I'm so sorry to those of you who have been waiting a very long time for me to update this story. Last year I was going through a heck of a lot, followed by recovering and trying to get my strength back. I have not forgotten about this story. I hope you are all still waiting and eager to read. I'm a little rusty so bare with me. Thanks for patience! Also, because I have been overstimulaed lately I'm thinking of trying to make more of my chapters for my stories shorter, it may be easier for me to update that way.

Cheeks of Glitter

Chapter Fifteen

What Stan really wanted more than anything was to clear his mind and told Heidi everything that he was thinking. He wanted to tell her how much her loved her and didn't mean to hurt her or his friend, Eric.

It felt like to the boy that Heidi cared about Stitch more than their wasn't as though he didn't care for the dog, but the subject wasn't on his mind at the moment.

"Stan, this is great news!" Heidi exclaimed happily, obviously expecting more reaction from the boy. "Stitch is getting a home."

Stan blinked his eyes, trying to take in what she was saying. SHe was trying to tell him something that was important to both of them. I'm a jerk, he thought.

The boy tried to make up for all that as they sat alone at one of the tables. The two were silent, though, as Stan awkwardly picked up his turkey sandwich. He could feel Heidi watching him.

"That's it, right?" she asked.

Stan glanced at her softly. "Huh?" He wondered if she had been talking to her the whole time and he wasn't listening. So far I'm doing great.

Heidi nodded at the sandwich in the boy's hands. "The sandwich, it has meat in it."

Stan was starting to feel worse, but he didn't know what to say, because he didn't know how to make her happy while making himself sick.

"If that was it, and why you been avoiding me, it shouldn't.
Stan slowly put the sandwich down, the whole time, refusing to look at Heidi. Still, he listened to her words.

"Stan, if being vegan makes you sick, you don't have to do it. You don't have to do that just for me."

Stan bit his lip, feeling very impressed that she was starting to figure him out. It never occurred to him that she would find him out, but he wasn't surprised at this point. He knew how smart Heidi was.

"Besides, I liked you before that."

The boy's stomach filled up with butterflies when he heard those words come out of Heidi's mouth. He was starting to get frustrated with himself for still not saying anything to her. "Before what?" he asked.

Heidi giggled. "Before going vegan. The way you were with Stitch, and how much fun we had together; that's when I started to like you. So you don't need to pretend anymore.

Stan was so glad to hear her say all of that, and couldn't help but smile shyly. It almost reminded him of the old days when it was hard for him to get comfortable about Wendy, only it was different.

Sure, the boy had gotten stronger over the couple years with dating Wendy off and on, but it was a little more comfortable with Heidi.

"So, meet me outside after school," Heidi continued. "We can go to theh shelter together and say goodbye to Stitch and wish him a good like."

Stan glanced over at Heidi, who had the brightest smile on her face. It was as if she had got accepted into a school she worked hard for. Only, she worked hard to make sure Stitch would get a home, Stan thought.

The plan was on, and Stan was looking forward to it all day. He did his best to avoid whatever looks he guessed Eric would be giving him. Stan was sure that Eric saw him and Heidi at lunch together, but he hadn't heard any remarks and threats from his obese friends.

Perhaps, it wasn't a bad idea for Stan to hang out with Heidi just a little bit. Afterall, hanging out wasn't the same as dating, and that thought made Stan feel better.

What started to bother the boy more, however, was his best friend, Kyle, who was barely making it through class without falling asleep or dosing off.

Stan hadn't really realized how off Kyle had been, because he was distracted with his own pain and feelings. He knew that Kyle's foot was healing and the pain medications were making him drowsy, but it almost seemed to be getting worse.

By the second to last class of the day, Kyle was already passed out with his head in his arms over his desktop, like he hadn't gotten a decent sleep in days.

Stan knew that Ike had been recently keeping his brother up through the nights. However, he still didn't really understand why, and it was just until now that he hadn't realized Kyle avoiding the topic in conversation.

As Mr. Garrison stood in the hall talking with the principal, Stan watched Kyle closely. He decided that perhaps he was so distracted by his own problems, Kyle couldn't come up with the time or place to talk.

I'm an ass, Stan thought as he pulled out his cellphone, and went to his best friend's text message conversation. He hadn't texted him in a few days.

Stan typed out a quick message to his best friend before putting his phone away as Mr. Garrison finally stepped into the classroom.

The rest of the class became out as a blur to Stan as he planned out how he was going to meet up with Heidi after school, and possibly have a phone call with Kyle later. It was a perfect plan, and the boy was sure it would work out.

By the end of class, Stan took the few-min break opportunity to send a text to Heidi, saying he was looking forward to to meeting her after school.

However,before the boy could start his typing, he hard a familiar voice shreik in annoance. "OW!"

Stan turned to see his friend, Eric, standing next to his own desk, and rubbing his head. THe obese boy then turned to Clyde, who was doodling on his paper. "Clyde, not necessary!"

Clyde glanced up at Eric in confusion, but the obese boy was not going to fall for whatever he was "pulling". Don't play dumb, you through your pencil at me 'cause you think its so amazing you got a date to the dance."

"Ugh, really?" Clyde scoffed in annoyanced.

"Dude, he's holding his pencil, still," Craig stepped in, trying to defend his friend.

"Uh-huh," Eric said sarcastically, which annoyed Stan.

Kyle was still asleep like a baby, not even realizing he was still in school.

"Really, Eric, grow up," Wendy finally added as she got out of her seat and went out the door to possibly take her bathroom break.

Stan bit his lip, barely looking over at Butters, who would hopefully stand up for Wendy after whatever rude remark Eric would say against her.

However, the only thing that Stan heard Eric say, was "Butters, this is all your fault. You had to get this stupid social skills class going, and now everything is a mess."

Stan waited for a response from the blonde boy, but when nothing happened, he went for the door. There was no point in waking up Kyle, who needed whatever sleep he missed.

"It wasn't me," Butters finally said.

Stan stopped at the door, refusing to turn to the conversation, but listened.

"It, uh, wasn't me," Butters said again, sounding apprehensive.

"Oh yeah, than who was it?" Eric asked, still not buying anything that was coming out of his mouth.

Stan turned to Butters to wait for his reply, and it made his stomach flip when he caught the blonde-haired boy glancing at him awkwardly, and looking away. It was almost as if he was afraid to tell Stan something, even though he was talking to Eric.

Stan's eyes widened. Butters? What the hell?

"Nobody," Butters replied.

Stan rushed out of the classroom and leaned against the hallway wall, trying to take in whatever it was he was trying to figure out.

Butters was hiding something, and was obviously afraid to let Stan find out. He knew now that he got to figure it out before the end of the last class.