sober | stan marsh

coffee

It was first period and I already wanted the day to be over. I was meant to be going to Kyle's to study for an upcoming biology test that evening but I told him I had to help my dad with work because I knew it'd be too awkward. I sat in my history class, absentmindedly staring at the wall until I heard the bell ring. I did the same in my next two classes until it was finally time for lunch. 

I headed straight to the table we usually sat at and waited for the others to be done at their lockers. I must've zoned out because before I knew it, Kenny was shaking my shoulders.

"Earth to Stan. You in there dude?" he said jokingly.

"Sorry I zoned out again." 

"You're doing that way too much lately, you good?"

"Yeah, don't worry I'm just tired." I faked a yawn the best I could. Luckily, he bought it.

The table was quiet for a few minutes before Cartman broke the silence.

"Do you guys wanna go play basketball later?" he asked.

I actually would've loved to release all the pent up stress I had playing basketball, but I already told Kyle I was helping my dad, so I declined the offer.

"Can't, sorry, helping my dad."

"I gotta study for that biology test, shouldn't you be doing the same Cartman? I've seen your grades." Kyle retorted.

"I have work, sorry man." Kenny said.

"Fuck you guys that's lame." Cartman responded. "I'll ask Clyde, I know he wouldn't miss it for some dumb shit." 

We've all learned to ignore Cartman's childishness that he kept with him growing up, so we just finished our lunch and got to class. 

The last bell eventually rang and I headed straight to my locker, eager to get out of school as fast as possible. When I reached my locker, Wendy was standing next to it, presumably waiting to ask me something. 

"Do you wanna come back to my place and study for the biology test?" she asked.

I just gave her the same bullshit I told Kyle because I genuinely felt too drained for human interaction. 

She seemed upset.

"Can't that wait? Studying is important, your dad should understand that." she pleaded.

"Wendy, baby, you know he won't care." I replied. 

"What does he even need help with anyway?" she asked.

"Shit." I uttered under my breath. I quickly made something up.

"He got a new bed and hasn't a clue about how he's meant to build it so he asked me to help him."

"Oh, alright." Wendy said, still seeming pretty disappointed. "See you tomorrow then." she said, before kissing me and walking in the other direction. 

I finished getting what I needed from my locker and left.

I walked a bit down the road before stopping to think. Where was I actually gonna go? It wasn't like I could get any studying done at home, between my parents arguing, my grandpa blasting the TV at the highest volume, and Sparky tormenting me to take him on another walk. I yawned again, this time for real. "Coffee." I thought. "That's what I need." I headed over to the shitty coffee shop near the other side of town, because half my school would be at Tweek's family's one. I ordered a black coffee and sat down next to a fogged up window. I drew a little face with my finger and laughed to myself. Me, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman always used to do that as kids. Well, mainly me and Kyle. Kenny usually drew dicks and Cartman would just wipe his arm over it all. As I sipped away at my coffee, I felt a cold breeze as the door opened. I looked up to see none other than Pete Thelman. He ordered his coffee and walked straight over to my table. "This seat taken?" he asked, before sitting down in front of me as I shook my head. 

"What are you doing here alone?" I asked.

"I could ask the same thing to you, Marsh." Pete responded wittily. "Michael has an assignment and Henrietta bailed on me to get homework done, so I'm on my own today, what about you?" 

"I just wanted to get away from all the shit so I came here."

"Taking the lone wolf path,eh? How very unconformist of you." He said teasingly.

"Hardly, just tired and stressed is all." I responded dryly.

Pete took out his lighter and lit himself a cigarette. 

"Don't they tell you to stop?" I asked.

"They stopped telling us that years ago. Besides, hardly anyone comes to this place anymore."

"Fair enough." I nodded.

"You doing okay?" Pete asked, somewhat suddenly.

"Yeah." I replied.

"You sure?"

"Just stressed is all. My parents are arguing nonstop and my dad calls me a fag when he's pissed at me. Although so does half our grade after what happened at the party." 

"Talk to me." Pete said gently, "We don't know each other too well, but I'm a good listener." 

"I'm gonna need something stronger if you want me to properly talk to you." I said half jokingly, but as if prepared for this exact moment, he pulled a flask out of his pocket and poured some of it's contents into both of our cups. 

We sat there for hours talking about our problems, although mainly mine, telling stories, laughing, feeling an array of emotions. I checked my watch to see that it was already nine o'clock. I looked out of the window and realised how dark it had gotten. 

"I better go." I said, half drunk.

"Me too." Pete replied, "Let's get home before we get our asses beaten."

We stumbled out of the coffee shop, laughing and chatting, only to see Kyle walk past. We locked eyes for a couple of seconds but he just kept walking and I wasn't sober enough to process it properly. 

"See ya tomorrow Marsh." Pete said, before walking home. I did the same.

When I got home, I tried to sneak upstairs as it was pretty late and I wasn't fully sober, but my dad caught me. 
"Where do you think you're going faggot? Where were you today" 

"Kyles." I mumbled.

"Of course you were, homo. Get to bed you piece of shit before I put you to sleep myself."

I ran upstairs before things escalated and locked my bedroom door before passing out, still in my coat and hat and all.

word count; 1052 !!

a/n; AGHHHHHHH I'M SO INACTIVE WAH SORRY BUT ENJOY THIS CHAPTER AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A NEW FIC ON THE WAY !!