Chapter Twelve

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

-Nathan Greylin; Yeah okay

"What are you doing!", Craig stared at me after reading what I had sent back to Heidi. "You're going to mess things up with Red if you go through with that".

"There isn't anything to mess up".

-Heidi Turner; Meet me in 10 xxxx

I looked at the message and smiled half-heartedly. Why had I actually agreed to do this? I wasn't so sure anymore. I know it was mainly because I didn't want Heidi to hate me if I said no, but what if Craig was right. Were the girls really testing me? Plus, if cooties actually didn't exist, then of course there was still a slight chance I could be friends with Red. Stan and Kyle seemed so persistant and honest when they told me that the disease existed but then again Craig was too non-chalant to lie about... well... anything. He just told the truth a hundred percent of the time, because he truly didn't care what reaction people would give him for being as brutally honest as he was. As if to show how non-chalant he was, he responded to my earlier statement by shrugging lazily and sauntering back to his bed.

"W-why don't you come with me?", I asked excitedly once the idea of not going alone worked it's way into my head. I didn't receive a vocal answer in return though. Instead I just received a shake of his head as he went to lay back down on his bed.

"I- I'll -ACK- come", Tweek stuttered as he leant over to pick up his bag. Realising that he was looking for his money I laughed lightly.

"Okay then Tweek. Thanks for being a 'real' friend", I commented. Fully making sure to emphasise the word real.

"Not gonna' work", Craig's nasally voice sounded as he presented us both with his middle finger. Chuckling I turned my head to Tweek once I heard him zip up his bag.

"L-Let's -ERK- go man". I nodded in agreement as we got on to our feet and made our way to the door of our room. Before either of us could leave however, a flash of short blonde hair and skin rushed past us and jumped onto a bed. Butters bed. It was Butters... and he seemed to be emitting some sobbing-like sound.

"Forget this", Craig sighed as he gestured towards the crying blonde in the room. His snide comment went unheard by Butters who was pushing his face into his pillow. I stood awkwardly in the door way while Tweek made his way over to him.

"Wh-what's -ERG- wrong?". Butters paused crying for a second before turning his head to Tweek.

"T-The girls. They kid- kidna-". This was all Butters could say before his sobbing continued. Tweek stared at him before turning to me.

"We sh-should sta -ACK- stay here".

"What? I- I can't. If I stand Heidi up then she'll hate me". Tweek looked at me in disbelief.

"Y-You heard Butters. The girls a-are -UGH- up to something man!". Craig who had been quiet since his gesture to Butters, stood up from his bed and began marching towards me. I didn't have time to react when he grabbed onto my arm and began pulling me out of the room.

"W-What are you doing?". Craig ignored me, meaning I went on not knowing what Craig had in mind until he dragged us back into the cafeteria and shoved me into one of the seats at a table for four, before taking the chair beside me for himself. "Well you've changed your tune", I spoke as I noticed that he of all people had joined me in the cafeteria, even though he had declined the offer to come here with me no less than five minutes ago. Again he raised his middle finger, but actually added an explanation to go along with it.

"I'd pick going to some girly thing over listening to Butters cry non stop any day". I nodded, partly agreeing with him. On the other hand, I also would've liked to know what had happened to Butters. If the girls had reduced him to tears then maybe this was all a big scam. There was no way I was going to let a bunch of girls make me cry though. I may be a pussy, but no way I'm letting that happen. I need to have atleast some form of dignity. I lay back on my chair, letting out a loud yawn. Craig seemed to be replicating my boredom as he had resigned to fiddiling with his chullo-hat for at least some form of entertainment.

"Hey Nathan", came Heidi's failed attempt at trying to be flirty. She had covered herself in some terrible makeup, that made her look very much like a panda. The almost silent sound of Craig's laughing brought her attention to him. "H-how come he's here?", she asked more in a form of relief, rather than betrayal. Craig noticed how relieved she was that he was here, so he made sure to be a total arsehole and made his way out of the cafeteria. Once he had left, Heidi sat down opposite me uneasily.

"Hey", she began.

"Uh hi".

"So...". We sat there in an awkward silence for what felt like hours, until I finally cracked and just asked her what was on my mind.

"Did Red put you up to this?". At the mention of her friend's name, Heidi smiled slightly, but then frowned at me for the accusation.

"No!". She looked around the cafeteria to make sure no one was listening before she leant in closer to me and began speaking in a hushed tone. "Wendy wanted to know if you were good enough".

"Good enough for what?", I asked as I tapped my fingers on the table impatiently.

"For Red silly". My face grew crimson to her delight and she smiled as she made her way up from her seat. "You are".

"I- I'm what?".

"Good enough for Red. You didn't buy me any 'sugar'... whatever that means. That shows you're loyal". I smiled and rose from seat too. We then began walking back to our rooms.

"Heidi?".

"What?"

"This is going to sound silly and rude... but do girls have cooties?". She scrunched her nose up at my question, and went to speak but I quickly cut her off so that I could explain. "No please don't take it the wrong way!". She paused with a half-smile on her face, and continued to let me finish. "It's just that Stan and Kyle told me that girls do, but Craig said they don't. I'm so confused". Her half smile turned into a full smile when she realised my honest confusion on the matter.

"Of course they don't. Craig is right".

"Why would Kyle and Stan lie to me?", I asked feeling slightly betrayed by them both.

"Those two probably still believe in cooties". She grabbed my wrist and turned me so that I was looking into her face. "Don't take any advice off those two. Stan's so confused himself, that he doesn't realise he likes Wendy".

"Oh okay... Wait. Stan like-likes Wendy?". The girl infront of me laughed.

"God you boys are all clueless. Of course he does. He just doesn't know he does". With this, she let go of my wrists and made her way to the room that I could only guess was occupied by the girls. With a quick wave she disappeared behind the door, a short parade of questions and girly squeals serenading the situation until they were silenced by the door shutting. With a roll of my eyes, I entered my room and made my way to my bed so that I could get try and sneak a nap before the activities started later on.

"C-Come with me to the -ACK- c-cafeteria?".

I guess I wasn't going to get my nap after all. Tweek was obviously trying to make sure of that.

"Ngh. Go with Butters", I mumbled through my pillow. "I'm ngh tired".

"That's way t-too much pres-". Before he could fully utter the final word, his face collided with the pillow I had just semi-playfully chucked at him. This action earned a snicker from Craig who busy throwing scrunched up pieces of paper at the now-sleeping Butters. Tweek glared at me jokingly before sitting on the side of my bed as if to make it clear he wasn't moving until I agreed to go to the cafeteria with him so that he could buy himself another coffee beverage. Craig noticed this and snickered some more. Deciding to mimic said boy, I raised my middle finger first to Craig, and then to Tweek. "C-C'mon man!".

"Take Craig". Tweek looked hopefully at Craig who was currently returning the middle finger gesture to me.

"Don't even think about it". At being denied, Tweek turned back to me with his best puppy-dog-eyes on show.

"No".

"Please!", he slurred in a panic-stricken sort of way.

"I've just came from there! Go on your own or something".

"W-what!? N-no way man! What if I -ERK- get lost a-and ki-killed". I jokingly growled in an animalistic fashion. My reaction caused Tweek to 'GAH!', but he made sure not to move from the side of my bed. Sensing this I lifted my leg slightly and began to lightly push him from his position on the edge of my bed. He finally gave up and moved towards Craig. A muttered 'Come to the cafeteria with me?', was heard. Followed straight after by a quick 'Shove off dipfuck'.

-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-

Al made his way to the reception. He had all day to waste, seeing as he wouldn't be able to begin his ManBearPig plan just yet. So, what would be better than just booking to use one of the computers to surf the internet and pass the time away. As he rang the bell for assistance the maid that he had previously met made her way to the counter, before reddening when she noticed who had rang the bell.

"Oh... er... Mr Gore". He smiled at her for remembering his name. "How can I help you?".

"I'd like to book a computer please. Only for the next couple hours or so". The maid nodded before running into the staff room and pulling out a second staff member. Al guessed that this new woman was the 'Michelle' that he had spoken to on the phone when had first booked a room.

"Hello sir. I'm Michelle. How can I help you today".

"He wants to book a computer but I can't access the database". Michelle nodded before motioning for the maid to head back to the staff room. Once she had gone, Michelle sat at the desk and began typing away on the computer.

"Okay sir", she began as she rubbed her earlobe in concentration. Her brunette hair was tied back in a tight bun, and her lipstick was smothered quite generously on, (and around), her lips. "I'm afraid that all of the computers have been booked for practically... the rest of the day. Starting in about half an hour infact. They're next available tomor-".

"But I'm Al Gore". The receptionist looked at Al with disgust for cutting her off before putting her face back into a clearly-false smile.

"That's very interesting Mr Gore, but I'm afraid I can't do nothing about this".

"I need a computer. I'm being super cereal". With a tired frown Michelle rubbed her eyes.

"Look. A school group have successfully booked to use the computers today. If you want, you can talk to the teacher and ask him for the computer privelledges". Al's nostrils flared slightly, but he made sure not to get too annoyed with the woman infront of him. It wasn't her fault after all. Al Gore nodded tiredly but made sure to check whether the other things were free so that he wouldn't have to spend the entirety of the day just lazing around in his room.

"What about the nature-walk? Can I just use that or do I have to wait for some snotty nosed children", he asked testily. The receptionist glared at him before typing on her computer to find out more information.

"Well Mr Gore, our next nature-walk is tomorrow. However, the school has also booked to go on that exact walk. You can join them if you wish. But I bet you wouldn't want to be around 'some snotty nosed children'". She spoke the last four words in a fashion that showed Al Gore she was taking the mick out of him. He ignored this however. She had just provided him with a perfect time for his ManBearPig plan to go underway. All he had to do was carry his costume in a bag. Once they had gone far enough into the forest, he would find a place to get dressed, and then scare the kids and maybe even the teacher! This was all playing out into his hands! He nodded frantically once he noticed Michelle still awaiting an answer.

"Yes! That would be brilliant!". She joined him in nodding, but hers was in a more patronising way. Never-the-less he ignored her as he smiled all the way back to his room.

-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-

"Okay children. Now in teams I want you to create a poster on the computer based on everything you have learnt this lesson", Mr Garrison explained in a low drawl. He had lost Mr Hat during his 'spy mission' in which he punished a 'Mr Slave'. But that was the life of a spy. I guessed you had to suffer casulties sooner or later.

"Can we pick our own teams?", Bebe asked as she swiveled around on her chair.

"Hell no", he spat, more to insult Bebe's pride than to anything else. "Bebe, Clyde, Dogpoo, Pip, Stan, Timmy and Tweek, you are Team A".

"Timmeh!".

"Yes Timmy", Mr Garrison mused with an enthusiatic roll of his eyes. "Lola, Annie, Kyle, Nathan, Pete, Token and Red, you can be Team Two". Realising that Red would be in my team made me nervous but happy at the same time. What if she was still in a mood with me? "Finally. Heidi, Wendy, Jimmy, Kenny, Butters and Craig. You make up Team Last". Wendy pulled a face at the disorganised team-names, but made no effort to correct the teacher. "You have three hours. After that you can buy yourselves something from the cafeteria and then you can make your ways up to your rooms. We've got an early morning ahead of us and I don't want no dilly dallying". With this Mr Garrison made his way out of the computer room to only God knows where.

"What are we going to do?", Pete asked as he moved his blonde fringe away from his eyes.

"Shut up cacky-pants", Lola whined as she held Annie inbetween her and Pete Melman. He looked down sadly but never-the-less made his way towards a computer and began to open up the program we needed to use to create the posters. Looking around, Team A, (As they had been dubbed), were currently making their way to another part of the room so that no one could copy their designs. Meanwhile Team Last, were busily arguing amongst themselves. It appeared that Craig was defending Butters in some way, by arguing with Wendy who was stood less then two steps infront of him. Heidi looked at me from her group with a look of helplessness. Obviously she didn't think she had landed in the best team. Laughing I turned around, and looked at Red who was busily staring at me. When she noticed me looking back at her, she turned around in a fluster and rushed towards the computer that Pete, Kyle, Token were sat around. Lola and Annie were stood behind them, making sure not to get too close to Pete in case they caught some sort of infection. Rolling my eyes at their bitchy ways I rushed after Red and grabbed her hand before she could make it all the way towards the computer. She looked at me, her face colour easily matching her hair colour.

"I'm sorry", I quickly cut in before she could speak. "T-the guys said you had cooties and I didn't know what they were. That's why I wasn't your travel-buddy". Red looked at me, with a bit of guilt upon her own face.

"I'm sorry too. Bebe told me the same thing about you. I know about cooties now... I just felt betrayed that you hadn't told me you had them. I forgive you though". I smirked at Red before taking in what she said.

"No. No. No. I don't have cooties!", I rushed flustered, my face turning to the same colour hers was. "Cooties don't exist Red!", I exclaimed loudly. She smiled cheekily in return.

"I found that out too Nay. I just said that you had them because it's just cute to see you blush". At this statement, I blushed ever more so.

"I- I'm not cute. I'm a boy. Boys aren't cute", I argued half-heartedly. Why didn't I mind that she thought I was cute? I mean. Girls are cute. Dogs are cute. Boys are not cute. Boys are meant to be tough. Not cute. But then again, I wasn't the toughest person in the world. Oh, I hate being so confused. I looked at her nervously as a sweet smile overcame her.

"Come on Nay. We need to help with the poster". Never letting go of my hand, Red and I made our way nervously towards the computer our team was sat around. Lola and Annie gave us a curious stare, while Kyle looked positively horrified. I wasn't sure what to call me and Red. I wasn't even sure what we were doing. But whatever it was... I liked it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Chapter Twelve; BOOM. Everything is finally sort of happy in romantic-town. FOR NOW. Come on now. You didn't think the romantic stuff would be living happily ever after already? The story isn't even half finished yet, so of course there's some more highs and lows to come. Now that I've sorted the romantic side of the story for a bit, I can really begin to advance the main story plot. The whole 'testing' thing is actually semi-based on a part of the Stick of Truth game. I won't go into too much detail however because I don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't got the game yet. [GO GET IT]. BTW if you're wondering where Mr Hat has gone... Look where you find Mr Hat in the Stick Of Truth game, and there's your answer... Yeah... So...

The whole Butter's crying bit would tie in with the Girls P.O.V I was talking about last chapter. If I write the collection of one-off spin-offs that is. Just had to explain that, so that you wouldn't find it random.

Thanks again to 'IhateMarySue'sSoooooMuch' & 'cortez30' for the reviews! I guess you two aren't the biggest fans of Kyle and Stan so far, and I can totally see why ahah! Hopefully I'll be able to change your minds later on though! Thanks for reading this far too guys!

Disclaimer; South Park is not mine... #SadFace.