(A/N: Does anyone else have a friend banned from multiple Waffle Houses? Anyway, thank you, thank you and enjoy! As always, apologies for typos!)

Kyle wasn't surprised to find Stan already at their locker the next morning. "Good morning," he greeted him. Stan grinned at him and Kyle was a little taken aback at how happy his best friend was. "Everything going well?" he asked jokingly.

"Perfect!" Stan beamed at him.

"Oh?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow. "So, what you asked Kenny about Cartman? Or you and Kenny kissed again?" He folded his arms across his chest, looking smug and impressed with himself as if he was positive he already knew the answer.

Stan shook his head, but his smile remained. "No, actually. But Kenny and Cartman came by last night and ate dinner. It went really well!" Kyle uncrossed his arms and couldn't help but return Stan's infectious smile.

"That's great, it's really good to hear," Kyle said sincerely, more than happy to hear that Stan was making progress with Kenny despite his own doubts regarding the two's budding relationship. He wanted to tell Stan that he was doing much more than he realized, including sparing Kyle from the horrors of multiple funerals but that would just wind up upsetting Stan and it was uplifting to see his best friend in such a good mood.

"Will you be around for lunch later?"

Kyle shrugged. "Guess it depends on how well me and Cartman get along this morning."

"I'm not going to get my hopes up if that's the case," Stan teased, still smiling. "Are you eating breakfast?"

"No, I already ate. Are you?"

"Yeah, I packed." He held up his lunchbox proudly. "I made muffins."

Kyle eyed him dubiously. "Muffins? What kind?" Stan always had interesting versions of food.

"Double chocolate beet."

Kyle tried not to look too grossed out. "Beets? In muffins? That just sounds wrong."

"They're really good," Stan insisted, snapping open his lunchbox and displaying a muffin for Kyle. "Try it. I packed extra." Kyle hesitated, eyeing the muffin disdainfully. Stan sighed. "Kenny would try it."

"Good for Kenny. But I'm Kyle." Regardless, he grabbed the muffin and took a bite into it. He chewed slowly, savoring the taste, not wanting to flatter his friend too much, fearing Stan might get a big head if he knew how good the food was. "It's pretty good," he finally stated after swallowing. "I'm sure Kenny will be impressed."

"I hope so," Stan leaned against the locker again, waiting for Kenny. Kyle stayed with him while he waited. And waited. They filled in the time with talk about classes while Kyle watched Stan become more agitated with each passing minute.

"Maybe they're absent today?" he finally offered up when it was clear that Cartman and Kenny would not be swinging by their locker as they usually did.

"Yeah, maybe," Stan agreed with worry, having long lost his appetite. "I hope he's not sick again."

"Same. The bell's about to ring so we should head to class." With that said, both headed in the direction of their classes.

Stan slid into his desk at homeroom, concern darkening his features. Both Cartman and Kenny had appeared in good health last night, he hoped none of the food had upset their stomachs. He was fine and, as far as he knew, Shelly and his parents were okay, too.

"Morning, Stan," Craig greeted him, actually showing up after him for once. "I'm surprised you're already here, you're almost always late to all the classes we have together." He waited a beat for an answer, but when he didn't get one, he went on, "So what happened yesterday? Did you ask Kenny about that stuff with Cartman?" His voice was nasally as always and though it sounded like he was disinterested, Stan knew he truly cared.

"No, I was going to ask this morning, but I guess he's absent today."

Craig frowned. "Me and Tweek saw him this morning."

Stan spun to face him fully. "What? Where?" Craig went to answer but the teacher called the class to attention and began the lesson, much to Stan's disappointment. Where? He mouthed to Craig again, unsure if he could actually wait until the end of class to find out.

Outside, Craig mouthed in answer to the question. Some of the kids would hang out outside until the first warning bell rang and they were forced to enter the building for classes.

Stan looked down at his desk, concerned. That was unusual, maybe Cartman and Kenny were just running late? Craig and Tweek usually hung around outside, quite a few couples did so he doubted they were actually late. He hoped to see Kyle at their locker after class, Kyle had both of them in his homeroom. Maybe they'd been tardy. Unease was creeping through Stan; things were going so well, was there something he'd overlooked? Craig shot him a few concerned looks throughout class, knowing that Stan was just waiting for the period to end at this point. He kept an eye out in case the teacher called on him, but, thankfully, she never did. Class ended and Stan dashed off, not bothering to even bid him good-bye.

"Kyle!" Stan exclaimed through gasped breaths, having hurried to their locker. Kyle had just approached, apprehensively. "Was Kenny in class? Craig said he saw him this morning."

Kyle shifted from one foot to the other. "Yeah, he and Cartman were already in class when I got there." So they had not been late to school. Kyle remembered being surprised when entering the classroom to see the two already there, Token also puzzled by Cartman and Kenny's early appearance, shooting a questioning glance Kyle's way. All their friends knew the two usually went to Stan and Kyle's locker in the morning to see Stan. Kyle could only shrug at Token's unspoken question. Now he stood in front of Stan, still just as clueless. He didn't like the way his best friend's face fell at the information or the hurt that sparked in his eyes.

"Did they say why?" Stan asked, knowing Kyle would understand what he meant.

Kyle sighed. "No, I didn't get to ask, I was running late myself and then when the dismissal bell ran, Kenny kind of took off. Cartman followed him." Kyle had known instantly that this had to be Kenny's idea because Cartman himself had shot him an apologetic look, an incredibly rare occurrence.

"I wonder what happened? Maybe I upset him?"

"I doubt that." Kyle shook his head. "Maybe he's just overwhelmed. A lot has been happening. He still showed up, so that's good, right?"

"I guess," Stan muttered uncertainly.

"Either way, you'll get to see him at lunch or in the class you have with him."

"Yeah." The unease was still there and Stan wanted to go and find Kenny and Cartman and demand to know what was happening, but the warning bell was signalling for the students to go to the next period. Stan sighed defeatedly and trudged to class, resigning himself to waiting until lunch to see what was going on.

The wait was agonizing and the mystery continued through lunch. Craig, Tweek, Butters, and even Kyle all sat awkwardly at their lunch table, trying to tactfully avoid the subject of their two missing friends who were obviously in school but choosing not to eat with them. Kyle wasn't sure what to say, he'd waited at their locker with Stan and then followed Stan to Cartman and Kenny's locker, only to find no one there. Both had taken notice that there were more hateful words on it, but neither spoke of it. They weren't sure how long it'd been there as the cruel scribbling looked faded. Kyle definitely wasn't going to let Stan eat lunch alone in the state he was falling into. Kyle sighed, having no appetite, his taco tasting like dirt in his mouth, as his fears were starting to come true. Kenny wasn't stable or reliable, one couldn't even depend on him to actually stay alive. He hated seeing Stan so agitated and hurt, even if he was all too familiar with it at this point, having experienced it too often with the funerals. This was different in a way, though, the hurt was coming from that hated feeling of rejection that nearly everyone experienced in their lifetime. Still, it didn't make the situation any easier.

Craig and Tweek exchanged a couple glances, each uncertain what to say. It's not as if they could pretend that Cartman and Kenny weren't at school. Clyde was there, but too busy on his phone to even really take note of the tension and unease in the air. Butters cleared his throat.

"I hope I didn't do anything to upset Eric and Kenny," he mumbled softly, also having no appetite, stabbing mindlessly at his teriyaki chicken. "They always eat with us." His feelings were hurt and it was obvious to everyone else at the table.

"Gah! IhopeIdidn'tdoanythingeither!" Tweek cried out in distress, right eye twitching at the thought. Craig groaned inwardly.

Kyle looked at Butters. "I don't think it's anything any of us did," he stated slowly, thoughtful. "I just think maybe he needed a break."

"From us?" Butters asked, horrified. "Eric does get mad awfully easy, but Kenny doesn't really get mad Just sad," he finished quietly before brightening a bit. "Oh! But he hasn't seemed as sad since he started hanging around with you, Stan." Stan looked over at their friend wearily. The next words surprised him. "He's even been eating the food you make him." Butters smiled at their friend. "It must be really yummy!"

Stan looked away, saying nothing and Kyle smiled sympathetically at Butters who looked even more hurt at Stan's lack of response. "It's okay, Butters, thanks," Kyle thanked him in place of Stan.

"You guys all worry too much," Clyde piped up from his seat, still staring down attentively at his phone. "If you want, Stan, I can tweet about it or make some comments on Facebook or something."

"How would that help?" Kyle demanded, irritated.

Clyde shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe people would ask around and put the pressure on and then they'd have to tell us why."

"Really? Just looks like it'd drive them further away to me, especially Kenny," Kyle pointed out. "Besides, Cartman's always on that stuff, too, anyway, he'd just head off anything you tried."

"Oh yeah." Clyde pouted for a moment before tuning his friends back out and typing something into his phone. Kyle stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was up to but decided not to press the matter.

Stan sighed and stood up suddenly. He handed an extra sandwich over to Butters. "It's avocado chickpea with tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions," he explained as Butters hesitantly accepted it, shooting everyone else at the table a worried look.

"Where are you going?" Craig asked before Kyle could.

Stan shrugged. "I don't know." With that, he turned and headed towards the exit, disappearing from the cafeteria leaving behind a very concerned group of friends. Stan wandered to his and Kyle's locker, not really sure what he would do with the rest of the lunch period. He stared at his phone, debating if he should shoot off a text to Cartman; he was so confused. Clearly, it had to be him they were avoiding. Avoidance wasn't one of Cartman's strong suits so he figured Kenny must really be pressing the matter. He sighed again, wondering where they possibly could have gone to lunch. Maybe the library? Or the other cafeteria that usually only the upper classmen used during lunch.

"Stan." Kyle was there, concerned. "You know I wasn't just going to let you hang out by yourself the rest of the lunch period, right?"

"Sorry, just trying to work out what could have happened." Stan ran a hand through his hair, distressed. "I need to find him and ask what's going on."

Kyle pursed his lips, trying to think of the best way to approach the matter. "You know there's this Yiddish proverb that I think we can apply here: 'No good comes from hurrying.'"

"What does that mean? I shouldn't go and find him?"

"No, maybe just not right now at school. You can always see him afterwards, right? If you were to find him now, he could just rush off when the bell rang."

"I hate it that you always make so much sense."

"Perks of being brilliant." Kyle grinned, happy to see a small smile lighting up Stan's face. "Besides, he might come to you before school is over. You never know." He paused. "Did you text Cartman about it?"

"I wanted to, but wasn't sure how to ask." He looked at his phone again before pocketing it. "But maybe I'll just do that. I mean, they did show up at my house last night unannounced so maybe I should return the favor."

"Don't you have a class with them?"

"Yeah, but I don't think they'll be there." He wasn't wrong as he sat alone at their table in art class, feeling more upset and disappointed than he had in a very long time. He replayed the evening before in his mind's eye, trying to determine if there was something he'd missed. Was this because his dad had brought up Kevin and Karen? Surely, that couldn't be it, but, somehow, he suspected it to be the case. They had made so much progress though, he thought dishearteningly. He recalled Kyle telling him it would take time, a lot of time. Maybe he had been rushing, after all, even if he didn't realize it. Maybe Kyle was right and Kenny just needed a break. Either way, he would be going to Cartman's after school because he needed to know. If Kenny needed him to ease up, he would. Maybe he just needed some reassurance.

School was finally over and Stan had gone straight home with plans to go to Cartman's after. Initially, he'd planned to go right to his friend's house, but his courage ebbed away as the dismissal bell neared and once it rang, he realized he might need a minute to recoup and then head over. He wished Kyle could come, but he was busy with Ike that afternoon. Stan stood in front of the fridge in the kitchen, the door swung wide open, his hand on the handle. Both his parents were out, he wasn't sure where to and his sister had yet to return from school so he assumed she was likely out with friends. He stared at the contents in the fridge, conflicted with himself. He knew he should just leave and go straight to Cartman's but another part of him just wanted to grab his father's six pack and throw it back. He debated whether or not it would help if he did have one before he left, but Cartman had been acting real funny about alcohol around him, what if he smelled it? Sighing, he closed the door shut and pressed his back up against it, slumping down to the kitchen tiles. Reaching behind, he pulled out his phone that was already sticking out of his back pocket, scrolling down until he found the name he was looking for.

Wendy answered the phone almost right away; it was unusual for any of her friends to call without texting first so she usually assumed it was important if they went straight to calling. "Stan?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise. They were still good friends, but they weren't exactly phone buddies and no longer called each other often, it felt kind of like she was in middle school again.

"Hey, Wendy, can I ask you something?" Stan hoped his voice didn't sound as heavy as he felt.

Wendy waited a beat before replying. "Of course you can. What's going on?"

It was a struggle to find the words to explain his thoughts. "I know I- uh- drink often, and I have been working on it." Wendy chimed in with a quick yeah at him clarifying that he'd been working on it because it was true. He had been drinking less and less and Wendy was happy for him; the drinking had always been an issue for them. They'd recently had a brief conversation in school about it and Wendy suspected Stan was so wrapped up in the stuff with Kenny, he'd had a little less time to drink. She encouraged him to keep talking and he went on, "Uhm, you know I've been hanging out with Kenny a lot?" Another yeah for confirmation and Stan continued, "Kenny was at school today, but he avoided me and I kind of just want to drink before I go over there and ask about it. Or just drink." He sighed defeatedly. He knew Wendy would be honest; she knew him well enough. Unlike Kyle, she was more than aware of his past with alcohol, something Stan tried to keep hidden from his friends after his childhood experience of being excluded from the group for a bitter attitude. Wendy knew, though, and he was sure Cartman did. Cartman didn't usually care and it's not like Stan ever wanted to impress Cartman. Except for now. Because it felt like he had to be on Cartman's good side in order to see Kenny.

"Don't beat yourself up, Stan. Of course it's upsetting if someone avoids you at school, especially someone you've been getting on really well with. Most people probably would want a drink," she was quick to assure Stan. She never liked it when people were too hard on themselves; they were setting themselves up for disappointment and failure. "But, in your case, you don't like to stop." Wendy knew that brutal honesty could hurt but it could also help and she hoped this was helpful. It did hurt Stan, but he couldn't protest as he knew she was speaking the truth. He listened as she went on. "Just go over there and ask them what's up, skip the drink." When she didn't get a response right away, she offered, "Do you want me to go with you?"

Stan considered for a minute before shaking his head and then remembering that she couldn't see him. "No, but thanks. You're right. I'll go over there now."

"Good." Wendy's voice was a reassuring. "Go over there. Let me know how it turns out, okay?" Stan assured her he would before ending the phone call and leaving out the door.

He found himself in front of Cartman's house, staring down the door, trying to work up the courage to ring the bell or just knock. Even though Wendy offered to go with him, he believed he needed to do this himself. He finally pressed down on the bell. There was some rustling around on the other side of the door and he could have sworn he heard Cartman's snippy voice muttering something on the other side of the door. Finally, it yanked open to reveal Cartman.

"Stan, hey. I figured you'd be over."

"Yeah." Stan tried to see beyond Cartman, wondering if Kenny was near the door. "You guys didn't eat lunch with us or come to art or stop by this morning."

Cartman looked grim. "About that. You'll have to talk to Kenny." So it was as both Stan and Kyle suspected, Cartman was just going along with what Kenny wanted, whatever that was. Cartman opened the door wider, inviting Stan inside. "He's downstairs," he explained when he noticed Stan looking around.

"Did I do something?" Stan stood inside the doorway, suddenly unsure if he wanted to go downstairs, finding Cartman's presence and straightforwardness to be comforting.

Cartman shrugged. "You gotta ask him. I don't get it, either, believe me. More annoying than anything else."

"Is he mad at me?" Stan didn't like how vulnerable his voice sounded even to his own ears.

Cartman shot him an amused look. "I don't think that's possible." He waved his hand towards the kitchen that led to the basement. "You know how to get there."

Stan cast a quick doubtful glance at Cartman but followed directions and descended into the basement. Kenny was there on the sectional sofa staring blankly at the television that was powered off. "Kenny?" The other boy was clearly startled by his presence and jumped slightly, head turning to him quickly. His eyes were big and there was dismay and sorrow shining in them. Stan approached the sectional hesitantly and lowered himself to where he was sitting next to his friend. "Kenny," Stan started slowly, grasping at the other's hand and hoping that was still okay. Kenny didn't wretch out of his grip so he assumed it was. "Did I do something?" Stan remembered the last time they had been down here alone. He tightened his grip on Kenny's hand, squeezing as gently as he could.

"Stan." And for a second Kenny couldn't bear to look at Stan, looking everywhere but at him until finally dragging himself to look the other in the eyes, fearful of the words that he knew were about to tumble out of his mouth. "I, uh," he averted his eyes, finding he couldn't hold the gaze despite how much he wanted to. He curled his free hand up on his knees, wishing he could disappear into himself. He sighed, disappointed with himself and lifted the one free hand up to pull at his hair in distress.

Stan watched as Kenny started pulling at his hair, always a clear signal that he was overwhelmed and unable to think straight. He leaned closer hoping to distract Kenny from pulling on his hair. "Is this because of what my dad said last night? When he mentioned your brother and sister?" Kenny automatically stiffened and Stan bit down a sigh. Bingo.

"I'm sure they're around." Kenny's eyes cast about the room they were in, searching out his siblings' spirits with a kind of desperation Stan hadn't quite seen yet. Agitated, Kenny met Stan's eyes again. "I have to talk to them. I have to make sure it's okay- they'll be mad! They're angry about it." Stan ignored the sinking of his heart again, learning how to become numb to that sensation as he listened to Kenny babble.

"What are they angry about?"

"Cartman- he said it out loud yesterday after dinner. On our way home." His expression turned apologetic. "I'm sorry. They're probably upset with you, too, now."

"What did Cartman say?" Stan's voice remained steady and his hand comfortingly squeezed Kenny's again.

Kenny looked away and at the floor. "I'm scared to say it again," he confessed truthfully. After a couple seconds passed, he looked at Stan again. "They might hear." A whisper and Stan himself was fighting back tears because none of this seemed very fair to him. He wanted to pull Kenny in close and reassure him that he was safe, but he was scared, too. It was like he'd found a trapped animal and it was common knowledge that trapped animals ran away from rescuers, driven by their basic instinct to survive and escape any situation they might perceive as dangerous. Stan was starting to worry that Kenny might view him like that if he pushed too much right now.

"It's okay. If you can't say it again, it's fine. I just want you to feel comfortable around me."

Kenny finally squeezed his hand back and looked about the room again before locking eyes with Stan. "But I do want to say it. Cartman said it and he was right. I'm just sure they're upset about it and I'm scared for you."

"Why are you scared for me?" Stan wasn't prepared for the answer he got and it felt like he'd had the wind knocked right out of him.

"Because I love you."