17 Crimes [discontinued **read desc]

If I Weren't So Cold

Kenny couldn't remember when he got back to his dorm, nor how, but he was happy he was. He felt exhausted, and was grateful to be on his soft bed again instead of in a stiff chair. Well, for a few moments, before...
"Kenny! Where the fuck have you been?!" Eric was yelling. When did he come in? Or was he there the whole time?
Kenny groaned, and turned his body towards the wall, trying to stay in darkness as much as possible. Cartman wasn't having that though, and sat him upright, where he slowly opened his eyes and noticed Stan and Kyle there as well. Oh, he had more company.. fun. They looked as equally upset for reasons he's unsure of, but would most likely hear about in the next few.. however long they decided to stay.
"I've been out. With Craig.. Michael was there too." He tried to explain, with the grogginess still ever present in his voice, making him sound rough.
"I thought you quit smoking Kenny? ..wait, I thought you and Craig hated each other?" Kyle had spoken up this time, putting a hand on Eric's shoulder for a brief moment as an unspoken pause. Kenny thought for a moment, confused, then continued, sitting up fully this time with his legs over the side of the bed.
"I never hated him. He's just unsufferable sometimes," He cleared his throat, "..mostly. His ego is bigger than his brain and it annoys me." He stretched out towards the end.
Kenny looked up at Stan and Kyle, then at Eric, who looked rather diappointed, and it made Kenny wince. He hated disappointing people, it was one of his worst fears, and to see Eric looking at him like that made him a bit upset. He sighed heavily, then put his hand on Eric's shoulder himself.
"I'm sorry Eric. I really am..." He took a deep breath, releasing Eric's shoulder, "Craig was messing with me this morning and he offered, so I decided it was his own stupid way of trying to make it up to me. I won't do it again."
Eric rubbed his hand down his face, then ruffled Kenny's hair. Kenny, surprised Eric forgave him so easily, decided to just go with it and gave them a small smile. Kyle and Stan looked shocked at the gesture and Eric, remembering they're not alone, quickly pulled his hand away.
Coughing awkwardly, Eric turned and said lowly, "Yeah yeah.. just be sure you actually go tomorrow. Early. I'll be waiting outside your door." Then left, Stan and Kyle following a bit awkwardly behind. Kenny then turned out the light, and rolled over in bed, still in the clothes he'd worn that day.
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Kenny woke up in a cold sweat that morning, panting like he'd just run a marathon. He didn't even remember what his dream was, but apparently it was terrifying enough for him to wake up like this. He looked at the time, and remembering what Eric had said last night, practically ripped his clothes off and changed into another plain black outfit of a short sleeve and skinny jeans still a bit loose on him, only adding a small choker and a hair-tie around his wrist. He was feeling particularly anxious that morning and felt it to be a good idea. He put the strap of the bag and was just about to head out, before he felt a hand grab his shoulder. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Kenny turned to see Craig, who nearly bursted out laughing at that.
"Where you off to so early, jumpy?" Again with the teasing..
"Eric t-told me to wake up early to meet him before class, s-so I am." He mentally cursed at his stuttering. Craig shrugged, ruffling his hair as well, and shoved him out the door with a smirk.
"Jesus, Kenny, you alright?" Speak of the devil and he shall come.
"Yeah I'm fine, Craig just teasing again." He dusted himself off and they headed towards class at a leisurely stroll due to it being so early. He didn't mind Craig teasing, but he was doing it so often now he felt it to be rather off putting from Craig's usual behavior. Craig was usually more a cold introvert who hated even looking at Kenny's general direction, but now? Now he was rather touchy, more smiley. It was weird for Kenny, and probably the rest of his other friends. It was off-putting, but was a nice change of pace in a weird way.
"So did I miss anything..?" He asked almost cautiously. He was worried Eric was still upset with him.
"No, just another boring lecture, no homework or anything." Eric threw his arm onto Kenny's shoulder, a way of saying 'chill out you're fine'.
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Classes passed by rather quickly, making Kenny feel shocked that it was already the end of the day. He felt tired, exhausted.. He felt he was going to pass out. He didn't notice Clyde walking in his direction, accidentally bumping into him.
"Watch it, dickhead." Kenny groaned when Clyde had shoved him after saying that, basically being thrown into a wall.. or what he thought was a wall..
"What's your deal, Clyde? Bitchy 'cause your boyfriend isn't clinging onto you anymore?" Eric, his hero, ever so mockingly asked.
"Eric, don't.. please." Kenny weakly put his hand on Eric's chest, using his other to try and wake himself up by rubbing his eyes. Eric backed down when he looked at Kenny's state.
Clyde sneered at Eric, and walked off to whatever the fuck he was doing. Eric glared at Clyde as he walked away and helped Kenny get back to his dorm, putting an arm around his waist, was he always this thin?, and Kenny's right arm around his shoulder for added support. He was worried about Kenny, but his thoughts kept going to Clyde. What was with him? Why did he have such a grudge against Kenny? Was it because he was around Craig more? He shook his head to free himself of the thoughts and pushed the door open after realizing they were there. Craig was there and raised an eyebrow at them, pointing to Kenny, who had closed his eyes and was drifiting off.
Eric tried, and failed, to lightly put Kenny to bed, and turned to Craig, glaring, "When he wakes up, make sure he eats, got it?" Craig nodded, out of sheer surprise that Eric Cartman actually had feelings or actually listening, he wasn't sure.
Eric turned to Kenny again and brushed his bangs back with his hand, checking his temperature. He noticed the heavy, dark bags under Kenny's eyes and filed it under just pure exhaustion. The past week had taken it's toll on him, so now he was just tired after a seemingly long day. He left afterwards, but not before turning to Craig again, still glaring, making him nod again and giving a thumbs up that he did, in fact, listen. He turned and left, letting the door shut softly.
If anything happened to Kenny, Eric would blame himself again. He could see the feelings that Craig held for Kenny so obviously, it almost scared him. Kenny didn't deserve heartbreak, and he definitely deserved better than Craig. Tightening his fists, he thought... He would personally kill Craig himself if he did that to Kenny.
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To which we see a somewhat busy day and Kenny's exhaustion taking hold. Plus a bonus Eric POV, and what he thinks about the current events unfolding..