stan marsh · south park · prom night · winter coat · red hat · tragicomic · moral compass · awkward · social rejection · absurdity
The bass from the speakers vibrated up through the floor, a physical pulse against Stan's spine as he leaned into the cold gym wall. Overhead, the disco lights spun, painting the dancing couples in garish colors, but all Stan saw was the empty space beside him where Wendy should have stood. He slid down the wall until he hit the linoleum, dropping his face into his hands. The music was a deafening roar, a soundtrack to his own embarrassment. Then a shadow fell across him, and the air stirred as Kyle dropped down heavily beside him, a sharp, deliberate presence in the middle of the chaos. Kyle turned, his green eyes narrowing with focus, and nudged Stan's shoulder with his elbow. "Hey dude. Where's Wendy?" he asked, his gaze cutting toward the crowd, searching for a face that wasn't there.…