sober | stan marsh

cigarette burns

For as long as I could remember I have watched my dad struggle with addiction. When I was really young I just viewed it as normal. I thought every dad drank red wine and vodka every night. I thought every dad got angry after drinking. Every dad shouted at their son with slurred speech and called him a fag in between swigs from his bottle of alcohol before throwing up all over the carpet and leaving him holding back tears while lying in his bed, unable to fall asleep. On top of that, my parents argued nonstop. It started with my dad drinking excessively. My mom hated it and she tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. He was too drunk to listen. He called her every name under the sun and then moved onto my sister and I. It's not as bad now since my dad went into therapy and a support group, but he still drinks the odd night, and when he does, it's too much.

I sat up in my bed and ran my fingers through my jet black hair. I glanced over at my alarm clock before dragging myself out of bed and getting dressed. I walked downstairs and grabbed a slice of toast before tugging my hat over my head and making my way towards the bus stop. Kenny ran up to me excitedly upon my arrival.

"Did you hear about Tokens party tonight?" he asked.

"This is all he's been talking about since he arrived." Kyle said.

"Token's having another party?" I sighed. "How much are his parents out of town?"
"Who cares?" Kenny shrugged. "There's gonna be chicks. Lots of chicks."

"Jesus fuck Kenny, stop thinking with your dick for five minutes." Kyle retorted.

"Aw, come on guys. We've all been so busy lately with schoolwork but everyone's gonna be there."
I wanted to go to the party with my friends, but, like my dad, I didn't have a great relationship with alcohol. I didn't want to ruin it for my friends, so I just promised myself I wouldn't drink anything.

"I'll be there."

"I second that." Cartman said. "I need girls to realise that I'm not just a fat sadistic asshole with no life."

"I guess you've lost some weight." Kenny sniggered.
The bus pulled up and we all got on, feeling the excitement in the air for the party that awaited.

School went by pretty quickly, and by the end of last period all the entire year were talking about was Token's party. I was still kinda worried about how the night was gonna go but I tried not to worry about it. When I got home after school, I threw on a fresh t-shirt and grabbed something to eat. If I did end up drinking, I was not gonna drink on an empty stomach. I told my parents that I was staying in  Kyle's for the night because I knew they wouldn't even bother checking in with Kyle's parents. I pulled on my jacket and went to meet Kyle who was gonna head into the party with me. I got to Kyle's house and rang the doorbell to be answered by Ike. Ike has known me since he was born and has always admired my athletic ability, although he'd never let it show. He makes fun of me whenever he gets the chance, in typical 13 year old boy manner.

"Kyle!" he shouted up the stairs. "Your boyfriend's here."

"Very funny Ike." I replied sarcastically. Kyle then came downstairs, still struggling to shove all his hair into his hat.

"So where are you guys going?" Ike asked eagerly.

"Shut the fuck up Ike, we're going to Cartman's to study, like I told you." Kyle responded.

"Language!" said their mom from the kitchen. I checked my phone to see 2 missed calls and a text from Kenny.

"We better get going Kyle, the others are already there. See ya Ike."

"Later lovebirds" Ike smirked, slamming the door before we could respond.

By the time we got to Token's house, everyone was already starting to get drunk. I tried not to let it get to me. We headed to our usual corner where Cartman and Kenny already were.