Dark Night Sky

"Hello, this is Wendy Testaburger on behalf of Broflovski P.C. how may I assist you?"

I hold back my laughter, "Yes, I'm looking for representation." I ask trying to make my voice as indistinguishable as I possibly can.

"Okay, sir I can switch you over to someone who can assist you-"

"Its ma'am! What kind of law firm is this? You have seriously offended me, I think I should take my business elsewhere."

"I'm sorry ma'am. Broflovski P.C. is a excellent choice for any type of representation you may need for legal matters. I will be sure to put you through to one of our legal representatives."

"Actually, I have a very specific matter."

"Okay, well I am confident that we can provide you-"

"For my cat. My cat needs representation, not me." There is a moment of pause. "Hello, are you still there? My cat is in dire need of a lawyer immediately."

"Okay, may I have your name and contact information?" Wendy asks after a brief hesitation.

"Jacklyn assnat. And my cat's name is Wilmer the blue." I open up the monster energy drink on my desk and take a sip as Wendy probably writes down the info. I glance over my cubicle to the Wendy's on the opposite side of the room. She looks as irritated as I knew she would be. She's close to snapping the pen in her thin fingers as she furiously scribbles on a notepad.

"Also do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"

"No."

"You don't sound too enthusiastic, and this is a very important question."

"I'm sorry ma'am how may I assist you," Wendy says in clear fake enthusiasm.

"Yes, well, my dear, is your...refrigerator running?" Wendy gasps and I burst with laughter, "Well, you better go catch it!" I slam the black phone down on its hook and shake with laughter. This was childish as fuck, but I couldn't help myself.

I pretend to occupy myself as Wendy comes barging across the room to my cubicle.

"Was that you?"

"What?" I ask taking a gulp of my monster.

"You know what I am talking about," Wendy stresses and I only glance at her as she glares at me furiously.

I turn back around in my desk chair, "I don't know what you are talking about Wendy," I say as I click around on my computer, finishing some paperwork Gerald wanted me and Wendy to complete for him.

"The caller I just got, I know it was you."

"It wasn't. And as you can see I'm busy."

"Just stop it Cartman. Stop playing these childish games. Stop messing with me."

"I'm not messing with you."

"Cartman." Wendy says exasperatedly.

"Wendy." I say back, mocking her tone.

"Ugh!" Wendy storms away and my lips quirk up in a smirk as I type a few things in before printing a few files out.

Wendy is just way too fun to mess with. She doesn't get upset as quickly as others would, so when she eventually does it's more rewarding. When I first saw Wendy in the waiting room outside of Gerald Broflovski's office I knew this would be interesting. Wendy's top notch and intelligent and I knew for sure that Gerald would be stupid not to give her this position, but I can be very persuasive as well. And to make a long story short he had no choice, but to give us both the internship spot.

And what better than to have two people at your every beck and call. To say Wendy was pleased would be a huge overstatement. She believes I'm here just to irritate her, and I'm seriously not. I didn't even know Wendy was going after the same position until I walked into the waiting room that Monday afternoon.

(*)

Looking at the notepad in front of me I realize I made a note to make copies of the files I just printed. I leave my cubicle and make the short walk to grab the files off of one of the shared printers in the middle of the room. I glance at Wendy who is typing furiously before clicking a couple times. I head to the copy room and begin making copies of these god forsaken files. I take my sleek phone out of my black slacks pocket and check my personal emails and quickly answer a few texts.

At the sound of heels clacking on the floor I look up from my phone, noticing Wendy as she enters and swiftly moves past me to an empty copy machine. After she sets up which files to copy she just stands there and glares at the machine. I focus my attention on my phone again, letting her brood. It was just a fucking joke.

"You know, you are such a douche bag." Wendy says at last.

"And you can't take a joke," I retort.

"I can take a joke. You do things like this too often for it to be considered joking, it's just disrespect at this point."

I snort, "Wendy, chill. I'm not disrespecting you."

"You are. I'm telling you that you are, so you are!"

"Alright, calm down. I'm sorry okay." I say and she doesn't say anything. She just flips her pin straight hair over her right shoulder with a huff. She wasn't expecting me to apologize. I'm not that much of a douche. That's a lie, I can be a huge douche.

"I'm sorry as well," Wendy finally says, "I am just really stressed out. This internship is really important to me and I don't want anything or anyone to ruin this for me."

"This is important to me too, but you can't always take things too seriously. Loosen up a bit."

"I can't. I need to stay focused." Wendy insists.

"You can and you need to or you'll feel burnt out."

"I won't and I'm fine."

I grab my stack of files and face Wendy, "You're not. You have a lot on your plate right now and you can't eat it all at once. You're not some type of superhero."

"What do you suggest I do then Eric" Wendy says and her tone is biting. I guess I really did piss her off earlier.

"Well, for starters you should go out. Have some fun, it'll get your mind off of work and other bullshit things."

"I have fun," Wendy comments as she grabs her files from the copy machine before putting more on.

"You look like you don't know the meaning of the word 'fun'. You're so uptight."

"I'm not."

"You are, just admit it."

"I won't admit to something that's not true." I smirk, "I've just been really focused lately."

"Yeah," I say not buying it, "Focused."

"Just because I don't live to party doesn't mean I'm not fun."

"You're right, but really," Wendy looks at me, "Just do something other than work for one night. Let loose or at least sit at home and binge on a bowl cheesy poofs and netflix." I grab the original files and all of my finished copies before leaving. I drop the files off to Gerald and he dismisses me for the day.

"Alright, ladies, we're up by two and we've got about five minutes on the clock. That's still enough time for them to turn it around, so I need y'all to keep things steady. Make sure those prep school pansies don't score another goddamn point," We all nod and break apart.

First game of the season and to say we are prepared is an understatement. We got this underwraps. Even our cheerleaders are at their usual best tonight. They're doing a awesome job hyping the crowd up. I still can't believe how many people actually turn up at our games. How many people scream our names and numbers and cover themselves in our school colors and glitter.

I couldn't believe it as a freshmen and it's still surreal as a senior. I love it, all of it. We get back in place on the field and the opposing team-Achers Preparatory Academy quarterback makes eye contact with me. I smirk at his heated glare. We're gonna win, I don't have to waste my time talking shit, I don't give a fuck how they feel.

"Better wipe that smirk off your face Marsh." Captain Archie Pears spits. I ignore him and it seems to piss him off even more, "Cocky bastard."

"Yeah, alright." I mutter to myself as everyone settles in place.

(*)

I'm not cocky. And the satisfied grin that adorns my face as the crowd screams in praise as the buzzer sounds is not mocking. But honestly... maybe it is. Maybe I am cocky, but for good reason. The cheerleaders complete perfect double and triple flips and back hand stands causing the opposing team's cheerleading team to turn away in embarrassment and envy. The crowd goes wild again and I shake the hands with Archie and he grips my hand tightly before letting it go. Archers trek off the field and back to their buses completely salty and we make our way to the locker room. I pass by Wendy on my way to the locker room and kiss her as she congratulates us on the win. I hide a smile at all the girls awing at us.

"Thanks babe," I whisper in her ear before pulling away, "Meet me in the parking lot in ten." She nods and I head to the locker room. I change out of my football gear and shower first. I wrap my white towel around my waist and go back to the lockers to change. I feel an arm sling across my shoulder and I look over to see Clyde, still clad in his uniform.

"Awesome first game of the season. Great way to start off the season, did you see their captain's face? Pure Gold!"

I laugh out loud, "Yeah, maybe instead of talking shit, they should work on their speed." I comment causing Clyde to chuckle.

"Right, I passed right past that burly dude in the second quarter. But anyway, I'm bout' to hit the showers. Oh, and are you sure you still don't want to come hang with us after the game?"

"I don't think so. I mean Wendy wanted to hang out, so…"

"Hey, I get it, go be with your girl, but if you change your mind you know where to find us." Clyde says before high fiving somebody behind me and yelling at someone on the other side of the locker room as he makes his way to the showers.

(*)

I continue to get dress in a pair of dark jeans and a hurley dri-fit adams pullover. I slide my sock covered foot into my all black nike's before grabbing my duffle and saying my goodbyes to the team and coach. I quickly make my way to the parking lot and as I reach my car I spot Wendy waiting with her dark blue and silver glitter duffle bag. She looks as pretty as usual dressed in a pair of fit black sweat pants and a dark blue pullover hoodie with Park County Cheer Team written on the back in silver and the words CAPTAIN in cursive red glitter.

"Hi," She says simply as she hugs me and I hug her back, kissing her forehead before opening the door and letting her in. I go over to the driver's side and get in before turning on some music. I settle on Don't by Bryson Tiller and pull out of the almost empty parking lot. A few minutes of driving we stop at a red light and I feel Wendy's hand take mine.

"So, what do you wanna do tonight," I ask as she just holds my hand.

"Actually, since this is your first game...I want you to go out with your friends."

"Uhm, okay," I say kinda surprised, "I thought you wanted to hangout with me?" The light turns green and I continue to drive.

"I do. I did, but this is your night and you should spend it with your friends, to celebrate your first win of the season."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I'll figure something out." Wendy says with a smile.

"Fine, I really thought we were going to hangout." I say trying not to let on how annoyed I am about this new change of plans.

"I'm sorry, I promise we can hangout next time."

"Whenever that is," I mutter.

"Soon, I really need some time alone tonight. I've been working really hard and neglecting myself." Me too. But I not going to say that, and sound like a selfish prick.

"Okay," I say nodding in understanding, "Do you want me to drop you off at home?"

"Yeah, I rode with Bebe to the game." I nod shortly and within the next fifteen minutes I pull into Wendy's driveway.

"See you later Stan." Wendy says softly before kissing me on the lips just as soft. I wait until Wendy gets inside of her house before pulling out of her driveway. I debate just going home, but I rather not be at home and pretend everything is alright with my dad being gone and my mom working crazy hours of the week. I don't even have Shelly as company since she's gone back to staying in her dorm.

Instead with a sigh I decide to head to the new sports restaurant the guy's are supposed to be hanging out at. I have no idea why Kyle even invited me. We agreed to not fight or whatever, but invitations to hang out together? I don't think we're nowhere near that point. I can't erase four years or rather three and a half years of bullshit.

This kinda sucks. I really don't want to deal with Kyle tonight, he's sure to fuck up my mood. I try to drown my thoughts in my music as I breeze through downtown South Park. I make it to the restaurant in twenty minutes and park in the crowded parking lot. I walk inside and am bombarded by the sounds of laughter and yelling and partygoers. The large flat screens that are placed everywhere are all playing different sports games and this place looks really cool. I spot a familiar messy golden blonde haired Kenny and immediately head in that direction. As I walk over I'm immediately spotted by Clyde.

"Hey!" he cheers, "Stan, you made it."

"Hey, yeah Wendy wanted to do her own thing tonight, so I decided to show up."

"Great." Craig says and makes a whipping motion towards me, "She just extended your leash a few inches."

"Leash?" Kenny asks and the smirk on his face proves his thoughts are anything but innocent.

"Imaginary, you perv," Token inputs.

"What's wrong with actual leashes though?" Kenny continues. "I think they're hot. I was watching porn the other night and the thumbnail on the suggested video page was of this girl with a leash tied around her neck, chained to what look like a wooden board."

"There is so many things wrong with what you just said." Tweek says with a shake of his head.

"Did you watch it?" Craig asks curiously and shrugs at the look of confusion we all give him and the look of horror Tweek shoots him.

"Why? I didn't peg you as being so kinky Craig."

"What I do in my personal time is of no concern of anyone." Craig replies smoothly.

"Nice to know I'm not the only perv in the group."

"No, it's still just you." Token says after drinking from his coke. "We all have our own personal things, but you're more vocal about it."

"And more willing to enact your perverted fantasies on others," Tweek says with a shudder.

"Kenny is just more straightforward about what he wants." Kyle in all his glory finally speaks up since I've sat down.

"Thank you my fair redhead friend."

"That's one way to put it." Craig amends.

"Why are we talking about kinks and fetishes? This isn't a sex club or chat forum." Clyde says.

"I agree," I say and a gorgeous dark skin waiteress who looks to be twenty dressed in all black comes up to the table to ask my drink and food order. I order a coke and a bacon cheeseburger with fries and she quickly jots it down.

As she begins to hurry away she is stopped by Kyle who taps on her shoulder from beside Kenny who is to the left of me.

"Can I get a refill," He asks and the girl nods writing that down and Kyle stares at her the entire time. I know the girl can feel his stare on her as her fingers fidget nervously as she writes quickly.

"Thank you," Kyle says in that gross charming voice of his. The girl nods nervously before hurrying away. Yeah, get far, far away from him.

"Stan." I hear someone call.

"Yeah," I ask tuning in.

"Would you ever fuck a guy?" Kenny promptly asks me.

"What?" I ask stunned. What the fuck?

"We're playing a game where if you do whatever the person before you asks then you can choose someone else to ask to answer or do stuff."

"So, truth or dare?"

"Sorta, but the person who chooses you decides what you have to do. Any questions outside of the person who asks you is fine as long as it's about the same thing."

"It's the same thing." Token says to which Craig promptly disagrees. Our waitress quickly returns with my drink and with a smile I take a quick gulp. She carefully sits Kyle's new drink in front of him and he shoots her another deathly charming smile and she reciprocates shyly before leaving. As she walks away Kyle obviously checks her out before looking in my direction. I quickly turn away and tune back into what the guys are talking about.

"-That doesn't matter. I picked Stan and he has to answer the question or he has to hump that plant by the front door." I look in that general direction at where I first entered and where a group of pretty girls are sitting in a booth and sipping fruity drinks.

"So, what's it gonna be Stanny?" Kenny asks after putting me between a rock and a hard place. I don't want to answer that crazy question and I don't want to die of embarrassment.

"Fine. No, I would never fuck a guy."

"So, does that also mean you would never bottom either?" Kenny, always the little shit asks.

"Yes." I say roughly, hoping he would drop this.

"Hey, just a question, buddy." I shrug and continue drinking my coke.

"Whatever, I pick Tweek." Tweek looks at me as I ask, "If you had a choice between being in a room with a lion that hadn't eaten in twenty years or in a tank of piranhas which would you choose?"

Tweek thinks about it for a moment, "I'm gonna go with the lion."

"What? I would go with the piranhas all the way! At least you wouldn't be ravaged by a hungry lion." Clyde comments.

"But with piranhas it would take longer, and you would die a slow and painful death, but with a lion it will be more quicker."

"You're both idiots," Craig says and I notice that he has been quiet for a while, "The best choice is the lion, but it's not because you would be killed faster. Think about it, a lion that was starved for twenty years, it's surely dead."

"Well, that's a head twister," Kenny comments and the game continues until our food comes. We then eat and talk about random subjects.

"Hey, what was it you said Cartman had to do?"

"He said he had to finish his English book report. It was due today, but Mrs. Green extended it for him." Kenny says before taking a bite of his butterfly shrimp.

"That was due today?" I totally forgot about that. I did like half of it but I didn't think it was due this Friday with our first home game and all. "I am gonna bomb English this semester."

"No, your not, you can still catch up," Token says and that gives me a bit of hope.

"Maybe you can find someone to tutor you." Clyde suggests before stuffing a nacho in his mouth.

"Probably, but I am doing well in my other classes it's just I haven't been able to keep up with my work in English. I think if I just focus more on Mrs. Green's homework then I'll be fine."

"And neglect your other subjects?"

"No. I don't want a tutor. I don't have time for it, and the only tutors at our school are uptight ninth and tenth graders who want extra credit in their classes. Besides where am I even going to find a tutor who can fit my schedule."

"I can do it." Kyle says and everyone immediately shifts their attention on him.

"Wha-" Tweek starts only to be halted by Craig squeezing his arm.

"I don't think so," I say finally finding my voice. "I just don't think it would be okay." Kyle just shrugs at my indecisive tone.

"Stan," Kenny says and I look at him. His face is void of any amusement, his blue eyes serious, "Just take the offer. You need the help, and Kyle is really good." I roll my eyes and try to ignore the hardening off Kenny's gaze as I look away.

"No." I say, "I will be okay in my classes." My decision is final and after a moment I grab my phone off of the table and stand.

"Where are you going," Token is the first to break the silence.

"Outside to make a call."

"Stan-" Kenny tries, but I ignore him and make my way out of one of the side exits.

(*)

As I push open the large glass door I am immediately greeted by the cool September air. Even with my pullover on the wind still seeps in. I don't need Kyle's help, I'll be fine. Besides I can find a tutor from outside of school or some other school probably. Someone who doesn't give a shit about my reputation. Pulling out my phone I go through texts from random people and reply.

I chuckle lightly at Connor's short text 'Call me, you douche' with an obnoxious kissy face emoji at the end. After I go to my contacts and call mom and the phone rings, rings, rings... and rings. When I hear her voicemail answer I hang up. She's probably busy tonight, but really it isn't any different than any other night. My phone vibrates in my hand and I see that it's my dad.

He calls the house everyday, but I guess since no one's home he's calling me. I haven't really spoke to him since he left, and I'm not about to start now. I just let the phone vibrate in my hand and watch as his name disappears and the missed call notification appears. I sigh deeply and let my head knock lightly against the brick wall behind me. This is not the way I imagined my senior year going.

"What's wrong?" A voice asks suddenly and scaring the shit out of me. I look beside me and spot Kyle leaning against the brick wall a couple meters away. He has a long white cigarette between his mouth and uses a lighter with at a skull on top to light up. He takes a drag and doesn't look at me.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't."

"Then-" I stop abruptly. What is he playing at? He continues to smoke his cigarette and I watch the smoke fleet into the cool air. "Look, if you came out here just to convince me to let you tutor me you're wasting your time." I decide to say.

"Don't flatter yourself." He says simply.

"I don't have to. I'm not conceited."

"And I am?"

"Yeah, pretty much." I stare at him, but he doesn't even look my way. Eventually I lean back against the wall and try to ignore his looming presence to the left of me. The air is so tense right now, I can't take it, but I'm not leaving. I was here first.

After at least fifteen minutes I'm becoming more annoyed. The bastard is doing nothing, but smoking his cigarettes and I'm freezing. Fuck it, I'm going back in. I move away from the wall and begin making my way back through the side exit. Only to be pushed roughly against the wall I previously occupied. I'm now faced to face with a expressionless Kyle as he takes a drag from his cigarette. The smoke infiltrates my nostrils as he releases it from his red lips, my eyes lock with his as he pushes me further against the wall.

He places the hand that still holds his cigarette beside my head as it burns between his fingers, but he doesn't seem to mind, he's more preoccupied with staring at me. It's so fucking uncomfortable like he's trying to figure me out, his intense green eyes boring into mine. I look away from him and try to push him away, but fuck he's as solid as stone. I continue to push at him, but he stands firm and eventually when I prove unrelenting he grabs my wrists in a aching grip. I grit my teeth as he lets my wrist go after holding it in a vice like grip.

"You know what I hate about you? I hate how proud you are. How perfect you pretend to be." Perfect? Far from it. I don't say anything though and continue to look away. This proves to just annoy Kyle as his pale long fingers grabs my jaw, turning me towards him. He continues to glare at me and I need to get away from him, but I can't. And I hate this realization, that Kyle may possibly be stronger than me. Similar to me he's not scrawny nor buff, he's just slim and fit. The way his red hair contrasts greatly against the night sky and complements his dark attire it gives him a slightly intimidating look.

The only thing that holds any color other than black is his maroon v-neck that hugs his slim frame underneath his black leather jacket. "I'm not done talking," He says roughly before releasing my jaw, "This is what's going to happen, you are going to agree to let me tutor your stubborn ass." I wanted to snort and laugh at the fucker, but although, Kyle's face is blank of any emotion his eyes dare me to do so. "You're going to work within my schedule and show up at the times I set. If I'm going to do this you better be fucking sure you really want to or else you'll just be wasting my time."

"No, I'm not-"

"Do you want my fucking help or not?" Kyle asks and I just stare at him. As much as I hate it I do need the help and Kyle is one of the smartest people in our school. I would ask Wendy, but she's been so busy lately, she wouldn't have the time to hangout with and tutor me. I look away in defeat and I can hear the smugness in Kyle's voice as he speaks, "Give me your number." I look at Kyle in surprise and he merely rolls eyes before I spew out the ten numbers and he quickly puts it in his phone. I watch as his long fingers continue to fleet over his phone and barely register when they had stopped.

"What?" I ask for what feels like the millionth time today. He doesn't say anything, and he's not glaring at me, but why does he keep staring at me? Is there something on my face? His green eyes search my face for something, but then he stops and moves back. I quickly move away from him and head back inside alone.

(*)

"Hey Stan, what took you so long?" Clyde asks and I notice that some of the food is placed in to go boxes. I smile lightly at the fact that they didn't let anyone throw my food away while I was gone. "My dad called since I've been dodging his calls at home."

"How'd it go?"

"It was okay, he doesn't know when he'll be back though." I lie smoothly and everyone nods and Clyde claps me on the back. "But thanks, I think I'm going to head out," I reach into my jeans pocket to front up my portion of the bill, but I'm stopped by Craig.

"Kyle already paid. We were all about to leave anyway." He picks up his own to go box and stands. Everyone follows suit and begin to head towards the side exit. Kenny picks up Kyle's box and walks with me out to the front.

"You rode with Kyle?"

"Yep, I'm staying over his tonight, to hangout with him and Ike."

"That's cool. God I am so shot right now." I say with a yawn.

"Me too, but great game tonight."

"Thanks Ken."

"And...I'm sorry if I went too far earlier with the game and all."

"No worries. Your question shocked me is all."

Kenny lightly chuckles and stands next to me outside the front doors, "That was the point."

"Would you ever…" I ask and Kenny grins at me.

"Yeah, I totally would." His reply doesn't shock me. I'm cool with whatever, but I thought Kenny was as straight as a pole. "And you were serious when you said that you would never?" Kenny asks a moment later and he's quiet so he doesn't risk the chance of us being overheard. I think about this.

Can I trust Kenny? I know I can trust Kenny, but could I really trust Kenny with this? I shake my head, I've never told a soul and don't plan to, I haven't even thought about this in so fucking long. Am I attracted to guys? I don't have an answer to that. But there was him, it was always fucking him.

"No, I don't think so, but if I am you'd be the first to know."Kenny nods and hugs me tight and I hug him back before he heads off to wherever Kyle parked his car.

I get inside my car and drive home in silence. Once my head hits my soft pillows at home I wish I could just be blank. Blank of everything in my life, blank like a sheet of copy paper, blank like Kyle's expression when he looks at me... but maybe right now I can just settle for being as blank and dark like the sky is tonight.