South Park: Dragging Me Down

Stress

Wendy slipped down the corridor lacking her usual bounce as she thought about the torment and abuse Pip had suffered at home and school. Being the class rep, Wendy felt she needed to act.

'I need to sort the bullying out. Put something in place for kids like him who can't protect themselves. A safe room? Reprimands for the bullies? Bodyguards? Oh I wish I could do something more, I'm super bad at this...' she thought.

"Hey Wendy."

Wendy was startled out of her thoughts by a casual voice. She pivoted on the spot. "Huh? Oh, hey Stan."

"What're you doing?" he smiled, looking a little nervous.

"Just... walking."

An awkward laugh. "Cool."

Wendy could feel her heart pounding as Stan moved in a little closer. She figured he was attempting to make a move on her and bit her tongue.

"Hey Wendy, can I-"

"Did you hear about Pip?" Wendy quickly cut him off.

"Pip? Oh, yeah. Heard he got kicked out or something. Imagine Pip of all people getting kicked out." Stan chuckled lightly.

Wendy frowned, "That's not funny, Stan. He got kicked out because he was being abused. Then he came to school only to be harassed by you and your friends."

Stan was taken aback. "So? Who cares? It's only Pip. He's a cunt."

"Stan!" Wendy shrieked. "I can't believe you just said that!" her shocked expression then morphed into a scowl. "I can't believe you'd even THINK about using that word in front of me! And that's a horrible thing to say! Especially about someone who's been abused the way Pip has been!"

Now it was Stan's turn to scowl. "Since when do you care about Pip, anyway?"

"It's a matter of respect." Wendy hissed, "How would you react if you found out Kyle, Cartman or Kenny were in that situation? Would you laugh then?

Stan looked more and more bewildered. "Of course not!"

"Then why do you laugh at Pip? Stan, he's in hospital!"

"But it's just... Pip."

Wendy was furious at this point, seriously struggling to maintain her composure. She then decided to milk it a bit, spinning around with a dramatic flair. "Stan Marsh, until you learn to treat everyone as equals and with respect, including Pip Pirrup, I want nothing more to do with you! And I expect you to apologize for using that vulgar word in front of me! Goodbye!"

Stan's mouth dropped open and he watched Wendy flounce off down the corridor with wide eyes. "But- Wendy!"

"Fuck you, Stan!" Wendy cried, her words ricocheting off the walls and into the ears of many nearby students who were elated at the drama between them.

Stan stared at her retreating figure, completely floored.

~~~~~

The last few days had been incredibly strange and stressful for Pip. His emotions were all over the place and his back and chest hurt like hell, but thankfully his coughing fits were becoming less and less violent as his bronchitis improved. He even felt well enough to move freely on his own now, which lead to his current situation.

Pip was standing with his arms drawn into his chest in the radiography room of the hospital, awaiting the results of another chest scan. A hard-faced doctor who had introduced himself as Doctor Miller had just finished taking the x-rays and was now studying the results behind a screen.