Chapter Text
As people grow older, they tend to change and split apart over time. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but instead, sad overall. People change and adapt overtime, and that’s exactly what happened with the kids of South Park.
Stan ended up moving back to South park during the early Middle school years which Kyle was thrilled about, same for Kenny. Cartman stayed exactly as you would remember him, maybe even worse. The only difference was that he didn’t hang out with Stan and Kyle anymore. As for Craig and Tweek, they are doing wonderfully, except for the on and off relationship during elementary school. Craig’s gang stayed the same through elementary all the up until highschool.
What Butters could see, everyone seemingly got along. Although, living in such a small town there really is no picking and choosing who you hung out with.
Heading towards his locker for his fourth period class, Butters runs into probably the only people he actually calls his friends.
“Ello Butters!” Pip exclaims walking up to the other blonde headed boy.
“Hi Phillip! How has your day been so far?” Butters says just as enthusiastically.
Pip smiles and responds, “Just alright, thank you! Me and Damien are going to hang out later, it would be nice if you’d accompany us.”
Butters hesitates, “Well gee, I don’t know… I’m probably gonna head home after school. My parents would ground me if I didn’t get home to do chores.”
Pip keeps his smile which doesn’t hide the small look of disappointment on his face. “Well right-o, maybe next time then?”
Butters nods, “Definitely next time, sorry Phillip.”
Pip shakes his head, “Nothing you should apologize for.”
The bell gives a warning ring, as Butters grabs the rest of his books from his lockers.
“Seems we ought to be going then, text me later Butters!” Pip says heading down the hallway.
Butters just nods in response again and heads towards his classroom. Strangely enough, Mr. Garrison is still teaching math, but in the highschool building. He seems to somehow follow his 3rd grade students no matter what, even if it means teaching a bunch of teenagers. Butters takes his seat in the front row on the right corner near the door. Students start piling in as well before the tardy bell rang. Stan and Kyle took their seats in the back, as Kenny sat behind Butters.
“All right Class!” Mr. Garrison says, trying to catch the chatty teens' attention. “There will be a group project that we’ll be doing in the next couple of weeks.”
The class groans at the news making Mr. Garrison roll his eyes. “And to make it more thrilling and exciting for you, I picked your partners.”
“What the fuck?!” a voice says to the right of Butters.
“Clyde, one more word out of your mouth and I'm sending you to the principal's office.” Mr. Garrison responds while taking out a paper from his desk in the front of the class.
“Here are the partners…”
Butters hates group projects, mainly because he knows that someone could easily take advantage of him during it. Even though Butters hates it, he is absolutely a yes man to everything. Growing up with Cartman didn’t make it especially easier as well. Rubbing his knuckles together, Butters listens for his name.
“…Clyde and Jimmy, Red and Craig, and last but not least Leopold and Kenneth.”
A wave of relief washes over Butters like cold water splashing on you on a hot day. Kenny is one of the few people Butters has had barely any problems with, well… except for what happened to Butters’ eye as a kid. Though Butters doesn’t blame Kenny all that much, they were kids playing make believe after all. Behind him he could hear the teen chuckle through his orange parka, making Butters turn around to look at him.
“Glad to see we’re partners Leo.” Kenny says, his voice slightly muffled from his coat.
Butters grins at him in return and faces back to Mr. Garrison. The bell rings for dismissal and while Butters was packing up, he feels a tap on his shoulder.
“Can I get your number? We’re partners and all that but I sometimes take double shifts for work. So it’s easier to plan out stuff if I have it.” Kenny explains as he stands from his desk.
“Well sure you can have it!” Butters says smiling, showing Kenny his phone to copy the number down.
“Thanks man.” Kenny says in response as he types down Butters number in his contacts. Just as Kenny looks up to Butters again to discuss another thing Kyle and Stan bolt up to Kenny.
“He fucking seperated us! I mean, me and Kyle are always together. Is he fucking blind?!” Stan exclaims, earning an earnest chuckle from Kenny. Giving Butters an apologetic look, Kenny leaves with Stan and Kyle as Stan is still complaining about the partners.
Butters finishes packing up his belongings and starts heading home after bidding Damien and Pip goodbye in front of the school. As he’s walking Butters phone buzzes, making him glace at the notification. It read, “Sorry they interrupted, I swear to god if Stan wasn’t with Wendy, there would be some serious bromance going on between them. I’ll text you later about when we could meet up.”
Butters smiles at his phone and sends a reassuring response in return. As he continues down the road, a loud voice booms behind him. “Hey Butters! Butters, wait up!”
Knowing exactly who the voice was, Butters did not want to wait for him, but nevertheless he did.
“Hey man!” Cartman says slowly walking up to Butters. “You got a girlfriend or something? Why are you smiling at your phone all gay like?”
Butters frowns a little and shakes his head no, making Cartman chuckle.
“I was just fucking around dude, don’t take it so seriously.” Cartman uttered, punching Butters not so softly in the shoulder.
“Anyways, have you heard about Bebe’s birthday party? I heard pretty much the whole school is going.”
“Well no, I haven’t actually…” Butter responds with a nervous chuckle.
“Yeah I thought so, so I was going to invite you on her behalf.” Cartman continues with a smile that makes Butters uneasy.
Giving Cartman the benefit of a doubt, Butters feeds into him. “Are you sure that’s alright? I mean, there could be a reason-“
Cartman cuts Butters off before he could finish, “Probably just forgot or something, being the forgetful bitch she is. Plus a lot of people will be there so nobody would know if an extra person joined in.”
Butters rubs his knuckles together, “I mean… alright then, if you say so Eric.”
“fuck yeah I do, it’ll be on Saturday. See you there Butters.” Eric responds walking away from the taller blonde.
Butters reaches his house and opens the door. He’s learned how to somewhat avoid his parents the majority of the time, but as of today he was greeted with his father in the living room.
“Butters.”
“Hey dad.” Butters greeted the man. Even though Butters was a couple of inches shorter than his dad, that didn’t make him less scary.
“You’re a little late today, might want to tell me what happened?” His dad sternly asked.
Butters’ dad must’ve been in a foul mood due to god knows what if he’s already interrogating him right when Butters enters the door. “Eric was talking to me for a bit after school.”
“Cartman?” his dad questions, seeing Butters nod at it.
“Alright then, clean up in the kitchen and go up to your room.” His dad commands which Butters begrudgingly complies to.
After cleaning up the kitchen, dinner was prepared, which the family ate in silence. Lately, it was always like this and it drove Butters insane. Finishing up his dinner, Butters cleans his plate and heads up stairs quietly, not trying to anger his father more than he already was.
Butters enters his room and checks his phone, Pip sent him a photo of him and Damien together with the message, “Wish you were here! <3” making Butters smile brightly. He is grateful to have understanding friends, and he sends a smiley face emoji back. Butters hesitates to text Kenny so early, because he didn’t want to seem eager. So instead, he decides on calling because if he doesn’t answer then Butters would definitely know Kenny would be busy instead of ignoring him.
As the phone rings it 5th time, Kenny answers, “Hey Leo, what’s up?”
“Oh hey Kenny! I was, uh, seeing if you had any plans coming up so we could meet for the project.”
For a second or two there is complete silence which makes Butters anxiety spike, until he hears Kenny speak again. “Sorry, I'm working right now. Tomorrow will be fine though, we can talk about it more at school. I’ve got to go though, talk to you tomorrow man.”
“Of course, sorry to interrupt. Bye Kenny!” Butters says before hanging up the phone, more quickly than he originally meant too.
Placing his phone on his desk, Butters gets ready for bed. Usually, his parents come up to check if their son is sleeping, and if Butters isn’t he gets grounded for a long while. Changing out of his clothes, Butters slips shoes off and lays on his bed. Looking outside his window, Butters sees the variety of stars outside in the dark blue sky. Slowly, but surely, Butters ends up falling asleep comfortably.