Last Summer - South Park [Style]

TWENTY¬ONE [nightmares]

2027

Stan has no chance getting used to the new environment because as soon as his consciousness slips back into his body the entrance door opens. "Oh. Hey." Kyle looks tired. Stan feels relieved because after yesterday he hoped that he wouldn't end up in 2023 again but in the Kyle-being-homeless-and-sleeping-on-his-couch reality. Both Kenny and Kyle had completely ignored him the whole day and it seemed like Craig tried to avoid him as well. Maybe he didn't want to become part of the drama. Stan had played with the thought of skipping classes but he realized that he has to face the situation. And he has to fix it. If that is even possible. When the evening approached he decided to not repeat last night's dreams by taking sleeping pills. It hadn't been a very enjoyable experience. Kyle takes off his jacket and gives him a small smile. At first Stan doesn't notice it but then it hits him like a rock. He smells cocaine. Which is surprising because Stan doesn't even know what that smells like, he has never been confronted with the drug before. But maybe his future self has. "Wait a minute. Where were you?" Kyle raises his eyebrows. "I told you. At my girlfriend's." The sharp feeling in his chest makes it clear that he still doesn't like the thought of his crush having a girlfriend. Of course not. "I put up rules and you agreed to them. Dude, you reek of cocaine! Is your girlfriend a drug baron or where is that smell coming from?" "I didn't-" "Don't lie to me." Kyle turns around but Stan grabs his arm. Now he looks pissed. "What the fuck, it's none of your business what I do with my life! You're not my mom, asshole!" He tries to free himself but Stan's grip is hard as iron. "It is my business, you came here so I'd save you from those guys so you have to stick to the rules! No. Drugs." The panic and anger in Kyle's face make him look like a tiger fighting for its life. "Let go of me, fag!" As soon as the word has left Kyle's mouth, Stan's hand weakens and Kyle manages to free himself. He opens the door and runs into the stariwell. Then he is gone. Stan stands here, his hand still hanging in the air. Did he really just call him a fag? Kyle of all people? And Kyle just left. Won't he jump back now? Or does that only work if he leaves himself? Stan's legs start to feel weak and a sudden wave of exhaustion makes it almost impossible for him to continue standing up. Quickly he rushes to his bedroom and falls down on his bed. He'll just close his eyes for a second.

Someone shakes his shoulder softly. Did he fall asleep? Stan slowly opens his eyes. Around him it's dark but there is a shadow, illuminated by the light falling through the open door. Where is he? Who woke him up? Kenny? It takes a bit until his eyes adjust and to his surprise its not Kenny who stands there shaking his shoulder but Kyle. His face is wet, his eyes widened and his whole body is shaking. "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry." Stan tries to sit up. God, he's so tired. "What's going on? What time is it?" "I'm having n-n-nightmares again, I can't s-s-sleep. I'm s-s-sorry for breaking your rule. I'm a failure. I c-c-can't...I c-c-can't..." Kyle lets out a sob. "I thought those dreams are withdrawal symptoms?" Kyle shakes his hand. "They're not. I've been having those since...I have been having them for a while now. But lately they have been getting worse." Since when? Since when, Kyle? He feels like the answer to that question and knowing the cause of the nightmares could get him closer to finding out why Kyle keeps forgetting him. Or maybe it has nothing to do with it. "Can I help you somehow? When I used to have nightmares my mom made me hot milk with honey. Maybe that's a children's thing but perhaps it helps?" Kyle shakes his head again. "Can I...can I sleep next to you? That really helped last night." "You really want to sleep next to a fag?" A series of sobs fills Kyle's throat. "I'm s-s-sorry, I shouldn't have said t-t-that. You're not a fag. I'm sorry, Stan!" "It's okay, you weren't...you weren't yourself earlier. It's fine. And yes, if it actually. helps you you can sleep here." "Thank y-y-you." Kyle walks around the double bed and slowly gets under the cover. "Don't worry. I'm here for you." "You're too nice to me." To Stan's surprise Kyle robs closer and puts his arms around his waist, burying his wet face into his chest. God, that's too cute. "Yeah I probably am." They lie there in silence until Kyle quietly starts sobbing again. "Sst, you're fine. Everything's fine." Stan starts to run his fingers through Kyle's hair and as he feels the warm breath brushing against his body he drifts back to sleep.

He wakes up to the sound of his alarm clock. Gotta get to work. Stan groans. He's didn't travel back. He checks the time. 7am. Stan gets up and follows his instinct when choosing what to wear. White button up and black pants. Hell yeah, what a life. When he opens the underwear drawer, Kyle steps fully dressed through the door. His hair is wet, he probably took a shower. "Sup." "Hey." Kyle walks over to the bed and grabs his phone. "You going to work?" "Yup, won't be back until 5." Kyle nods. They can both feel the awkwardness hanging in the air. "Alright. I'll hang out with my girlfriend and probably look for a new job. Hey...are you single by the way? I haven't seen any pictures of some lady around here. Not that I've been snooping around." Good question. Does Stan have a girlfriend? Well why would he? He tries to find his inner voice but the intruder stays quiet. "Hey, no need to he ashamed. But I have an idea! My girl has some cool friends. I know one you could actually like. She works for Greenpeace or something and she's not into...illegal substances. Just like you. I could give you her number if you want to. Or we could go on a double date. That could be fun." "I-" "Think about it! I gotta go now, see ya!" Kyle leaves the room before Stan has the chance to tell him that he does not want to go out with some chick he doesn't know because he's gay and already in love with a certain somebody. A double date with Ms. world peace, his crush and his girlfriend? Sounds like a trip to hell.