(1 year later)
The Morning Drive to South Park Elementary school has Lucas and Emily Taylor in the backseat of their parents' car, watching the small town of South Park pass by. The morning sun is casting a warm glow over the quiet town. The anticipation of their first day at a new school is palpable.
(Mr. Taylor glances in the rearview mirror)
Mr. Taylor: "Remember, today's just about getting a feel for things. Don't stress about it too much. It's a short week, and then it's summer vacation."
Emily: "It's kind of exciting. A new school means new friends, right?"
Lucas: "Yeah… it's just weird starting so late in the year. Everyone's already got their own thing going on."
(Mrs. Taylor turns in her seat to face their kids)
Mrs. Taylor: "You'll both do great. Just be yourselves, and you'll make friends in no time."
The car pulls into the parking lot of South Park Elementary. The siblings exchange a look—a mix of nerves and anticipation, before stepping out into the cool morning air. The school building looms ahead, familiar yet intimidating, as they walk Through the gate and towards the entrance. Inside, the Taylors are greeted by Principal Victoria, a woman with a warm smile and an air of authority, she shakes hands with the parents and then addressing to the siblings.
Principal Victoria: "Welcome to South Park Elementary school, Lucas and Emily. We're so happy to have you here with us, even if it's just for the last week of term. I'm sure you'll settle in pretty quickly around here."
Mrs. Taylor: "Thank you, Principal Victoria. They're a bit nervous, but I'm sure they'll be fine once they get settled in."
Principal Victoria: "Of course. Why don't I show you all around for a bit?" She says in a reassuring voice.
She leads them through the bustling hallways, pointing out key areas like the cafeteria and the gym.
Students are milling about, chatting, and gathering their books. The siblings feel the energy of the school but also their own nervousness about being the newcomers.
Principal Victoria: "Lucas, you'll be in Mr. Garrison's history class. And Emily, you'll be with Mrs. Cartman for English. They're just across the hall from each other, so you can meet up easily after class."
Lucas and Emily exchange a quick, encouraging glance before heading into their respective classrooms.
Lucas steps into Mr. Garrison's history classroom. The room quiets slightly as the students notice the new face. Mr. Garrison, with his usual disinterested expression, looks up from his desk.
Mr. Garrison: "You must be Lucas. Go ahead and take a seat anywhere." he says in a monotone.
Lucas scans the room and notices a group of students sitting together—Kyle, Stan, Wendy, and Butters. They glance at him curiously but remain focused on their own conversation. Lucas finds a seat near the middle, not too far from them, and tries to blend in.
Kyle: "New kid. Wonder where he's from." kyle whispers to stan.
(Stan glances over briefly)
Stan: "Dunno. Guess we'll find out." he responds.
Mr. Garrison begins the lesson, droning on about historical events that Lucas struggles to pay attention to. He's too aware of being the new kid and tries to figure out how to fit in.
Mr. Garrison: "Alright, class, who can tell me the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg in the context of the Civil War?" Mr. Garrison asks while pointing at the map on the whiteboard.
Lucas doesn't raise his hand, but Stan does.
Stan: "It was a turning point in the war because it marked the last major Confederate attempt to invade the North. It also set the stage for the Union's ultimate victory."
Mr. Garrison: "Correct, Marsh. Now, let's talk about the Emancipation Proclamation..." he says while nodding his head.
Lucas watches as Stan answers confidently, impressed by his knowledge. He notices that Kyle, Wendy, and Butters seem to look to Stan for cues.
As the class continues, Mr. Garrison announces a paired assignment.
Mr. Garrison: "Alright, class, pair up. I want you to work together on this project about the Reconstruction era. You'll be presenting your findings at the end of the week."
Lucas looks around, unsure of who to partner with, when Wendy turns to him.
Wendy: "Want to be partners? I'm Wendy, by the way." wendy asks with a warm smile.
Lucas: "Yeah, sure. I'm Lucas. Thanks." he responds being relieved.
They start discussing the assignment, and Lucas finds that Wendy is easy to talk to. She's smart, confident, and has a friendly demeanor that puts him at ease.
Wendy: "So, where'd you move from?" she asks.
Lucas: "A small town up north. Pretty quiet compared to here."
Wendy: "Well, South Park has its quiet moments, but it's definitely... unique." she responds grinning her lips
As they continue to work on the project, Lucas starts to feel more comfortable. He notices that the group—Kyle, Stan, Wendy, and Butters, share an easy camaraderie, but there's something more, a closeness that seems to come from shared experiences.
(Butters joins the conversation)
Butters: "So, do you like history, Lucas? It's not my favorite subject, but Mr. Garrison makes it interesting sometimes."
Lucas: "I don't mind it. I like learning about how things got to be the way they are." he says shrugging his shoulders.
(Kyle leans in)
Kyle: "You'll probably learn a lot about South Park's history soon enough. It's got a lot of… quirks."
Lucas senses that there's more to Kyle's comment but decides not to press it. Instead, he focuses on getting through the assignment, appreciating the way Wendy and the others make him feel included.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Emily steps into Mrs. Cartman's English class. The room is bright and welcoming, with posters of famous authors and motivational quotes adorning the walls. The students are already seated, chatting quietly as they wait for the lesson to begin. Mrs. Cartman, a cheerful woman with a passion for literature, greets Emily with a wide smile.
Mrs. Cartman: "Welcome, Emily! We're glad to have you in class. Why don't you take a seat next to Bebe and Red over there?"
Emily notices the girls—Bebe, Red, Annie, Tolkien and Clyde sitting together. They all look up and give her polite smiles as she approaches and takes a seat in the middle of Bebe and Red
Bebe: "New girl, huh? Where'd you move from?" she whispers.
Emily: "Yeah, just moved here last week. I'm from a small town up north."
Red: "So what do you think of South Park so far?" Red asks curiously.
Emily: "It's different, but in a good way, I think. There's a lot more going on here than back home."
Mrs. Cartman starts the lesson, discussing a short story the class has been reading. She encourages participation, and Emily finds herself eager to join in.
Mrs. Cartman: "So, who can tell me what they think the main theme of the story is?"
Clyde: "I think it's about how people often wear masks to hide their true selves, especially when they're afraid of being judged." Mrs. Cartman looks pleased with his answer.
Mrs. Cartman: "Excellent point, Clyde. That's a big part of the story—how we sometimes conceal our true feelings out of fear or insecurity."
After class, Bebe turns to Emily as they gather their things.
Bebe: "You're pretty sharp. We could use someone like you in our group project. We're doing a presentation on symbolism in literature, are you interested?"
Emily: "Definitely. I love working on stuff like that."
Annie: "Great! We'll meet up after school to start planning."
Tolkien: "You'll like it here. South Park's a cool place once you get used to it."
Emily feels a sense of relief wash over her. Despite the nerves of being the new kid, she's already starting to find her place. Lunchtime arrives, and Lucas and Emily meet up outside their classrooms. They walk to the cafeteria together, where they're met with the lively noise of students chatting and laughing as they find their new spots.
(Emily glances around)
Emily: "Where do you think we should sit?"
(Lucas spots Kyle, Stan, Wendy, and Butters)
Lucas: "How about over there? I was in class with them earlier."
As they approach the table, Wendy notices them and waves them over.
Wendy: "Hey, Lucas, Emily! Come join us!"
Lucas and Emily sit down at the table, where they're introduced to the rest of the group, including Bebe, Red, Annie, Tolkien, and Clyde. Wendy quickly includes them in the conversation, making them feel welcome.
(after a bit of a casual chat amongst the group Stan asks Kyle about Tweek)
Stan: "Hey, Kyle, is Tweek at his therapy session again today?"
(Kyle nods acting more serious)
Kyle: "Yeah, he's been going regularly. Last year really messed him up."
Lucas: "Therapy session? Is everything okay?" Lucas asks curiously.
The group falls silent for a moment, exchanging glances. They realize they haven't explained much to the newcomers.
(Wendy try's to downplay it)
Wendy: "Tweek's just had a rough time, that's all. He's… dealing with some stuff from last year."
Emily: "I hope he's doing okay."
Butters: "He's getting better, though. He's just gotta take things slow."
(Stan try's changing the subject)
Stan: "Anyway, what about you two? You're siblings, right?"
Emily: "Yeah, Lucas is my older brother. We just moved here a few weeks ago."
Lucas: "Our dad got a new job here, so we had to pack up and move. It's been a lot of change in such a short time."
Kyle: "Well, South Park's a… unique place. You'll see soon enough."
As the conversation flows, the group becomes more relaxed. The initial awkwardness fades as they talk about their classes, summer plans, and the quirks of living in South Park.
(Bebe joins in on the conversation)
Bebe: "So, what do you guys like to do for fun? Any hobbies?"
Emily: "I'm really into drawing and art. I've been sketching a lot since we got here. South Park has some great scenery."
Lucas: "I'm more into sports, but I like hiking too. I've heard there are some good trails around here."
Wendy: "There are! Maybe we could all go on a hike before school ends. It would be a great way to kick off summer."
The idea is met with enthusiasm, and the conversation continues, with everyone contributing. Despite the initial tension when Tweek was mentioned, the group manages to bond over shared interests and plans for the summer.
Meanwhile, Tweek, who is at his therapy session with Dr. Marsh. The room is quiet, with soft light filtering through the blinds. Tweek is seated on a comfortable chair, nervously tapping his fingers against his knee.
Dr. Marsh: "How are you feeling today, Tweek?"
(Tweek sighs, looking away)
Tweek: "I don't know… I guess I'm just tired. Tired of feeling like this, you know? I keep thinking about last year, and it just… it won't go away."
Dr. Marsh: "That's understandable Tweek. What you went through was traumatic, and it takes time to heal. Have you been able to use any of the techniques we talked about?"
Tweek: "Yeah, sometimes. But it's hard. I'm always on edge, waiting for something bad to happen again. And now, with school ending and summer coming up… I don't know, it just feels like something terrible is going to happen."
Dr. Marsh: "It's normal to feel anxious about change, especially after what you've been through. But remember, you've made a lot of progress. It's okay to feel nervous, but try to focus on the present. You're safe now."
Tweek: "Yeah… I just wish it was easier." Tweek responds while nodding slightly.
Dr. Marsh: "It will get easier with time. Just keep working at it, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need support."
Tweek looks down, taking a deep breath. The weight of his anxiety is still heavy, but there's a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, things will get better.
The school day ends, Lucas and Emily meet up again outside the building. They walk home together, talking about how their first day went.
Emily: "I think today went pretty well. Everyone seems really nice, and it looks like there's a lot to do around here." she says excitedly.
Lucas: "Yeah, it wasn't bad. I'm just… curious about that kid they mentioned, Tweek. It sounds like something serious happened last year."
Emily: "Yeah, I noticed that too. But I guess it's not really our place to ask. Maybe we'll find out more as we get to know them all."
Lucas: "Yeah, maybe. But still, something feels… off. Like there's more going on here than they're letting on."
They continue walking, the sun beginning to set behind the mountains, casting long shadows over the town. Their first day is over, but the mysteries of South Park have only just begun to unfold for Lucas and Emily.
End of Chapter 1
