Stan woke up as soon as his alarm clock went off. He threw it across the room, thinking it would stop, but it didn't, and he instead covered his head with a nearby pillow. "Stanley, get up! You need to get ready for school!" Sharon said, picking up the alarm clock, and turning it off. "Thanks, mom," Stan said. "You're welcome," Sharon said, "now please get up." Stan got up and did his school morning routine, while his mother placed the alarm clock back on the beside table. Stan then recalled what happened in the school bathroom yesterday. He only wanted to experience one thing from it again, but he reminded himself to stop thinking about it.
As he made his way downstairs, subsequently finishing his breakfast, Stan then heard his mother crying. He rushed over to her. "Mom," Stan began, "what's wrong?" "Stanley, I'm sorry for being unresponsive." The mother replied. "No, mom," Stan said, "it's okay. I'm the one who should be sorry. I was such a jerk. You've done everything that you did for me and Shelly. You're why there's even food on the table. I am sorry I don't tell you that enough." "Stanley," Sharon said, putting her hand on her son's cheek, with tears still in her eyes, "You and your sister are my world. If you need to talk about anything, I'm right here." "I know. Thanks, mom." Stan said. "I love you." "I love you too, sweetie," Sharon said, hugging her son. Although he still can't forget what happened yesterday, Stan was relieved he no longer has to worry about his mother.
As Stan made it to school, he headed straight for his locker, getting everything he needed for the first period. He was thinking about Kyle, and if he could avoid him. However, a familiar voice called from behind. "Stan!" "Shit," Stan whispered, turning around. "Can we talk?" Kyle asked. "At my house after school?" Stan's heart slightly dropped. Because he knew this wasn't a simple friendly invitation to his former best friend's house. This was a invitation that would turn into a interrogation. However, Stan tried his best not to be magnetized by Kyle's gorgeous green eyes, and forget about the embarrassment from yesterday. Stan braced himself, as he said, "Sure, dude." So I'll meet you right here after school?" Kyle asked. "Yeah, dude," Stan replied.
Kyle was waiting anxiously and nervously for school to be over for the day. Kyle was glad he didn't share his final period with Stan, otherwise he would easily stare at him, and couldn't stop. When school was over, and the bell rang, everyone packed up and left, but Kyle stayed. "Kyle, why aren't you leaving?" The teacher asked. Kyle quickly excused himself and headed for the lockers. When he got to the lockers, he was thinking about all the good times he and Stan had together. "Hey," a voice said, that made Kyle jump. "Woah, chill dude, it's just me." Stan said. Kyle turned around, and sheepishly said, "Sorry." This made Stan smile, which nearly made Kyle cry, since he hasn't seen his former friend smile in so long. "So do we start walking?" Stan asked. "Of course," Kyle replied, "Let's go."
The two boys walked together in silence for a minute or two, before Stan spoke up. "Kyle, I have a ton of questions." Kyle sighed, looking down. "I'm just as confused as you. But I owe you a explanation." The two boys made it to Kyle's house, and sat on the couch. "Stan, I-" Kyle began, before he was interrupted. "Kyle?" A voice made Kyle froze, and he turned to his mother, Sheila at the doorway. "Hi, mom," Kyle said. "Sorry if we're bothering you." Kyle grabbed Stan's arm, and stood up. "Wait. Stanley?" Sheila asked. "Hello, Mrs. Broflovski," Stan said. "Stanley!" Sheila cried, running over to hug Stan. "How are you?" "I'm doing fine, you?" "I'm doing good, honey, it's good to see you again! It's been a while since I last saw you." Sheila then looked at her son. "My sweet Kyle was a hot mess without you!" Kyle's heart starting beating extremely fast. He then grabbed Stan's arm, pulling him closer to the stairway. "You're so funny, mom," Kyle said sheepishly. "I'm sorry for the lack of communication between our families," Stan said with a straight face. "There's been too much going on, and I haven't had any time to come over." He then looked at Kyle. "Well, all that matters is that you're here," Sheila said in a bubbly tone. "Yeah," Kyle said, "It's great that he's here." Kyle was becoming increasingly nervous. He didn't want to be as red as his hair. "Anyways, we're going upstairs to play board games." "Of course, have fun, you two!" Sheila said. Kyle nodded and made his way to his bedroom, with Stan following close behind.
Once the duo were in the bedroom, the door was closed, and they both sat down on the floor. "Why are you doing this, Kyle?" Stan asked. Kyle sighed. "I didn't ask you to come over just because of what happened in the school bathroom yesterday," Kyle looked into Stan's eyes. "I wanted you to come over because it's time I told you why I left you. I left you because I wanted to see you become a better person. I know it's good to rely on and be around people you trust, but I needed you to figure your own shit out on your own. Hanging out with me too much is unhealthy. I actually didn't want to leave you, but I thought that was what was best for you." "I wouldn't have taken it seriously any other way," Stan said. "Yes," Kyle said. "I'm sorry that this caused so much pain for you. But I assure you that I wasn't trying to hurt you." Kyle then started crying. "I miss you, Stan. I really fucking miss you." "Ky," Stan said. Kyle flinched. Stan hadn't called him that in a while, and subsequently Kyle quickly wrapped his arms around him, while he was being pulled closer by Stan's arms on his waist. "I love you," Kyle said quietly. "I love you too, Ky," Stan responded. "That's all I needed." "What?" Kyle asked, confused. "I needed a explanation. I wanted nothing more than to be with you, my best friend, again." Stan said. "When you left me, I thought I would become the worst person ever. Well, shit. If I lost you, then I've lost everyone." "That's wrong," Kyle said, squeezing Stan tighter. "I know that now. I'm just so fucking happy we're together again." Stan said. "You should be," Kyle said, looking at his best friend in the eyes. "I'm proud of you, and I always will be." Kyle said to Stan, who then was smiling. "Of course. I'm not nowhere near perfect, but what matters is that I'm trying everyday." He laughed before kissing Kyle's forehead, and revealing his wrist. "Stan, do you want to talk about it?" Kyle asked, "Right now?" "Yes," Stan said. "My parents got a divorce, my sister shut herself away from the world, and we were split into two households. Instead of talking about it, I turned to alcohol because I wanted to forget it." Kyle squeezed Stan's hand. "Seeing my mom cry every night was saddening. I wanted to take all of her pain away. But I couldn't, and I feel like I failed her." "But you haven't, Stan. You're her world." "But that didn't change the way I felt. My grades started dropping, and the alcohol was really starting to hurt my brain. I remember thinking I was a copy of my dad. I decided everything that happened to me was my fault, so I began hurting myself. Every cut is for all of my failures." Stan then pulled his sleeve up more, revealing his other scars, before pointing to one. "This one was for when I failed to help my mom and sister," he then pointed to another one, "this was for when my grades starting dropping." Stan then pointed to the third one, saying, "This was for when I looked into the mirror, and saw someone I never wanted to be. A copy of my dad." Stan then pulled his sleeve down. "I'm not trying to be like him." "You're nothing like him," Kyle said without hesitation, "If you were, you wouldn't be here talking to me." "That's true. Thanks, Ky." Stan kissed Kyle on the forehead again. "Of course, dumbass," Kyle teased. "I'm going to get help." "I know that. I'm so proud of you, Stan. You can go through any pain. Just know you're not alone, okay?" "I know. We won't have a repeat of last time. If I fall next to you, I'll keep myself up, because your your love and support for me is enough." "You will always have it, so never forget that. I love you." Kyle kissed Stan's cheek. "I love you too," Stan replied. His face was bright red. "You need to organize things with your parents and therapist, but if I'm allowed to, I'd love to come and be there with you." "You are amazing, Kyle." Out of a unexpected embarrassment, Kyle hugged Stan again, and kissed his neck. "Didn't you do that yesterday?" Stan asked. "I'm so sorry I didn't ask for permission-" Kyle's mouth was covered by Stan's hand. Stan was smiling. "It's fine. I like it. It's comforting. Can I?" He asked, caressing his fingers down his best friend's neck. "Of course," Kyle said quietly. Stan leaned down and kissed Kyle's neck. Kyle soon realized that his relationship with Stan became something he never anticipated. It wasn't mere friendship anymore. "Stan, I love you. I'm grateful to have you.""I'm grateful to have you too. You're my best friend." "You're mine, and you always will be." Kyle then said, "You know, I learned something today. How much I love my best friend, you, Stan." Kyle sighed, and Stan smiled. Kyle then got up and said, "Okay, sappy time over. Wanna play some board games?" "Duh," Stan said.