A/N: Updated from the hotel room at the beach after everyone has gone to sleep! Because I'm awesome like that.
Kyle woke up the next morning to the persistent beeping of his Terrence and Phillip alarm clock. Though his parents and even Ike thought it was childish, Kyle actually didn't mind waking up to their silly dialogues. It was a remnant of his childhood that was as pleasant as it was just plain weird.
He rolled out of bed and strode downstairs at his leisure. Today was Friday. He hadn't yet cleared spending the night with Stan for the weekend with his parents, but he guessed anyone would be preferable to him hanging out with Cartman. Kyle felt a pang of sadness at the truth of this statement. However, the redhead decided to use the sadness productively. So what if no one else thought Eric Cartman was capable of anything positive? So freaking what. Kyle believed that almost everyone had good in them and he felt he was just seeing the surface of the true personality of Cartman. God knows Cartman had some rough edges and a sharp exterior, but Kyle was willing to try to get beneath these layers to see what he felt was a person worth reaching.
"Kyle." His mother greeted in a businesslike manner as she sat at the breakfast table. She eyed him warily. "You're up rather early."
Kyle sighed inwardly. 5:45 in the morning was way too early for him to deal with Sheila Broflovski. The only person who could really handle her at this time of day was Gerald and he got to sleep in for another 2 hours. Damn Dad was a lucky bastard. "I'm eating breakfast and then taking the bus." He added mentally 'since someone won't let me fucking get my license or ride with Stan.'
"Bubbie, do you understand why I was so upset with you last night?"
Kyle glanced distractedly towards Ike's downstairs bedroom. "Am I riding with Ike to school today?"
Sheila's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Ike's school got cancelled today and don't try and change the subject."
She continued adamantly, "Your father may see things differently. And I know Stan's parents and even Kenny's parents give that boy the benefit of a doubt, but Kyle the facts are against him. Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
Kyle glanced up from his bowl of cereal he had poured. This wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last she ranted about the Cartmans. Yes, she had it out for Liane as much as Eric himself. Kyle really wasn't in the mood.
"Can I spend the night with Stan tonight and tomorrow night Mom?" He added as an afterthought, "And don't worry I'm still listening."
"Yes Kyle, your grades were exceptionally good last report."
"However, promise me you won't be seeing that bastard child again anytime soon. I'll elaborate in a bit."
Kyle bit his lip so hard he thought he had drawn blood. 'Seriously? So much for not judging lest ye be judged.' He knew his mom had a lot to say since she rarely if ever swore. She felt it was sacreligious and reprimanded Kyle, Ike, or Gerald profusely when they slipped up.
"I have to see him at school Mom." Kyle had decided to settle on an honest slightly sarcastic answer. A stupid command will get a stupid response he decided.
Sheila blanched, "You know what I mean Kyle. Not outside of school." Kyle had now finished his cereal and dropped the bowl in the sink lightly. His bag was already across his shoulder and he moved towards the door.' It was barely 6:05 but he would rather be standing in the freezing cold than listening to this bullshit.'
Sheila moved in front of the door effortlessly, "I'm not finished." She continued to block Kyle's path and promote her views.
"Liane Cartman is a disgusting person. She had no business having a child period and her tactless continuation of her profession after having that demon child makes her no better than him. She's probably slept with every single man and half the married ones in South Park, maybe the whole state of Colorado."
Kyle fought the urge to roll his eyes. Liane was far from disgusting, but the whole profession thing….tell him something he didn't know.
"And Eric Cartman," Sheila practically spat his name in disgust, "always tries to hurt you and your other friends, is vulgar, and is a heartless excuse for a human being. I'm sorry Kyle, but the day he dies will bring me great joy."
Sheila hadn't changed her tone the whole time except when saying Cartman's name and towards the end of her speech, injecting some more venom into her words.
Kyle's heart raced in anger and blatant disagreement at his mom's words. He couldn't just let her talk like this, regardless of what time in the morning it was. "People can and do change everyday Mom. Give him another chance. And that's way too harsh. To wish death on him? What does that make you?"
Sheila's face flushed bright red, "There is not one ounce of good in that boy. Mark my words Kyle. He is heartless and a total waste of your time. You would do well to remember that."
Kyle pointed to his watch and sidestepped his mother, "I'm headed to the bus stop. Think about what I said."
Sheila muttered to herself long after Kyle had left. "What does that make me?! A person who is deeply concerned for her child! I don't want Kyle to be hurt by that boy again. Can't he see I'm looking out for his best interests? When someone acts like that Cartman boy does, he doesn't deserve anything kind or good in life at all. I'll get through to Kyle eventually; he's a good boy, just a bit naïve."
Kyle barely made it to the bus in time because of the idiotic argument. He hopped on just in the nick of time and slipped into the seat next to Kenny at his friendly gesture.
"Hey Kyle." Kenny smiled widely.
"Hey dude, Stan and Cartman drive again?"
Kenny looked sad, "Yeah, sucks we have to ride this stupid thing with all the damn little kids doesn't it?"
"Tell me about it." Kyle rolled his eyes.
"Thanks a ton," Kenny whispered in Kyle's ear.
"How did telling Stan go?"
Kenny looked sheepish, "He didn't answer so I told him over voicemail. I haven't heard from him since."
Kyle's eyes widened considerably, "That may not have been a very smart move, Ken. You know how Stan gets."
"Yeah, but what was I supposed to do? I'm out of minutes starting today."
Kyle nodded sympathetically, "I'll try and talk to him tonight. We're spending the night together." Kyle offered in explanation.
Class passed uneventfully.
The only class Kyle had with Cartman was History and he sat beside him vigorously taking notes since he'd missed so much lately.
"Now remember class. The huge project I assigned is due next Tuesday. No late assignments will be accepted. Next class is the last chance to ask questions or you're totally on your own. Good afternoon."
Cartman looked at Kyle smirking.
"What was that for?" Kyle asked after class.
"You know what." Cartman joked back.
"Oh," Kyle recollected, "You expect me to do the rest of the project right? As part of that stupid bet."
Cartman glanced around the two, hazel eyes looking uncertain, he then dragged Kyle into a nearby empty classroom.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kyle was slightly irritated. He wasn't in the mood for clandestine encounters, especially not today.
"No, you can forget about the bet." Cartman ran a hand through his hair. A mannerism that Kyle had learned long ago meant the heavier boy was extremely nervous.
"So what did you give me that look for?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Why is the bet off? You're not going to tell anyone are you?!" Kyle grabbed Cartman by the collar, "You promised not to!"
"Chill, Jew. I swear I haven't told anyone and I won't." He coughed. "But the bet is irrelevant because well, you practically do what I say anyway. Plus, I want to do more on the project."
"Okay?" Kyle was thoroughly confused as he released Cartman. The whole he did everything Cartman says bit aggravated him, but Kyle chose to wait to address that.
Cartman stared into his dark green eyes for a few seconds longer than was probably normal. He could smell the redhead's breath, a mix of cherries and mint. Cartman opened his mouth to say something then closed it back.
"See you Saturday Kyle."
And he was gone.
Cartman caught his breath outside of the classroom. 'Fuck. Kyle's smell had driven him crazy. And those eyes. Damn, maybe Kyle wouldn't wear anything too sexy to the party. He already had a hard enough time keeping his eyes off of him in class or elsewhere. The thoughts of leather and tight shirts on the redhead was too much.'
Cartman looked down. 'OH MY GOD.' He thought. Subsequently terrified and mortified, he ran off to his car, glad class was over for the day.
A/N: Haha please review guys! It may seem like things are moving too quickly but don't worry they won't. Also, sorry for making Sheila such a bitch, but it will be important later on. I won't make her abusive to her kids just because I think she genuinely cares about Kyle and Ike's well being enough not to hurt them, Cartman on the other hand, well we'll see how Sheila deals with him later on.