Bound By A Book (KYMAN FIC)

The art show

The morning assembly was in full swing as students shuffled into the gym, filling the bleachers row by row. Cartman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny managed to snag a spot near the middle, all of them slouched and half paying attention as Mr. Mackey adjusted the microphone at the front. The faint hum of chatter died down as he began to speak, his voice filling the cavernous gym.

"Alright, students," Mr. Mackey said, flipping through a stack of note cards. "Today, we're pleased to announce the winners of our annual school art competition. Let's show some appreciation for all the talent we have here, m'kay?"

Kyle scoffed and leaned over to Stan. "Can you believe anyone actually signed up for this?" he muttered, grinning. "I can't imagine wasting hours just to paint some boring landscape or whatever."

Stan snickered. "Yeah, probably just the artsy crowd trying to look deep. Like, who even has time for that?"

Kenny chimed in, rolling his eyes. "Right? And they give out prizes, too? Wonder what kind of 'amazing' artwork is gonna win this year." He mimicked air quotes around "amazing," earning a few laughs from the group.

Meanwhile, Cartman sat quietly, fidgeting slightly as he listened. Normally, he'd jump at the chance to join in the jokes, but today, he seemed preoccupied.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, noticing Cartman's unusual silence. "What's up with you, Cartman? Got nothin' to say about the art competition?"

Cartman's face twisted into a smirk, and he shrugged dismissively. "Nah, I just think it's lame, like the rest of you. Who cares about a bunch of stupid drawings?" he replied, forcing a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Kyle rolled his eyes, apparently satisfied with that response, and leaned back, stretching his legs out and getting comfortable for what he thought would be a boring assembly.

The principal continued. "Now, without further ado, we'll start with our third-place winner. Let's hear it for Jackson Martinez!" The screen behind Mr. Mackey lit up, displaying a pleasant watercolor landscape. A few polite claps echoed through the gym, and a shy freshman stepped up to collect his prize.

"Guess that's what it takes to win third," Kyle said, smirking as he leaned back. "A bunch of trees and a sunset. Riveting."

Stan laughed. "I know, right? I could do that in about ten minutes with finger paints."

Kenny snorted, nodding. "Yeah, and we're all supposed to act impressed. Bet next up it'll be a bowl of fruit or something."

Mr. Mackey cleared his throat, preparing to announce the next winner. "Alright, in second place, we have... Sally Brickton, for an incredibly detailed portrait! Sally, please come up and accept your prize!"

Cartman felt his heart slam against his chest. "Sally Brickton" — his fake alias — echoed in his mind as his face flushed red. He hadn't expected to win anything, let alone be called up in front of the whole school. He ducked down in his seat, staring at the floor and hoping no one would notice him.

"Sally Brickton?" Kyle whispered, looking around in confusion. "Who the hell is that?"

Stan shrugged, feigning ignorance, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he glanced toward Cartman. Kenny's lips twitched, barely suppressing a grin. The two of them shared a quick look, realizing at the same moment who "Sally Brickton" might actually be.

When no one came forward, Mr. Mackey hesitated, looking around the gym with a puzzled expression. "Uh... well, I guess Sally Brickton isn't here. But we still want to appreciate their talent, m'kay!"

To Cartman's horror, the screen behind Mr. Mackey flickered to show the second-place entry: a portrait of Kyle. The image filled the screen in perfect, almost photographic detail. Kyle's face, captured with a surprising gentleness and depth, stared out at the audience, a hint of concentration and thoughtfulness in his expression. It was clearly Kyle—down to the faint freckles across his nose and the slight curl of his hair.

Kyle's jaw dropped as he stared at the screen, utterly shocked. "Is that... me?"

Stan tried to contain his laughter, nudging Kyle. "Looks like someone's got a secret admirer, dude. And they're pretty talented."

Kyle's face turned red as he looked around the gym, bewildered. "What the hell? Why would anyone... draw me?"

Kenny snickered, leaning in close. "Looks like someone's got an eye for detail, huh?"

Kyle shook his head, still staring at the screen in disbelief. "This is seriously weird. I don't know anyone who'd do something like that... I mean, come on, who's out there drawing me?" He frowned, clearly uncomfortable but also slightly intrigued.

Stan chuckled, nudging him again. "Maybe you've got a secret admirer who's just really into you."

Kyle wrinkled his nose, laughing it off. "Yeah, right. Like anyone would ever want to draw me. Whoever this 'Sally Brickton' is, they're obviously messed up."

As the assembly ended, students filed out of the gym, buzzing with gossip about the mysterious "Sally Brickton" and their uncanny portrait of Kyle. Cartman tried to disappear in the crowd, slipping toward the door as quickly as he could, but he didn't get far.

Stan and Kenny intercepted him in the hallway, each wearing a smug grin. Stan folded his arms, blocking Cartman's path. "So... Sally Brickton, huh?"

Cartman bristled, looking anywhere but at them. "I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, voice defensive.

Kenny raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing look. "Come on, dude. You really think we're that dumb? We all know you've been sneaking off to the art room lately."

Cartman glared, anger bubbling beneath his embarrassment. "You two don't know anything. I just thought I'd mess with everyone and see how bad the art was this year. That's all."

Stan grinned. "Oh, sure. And drawing Kyle just happened to be part of that plan?"

"Yeah, right," Kenny added with a smirk. "You've got some explaining to do, Sally."

Cartman's fists clenched as he struggled to maintain his composure. "You idiots don't get it," he snapped, his voice tense. "I needed someone to practice drawing. It's not my fault Kyle's got a... a face that's easy to sketch!"

Stan and Kenny exchanged glances, their smirks widening. Stan raised an eyebrow. "A face that's easy to sketch, huh? Sounds like someone's got a little crush."

Cartman's face turned scarlet, his voice dropping to a furious whisper. "I do not have a crush on Kyle! I'd rather die!"

Kenny snickered, barely holding back his laughter. "Whatever you say, Cartman. Just admit it—you went all soft for a minute and actually drew something... kinda nice."

Cartman glared at them, his heart pounding as his rage started to win out over his embarrassment. "If you two don't shut up, I swear I'll—"

"Swear you'll what?" Stan cut in, still smirking. "Admit you like Kyle? That you've got a secret sketchbook full of him?"

"Shut up!" Cartman's voice cracked with frustration as he shoved past them, storming down the hall. "You two idiots don't know anything!"

Stan and Kenny watched him go, laughing quietly to themselves. "Think we hit a nerve," Kenny whispered, grinning.

Stan nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wonder how long he'll keep pretending."