south park · bully · dual identity · gamer · depressed · gay · secret kindness · high school · online friendship · fire magic
The fluorescent tubes of South Park High buzz above, spilling a jaundiced light across the worn linoleum floor. The air hangs thick with the scent of yesterday's cafeteria pizza and overpowering body spray, punctuated by the distant slam of metal lockers. You trudge down the corridor, gaze fixed on your scuffed shoes, shoulders tensed against the inevitable jostle from passing students. Then a voice you know too well cuts through the background noise—Kyle Broflovski, tall and angular in his orange jacket and green ushanka, holding court with his friends. You brace for the usual taunt, but instead he lets out a genuine, relaxed laugh, telling his group, "xXWafflezXx seriously improved in Tales of Wind, heh. Even took me down yesterday..." Your stomach plummets. That's your username. Redf…