Play Pretend | South Park Style

Part 1

I exhaled deeply when looking at the homework the teacher had just given out to the entire class. I took a minute to examine the paper but didn't understand it very well. "Uh, Kyle? Would it be a problem if I came over after school? Maybe we could do this together." I asked while keeping my voice low, tapping on the paper with my finger.

"Yeah, sure dude. That's no problem." Kyle said, immediately looking up at me. His ginger curly hair slightly bounced as he moved his head.

I smiled softly before speaking once again. "Thanks, Kyle. I appreciate it. It's just, sometimes this homework is too much for me to handle."

Kyle nodded, his face was a mask of quiet understanding. "I know, Stan. That's okay! We can do it together like we mostly do." 

A warm feeling of gratitude shines inside of me before I avert my gaze. "It means a lot to have you as a friend. I've been struggling with...Somethings lately, and it's hard to talk about them." 

"Let's talk about those things at my house, yeah? People can hear us now and it's making me uncomfortable." Kyle said, looking around him.

I simply nod once more, swallowing hard as I look down at the ground. "Okay. Let's go to your place."

Kyle stood up and took his bag that was next to his desk off the floor, I copied pretty much what he did, gathering my things and walking out the the classroom. I tried to suppress a deep sigh of relief as I walked out of that room.

"Today was boring, don't you think?" Kyle tried building up a conversation between us while we were walking down the crowded hallways. I nod in agreement, my eyes trailing off to the side. "Yeah, it was pretty slow. I was just glad when the bell rang."

"Same dude. I almost fell asleep during English..." Kyle admitted, chuckling a bit while thinking about it and I couldn't help but laugh. The sound of our waves of laughter echoed through the halls as we walked. "I know right? At least we have each other to keep things interesting."

"Yeah! God, if you went to another school I think I would die of boredom." Kyle sighed out, still chuckling a little under his breath.

Suddenly I could feel my smile fading slightly as I considered the thought. "Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

"Hey. Don't get sad!" Kyle said, nudging my arm with his elbow playfully. I did the same to him in return, just slightly harder. "It's the truth, dude."

Kyle smiled, we finally exited the school and started walking to Kyle's place. I shrug, trying to push the negative thoughts away that were running through my head earlier.

On the way to Kyle's house, things have been quiet. None of us really spoke. We just enjoyed our short but nice walk. It was the type of comforting quiet between us. 

Finally, we reach Kyle's doorstep. It was covered in snow that had been turned into slush because of the people stepping on it. I keep my eyes on the melted snow until Kyle opens his front door and allows me inside. We quickly made our way upstairs to Kyle his bedroom.

"Alright, let's get this homework over with," Kyle said as he opened up his backpack and took his pencil case out and some paper. "Are you hungry? Or thirsty?"

I'd think about whether I was hungry or not for a minute or two before answering, "Nah, I'm good. Thanks though." I pull out my homework and start working on it, sitting down on Kyle's bed. It was pretty comfortable, once I sat down I could feel myself sinking away into his bed.

"Feel free to go downstairs and grab some food," Kyle said as he sat down at his desk and started his homework. I'd shrug, not feeling like eating "I might later." I say, picking up a pencil and scribbling away at my assignment. Kyle nodded at my response. He continued doing his homework.