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“C’mon.. pick up already, damnit..”
It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to Stan. Ever since he got back together with Wendy at the beginning of the month, all he does is spend time around her. Now, I’m not jealous or anything, I just wish we’d talk more. We haven’t exactly been the closest lately. I’m not sure why.
Just when I thought the phone was about to go to voicemail, I could hear a familiar yet distant voice on the other side.
“Uh, hey dude.” Stan spoke blankly.
“Oh, hey! Gosh, I didn’t think you’d actually pick up, how’ve you been?”
“Fine. Why? Did you need something?”
“Not really, I was just wondering if we could maybe hang out at Stark’s today.. like old times.” I suggested, hoping that he would say yes.
“Ahh– Jeez, Kyle. I’d love to, but I already have plans with Wendy tonight.”
Well, fuck.
“That so? What are you guys doing?”
“We’re going to dinner.. with her parents.”
“Oh, sounds like your relationship is getting pretty serious again, huh?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to take it seriously,” He said, “Sorry to ditch you like this, maybe you can ask Kenny or something, I dunno.”
Even if I wanted to, Kenny has been working extra shifts down at the local warehouse to provide for his little sister Karen since his parents have basically given up. I don’t wanna bother him right now, especially when there are other people who need him more.
“Kenny is busy, I don’t wanna take up his time right now.”
“Well, I don’t know what else to say. I would say Cartman, but you’ve never really liked him. Why can’t you just make friends with more people?”
“You say that like it’s easy. Besides, it’s not like I wanna hang out with just anybody. We’ve barely spoken to each other in like, weeks.”
“Sorry about that,” He sounded very insincere, “Anyway, I gotta go. Wendy wanted me to get ready early.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Call me when you’re free, maybe we can hang out then. Does that work?”
“Sure.”
“Alright. Talk to you sometime soon, super best–”
He already hung up on me.
“..Friend.”
I toss my phone on the floor in frustration, staring at it for a moment before picking it back up and placing it on my nightstand next to a 4th grade photo of Stan and I, which showed me smiling with a hand on Stan’s shoulder while he did a bunny-ear gesture above my old green hat. Simpler times. I lay down in my bed, staring up at my ceiling, tears already pricking my eyes.
What did I even do? Why is he treating me like this now? Sure, he’s allowed to have plans with Wendy, but it sounds like he just doesn’t care about me anymore.
I turn over and plant my face in my pillow as I start to cry. I’m not even trying to hide my emotions right now. I know losing friends is part of growing up, but I don’t wanna lose him like this. Not now, probably not ever. It feels like I’m stuck in between a rock and a hard place.
That phone felt like a direct punch to the gut. No, not that. A stab. A little piece of my heart has been killed.
I guess this is how it feels to be replaced.