Chapter 6:

Cartman PoV

As soon as my front door was shut behind me, the tears began to fall. Mom was still at work and would not get back until four, so I had time to cry. If only I had Clyde Frog to explain my feelings to, but I didn't, I hadn't had him for many years now.

Kyle. Kyle has destroyed my life time and time again. I try and get my revenge by mocking his religion, his mom, his smartass brain. But he always hits me back, ten times harder.

I begin to throw the couch cushions at the wall, chipping away the paint. I hammer my fists into the floor as I think about my life, the life I lead, the life I could have changed so long ago.

'You're so fat; no one will ever love you.' The words echo in my head, the words I had heard for so many years but I had always ignored. 'My bet is that you won't last another year without having a heart attack'. I feel the steady beat of my heart in my chest as Kyle's voice repeats over and over. I thump my head with my fist several times before bruising it.

I did not want to give Kyle Broflovski the satisfaction of hurting me, but he had. Now the words were too deep, carved into my brain. I knew I had to do something to turn my life around. It was going to be tough, but it was the only way. Kyle was right. I was fat. Everyone knew it. It was just myself that was in denial.

Kyle PoV

I hate him. I hate him and his stupid jokes. His stupid blue and yellow hat. His stupid double, correction, triple chin. I hate the way he waddles around. The way he rips on everyone to make himself feel better. The way he thinks that, if he combs his hair to the side and puts on a different sweater, he is miraculously a good person. I hate the way he mocks my religion when he knows nothing about the Bible and his nasal voice that cuts through any silence. I hate Eric Cartman, with a passion.

I had finally stood up to him. After all these years of just calling him 'fatass' or being so intimidated I have to eat his farts, I had finally told him the truth. I hope it hurt him, because I had done it for everyone he had ever hurt.

"Hi Ike." I wave as I enter the front door. He was sat at the kitchen table, studying. Although he was only twelve, he was sitting his exams this year too. They say he is a genius, he began to be homeschooled a few years back because he was just too smart for the syllabus. Yet I thought I was clever. I guess it's a genetic thing.

"What are you doing back so early?" He looks pretty irritated as he raises his head from his revision guide, probably because I was about to disturb his studying by watching cartoons.

"I skipped class." I shrug, getting a candy bar out of the kitchen and then throwing myself down on the couch. "So I came home."

"You skipped class?" There was surprise in Ike's voice, it wasn't like me to miss a lesson. "How come?"

"Because I'm sick of being ripped on for everything." I sigh, flicking through channels without even checking what is on. "I'm just sick of school already and I've only just gone back."

"Fall out with Stan?" He guesses and I give him a look. It was so patronising, acting like I was a second grade girl who had fallen out with her friend because she stole her My Little Pony.

"No, actually." I snap. "Stan couldn't care less if I did hate him. He doesn't care about me anymore." I pause, watching Ike's unconvinced expression. "It's mainly Cartman. He just won't shut up. Ever."

"Well you've been putting up with that for the last seventeen years of your life." This was true; I don't think a day had ever gone by when Cartman had not said something to annoy me. Maybe I was just really hormonal at the moment and flip out at every slight thing. Or perhaps I was blaming Cartman because I was actually annoyed at Stan, or jealous, or whatever. I didn't really care anymore. Or pretended I didn't.

"Mmm." I just mumble, sick of this conversation already. See, this is why I never have anyone to talk to. My brother was patronising, my mother over-exaggerated, my dad was always working. The only person I used to be able to talk to was Stan, but now I just feel so distanced from him. I suddenly feel a tear roll down my cheek, which Ike notices before me because he has his arm around my shoulder before I can wipe it away.

"I think you need to talk to him." He tells me and although he can belittle me, I knew he was right.

Wendy PoV

"Dude, where's Kyle?" Kenny asks as we walk out of the school gates.

"I don't know, he walked out of Geology earlier on." Stan tells us. "He had this big fight with Cartman and then they both just left. He has been in a shitty mood all day though. I tried to ask him about that chick he's on it with and he just flipped out at me."

"Chick?" I repeat, staring Stan out.

"Girl. Woman." He corrects himself and I nod, satisfied.

"Well is he alright?" Bebe chimes in, staring down at her phone screen. I was surprised she was even listening, she seemed pretty pre-occupied with whoever she was chatting to.

"I told you, I don't know." Stan shrugs. "He left class and I didn't talk to him after that."

We all walk in silence for a short while, kicking the snow out of our path, until I hear my name being called from behind me.

"Wendy?" I spin around to see Craig beckoning me over, Tweek standing behind him, shaking slightly.

"Hey Craig." I smile, letting go of Stan's hand to greet him. I didn't mind Craig. Much to Bebe and Red's disgust because him and Red had never got on. Bebe just hated anyone who was in Craig's gang, because Clyde was in there. I didn't really hold a grudge against anyone in the year, with the exception of Cartman, but everyone hated him.

"I need to ask you a favour." He cuts to the point, looking distractedly behind me. I follow his gaze to see Stan and Kenny eyeing us up curiously. Bebe looked furious, finally looking up from her phone to give me a death stare. "Um... I wondered whether you would help me with my music composition?"

"Yeah sure." I turn back to face him. "What needs doing?"

"Well we're are supposed to pair up and compose something to raise awareness for cancer." He explains. "Obviously, Token is with Nicole and I don't really want to pair up with Nelly because... You know..." I nod, Nelly and Craig had dated in middle school and I don't think they had spoken since. "So... I know you're very passionate about demolishing the disease and you're the best singer I know."

"Thanks Craig." I beam at him. "Course, I'll help you. I'd love to work on the composition."

"Ok well, I have your number... Because I told Stan we were working on a History project." He looks at the ground and weaves a rock through the snow.

"Yeah, thanks for that." I give a slight laugh and he raises his head to look at me.

"It's Cartman's influence, I apologise." He mutters.

"Wendy?" I hear Bebe yell and I shoot her a glare.

"It's fine Craig, don't worry about it. I have to go." I give him a wave and walk back towards my friends.

"Ok well I'll call you then." Craig calls after me and I turn to give him a warm smile.

"What are you doing associating with Craig Tucker?" Bebe snaps as I reach them. "What would Red say?"

"Oh Bebe, he's alright." I roll my eyes. "At least it wasn't Clyde."

"I don't mind Craig." Stan reassures me. "But why did he say he would call you?"

"Ok can we all just clear up the fact that Craig is gay and has a boyfriend?" I remind them all, directing it at Stan. "He just wants me to work on his music composition with him." I watch as him and Bebe exchange an uneasy look. Kenny didn't seem to care but that's because he was friends with everyone.

"Fine whatever." Bebe mumbles.

"Come on guys, let's go grab some ice cream." Kenny grabs her hand and leads us up the snowy streets of South Park.