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Kyle never thought about how fickle life was, really. Not until that vaguely chilly day in April.
Early morning sunlight had flitted through the newly-budded leaves, casting its gentle rays onto the still-snowy ground. The frost and the ice had been subsiding since the beginning of March, with only a few patches scattered here and there along the sidewalks or in people's yards. The air was already thick with pollen and life, the trees boldly strutting their flowers and leaves once more.
All things considered, it was going to be a nice day. Kyle had woken up at 5 in the morning, despite it being a weekend. He had grabbed some breakfast and brought it to his room, contentedly watching YouTube while he ate. He considered calling Stan over to hang out but remembered just how early it was. The rest of his friends most likely wouldn’t be up until past noon. Well, most of them.
Kyle knew that they had Kenny awake every hour or so to check on him, and he felt bad for the blonde, considering how little sleep he usually got anyway. He smiled softly to himself as he decided to ask his mom if he could visit his friend today. Kenny had been doing worse lately, and Kyle wanted to help cheer him up, if only a little. He considered asking Stan to come with him, but Stan seemed adamant about not seeing his orange-clad friend while he was in the hospital. Kyle hoped he changed his mind soon, he knew Kenny missed the boy.
As he set his plate aside on his bedside table, he was startled by the buzzing of his phone. Who in the world would be calling him so early in the morning? He picked it up, squinting at the name that flashed against his eyes.
“What the fuck are you calling me so early for, Fatass?” Kyle sighed, annoyed already. He could hear faint sounds from the other end. It almost sounded like crying. Kyle rolled his eyes.
“What scheme are you trying to rope me into this time?” He scoffed. “The answer’s no, so stop with the crocodile tears. We both know you aren’t capable of sadness.”
He was rewarded with the sound of a shaky breath against the receiver. Properly annoyed and considering hanging up, Kyle spat, “Well?”
“Kahl,” Cartman’s voice was hoarse and wavering, lacking any of his usual bravadoes. “Ken’s…He’s gone, Kahl.”
Kyle was silent for a moment, just blinking.
“Gone?” He repeated hollowly, mouth suddenly much too dry.
“He…He died last night. Just--stopped breathing,” Cartman’s voice sounded almost tired. Kyle let out a haggard breath.
“Does--does Stan know?”
“He’s asleep. Tried calling him; only person up at these unholy hours is you, Jew,” Eric’s insults lacked their usual venom, and Kyle began to feel the reality of the situation sinking in.
“Holy shit…” Kyle breathed, pressing a hand to his forehead as he gasped for air. His mouth was no longer dry, instead practically watering. He shot out of his bed and to the bathroom, heaving over the toilet as tears snuck from his eyes.
Kenny was gone. Dead. Fuck.
“You good, Kahl?” Cartman’s voice was quiet as it sounded from the phone still clutched desperately in his hand.
“No, not really,” He managed raspily, lifting the phone back to his ear.
“Yeah, me neither,” Came the quiet admission on Cartman’s end.
Suddenly, Kyle’s eyes flew wide. “Oh, shit, dude, what about his family? His sister?”
“Those bastards weren’t even with him when it happened,” Eric growled, which honestly surprised Kyle. He knew that Kenny and Cartman had some kind of bond, but he was surprised by how much Eric cared about their friend.
“He was alone?” Kyle whispered in horror, eyes flying even wider. Had Kenny died alone in that fucking hospital bed, surrounded by nothing by beeping machines?
“No, fuck no. I was with him. He, um--he went easy. It was…easy.”
If it were any other time, Kyle might have made fun of Cartman for not only sitting all night with Kenny but for admitting it. But right now, he was just thankful that Kenny hadn’t gone alone.
“Fuck,” He murmured, burying his face in a hand. “Fuck!”
Had he done something wrong? Could he have done more for his friend? I should have visited him more. He knew that Kenny had been doing worse lately, but he didn’t think he’d . . .
He was supposed to still have time! He was doing better the last time Kyle saw him, he even played video games with him! What had happened in that short span of time to cause Kenny to go downhill so fast?
“Why him?! Fuck! Why couldn’t it be someone else?!” Kenny was the most selfless guy he’d ever known, whether he was putting himself in harm’s way for his friends or taking care of his sister.
And now he was gone.
I should have talked to him more, Kyle put a hand to his forehead. I should have been there--should have said goodbye. I should have--I should have--
“You gonna tell the fag, or do you want me to?” Cartman’s surprisingly gentle voice broke him out of his spiral.
“I will,” He replied, almost too quickly. “I’ve gotta--He didn’t--He didn’t even see him. Fuck, Cartman he’s gonna be devastated.”
“Yeah. Well, that’s what happens when you don’t visit dying people in the hospital,” Cartman scoffed lightly.
Kyle let out a soft sob. “Please, don’t. I can’t--I can’t do this right now.”
Cartman didn’t reply, and Kyle murmured a quiet goodbye before hanging up. Dropping the phone onto the floor, he stared numbly down at the toilet below him.