Halo

14- Awkward... -14

Kenny sighed as the clock hit midnight, pulling the covers tightly around him to fight the cold. It had been about a week since the kiss. Butters had assured him that everything was okay between them, but Kenny couldn't help but feel something had changed. Everything was different. It was weird.

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"Hey Ken!" Butters said as Kenny got on the bus. "Hey." He said back, sitting down. Butters was silent for a moment before offering an earbud. Kenny smiled and shook his head "Nah. I'm uh.. I'm good." Kenny said. Butters smiled and nodded, putting the earbud in. Kenny turned back to face the front, sighing. "Who shit on your mood today?" Kyle asked. Kenny sighed "Nobody. It's just-" he turned to glance at Butters. He lowered his voice and sighed "Leo and I.. uh.. did something." He said. Kyle let out an audible gasp "No... Y-You didn't..." Kyle muttered. Kenny face palmed "No, Kyle. I did not do... that. It was waaay more innocent." He explained. Kyle relaxed "Ahh. Okay. What, is it awkward now?" He asked. Kenny frowned and averted his eyes "...Yeah, I guess." Kyle nodded.

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Kenny started out the window. The rain hadn't stopped since that day. The noise of his parents fighting had just became a blur of the background. A bottle smashed against his door, snapping him out of it. He turned to see his mom opening the door. She had a cut on her cheek and she looked dazed. Kenny gasped softly and walked over to her "Mom?" He asked. She shook her head "Get Karen into your room and lock the door." She said firmly. Kenny frowned "Wh.. Why?" He asked. She grasped his shoulder firmly "Just do it. P-please." She said. He couldn't say no to her like this. He felt so bad about what his father had done to her. She used to be happy. He missed when they used to have movie nights at home and have imaginary popcorn when they didn't have any. He missed how she was before he did this to her. Kenny sighed. He called Karen over and slid the pin into his flimsy lock.

"Why'd you call me?" Karen asked. Kenny paused "I... wanted to play...!" He said. Karen's eyes lit up "Okay! I'll go get my-" "N-No!" He said suddenly, grabbing her wrist. She turned and stared at him "I uh... Y-You don't have to, Karebear. I have toys in here." He said. Karen frowned "Something's wrong.. You never act like this, Kenny." She said. They both flinched as another bottle was flung at the wall. Kenny pulled Karen close and hugged her. "Okay. Karen, I'm gonna go get your stuff. We need to go. This isn't safe any more, and my lock isn't gonna hold up if they keep chucking bottles at my door." He said. Karen paused before nodding. Kenny smiled and unlocked the door, stepping out and shutting it quickly. Hearing Karen lock it behind him, he walked across the hall and ducked under another bottle.

He grabbed her backpack and shoved some essentials into it. The teen walked out of her room and into his again, stumbling in on a horrible sight. One that he always prayed wouldn't happen. His father was in front of Karen, yelling at her for god knows what. He didn't listen, he didn't think, he scooped Karen up and opened his window. He placed her outside in the downpour before being yanked back into the house. "I was talkin' to her!" He yelled, shoving Kenny onto the ground and stepping in between him and the window.

Kenny stood up quickly, backing away and through his door frame. He turned and bolted away, sprinting through the front door, his dad following close behind. His dad threw the bottle he was holding at Kenny's head, a shard slipping by and cutting his cheek. He wouldn't lie, it hurt like hell, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Kenny knew he couldn't win that fight, so he ran instead. He looked back around the house, opening the gate that lead into his backyard where Karen was waiting. He picked her up and ran, ducking through the gap in the fence and running through SoDoSoPa faster than he ever had before.

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"I'm really sorry for this, again." Kenny said. Stan shook his head "No need to apologise," He said, putting a hand on his shoulder "Anytime, you just let me know." Kenny smiled "Thanks." "Though I have to wonder, why do you keep coming here? I don't care, of course, but like... why not Butters, or something?" Stan asked. Kenny shook his head "I just can't face him.. right now." He replied. Stan cocked his head "Why not?" He asked, cleaning the blood off of Kenny's cheek. Kenny sighed and chuckled lightly "I just- we- well.. we did something. Nothing terrible, but I feel like it's awkward now." Kenny explained. Stan nodded "Yeah, I can... relate, per say. Can I tell you a secret?" He asked. Kenny smirked "Sure."

Stan blushed "Well... me and Kyle are da-" "Yup, knew it." Kenny interrupted. Stan's jaw dropped "What?! How?!" He asked frantically. Kenny doubled over with laughter "It was sooo obvious, ahh you should've seen your face!" He giggled. Stan blushed, huffing. He pulled Kenny up, ripping a bandaid out of the packaging. "Ugh! You're so annoying! J-Just hold still." He said, chuckling along with Kenny. "Don't tell anybody by the way. Got that? Nobody. Ever." He said. Kenny grinned "Course not, Stan. I wouldn't do that to you!" He said. Stan returned the smile "Thanks."

Kenny sighed "God, you've got it together. You got a boyfriend. Tell me your secret." He said. Stan chuckled "I don't have a secret, dumbass. Nobody does." He said, sticking the bandaid on Kenny's cheek "And I know I'm probably not the most qualified because I'm still new at it, but I can tell you like him, and I can tell you what I do know."

Kenny gave a confused look

"Just be yourself. That's really all it takes." Stan said. Kenny sighed and chuckled "That's what Craig told me too. Must be true I guess." Stan nodded "Mhm! I'm not gonna sit here and act like it's a magic pill for success, but it sure helps, I Uh- I think."

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"What?! You're saying Chef's back in for his job?!" Kenny asked. The boys nodded and smiled excitedly "Yeah!! That means that now, when we have problems, Chef will help us!" Kyle exclaimed. Kenny grinned "Aw hell yeah!!" The four boys lined up for lunch, more exited than they're ever been in a line. They didn't even care that they were the last in line (something that they'd usually complain endlessly about).

"Hello children!" Chef said happily "Hey Chef!!" They said. Chef opened the counter gate and walked towards them, picking them up easily ant bear hugging all four. "I missed you all so much, children. You've all grown so much!" He said. "We missed you too, Chef!" Stan said. Chef put the boys down and smiled "How've you been, Stan?" He asked. Stan smiled "Well, a lot has been going on recently, both good and bad, but I'm pretty good!" He replied. "And what about you, Kyle?" Chef asked, turning to the red head "Well I'm also pretty good Chef!" Kyle said. "And you, Cartman?" Chef asked. Cartman smirked "Well Chef, I'm doing quite well, even scored myself a girlfriend!" He said smugly, eyeing the rest of his friends. "Well that's just great, Cartman! What about you, Kenny? How've you been?" Kenny grinned "I've been great!" He said.

Chef smiled and walked back behind the counter "Well, that's just amazing, Children!" He said "But Chef, we thought you died! What happened?!" Kyle asked. "It's a very long story, children. But eventually, I will tell you everything." Chef said. The boys smiled "Now, what would you boys like for lunch?" He asked. Kenny's friends bought lunch, but when it was Kenny's turn...

"And what would you like, Kenny?" Chef asked. Kenny sighed "I don't have any money, Chef.." he said. Chef frowned, before turning around and grabbing something. He turned back towards the teen and smiled, handing him a sandwich, juice box, and cookie. "It doesn't matter, Kenny. You boys are like sons to me and I couldn't let you starve. Now, go and have fun with your friends." Chef said. Kenny gave him a grin "Thank you, Chef. You're like my second dad, by the way!" He said, running off. Chef smiled

"Good kids."