South Park: Dragging Me Down

On the Run

I have to get away.

He ran through the sparse streets, heart pounding like a jackhammer, legs aching so much they were wobbling, chest panting heavily. His mind had gone blank, yet he was still plagued with images of memories gone by and his past experiences which culminated in him running away.

Pip couldn't understand his own feelings. They were a mess. He was a mess. He was running away from one of the only people who had ever been truly nice to him. Who had accepted him for who he was, and had complimented him, yet now Pip was running away from him. Why?

He's too nice to me.

Pip didn't deserve anyone being nice to him, or giving him compliments; he was flawed! He knew he was flawed, his parents knew he was flawed, his teachers knew he was flawed and his classmates knew he was flawed, so why didn't Kenny? Why did Kenny have to be so lovely and caring?

Pip preferred nobody caring. His brain just couldn't accept nice things happening to him.

He held back a sob.

It was Parents Evening at South Park Elementary.

Pip had tried to talk his adoptive parents out of going, but like always, they didn't listen to him and were eager to meet Pip's teachers to talk about his progress. Normally they didn't seem to care about him, but for whatever reason they seemed really bothered by this.

With a slouch in his step, Pip timidly followed behind them as they strode purposely down the school's main corridor. Pip slowed his pace when they became lost in a sea of adults and other children in front. He came to a standstill and blankly looked into the crowd, trying to locate his adopters.

"Pip!" came an annoyed screech.

Pip followed the screech until he met with his father who grabbed his arm and yanked him in front of them.

"You're supposed to be leading the way."

"I-I'm sorry." Pip stammered, swinging around to walk ahead.

They soon reached the first classroom and the one he was dreading the most. Maths.

At first, the meeting went as Pip expected it to. He had a bollocking for underperforming and the teacher had suggested many ways for him to improve. As he listened to the teacher droning on, his adoptive father dropped a tight hand on Pip's shoulder, which Pip saw as an indication of his anger and probable punishment when they got back home. But then his teacher came out with something which surprised him.

"I want to talk about Pip's behaviour."

Pip felt the hairs on the back of his neck go rigid. He pushed his hands together, fingertips patting his skin.

"He's very well-behaved, does his work without fuss, and is a model student."

Pip's mouth dropped open in shock. As his mind lingered on the words spoken, he could feel his eyes starting to sting with tears. Had that been a compliment?

"However, I believe he is being held back by his weak self-esteem. Tell me Pip, do you spend much time with your friends outside of school?"

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Pip opened his mouth to speak but his throat was dry and scratchy. He gulped, heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea why he was being asked this question. He didn't think the teachers cared about stuff like that. "F-Friends?"

"Well? Answer the question!" his mother nudged him.

"I... I'm not very popular." he squeaked, growing extremely embarrassed. "I don't really- um, have any... friends."