I'm so tired. Mum's sick again, and I've barely slept over the last few days, so please excuse me if this chapter is absolute shit.
Chapter five
"You're sure he didn't call and say he was sick?" Stan asked for the fourth time. Mr. Garrison sighed exasperatedly.
"No, Stan. He hasn't called in the two minutes since you asked, but if he does I promise I'll write about it in the newspaper, go on national television and tell everyone and then shout it from the roof tops. Now please, take your seat." Stan was anxiously wringing his blue and red hat in his hands, but he obeyed.
'What if this is my fault?' he thought. His thoughts were entangled with remorse and regret, and with every contrite thump of his heart his conscience sank deeper and deeper into the dark depths of guilt. He'd promised himself, promised that he wouldn't get angry at Kyle- yet he had. He'd thoughtlessly abandoned his friend instead of talking him through it. Why didn't you talk him through it? He'd buried his head in his arms and was busy cursing himself when the door to the classroom opened. He looked up, and his face instantly relaxed into one of relief when Kyle entered. His head was low, and he was staring at the floor so the side of his face was out of sight. He muttered an apology for his lateness, and slid into his seat.
Mr. Garrison continued to teach the class about the Boston Tea Party; and neither Stan nor Kyle appeared to be listening.
"Kyle Broflovski! Have you been listening to a word I've been saying?" the red-head didn't answer. His cheek was cupped in his hand, and his eyes were clouded with shame.
"Hey, I asked you a question young man! Take your hand away from your face, and look at me!" Kyle slowly drew his hand away from his face, and several gasps were heard as they saw his bruised skin, tending from deep purple to yellow around the edges. Stan's jaw dropped. See what you did?
***
Stan
Just do it. Stop being such a pussy. Just do it! I ran my hands through my dark hair; hatless, for once, and minced over to Kyle, who was sitting on his own in the classroom. I was sure he was isolating himself to avoid the awkward question of how it happened. I was surprised Mr. Garrison hadn't asked him yet; he had when Shelley gave me a black eye. Maybe he didn't want to bother anymore.
"Kyle?" he didn't even look up, just stared blankly at the floor. I sat down beside him. "I'm sorry. I should never have run out on you when you needed me. I feel really bad." Kyle said nothing, so I continued. "I know this must be really hard on you... I can't imagine what it's like to have a mom who beats the shit outta you... And I overreacted when I shoulda just talked to you about it. I understand if you wish you'd never told me...
"But I will help you, Kyle. You're my best friend, and I promise you I will help you when you need it." he finally looked up, his big green eyes filled with tears.
"You really mean that?" he whispered. I smiled, and put an arm around his shoulders.
"Course I do! You're my super best friend!" he leaned forward into my arms, and sat hugging each other until the end of recess.
"You shoulda seen the look in her eyes. She looked crazy!" Stan laughed. He was amazed at how his best friend could seem so positive over something like this. Cartman had spread a rumour around that Kyle got beaten up by a girl; but the red-head didn't seem too unhappy about it- in fact, he was relieved at not having to come up with an excuse.
He and Stan walked home that day- Kyle didn't fancy being stared at for the whole bus ride home. They moaned about all the homework Mr. Garrison was making them do, the crappy weather, and finally came to rest on the subject of Kyle's black eye.
"I really think she'd kill me if I told anyone else, Stan." he said quietly, staring at his shoes. "That's why she hit me." They stayed in silence for a few minutes; Stan eventually speaking up.
"You know I'll always be around to talk to you, right? Any time... Even if it's the middle of the night, you can call me."
"Okay. Stan?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Ugh, it took me like three hours to write this and yet it's still crap.
Oh well.
Ta for reading!