SOUTH PARK IS A SHOW BY TREY PARKER AND MATT STONE

The hairdresser had done an amazing job with his hair. Kyle couldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror, touching it, admiring it. It was a juvenile and good-looking hairstyle—he didn't need to hide it under a hat anymore.

"IIIIIIke!"

"What do you want, mom? I'm streaming!"

"You're going to the fair with your brother."

"No."

"Yes, you will. You need to get outside. Look at this lovely night. Come on, you don't want to waste your life in front of a screen!"

"What if I want to? It's my life."

"I told you to go with your brother!"

"Alright, alright!"

Kyle snorted. Great, he would have to be a babysitter. Sheila came into the bathroom, not knocking at the door first, as usual.

"Kyle..." She started to say.

"Yes, I know, I'll take Ike with me tonight." Kyle rolled his eyes.

"Don't use that tone with me, young man!"

"I'm sooorry."

Sheila left and Ike came in shortly after that, evidently not pleased with the idea either.

"This sucks." He frowned.

"Yeah, I know, but what do you want me to do?" Kyle replied.

Ike sighed. "What are you guys going to do?"

"Nothing, we just wanted to have a few drinks and stuff."

"I'm telling Mom."

"I'm not going to drink any alcohol, you dumbass! You really think I want Mom to kill me? Come on, go change yourself, they'll be here-"

Ding dong!

"-soon. Come on, hurry."

It was Ike's turn to protest as he left the bathroom. Kyle just had to put collogne on and he was ready.

"Coming!" He exclaimed.

Gerald was in the living room at the moment, working on his phone, so he got up and opened the door himself.

"Oh, hi, Stan."

"Good night, Mr. Broflovski."

Gerald saw Randy at the bar often but he hadn't seen his son in a while, so he was surprised to see he had grown a beard. Also, what did Sharon feed him with? He was so burly. Did he go to the gym? In that case, he could take Kyle with him: he looked like a spaguetti since puberty made him grow so tall. Oh, it seemed it was yesterday when both of them were just a couple of little boys with high-pitched voices, no facial hair and no hormones!

"Kyle's almost-" Gerald started to say.

"I'm here!" Kyle ran down the stairs. "Hey, dude."

"Hi, you're ready?" Stan greeted him with a nod.

"Almost. Come on, Ike!"

"Shut up, I'm coming!" The boy replied from upstairs.

Stan looked inquisitively at his friend and the look Kyle gave him was enough to make him understand that it was an order from Sheila. It was always an order from Sheila. Ike went down not having changed his clothes, just with his Converse on.

"Okay, we're leaving." Kyle announced.

"Alright, boys, have fun." Gerald told them, sitting down again.

"Call me!" Sheila demanded from the kitchen.

"Sure, mom!"

Like Sheila had said, it was a pretty night. One of those nights which must be spent outdoors.

"So, do you know if Kenny's coming in the end?" Stan asked Kyle, his hands inside the pockets of his jeans.

"I think so. Last time I talked to him, he told me he was up." He replied.

"Oh, look, here comes Cartman."

There was a hint of disappointment in Stan's voice. After what happened between him and Wendy at the mall, Stan was reluctant to go anywhere with Cartman. Not until he matured. But he insisted and one couldn't say no to Cartman when he wanted something. That night, he was wearing a shirt that looked frankly good on him. He hadn't lost any weight lately, but it almost gave the feeling he was thinner.

"Hey." Was his greeting. He looked at Ike with narrowed eyes and Ike, not liking it, gave him the bird.

"What's up, Cartman?" Kyle asked.

"Anyone knows if Kenny's in jail this time?"

"I'm not!"

Cartman turned around. Ah, speaking of the Devil, there he was. And he wasn't looking ready to kill, really, but ready to die.

"Dude, what happened to your face?" Stan frowned, looking at the dry blood in his nose, the bruises in his whole face.

"Nothing." Kenny smiled, and the boys added a broken front tooth to the list. "Let's go."

Kyle and Stan glanced at each other and decided to go along and pretend they had seen nothing. Kenny never wanted to talk about it, but everyone knew what he did to get money. Illegal fights, some terrible jobs...It wouldn't be a surprise if he just came back from the police station—for the third time in that week.

"Okay, let's go, it's getting late and people are starting to get drunk and unbearable at this time." They were close to it. They could see the gigantic Ferris wheel and all the attractions in front of them. The smell of hot dogs, fries and candy started reaching their noses. However, Cartman seemed to notice something stronger. Like a hound, he sniffed around, the trace leading him to Kyle. "What the hell's that smell?"

"Uh, my cologne." Kyle replied.

"It's awful, throw it away."

"I told you." Ike nodded.

"You shut up. Listen, I'll give you twenty dollars if you leave us alone." Kyle said to him.

"Fifty."

"Mmph! Okay, fifty. But don't you dare drink alcohol or-" Kyle protested, opening his wallet and handing him the promised money.

"Yes, Mommy."

Ike left before Kyle could kick him. It seemed he was heading to the shooting game, but it was hard to know, because he was soon lost in the crowd. All of South Park seemed to have decided to enjoy the fair in its first night open.

"Wanna have a drink?" Kenny suggested.

"Well, alright, but no alcohol for me." Kyle said, revising how much money he had left—definitely not enough for many drinks or games. Stupid Ike...

"What a pussy." Cartman chuckled, shaking his head.

"Shut up, I'm not a pussy."

"Yes, you are. You are afraid of your mother, you couldn't even tell her you didn't want to be a babysitter."

"No wonder." Stan muttered.

"It has nothing to do with my Mom. I'm not scared of her. I just don't want to get drunk and do something I regret in the morning."

"Well, my body's asking for a good gintonic tonight." Kenny said, running a hand over one of his bruises.

They made their way to the stand through the crowd. The color lights were puzzling but gave the space a pleasant, dreamy atmosphere. Those people who were already drunk had to be experiencing the trip of their lives. All of the rides had the music so loud that the result was a cacophony which made everyone's ears ring.

"Fellas! Hey, fellas!"

Someone grabbed Stan's arm. Butters made his way through the people to meet the group.

"Oh, Butters, hi." Stan said to him.

"What's up, Butters?" Cartman said.

"I came here wih my parents, they're right there." None of them four had paid attention to how long Butters had been away from South Park. Seeing them, it almost seemed like they never noticed he was gone—or even cared. But he, he looked so excited to see them. He also looked his best. Which wasn't much. Probably his mom didn't let him dress more accordingly to a twenty-year old. "Long time no see, right? Geez, Kenny, what happened to your face?"

"Euh, nothing. What have you been doing?" He replied.

"College. Just college."

"Oh, yeah, I heard something. How is it going for you?" Kyle asked.

"Not bad. Oh, I'm gonna ask my parents if I can join you. Do you mind?"

"Not at all, go ahead."

"Butters!" Another familiar voice called.

"Hey there!" Butters replied to her.

"Shit..." Stan whispered, his relatively good mood vanishing all of a sudden.

He didn't mind coming across Butters but her...

Wendy seemed as upset as he was. Gosh, she looked pretty in that dress and with her head cut in a boyish fashion. Maybe Bebe, Lola and Red looked hotter, but it was her the one he had his eyes fixed on.

"Oh, hi, boys." Wendy said to the gang.

"Hi, Wendy." Kyle greeted her.

Stan didn't open his mouth. Not wanting to have an awkward moment, he grabbed his cell phone and walked away with it pressed against his ear, pretending he was talking to someone. He didn't fool anybody, that's why Wendy blushed while the other girls snickered.

"Uhm, glad to see you." Wendy darted away, not waiting for any of her friends.

Stan came back shortly after they were gone with the phone in his hand.

"It was...my dad." He mumbled.

He received the most uncomfortable stares.

"Sure. Your dad." Cartman rolled his eyes.

"Yeah..."

"Now seriously, what happened between you and Wendy? You're back at your old stupid 'I love you-I hate you' games?"

Stan sighed through his nose. "I don't want to talk about it."

Cartman raised his hands, shrugging, and continued walking. Butters soon ran to join them ("It was hard, but my dad says I can, as long was I don't go back home late and don't even think of looking at the mojito's stand.")

Not only Kenny, but Cartman and Stan also ordered alcohol. Kyle and Butters prefered soda. They had a peaceful time, just talking, getting up-to-date. Kyle was fed up with his mother, but he still had to know if he got that indefinite contract before thinking about moving to live on his own. Cartman still thought she was a big, bad bitch; he would have rather gone live under a bridge, was he in Kyle's situation. Butters was also living with his parents..., they didn't trust him enough to let him join one of those student accomodations college offered..., that way he could still be controlled and grounded when it was needed..., but it wasn't that bad! There was no need to hurry, that's what they told him, and they were right. He could take this as a chance to save money for the future and a lot of trouble, taking care of a house and himself alone. And the career was tough but he was doing well, something useful to society. Stan and Kenny were silent all the time, while Cartman interrupted at any chance he got with his own opinion or to tell an anecdote related to the subject. Of course, he bragged again about his successful business, but the gang still had no idea what his enterprise was about.

Once they finished their drinks they had nothing else to do but try the attractions. They got in the line of the one they found with the shortest queue. There were only two people there, and they were two guys they knew: Tweek and Craig.

"Hey, guys."

"Ah. Hey there." Craig said, only glancing at them briefly.

They didn't pay much attention to each other. Tweek seemed to be having an intense conversation with Craig, and couldn't stop touching the iron ring around his middle finger.

"Wow, man you're a lu-lu-lucky bastard!"

"Mm? Oh, hey!" Butters waved an arm to somebody. The gang saw that it was Clyde, Token, Timmy and Jimmy.

Token was almost hidden behind a gigantic plush unicorn, so it was a surprise to see him growing a moustache. And what was that on Timmy's right arm? A tattoo? It was still wrapped. Goodness, and they had seen each other just a couple of weeks before!

"Timmy!" Timmy waved at them.

"Wow, all of South Park is here tonight!" Clyde raised his eyebrows. And it seemed there was more and more people around as minutes passed. The fair was a success, it seemed. "What's up, guys?"

"Not much. What about you?" Kyle asked.

"This mo-motherfucker here's been killing the g-games." Jimmy pointed at Token.

"What's this ride about?" Token looked at the attraction with interest—the part of it that the enormous prize he carried allowed him to see.

"I don't know but it doesn't look too bad and the rest seem crowded." Kyle shrugged.

"What do you say, guys? Shall we try?" Token asked his partners.

"Timmy!" Timmy nodded.

"Yeah, okay, why not." Clyde accepted too.

So they got in line as well.

Scott munched and then swallowed the fries he had in his hand.

"Did something happen between you and Stan?" He asked Wendy. He had also bumped into someone he knew that night. It seemed it was inevitable.

Wendy's look and the way the other girls laughed made Scott regret asking that.

"Uh, sorry." He quickly said.

"No, no, it's okay. It's just that...there are times when people think they are adults but still act like ten-year old." Wendy replied, her nostrils wide open when she took air to speak, her lips pressed. She grabbed a fry from him without permission.

"It's okay, Scott, we've got no idea of what's going on, either." Bebe told him.

"Really, Wendy, whatever he did, it couldn't be that bad. You can be so dramatic sometimes." Lola smirked.

"Believe me, it's going to get worse." Wendy replied. "Hold my purse, please. Scott, come with me."

Before the poor guy could say anything, Wendy was dragging him to the line of that free fall ride. She wasn't interested in the attractions, but that was where Stan was.

"Hello, guys!" Wendy made sure everyone knew they were there.

"Oh, hi, Wendy. Hi, Scott." Jimmy greeted them.

"What's up?" Clyde asked.

Cartman elbowed Stan, although he had already seen her. As soon as their eyes met, Wendy grabbed Scott and pulled him towards her to kiss him. His screams were muffled by her lips.

Stan felt that temperature was rising. He quickly resorted again to his cell phone to check some non-existent messages, in an attempt to seem distracted.

"Wh-?" Scott looked at Wendy with surprise.

"Sorry." Wendy kept looking a Stan. He had turned his back on her and was checking his phone. Great! He was hurt as hell!

"I...didn't know you guys were dating." Token commented.

"Well, yeah, me...neither..." Scott scratched the back of his head.

"We started dating recently." Wendy replied. She couldn't hide a smile of satisfaction, which her friends saw perfectly.

"What a bitch." Red smirked.

"Well, congrats. But, you know, I always thought you and Stan-" Where did Cartman come from? Wendy was not glad to see him around.

"Get lost, Cartman, this is none of your business." She frowned, and took a step away from him.

"Ah, your fault. You shouldn't have kissed in front of everybody." He replied.

When he realized, he was the last in the line. His friends hadn't saved him a seat, but he hoped there was still a spot somewhere. However, the carny, a fat woman who was wearing too little clothes for everyone's taste, stopped him.

"You'll have to wait for the next turn."

"Fuck dammit..." Cartman muttered, forced to step aside.

"Hey, Cartman, if you're going to stay there, hold this, please." Token ran to give him the big plush.

"And my jacket too!" Tweek threw his striped jacket at his head.

"Mine too, pretty please?" Butter's fell at his feet.

"Take care of my cr-crutches, Eric, please, thanks!" Jimmy's crutches were also handed to him.

"Timmy!" And Timmy's wheelchair too, while its owner was sat by Clyde and Scott, grabbing him by his legs and underarms.

Cartman muttered something about everyone's mothers. Not wanting to be a clothes rack, he just left everthing on Timmy's chair and crossed his arms while another carny, a man with a grey beard, checked everyone's belts. The platform elevated as an awful but popular trap song started playing. Clyde started howling stupidly, like a wolf. Jimmy recorded with his phone.

Cartman joined Wendy's friends.

"Hey, there."

The girls muttered a 'hello' or just gave him a cold nod. Cartman continued to wait, glancing at the hour on this cellphone. What was that smell? It smelt as if something was burning, some wire. It was awful, he would move away from that spot if it didn't go away—screw those people and their junk!

Someone stopped by his side shortly after. It was Ike, who was recording himself with this phone before placing it into his pocket. He was holding a big strawberry milkshake with a dognut on top.

"I wanna go home now." He grunted.

Cartman didn't reply, because he didn't care.

"They left you out 'cause you're a fatass, right?" Ike said then.

"Screw you." Cartman replied.

Silence. The guys seemed to be having a good time, going up and down in that thing.

Then, Ike leaned forward, squinting.

"Are those sparks normal?"

"...What?" Cartman muttered.

He turned his head towards the ride just in time to see the explosion on the base. The ride stopping mid-fall. The convulsions.

People all around started to scream and point at the ride.

"OH, MY GOD!"

"STOP IT! STOP IT!"

"SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!"

Ike dropped his milkshake, horrified. Cartman couldn't help exclaiming: "Ssssshit!"

Most of the designs for the grown-up kids are heavily influenced by thehauntedartist's (Tumblr)