ass from the past. But Kenny's changed me a lot, so... I just might be able to help you out with some stuff. Just ask." Kyle pondered Eric's words for a moment. True, he did still think of the boy as the total jerk from elementary school. Maybe, though, because Kenny could put up with him, he really had changed for the better. Plus, if Kenny had any influence whatsoever over Cartman it'd better him rather noticeably...Well, it's not like his situation could be any worse.

"Well, uh, Cartman…" he started, still unsure. Casually tossing an arm around his shoulders, Eric nodded in response. "I really like Stan, as...you know, more than a friend. It'd make me so happy if he could just…love me and I want him so badly to accept me…like a fairy tale romance, you know. But I'm confused, too…because of the way I feel when I'm around this other person." He looked up to Cartman, who was pondering this information while staring intently at Kyle.

"And…I don't know, but I asked Butters about it once…and…he just shook his head and smiled sadly. Whenever they're around me I just…I feel...complete and accepted and happy. But with Stan I feel happy too, but I have this weird background feeling of longing with him." At this Cartman smiled, making sure Kyle was pausing before stepping in.

"Well, Kyle…I actually can't help you there…"he laughed nervously," but I'll be here for ya. If you're feeling too awkward with Ken, then just come to me, m'kay?" The bus pulled to another halt, and Cartman rose from his sitting position.

"Heh, it looks like one of my books found its way over to your stuff," he chuckled, leaning across Kyle to grab the said textbook. Pulling back, he pressed his lips to Kyle's reddening cheeks, a bit too close to his mouth. "Remember what I said," he breathed, turning to strut down the aisle and exiting the bus. Kyle blinked rapidly, trying to erase the image of Cartman's seductive expression. What the hell was up with the world today?!

Sighing, he snapped the blue mobile device shut. He re-read the message he'd received earlier, trying to make more sense out of it and failing ultimately. Cartman's text just aroused more questions and curiosity from the blond. According to Eric, Kyle said something about liking not just Stan, but someone who he had chosen to keep anonymous. Great. Now he not only had Stan to compete with, but someone who he didn't even know!

Where are you?

And I'm so sorry,

I cannot sleep,

I cannot dream tonight- "What's up, Kyle?" He spoke into the phone again, a smile on his face now. When the redhead responded, however, the smile faltered.

"Oh my god, Kenny, get over here as fast as you possibly can, I'm here with HIM and I don't know what to do, I don't even know how he got into my house! I'm sitting here freaking out and-"He abruptly cut off the incessant babbling, substituting it with his own voice.

"Whoa, whoa," he chided, "calm down. Who is your house?" He heard Kyle breathe another shallow breath and swallow multiple times before answering.

"Stanley. He doesn't know I'm here, though. I just opened the door to my room and saw him sitting on my bed crying with the light off. I don't even know how he got in…what if he wants to hug me, Kenny?!!" Kyle's voice rose in pitch as he panicked, hyperventilating once more.

"Chill, Ky, just breathe. Don't do anything drastic, don't sneak out or anything. Just relax, and I'll be there in a minute." Closing the phone after their goodbyes, Kenny sighed. It figures Stan would just decide to get all emotional and throw Kyle out of whack again. Just when he was just about come out, too.

Looking around the messy room, his eyes settled on a clean royal blue tee shirt. After pulling the article of clothing on, along with his shoes, Kenny ran out the door on his way to Kyle. He would always be there if he needed, him, no matter how much it hurt to be there.

'Oh my god…what if Wendy broke up with him again? He'll want to touch me…and hug me, and…oh god I'm screwed.' His head reeled with similar thoughts as he paced around the tile in his bathroom, hiding from Stan. The boy with the raven hair had obviously been truly distraught, otherwise he would have just sat on the front porch for him and not risk being charged for breaking and entering. Shit. That meant trouble for him. Kyle was always who Stan ran to, mainly because his logical approach to things took stress off of others, calming them down a bit. Sighing, the redhead reasoned that Kenny would be there soon, and if Stan heard him knock, he'd know someone was home. He glided down the staircase, trying to avoid the quirky spots that would make the old wood creak and groan. Once, the old stairs did squeak loudly, but after Kyle was sure Stan didn't hear it, he hopped down the rest of the stairs to open the door. He figured he'd just sit on the porch and wait for Kenny, but as he pulled open the door, he saw Kenny, his fist raised and a grin now present on his lips.

"Well, I knew you were talented, but never psychic. You need to tell me these things, Kyle," he joked, obviously trying to ease some of the stress simply pouring off the redhead. The most he could muster was a smile, though, tugging on the blond's wrist.

"Kenny, you have to help me face him. Something's obviously wrong…so I can't just turn him away," he explained hurriedly," But if he gets…too…you know, clingy, please step in." Kenny simply nodded in reply, squeezing the hand in his palm. They had arrived at the top of the stairs, where Kyle's room was located.

"Here we go…" Kyle easily pushed the door open, flicking on the light. When he saw Stan again, he gasped in fake surprise.

"S-stan," he stuttered, all too realistically," what are you doing here? And why are you crying?" His voice was still an octave above normal because he was worried, but Stan didn't seem to care as he launched himself at the warm body. Kyle froze, his conscious telling him to comfort his friend, his hormones telling him it would be a bad thing to do. Stan's next few babbled words just made his decision that much more difficult.

"Y-you guys…I-I….it's all Wendy's fault!!! She couldn't shut her goddamn mouth, and she…she..." He released Kyle, making his fists clench tightly in his black hair. In turn, Kenny pulled the troubled youth into his warm embrace. He cooed soothingly into Stan's ear as the said boy nuzzled his face into Kenny's neck. Kyle felt his blood rush and his muscles tense, but stayed silent as his best friend cried.

"Stan…what did Wendy do?" Kenny hummed, trying to coax the answer out of the boy without upsetting him. Leaning back out of the hug, Stan wiped his eyes and nose furiously with his jacket sleeve, trying to clear his vocal passage. When he spoke again, his voice was raspy and strained.

"Well, I better start from the beginning…" he sunk onto the bed next to Kyle, who had plunked down during his crying session. "Wendy was over at my house, and she saw my mother. She just starts blabbing off, saying random stuff. And then she goes, 'Oh, Mrs. Marsh, I didn't know you were European,'" he mocked, his voice high," And then my mom just gave her a funny look. So she explained, 'I thought only European people kissed family in greeting…wasn't that guy I saw you with in Cha Larie` related to you? You two seemed awful close..' she was trying to act all innocent and bullshit, knowing that restaurant is a romantic place. And you know what? My dad was right fucking there. He heard all of it…and now…my parents…." He trailed off, choking off a sob. Kenny leaned down from his position in front of Stan and tilted his face up, giving him the okay to go on.

"They're finally doing it….because of Wendy…" his voice cracked, and the tears ran down his face, retracing their familiar path. His brown eyes were glassy, the skin around them pink and puffy, his cheeks flushed and his whole frame trembling desperately as he latched onto Kyle.

"They're getting a divorce!"

Oh noes!!! Hehe, Wendy's just a bitch, ain't she? And no, this is not the end of the Wendy bashing, and this is also not the part where you cry. After much thought, this story is actually becoming a LOT longer than originally planned…so…and gremlin413, you get a cookie now. *hands cookie* Don't worry you guys, just be a perfect reviewer like her *I hope, if you're a guy, sorry,* and you gets cookehs too!!! Reviews=Goodness+Inspiration. Two great things coming from a tiny click of a button. :]