Dark on Me [South Park Stenny Fanfic]

Ambush

Craig stood in front of Stan and Kyle's locker the next morning. He waved to Stan as the other boy approached. "Dude, did you forget to sleep last night?" The dark under Stan's eyes gave way that he was not counting sheep at night.

Stan shrugged. "Not really, just been having trouble sleeping since school started."

"Right, since Kenny returned you mean."

"Both, I guess." Stan paused and looked around noticing other students filling the halls with the conspicuous absence of a certain redhead who shared his locker. "Why are you even here Craig? Isn't your locker at the other end of the hall? With your boyfriend?"

"Tweek's taking a break from school today, it's been a lot for him to process and it's only the third day of school."

"Good thing it's Friday then," Stan said as the schools usually started on Wednesdays to give everyone a few days to adjust their schedules. "Still doesn't explain why you're here."

"Kyle asked me to keep on eye on you, he's worried about you."

"Why isn't he here?" There was silence for a couple minutes as even Craig wasn't able to hide that he was taken aback by Stan's question.

"He texted me and said he wouldn't be here today, I just assumed he would have told you that, too."

"No, he didn't," Stan said unsure what to think.

"Are you sure? You have been really spacey lately."

"Positive," Stan said pulling out his phone and shooting off a quick text to his friend. Hey, are you ok? Craig told me you weren't coming to school today? It was very disturbingly unlike Kyle to miss any school much less on the first week. Kyle texted back immediately, Yes, I'm just not feeling well, maybe caught something. Stan frowned and shot back a reply, OK, get better soon. He put his phone away still confused. Kyle usually didn't miss school unless he was deathly ill. Not to mention why would Kyle ask Craig of all people to keep an eye on Stan. Why would anyone need to keep an eye on him anyway? He could take care of himself.

"Dude," Craig's voice cut through Stan's thoughts. "You're doing it again. I've only said your name like three times."

"What? Really?" Stan asked surprised, "I didn't hear you, really."

"I know, why do you think Kyle is worried about you?" Craig asked answering Stan's earlier thoughts.

"Right, right, makes sense," he muttered still preoccupied with worrying over Kyle. He stuffed second period's books in his book bag before throwing it over his shoulders, took his book out for first period, and started walking in the opposite direction of the class. Craig stood at the locker, arms folded across his chest, unimpressed.

"Class is the other way, Stan."

"I know, but we still have almost ten minutes. I want to check in on Kenny and Cartman. Yesterday someone tagged their locker."

"I heard." He unfolded his arms and sighed. "Guess I'll tag along."

                                                     Ω

Cartman and Kenny were at their locker, Cartman angrily snapping at some kids hanging around them. "Get out of here, we're not a freakin' exhibit, morons!"

A group of younger looking girls were near and it didn't take long for Stan to register them as Karen's friends from the other day. One girl's voice rose above the other voices in the hall. "We just want to know where he's been hiding all these years and why he's been hiding." She crossed her arms clearly not planning to leave anytime soon.