Do You Even Care? / STYLE SOUTHPARK

☆Chapter 16 ☆

...Kyle's POV...

When I wake up on Monday morning, I just feel like shit from the weekend. I roll out of bed, my hair a wreck and my eyelids heavy.

...

I'm lucky enough to make it through my first two classes and into my desk at my third when. I tap my fingers on the desk, waiting for the bell to ring, waiting for it to be another moment closer to going home.

A paper ball hits the side of my head and I turn instinctively. The paper ball falls to the floor and I reach down to grab it. I unwrap it and like I suspected on the inside there is a note.

'Meet me in the side hall bathroom— Kenny'

I look over to where Kenny should be sitting and to my surprise, he isn't there. I glance around more, he must have already gone to the bathroom. He probably wants me to get high with him — which I won't do — so maybe I should just ignore the note. I can get my work done and have no homework for once. But for some reason, I feel like I should go. It's a strange, magnetic-like pull.

I ask and the teacher dismisses me, I thank him. Just like Kenny said I go back and to the side hall bathroom. The door opens and and I see Stan, standing there, his eyes light up as I walk in. The door slams shut behind me with a creek. Where the hell is Kenny?

...Kenny's POV...

I can't help but chuckle as I lock the door with the stolen keys. I sling the lanyard around my finger, the keys jingling on the end. Moments later the door handle rattles and I just watch it. Stan and I have a set signal. I sit down against the wall that's right by the bathroom door.

I haven't seen or heard from Butters at all today and that makes me worry. Maybe he just slept in late. Or maybe he's sick and resting extra.

Either way, I decide to focus on Kyle and Stan, and I try to listen to their talking through the wall. Just as soon as I make out words I hear the footsteps and jingling keys of a teacher. Shit. They can't know I stole the janitor's keys, I need to bounce.

...Kyle's POV...

"Please! Just listen for a minute," Stan pleads with me. "You can hate me all you want after but just hear me for one minute."

I nearly force myself to say no again. But I can't. Not standing here face to face with him, not seeing those eyes. The eyes I've come to fall in love with over our years together.

"Fine."

He looks shocked at my response but he smiles a little. "Here," he reaches into his pocket and holds out a chocolate bar. My favorite chocolate bar. I take it from him.

"I'm sorry. I've been realizing what a dick move it was... I mean not showing up when I said I would... texting you the next morning. You're always there for me dude and that just makes it worse. I'm just sorry for everything."

He pauses, finally looking at me again. He takes a deep breath, "And I know you don't have to forgive me, but if you do I swear I won't fuck up like that again."

I feel my eyes water slightly, I smile a little. Quickly, I blind the tears away. "I do forgive you... under one condition," I tell him.

"Ok."

"You have to try to stop drinking," I say, fidgeting with my pockets.

He bites his lip, nodding slightly. He looks unsure and says nothing for a second. But then he nods again, "Yeah, I can try."

I can't help but smile, it's been so long since I've even talked to Stan. I walk over to him and wrap him in a hug, taking in the familiar sensation.

"I missed you," I whisper into his shoulder.

"Me too, Dude," he replies. "Here I'll signal Kenny to let us out."

He walks over to the door knocks once, waits three seconds, and then knocks three times. That was the signal? I feel like I could have guessed that by accident.

We wait but the door doesn't get unlocked. He turns to look at me, slightly shocked. "Uh... try again?" I motion at the door. He nods and does the signal again. Nothing. I walk over and try the doorknob. It doesn't open. Damn it.

Stan pulls out his phone, hopping onto the sink counter. "I'm texting him," he says while typing.

...Stan's POV...

Kenny doesn't read or reply to the message. Where the fuck is he?

Kyle hops up onto the counter with me. "This sucks ass," he grumbles.

"Yeah, sorry. I wasn't planning on making us stay in here longer than like... 10 minutes max," I admit. "How's being 16 been?" I ask, smiling slightly.

He smiles too, "The same as 15."

We both chuckle, it wasn't long ago that I had my 16th birthday too. I feel a twinge of guilt for missing his.

"I wonder what happened to Kenny," Kyle comments.

I shrug, "No idea."

Kyle lays his head on my shoulder and lets out a heavy sigh. In nearly an instant I feel my face heat up. The wonders of liking someone. Slowly I lay my head on top of his, easing into the feeling of his head on my shoulder. I let my eyes flicker shut and I let myself be in the moment. His heart beats steadily and his breath... I listen and listen and listen more. It's that — the sound of his breathing — that makes me realize that I want to spend the rest of my of my life with him. I want to have all the time in the world to hear his breathing. His gentle, deep, breathing.

The realization hits me in slow motion. A lot of times that's how big moments are, they take more time to settle in...

Maybe I don't just like him.

Maybe...

I'm in love with Kyle.