Chapter Text
Bradley became accustomed to living his life passively.
He learned quickly that his ways were wrong and harmful to himself and others, so much so that he landed himself in a psychiatric hospital not long after trying to hurl himself off a bridge at 9 years old. Now that he was 17, his parents seemed to lay off him, but slick comments still escaped their lips often. Really, really often.
The blond is called for dinner and makes his way down to the kitchen table. He wasn't allowed to eat in his room.
"So, Bradley, we've been thinking..." His father says, reaching over him to grab the shared bowl of mashed potatoes.
Bradley stayed quiet and allowed his parents to talk.
"We think that you need a change of pace. We realize that the all boys school you go to now may be... a bit counterintuitive." His mom continues, "We want to send you to a public school. One that's co-ed, then maybe you'll be able to shake this...feeling...of yours." She shovels corn into her spoon. "Do you remember when we sent you to camp?"
Bradley looks up at the cross hanging up on the wall behind his mother and thought to himself, "How could I forget?" Instead of saying this aloud he responded with, "Yes ma’am.”
His dad picks up the conversation with a regretful voice, "That might have not been the best course of action, but we want to try again." He stares at his son who's still looking up, "Bradley?"
"Yes?"
"Are you listening to me, son?"
Bradley finally looks down to his father, but still averts his gaze and focuses on the food in front of him, "Yes sir.”
"How do you feel about what we said?" His mom asks with a half full mouth.
Bradley honestly didn't have many friends at his current school. It certainly wasn't because he was confused, not by a long shot. There were tons of guys who liked looking at other guys at his school. His parents were right about one thing, sending a confused kid to an all-boys school was pretty damn counterintuitive. It was just that nobody really wanted to talk to him after the incident. It was bad enough his Catholic school taught that homosexuality was immoral, but to be friends with a guy who was such a Jesus freak that he would randomly spout bible verses under his breath and spaz out whenever he would think "bad thoughts"? No way in hell.
But, what they didn't know is that Bradley is working towards not thinking like that anymore. Ever since meeting Butters. Even though they met almost a decade ago, he's never been able to forget what he did for him. Butters taught him that being confused wasn't the end of the world. He saved him on the bridge that day and Bradley never got the chance to thank him. He was the only person who made him feel like he was worth something. He made him feel like he belonged somewhere other than Camp New Grace, or in the depths of hell, or alienated from the rest of South Park.
Everyone at school steered clear of Bradley, so no one took the time to know him or even talk to him. He wouldn't be missed, nor would he miss anyone in particular. He hoped that this school would be different, but his hopes stayed moderate to try and save himself the disappointment.
The blond gives his response, "That's fine with me. When do I start my new school?"
_____
Bradley spent about 2 more weeks in his all-boys school in order to make time for working out logistics. The school his parents picked was about the same distance from his house as his old one. His parents drove Bradley to school and stopped at the front entrance. The blond first surveyed the many kids going inside the school. Some came out of buses while some rode with their parents like he did. He then looked up to see the bold letters at the top of the building which read, ‘South Park High School’
His dad turned around in the driver's seat, placing his hand on the back of the passenger seat headrest, where his wife was sitting. "Have a good day Bradley."
Without looking at his parents, he slinks out of the car and shuts the door. His mom rolls her window down, "I love you. Be on your best behavior, okay?"
Bradley knew what she meant by best behavior.
"I love you too."
He walks towards the double doors leading into the school, holding the handle of his backpack tightly with one hand and holding his opposite thumb in his mouth, chewing on the already ragged fingernail. He thought it would be easier to walk in, but he finds that his feet stop at the entrance. What if people find out? What if they’re less accepting than his old school? What if he actually meets a boy he likes and his parents get upset with him for failing again…for continuing to be an abomination of God? What if-
A heavy set boy wearing a shirt with a provocative anime girl on it came up next to Bradley and shoulder checks him, making Bradley almost topple over. “Fucking move, Jesus Christ.”
He figured that he had no choice but to go in, so he does.
_____
He honestly didn't think this through enough at the dinner table that night. Whose bright idea was it for him to switch schools in the middle of senior year anyway?
In almost every class, he was introduced as “The new student” which didn’t bother him but got pretty redundant after the first three periods. He saw the fat boy again in a few of the classes. He has a feeling he’s never met anyone like him before.
It was time for lunch, which Bradley’s mother packed for him herself. The blond enters the daunting cafeteria, surveying for a place to sit when he sees him.
“Is that-?” The blond blurts aloud.
His feet pick up pace as he feels a sort of gravitational pull move him towards the table. He needed to be sure it was him. He walks up to the table Butters is sitting at, disregarding the heavy set boy he met earlier sitting onside of him. He had tunnel vision, only focusing on one thing.
“Butters?”
The boy turns around to his former friend, “Yes?”
It was definitely him. That distinguishable voice, those light blue eyes, those cheeks. It was definitely him, he was sure of it.
“Do you…remember me?” Bradley’s grip on his lunchkit grew tighter by the second.
The other boys at the table turn to each other with perplexed looks.
“Uhh…” Butters responds while tapping his chin, trying to think of where he saw the boy in front of him from.
Bradley feels his heart sink into his stomach and his breath hitch. His mind raced, ‘He doesn’t remember me. That day meant nothing to him. Saving my life meant nothing to him. Oh God what am I doing. Everyone’s staring. Everyone knows. He knows. I should just g-‘
“Bradley?” Butters responds, “From Camp New Grace?”
Bradley’s thoughts quelled and his breathing returns to normal.
“Yes!” He clears his throat, after not realizing how loud he was.
“Wow! You look great! What- What brings you here?”
The compliment prompted the corners of Bradley’s mouth to curl up without him noticing, “I moved schools.”
“Neato!”
“Butters who the hell is this?” The boy Bradley met earlier blurted.
“Oh, sorry fellas. This is Bradley! I met him at camp, I was his accountabilibuddy!”
“Accountabili what?” A boy with black hair says.
“Bradley, this is Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny, Craig, Jimmy, and Tolkien!” Butters says while pointing to each of the boys respectively.
Bradley knew he wasn’t going to remember all the names right away, but he did remember one in particular, Cartman.
“Wait…isn’t Camp New Grace that conversion camp?” Kyle asks.
“I dunno… but there were some cuckoo people in there that’s for sure.” Butters responds, “C’mon Bradley sit with us!”
“You can’t just let that gaywad sit with us Butters we barely know him!” Cartman objects, “Don’t you know the sanctity of the lunch table?!”
“Can it fatass…” Kyle retorts, “It’s cool dude just sit down.”
“Okay.” Bradley sits next to Butters and doesn’t really engage in any further conversation for the remainder of lunch.
The most memorable part of his first day was Butter’s arm brushing up against his the entirety of lunch.
Bad thoughts…