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Christmas Controversy

By Emera1d Eyes

The winter snow settled on the already white canvas gently, creating an uneven, yet beautifully sculpted surface. Everyone stared in awe, glistening flakes stinging their exposed necks and faces. It really was a magical sight and the group were happy to be back in Aspen for the holidays. It had been eight years since they'd left the ski resort and this time they planned to have the best time of their lives. No parents, no rules and just the magnificent slopes and beautiful resort to enjoy.

Kyle slid off of the chairlift and inhaled the refreshing cold air, tickling his senses. Unfortunately, this had an adverse affect, making him choke violently. Stan rushed over and whacked him on the back, trying to hold back a laugh at the sight of his best friend's wide-eyed coughing fit.

'Thanks, dude,' Kyle breathed, smiling weakly up at Stan. The taller boy shook his head, still grinning like an idiot as he lead the gang into the warmth of the building that was decorated with flashing lights and various tacky-looking ornaments that were all Christmas based and rather sickly to look at, but, festive nonetheless.

They all dropped their bags down in the lobby, exhausted already and wanting to warm up as quickly as possible. Kyle gazed over the faces of his three friends but when his eyes fell on the last boy, his heart sunk rapidly. 'Kenny, are you still sulking?'

The blond pouted immaturely and looked away from him, knitting his brows in a way that answered Kyle's question.

'Dude, c'mon! Don't you think it's a lot better without him?'

Kenny folded his arms across his chest and turned away from his questioner. When they originally planned the trip, it was going to be Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman, just like old times. Then, Kyle had to go and refuse to bring Cartman, leaving them with no option but to take Butters along. It wasn't that Kenny didn't like Butters, in fact, they were quite good friends. No, he hated that Stan and Kyle were always together, best friends, yet he wasn't allowed to be with his best friend, (even if his best friend was a bit of a douchebag at times), because of a petty little thing that had been going on for years. Kenny just didn't find it fair that Cartman was spending Christmas by himself when he could be there, with him.

An hour later, Kyle was staring up at the lights that had been strung around the hotel room, lost in their flickering beauty. Christmas time really was magical for Kyle, purely because it fascinated him. At home, he had Hanukkah decorations and candles everywhere but not the deep reds and greens or the excitement of stuffing his face with food until he felt sick, that Christmas provided.

'Hey!' Kyle was suddenly knocked from his daze and spun round to see Stan pointing wildly at the window. 'It's stopped snowing, dude!'

Kyle smirked, amused at his friend's excitement for something so silly. 'So?'

'So, we can go out on the slopes now!' He started to pull a sweater over his head.

'Dude, it's starting to get dark! We should wait 'til tomorrow.' Kyle looked out of the window at the purpling sky and sun which was slowly disappearing behind the miles of beautiful white ski slopes. It was safe to say that they had an awesome view.

Stan groaned and sat down on his bed. Kyle knew how much he loved skiing and he was definitely the best at it out of the five friends but it would have been a stupid idea to go skiing in the dark and they had no idea what times the slopes were still open until. 'Look,' he reasoned. 'We'll get up early tomorrow and ski all day, okay?' Stan seemed a little pleased with that but he was still anxious to get outside. It was the run up to Christmas and he wanted to enjoy every second of it.

The next morning, Kyle woke up bright and early. As soon as he was dressed, he sneaked past a lightly snoring Stan and, telling himself to come and wake him within an hour, left the room in search of something to do. He'd never settled into unfamiliar places easily, causing him to get little sleep, unlike Stan who was practically unconscious as soon as his head hit a pillow.

Kyle walked into the lobby which looked more like a huge lounge with a large TV and padded chairs and more eye-catching decorations scattered around the room. They reminded him that it was only one week until Christmas.

The only person he found awake was Kenny. The smug teenager was wrapped in one of the resorts luxury dressing gowns and he was reading a news paper with a cup of coffee steaming gently next to him. Kyle snorted back a laugh as he approached the happy-looking blond. 'The only thing missing is a pipe and cravat,' he chuckled as Kenny's gaze flicked away from the reading material and up at his Jewish friend.

'Do you like it?' He beamed, a wide grin forming across his face.

'Yeah, dude! It suits you,' Kyle complimented truthfully. Kenny really shouldn't have been poor. The sophisticated get up really did fit his posture and personality. 'Since when do you read the news paper?'

'Since they started adding naked girls in the middle,' he smirked, tilting it forward so that Kyle could see the magazine he had hidden skilfully in between the pages.

Kyle shook his head and lowered himself into the chair next to him. 'Put that away, Ken. It's seven o'clock in the morning.'

'So?' He replied a little too defensively before realizing how stupid he sounded and nodded in agreement. 'Fine. What are you doing up so early, anyway?'

Kyle watched Kenny fold up the news paper and set it on the glass coffee table in front of them. 'Couldn't sleep,' he said, fiddling with the holly that had been wrapped around the arm of the chair. He noticed that little bells were attached in amongst the leaves and they jingled happily as he moved his hand over them. 'What about you?'

'Well, you wouldn't have thought it but Butters snores like a bitch.' He shook his head with amusement, a distant look in his eye.

'Can't be as bad as Cartman,' Kyle chuckled. Mentioning Cartman may not have been a good move as Kenny suddenly frowned and set his jaw. Kyle was crazy to think he'd actually forgiven him yet. Kenny looked away making the atmosphere darken suddenly.

'Christ, Ken. Can't you just forget about it?'

'No, Kyle, I can't.' Kenny's blunt tone took Kyle aback. He shifted in his seat and bit the inside of his cheek. He'd never seen Kenny so persistent about something, especially about Cartman. Kyle even thought that he hated him as much as everyone else did. 'You shouldn't let him get to you,' Kenny added angrily. 'I think you're the only person that he still pisses off.'

'Ken, he calls you poor every fucking day. Don't you feel like kicking his ass?'

Kenny thought for a moment. It wasn't every day that someone asked him questions about Cartman because, no one had any questions about him. He was so predictable that he didn't even ask himself questions about the boy.

'I guess, now and then, but, dude. He's my best friend. I guess I've just learnt to live with it.'

Kyle raised an eyebrow in confusion. Was Kenny serious? He still considered Cartman his best friend? That was the most idiotic thing he'd heard in ages... and he knew Eric Cartman.

'If you forget that he says stuff to make you feel bad,' Kenny continued. 'He's actually quite funny.'

Kyle opened his mouth in disbelief, almost sure that he was still asleep and dreaming but as more time passed and he stared at Kenny's sad smile, he knew that this was reality, and worst of all, Kenny meant what he'd just said. 'Wha- are you kidding me? Kenny, you don't have to put up with his crap!'

Kenny sighed and his gaze flickered to the floor and back again, showing Kyle that he didn't want to say what he was thinking in fear that Kyle would lose it. 'He's not that bad, Kyle. You just have a short temper.' Kenny immediately regretted his words as anger pierced through Kyle's glare and attacked his own stare. 'Dude, I'm telling you something you already know!'

Kyle stood up and faced his wary friend with clenched fists. He'd never dream of hitting Kenny, but the subject matter was making his blood boil. 'I have a short temper,' he breathed, barely whispering. 'Because of that dick head!' Suddenly he raised his voice, gaining some startled stares from the few people that had started to trickle through the lounge.

Kenny glanced at a couple who looked particularly disturbed by Kyle's outburst and smiled at them apologetically. 'Jesus, dude, keep your voice down,' he hissed. Kyle responded by relaxing slightly but his glare remained firmly on Kenny's face, daring him to say anything more to defend Cartman. 'All I'm saying is, he isn't going to change any time soon so could you just... ignore him? When you two fight it doesn't only affect you, you know. It bums us all out and goddamn it, I wanted to enjoy my time here... with all of my friends. But, now, I can't.'

Kyle looked at the floor sheepishly. When he was yelling at Cartman, telling him that he didn't want him there, he didn't take any notice of Kenny who was actually trying to defend the fat idiot. It was beyond him why anyone would actually want him there, but he guessed that Kenny was a strange exception.

By midday, everyone's spirits were high... all except Kyle's. He was sitting on a tree stump waiting for Stan to eventually get back from his go on all of the "good" slopes, as he put it, watching Kenny trying to get Butters to finally go down a slope by himself. He clung to Kenny like a terrified kitten and Kyle could tell that the perv was loving every second.

There was one thing that Kyle would admit; the Christmas spirit was definitely in the air. Everyone was laughing and playing in the snow as though they'd never seen it before. Kyle felt like jumping up and yelling, "Come on! You live in South Park! It snows every day for three quarters of the freaking year!" Maybe it was just his bad mood that hushed his urges to jump up and throw a snowball at someone's head. Kenny had made him feel guilty, about Cartman of all things, and he didn't even realize, or if he did, he was deliberately ignoring the fact.

He wanted to stop arguing with Cartman more than anything in the world but he knew that unless Cartman met him half way, that wasn't going to happen.

Kyle watched Kenny laugh as Butters wobbled dangerously on his skis. So, it's just me he's pissed off around? He stood up after gathering up a large amount of fluffy white snow. He seems perfectly fine without Cartman. Squinting from the sun, he raised his hand so it was aimed at Kenny's head. For once the parka-wearing boy didn't have his hood up so his wild blond mane was sticking out in all directions, outlining a perfect target for Kyle. And I bet Cartman would just laugh at this if he were here...

'Son of a bi- OW!'

Kyle watched Kenny stagger around like wounded animal, clutching the back of his head. The redhead burst into a fit of laughter, making Kenny spin round and face him, anger burning in his eyes.

'What the fuck, Kyle?'

'Oh... like that hurt...' he breathed, trying to compose himself.

'It did, dickhead! What the hell was that, ice?'

'No, snow!'

Kenny scoffed and turned away from him, rubbing his head and trying to free the ice which had stuck to his hair. 'Whatever.'

A second wave of guilt rushed through Kyle but he shook it away, telling himself that once again, Kenny was overreacting. Suddenly Stan appeared next to him, red-faced and smiling. When he saw Kyle's expression, however, his face dropped into one of concern.

'What's the matter?'

'Nothing,' he spat, glaring in Kenny's direction. Stan followed his stare and when his eyes fell on Kenny, he rolled his eyes, knowing Kyle well enough that he was sure something definitely was the matter. 'Oh god, are you guys still arguing?' He didn't mean for Kenny to hear him of course but the blond turned round and frowned at the two boys.

'You didn't see what the bastard just did to me!'

Kyle raised his eyebrows and picked up some more snow. 'Okay! Want me to do it again?' Kenny was too quick-witted because this time, he wasn't caught off guard. Just as Kyle went to throw it, he grabbed his own lump of snow and threw it straight at Kyle's face. Before he could react, he was being dragged away from the two blonds, his face stinging from the freezing snow.

'Kyle, Kyle stop!' Stan suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to stay on the spot. When his thrashing had stopped he looked questioningly up at his best friend. 'Me and Kenny were talking and... and we want you to call a truce on this thing with Cartman.'

'I know! I've already had this conversation with him!'

'Dude, it's getting really old...'

'You think I don't know that? If he'd just stop! Maybe... maybe I wouldn't-'

'I know,' Stan interrupted. His voice was soothing and made Kyle relax under the grip that was still on his shoulder. 'Kyle, I know but, you're the stronger person. It takes someone with a lot of common sense and strength to just hold back, you know? Cartman doesn't have that and, if you keep reacting, the same thing is going to happen, and keep happening.'

Kyle looked up at his best friend and frowned to himself, taking in Stan's words.

'We just want a break from it, dude. We want a nice peaceful Christmas. That's partly why Kenny's so pissed. Please, for me, just let it go!'

Okay, that was it. He wasn't going to let the person he cared about most in the world, plead with him. That wasn't fair. 'O-Okay.'

'Okay?' Stan smiled hopefully and stepped away from Kyle so that he could fully observe his reaction.

'Yeah,' he chuckled weakly. 'For you.'

Stan gave a short and slightly bashful nod and taking Kyle by the sleeve of the jack, pulled him back to where Kenny and Butters were standing. 'Kenny, get your ass over here!'

The blond mumbled something to himself before trudging over to his friends, an irritated scowl playing on his features. Butters fell backwards onto his butt. He looked around nervously but since no one noticed he decided to stand up and join the other guys.

'Kyle wants to call a truce,' Stan said calmly, still holding onto his sleeve tightly just in case he tried to escape. Kyle glared at him and went to protest but Stan dropped his arm and elbowed him roughly in the hip.

'Ow, dude!' He nudged Stan back but as soon as his annoyed gaze fell upon Stan's warning glare he sighed and looked up at the sky. 'Fine. No more arguing, blah, blah, blah...'

Kenny snorted and folded his arms across his chest. Kyle looked at him, still a little sheepishly and groaned loudly. 'What will it take for you to forgive me!'

Butters looked up at Kenny warily who returned his eye contact and nodded. 'Butters and I were talking. We still have three more days here so, we have time to get Cartman to come and join us...' he trailed off, eyeing Kyle carefully.

'Wait, what! No! Dude, I will end up killing him, I swear-'

'You did promise to try and get along with him,' Stan cut in, backing away slightly from his best friend. He really didn't like ganging up on Kyle.

'Yeah,' Kyle whined, 'from now on!'

'Well, that's what we want. I'm not backing down, Kyle. Cartman should be here with us.'

Kyle scanned his friends' expressions. He thought that they were all crazy for wanting Cartman, the person who caused the most problems for them, there with them. He was sure that their trip would be ruined but, seeing the hurt in Kenny's eyes, the plea in Stan's and the confusion in Butters' broke his heart into pieces. It was supposed to be Christmas time. A time for love and peace... or something a little less gay, but if it meant that Cartman had to be there, he guessed it was the best thing to do.

'Ergh, fine.'

Kenny's frown suddenly lifted into a grin and he was almost knocked to the ground as Kenny rushed forward and engulfed him in an orange, padded hug. 'Thanks, dude!'

'Just go call him,' he said gruffly, patting his friend on the back.

Kenny released him and was about to go find a phone when he stopped and said, 'Hey, Kyle?'

'What?'

'Happy Hanukkah.'

Kyle smiled weakly back at his ecstatic pal and waved a hand in the direction of the hotel. 'Merry Christmas, now go!'

'Come with me you guys!' He shouted without looking back. The three boys glanced at each other before running up the hill after Kenny. Kyle smiled to himself, his mood suddenly reflecting Kenny's. Sure, he was bound to get annoyed within the first few minutes that Cartman arrived but that's how it had always been. Seeing the rest of his friends so happy about a person that he supposedly hated meant the fatass must have been good for something. Suddenly Kyle felt like maybe it wouldn't be such a bad Christmas after all.

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MY VOTE

Lituature Vote: 9 ~ I found a couple of fixable mistakes.

Christmas Spirit Vote: 9 ~ I found lots of Christmas settings and Christmas Spirit hidden.