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Hey Stan! I know it's been a while since we last spoke, but I just wanted to check in/catch you up to date on English class. Right now we're reading The Great Gatsby. It kinda sucks but I know other kids in class really like it. Since the semester ended our teacher gave everyone a pizza party. Then of course Cartman ate half a pizza and destroyed it for everyone. Anyways, Tolkien was asking where you were, but Mr. Garrison said "Figure it out." Hope ur okay!
"Kyle honey, come down for dinner!" I heard my mom yell from downstairs. I sent the message before heading down.
"Hey mom," I sat down at my usual seat at the dinner table, across from my dad, "I uh, I texted Stan today. Hasn't been in school for a bit so I caught him up to date." I said with a questioning tone. I hope she knows where he is.
"Well isn't that lovely! You know Kyle, Stan is going through a lot right now, I'm sure he'll appreciate that." I nodded my head at this before digging in.
"Do you um, do you know where he is? I just, we haven't spoken in a while but I... I don't know. I want to make sure he's doing okay." I muttered out.
"Well, last I heard he hasn't had to many friends lately. His mother said something about struggling with, actually I'm not sure. Why don't I ask her!" My eyes lit up at this.
"I mean you don't have to, but thank you." I went back to eating my food.
That night I had trouble sleeping. Why was I suddenly thinking about him now? I mean, at first I didn't even notice. I thought he was sick or something, but when Tolkien pointed it out, I guess it sort of brought back some memories. He was my first best friend, cause no one wanted to be friends with the weird "jew boy". Of course, we found our own groups in middle school, but then... I'm not sure what happened to him after that. I owe him one, for being my friend, but being there for me when I was bullied, it's the least I can do, right? I fell asleep after that thought. I had a weird dream that night. I have weird dreams every night, ones that I can't remember in the morning, but I know they happened.
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
My alarm startled me awake as usual. I changed out of my PJ's first thing, got into my usual pants and t-shirt, along with that stupid jacket I've had for years. I ditched the hat a while ago, as I got less and less insecure about my hair. I stopped riding the bus to school when I got my driver's license. Sometimes I give rides to my friends, if I can consider them friends. I don't have... friends, I don't think. I'm not exactly a loner, I'm friendly with a lot of people, just not close with any of them. I checked my phone as I got into my dad's car. No new messages. I c hiked the messages I had sent to Stan though, which were not responded to. Hopefully he sees them.
"Shit, I need to get gas. I'm gonna be so late!" I pulled over at the nearest gas station, ready to get gas, when I heard my phone ringing.
South Park Hospital
Was what it said above the number, one I didn't recognize. Shit, what if my mom or dad were dead or something? Or maybe Ike? I picked up the phone in a hurry, ready to hear some bad news.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hey dude." I heard a scratchy voice croak out.
"I'm sorry, who is this? I uh-"
"It's Stan. My mom said you'd messaged me, so I wanted to say hi. I um, I appreciate it. She told me what you said, sounds like English class is still shit. Thanks though"
"Y-yeah no problem! Sorry, I didn't' recognize the number, I would've picked up sooner. Umm, so how are you? Well, probably not the best if you're calling from a hospital but-"
I heard a small chuckle from the other end of the line. "I'm actually okay, thanks for asking. Could be better of course, but okay. How are you? I- Yeah thanks."
"Oh, um, I'm good. You're right, school is still shit. I swear to god Cartman will never grow up. It's like he's still in elementary school." I laughed at my own statement, and I could hear more laughing from Stan, which just made me grin.
"Sounds about right. Yeah um, my phone time is almost up, but I wanted to call you. Thank you so much. I'll uh, see at school soon, okay?"
"Yeah of course! I- or, we miss you. Hope you have a good day."
"You too, bye." He hung up after that. I was so happy after that, I could've just driven home and celebrated. But I had schoolwork to do and teachers to hate. So I finished filling up my gas tank and drove off, hands on the steering wheel and a slight smile on my face. I still didn't know why I felt this way though. Maybe it's cause I'm lonely and just doing this for myself, or maybe it's cause I still care about my super-best-friend Stan.