There are Always Two Sides...
"Kyle! Kyle! Kyle!" With a groan I wrap myself further inside of my cocoon of covers trying hard to block out my mother's call for me. I'm not ready to wake up yet. "Kyle!"
"What ma?!" I shout, sitting up in my huge bed. I don't get a reply, so I flop back on the bed. A few minutes later my mom bursts inside of my room.
"Bubbala, why are you still in bed? Get up, you have school today."
"I know ma, its only," I glance over at my phone as it lay charged up on my bedside table, "6:30. I still have at least thirty minutes before having to wake up." My mom sits on the edge of my bed and she kind of looks too fuzzy in this dark room right now.
"What's wrong with leaving a little bit early today."
"W-what? Ma, I need sleep okay? I have a Math test today and a English presentation and I need to be fully rested." I try to reason, but knowing my mom she understands, she just doesn't think it's important compared to whatever she's up to now.
"Please, bubbala. Ike needs to be to school early today." My mother finally says and I know my face doesn't express how incredulous I feel right now.
"Why?" I ask instead of screaming out an obscene 'NO'.
"He has to make up a test he missed last Friday. He had to come home earlier because he wasn't feeling well." I just stare blankly at my mom for a while. I'm not so much glaring at her as I am screaming inside of my head.
"Fine." I say finally and push away my soft and warm blue covers, climbing out of bed.
"Thank you bubbala! I have breakfast ready downstairs if you want."
"Thanks ma, but I'm not really hungry." I tell her as she goes over to my large windows and opens the silk grey curtains, revealing the little sunlight there is. I cringe away from the light, and head into my bathroom.
The first thing on my to do list is having a well needed piss before quickly jump inside of my shower and washing off for ten minutes. After getting the shampoo out of my hair I get out and wrap a soft white towel around my waist. I dry my hair and pick out a pair of black jeans that are ripped at the knees and a long sleeve green polo to wear today. I throw on some black vans and a grey ring on my thumb and run a hand through my curls on my head and make a note to go in for a haircut this week.
Throwing my towel in my bin in the bathroom I make my bed, grab my keys, phone, bag and leave. All within twenty minutes and I'm downstairs, I immediately walk into the kitchen and to the refrigerator to grab a powerade. My dad stock up on these like crazy and over the years I've grown to love them. I crack the top and take a deep gulp before focusing my attention on Ike who's sitting at the island in the middle of the kitchen looking at something on his phone. He doesn't seem to feel me staring at him, so after killing half the bottle of powerade I make my presence known.
"Ike," I call and he looks startled for a moment before noticing it's me. He smiles, "You have to be to school early right?" I ask and he nods before pocketing his phone in his back pocket and standing. We make our way to the foyer and I grab my leather jacket and Ike a random zip up jacket and his backpack.
"We're leaving ma!" Ike calls upstairs, before walking out to my car. I close the door behind us and lock it. I unlock the car door and Ike and I get inside. I start the car up and pull out of the driveway quickly before speeding down the street. Glancing over at Ike I see that he has his phone back out. Am I not that interesting to talk to anymore? I slow all the way down as the light turns yellow and soon it turns red. I could've made it, and I usually would have but fuck it and the people honking behind me.
"So, you missed a test last week," I start slowly.
"Yeah," Ike says absently before looking at me, "Why?"
"You didn't mention that you were sick last Friday."
"So? Its not like you could have did anything about it."
"Yeah, but" The light turns green and I continue driving "I could've took you home and made you like soup or got you medicine."
"Right." Ike says shortly.
"Plus I'm your brother aren't we supposed to tell each other things like this."
"Yeah, I thought so too. Doesn't seem like it lately though." He says sharply.
I ignore Ike's tone and instead ask, "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Ike heaves a heavy sigh, "I barely see you anymore. The only time I get to see you other than around school, which is not much by the way seeing as I'm just a freshman, and at home. And even then all you want to do is study and sleep." Ike spits out as I flip on my turn signal and switch lanes and stop at another red light.
"I know and I'm sorry. I know I've been really unavailable lately and we need to spend more time together. I want to know more about what is going on with you."
"Okay, thanks. Well...I guess I can start by telling you that I almost got in a fight last Friday and that's why I missed the test."
"Wait, what? Did I hear that right? Mr. I'm Einstein reincarnated actually got in a fight?"
"Shut up. I said almost."
"Who was it?" I ask instantly.
"Filmore."
"What? No, I thought you and Filmore were cool, practically best friends. Why does he want to fight you?"
"Well, things change." I dont say anything to that. What am I supposed to say to that? "Filmore is mad that I'm with Ruby." Ike says after a moment. "He thinks I stole her away from him."
"Did you?"
"No! He's my best friend and I've known him since pre-k and no, I wouldn't do that."
"Then why do you think he feels this way?"
"Because he kind of already had a crush on Ruby and-"
"He told you." I state.
"Yeah," Ike admits, rubbing the back of his neck, "And I got with her anyway. I mean why not? I liked Ruby as well and she said she was interested in me. Look I know I fucked up, but right now I just need some brotherly advice on what to do.
"I don't want to tell you what to do. But I will advise that you both talk it out. Tell him that you wasn't trying to steal Ruby."
"If only it was that simple. I mean I don't want to sound like Im weak or anything and begging for us to be best friends again I just want him to know that it's not what it seems." Ike says and he sounds...guilty.
"What do you mean?" I ask, pulling closer to the high school.
"I was just so sad, so confused. And I did really like her."
"Ike..." I try not to sound as worried as I feel right now. Although, should I be worried about Ike? I pull into the student parking lot and easily I slide into a parking space.
"Its okay. Thanks for the ride and advice. I will talk to Filmore." Ike shoots me a smile, hugging me from the side before getting out.
Why do I feel like there's more to the story than what he just told me? Why do I feel like it's more to Ike than I thought before?
I got at least another hour before everyone gets here, so I guess its safe to go to the library and get a head start on next week's chapters for Chemistry. But as the hour passes by swiftly I can't get rid of the worry I feel in the pit of my stomach. Its a horrible feeling that I rarely let myself feel, but when it comes to Ike I can't help it. I only want the best for him.
It's been two weeks since Heidi's party and I haven't even thought about what happened with Kyle. That's a lie. I have, but not more than a couple times. I mean I hadn't really had a quiet moment to myself between being with Wendy whenever she has the time now, homework (which I sometimes half ass do), football practice, and hanging out with friends. And on top of everything my dad announced that he was going on a business trip in Denver. He said he doesn't know when he'll be back and that he will call whenever he gets the chance. We all just pretty much stared at him like he had grown four heads. I could tell the gears in my mom's head was turning fiercely, but she just gave a short nod and they shared an impassioned kiss on the lips before hugging me and Shell. I hate it when they do shit like that. I always feel like they are trying to keep up a front for me and Shelly and I'd rather prefer screaming than fake shows of affection.
We kind of just stood there as everything set in. Shell looked liked she'd rather be anywhere else than here and I felt like shit as my mom made us breakfast before I left for school and Shelly to do whatever. No one has even bothered to ask why Shelly is still here after two weeks. She doesn't seem to have dropped out of uni because she's always talking about schoolwork. She hasn't broken up with her boyfriend Casey because they still talk on the phone 24/7. The only weird thing about this situation is that she's been sneaking out of the house early in the mornings and late at night sporadically. She doesn't think I notice, but I'm a light sleeper and I could probably hear a pen drop in our silent house, so I have no problem hearing the occasional loose floorboards creak.
After finding a parking space I climb out of my car and walk through the front entrance of the school. As soon as I step inside I try to make my way to my locker as quickly as I can before I'm bombarded by a group of freshmen girls, openly gawking at me. I make no stops and soon I'm putting my dark blue back pack in my locker and grabbing the books I need for biology class. I plan to go straight there without any stops after homeroom. Closing my locker I finally take the time to really look around me. I try not to openly laugh at Craig. He has Ruby literally trailing him. I guess he still hasn't fully let go of what happened at Heidi's party, he did this last week and the week before, so Ruby doesn't look too bothered anymore.
"Hey," I greet Craig with our usual handshake, "Hey Ruby," I greet Ruby who seems to begging me with her eyes to put a stop to this. I do feel a bit bad for the girl, she had good intentions and just wanted to have fun at a high school party. "Craig. Isn't it about time you let go of what happened two weeks ago? C'mon dude, let Ruby go hang out with her friends."
"I don't know," Craig says unmoving. Well this is not going to go to well if Craig's just gonna be hard ass about it. I know that when Craig is adamant about something it's hard to change his mind.
"Please Craig, just let me go back to my friends. How many times am I gonna apologize for what happened? And if it means anything I'm not planning on doing that again." Ruby pleads and even throws in her puppy dog eyes. Craig stares hard at her seemingly unaffected, but I know he's going to end up giving in.
"Fine." Craig relents, finally.
"Thank you!" Ruby kisses Craig cheek before heading down the opposite hall.
"Aww, what a nice brother and sister moment," I comment sarcastically to which Craig snorts.
"If anything I was giving her friends a break from being terrorized. She's such a twerp."
"Yeah, okay." I chuckle, I know Craig loves Ruby, he can just be really overbearing sometimes. I guess that's what it means to be the older sibling. You worry more and sometimes come off as an asshole just to protect them. Well, that's the way I see it, seeing as I don't have a younger sibling, but a nosy older sister.
Craig grabs his books out of his lockers and we walk to homeroom together. "So, my dad left this morning." I decide to say since everyone's going to find out eventually.
"Why?"
"He said he had 'business' to take care of in Denver."
"And you don't believe him."
"Fuck no. I think he has ulterior motives for leaving."
"Oh, boy not another Randy Marsh shit show."
"Looks like it. Between my mom being so busy she's barely home and my dad leaving I don't expect any less than shit."
"How is Wendy doing in her internship?" Craig asks and I'm grateful for the subject change.
"She's doing awesome. Its just one slight thorn in her ass."
"Let me guess, Cartman."
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
Craig clicks his teeth, but doesn't say anything for a moment, "Kyle told me."
"Oh." Is all I can say to that. Kyle? I mean I'm not surprised he knows it is his dad's law firm, but-
"Yeah," Craig says and I can tell that it's a bit uneasy, "Hopefully those two won't kill each other."
"Knowing how Cartman is he'll find any reason to bother Wendy."
"I am loving how optimistic you are today!" Craig says sarcastically. I can't help it, today is clearly not my day.
(*)
All I wanna do is just sleep this entire day away. I just shrug as we enter homeroom and we go to our assigned seats. Mr. Garrison clearly forgot that we are no longer in the third grade, because he treats us exactly the same. Sitting down in my seat I lay my head on top of my biology book on the desk, planning to sleep this entire period. Mr. Garrison calls roll lazily from his desk and I throw my hand up when he gets to me before laying it back down. When roll call is over and every head is accounted for I begin to daze off. Only to feel something or rather someone poking my side. Its relentless and doesn't stop until I turn my head towards the suspect.
"What," I ask trying not seem as annoyed as I really am about not being left alone.
"Why the long face?" Butters asks and I fight the urge to turn away rudely.
"I'm just tired Butters, so if you don't mind-" I say only to be cut off by Kenny, who just sat down in his seat next to me.
"We mind. Now, what's bothering you on this lovely Monday morning."
"I didn't get much sleep last night." I say instead of bringing up my dad leaving again. There's too many people that may be listening.
"Late night?" Kenny asks with a smirk. Yeah, right. With the Wendy's internship I will be lucky if I get a handjob.
"Nope. Just couldn't fall asleep, but my sleep pattern has been all over the place lately"
"Maybe you have insomnia." Butters suggests. Maybe.
"No," I find myself saying anyway. I actually have pills that are supposed to help with my insomnia, but I don't like taking them. Its not that they don't work, I just don't like the thought of having to depend on pills to sleep, plus they knock me out like a light. I don't express as much and Butters still looks concerned.
"Don't worry, Stan'll be okay, right?" Kenny says and I nod. The subject drops and moves onto what we did over the weekend.
"So, does that mean he's going to get an actual job?"
"Yeah, he wants to prove that he can make a living here."
"That's just-wow." We were talking about what happened after Damien visited his dad in hell. Apparently, Damien doesn't want to be like his dad, and plans to actually become a businessman after he graduates.
"He's not going to get a full job right now obviously, but he's got an internship at some office in North Park." I nod. "I also hear that Conner is planning to come back up here this weekend."
I groan, but smile lightly to myself, "The dude has been up here every weekend for the past two weeks."
"Yeah, I wonder why."
"Maybe he just misses being here?" Butters suggests.
"Yeah, but he's constantly taking me to meet his frat brothers and he even wants me to come up sometime in March I think.
"What's in March?"
"Some kind of March Madness blowout they're having at his frat house."
"That's cool, I guess," Butters says with a shrug. And hopefully it will be because I already gave him my word.
(*)
The conversation changes and ten minutes later homeroom is over. And we all file out of the classroom and to our next classes. I get through my next two classes without hassle or having to do much talking and I consider skipping lunch, but as I'm walking towards my locker I receive a text from Wendy telling me to sit with her at lunch today. I agree because we haven't spent enough time together. And against popular belief I actually give a fuck about Wendy.
The hallway is near deserted now so I decide to make a quick detour to the bathroom. I immediately begin to regret my decision to not head straight to lunch as I walk into the bathroom. Ignoring the other (and only) occupant of the bathroom I go to the only available urinal which is conveniently right next to him, great. I stare straight ahead and pee before flushing and washing my hands.
"Stan," I clench my jaw and face Kyle, "Can we talk." What?
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Well I do," Kyle says roughly, "So just listen."
"Yeah, no. I don't have to listen to you."
"You do."
"I don't. What are you going to do, force me to listen to you?"
"I might."
"Yeah right. I think we both know who'd win if you try that." I remark and the asshole chuckles. I don't find anything funny at all.
Kyle shakes his head as he now leans against the bathroom wall, "Seriously, I just want to talk." What could he possibly want to talk about? I tried that two weeks ago and he turned me down. Just the thought of that moment in his house is embarrassing enough.
"Fine. You have three minutes. I'm meeting Wendy soon." I cross my arms over my chest.
"I think," He starts and doesn't finish. I roll my eyes and am about to leave."We should at least be somewhat cordial to each other." He finally says and from the look on his face I can tell it took a great deal to even get that out. I can't believe my ears however. Did he really suggest we be somewhat friendly? The word no is the tip of my tongue, but it never comes as he continues, "After Heidi's party, I decided that I'm done fighting with you. We are going to have to deal with each other on more than one occasion seeing as we have the same friends. I'm not saying we have to be friends." Kyle finishes and I just stare at him confused. What should I say to this? I was thinking along similar lines two weeks ago...Kyle is staring at me expectantly and I swallow the uncomfortable lump in my throat before forcing myself to speak.
"Okay." The word tastes like vomit on my tongue. Kyle doesn't say anything more so, I take my exit. As soon as I open the door there's a guy standing right there about to walk in. I recognize him as one of Kyle's cronies. He probably came looking for him once everybody realized he wasn't at lunch.
"Fuck outta the way Marsh." The guy spews and I think his name is Reggie. I really don't know I can barely keep up with some of the people Kyle uses to do his bidding.
"Fuck you," I retort moving past the guy as he enters the bathroom.
"Reg," Kyle calls to the bulldozer, "Lay off." The guy grits his teeth, but doesn't dare say anything back to Kyle, probably in fear of getting knocked out. I step out of the doorway and the door closes behind as I make my way to the cafeteria.
I make a sharp turn around the corner and smash right into someone.
"Jeez, can you watch where you're going you snotty nose brat," Mr. Garrison says and doesn't even make any moves to pick up his papers. Bending down I pick them up along with his bag. As I hand him his papers and things I notice that these aren't our regular history papers. On the typed cover page it says University of Denve-" Mr. Garrison clears his throat and I fully hand him his papers.
"Sorry," I say sheepishly and Mr. Garrison just silently glares at me. Its slightly uncomfortable to have him he just staring at me without-
"You know if you weren't up your own ass all the time you would be able to see a lot of things." Where is this coming from?
"I'm not?"
"Is that a question Stanley?" He says and he sounds so exasperated.
"No. I just don't understan-"
"Exactly. Look, you tend not to snoop or be too much of a nosy bastard, that was mostly your ex jew friend, but you should really start paying attention to everything else outside yourself sometimes."
"I do."
"You don't."
"Why are you even telling me this?"
"I don't know. I ask myself this every morning, why do I still put up with my average job and the dumb kids that come with it? Why am I still here?"
"Why do you?"
"I haven't quite figured that out yet. I've been teaching for over seventeen years and I still just do not know. But this isn't about me, its about you. Just listen for once." I nod and as we walk down opposite halls I hear him say, "There are always two sides to one story."