Monday arrives again way too quickly and I know I have to return to school. In fact, I actually want to go back. I'm bored and need to catch up on my schoolwork. Yes, Kyle Broflovski is back to his normal self again. Hold the applause.

I get up at seven and get changed into a casual jumper and jeans. I then grab a quick cereal before leaving the house. Cartman and I meet up outside his house and we walk to school together, huddling up close to keep ourselves warm. The icy wind is strong today and my warm jumper still fails to keep me warm. Cartman wraps an arm around me and pulls me close as we walk and I feel warmer almost straight away.

We chat about nothing particularly important, although at one point Cartman briefly mutters that he's happy I'm returning to school. I guess he missed me too. The thought makes me smile.

We finally reach the school and my feet begin to move slower than normal, a sudden fear of going inside hitting me like a ton of bricks. Who knows what's going to happen today?

Cartman takes hold of my hand and gives it a quick squeeze before shooting me a reassuring smile, exactly what I need. We then stroll inside, hand-in-hand.

However, I absentmindedly release his hand as we enter, quickly noticing everyone's eyes on me straight away as I walk. A lot of the people I know - Craig, Clyde, Bebe, etc. - all stare at me in surprise and disgust, seemingly unhappy to have me back. I notice a few strangers pointing and sneering at me and I overhear the word 'fag' being used. I ignore them and walk on. Cartman heads to his locker and I absentmindedly mutter a quick goodbye.

I slowly approach my locker, feeling my face heat up as I feel all eyes on me. I pretend not to care and begin to take out the books I need for my first few classes.

I suddenly feel something tugging somewhat roughly on my sleeve and I swing around in response. My eyes widen as I'm immediately found face-to-face with my ex-best friend. My mouth opens slightly but no words come out. I don't know what to say.

"Hi, Kyle," Stan mutters quietly, keeping his eyes low, purposely avoiding eye contact. He appears nervous talking to me again. "I… I tried to visit you these past few weeks, but your mom wouldn't let me see you."

I blink at him, waiting for him to continue.

He shrugs. "I guess I just wanted to see if you're okay."

He glances up for a brief moment and meets my eyes momentarily before averting his gaze again.

I nod slowly. "I'm fine, Stan."

He nods awkwardly. "Well… I'll see you."

"See you."

He turns and walks away quickly, leaving me by myself again, tension still hanging in the air. I only realise now that not everyone is staring at me anymore, though a good few still are. I frown in annoyance and finish up at my locker before heading to class.

No one, except Stan, directly talks to me all morning. They do, however, talk behind my back, which only serves to further ruin my mood. I exhale deep sighs throughout the morning, trying not to lose my temper, and wait impatiently for lunch so I can see Cartman again.

In English, I accidentally overhear Clyde and Bebe talking about who else but me. I glare angrily at my desk as I listen in, using every ounce of my power not to lose control. Apparently they, and almost everyone else, think I haven't been in school for the past few weeks because I've been too upset about the gay rumour. As a joke, they're all going to continue ripping on me, just to see how much of it I can take until I finally break. I exhale quietly and deeply, managing to remain in control, though only barely.

Lunch finally arrives, thankfully, and I feel a surge of joy. I can finally see Cartman again after not seeing him since this morning. We've had no classes at all together. I'm in desperate need to smile again and he can put a smile on my face very easily when he wants to.

I enter the cafeteria and glance around quickly, frantically searching for Cartman. My stomach drops when I can't find him. He's always here before me. Where could he be?

I scan around a second time, thinking I might have missed him, when I suddenly spot a familiar group of people quickly approaching me. My stomach drops again and I look down quickly, avoiding eye contact. The group consists of Craig, Clyde, Token, Jason and Jimmy. They're all wearing the same nasty smirk and I can tell I'm in deep shit. I swallow nervously as they stop beside me, surrounding me so I'm completely trapped inside their circle. Craig is the first to speak.

"So, fag, where've you been?" he asks, his dark eyes on mine.

I shrug. "Nowhere."

"Nowhere? What the fuck, faggot? You have to have been somewhere for the past three fucking weeks!" he snaps, taking a step towards me. "Where've you been?"

I shrug again. "Nowhere. Just at home."

"Crying?" he asks, smirking. "Did all our mean insults make you go emo for a few weeks? Were you at home, crying, hurting yourself? 'Cause we can make you do so much worse than that, fag. We can drive you to fucking kill yourself!"

The others snigger and I look around, helplessly, wanting, needing someone to help me.

"I swear, kike, we'll drive you to the point of suicidal attempts and then we'll tell everyone it was someone else's fault, like I don't know… Stan, maybe? Kenny? Or maybe even Cartman. That fat fuck would be the most believable suspect anyway."

My temper suddenly flares wildly at his insulting words to Cartman and, without giving it a second thought, I throw myself at the black-haired teenager, punching and kicking anywhere in sight, desperate to hurt him.

After a few seconds of surprised hesitation, Craig's friends finally come to their senses and pull me off of him, gripping me tightly so I can't move. I can now see everyone in the cafeteria staring, no one inclined to help me for fear of getting hurt themselves.

Craig manages to find his balance again, staggering only slightly, and he quickly walks right up to me, glaring daggers at me. I know what's coming and I swallow nervously, awaiting the pain.

Craig's face appears right in front of mine. "How dare you do that to me! How dare you even touch me, faggot! I swear, I'm going to fucking kill you!"

With that, he raises his balled-up fist, ready to punch. I can only stare up at him silently, eyes widened, mentally asking him not to hurt me but yet awaiting the pain that is sure to come.

Just as he's about to connect his fist with my face, a blur of red appears and Craig is suddenly knocked to the ground with a hard thud.

I look up and my heart flutters when I see Cartman standing there, wearing his favourite red jacket, as per usual. He glares furiously down at Craig and then to Clyde and Token who are holding me. They quickly release me to go tend to their fallen friend, and Cartman flashes me a questioning look of concern.

I smile to show I'm okay before throwing my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He returns the embrace before releasing me to kiss my lips roughly. I kiss back straight away and I feel my heart soar. Our special moment is cut off quickly as Craig decides to open his big mouth again.

"So you're a fag too, huh, fatass?" he asks, sneering. Cartman only glares at him in response. "Well, I guess we'll just have to kick both your asses then, won't we?" Craig continues.

The five boys begin to approach, ready to throw themselves on us. Cartman wraps a protective arm around me and we slowly back off. Before any of the guys can lay a finger on us, a familiar voice is heard.

"Hey! Leave them alone, you fuckers!" yells Kenny, running in front of us, facing Craig. Stan appears beside him, glaring furiously.

"If you don't back the fuck off right now, I'll get the whole football team after you!" Stan growls, eyes narrowed.

Craig's fists drop and he glares at the four of us before exhaling a defeated sigh, knowing he's lost.

"Come on, guys," he says, ordering his friends to follow as he storms off, full of anger and defeat.

A large smile suddenly appears on my face as Stan and Kenny turn to face us.

"Stan! Kenny! You guys saved us! Why?"

They both grin. "We couldn't let our favourite fatass and our favourite Jew get the shit beaten out of them," says Kenny, grinning widely.

I smile and throw my arms around the two of them. They hug back and smile before releasing me.

Cartman scoffs. "I could have taken them all anyway."

I smile. "Of course you could have, Eric. Of course." I kiss his cheek softly.

Kenny smirks and Stan smiles awkwardly.

"So you two are together, huh?" Kenny asks.

I smile nervously and nod.

He shakes his head. "Took you long enough!"

He chuckles and pats us both on the back. "Good on you, guys."

Cartman shakes him off but I can see him trying not to smile. He seems happy with the attention.

"So, listen, Kyle, we're really sorry about what happened before, for abandoning you. We were complete assholes. I don't even know what we were thinking. Forgive us?" says Stan softly, meeting my eyes.

I smile and nod. "Of course, dude. Stan, you'll always be my super best friend. And Kenny, it's impossible to stay mad at you, you crazy pervert." I wink and grin at them both. "I've missed you guys."

"You too, Kyle," replies Stan. "The four of us need to promise to always be friends and stick together. No one or nothing should ever tear us apart again. Agreed?"

"Agreed. Friends to the end and all that bullshit," says Kenny, grinning madly.

We end up in a group hug which I hear Cartman groaning about. I ignore him and smile, loving how everything's going to be okay from now on.

I'm so glad I have Stan and Kenny back. They're such great friends and I can't afford to lose them again. I swear to stick by that promise to always be friends. I'll never lose them.

And Cartman is finally mine after such a long time of wanting him. I love him and need him in my life. I'll never let him go.

Cartman, along with Stan and Kenny, mean the absolute world to me. I can't live without them. I really can't. I guess, after such a long time, I've finally realised that they're all that matters to me.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter. But, if you didn't, that's fine too. Please review, whether you liked it or not. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

By the way, I really am sorry for the long wait. I'm just such a lazy shit and this chapter was causing me problems. I just couldn't make it work. I'm actually unsure if I'm still entirely happy with it but anyway.

One more chapter to go! xxx