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NSYNC's “No Strings Attached” was playing in your headphones as you walked through the school corridors in search of your locker. The song seemed to fit in perfectly with the mood of the moment, as if it were the soundtrack to your morning. The boy band's third album had recently been released, and you'd been devouring it for days.
Swaying your head to the rhythm of the song as your lips followed the lyrics, you quickly came across a red figure in front of your locker. He acted as if you hadn't seen him, but deep down, knowing the figure that Eric Cartman was, you knew he wanted you to see him.
You took off the phone, letting it hang around your neck as you rolled your eyes at the scene you had just witnessed. Coming from him, you really wouldn't be shocked by anything, so you walked over to your locker without any expectation of surprise. You inserted the combination lock and the paper that Cartman had inserted into the gaps slowly fell between your feet.
Reading the contents of the torn notebook, you rolled your eyes.
He's cheating on you.
“Cartman, we're not in fourth grade. It's no fun anymore,” you grumble, crumpling the sheet into a tiny ball. “It never was, really.
''I'm sorry, douchebag. Unfortunately that's the way things are...'' He lamented.
''Eric, Kyle is not cheating on me. Do you understand?''
''I know, I know... The first step is denial, my friend.'' He laced his fingers together, making a pleading sign with his hands as he stared at you. You looked bored.
“Are you listening to what I'm saying?''
“Jews are really treacherous, you can't trust them.'' He continued with his false tone of empathy: “You're just Kyle's victim, douchebag. You didn't deserve this infidelity...'' The thin, forced voice he used when he talked about that false betrayal made you cringe.''
“Fuck you, asshole.'' You slammed your locker door and left him moping alone.
Eric stayed behind, feigning a false sadness that he'd decided to slip into sporadically to make his lie believable.
You and Kyle aren't dating I mean, not yet, no formal requests as yet, but you act as if you were a couple: you walk hand in hand down the school corridor, you eat lunch at the same table, he carries your backpack around the school and ties your shoelaces when necessary. As well as helping you with your schoolwork and picking up things you can't reach. Typical teenage cliché.
Kyle Broflovski is the kind of boy you've always wanted to date, (since fourth grade, you remember that well) but it took a while before you both realized how naturally you felt about each other.
But it's not all flowers, in this case, there's a fat, inconvenient piece of shit that insists on disturbing the beauty of your garden. (Okay, as useful as shit is in a garden, Eric was far from it. That is, as you can see, there is something between him and Kyle that goes back a long way. (Eric seemed to revel in the misfortunes in Kyle's life, it bordered on homoeroticism at times).
But that's okay, you were a bit used to Eric's attempts to break up your relationship, you just weren't going to let that scumbag get to you.
By the way, Kyle has been at a Jewish camp for a week, in a few days he'll be back in South Park and you'll have some time together, as you planned. You don't want to sound emotional, far from it, but I kind of missed him.
Oh, and Eric insists that he's cheating on you with one of the Jewish girls because, according to Cartman, the two of you are too different to build something more serious and he (Eric) definitely couldn't allow that.
''You don't own shit, you asshole...'' You muttered to yourself, feeling your voice thicken with the anger you felt at that moment.
***
''Have you seen the choreographed cheer for the Cows?'' Bebe was filing her long nails during lunch. ''Nichole did it. It looked amazing!'
''I tried to make it easy for all of us.'' Nichole smiled before taking a sip of her apple juice from the carton.
Nichole's choreography became the talk of the lunch table, and you were listening in, while concentrating on answering Kyle's text messages. You didn't tell him about Cartman's teasing, you didn't want him to get upset at a time that was supposed to be fun and welcoming for him, so you avoided the subject.
I hope I'm in time for the game. He typed, and seconds later his cell phone beeped with another message. It sucks here. He was referring to the camp.
Why does it suck? I thought you were having fun. You replied quickly, hiding a smile as you imagined his expression when you typed the last message. It was easy to visualize Kyle with that irritated look, probably bored with some camp activity.
While you waited for an answer, the choreography continued. Wendy was excited, gesticulating as she described one of the more complicated moves.
“It's going to be amazing, especially at the end, when we all form the Cows symbol! She said excitedly, infecting everyone at the table, including you.'' She said.
''It will! But I need to practice my steps a bit-'' Your cell phone vibrated again, drawing your attention:
It's not really fun. I just have to put up with my cousin thinking he owns the place and trying to get me into team games. He's talking about “team spirit”. As if I care about that shit.
You laughed to yourself, the sound of the phone drawing the attention of Wendy and the others, who were waiting for you to complete your previous sentence, but instead you kept smiling at the handset.
“Message from Kyle?'' Wendy asked with the smile of someone who knew exactly the answer.
“Maybe.'' You replied, trying to cover it up, but the blush on your cheeks gave everything away. Wendy had hit the nail on the head.
“I hope he gets back in time for the game...'' Wendy commented. “By the way, we're going to rehearse today after school.''
“He said he'd try to come.'' You shrugged, but deep down you wished he was there to see you.
I wish I was there now, it appeared on the cell phone screen. It's so boring here, it used to be nice when I was younger.
I wish you were too, you replied without thinking, your fingers sliding across the keys before you could hesitate.
The silence at the table lasted only a second before Bebe interrupted:
“You're sighing. I can't believe it. It's official, guys, our new girl is in love.''
The chorus of laughter that followed was impossible to contain, and you rolled your eyes but couldn't hide your smile.
“You girls are insufferable.'' You muttered, trying to ignore the taunts as you typed another reply.
Just a few more days, Kyle replied.
I hope those days go by quickly.
“When does the proposal come out?'' Bebe ask again, leaning her elbows on the table as she rests his chin on her fingers, staring intently into your eyes.
''I...''
''Don't rush them, Bebe!''
“Yeah, these things take time.'' Wendy agreed with Nichole.
''But you know, right? It can't take too long, otherwise he'll be winding you up!'' The curly blonde warned.
You remained silent. Okay, first Eric, now Bebe... Everything was heading for the worst possible end, yet you couldn't be shaken by these obstacles. Not at all.
“He's not stringing me along.'' You retorted, trying to sound firm, but you knew that the blush on your cheeks betrayed your insecurity. ''We're fine. There's no rush.'' You shrugged.
Bebe arched an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation.
''Hm, I know. “We're fine like this” is exactly what someone who's being screwed over would say.''
''Bebe!'' Nichole exclaimed, throwing a crumpled tissue towards her friend, who deflected it effortlessly. ''Just leave her alone.''
''I'm just telling the truth!'' Bebe said, shrugging. ''But look, if you need help to speed things up, try putting him up against the wall! No man can handle that kind of pressure, believe me.''
“She doesn't need any help.'' Wendy intervened with a sympathetic smile. “And, honestly, I think it's cute the way they are.''
You smiled slightly at Wendy, grateful for her defense. Your cell phone vibrated again, and you hurried to look at it:
I hope they pass quickly too.
Kyle's words warmed your chest, dispelling your friends' teasing for a moment.
“There she goes again, all smiles!'' Bebe pointed, but this time with less malice.
''Guys, seriously... Mind your own business, Bebe!'' You grumbled, but the smile that was still on your lips showed that you weren't really angry. Bebe, therefore, laughed at your words against her.
“Right, let's stop. Wendy said, giving the table a little slap to change the focus. ''Now, about today's rehearsal...''
***
The gym reverberated with echoes and laughter as you joined the rest of the cheerleaders for rehearsal, you had just come out of the dressing room already wearing your uniform, so Nichole, as captain, was in the center of the court, gesturing enthusiastically as she explained the next move.
''Right, let's start from the chorus.'' Nichole said, clapping her hands to set the rhythm. I want everyone lined up this time, no improvising!
You positioned yourself next to Wendy and Bebe, adjusting your hair bow in the colors of the Cows, green, white and black. Rehearsal was the best part of the day, as it was a chance to connect with your colleagues and feel the energy of the group you were part of. When the music started, all external thoughts disappeared, at least for a few seconds.
But then, your cell phone vibrated in the pocket of your shorts under your skirt. You tried to ignore it, but it remained insistent. You held back for a while, even as curiosity drew you to know who it was, it could be Kyle, then, thank God, Nichole announced a break:
You grabbed a bottle of water and sat down a little away from the girls in the stands, checked your phone. The message was from Eric Cartman.
You spat the water on the floor when you saw it.
Hey, bitch. Look, I'm doing this for your own good! Break up with that fucking Jew.
You ignored him, rolling your eyes at the message.
Remember that Jews can only have relationships with Jews, you're not Jewish, yeah? This isn't going to work.
Leave us alone, for God! You replied, typing with as much anger as you could muster.
“Hey, new girl!'' Nichole called out, interrupting her thoughts. ''You're out of focus. Come on, everyone depends on you at the end of the choreography.''
''My bad.'' You replied, trying to look more cheerful.
The music started again, and you forced yourself to focus on the movements, but your mind was divided between the choreography and the messages that kept coming in. When there was another pause for adjustments, Wendy approached, noticing your distracted expression.
“Is everything all right?'' She asked, leaning in to keep her voice down.
“It's just Cartman''. You mumbled, pulling out your cell phone to show the messages.
Wendy rolled her eyes as she read, while Bebe, who was already close enough to hear, snorted.
''Doesn't he get tired? Seriously, he needs to get a hobby as soon as possible.''
''I don't know how he finds time for that.'' Wendy commented, crossing her arms. ''But you shouldn't even answer. That's all he wants.''
''I'm not answering. I just... can't ignore it completely.'' You admitted it, feeling the weight of Cartman's words echoing in your head.
''Well, you should block him.'' Bebe suggested, smiling as if it were the most obvious solution in the world, and took a sip of her water. ''Forget Cartman, new girl! Concentrate on the game, he's not worth it.''
Nichole returned to the center of the court, calling everyone back.
''Okay, one more time! I want the ending to be perfect this time!'' She shouted, clapping her hands again.
You got into position, trying to get Cartman out of your head. When the music started and you got into the rhythm, something changed. The sound of the clapping, the smiles of your friends and the collective energy reminded you why you loved being part of that team.
And as you prepared for the final formation, you decided that Cartman didn't deserve a place in your day. Not when you had amazing friends and something so much fun to focus on what really mattered.
After the end of rehearsal, you went to the bathroom and changed, wearing your casual clothes again.
''The rehearsal was perfect, I think we're ready!'' Nichole celebrated at the front. ''The day of the game will be perfect, you'll see!''
''I'm sure it will, Nichole.'' Wendy agreed.
As you walked past, some people looked at you a little... Suspicious? You noticed that and you quickly felt a twinge of annoyance.
''New girl!'' You heard Stan and Kenny's voices together, and they ran up to you with a rolled-up poster in their hands. ''You... I think you'll want to see this.''
Stanley opens the poster in front of you. What was on it made your heart race so fast that you swore it would leap out of your body right then and there.
You didn't think twice, you turned around and stomped off to the cafeteria in search of Eric Cartman's fat face. Now he had crossed the line. Seriously, how can someone be so mean and uncaring? You'd spent all day putting up with his humiliations, and now there was a twist.
You entered the cafeteria with blood in your eyes, the doors slamming as Wendy, Bebe and Nichole tried to stop you from doing anything. A little further away from the other people, you ended up seeing the boy and taking him by surprise.
''I'll finish you off, asshole!'' You shouted, already clenching your teeth to contain the rage that emerged from your body.
More than in a hurry, you jumped on Eric, hitting him with a more than accurate blow to the middle of his face. You didn't even feel the impact of your hand against him, you just threw one more, and one more...
''Are you going crazy, you bitch?! He tried to push you away from him, but you insisted on punching his fat face until your anger subsided. Is this all PMT's There must be a river of blood down there.'' He laughed.
His face heated up. Moved by anger, you stomped on his foot and distracted by the pain, another punch was thrown at his fat face.
''You know what you've done, you maniac!'' He kept pushing you. ''Making dirty montages of my face and Kyle's face in that baby devil scene from the movie The Passion of the Christ was low and stupid!''
Kyle was the devil baby and you were the mother holding him.
Yes, it was ridiculous, but Cartman held back a laugh as he remembered it.
''You asshole!''
Not only did Eric get hit, but he also managed to hit him a few times. And damn, it hurt. You were almost knocked off your feet, but the anger inside you grew to the point of making you forget that that fight was a well-deserved revenge for the tasteless pranks he'd been playing on you and Kyle.
You could feel a liquid dripping from your nose, tracing a path between your lips to the entrance of your mouth. The metallic taste of blood didn't intimidate you.
''You're a pain in the ass, you son of a bitch!''
Other teenagers around seemed to be cheering for the fight, Butters, one of Kyle and Eric's friends, was watching the fight euphorically, he was cheering for Cartman, but deep down, he was kind of happy to see him get beaten up, especially by a girl.
''Finish him off, new girl!'' A lot of the positive support for you came from the other girls (and from Tweek.)
''Take her, Eric!'' This part, on the other hand, came from a few boys who were strangely rooting for Cartman. For some reason these boys were Jimmy, Craig and Clyde.
''Hey, hey, hey! What's going on here?!'' That low, calm voice came on more than quickly. ''Children, what do you think you're doing?!'' It was Mr. Mackey.
He couldn't break up the fight, because you were still wrapped around that fat bastard's neck, pinching and twisting all his bloody skin as you watched him squirm in pain.
''It's her! She's hurting me, Mr. Mackey!'' Cartman's victimizing tone never changed, and soon he began to fake a cry in his voice.
''What? It's him! He asked for it!'' You tried to defend yourself verbally, letting go of Cartman and staring at Mackey's face.
''I want you both in my office, mkay!''
After hearing a lot about how we shouldn't hit our “classmates” because fights don't lead anywhere and all that cheap talk from the PC principal about social minorities and why we should respect them regardless of the context that led to it, you were dismissed, punished by staying after school to clear the snow from the school's main doors.
It was worth it, Cartman got what he deserved after all. He got a good spanking, even though there was no just consequence before the school authorities. He just made up some excuse that made you come off as the villain, there was no time for defense on your part, so you couldn't say he was being ridiculous to Kyle behind his back.
Passing through the corridor, you didn't notice that in those three chairs against the wall near the boardroom door, there was someone who looked a little too shocked by the news.
You froze when you noticed the usual green tinge of Kyle's ushanka in the corner of his eyes. You stopped midway, paralyzed as you sniffed through your nose.
''You're not one for fighting like that.'' He said in a failed attempt to break the heavy atmosphere that had formed. ''Even more so with Cartman.'' He smiled.
"Hi... Kyle." You were slightly startled. "I didn’t... know you’d be back today."
"I was planning to surprise you, but I ended up being the one surprised." He let out a soft laugh, but you didn’t join in.
You felt intimidated by his presence. For the first time in the few months of your relationship, the last thing you wanted was for Kyle to see you like this—your face marked with bruises and bandages, not to mention your split lip.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah..." You scratched your arm, embarrassed. You didn’t want to tell him what Cartman had been doing. Kyle didn’t deserve to know about that, especially considering how The Passion of the Christ had been such a traumatic memory from his childhood.
You weren’t expecting it, but he hugged you. He buried his nose into your neck and held you tightly, as if that simple act could shield you from everything.
"I don’t know what he did, but you should already know it’s not worth wasting your time on someone like Cartman." He warned.
"I know!" You whimpered. "But... you’re so good to me, Kyle. I couldn’t let him insult you like that. I felt like it was a way to repay everything you do for me every day."
Kyle adjusted his square glasses and moved a red curl away from his face. Your words melted his heart. He sighed, unsure of how to process what you’d just said, but then smiled and placed his hands firmly on your shoulders.
"Look, it’s okay... really. He’s a jerk anyway, but you really shouldn’t have fought because of me."
You frowned. For the first time, you were being lectured by someone your age, as if you were a child.
"He was really getting on my nerves..."
"I know how it is! I’ve been dealing with his annoying crap for years, but I don’t want you getting hurt or fighting over the stupid things he says."
He was being serious, but you couldn’t resist teasing him:
"... No promises. Punching his face is therapeutic."
"Sure." He chuckled, leaning closer to your face and placing a quick kiss on your uninjured cheek.
It took you a split second to process what had just happened. You hadn’t expected him to do that, but you smiled in response to the quick kiss.