Chapter One

I watched how my mothers eyes watered again. Her face and palms sweaty, Ike crying silently beside my body, me crying too. It's the 10th time this week that my parents have been fighting. It's scary, seeing them have a go at eachother.

"Fine! If you want a divorce, I'm more than happy to do it!" I heard my mother scream at the top of her lungs; broken. I stopped breathing, Ike weeping into my hoodie. All I could do was watch how my father stormed out of the door, red.

My mother looked sadly up at us. No one spoke, Ike and I just went up to our rooms and went to sleep; along with my mother. Well, I didn't exactly go to sleep. I just hugged my stuffed bear, worried.

What would happen next? Another fight? A paper? Having to choose sides? I suddenly choked on my spit, shooting up. I coughed, covering my mouth but it continued. My mother had to walk in and check up on me.

She pat my back, accidentally too hard. She then hugged me, warm and inviting. I hugged back, I needed to.

~~~~~~

The next day I was seated at the table, watching my parents fill out forms. "I'll have Ike. There's more kids down at where my parents live." My father spoke, making my heart stop.

"No! I'm his mother, I decide whether he stays here or goes!" Poor Ike. He was at school. I had to stay behind because I couldn't stop crying last night and I couldn't face anyone without bursting into tears.

"What matters most? Happiness, or a bad environment?" My mother cringed at this, sighing. "Two weeks with me, two weeks with you. It's only fair." I watched my mother sadly nod. How could she? I held back tears, though, and sipped on my water.

"Kyle, you're old enough to decide where you want to go." My heart stopped, yet again. When could I finally get a break? "Do you want to stay with me or you're father?"

"Well..why can't Ike choose?" I asked in a concerned tone. "He's 9, he's old enough."

"He can't choose because he's not 16 yet, end of story." My fathers words were sharp. And yet another fight broke out. I couldn't help it. I fled to my room, my eyes bursting out into tears.

"I hate this! I hate this! I hate this! I hate this!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, punching my door. Oops. I made a big hole. I couldn't help but cry more. I was helpless..

~~~~~~~

It was only a week later and I hugged Ike goodbye. I wouldn't see him for a while but I could message him at least. I waved goodbye as the car drove away. My mother was quiet, returning to the kitchen.

I followed and sat at the table, enjoying the pancakes she made me. It was so weird being just us, why couldn't we be a normal family again? Ike didn't fully understand what was happening, only that he had to go back and forth every so often.

My father wasn't too pleased with my decision, looking disappointed as he left. But I couldn't leave my friends behind, we're better than ever. Stan and Butters have been dating for a year, Kenny has about 20 girlfriends and 10 boyfriends, and Cartman is a bit more well mannered.

Stan has gotten into the habit of drinking and smoking, usually wearing a straight face. Butters helps him make music and has been sent to a new family. They're nice, way better than his biological parents. Kenny is doing surprisingly good. With all of the drugs, alcohol and toxins he smokes like Stan he's always healthy in the morning.

Then there's Cartman. He's had a dramatic change in..everything. He's lost a few pounds, yet I still call him fatass, he's a little nicer but still sick minded, and we're on better terms.

"You can't avoid school for too much longer." I heard my mother speak. "You'll need to go in Monday, you're friends will make you feel better." I nodded silently, picking at an uneven fingernail.

They were the worse, always getting caught on clothing.

It was the weekend, though, and I was going to one of Stan's football matches. How could I not? Everyone was going to be there, and it could take my mind off of everything. I had about 4 hours to get ready, so I didn't rush.

Everyone knew about the divorce situation, everyone was sympathetic apart from Cartman. He made a small joke then went totally silent. No ones really heard from him since late last night, I guess he was busy.

I thanked my mother for the food then went upstairs to get dressed.

I was openly gay to her, but my father was a tiny bit unsure of the whole idea. I was the only gay one in the entire family, I didn't blame him really. At least he accepted me.

I put on a casual black, long sleeved, tight fitted top on and tucked it into some dark blue jeans; along with black heel high converse shoes. I did my hair as I normally do, gelled lightly back; then cut at my uneven nail. I wrapped a red plaid jacket around my waist then walked downstairs, fiddling in my coat pocket for my car keys.

My mother looked at me and smiled. "Look at my little boy, all grown up!" She cooed. I smiled at her comment and kissed her cheek softly. "Are you driving alone?"

"No. I've got to pick Cartman up because his car broke down last week. We'll just go to Starbucks, to the event then I'll probably be back before 10pm."

"Probably?"

"Stan talked about staying at his. He has spare PJ's and a toothbrush for when i stay over, I'll be fine."

"As long as you say so. I love you dear, have a good time!"

"I will ma."

I retrieved my phone from the coffee table then walked out the door. Cartman was already walking up the path so I leaned against my red, fair sized car and bit my lip lightly. It was a habit, from many attempts at practicing to talk to boys in the mirror after showering. I know. Sad.

Cartman kicked my car's wheel playfully and I pushed him away, him almost falling back into the road. "Dude!" He scoffed, pushing me lightly back. "Anyway, hi Cartman, nice to see you. Oh, nice to see you too Kahl, sorry to hear about you're family going separate ways."

I looked up at him from my phone, giving him an 'are you serious' look. "Hey Eric, and thanks." I called him Eric when he pisses me off slightly, my return for him calling me 'Kahl.' He smiled slightly, opening the car door.

I joined him soon after, still messaging Stan on my phone. He took it off of me and looked through our messages. "Hey!" I howled, snatching it back. He just sniggered and went on his. I rolled my eyes and reversed out of my space.

Me and him were alright, just less aggressive teasing and fighting all of the time. He was still a pain, like an annoying younger brother. Unlike Ike, he was a big baby if you hit him hard enough in his heart; if he has one.

"So..still single gaywad?" He asked in a casual tone.

"No, fatass, I've got Prince Charming sucking my dick every night. Of course I am, and I'm fine with it. I don't expect you doing any better with the whole love business."

"I'm talking..to a girl named 'Netflix n food.'" I laughed at his joke, nudging him.

"Exactly what I was expecting. I can't believe Heidi ever went out with you."

"At least I can get into a relationship." He let out a deep breath kinda laugh, losing his breath instantly.

"Haha, very funny. My lives fucked up as it is so don't bother."

I pulled up into starbucks and got myself an iced coffee and Cartman got a strawberry tea.

"But um..you alright? Like in general? I know how much family means to you." I was surprised, he actually seemed to care a bit by the tone of his voice.

"Honestly, on and off. I can be smiling with my mother one second then crying my eyes out the next. I can't control my emotions. So I guess not really, depends on my day."

"You okay mentally?"

"Are you asking so you can fuck with me?"

"No..just wondering. Can I not check up on a fellow Jewish friend?"

"Whatever. No, I'm not. Now can we drop it? I don't like talking about my life really."

"Fine, do you know what the weathers like later? I wanna ask Stan's dad if he has a tent."

"Of course Randy has a tent, he's a weed grower, camper, fisher and does wilderness shit. He's gonna have a big one too because they all usually go together. Hopefully Shelly doesn't ruin it all again."

"You just don't know her well enough."

"Last time I checked the last time you talked to her was when she babysat you and you're cat had an orgy party."

"Ay! My cat did not have an orgy party."

"Pfft! Everyone knows."

"Shit..but no we've been keeping in touch."

"You could hit her up at the sleepover." I winked at him playfully, pulling out my mouth as if I had her braces. Cartman slapped me, stronger than usual.

"She's a cool girl."

"Smart and funny?"

"Wha- Kyle I don't like her."

"Mmhmm, sure.."

I pulled up to the stadium, giving in our tickets and meeting eyes with Kenny and Butters. Ken had a playboy in his grasp, growing slightly sweaty. Butters looked uncomfortably towards him, they were total opposites, but looked eager when he saw Stan wave from the grass.

We were at the front, so Stan ran up and pecked Butters on the lips through a gap. "Get a room." Cartman commented and Kenny and I chuckled. Stan flipped him off and held his lovers hand. He looked at me, lighting up.

"Dude! You actually came!" He cheered.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.

"You know..with the whole divorce situation."

"I'm fine now, promise." I lied, not wanting to worry him. Cartman nudged me aside and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"What he means is that he's been crying his eyes out non stop and wants his daddy and little bwother back, isn't that right Broflovski?" He said my name with such a punch that I grew red, a bit angry.

"And..that's another view on the story." I replied, rubbing my neck.

"Awh, I'm so sorry dude. Hopefully tonight will cheer you up. Chin up Leo, I'm going on now." Butters kissed him again and got seated next to Kenny again.

Stan ran away and I sat back, just finishing my coffee. Cartman had finished his ages ago, now going to get a couple light beers. Kenny ran along with him, eager to get drunk out of his mind one drink at a time.

Butters and I were best friends too, he was the only other innocent person in the group. "Isn't this great? Stan was so excited for this match that he couldn't stop smiling!" He said, drinking his water.

"Yeah, he's a good player; don't get me wrong. He just needs to keep his balance a bit more. But what can I say? I play basketball." I replied.

"I can agree with you on that one. Even he gets annoyed with that. He just focuses on being fast and tactical, never remembering that he's not a spider with eight legs." I didn't reply, not knowing what to say really. "So how's life, apart from the whole big situation?"

"Okay, I guess. I'm always studying or either practicing sports. That's my life for now I guess, I need a new hobby."

"What about drawing?"

"I can kind of do it, I just get frustrated."

"Me too, but I persevere and my parents are always as proud as me!"

"Oh yeah, how's you're new family? Cool? Supportive?"

"Definitely! They're the best parents I could have ever asked for! But I can never forget what my old parents did to me."

Oh yeah...his mother tried to drown him and his father constantly grounded him and abused him. It's sad, but at least he's doing better.

"That's good that you're better."

"Was Cartman annoying in you're car? He always spills drinks in mine."

"No, he was better than expected. Even seemed to show sympathy for me which is a change."

"Well you and him are basically friends now, so why wouldn't he?" Oh yeah, we kind of are now.

"Hey guys!" I heard Kenny exclaim from the distance, beers and coffee in hand. He gave me the coffee and as Butters had a bottle of water he kept the alcohol to him and Cartman. They knew I didn't drink, which was good. Butters was yet again watching Stan, face pink and lit up. "Ahem, someone's got a boner." I heard Ken muffle out.

Butters went into blind panic and looked down, nothing. "Knock it off Kenny!" He hissed in a kind of cute way. He could never be scary, as hard as he tried. Meanwhile, Cartman was laughing his ass off at Butters face. I just rested my chin on my palm and sipped on my coffee.

It was stronger and hotter than expected, so I waved at my mouth, trying to cool it down. My face was then red and I saw Cartman glaring at me. "Tomato." He mocked. I flipped him off and pushed him away slightly. "Stop being a child, Kyle. I was only joking."

"I'm well aware." I barked back, drinking some more after blowing on it. God, this was going to be a long day.