Chapter 5

Author's Note: Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews everyone Keep em' coming, I can't get enough! Lol love you all. Kyman fangirls unite!

…..

The bathroom fiasco lasted a few minutes. Once I was calm enough, I unlocked the stall and walked over to the sink so I could wash my face. I splashed the cold water in my eyes and felt instant relief.

"What the hell was that?" I heard behind me. I turned my head to see Kenny leaning against the wall, hood down and arms folded across his chest. I swallowed, my stomach churning.

"…How long have you been in here?" I asked. He rolled his eyes and handed me a tissue which I hesitantly took.

"Long enough. What's going on with you? You've been really out of it lately. And Cartman didn't even hit you that hard. I've been smashed in the back of the neck with one of his dodge balls before, and trust me, he wasn't even trying to throw it. Something else is going on." Kenny smirked. "And I think I know what it is."

"No you don't." I replied slightly irritated, wiping my face.

"You're gay right." He stated. Not even a question. I felt my jaw drop and spun around angrily.

"What?! N-no! No I'm not!" I sputtered, my face wanting to melt off my bones. "Y-you don't know what you're talking about Kenny!"

"Yeah. I do. Kyle, it's okay to be gay." Kenny replied, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off immediately, glaring at him.

"Kenny. I'm not gay." I growled. "I… I like girls."

"Yeah right!" Kenny snorted. "Bebe practically swung her tits around in front of you, and you didn't even glance at them. Plus you were all hot and bothered in the locker room when Stan was changing. You have a crush on him, don't you?"

"Shut up Kenny!" I screamed. "I don't have a crush on Stan!"

"But you do have a crush." He inquired, poking my burning cheek. "It's all over your face…"

"Kenny-"

"Is it me?" He asked, pursing his lips. "Cuz I swing both ways you know, Broflovski…"

"AAGH!" I exclaimed, shoving him off and opening the bathroom door as the bell rang for 8th period. "Stop fucking around Kenny! I'm really not in the mood for this, alright?!"

"Okay okay, calm your tits. We're sleeping over at Cartman's tonight after we work on the group project. See if you can come after your appointment. We'd miss you if you weren't there. Especially Eric." Kenny added with a chuckle. I turned around, my heart pounding in my head.

"Cartman shouldn't give a shit whether I come over or not." I muttered. "He just wants me over there so I do the project by myself while you all play xbox."

"Think whatever you want to~" Kenny sung and walked out with me, laughing. I caught up to Stan in the hallway who seemed relieved when he saw me.

"Great, Kenny found you. What's going on with you, Kyle?" He asked.

"A lot of things." Kenny snickered and I elbowed him in the arm. Stan cocked his head to the side.

"I'm just dealing with a lot at home right now." I said. Stan raised his eyebrows as if asking me to continue, and I sighed. "Look… Ike's still in college and my mom and dad have been at each other's throats. They're getting a divorce."

Stan and Kenny looked at me, eyes full of surprise. I kept my eyes glued to the ground, turning to my locker and opening it. I felt Stan's hand on my shoulder.

"Dude… that's rough." He muttered. "I know how you're feeling right now. You know you can talk to me right?"

I nodded and piled books into my bag, zipping it up.

"I'm sorry Kyle." Kenny said, looking genuinely guilty. I gave him a sad smile and shrugged.

"It is what it is. Let's just get to our last class." I replied and started to turn. I bumped right into Cartman who had apparently been standing around the corner the entire time. I felt my pupils dilate.

Shit.

"H-how much did you hear fatass?" I asked, panicked. The look in his eyes was the same as this morning. Blank.

"Cartman don't you dare blackmail Kyle with this shit!" Stan warned, rolling up his sleeve. "I'll kick your ass if you do!"

"Don't get your panties in a bunch, hippie. I'm not gonna blackmail your pussy whipped boyfriend." Cartman said, his eyes never leaving mine. I looked away quickly and hurried to the one class I didn't have with any of them.

After the four of us left the school building and parted ways, I waited until I was out of sight, and then headed home. I walked in the door and let my bag fall against the wall, heading to the kitchen. I heard the back door slam and jumped, slightly startled. I caught a glimpse of mom doing the dishes, her back to me.

"H-hey mom." I muttered. She said nothing, but let her arm drop from what she was doing to hand me something.

It was my phone.

I just stared at it, baffled.

Why is she giving my phone back?

"Take it Bubbe." She said, her voice surprisingly soft. I walked over to her and took it, trying to look at her face. She had tear stains on her cheeks. "Kyle…"

I backed away as she turned to me, fearful. She examined my face and sighed, her eyes watering again.

"Kyle, I need to talk to you. Mommy has been feeling very angry lately." She muttered. I blinked a couple of times.

No shit.

"Your father just came for his things. He's going to be living across town from now on and… It's going to take us all some time to get used to this big change. …I didn't mean to lash out at you like that last night." She said, pulling me into a gentle hug. My head perked up. "I just need you to stay focused and listen to me. I did what I did because even Mommys can lose their temper."

"Mom…" I began. "I'm fifteen. …I'm old enough to understand what's going on."

She put her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes, smiling slightly.

"I know, Bubbe. Its just… your brother is growing up so fast and so well. I'm worried you'll fall behind and start to become like your father. You're capable of much greater things Kyle, and I will do whatever it takes to encourage you to put in your best effort. I know things have been hard, but you've been slacking off. I'm not going to have that. You can be just as successful as Ike will be." She smiled. I felt an anger stir in the pit of my stomach.

Stop comparing us.

"I was assigned a group project at school and its due in three days. The guys are having a sleepover tonight so we can work on it. I know you don't want me to get distracted from my SAT practice but this is a really important school project. Can I go?" I asked, almost holding my breath. She hesitated, but hugged me once more.

"Yes. You can go. But I expect three practice tests done tomorrow night." She mumbled into my shoulder.

"Do I really have to do three?" I sighed, regretting it immediately. Her hug became tighter around my waist and I whimpered in pain.

"Kyle. You do as I say without complaint." She growled. "This is for your future as a lawyer. I will not let laziness prevent you from getting a perfect SAT score. Do you understand me?"

"Y-yes mom! Please let go…" I whispered, feeling tears sting in my eyes. She released me and pulled my chin up so I had to look into her eyes. They were burning with anger and determination.

"I love you with all my heart. Understand that everything I'm telling you to do is so that you will succeed. So you can achieve your dreams." She explained. I blinked a few times.

You mean your dreams.

"I promise that as long as you listen to me and do everything I tell you to do, you won't ever need to worry about me… losing my temper again. I'm going to mold you and Ike into the wonderful men that you will become. Your father isn't going to take this away from us too." She growled and dropped my chin, turning back to the dishes. "Now go pack your bag and have some fun tonight. Get an A on that project Bubbe."

She might as well have added an 'or else' to the end of that sentence…

I rubbed my throbbing side and headed upstairs, the same uneasy feeling I had all night returning. God dammit mom was losing her mind.

I couldn't help but wonder if I was too.