Last Summer - South Park [Style]

TWENTY¬TWO [perspectives]

2019

When he enters the classroom, his biology teacher looks up. "Mr. Marsh, can I talk to you for a second?" He can feel heads turning around and eyes drilling themselves into his body but Stan tries to ignore them and walks over to the teacher's desk. "Yes, of course." She lowers her voice. "I'm a bit worried about you. My colleagues and I have noticed that you seem to have problems concentrating. You often space out or nearly fall asleep in class. Are you having problems getting used to the new school? Or are there any...personal problems? Because I feel like the reason you don't rise up to your full potential in class is not necessarily laziness." Ah great. Is it really becoming that obvious? Stan has to admit that he has had big problems paying attention in class but can't teachers mind their own business? "I'm fine. Really. I'm just having problems sleeping lately. That's all." His teacher doesn't seem happy with the answer. She raises her eyebrows and looks even more worried now. "Oh and why is that? You could talk to the school counselor, you know? Or maybe go see a doctor. They could give you medication if needed." Oh no, please no. No more pills. "It's alright, really. But thank you. I'll keep the counselor in mind." "Alright." He gives her a short smile and then turns around to walk towards his table. When he sees Kenny he considers for a second to sit down somewhere else but then the blonde raises his head. "Stan." His heart starts to beat faster. "Hey Ken." He sits down next to him. Kenny's aura feels different. It's gloomy and quiet. God, Stan feels like an asshole. "I'm so sorry. I was such a bad friend. I should have been there for you but I didn't listen and-" "It's fine." "What? No! It's not! I wish I could fix this but I can't and I feel so horrible. I'm so fucking sorry." Kenny nods and stares at his desk. He seems to space out for a second but then he clears his throat. When Kenny starts speaking his voice is quiet. "When there is a conflict between two people I always try to take a look at both sides before talking bad about someone or judging. It's important to see all perspectives. But it's even more important to not put feelings into perspective because as soon as you start qualifying and comparing them you take away their worth and rank them. What seems not so bad to one person could be a catastrophe to someone else. I was upset because you didn't care about my problems but what I didn't consider is that what you had to go through was  just as horrible to you as what I was facing so you had no energy or space in your head to be there for me." Kenny takes a big breath and turns his head to look out the window. "I...I don't know what to say to that. I mean you're right. I guess. But you're allowed to be mad at me, you know?" "No Stan because you didn't do anything wrong. And neither did I. In that moment, yes I had the right to be angry. But not anymore. It's fine." "I..." Stan tries to come up with something to say, something that would prove Kenny wrong. But there's nothing. He's right. And it sucks because Stan is still mad at himself. But Kenny isn't. And that makes Stan feel even more guilty. He falls back in his seat and crosses his arms. "Fuck."

The distraction of the football practice allows Stan to not think about Kyle, time travelling and sleep deprevation for the first time since this has all started. It might have only been a week and a half but god, it feels like this shit has been going on for years. But for 60 minutes he is safe from all of that, Stan can concentrate on the game. Now that practice is over though he can see a very familiar figure walking towards him and Stan wishes he could sink into the ground and never come back again. Kyle looks very pissed. He stops in front of Stan and crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Okay listen, you prick." Can't he get a break? One afternoon without any drama or problems? This is slowly but surely all getting too much for him to handle. "When I first met you I thought you're nice, a cool guy but I was wrong. And I will no longer let you play your sick little game with me." "Wait Kyle, calm down! I know I've been acting like an asshole but-" "No, shut up!" A dark red colour shoots into Kyle's face. If Stan didn't know better, he'd be scared right now. "You're playing with my feelings and I'm done with that. I don't know who you think you are but I know who I am and I deserve better and don't have to deal with your crap. I don't want to be friends with you and definitely nothing that goes beyond that. I don't even want to talk to you. We'll finish the French project and that's it. And when we cross each other in the hallway don't you dare say hi or I'll break your nose." "Kyle..." Stan wants to put his hand on his arm but Kyle jumps back. "If you touch me, I'll scream." "I'm sorry okay? I told you it's complicated right now and I know I shouldn't have kissed you, I'm so sorry. But please believe me, I'm not an asshole! I'm not playing with your feelings! I really like y-" "Don't finish that sentence. We're done." Kyle shakes his head weakly and Stan can see tears crawling into his disappointed and hurt eyes. Then Kyle turns around and walks away.