Chapter Text
The four boys entered their local Highschool together, the four of them unaware of how the change of scenery would not only change them, but their friendships as well.
It started with Stan. He was handsome and athletic, his popularity was already set. Practically handed to him on a silver platter. He began to hang out with new people, even the older kids despite being a freshman. Though, he tried to make time for his old group. Specifically, his Super Best Friend: Kyle.
One day, the kids from his new clique had caught him with said ‘Super Best Friend,’ coming up to him and joking that there was no way Stanley Marsh was hanging out with this nerd. Of course, Kyle thought his best friend would defend him. He turned to Stan, hope glistening in his eyes only to see Stan shrinking away from his gaze, looking away from him.
“Yeah. I’m not really hanging out with him, just here to pick up my finished homework.” Stan murmured, earning a pat on the back from a Junior.
Kyle stared at his former friend in horror, not understanding that this was Highschool. It was a battle for popularity, to keep yourself in the high ranks. And being friends with Kyle, well, simply put, did not help his reputation. He left Kyle alone that day, sitting all alone on those bench tables. Tears stung his emerald eyes, though he refused to let them fall. He wouldn’t cry over someone who just threw him away so carelessly.
Following Stan went Cartman, who was obviously after the popularity Stan would provide. Kyle could care less, he was happy that Cartman was gone. Then it was just Kenny and Kyle. But, just like the rest, Kenny became popular. The older kids took a liking to the blond boy, mostly because he was a good plug. Always giving them the ‘goods’ at a low cost. Suddenly, everyone was too cool to hang out with Kyle, the debate team geek.
But of course, they weren’t too cool to ask him for the homework answers and study guides. He would give it to them for free, in turn, they would allow him to eat with them at lunch so he wasn’t a total loner. He always sat at the edge of the lunch table, silently nibbling at his food or maybe not even eating at all.
Things were different for Craig’s gang. At least all four of them had made it to be popular, not leaving anyone behind, even Tweek. Craig was popular for the same reasons Stan was: he was not only athletic but was also the captain of the football team, handsome, and also incredibly smart, though he was a bit quiet — or maybe just nonverbal. He took pride in getting his work done by himself and never asked the poor redhead boy for the answers. This was something Kyle silently appreciated, since they didn’t talk much or at all really.
𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒
“For this presentation, you will be working in pairs.” The teacher announced.
Glances between the 12th grade students were exchanged, already making their pairs before the teacher even said what the presentation would be on.
The teacher sighed, shaking his head. “Before you go and get with your partner, let me explain first. You’ll be allowed to choose Historic World Events, you can choose from the board,” He said, gesturing to the white board that had several printed out pictures of historic events throughout history that were pinned up by magnets. “There is enough for every pair so I do not expect there to be two pairs coming up and asking me to work on the same event. First come, first served.”
With that in mind, Kyle already decided he wanted to do The American Revolution as it was the easiest and most interesting, for him at least. He was already daydreaming about what he could put on the slideshow as the teacher clasped his hands together.
“Now, go find your partners.”
The class quickly erupted into chaos as people rushed across the room to their partners. Kyle quickly stood up from his deck and rushed to the whiteboard pinching the corner of the picture of The American Revolution between his fingers. He internally patted himself on the back, about to pull the picture away from the magnetic when he felt a pull. Looking away from the picture, his eyes trailed the other arm pulling on the picture, he stared up and saw Craig Tucker. His brows were furrowed, his eyes piercing into Kyle’s.
“I got this first.” Kyle whispered, trying to be assertive but was obviously scared of the taller boy.
“No, I did.” Craig responded, tugging the paper towards himself.
Finally the many pairs that had already formed pushed the two out of the way, as they were blocking the white board. Craig flew back, his grasp on the picture unwavering. Kyle, not wanting to give up so easily, allowed himself to get pulled forward towards Craig. The black haired boy hit the wall behind him, a small groan escaping his lips. The redhead soon followed, bumping into the taller boy. He quickly pushed away from him, his hand still on the picture.
“Just give it to me. Pick something easier.” Kyle spat.
Craig rubbed the back of his head through his signature beanie, he never did stop wearing it. “No. This is the easiest.”
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Yeah whatever. You’ll just ask me to write this assignment for you anyway so just give it to me.”
Offended, Craig scoffed. “Ask you for help? Please, my grade would drop if I did so.”
“Drop?” Kyle questioned, cocking an eyebrow as his nose scrunched. “I have 102% in this class.”
Craig rolled his eyes. He didn’t have that good of a grade but he was still passing, with a 100%. Annoyed now, Craig grabbed the smaller boy's wrist that held the picture, trying to tear it from his grasp. Kyle did the same, the boys thrashing around as they did so.
The teacher, finally noticing, walked over to the pair and placed a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Kyle, this isn’t like you to the ruffhouse in my classroom,” He said, lifting his gaze to Craig Tucker. “Neither is it like you, Mr. Tucker. How many times have I told you to take your hat off in my classroom?”
Craig groaned, lifting the beanie off his head by the yellow pom pom.
“Now, I do believe I said first come first served, did I not?” The teacher asked.
“I grabbed it first!”
“I grabbed it first.” Both boys said in unison.
The teacher looked at the two boys with a bored expression. Rolling his eyes, he quickly skimmed the room. Everyone was already in pairs, leaving these two.
“Do you guys have someone you want to work with?”
Kyle shook his head and Craig let out a soft hum that meant a no.
“So how about the both of you just work together?”
Kyle stared at Craig, Craig staring back at him. It looked like they both were contemplating this offer, maybe even asking one another if they wanted to work together telepathically.
“Fine.” Craig finally spoke up, releasing his grasp on the picture, allowing Kyle to hold it in his hands. A win for me! Kyle thought.
“Good. Now get to work.” The teacher said, patting both boys on the back before pushing them towards the row of desks.
The only seats available with two spots were at the back. Kyle made his way back to his seat, picking up his backpack and awkwardly shuffling to the back of the classroom where Craig was already waiting. The black haired boy had already taken out his laptop as well as a yellow notebook. It had the words ‘history’ written out in slightly messy handwriting on it. Kyle sat in the seat next to the boy, placing his belongings by his own feet. He pulled out his own laptop, turning to Craig.
“I didn’t think you were actually going to like. . . help.” Kyle remarked, referencing the black haired boy’s materials out on his desk.
Craig scoffed at this, how could he think he wouldn’t contribute to an assignment meant for two people. “Just because I’m popular doesn’t mean my brain just stops functioning. It’s not fair for you to do all the work.”
Kyle reluctantly nodded, taking his own laptop out himself.
“There’s only a few minutes left. How about we just start talking about the key points we want to add to the presentation?” Kyle offered.
“Sounds good.” The black haired boy agreed, taking out a black ballpoint pen and flipping his notebook open to a blank page.
Kyle then began listing off all the things he thought they should add. The ideas came out like a waterfall, or maybe a hose ‘cause it spewed out like nonsense.
“Slow down,” Craig interrupted. “I can’t understand a thing you’re saying if you're speaking at millions of miles per hour.”
Kyle felt embarrassed. It was a bad habit he had, speaking too fast when people would listen. He felt the blood rush to his face, his cheeks and ears certainly turning red as he hunched over the table. He nodded, restarting from the beginning and talking slower, this time with less enthusiasm. Craig peeked at the boy through the corner of his eye, noticing the redness of his face. He snorted, finding it amusing that he grew embarrassed from that.
“What’s so funny?” Kyle questioned, pausing his rant.
“Nothing. Keep going, we have 10 more minutes.” Craig smoothly responded, his pen gliding along the paper as he wrote down each one of the redheads suggestions.
The bell rang and the pair were still dotting down ideas. Kyle’s brain was like a faucet left running, it never stopped. It was kind of annoying how creative the redhead was, Craig thought. He even started babbling about how he’d decorate the slideshow as the two cleaned up. He even followed Craig out, talking about the slideshow.
This kid never talks — like never. Yet, he’s yapping like a robot, Craig thought as he walked down the hallway towards the cafeteria. Upon entering, the redhead abruptly stopped talking as Stan Marsh came up to Craig, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“Tucker!” Stan’s voice boomed through Craig’s ear, much too loud for his comfort. He nodded in acknowledgement, noticing that Kyle was already sitting down at their table.
“You excited for the game? I know you always get so ecstatic when we play.” Stan hummed, patting Craig’s back.
Stan Marsh was very touchy with all his friends, even clingy. It pissed Craig off how he would invade his personal space. They weren’t even friends like that, yet he greeted him with so much friendliness you would’ve they were childhood friends.
Craig shook off his arm, making his way to their assigned-unassigned lunch table. He sat down next to Kyle, not intentionally but there wouldn’t be any point sitting all the way across from him on the bench. His head was down, facing intently on his lap. Craig was unsettled with the silence but at least he could finally relax his ears. Of course, it was loud in the cafeteria but at least the loudness wasn’t right in his ears. The rest of the group began to sit down at the table. Tolkien and Clyde making their way towards the table, lunch tray in hand, Tweek following close behind them. They sat in front of them, Kenny and Stan sitting beside Craig as Bebe, Damian and Wendy filled in next to the two. There were some Juniors and Sophomores that joined us as well, not like anyone really knew their names though. They all began to talk, quite loudly. They were the group of popular kids that always made commotions in your classroom, always getting the whole class held back for a few minutes because they couldn’t wait to tell their friend about what happened on Saturday. Kyle lifted his backpack onto his lap, rummaging through it and taking out a container. He didn’t place it on the table, practically hiding it with his backpack as he discreetly opened it. Craig witnessed all of this, thinking he was going to take some heroine or something with how secretive he was being. Though, it seemed as though Craig was overreacting as the redhead boy pulled a cookie out of it. Craig snorted, earning a weird glance from Kenny.
“What’s so funny Craig?” Kenny whispered, his breath reeking of tobacco.
Craig scrunched his nose, disgusted with the smell. “Nothing. Just allergies, you know.”
Kenny seemed satisfied with his answer, somewhat at least. Maybe he was just too lazy to keep prying.
The scent of the cookies flooded Craig’s nostrils, they smelled delicious. He watched as Kyle picked on up and practically scarfed it down, the food in his mouth puffing up his cheeks like a hamster. The cookies looked good, even if they were just regular chocolate chips. Craig nudged Kyle with his elbow, making him jump in response. Kyle turned to him, still chewing the cookie. Craig stared blankly at him before eventually speaking up.
“Can I have a cookie?” He murmured, gesturing to the container in Kyle’s backpack.
He nodded, pulling one out of his backpack, the chocolate chips melting on his fingers as he handed it to him. Craig took a generous bite, savoring the warmth of the chocolate chips even though it was midday. Craig looked back at the boy with a generous expression on his face.
“Thanks.” Craig said.
Kyle looked up, giving Craig a lopsided smile. “You’re welcome.”