Sorry it's been a minute! I was on vacation for a week and prepping for a summer job. But, here now!

South Down: Definitely a lot of drama revolving around parent relationships! Based on the show and my own interpretation of the characters.

NoseBridgePinch: Just saw you did a part 2 of the Violet Place! Really excited to read your version of their high school AU! And thanks for your reviews, really excited about these characters. Yeah, it was a choice making Wendy Latina. Something I thought I try out, but I'm not gonna exaggerate it considering I'm not Latina myself. Wendy's mom calling her 'little', lol, I saw it in another story so I don't know how accurate it was. Haha.

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Stan opened the gym locker in the boys' locker room, reaching for his spray deodorant as he spritzed his armpits. It didn't overcome the rest of the nasty smell of the sweat locker he, Kyle, and Kenny changed in. After early morning tryouts for the basketball team, they were in no rush to get ready for the rest of the school day. Stan and Kyle had advantages with coach by being regulars returning to the team, though they convinced Kenny to try out after years of not being on the team. With a little push from them, Kenny figured he might as well spend his last year closer to his best friends this way.

Kenny entered from the gym showers with a white towel firmly wrapped around his waist, using another to dry his blond shag. Stan picked up his practice jersey, taking a whiff and grimacing at the smell.

"You think Tolkien will make captain?" Kenny asked.

Stan tossed the jersey into the locker. "With no one else volunteering, yeah."

Kenny whipped his used towel at Kyle who zipped up his pants. Hitting Kyle by the behind as he yelped and Stan and Kenny cackled. "Why aren't you trying?"

"Dude," Kyle picked up the towel from the grimy floor, whipping back at Kenny who still chuckled. "With what time? Community Charity is every other morning and the Debate team starts this week."

"Fuck," Stan realized, grabbing his tee to put over his head. "I missed the college fair."

"You already have your choices lined up," Kyle reminded. As did he, they've been thinking about universities since last year.

"Yeah, but a pamphlet would be nice," Stan reminded. "..to shove in my dad's face."

"Dude," Kyle groaned, almost annoyed. "What now?"

"The usual.."

Kenny tried to show he was listening, but the mentioning of universities made him lose focus. "You think being basketball captain would look good to an Ivy League?"

Kyle picked up a fresh towel, beginning to dry his curls. "Uh, I dunno...for a physics program?"

"I don't think it matters," Stan said. "Those schools like it when you're in charge of anything.

Kenny slipped on his pants. Caltech's most popular varsities were basketball, and also baseball, which he'd be doing again in the spring with Stan and Kyle. Everything he seemed to do at school nowadays he wondered if he could fit onto a college application.

"Caltech's most popular varsities are basketball and baseball," Kenny muttered.

Kyle still heard him clearly. "Whoa. You're applying to Caltech?"

His shock didn't help Kenny's worry. "I'm trying, I guess.."

"Well, cool," Kyle agreed. He had to admit, the idea of those schools intimidated him which was why he was applying to general universities. "If you need help with anything in applying.."

"I don't need the charity case, thanks.."

Stan took a seat on the bench. He took a look over his shoulder and around the corner of the lockers to confirm it was just the three of them. With them throwing the subject of the future around, he figured now would be the best time.

"Uh, dudes," Stan said, gaining both of their attention. "Can I be honest?"

Kenny exchanged a shrug with Kyle, slipping his hoodie on. "Sure, bro."

"Um," Stan scratched the back of his head. "I know it's kinda broad, but a lot of people do it and...I figured with how well things are going with finding schools, and with Wendy, it might be better in the long run."

"Meaning what?" Kyle asked, still drying his hair.

Stan swallowed, getting up to retrieve a trinket he'd been carrying with him everywhere. He was afraid letting it out of sight would let it fall into the wrong hands somehow. As he pulled something from the locker, he turned with the little blue velvet box in his hand. Flipping it open where a ring's shimmer got caught in the glare of the locker room florescent lights. Kyle stopped drying his hair as Kenny just stared.

"Stan," Kyle warned. "What the hell is that."

Stan found his seat again, fearfully looking up. "It's for Wendy."

Kenny's wide eyes aligned with Kyle's, stuttering as he thought maybe Stan was joking. "A-Are you serious..?"

"I pretty much am."

Kyle put his towel down. He took a seat and dragged Kenny with him, shutting everything down before things went haywire. "Dude, how sure are you about this? Just think for a second-"

"I've done a lot of thinking, Kyle," Stan assured. "I know what I want, so does Wendy, I think it's great for both of us."

"Does she know?" Kenny asked.

"No," Stan said, closing the box. "Not yet."

Kyle sighed. "Okay, dude," he tried carefully. "You know that we think you and Wendy are perfect for each other."

"Exactly."

"But you're graduating," Kyle said. "You can't just keep dating and wait a few years?"

"I know it's crazy, I know it is." Stan said. "But, why not lock it in when I know we should be together?"

"Does this have anything to do with Tegridy?" Kenny couldn't help but ask.

Stan blinked. "Look, I'm not gonna ask her tomorrow, but I can't imagine us going in any other direction."

"I just," Kenny got up, pacing the row of lockers. "I dunno, dude. You can't wait?"

"This is why I asked you guys," Stan said. Kyle frowned in worry. "I know I want this. I just want to make sure I do it at the right time."

"The right time is at least in your twenties!" Kenny hollered.

"Kenny," Kyle eased. "Stan, I think it's great. We think it's great."

Kenny held his face in his hands, groaning in distress.

"We think it's great in a few years.."

Stan can't say he expected them to be all smiles. But, he asked his best friends for a reason. He stared at the little box, taking Kyle's advice somewhat seriously for now as he slipped it into his pocket.

"You're out of your mind!" Nichole argued, pointing accusingly at Jimmy across the table. "Lucy is the best character in Fairy Tail. I will fight tooth and nail!"

Jimmy scoffed, as Tweek, Craig, Kenny, Red, Annie Knitts, Scott Malkinson and other members of the Anime club watched the exchange between the two. Jimmy was relatively new to the show they decided to discuss that week, and so far his take on it was the most different.

"W-Wha-What's the best about a p-panicky, nonviolent magician?" Jimmy rebutted. "Natsu at least engages in violence better!"

"Natsu is reckless!"

"And Lucy isn't?"

Kenny dug his hand into a bowl, popping a salt and vinegar chip into his mouth. "Jimmy, you're on season one, you're opinion is invalid until at least fourth."

"What-!?"

"Can we move the discussion on, please?" Craig complained. "We've spent half an hour on this and haven't even gotten to Princess Mononoke."

"I'm not saying Natsu is bad by the way," Red butted in. "He's great! But saying he's better than Erza is ridiculous."

"They're all different characters, does it matter?" Tweek asked.

"With the same magic," Jimmy said.

"It is not the same magic!" Nichole bickered.

"'Kay, shit!" Craig calmed. "The point of Fairy Tail's design is diversity in the aesthetics and magic of the characters. Saying one is better than the others is irrelevant when everyone is gonna have a favorite! So, we're done with that. Now, Princess Mononoke-."

The ball rang, and Tweek closed his club binder. "Well, we're not gonna get to that."

"Fuck me," Craig fell back in his seat.

"Jimmy, come over to my house later. We can start season two." Tweek said as everyone began to disperse.

Craig just sat there, his arms crossed as he pouted and Tweek waited. Wondering if he was gonna bring it up before Tweek decided to find out for himself. He came and scooted to sit on the table near Craig's chair.

"Are you that angry about Princess Mononoke?"

Craig blew through his lips.

"Hey," his boyfriend tried. "What happened?"

"Just my dad.."

Tweek figured. It was getting harder to come around Craig's house without feeling so iced out by Mr. Tucker. His mother was..trying? It was hard to really say when she was sweet with Craig and Tweek but couldn't really face her husband the way Craig had to stand up for himself.

"It's getting worse," Craig said. "I can't leave fast enough."

Tweek knew Craig wanted to leave, it was completely understood why. Yet, even Tweek knew maybe Craig was skipping out when he may have had the chance to make things right with his dad. Thomas was one thing, but people change. Tweek's seen it for himself.

"Maybe we can both talk to him."

"That's one of your worst ideas," Craig smiled, still thinking he was cute as he held his hand. "But, thanks."

"Then maybe I can talk to him."

Craig didn't like the idea of Tweek being alone with a homophobic fuck like his dad. It was already unbearable for him, yet putting his sensitive boyfriend in that situation? Thomas Tucker would either have to deal or go to hell.

"Whatever," Craig got up, taking his books with him. "Wanna get lunch?"

"Craig," Tweek got up, hating how this discussion always ended the same way. "Craig."

"It's fine, Tweek. Really." Craig said, smiling as he left the classroom. "C'mon, chili dogs."

"Was it that bad?" Bebe asked.

Wendy looked down at her macaroni salad. Poking her fork at the cold pasta more than eating it as she and Bebe shared an empty table in the cafeteria for the first lunch period belonging to older grades. The room buzzed with occupied students at the round white assorted tables with silver-blue round seats dedicated again to school pride. The giant cinderblock white wall at the main entrance was plastered with the angry bighorn sheep mascot 'crashing' through an explosion of silver blue and white varsity colours.

"It was just different," Wendy admitted, having trouble eating. She figured she'd better eat a hearty lunch with volleyball practice after school with Bebe. But, the little spat between Stan and Randy still weighed on her mind. "Like they've fought before, but Stan's getting more aggressive. So is his dad."

"You think they're gonna start throwing fists?" Bebe unscrewed her water bottle cap, taking a sip.

"I dunno," Wendy put down her fork, not really that hungry. "I just feel like Stan is gonna say something he'll regret soon."

Bebe scoffed. "His dad is the one pushing all of this onto him. It's his fault, too."

"I know it is!" Wendy said, used to having the same discussion with Stan. "It's not fair how much he dangles Tegridy above everybody's heads. I already feel bad for Sharon. It's just making Stan say things that I don't think are so.."

"..True?"

"..Solicited."

"Shit." Bebe said. "I mean, Stan never had a lot of patience."

"I wouldn't either," Wendy said, thinking about the idea of living a day at the farm. "I don't know, he used to be able to brush it off. Now it's like he needs to prove something to his dad and everyone."

"Being what?"

Wendy forked her pasta. "I dunno.."

"Well, that was a train wreck," an entering Red suddenly said. She, Nichole, and Heidi came to join as they took their seats.

"What was?" Wendy asked.

"Nichole and Jimmy were clawing at each other in anime," Red threw a point to the still-heated Nichole. "Over Fairy Tail."

"It's more than that!" Nichole exploded. "He acts like after a season he knows more than anybody!"

"Geez, what's with these guys," Bebe clucked. "They're acting like toddlers."

Red snorted. Heidi just agreed with a shrug of her brows.

"Oh, don't even get me started." Nichole said. "Craig is trying to say Princess Mononoke is the best cinematic piece of art Studio Ghibli has ever made. Uh, hello? Howl's Moving Castle, anyone!?"

Bebe just stared. "I don't understand anything that's coming out of your mouth."

The rest of the girls giggled.

"I think tryouts went well," Wendy decided to change topics, finally forcing herself to eat lunch. "I like that it wasn't just last year's JVs that tried out."

Heidi and Bebe nodded, being the only other varsity cheerleaders at the table aside from Wendy. Coach typically liked having senior cheerleaders come to tryouts to observe any newbies. A lot of the previous junior varsities came of course, and watching juniors do high-vs and jump splits got tiring pretty fast.

"I don't get why we're forced to sit through three hours of watching juniors try out," Bebe said. "It's not like coach asks for our opinion anyway. We're just an audience."

"To scare them," Heidi figured. "Remember when we auditioned for varsity last year? Tammy Warner wouldn't stop staring at me."

"Tammy Warner thought she was a bag of chips," Bebe ridiculed. "So do these juniors for fuck's sake. Some of them looked at me like I was a piece of old crap."

"Old crap, you're a year older," Wendy laughed.

"And they acted like I was too old for the squad!"

Nichole and Red only snickered. They stopped doing cheer years ago so they enjoyed being on the sidelines and hearing all the drama without actually being in it.

"Coach wants to start prepping for the winter pep rally." Wendy reminded.

"God, already?"

"They're doing some school spirit promotional video," Wendy took a bite of her salad. "Obviously we're a key part of that."

"We have sectionals in two weeks." Heidi worried. "We're gonna get murdered. I'm gonna get murdered!"

Red arched her brows. "Why you, Hides?"

"I can't balance Winter Pep stuff on top of regular cheer and yearbook. The cast list for the play is coming out tomorrow! Eric and I were planning to do a weekend getaway before I'm gone for Christmas."

Bebe shrugged. "Tell Fartman to suck it up, then."

Heidi sighed. "He's been looking forward to this..he won't understand."

Nichole muttered through a sip of soda; "When does he ever.."

Heidi looked up from her tray in fury. "Look. I get it. But, if I wanted to hear you guys complain I would've asked you to."

"We hear you, no one is complaining," Wendy assured, looking around the table at the others with a warning glance. It was getting harder and harder watching Heidi disappear into this crappy relationship with Cartman, but they couldn't do anything unless Heidi wanted it. Wendy mostly tried to make sure of that.

Bebe couldn't help it though. "Hides, babes, I love you."

Heidi sighed. "And..?"

"Ditch the lard mouth, and come back to the real world!" Bebe enthused. "The grass is much greener over here!"

"B'," Wendy warned.

"I'm trying to figure things out." Heidi reminded through ground teeth.

"Figure what out?" Red said, trying not to sound so judgy. "Heidi, he's awful."

Their friend quickly grabbed her food tray and got up. "And I suppose I'm just a dumb bitch."

"That's not what we're saying," Wendy assured though Heidi was already leaving. "Heidi, wait-"

"It's okay, it's okay," Heidi said, breathing out to keep her calm. "We're cool. I just need to go."

She left the girls to their awkward remains. Wendy knew the others knew as well as she; Heidi could see Cartman for the way he was the same as anyone else could. It didn't change the outlook she had on herself. It didn't change denial.

"Yes, Eric, I can hear you one sec," Heidi held the phone to her ear while plugging the other. She closed her bedroom door with her hip to muffle out the noise of her parents arguing. It barely blocked the sound but Heidi would have to deal. "I'm here, Eric."

"So you're ditching our weekend getaway?"

"I didn't say that." His girlfriend said, taking a seat at the edge of her bed. "I said we should reconsider when we do it because Winter Pep and Formal are during the same week."

"Let's go after Formal, then!"

"I have plans with the girls, you know that."

"Yeah, I'm hearing excuses.."

"Excuses?!" Heidi got up again, proceeding to pace around her bed's end. "You know we planned an after party just the five of us! This isn't an excuse!"

"I'm just saying! All you care about is your friends and not me!"

"That's not tr-!" Heidi grunted, unable to take the sound of her dad yelling at her mom downstairs while she was trying to resolve her own argument over the phone. She lifted her cell. "Eric, you take every chance you get to prevent me from hanging out with anyone!"

"As if you wanna be around me, anymore!"

"I'm trying to make this work!" Heidi argued. "I need you to meet you halfway!"

"Oh, I'm sorry! Giving you endless rides to school, buying coffees!"

"But-"

"Should've suspected the girl I love was a thirsty money whore!"

"FINE, I'M SORRY!" Heidi belted, on the brink of frustrated tears as she clutched her aching head. "I'm sorry, baby.."

There was a moment of consideration, and in a suddenly tiny and hurt voice, Cartman squeaked; "It's okay.."

Heidi sat on her duvet again, waiting for an apology to echo back.

"Can I buy you dinner, tomorrow?"

After the 'money whore' comment, that didn't really help Heidi's case. "How 'bout I buy.."

"Aw babe," Cartman cooed. "You really are the sweetest."

Heidi stared into the empty air of her room, wiping away the escaped tear. "No, you are.."

"Really? I am?"

"Yeah," Heidi forced a smile. "Um, baby, I should probably go settle whatever my parents are on about.."

"Alright, hon," Cartman said, Heidi could hear his smile through the phone. "I'll see you."

She hung up, throwing her cell to her pillow as she tore open her door and followed the angry howls down the hallway and to the stairs. Coming down as thrown accusations only pierced her eardrums.

"You haven't shown a single care to this family since Heidi was in diapers!" Nancy yelled.

"And who paid for those diapers?" Thomas Turner, her husband, argued.

"I was nine months pregnant and in college! What does this have to do with our mortgage?!"

Heidi stopped at the stairs' end, leaning an elbow against the railing. "Mom, dad..?"

Faces of fury both looked at their daughter. "Heidi, did your mother pay three hundred dollars for a hand-me-down laptop?"

"My laptop broke again, I need it for school.." their only child said.

Thomas pointed accusingly at his wife. "You see what I mean!? You could've paid less just getting it repaired!"

"Don't point at me!" Nancy hit Thomas' burly finger out of the way. "That was the third time we got that thing repaired! A fourth time and it would've cost the price of a hand-me-down altogether!"

Heidi clutched her arms. "What if I just pay half.."

"Don't be ridiculous honey, you're a student," Nancy said, before looking angrily at Thomas. "Frankly, I can pay the price myself. But your father won't keep his nose out of my own credit!"

"All prices paid under this roof are my business! Our daughter's schooling is my business!"

"Guys-" Heidi tried. "If this is gonna keep up, why don't I make dinner-"

"You are not privileged to control my money, Thomas!"

"No one is controlling money!" Mr. Turner argued. "I'm privileged to know how you handle money poorly, though!"

"Oh my GOD!"

Heidi passed by them and went to the kitchen. Maybe this fight would finally end in a divorce once and for all, if she kept her fingers crossed.

To be continued...