Drifted - Stan and Kyle

[Chapter 4]

// TW: Throw up

I dropped Kenny, and all his new stuff, back off at his house. I was still processing the whole Stan situation- from our reunion, to the kiss, to what Kenny had told me about their falling out. By the time Kenny got home it was 9 P.M., and I was ready to sleep the night away in preparation for school tomorrow. It was the first day of our junior year, the most difficult. I had planned to take all advanced classes, plus some electives. My parents had pretty extreme expectations for me, but so did I. 

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, though it was difficult. I had trouble getting my mind to relax, I just kept thinking about Stan. I just wished he wasn't feeling so alone. I wanted to help him but I made a terrible impression last night. I want him to be happy.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring. Sun was shining through my bedroom windows and I could smell the faint scent of pancakes seeping in from the kitchen. I looked at my phone, 6:55 AM. I had to take Ike to school and arrive on my own in about 30 minutes. I quickly grabbed clothes and put my contacts in, packing my bag and rushing down the stairs. I shoveled the blueberry pancakes into my mouth. By the time I was ready to go, Ike was waiting in my car. 

"Hey, Kyle." He said, reviewing some of his summer homework packets. "You're late."

"Shut up, Ike." I turned the key into the ignition and drove off to his school. 

"How was the party at Tolkien's?" Ike asked, still reading through his assignments.

"How the hell did you know I was there?" I asked, turning over to look at him. 

"Focus on the road. I saw you driving, quite terribly might I add, back from his house. Did you have fun? I also heard you come in. You were mumbling- oh and slammed your bedroom door when you came in. I had to tell mom and dad it was me, I was 'using the restroom'. You're welcome."

"Shit, thanks, Ike." I reddened, I didn't realize all that happened, Ike always covered my ass. "Okay, we're here. Have a good day," Ike lept out of the front seat.

"Thanks, you as well. I don't want you to pick me up and be all pissy." He said, slamming my car door.

I smiled and watched as he entered the middle school building safely. Our two schools were relatively close together, so I didn't worry too much about being late for class.

I drove into my High School's parking lot and parked next to a familiar dark 1998 Toyota Camry. I grabbed my backpack and let out a sigh. This was the beginning of the end. Junior year is when high school really starts to come to a close; college applications, fallouts, sex, drugs, and partying. I just wished my best friend was by my side.

The hallways of our school were packed with kids greeting each other after the long break: hugs, handshakes, you name it. Eventually, I found Kenny and Cartman. 

"Hey, Jew! Didn't think the rumors that you were back were actually true, but here you are- in the flesh!" Cartman said, punching my arm lightly. 

"Okay, fatass. You really wanna start this shit again?" I chuckled softly.

"Yeah Cartman, Kyle beat your ass like 6 times." Kenny laughed, his voice muffled by his orange parka. I smiled, opening my locker. My class schedule was pinned inside of it. Cartman, Kenny, and I compared schedules. I had taken all of the honors courses, so I was in Honors English and Honors Physics with Kenny, thank God my only conflicting class with Cartman was Pottery.

My first class of the day was AP Calculus: BC. I didn't recognize too many people, aside from Nichole, Jimmy, and- fuck- Stan. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't seen him since... Whatever. Since I got held up by Kenny and Cartman, the seat next to Stan was the only free seat. I quietly set my bag on the floor and sat down. Stan looked at me, slightly raising an eyebrow. That's what he and I did whenever Cartman was doing something just a little bit fucked up. I swallowed the growing saliva in my mouth. Why am I so nervous?  I just looked forward and took out my computer to take notes.

Our math teacher, Dr. Harris, was a special character. He talked a lot about Star Trek and Dungeons and Dragons. I looked over at Stan, his earbuds were in. The sun was shining through the classroom window, gently highlighting all of his features. His straight nose had a slight sunburn blush on it, his mouth was downturned a bit as he doodled on his notes sheet. Dark circles enveloped his blue eyes. His dark hair was messed up. Fuck why was I looking at him like that- I quickly looked away, continuing to take my notes.  

After 50 long minutes, the bell rang. Stan stood up and left quickly. I watched as he pushed past the seniors to get out of the classroom as quickly as he could. I sighed. I packed up and followed him at a distance. I wanted to see whether he and I had any more classes together.

Then is where my day slowly took a turn for the worse.

I had every. single. class. with Stan. All of them. And for 6/10 of my classes, I sat next to him. Next, we had English, so I sat by Kenny. 

Kenny and I passed a sheet of paper to each other, adding doodles and jokes as our goofy English teacher ran through the syllabus. I looked up to see Stan, raising his hand to exit the class. He looked sick. I felt sort of bad, he didn't have anybody to check up on him, and that was partially my fault. I raised my hand to use the restroom. I quickly followed Stan into the restroom. 

I gently shut the bathroom door, and I heard retching, throwing up noises. Shit. 

"Stan?" I said, quietly.

"What are you doing here?" His voice replied, the 'you' was condescending.

"Dude you were turning green as you left class. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, okay?" I murmured, sitting down. I leaned against the door of the stall he was in. I heard him throw up again.

"Shit Stan, let me in." I heard the stall door unlock. He looked awful. I don't know what had happened in between Math and English, but he was pale, and his eye bags were even more emphasized. I gently stroked his hair as he threw up into the toilet bowl. He smelled a bit like alcohol. I don't know how I didn't smell it earlier.

"Fuck, Stan are you hungover?" I asked, gently running my hands through his hair. He swatted my hand away

"Go away, Kyle. I don't need yo-" His sentence was cut off by another round of throw-up.

"You do, Stan. Let me take care of you, you look and smell like shit." I sighed softly, continuing to run my hands through his hair. Stan leaned back into my arms.

"Can you-" He leaned forward like he was about to throw up again,

"I'll take you home, Stan." I got up off the bathroom floor, reaching a hand out. He took my hand and leaned against me. 

I led him to my car and texted Kenny.

K: Hey, Stan is sick. Could you grab mine and Stan's homework for the rest of the day + our bags? 

Ken: Gotchu. Stan too?? Fill me in later.

K: I will. I owe you one, Ken.

I helped Stan into my car. 

"Thank you," He mumbled, I nodded in response.

"Don't worry about it." I hopped into the driver's seat and began driving him home.

"Water-" He muttered. I handed him a water bottle I keep in my center console. He chugged essentially the whole bottle. He looked a bit better, but he was sweating. 

We arrived at his house and he leaned on me as we went inside. He flopped on his couch. I got him a couple of water bottles, a puke bucket, and some snacks so he didn't puke out all his insides. I began to leave his house, but he stopped me and grabbed my hand.

"Kyle, stay."