Beginnings Are Ends

Chapter 3: Crushed? (P. 1)

About a week after that conversation, I was nearly completely over the comments I had gotten from Stan and Ike on the matter. I lied to Stan and said it was some prank Cartman was pulling, which he eventually was convinced was the truth. And Ike...I couldn't lie to him and ending up telling him what happened. He was actually happy for me, and promised he wouldn't tell mom and dad before I could say anything else. Thank god for little genius brothers.

Kenny hadn't honestly cared. Sure he teased me about it every now and them like he was expected to, but he never interrogated me like Stan or pestered me like Ike. He just let it be. I don't know whether I'm thankful or disappointed.

Then again I really don't know anything lately. There goes my title of smartest kid in class. All because of the stupid love bug or whatever. And the fact that I've fallen head over heels for Eric Cartman- well...you already know my opinion on that whole thing.

Schools been going fine, except today. Today was horrible. It started out horrible and was close to ending horrible. I was late to school for the first time in years, and I got a text from Kenny that sent me into a panic I couldn't express.

I had missed the bus that morning, first time I remember doing something like that, so I walked to the school filled with guilt and nervousness; I had my first period with Cartman today. P. E. And if I was late he would not shut up about it for the rest of our high school years.

But as I stepped onto the campus my phone vibrated in my hand, causing me to jump a bit and snatching me forcefully from my deep and useless thoughts. I sighed and rolled my eyes as I stepped into the hallway on my way to the locker room, slowing down a bit as I read the text. Over and over and over... Until my mind was bursting from its seems with worst case scenarios.

Cartman got hit by a car

It wasn't even subtle! He just... Flat out sent it. With no emotion and seemingly no care for the situation. Sure it could only be a small incident and maybe Kenny had meant nearly, but my brain didn't care. I saw pictures of Cartman unconscious in a slinger or something, and hooked up to all that breath supporting crap. This was fucking insane! Where had this even come from?! Why would he just randomly tell me this?

Why did I care so much... Sure it's a bad thing and all but a few years ago I probably would've just called it karma and not given a shit if Cartman was coming back to school or not.

But now I was standing still in the school hallway, eyes wide, breath quickened by a few breaths, and alone. Which I was actually glad about, if someone saw me like this they'd ask what was wrong and I'd have to tell them. And that whole cycle would start again.

I swallowed my selfish self pity and pushed away images of Cartman nearly dead or seeing a car come towards him. I walked to the locker room, and was given several reminders Cartman wasn't there. He hadn't grabbed me and shoved me inside like he usually did. He wasn't swiftly undoing the pad lock on my locked like he would insist on doing each time. It sucked. And I was late. With melancholy, I got changed and headed out to the track. Hoping to keep away from Kenny or Stan just for a little bit. And I was able to avoid them, until Butters walked up beside me and asked, "Is somethin wrong, Kyle?" His voice was in that attempt at the whole 'don't lie to me' tone. But unfortunately I couldn't help it.

I looked at the blond and smiled weakly. "I'm fine Butters."

"Are you sure?"

"Just tired." That was believable enough. Sending Butters on his way to go talk to someone else.

As I was nearly finished with the warm up lap, I could over hear Kevin and Kenny talking ahead of me. Kevin was questioning Kenny about the accident.

"Did you know about it?"

"What happened?"

"Is he okay?"

Kenny only sighed, sounding frustrated. "I just heard he got hit by some guy making an illegal turn. I don't know anything else."

Kevin must have noticed me staring, because he shut up a few seconds later. Kenny didn't look at me and turned to finish the lap. Gee. Thanks for the comfort there guys.

Immediately after the period and after I changed back into my regular clothing, I texted Cartman with frantic fingers. Seeming to float over each letters as I typed. I sounded a hell of a lot angrier than I meant to sound and mentally kicked myself after that realization.

You for hit by a car?!

Dude are got okay?

They were dumb questions, ones that weren't answered for a while. I growled down at my phone and moved of out of my line of vision. Stan caught up to me in the hall on the way to my next class. This was the last thing I needed, I didn't mind talking to Stan. It was just...he'd get really worried. For me. And I'd probably get mad and-

"Hey dude!" He waved, just like before. I smiled back and replied the same, high-fiving him. He seemed in a better mood. Maybe he didn't know about the accident?

"What class you got next?" I asked, just for the sake of not having an awkward conversation.

He shook his head. "Just some stupid computer lab stuff. It's not anything fun like you would think, it's reeeeaaaallly boring."

I nodded and let out a small, apologetic 'oh' before patting his shoulder, waving at him again and turning down the hall to my next class. Which was some kind of English work shop. If was entertaining enough. I wasn't complaining.

As I sat down in my seat I scooted the chair up to the desk and sighed. If Cartman really wasn't okay, I may have a heart attack where I am right now. Keel over this second.

I know I'm being dramatic; my mind couldn't stop thinking...

Life without that fat bastard wouldn't be worth living.

Cont. In next chapter