Promises

It took me no more than 15 minutes to arrive outside of Kyle's house, 5 minutes of which I spent debating whether or not I should actually ring the doorbell. I stare at the familiar door and everytime I lift my hand there's always something to change my mind. Like the time where Kyle and his cronies stole a pair of my pants for a whole week after gym, leaving me to borrow extra pairs from Craig. Or the time Kyle 'accidentally' threw a basketball at my face. Yeah...this may not be a good idea.

I turn around to head home, but unceremoniously the door swings open and I'm standing face to face with Kyle. He doesn't look annoyed, he doesn't look like anything as he just stares at me from the doorway. After a moment he clicks his teeth signaling his annoyance at my behavior before grabbing my wrist and pulling me inside, closing the door hurriedly.

"So you were just going to stand there?"

"I was unsure if I should really be here."

"Of course you're not supposed to be here. Christ, if anyone even saw you out there we'd get shit for it."

"So why did you even invite me over?"

"Just come on," Kyle says instead of answering me and pulls me upstairs to his bedroom.

Inside of Kyle's spacious room again instead of sitting on the floor I sit in one of the plush chairs in the room facing the TV. Kyle already has the Xbox set up and I hold back a small smile Tomb Raider pops up onto the screen. Kyle hands me a controler as he sits in a similar adjacent chair before starting the game.

"So, where is everyone?" I finally find the nerve to ask after five minutes of gameplay.

"Out. They're doing their own things."

"How's Ike?" I ask hoping I don't sound like I'm prying too much.

"He's good." I nod my head not so much as in acknowledgement than resigned that this is about all I'm going to get out of Kyle. "He was actually here earlier with his friend Georgie, but what else is new?"

I bite my bottom lip to hide my small smile, "They hang out a lot?"

"Yeah, all the time. That's all he can talk about besides the occasional drama surrounding Filmore."

"Really? Filmore seems like a pretty cool kid."

"Ike technically stole Ruby away from the poor kid. They resolved their issues, but Ike thinks he's hiding something from him."

"Like what?"

"He said something about Filmore being happier and not an annoying fuck watt. He seemed pretty determined to finding out what's going though."

I think back to my earlier conversation with Kenny about him catching Karen and Filmore kissing on the Tucker's doorstep, "I think Filmore may be dating Karen."

"Well, 'figures'," Kyle replies using finger quotes and I smirk at that. Always the sarcastic fuck. "So, did you ever talk to Wendy," Kyle asks and he's as blunt as he's always been.

"Yeah..."

"Yeah," Kyle prompts for more.

"Yeah, it didn't go well. At all, " I grimace mentally replaying the memory of Wendy slapping the fuck out of me.

...

Three minutes before the bell rings I quickly grab my stuff before heading to my locker and ignoring the questioning looks of everyone in class and my math teacher's demand for me to sit back down. I practically throw everything I don't need inside, grabbing my bag and slinging it on my shoulders. I'm not putting this off any longer and even though I hate to admit it, but Kyle was right. I need to talk to Wendy.

It's not even so much about the mean glares I've received from most of the girls that are close to Wendy. And it's not about the rumor that has spread like wildfire around the entire school that I'm dating a sophomore named Julie and Wendy caught us fucking in her bed resulting in our breakup. No, rumors barely even bother me anymore, and even though I'd like to believe there's always a bit of truth in each one, I've heard and been the central focus of too many fucked up and ridiculous ones. I decide to wait close to the backdoors knowing Wendy has cheerleading practice and lean against a custodian closet door as the bell rings.

I cross my arms in front of my chest and give the occasional head nod in acknowledgement to people that wave my way. But I'm not really paying attention to them, my attention is set on the long dark haired beauty dressed in a long sleeve black pant romper (don't ask me how I know this) and matching heels. She's as stunning as usual and I will away any apprehension I may be feeling about what I'm going to say. She goes to her locker and seems oblivious to the many glance overs guys give her as she does the simple task of just packing her bag. As she closes her locker and quickly makes her way down the hallway I call out her name and the sound of her heels clacking the linoleum floor stops as she turns towards me.

"Stan," Is all she says in lieu of greeting.

"How are you Wendy?"

"I'm...good. You?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay, what do you want Stan," Wendy asks impatiently as she quickly glances at the backdoor before training her dark eyes back on me.

"I wanted to-"

"Apologize?"

"No."

"Then what? You do realize that I have nothing more to say to you, right? And that you've been a major asshole to me since we've broke up." I open my mouth to speak, but Wendy continues, "Wait, let me clarify, because you broke up with me."

"Look, I'm not here to apologize about breaking up. I wanted to, I still want to…" Wendy just glares at me, but I'm going to stand firm on this, "I will apologize for how I handled it, but I want you to know that I'm not interested in getting back together. So...I need you to stop trying to talk about this and convince me otherwise. And even though I don't want to be together, I still do want you in my life...eventually."

After I'm done Wendy continues to stare at me seemingly baffled and taken aback at my words. And I can't help it anymore. My guilt is starting to overpower my need to take charge of this situation, "Wendy I'm-" Suddenly a cold hand collides harshly against my right cheek, my face turning to the side from its strong impact. I turn back to face Wendy and she's furious.

"Don't. You. Dare." Is all she says before practically bulldozing her way out of the backdoors. I stare at her retreating figure and the large metal door before it clinks back into place.

"Well, she sure did slap the fuck out of you." I look down the hall to find where the voice came from only to see no one in the empty hallway. Almost jumping three feet in the air I'm now face to face with the son of satan himself.

"Damien. What are you doing here?" Damien flicks his fingers causing fire to envelope a paper ball in his hand and I roll my eyes at his habit of setting things on fire.

"Well, hello to you too Stanley."

"Sorry," I apologize, adjusting the straps of my bookbag. Damien waves off my apology .

"No worries," Is all he says and I'm once again reminded by how cool Damien is when he's not being a completely nosy and sarcastic bastard. "What was that all about? Julie?"

"Fuck off." I say, but it's light hearted as Damien gives a raspy chuckle, "I officially ended things with Wendy." I start as we begin walking out of the backdoors.

"Hhmm." Damien nods contemplatively at my statement, encouraging me to go on.

"I told her that I still wanted her in my life and as you saw…"

"Is it what you truly wanted?"

"Yeah, I mean I think so," Damien glances at me briefly, "It feels right."

"Then let it be."

"I feel like shit for making her mad like that though."

"She will eventually get over it. Trust me, she has enough to deal with."

"Like what?" I ask, curious about what that could entail.

Damien smirks and shakes his head at me, "Nice try Stanely." Hey you can't blame a guy for trying.

Although Damien may swear like he doesn't know everything...sometimes I beg to differ because of the intel he usually comes up with. It can't be because he's observant, but then again...maybe it could considering Kenny is mostly the same way. It's weird, but what isn't in South Park.

As we continue to walk to the football field I begin to notice the various onlookers and notice the looks they give Damien and I. Most seem just genuinely curious, and some completely gawking at the sight of both of us. Damien is sort of infamous or an urban legend to the students here because most have never seen let alone met the guy in person.

And honestly on top of having interesting abilities being practically blessed with devastating looks and charm it's enough to make any man or woman quiver in want. Honestly, with those long legs, slim figure, slightly rosy cheeks, and perfectly trimmed black hair who wouldn't find him attractive? His reputation often precedes who he is as a person, considering the tales that he would roast you on the spot if you pissed him off or he'd turn you into a poptart. When really (just maybe) it couldn't be farther from the truth.

Yes, Damien had a bad temper when we were kids, but there's a significant difference from the brat he used to be to the guy he is now. He's actually really understanding and doesn't judge me on any of my stupid decisions. It takes a lot to infuriate him, but when he is upset it's like he's a completely different person. The only person that stands a chance to bringing him back down to Earth is Pip. A.K.A the love of his life.

The two have been together for awhile and apparently according to Kenny even before Damien decided to come back to South Park and Earth for that matter and are still going strong. I smile to myself at the thought of how complete polar opposites they both are. Damien is the embodiment of the word mysterious and Pip wears his oversized heart on his sleeve, but they couldn't be more right for each other.

When we reach the locker rooms we stop at the door, "You gonna stay and pick up some tips?" I lightly taunt to which Damien just rolls his dark shaded eyes.

"No, so I can look like a guido? I'm good." I laugh at his Jersey Shore reference and his reference to a few bulky guys on the team. If most of these brown nosers knew that the infamous Damien watched Jersey Shore reruns they'd shit their pants. "I actually have to pick Pip up," Damien slightly grimaces, "Before heading off to work."

"I didn't see him today, where was he?"

"With his parents."

"His adopted parents or?"

"Both." My eyes are practically the size of saucers at this point.

"Really? How did he find his birth parents?"

"Lin and Terry (Pip's adoptive parents) told him."

"Wow, that's crazy. How long has he known?"

"For two months, they flew all the way from England to finally meet him."

"That's great, but...you don't look too happy."

"...I just think that if they wanted to find him they should have. Why wait?" I nod in understanding and a bit surprised that Damien shared this information with me.

"Maybe they didn't know how he would react to them. They gave him up at a young age and it's a possibility that he could've hated them." I tell Damien and he stares at me as he reluctantly processes this information. "But anyway dude, go pick up Pip and do whatever it is you need to do."

"Yes, and try not to accidentally fall on your ass again."

"What?! That was only one time," I protest, but I'm not able to hide the smile that continues to rise upon my face at the memory of the first football game during sophomore year. It rained during the half quarter and I fell on my ass in front of everyone on the wet and slippery grass.

"Yeah, right," Damien says sarcastically as he rolls his dark eyes before disappearing into thin air. I laugh to myself before pushing open the door to the outside locker rooms.

...

"Hey, dude are you alright?" I'm interrupted out of my thoughts by Kyle's voice and I now notice that my fingers have stopped moving on the controller all together. I look over at Kyle and he stares back with both eyebrows rose in askance.

"Yeah, just thinking about what happened is all."

"Well, don't do that." I want to ask why, but I decide not to as we make the silent agreement to continue playing.

"So," Kyle starts this time, but I continue to focus on the game ahead of us, "What were you and Kenny doing?"

"Just talking."

"Really, about what?" He continues to pry.

"Why?" I ask slightly annoyed by this. Why does he care?

"No reason, just curious."

"I honestly thought Kenny was supposed to hang out with Butters today."

"Butters is grounded," I quickly answer only to immediately regret it. I glance at Kyle and he looks curious, but I honestly doubt Kenny'd want me to tell Kyle about Butters' um...predicament. I know he's not even focusing on the game anymore as I feel his eyes bore holes into my skull. I sigh in irritation at my slip up and pause the game. "What?" Is all I can muster at his glare and he does nothing, but shrug but the intensity doesn't let up.

"Why is Butters grounded?" He asks the dreaded question.

"Butters is always grounded."

"Yeah, but the way you're reacting...it's not over an un-organized pantry or anything school related. What is it?"

"Okay. Fine," I grit out. "But what makes you think I would ever tell you?" There's a long stretch of silence in which I try not to be too smug at having rendered Kyle speechless. Besides its true. I'm not obligated to tell him anything, we aren't even friends for chrissake!

I expect Kyle to ignore what I said and want to continue to play his Xbox instead his calm, but exasperated words shock me, "You're right. It's not like you're obligated to tell me," Kyle says reading my mind. He tries to give a small chuckle, but it fails and he just turns away from me." He runs his fingers through his red curls and I can't do anything, but awkwardly watch.

Actually looking at Kyle (which I don't ever really do anymore) I can see that he is put off about me not answering him. And from the way he continues to run his hand through his usually immaculate hair I can tell its out of frustration than actually anger. And his face...has he always looked this drained. He's not even looking at me anymore, he's trying to focus on the game, but I can see that his mind is elsewhere. I feel...admittedly guilty.

Clearly he is trying to at least be somewhat friendly to me by inviting me over, I doubt I would have done the same given our history. I have made no steps in even trying to make things better. Was that even the original goal? I doubt that too, but as I look at how gone he looks I feel the lines get blurry.

"His parents," I start albeit hesitantly, "Caught him having sex with Pete."

"The got-"

"Yeah. That one." I say with a slight nod. He doesn't say anything and I bite the inside of my cheek, "You can't tell anyone," I say finally, "Not to Kenny, not to anyone. Got it?"

"Who would I tell?"

"I don't know, everyone?"

"But that would imply that I got from someone and I take it Kenny told only you right?" He asks, but it's not really a question rather than a fact. "Do you really want people to know that we were actually hanging out?" I don't have to answer that and I can tell that he didn't expect me to. "Look, anything you say to me I won't tell."

"You won't?" I still question skeptically because really? Its Kyle. The guy who pack about a hundred water balloons in my locker last year. He spread so many fucking rumors about me.

"No."

"And I guess I won't say anything either. As long you don't."

"Agreed."

"Well, cool," I say from lack of better words to say and for the first time during our little 'hangout' Kyle smiles in laughter. His green eyes slightly crinkling on the ends and his laugher a bit deeper than I remember and I laugh as well because it's contagious.

"So do you want to finish playing or...?"

"No, not really. I actually need to finish up some homework I've been trying to avoid."

"Do you need help?"

"Not really. I mean you have better things to do than help me with the simple stuff. I'll figure it out."

"And risk getting it wrong? Plus I did promise to tutor you and I refuse to break promises." All I can do is stare at Kyle, but inside I'm stuck in a mild shock.

Mentally pinching myself I nod, "Okay, my bag is in my car so I'll be back," I stand from my seat and walk towards the door, but Kyle's voice stops me.

"Wait, you actually drove here!?"

"Yeah?" I say wondering why it's such a big deal.

"Are you crazy?" Kyle asks and it's not demeaning or mean as a smile graces his lips and his eyes widen in surprise. I find myself chuckling at his surprised look, "You do know that everyone is going to know you were at my house, right?"

"I parked a couple houses down."

"Oh, well good job, I guess?" Kyle replies with a shrug before we both erupt into laughter again "Okay, okay, just go get your bag already," Kyle says finally and I mumble out a quick, "K," before leaving.

Lying in my bed all I can do is watch the moon as it sits all shiny and bright in the dark sky. I wrap myself tighter in my light blue blankets and try to will away the pain and embarrassment I feel from earlier. I sigh and roll over onto my back wishing for a distraction. I can't believe I was s-so stupid. Why didn't I check to make sure I locked the door. Nevermind the fact that I shouldn't have had Pete over in the first place.

I'm just lucky enough that my mom caught me. I don't know what I would've done if my dad had came barging through my room and saw me on top of Pete. Gosh, just the thought of it is enough to send a shiver up my spine. My mom was shocked of course but not because it was a guy but rather the act itself. That was one of the main rules my parents set for me after I told them I was bi-sexual: Do Not Have Sex In Our House! Just another one of the rules I seem to be breaking lately.

I close my eyes hoping to just drift asleep, but I'm abruptly startled by a loud knocking on my window. Hastily I unravel myself from my covers and walk towards my closed window. I let my fingers ghost along the cold window before opening it and instantly jumping back as a black masked face pops into my view. Looking at the blonde hair that loosely hangs in a ponytail on his left shoulder as it glitters in the moonlight I move back letting the him in. He stealthily climbs all the way inside of my window and quietly steps on to my bedroom floor dressed in matching tight black cargo pants, long sleeve turtle neck, calf length combat boots, and gloves. And I flop back onto my bed as he pulls the mask off of his head.

"How're you keeping up buddy?" Kenny asks flopping down on his back beside me.

"I'm fine," I say quietly, but Kenny stares at me knowingly, "I'm just embarrassed is all. I'll get over it."

A few comfortable moments pass and I feel myself almost drifting off, "So," Kenny starts quietly, "How did Pete react when your mom walked in?" I burst out laughing before quickly calming down to light chuckles, hitting Kenny on the arm softly, "Seriously, did he clam up?"

"Kinda, he just froze in place, he was in shock really bad. I had to think of something quick to get my mom to go away."

"Wow, how manly. Why Pete anyway?"

"He's really nice and we've been seeing each for a few weeks now, so why not?"

"I knew there was something about him that was…" Kenny trails off as he stares at my ceiling.

"Off?"

"Sorta. Not that liking dick is wrong or anything."

"Hmm, really?" I ask lightly teasing, my eyebrows quirking up in curiosity.

"Yeah. I mean what's so bad about it."

"I don't know, but lots of people think so. My dad was sorta livid when I came out to them. He calmed down eventually but…"

"Yeah, I think that might've been a touchy subject for him considering who he is."

With a sigh I finally say it, "I hate that I'm grounded."

"Me too."

"When will this stop? I hate the rules that just don't make any sense anymore. I'm eighteen and they rather stay oblivious to that fact. It's like it doesn't even matter. I just wish-"

"It stop," Kenny says completing my sentence. I feel Kenny's fingers lightly rub circles on my stomach. It feels really good. "It can. You can stop it."

"How?"

"Tell them. As much as I love how sweet you are, you gotta start standing up to your parents," Kenny whispers and I close my eyes feeling the lull of sleep pulling me. I remember the first time Kenny said those words to me. We were eleven and I had ran to Kenny's house to rant to him about how mean Cartman and few of the other boys were being. I smile faintly at the memory of Kenny taking my red crying face between his cold hands, "Don't just let them push you around Butters," I had started to nod as usual, but Kenny continued, "Not even me. You gotta stand up to them! It's okay to say no and it's okay to fight back." I nodded again and thanked Kenny even though I know I didn't have to. He's just always there for me, putting up with me. "Now where did you say they were headed?"

Kenny and I spent the whole day eating double chocolate chip cookies and lounging around various places in his house after we attacked the boys on the basketball court with about a hundred water balloons. Nevermind that it was freezing outside that day.

Before drifting completely I look at Kenny and he's staring at me with intense blue eyes as I fade. His soothing motions on my pale skin never ending.

Looks like tonight is going to be one of those nights...but what else is new. I contemplate leaving the comfort of my warm bed to pad my way to the bathroom and take my sleeping pills. That idea immediately escapes my mind at thought of the side effects. Looking beside me I spot my phone on my night stand and move to unplug it from its charger. I decide to play a couple games on it before giving up, completely bored. I flip on the TV on my wall and flip channels for a bit before settling on a game review on ESPN.

After a couple minutes I switch it to mute, hoping it'll lull me to sleep. I could laugh at that thought, I know I'm ultimately gonna pass out from exhaustion some time later. Leaning against the mountain of pillows I've made by the headboard of my large bed I check for the time. 4:15 the time screen reads back to me and I rub my annoyingly alert eyes in irritation. I scroll through twitter and instagram for a while, before growing bored. 4:20. I open up my messages and scroll down until I find the one I'm looking for. This is stupid. Really stupid. I quickly type in a simple text and its most likely my sleep deprived mind, but I send it before I can think more about it. 4:25.

Me: U up?

What am I even thinking? I'm seriously going to regret this in the morning, but honestly who would answer a random text at four in the morning? Someone who can't fucking sleep that's who. I continue to stare at the screen in front of me. 4:35. There's a brief ringing noise that seems to echo in my room and I quickly search for my phone wrapped between my covers to silence it.

Broflovski: Why?

Me: Bored...can't sleep.

It takes longer for Kyle to reply and I figure he's probably gone back to sleep or back to whatever he was doing.

Broflovski: I'm up now, what's up?

Me: U seriously gonna stay up with me?

Broflovski: Yeap, I'm probs gonna be pissed later but its whatever.

Me: U don't mind?

Broflovski: No.

Me: For real?

Broflovski: For reals.

I want to ask why? Why is he even talking to me at this hour. I glance at the time at the top of my phone. 4:50, ugh.

Me: Thanks, for earlier.

Me: For helping me with my hw.

Broflovski: Ur welcome

Me: I can practically see ur smirk through the phone.

Me: Cocky.

Broflovski: Maybe.

Me: ...are you going to English 2morrow?

Broflovski: Yeah, and no I'm not skipping like most of the juveniles in our class.

Me: Why not?

Broflovski: Because what's the use when hundreds of people already posted about a #PCHSeniorSkipDay online already.

Me: U have a point. We were just gonna go hang out at Starks anyway.

Broflovski: I know I do. And Starks? That's the quickest way to get caught especially during the school day.

Me: It was Kevin's idea.

Broflovski: That explains it.

I laugh at that before replying a few seconds later.

Me: Pretty much. But I seriously need a break.

Broflovski: Why's that?

Me: Coach is hounding the entire football team hard about our upcoming game against Richmond.

Broflovski: Great, the Richmond Bulldogs. I'm gonna love kicking their asses this year.

Me: Me too, I hate their captain. Every year its seems like he gets more cockier and cockier.

Broflovski: That dude is a right asshole.

Me: I know. Plus, everyone is asking me what I'm doing for my birthday and I have no fucking clue.

Broflovski: Just do whatever you wanna do.

Me: I'm thinking about throwing a party or maybe just getting together with the guys and hang out.

Broflovski: Will I be invited?

Me: ...Do u wanna come?

Broflovski: I guess I can find the time to come. But just for a little while.

Me: Okay...well I will put you on the list.

Broflovski: Good.

Me: Cool.

Broflovski: Feeling sleepy yet?

Me: Maybe.

Broflovski: Can't believe you woke me up at 4. How do you like... function?

Me: I do sleep. Just not enough.

Broflovski: I would honestly chug about 20 cups of pure black coffee a day.

Me: No you wouldn't. You would possibly overdose on caffeine.

Me: And... you hate drinking your coffee black.

Broflovski: ...You remember that?

Me: How could I forget it? French vanilla latte with a dash of hazelnut and an extra shot of caffeine.

Broflovski:...You used to hate it when I made you go on a coffee run with me.

Me: That doesn't mean I forgot. It was one of the rare times your mom didn't go crazy over your sugar intake.

Broflovski: She still does.

Me: Figures.

Me: Hey Kyle?

Broflovski: Yeah?

Me: I'm sorry.

His reply doesn't come as quick and I don't mind this time as I become more comfortable in spot in bed and I honestly don't want to think too much about it. What it could mean. My eyes briefly closes for what feels like only a minute before the dinging of my phone goes off, my eyes slowly opening as they flit across Kyle's reply.

Broflovski: I know.

Broflovski: Goodnight Stan.

5:42. I turn my TV off content enough to fall asleep without it. I lay my phone on top of my stomach re-reading his last words as I feel my eyes grow heavy.

Me: Night.