[Remembering Erika]

kickoff

It was early October, it was starting to get much much colder.
Stan had been looking at flyers for the football team, tryouts were today and Stan planned to make it on the team.
"Don't worry" Wendy patted Stan's back, "you're gonna make it" she reassured, kissing his lips.
"Thanks babe" he closed his locker, taking the flyer and clenching it in his hand, the bell rung for first period.
"See you later babe" he waved and headed into the first door next to his row of lockers and took his place at his normal desk, looking around the room he noticed Erika was missing from the back row. Stan whipped out his phone from his jacket pocket.

Where are you
    Read 7:34am

I'm running late, don't worry lol
Read 7:34am

I'll keep your seat toasty for ya
Read 7:35am

Stan sighed and put his phone back into his pocket, he watched as his friends took his seat as well.
Mrs.Garrison started to write on the board, "Hello class today we will be continuing our lesson from yesterday, now if X's point is-"
Stan just tuned out, all he could think about was tryouts after school.
He was very nervous, what if he didn't make it?
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
"Stanley" Mrs.Garrison slammed her ruler on her desk, it snapped Stan out of his train of thought.
"Yes Mrs.Garrison" he ran a hand through his hair.

"What does X equal?"

"23.4..?"

"Correct Stan!"

Shit really?

He sat back a little surprised, Kyle snickered knowing that Stan was never really paying attention.
The door was opened, Erika slid into the class and to her seat.
"Erika! Why are you so late?" Mrs.Garrison questioned.
"Oh I woke up late, sorry Mrs.G" Erika looked up, trying her best to charm her way out of detention.
"Oh okay, just don't do it again"
Erika sighed in relief, she slumped down in her seat, tired.

"Dude you were totally late" Kyle sat down his lunch tray in front of his seat, sitting down at the lunch table.
Erika was about to turn into her seat once she heard someone call her name.

"Erika! Over here!"

It was Craig, she set her lunch down at her usual spot "Uhm I'll be right back" she promised and walked over, Token and Clyde scooted over so she could sit, which she did. "What's up" Erika asked, she put her hands in her lap.
"We want you to eat lunch with us" Token invited, gesturing to the table.
"I'll go get my lunch" she nodded and walked back to her table with The other four boys.
"What do they want?" Eric leaned in,
"They wanna eat lunch with them" Erika shrugged, "I'll be back tommrow" she smiled as she nodded, turning away she slipped back into the seat next to Token and Clyde.
They started to talk about football tryouts,
"Some Of you trying out?" She piped up.
They all nodded except for Tweek, who sat there fidgeting,  "well good luck to all of you, I'll be there after school to cheer all of my friends on" she took a bite of her spaghetti.
"Do you know if Stan is trying out?" Clyde snorted, almost like he was going to laugh.
"Stan marsh? He mentioned it like two days ago? He might" Erika's voice became quiet as she realized that Clyde and Stan, didn't really like each other and Clyde was prepared to try and beat Stan at football.
Clyde started to chuckle, so did the other boys, "you are gonna best him Clyde" Craig punched his shoulder, Clyde winced so slightly.
"Totally dude! If anyone's gonna make it, it's gonna be us three!"
Token cheered.

Erika would take them up on that bet.

The bell rung out like it was screaming:
'Hey I'm here!'

She sighed, sanding up she dumped her food in the trash.

She watched from the bleachers as a group of boys lined up in front of the coach. They all looked like they were sweating bullets, each one of them wanted so badly to get on the football team. Erika watched from behind the railing, leaning in closer so she could hear the coach as well.

"All of you proud young men came here today to try and bring honor to our little mountain towns football team eh? Well let's test your skill"
He tossed the football to Stan.
"Marsh and Clyde play defense, Token and Tray I want you offense-"
He began assessing positions to each of the boys.
She waved, 5 of the boys who recognized her waved back.
Clyde and Stan gave each other a confused look,
"You know erika?" Stan asked Clyde, he almost felt like she should not had been friends with Clyde considering his track record, he was a good friends with Erika and he was gonna make sure she only got the best people to be friends with.
"Yeah" Clyde put on his helmet,
"What's it to ya? Jealous ? you have a girlfriend Stanley" Clyde chuckled as him and Stan walked to the back of the field.
"I know that! I don't like Erika like that" stan replies huffing heavily through his teeth.

Erika sat down in her seat, watching closely, Wendy sat down next to her.
"Hey Wendy cane to cheer on Stan?" Erika asked.
Wendy nodded, "Yeah just needed to get away from Bebe, were fighting right now so" Wendy flipped her hair behind her back.
"Oh? I'm so sorry Wendy" Erika put a hand on Wendy's shoulder,
"Thanks Erika" Wendy sighed as she watched, both of them stood up quickly as Stan started to run across the field.
"C'MON STAN!" Wendy clapped her hands, leaning against the railing.
Erika's eyes widened as Stan made it to the end of the field,

Touch down.

The coach blew his whistle, "ALRIGHT BACK HERE BOYS!" He called, the boys all jogged back in line, standing in front of the coach, like a line of toys in front of a child.
He started to toss jerseys,
One to Clyde,
One to Token,
One to Stan,
And of course a few others before he dismissed them.
Wendy ran off the bleachers and hugged Stan tightly, she put a hand on his chest, his arms around her waist.
"Congrats babe!" Wendy leaned her head on him, Stan leaned down and kissed her forehead "thanks babe" he smiled, almost in a smirk.
Erika walked up to them, "congrats big guy" Erika joked.
Wendy and Stan laughed,
4:33pm, Thursday afternoon
Stand watch read,
He sighed and looked at the two girls "wanna go to Denny's?"

"To Stan!" Wendy raised her glass, waiting for the other two to join her, "to Stan!" She cheered, the others did join her, clacking their drinks together.
"To Stan!" Erika smiled,
"Do you ever think we're here way too much?" Stan asked,
"Nah."