Under The Oak Tree (South Park FanFic)

Chapter 6

Stan's POV

As soon as I touched her hand it was as if I'd been hit in the face with a hot frying pan. You know, in a good way. I guess.

And as soon as I let it go it was like everything I had ever built up suddenly came tumbling down in one swift motion, while at the same time my stomach flipped upside down and aligned with my other organs to make a sad smiley face.

Even as we were walking along the bridge to line up and go down again, I couldn't shake the feeling to just pick up her hand again and hold it as if nothing was more important. And honestly, it felt like nothing was.

God, I have it bad.

"Hey." I say, sitting down at a lunch table with the guys and unzipping my lunch kit. I pull out a sandwich and notice no one has said anything back to me. I set my lunch kit by my feet and start unwrapping my sandwich. "Guys?"

"Dude," Kyle says, staring straight into my eyes. "Did you see that?"

"See what?" I ask, confused. What's going on with them? Did I do something and not realize it?

"Dude," Cartman says. "You let go of Michelle's hand and I saw it- that look of disappointment in her eyes."

"Listen to Eric." Kyle said. "He knows how to read people, really really well."

"Look, I appreciate what you guys are trying to-"

"No man, we're serious!" Kenny interrupts me before I can finish what I was going to say.

"Sure, Cartman knows his stuff, but seriously? There's no wa-"

"SHUT UP AND LISTEN FOR ONCE YOU MUFF CABBAGE ASSHOLE!" Cartman's hands rush to his mouth and his eyes widen. Our classmates sitting at other tables look over at him, surprised at this sudden outburst. "Woops." He says. "My bad." They go back to their idle chit-chat and Cartman looks back at me. "I was just trying to boost your confidence about the situation, alright? And I wasn't lying." He said, taking a bite out of his own sandwich and looking down at the table.

"Thanks for the gesture, Cartman." I say. I really do feel bad, now. And maybe he was right- it just feels wrong to believe it for some reason.

"Whatever." He says. "No hard feelings, I guess." He takes another bite of his sandwich.

The rest of lunch we ignore what happened and are more quiet than normal. Still, I can't help but wonder about his outburst a little.

~*~

Kyle's POV

On the way back to camp, Eric and I fall behind a little for some privacy. I really want to talk about that outburst earlier- I haven't heard him like that in a long time, and it worries me a little.

"Hey, Eric, about earlier.." I start off slowly.

"Yeah," he says to me. "I know. I totally flew off the handle." He explains. "It just sort of happened I guess. Don't worry, that's not who I am anymore."

"Okay." I say, holding his hand tighter. I trust him, so I believe him.

"Hey," He stops, standing in front of me and leaning in so his lips gently touch mine. The same warm sensation floods through me as always, and I smile gently when he pulls off. "I love you, okay?"

"I love you too, Eric." I say, pulling him back in for another kiss. I'm so glad I have him. I couldn't imagine a life without him, now. I pull off gently and rest my forehead against his. I could stay like this forever, but I know that we have to keep moving. We're already a ways behind everyone. "Let's go." I say. "We can continue from here tonight."