idiots in love

~ 21 ~

The average noise he'd pick up on mornings like these varied between a beeping alarm clock, his parents' yelling, or an obnoxiously loud lawnmower. Sometimes, he only awoke because his brain told him to. Today, it was the latter.

Stan's closed blinds and curtains could not completely cover the sunrays seeping into the one spot in his room. In that spot were his slippers, heavily glamorized by a given spotlight. Encased in darkness, he absentmindedly stared at his alarm clock, unaware of its beeping. It was the state where one can't comprehend anything and Stan was having trouble fully waking up. On his bedside table, his fully-charged phone laid there; alone and untouched for another 7-8 hours. Lifeless and dry.

Until two texts were nearly sent in that same moment.

He glanced over at his slightly cracked screen. Just a minute ago, Kyle texted him.

dreidelmaster: you doin anything, today?

Then his eyes skimmed to Wendy's text.

wendysburgers: i'm happy for you two :)

He, unconsciously, replied to Kyle first.

stan01: nah, wanna come over?

Then Wendy after he thought about it.

stan01: thxs...you think i should tell kyle what he did at the party?

wendysburger is typing...

wendysburger: definitely. he'll be more pissed if you tell him later.

A smirk spread across his drowsy face.

After stretching his tired body, he made his way to the bathroom; bladder just about to explode. But occupying it was his older sister, Shelly. Being 21, she's been staying at a dorm near her local college and only visited during holidays. With that permanent frown of hers, she never looked forward to coming home and he couldn't blame her; he'd feel the same way.

Down their stairway, he peeked down to meet the scene of his father drinking a mug of coffee that said, '#5 Dad in the World' and his mother cooking breakfast. She noticed his figure and was dazed. Stan didn't realize he came home at a fairly late hour without alerting his parents. She warmly smiled at him before returning back to flipping pancakes.

"Hey, dork. Move," demanded Shelly.

Stan scooted an inch away from the staircase. Even after these many years, his relationship with his sister never improved but in her own way, she can be oddly kind.

Before walking down, she added, "I'm going to the mall later. Anything you want, turd?"

"I don't know...maybe a new phone?" Stan joked but she never took it well.

"Dream on," she sneered.

. . .

"Hi, Mrs. Marsh!"

"Kyle?" His sudden arrival nerved her. "What brings you here?" Exchanging greetings was part of their daily routine and it instantly fell apart at her irregular 'hello'.

Stan's mother rarely raised her voice unless she was really, really pissed. Her volume was always medium tone; perfect for avoiding miscommunication. However, she spoke as if she was mute. Kyle really had to open his ears just to hear even a sound from her. If her behavior wasn't already strange enough, her head was the only think peeking out of the doorway. What lied beyond the doors wasn't so interesting to the ginger anyways.

"Just here for Stan, Mrs. Marsh." To rid of her doubts, he revealed a tray of lasagna his mother cooked last night; a housewarming gift in Sharon's eyes but it was just some leftovers Sheila wanted to get rid of.