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It had started with a heated argument, ignited by a series of misunderstandings and pent-up frustrations. Stan had been jealous of Kyle and Tolkien for about five years now. Sure, Stan and Kyle had remained friends throughout the years, but it seemed that Tolkien had ultimately taken over as Kyle’s “super best friend”. They spent countless moments making Tiktok after Tiktok, earning them a surprisingly high amount of followers and rep on the platform, as well as spending most nights having sleepovers at each other’s houses. This only fueled Stan’s jealousy, as he lived directly across the street from Tolkien. If Kyle had wanted to hangout with him, he could’ve easily asked Stan if he could come over.
Stan, after finally civilly ending things with Wendy two years before, had become very close friends with her, having also talked to her about his relationship with Kyle. Every time he brought Kyle up to her, she told him the same thing. “Maybe if you actually tried talking to him about it, you guys could finally get a handle on your friendship!” After finally listening to her words of advice she had been telling him for months, Stan texted Kyle one evening asking if they could talk about things. Kyle agreed, and was at his house within the hour. Things had not gone too well, emotions ran high, and in the heat of the moment, Kyle had uttered words that cut Stan to the core.
"I hate you, Stan! You're so selfish! I don't even know why I bother being friends with you! This is why I’ve been avoiding you for years!” And with that, Kyle grabbed his things and headed out the door.
Those venomous words echoed through Stan's mind, tormenting him day and night. The pain of Kyle's rejection burrowed deep, like a splinter embedded in his soul. It weighed him down until he felt trapped, stuck within the confines of his own despair. Days turned into weeks, and Stan withdrew further into the shadows of his room. He very rarely went to school anymore, and when he did he avoided everyone he could. The laughter of his friends and the camaraderie they once shared became distant echoes. Darkness and alcohol became his only companions as he spiraled into a self-imposed exile. His room became a prison, surrounded with reminders of happier times—a picture of Kyle's infectious smile, now only a memory of their bond. They served as painful reminders of what was lost.
Stan's eyes held a vacant stare as he stared at the ceiling, his heart aching for the connection he once cherished. The pain of Kyle's rejection had become a relentless storm, tearing at his fragile spirit. One bottle of alcohol stolen from his father became two, then multiple a day. Randy never noticed, he was always too intoxicated. Sharon had divorced him finally late last summer, and Randy had full custody. Shelley had gone to college around the same time, thankfully escaping the nightmare that she and her brother had to endure. Stan longed for the day he turned eighteen. The day he could finally go live with his mother and forget about everything in his past.
Unable to bear the weight of his guilt any longer, Kyle made his way to Stan's home, determination fueling his every step. He knocked on Stan's door, anxiety twisting in his gut as he waited for a response. When the door creaked open, revealing Stan's hollowed, tear stained eyes, Kyle's heart ached with remorse. His bedroom looked awful as well, cans upon cans of alcohol sprawled across the carpet, as well as clothes piled up on the dresser. He had known of Stan’s depression in the past following breakups with Wendy, but never expected it could get this bad, especially since it was only a fight with Kyle and not a full-blown breakup with Wendy.
"Stan," Kyle whispered, his voice laced with regret. The bleached blonde haired boy looked at him, then back down at the ground. “Hi” Stan mumbled softly, voice hoarse. Kyle sighed, stepping closer to the other. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I never meant to hurt you like this." Stan's gaze remained distant, but a flicker of vulnerability shone through. "Why did you say those things, Kyle? Why did you tell me you hated me?" His words were soft, but filled with anger and confusion.
Kyle stepped closer, desperation radiating from him. "Because I was scared, Stan. Scared of what I was feeling, scared of losing you. I lashed out because I didn't know how to handle it."
A heavy silence hung in the air, and slowly, Stan's walls began to crumble. "I've been drowning in my own darkness, Kyle. Your words cut deep, you have no idea what I’ve been going through…” Stan stopped, choking back a sob before finally making eye contact with the ginger teen. “…but I've missed you. I've missed us." Tears welled up in Kyle's eyes, mirroring Stan's pain. "I've missed you too, Stan. I never wanted to hurt you. I was just trying to protect myself, but in doing so, I pushed away the most important person in my life."
Stan took a tentative step forward, their eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. The room filled with a fragile hope as Stan and Kyle embraced, their hearts pounding against their chests. Stan sobbed against Kyle’s shoulder, gripping the other boy’s shirt tightly. “I’m so sorry for whatever I did to scare you away, dude. Just please…please don’t leave me again. I need you. I love you”. Kyle rubbed his back slowly, tracing little circles around it. “Stan, you did nothing wrong. This is my fault. I’m so sorry. I love you too.” In that moment, the weight of their past grievances began to lift, making space for forgiveness and a chance at something more.
As they held each other, they vowed to rebuild what they had lost, piece by broken piece. Love had emerged from the wreckage, stronger and more resilient than ever. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, knowing that their bond could withstand any storm that came their way.