The website was being funky when I uploaded chapter 7 so if you missed that make sure to go back! Context you won't wanna miss. Especially with this chapter following up...

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It was a particular evening only a few weeks away from Winter Pep. The Testaburgers ate their family dinner with the addition of Stan at their table as they discussed upcoming preparation and expectations. They happily ate the garlic bucatini that Mr. Testaburger prepared with his daughter's help.

"How was volleyball practice?" Maria asked.

Wendy twirled her pasta. "Alright. If we make finals, having it the day after Winter Pep is gonna be stressful."

Stan swallowed his bite. "Yeah, their cheer coach is making no exceptions for mistakes the day of either."

Maria rubbed her daughter's arm across her plate. "Nothing you can't handle, I'm sure.."

Wendy kissed her teeth lightly. "With Jessica Parker being the one spotting me? I don't know.."

"Who?" Henry asked, more focused on his food.

"Some entitled junior who can't be bothered to spot me when I'm being flung five feet in the air."

"Oh, baby, that sounds dangerous." Maria worried.

"I mean Heidi and Bebe will make sure I don't bash my head.." Wendy supposed. "But there's only so much they can do with an unreliable third party."

"Why'd she join if she's not gonna do her job..?" Stan asked, reaching for his water glass.

"I think you're focused on the wrong thing," Henry intervened. "It's a big leading role. Having an unreliable party or not isn't your concern."

Wendy slanted her lips in frustration. "I mean it kinda is-"

"You don't wanna make the rest of a team look weak because of your bad sportsmanship."

"How's your food, Stan?" Maria asked.

Stan at the moment was more focused on his girlfriend shrinking in her seat under her father's gaze. "Really good, thanks."

"It's not bad sportsmanship, dad-"

"So, the semester is already starting to wrap up, huh?" Henry was already on to the next. "How're those applications going?"

"...Pretty good," Stan said. "I'm sending my application to MSU Denver soon."

"Remind me what you're doing again?" Maria asked.

Stan poked his pasta. "Aerodynamics engineering." He said, before shoveling more pasta into his mouth.

"Oh my," Maria enthused giving a happy smile to Wendy that she returned. "How exciting!"

Henry nodded, forking his bucatini. "Is that a stepping stone for a career you want?"

Wendy swallowed her food. "Stan hasn't really decided what he really wants to do-"

"Actually I have," Stan announced.

Wendy stopped in surprise. "You have?"

"Um, I figured getting a degree in aerodynamics engineering," her boyfriend stated. "Is a good way to get into the Space Force academy."

She parted her lips in shock.

"Hopefully one day as an engineering sergeant."

"Well," Henry took hold of his glass. "Cheers to that."

Stan swallowed his food and shared the toast, as did Maria. Wendy tapped her fingers against the table as her mother nudged her. "Gwendolyn, no seas grosera."

"No, it's cool," Wendy assured her boyfriend. A few things crossed her mind she wasn't prepared for, particularly that space was...well, all the way up. "It's just, um, systemic extremism..and other issues...in the military exists. Not just the police."

"Yeah, it does," Stan said, addressing Wendy and her parents in assurance. "That's not what I'm trying to get behind. The Space Force is making progress to own up to what asshole officers in other branches have done. Typically they work hand in hand with NASA to protect satellites from asteroid threats."

Wendy swallowed. On one hand, proud he'd done his research, but on the other still suddenly frantic. She could agree that the Space Force was a better branch even if it was built off of a problematic system. But, she knew that wasn't what was scaring her.

Stan never had a plan beyond school before, and suddenly he did.

"That's true. It's also...space."

Stan paused. "I mean, that's the idea."

"Working with satellites, protecting space property," Wendy chuckled nervously, poking her pasta. Suddenly Harvard felt even farther from Stan so long as he was in motherfucking space. "Far up in space...far..far...up.."

"Gwendolyn?" Her father questioned.

"Excuse me," Wendy got up, leaving the table with a nervous shake in her step. Stan watched her go and looked back at her parents for answers.

Maria just drank her wine and Henry poked at his pasta. "Whatever it is, I don't think it's just systemic racism or misogyny."

If they weren't gonna follow her, Stan sure as hell would. He slid his chair out, tossing his napkin onto the table and following his fretting girlfriend through the door to the front porch. She paced back and forth while biting her fingertips.

Stan looked back to make sure his tone was out of earshot as he gently shut the door. "Whatever that was, I don't think it was about the military's extremism."

"No, Stan, it's not about the military's extremism."

"So does it have to do with space being..far...far..far-"

"Stop." Wendy warned, knowing he was trying to joke.

"Wendy, what's wrong?"

"It's so far...from here..."

"You're going to Harvard, babe-"

"NO, I'M NOT! NOT YET!" Wendy threw her fists to her sides, startling Stan in the middle of the porch. "I'm not going to Harvard until I'm good and ready! What about other schools for a start!? Or, Bebe's traveling! Did you know she's doing that!? So are Nichole and Red! I-I can do that!"

"Wends-"

"But god forbid if I break it to my family I want a bit of time to stop and smell the fucking flowers," Wendy said, trying to catch her breath. "I don't remember what flowers smell like! Do you!?"

"Wendy-?"

"But, it's okay! Cuz my boyfriend is also thrusting himself into space so Sputnik can open fire on him! Because...the military is still a bunch of violent EXTREMISTS!"

"Wendy!" Stan grabbed hold of her frailing wrists, now noticing the frustrated tears lining her eyelids. "It's gonna be okay!"

"But you'll be FAR! EVERYONE IS LEAVING-!"

"Baby," Stan reeled her face into his chest in a hug, feeling her tears begin to sprawl all over his sweater she clawed with frozen hands. "Wendy.."

"I'm not ready.." she hiccuped in tears, shaking her head desperately in Stan's arms as his free hand caressed her hair. "Stan, I'm not ready.."

"Gwendolyn."

Wendy looked up and Stan stepped out of the way where her dad stood at the door's open entrance. Wendy wiped her tears and stuttered at her boyfriend's side. Unknowing how long he could've been standing there.

"Dad," Wendy wiped her nose. "Dad, I-"

"Harvard is a virtue. Have you lost your mind?"

"Mr. Testaburger, we just-" Stan tried.

"You don't get a say in this," her father stated sternly, coming in between his daughter and her boyfriend.

Maria came and stood in the door's entryway. "What is going on?"

Henry faced his daughter as Wendy broke eye contact. "Are you slacking?"

Wendy breathed fast, unable to lift her chin form her chest. "No, sir.."

Maria stepped past Stan. "Henry-"

"In the house." Henry turned back around, walking past his wife who took a moment to wait for her daughter. Seeing as Wendy was not moving she followed her husband inside. Stan looked to his girlfriend; The most mature girl of their grade, withering in her own anxiety. Wondering how she went from zero to one hundred so quickly.

In the same neighborhood on the same evening, Heidi put down her phone after receiving no text back from Eric. She understood he may have still been mad about her blowing off plans to deal with her parents, but none of her friends were giving her shit for the same reason. Besides, he left to party with Clyde and Kevin all the time. Heidi felt like she was living through a soap opera every time her parents opened their mouths.

It was a relatively peaceful evening so far. Both parents seemed cordial in eating their food quietly, so Heidi would take advantage of having a normal family dinner for once. She scooped her macaroni into her mouth as she looked to her mother.

"How was work?"

Nancy swallowed through a nod. "Good, honey. Thanks for asking."

"Did you ever get a deal in with the family from Denver?"

Nancy nodded. "They wanna take the condo."

Thomas scoffed which caught Heidi's attention. His wife ignored it.

"It was a better space for them than the place in Dark Meadows, they're having their first kid."

Thomas grunted something incomprehensible through a bite of macaroni.

Nancy cleared her throat. "Thomas?"

He shook his head. "Your office is struggling to pick up buyers, and you're selling them a condo over a place Dark Meadows?"

"Dad.." Heidi warned.

Nancy dropped her fork into the bowl. "I'm doing the best I can, Thomas. This is the best deal they would take."

"There are no chances of Sodosopa reviving."

"We've been over this!" Nancy snapped. "You had a perfectly good restaurant on Mainstreet before Sodosopa! You can move back there instead of betting on them rebuilding that whole district!"

"So, at rehearsal today-" Heidi tried to but in.

"We need income, Thomas!"

"And selling condos isn't gonna do that!"

"I can't convince a pregnant couple to buy a manor in Dark Meadows! They don't need all that space!"

"Miss Dotty is still being shady about me having cheerleading." Heidi laughed nervously. "But, with the Pep Rally coming up-"

"That damn retail office!" Thomas pounded his sturdy fist on the table, shaking the china which Heidi clutched. "Nancy, they're liabilities over there! No one from Denver is coming down here! Definitely not any wealthy buyers!"

"What am I supposed to do!? Go back to playing secretary for your restaurant!? Answering your clients' phone calls!?"

"Maybe if you did, Sodosopa wouldn't have screwed us over!"

"Oh for Christ's sake, Thomas-!"

"God, shut up! Just SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Heidi slammed the table, rattling the dishes. "Do me a favor and file for a divorce TOMORROW!"

Her parents for once weren't so focused on their wrath for each other.

"But, you probably couldn't do that either, cuz you'd just fight about it!" She stormed out, heading for the stairs as she breathed back her tears. She wasn't sure how much more her head and heart would be able to take this. She pulled out her phone to text a familiar face for comfort.

Eric, are you around? I need to talk, I'm going crazy...

Kyle ate his chicken and rice casserole with the rest of the Brofvloski family. The semester was going by so quickly and Kyle couldn't really say he's made too many memorable memories to commemorate. Everyone was busy with curriculars and applications and beyond that...meh. Maybe Heidi was right, Senior Year was just like any other passing year. After all, high school was not much to brag about anyway.

Community Charity Club kept him busy enough. He'd spent his whole weekend bussing back and forth to Greeley to help pack boxes for a student-organized food drive and clothing giveaway collaborating with Habitat for Humanity. They were sending packages to community houses and low-income residences all over the states. Speech and Debate had final decisions this week regarding the semester's closing. Their team had been a runner-up in the state, but not finals. Basketball was going on until Winter Pep week, they were playing during Spirit Day in fact. Before he knew it, Spring Baseball was gonna be starting up again. Winter break may just wizz by at this rate. His whole year he meant to remember as a good one might pass by with everyone so occupied.

"Kyle? You're not touching your casserole."

Kyle looked up at his mom taking notice of his deep thinking. "Oh, sorry, ma."

"What were you thinking about, bubbe?"

"It's just been busy," Kyle felt no need to lie. "I wanted to get more time in with friends but I think everyone is so scared about colleges."

Gerald cut into his casserole. "It's a busy year, Kyle. I'm sure Stan and the others want to hang out more but they're just as focused on things as you are."

"I guess.."

"I'm sure the Winter Formal will be a great time to see everyone," Sheila proposed.

Kyle looked between his parents. "Could I go to a small thing at Stan's after the dance?"

"Uh, who's going?"

"Stan, Wendy, some of the others."

"Well, that's fine Kyle, but," Gerald pointed his fork. "You made a promise to help Ike out with his dentist appointment and then drive him to his friend's birthday party. I'm at the office until nine and your mother is gonna be in Denver again."

"But, guys I just said-"

"Kyle, you made a commitment. The same as school, sports, and all your extras." His mother reminded him. "I know how hard you've been working, bubbe. And we really appreciate your help around the house. But, who else is gonna do it?"

Kyle took a look to his left at his younger brother. The twelve-year-old just ate his casserole in happy silence. Though he had some responsibility, their age gap meant Kyle was doing a lot of the carrying for some things.

"Can someone else drive him? Can he take the bus? Please?"

Sheila looked to Gerald, they knew it was a lot on Kyle but frankly, their son kept assuring he could handle it all. Maybe they'd taken I tiny bit advantage of that since, but, panning around everything now was just gonna make things more complicated. They didn't have time to consider any other option that was easier for Kyle.

"I'm sorry, bubbe. You promised to look out for your brother. We're all making sacrifices."

Kyle eyed his brother. "If Ike has four new cavities we're gonna be there forever.."

Ike scowled with a mouth full of casserole. "Hey!"

Kyle looked at his parents, leaving his fork by the side of his plate with an irritated scowl. "At Ike's age, I was reminding you of my own doctor appointments. When's he gonna catch up?"

Sheila gawked. "Kyle!"

He got up and headed for the stairs. "I'll make sure to make a commute when I go to Denver! Just call me whenever Ike needs a ride to his friend's house!"

"Kyle Brofvloski!"

He disappeared upstairs, taking out his phone and looking at missed notifications he got over dinner. In seeing Heidi's name flash across the screen, he opened their message feed for further inspection.

Eric's not answering, again. Free to talk?

Kyle texted back quickly, almost forgetting his frustration immediately.

For sure :)

Cartman picked up his phone from the bedside table, looking at the missed notifications from Heidi before turning on the Do Not Disturb option and tossing it to the carpeted floor. He rolled over, resting his arm behind his head with a hand on his bare chest. He stared at the ceiling above where he noticed the Justin Timberlake poster staring directly down at him, grimacing at the eyes of Timberlake just smoldering his way. He turned to his left, facing the head of long brown hair who rested on the other pillow of her own bed. A peach, pink-cheeked face smiled back at him.

"Pretty long for a short 'get together.'" She giggled.

Cartman huffed in a laugh. "You got me going I guess."

The eleventh-grade girl, Jessica, shifted over. Tossing her disregarded cheer uniform off the bed as she wrapped a bare arm across Cartman's chest. He chuckled warmly as Jessica gave him a kiss on the cheek and snuggled into his shoulder.

"I'll make sure to give you a wink from the gym floor during Pep." She whispered.

"I'll make sure to catch you after for a kiss.." Cartman murmured. He couldn't help but grin at the smell of her perfume crawling over him. "Fuck, you're hot."

Jessica flipped over to crawl atop him, kissing his lips. "Not so bad yourself."

Cartman couldn't admit that the attention he'd gotten from ladies like Jessica really got him wired. He had a great outlook on himself before but his weight loss and muscle gain from football got girls like Jessica's attention.

With Heidi reaching her bitchiest mood swing yet, Jessica was the hottest dealbreaker.

She played at his neck with kisses and nibbles as he looked up at the Timberlake poster again. Rolling his eyes slightly, he focused on Jessica's fondling. When the phone he'd thrown on the floor buzzed with a call he groaned as Jessica pulled back. He figured Heidi would have to call twice in one minute for it to have broken through the Do Not Disturb setting.

The girl above him sighed, looking at the lit-up phone. "Can't you tell her your busy?"

"She can figure that out."

Jessica rolled off Eric, bringing the sheets with her, including the ones on Cartman.

"Hey-!"

"You can have blue balls until you tell her to shut up."

"God, fine," Cartman sat up, reaching for the phone on the floor as he opened the text messages from Heidi. All the same, things he couldn't bother to care about when he had another sexy varsity cheerleader next to him. Parents fighting, school, the play, blah, blah, blah.

He texted in response; My mom needed help. I'm sorry, baby. Talk when I have the chance.

Cartman threw his phone back down. The next time he'd have the chance was when he was done dealing with the fine thing in the sheets next to him. He rolled over as Jessica squeaked in delight from Cartman taking over.

Kenny sat against the base of his bed, staring at the rough drafts of application letters he was supposed to turn in to the school counselor tomorrow. Ms. Yivon promised to help him with some of the application steps and come up with a school report before she signed in approval of accuracy. Karen sat next to him, munching on a bag of Hot Cheetos as she agreed to be the first pair of eyes to see what he'd come up with.

"What else do you have to include?" She asked through a Cheeto crunch.

"My application letter," Kenny carefully placed his draft for MIT next to his Standford's. "Seventy-five dollar fee, signed teacher reports, transcripts, and a mid-term report."

"So, what d'you need me for?" Karen asked through another crunch. Kenny winced in annoyance.

"First, don't get Cheeto dust on them," he took the bag from her. "I don't want Ms. Yivon giving me another lecture."

"'Kay, whatever." Karen wiped her fingers clean.

Kenny picked up one of the letters. "Can you proofread? Give me something the counselor won't?"

Karen took the paper. "Meaning what?"

"How interesting do I come off as?" Kenny suggested. "Like, too redneck? Or like, 'We want that redneck'."

Karen scanned the page. "If you don't mention mom's famous Texas corn nuggets, I don't think they'll think redneck."

Kenny snorted as the doorknob of his room twisted open. Kenny and Karen shoved the letters underneath his bed, wiping the carpet like a crime scene as Karen grabbed her Cheeto bag and went back to casual munching.

Their dad entered, holding the door open. "Karen, Imma talk to your brother."

Karen got to her feet, walking past her dad as Kenny switched from the floor to sit on his mattress. Stuart edged the door closed though the light of the hallway still peered in and crossed over Kenny's feet. He knew his dad well enough to know what levels of 'door-closing' meant. All the way shut was the worst sign. Left all the way open meant he was asking what Kenny wanted for dinner. Partially shut with a crack left open, Stuart was trying to get to the bottom of something.

"Your ma wants to know if you started them application letters for Colorado State."

Kenny swallowed. "Yeah, the counselor is helping. I was thinking of making one for University of Denver, too."

Stuart scratched his mustache, turning to leave. "'Kay, we'll just...gotta think about housing if you end up in Denver. Your counselor is helpin' you?"

"Yeah, she's signing the letter for proof of recommendation from my teachers."

Stuart stopped, looking back. "Your counselor is signing a recommendation letter for Colorado State?"

Kenny's eyes edged wide in realization. Even if Colorado State was a good public university, it definitely didn't need a counselor signature like an Ivy League would require. Stuart would still know that as well as Kenny.

"Just as," Kenny thought fast. He was not ready to break the news or he'd never get an Ivy League letter anywhere. "She wants to. They like giving recommendations for high GPA students."

Stuart paused. "Your...GPA is pretty good, eh?"

His son nodded.

"I'm proud of you, Ken." Stuart opened the door behind him. "Come help me in the garage. The truck's oil needs changing."

"Yeah, dad." Kenny agreed as his father left. He fell back on his bed. "Fuck.."

To be continued...

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Writing the Cartman scene was BLEHHHHH. Like what am I doingggg.