The weekend was a welcome relief though Stan didn't do much but lay around and watch some TV. He texted both Kyle and Cartman. Kyle took longer than usual to text back but when he did he let Stan know he still wasn't feeling well. Cartman just seemed annoyed Stan was even texting him.

Stan tried to put Kenny out of his mind but found himself wanting the weekend to hurry up and be over. He texted Cartman again on Sunday seeing if he could swing by but Cartman was clearly irritated and texted back that it wasn't a good time. Stan couldn't figure out if it was actually Cartman who didn't want to see him or Kenny or both. Cartman was usually up for doing whatever so Stan was a little confused, but then Kyle usually wasn't sick this early in the school year and Kenny hadn't been around for a few years so weird was the new normal.

Randy decided to give his son some tips on fighting and Stan was pretty sure his dad had developed a new interest in wrestling just for his sake. His eye did look pretty bad and his lip was swollen; he couldn't even remember being hit in the lip but he guess he must have been at some point.

Monday morning Stan arrived at school to find Kyle already there. Both mirrored each others' face of horror and shock when they saw each other. "The hell happened to you?" they both asked simultaneously. Stan shrugged it off. "Got into a fight." Kyle didn't respond right away. His eyes had dark bags under them and Stan suspected his friend hadn't slept all weekend.

"I'm still getting over the cold," Kyle offered weakly. Stan frowned growing more concerned. Kyle didn't lie to him often but he knew when he did and Kyle was definitely lying about his cold.

"You wanna go with me to see Cartman and Kenny?" Kyle's eyes narrowed and he tried to hide the fear that flickered in his eyes but Stan still picked up on it. When Kyle said nothing, Stan asked, "Are you okay, Kyle?"

Kyle nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. I just need to get to class. I'll see them in homeroom anyway," he said gently closing their locker and walking away. Stan stared after him at a total loss. He turned to go to his friends' locker but he was disappointed to find no one at their locker; they must have left for class already.

Stan's face must have looked worse than he thought as even Craig greeted him with shock and concern. Maybe his dad was right to be giving him fighting tips.

Things would only get stranger as Stan found himself alone at his locker at the start of the lunch period. Usually he and Kyle met there. He texted his friend confused. Kyle responded right away and told him he was getting help in one of his AP classes. Stan frowned at the text his confusion blossoming into worry. Kyle never needed help in classes; he was usually the one tutoring others sometimes even upperclassmen.

Stan had gotten help during lunch periods before in classes he struggled with and probably would this year, too, but usually anyone could get through the first week or two without using a lunch period for tutoring. Stan shook his head and headed towards the table he usually sat at. Craig, Tweek, and Butters were the only people already there. Stan sat down after giving everyone a slight wave.

There was a brief pause in conversation and Craig asked, "Where's Kyle? I heard he was here today."

Stan shrugged. "He said he needed help in a class so he's getting," Stan struggled to finish through his own confusion, "tutored."

The other three fell into complete silence at this. Tweek pulled at his hair. "Kyle?! Kyle needs a tutor?!" His left eye started twitching. "This year is going to be so hard if Kyle already needs a tutor!" Craig placed a hand on his shoulder trying to offer comfort to his distressed boyfriend.

Butters swallowed the food in his mouth. "Wow, I never thought I'd hear that Kyle needs tutoring."

"Me, either," Stan agreed. Butters was too polite to ask about Stan's face and Tweek was so jumped up about Kyle he either didn't notice or was too scared to ask.

Two plates were set on the table across from Stan as Kenny and Cartman joined the group. "What are you weirdos blabbing on about?" Cartman greeted the table. "Stan, your face looks like shit."

Kenny sat quietly and shot Stan a quick worried look before looking down at his plate. Stan only met his eyes for a second before Kenny looked away. Stan frowned. Kenny's orange hood was pulled loosely over his head further obscuring his face. He hadn't worn the hood much last week and definitely not at lunch.

Stan rolled his eyes. "Thanks for noticing, Cartman."

Tweek just grunted and pulled at his hair despite Craig trying to offer comfort. Butters shook his head. "Hey, fellas, we were just talking about Kyle needing tutoring."

Cartman's fork fell from his hand and clattered to the floor. "No. Way." Joy shone in his eyes and a slow happy smile that looked insane quirked across his mouth. "That little Jew is finally being knocked down a peg! About damn time! Yes!" Cartman raised his fist in victory. "I should have bought a cake, this is the best day of my life!" Stan kicked Cartman under the table hard. Cartman hissed. "Jesus, Stan, let me have my moment."

Stan shook his head unhappy. "I'm worried about him. It looked like he hadn't slept all weekend and when he gets sick it's pretty bad."

Cartman took a sip of his drink. "Aww, that's cute, Stan, you worried about your boyfriend? You guys are such fags, I swear."

Craig's hands hit the table with an unusual amount of force. "We are right here, dude. Me and Tweek are literally right here."

Cartman looked sincerely confused, whether it was actual confusion or faked, who knew. "So, what does that have to do with anything? I don't get what your point is."

"That is my point." Craig grumbled lowly sensing he was fighting a losing battle.

"Oh, get over yourself," Cartman shot back, "don't be so sensitive, you'll kill yourself before high school is over with, Craig. Or you'll become a weird ass hippie like this one here," he said pointing across the table at Stan.

Stan and Craig both made to protest while Tweek pulled at his hair some more starting to freak out that his boyfriend was about to get into a fight. Butters attempted a weak, "Hey fellas" but Kenny's voice rose over everyone's at the table.

"Stop! Please, just everyone stop." He gave the table a sweeping glance actually meeting everyone's eyes briefly before looking back down, hair and hood obscuring his face once again. Everyone was quiet, even Tweek let go of his hair and looked down unsure what to do with his nervous energy.

"Damn," Cartman grumbled, "I should disappear for a few years so everyone will just listen to me anytime I speak."

"You never shut up," Stan countered. He stood up suddenly no longer hungry and feeling unusually tired. He couldn't banter with Cartman today at least not at Kyle or Kenny's expense.

Butters looked over at Stan. "You're finished already Stan? You just got here," he pointed out. At least nothing could ever change Butters or so it seemed.

Stan nodded. "Yeah, I'm not feeling great myself," he admitted. He was being honest, he really didn't feel good. He walked away from the table not really sure where he was going to go for the rest of the lunch period. Maybe he should just go home. It was within easy walking distance.

"Whatever," Cartman waved him off.

"I hope you feel better, Stan," Butters called after him. Stan didn't turn around but lifted a hand to indicate he had heard. He didn't hear Cartman's "Godamnit Kenny." He didn't realize he had company until he had vanished from the cafeteria to the hallways. He stopped to turn around and as he suspected it was Kenny who had followed.

"Kenny?" Stan asked. Kenny only lifted his head enough so that he could meet Stan's inquisitive gaze. He sighed after a second and held his head up so that his hood fell off, he tucked some hair behind a ear, taking in Stan's face.

"Your face," he said softly. "I'm so sorry."

Stan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If he heard Kenny apologize one more time for anything he might turn into Tweek and start screaming and kicking things in neuroticism. "It's not a big deal, really. It's not the first time I got into a fight."

"I wouldn't call that a fight," Kenny pointed out.

"Still, not the first time someone's socked me one," Stan grinned through his swollen lips. "My dad is Randy Marsh after all, what can one expect?"

Kenny returned the smile for a quick second and Stan's heart skipped a beat. What was happening to him? Kenny stuck his hands back in his pockets ignoring the scathing glares a couple students gave him as they passed by, he leaned lightly against the lockers, closing his eyes.

"You tired?" Stan asked.

Kenny shrugged. "Eric's house isn't exactly a quiet place."

Stan laughed out loud at this. "Really? Cartman? He's not quiet?"

Kenny grinned again and it was clear he knew it would be no surprise to anyone that knew Cartman that he wasn't a quiet person. Stan quieted down before looking more seriously at Kenny. "Are you okay though?"

"I'm fine," Kenny said in the most reassuring tone he could.

"You know, if you need anything I'm here," Stan offered.

"I know."

Cartman came up behind Kenny. "Seriously, Kenny, you need to actually fucking eat food before you throw it away or don't get anything. There are people starving in Alabama."

Kenny pulled his hood back over his head and looked down, the blonde strands falling forward. It was like Kenny just vanished even though he was right there. Stan said nothing as the two walked off to their own class. Maybe he really would go home. He went to his locker to see if he could catch Kyle before the lunch period was over. If he knew his best friend, Kyle would likely be getting his books out for the next class.

Sure enough, Kyle was standing in front of an open locker, reaching in for a book. Stan sped up his pace worried Kyle would vanish if he didn't catch up now. "Hey, how was….. tutoring?"

"Huh?" Kyle glanced at him confused.

"You said you were being tutored and that's why you couldn't eat lunch with us today," Stan reminded him.

"Oh, oh yeah. It went."

Stan waited for Kyle to continue but when it became clear he wasn't Stan gingerly asked, "Kyle, is everything okay? You don't usually need tutoring and I know you were sick and didn't sleep much….." he trailed off. Kyle turned back to him surprised.

"Are you okay? You've been spacing out, have a shiner, and a busted lip," he pointed out.

"Yeah, but that's not totally out of the norm for me. I've had black eyes and busted lips before. And I've spaced out before, not as badly as I have the last few days but still. You have never needed a tutor. Ever." Stan took a deep breath. "Kyle, what are you hiding?"

Kyle slammed the locker shut. "Nothing, Stan! It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does!"

"No, it really doesn't!" Kyle shook his head. "You wouldn't understand." He stalked off, clearly upset. Stan was stunned and stared after him again for a second time that day confused and sensing déjà vu. Hadn't he just had a pretty similar conversation with Kenny the week before? He scratched his head. What the hell is going on?

Stan wound up going home after all, feeling upset at everything and everyone. It turned out he was actually ill, too, as he did puke some once he was home. Maybe Kyle was being more honest with him than he was giving him credit for. Still, he knew Kyle was definitely lying about being tutored and he wasn't just sick on the weekend. There was something else.

Stan spent the next day home sick and got a few texts from several friends; he assured them he was fine, he had just gotten a stomach virus. He returned to school on Wednesday only to be surprised that Kyle was out again. The day was rather uneventful as even Cartman was a little unsettled by Kyle's unusual absences.

Stan was ready for when he saw Kyle again on Thursday at their locker before school started. "Kyle, what the hell is going on for real?" Kyle had ignored his concerned texts the day before.

Kyle shook his head. "Seriously, Stan, it's- it's not something I can really explain."

"Can you try?"

"I have been trying."

"How?"

"I just- I can't- I don't really understand it myself."

"Have you talked to anyone about it? Maybe the school counselor or a therapist or something?"

Kyle snorted, finding this notion hilarious. "Definitely not. I'd be put in an institution."

Stan's heart stopped short at this declaration. "What- what do you mean? You're not hurting yourself or anything are you?" Oh god, was Stan going to have to have this conversation with all of his friends?

Kyle was taken aback. "No, no, of course not." He finally found the book he was looking for out of their locker and closed it.

Stan gestured with his hands totally at a loss. "But- then- why- why would you be put in an institution? Unless you're planning to hurt yourself or… someone…else…?"

"What?!" Kyle screeched, insulted. "No, definitely not. I'm not hurting myself or planning to hurt anyone else. That's ridiculous!"

"Then I don't understand…"

It was Kyle's turn to gesture with his hands in frustration. "That's what I've been trying to tell you! I don't even understand it." Cartman's voice was heard from further down the hallway. Kyle looked past Stan and fear flickered briefly across his face. If you'd blinked you would have missed it. It was the second time Stan had seen that fear. "I have to leave," Kyle said hurriedly and rushed off. Stan turned and made a beeline for Cartman.

"Cartman, what the fuck? Did you do something to Kyle?" he demanded surprising both Cartman and Kenny.

"In his dreams maybe," Cartman responded. "Why, jealous?"

Stan pointed at Cartman. "Seriously, dude, leave him alone. Just fuck off." He turned around with that.

"What the hell, Stan?" Cartman called after him. "That was uncalled for, asshole!"

Stan was still fuming and didn't respond. Cartman's response wasn't exactly what he had been hoping for. It didn't confirm or deny that Cartman had a hand in causing Kyle to act so weird but it definitely made him doubt Cartman was the source of that fear.

Stan slinked into his desk and slumped downwards trying to quiet all the racing thoughts in his mind. Craig's voice brought him back to reality. "Stan, are you going to Token's this weekend?"

"Why?"

"He's having his back to school party. You know he's been doing this since we were in seventh grade. Are you going?" Craig was giving him that odd look again.

"Yeah," Stan said straightening in his desk. He loved Token's back to school parties, end of year parties, summer parties, Token just liked throwing parties; his house was big enough, his parents were out of town on business often and Token seemed to have a never ending supply of really expensive alcohol.

Holiday parties, spring parties, Token was throwing them. Sometimes they were tons of fun, other times they fizzled out fast and just found a smaller group playing video games, either way, Stan got free beer, vodka, wine, rum, tequila, whatever your poison was, Token had it. And Stan sure loved all those poisons. He wasn't really sure if Token had drugs because he was always hanging around the bar area getting drinks and getting drunk.

Kyle had only been to one party and he had left early. He was too high strung for parties. So was Wendy. She dated Token but she had only been to one party herself. Butters had been to a couple and got grounded for getting home late and having alcohol although he hadn't drank it on purpose; someone had spiked his lemonade. Even though he'd been caught Butters had never told his parents where he had gotten the drinks from or who had thrown the party.

"Good," Craig said with a slight smile. "I'm guessing Kenny will show up since Cartman's always at those parties despite never being invited."

Stan nodded and chuckled. "That's true, he acts like he's the one throwing them."

"Do you think Kyle will show up?"

Stan shrugged. "I kind of doubt it."

"Maybe you can talk him into it? Guy is acting weirder than usual and way more high strung. Needs to loosen up."

Stan certainly couldn't argue with that. He didn't see Kyle again that day as the other boy never returned to their locker. Stan sent him a couple texts but didn't receive a reply.

The next morning found Stan at their locker before Kyle. He leaned against it, waiting for his best friend. Kyle approached and looked worse than he had the day before. Stan pushed himself off the locker and gave his friend a concerned look. "You still aren't sleeping?"

"No, I just can't."

"Have you taken anything for it? Like melatonin?"

Kyle gave Stan an odd look and shook his head. "Thanks for the advice but no. I'm hoping I can catch up on sleep this weekend."

Stan laced his fingers together and clasped his hands in front of his face the classic symbol of begging if you weren't praying though he supposed the two could be intertwined. "Please, please, please, come to the party this weekend, Kyle," he blurted. "It'll be good for you and it'll probably help you sleep after." Maybe.

"Stan, you know I don't usually go to parties. I have to study and stuff."

"Please?" Stan tried to pout and look as innocent as possible. Kyle did need to have fun, Craig was right, Kyle was getting really wound up- pretty soon he would just be a red-headed Tweek. "It'll be so much more fun if you're there!"

Kyle gave a long suffering sigh. "Fine. I'll go. But just for a bit," he clarified.

Stan clapped his hands excited. "Yes! This will be awesome!"

"Also, I'm not eating lunch with you, I have to go to that class again."

"Are you serious?!" Stan asked incredulous. "Again? You haven't eaten lunch with us all week! Even the day I was out, the guys said you went to that class."

"I said I was going to the party, Stan." There was a warning in Kyle's tone and Stan knew that meant to drop it.

"Okay, okay. Got it." Stan grinned despite himself. He couldn't wait for this party.