Chapter Text

The New Kid’s a Girl?

Chapter 1

South Park was used to weirdness. Alien abductions, talking poo, inexplicable time travel. So when a silent new kid showed up and immediately joined their superhero crew, no one batted an eye. They called her Douchebag and ButtLord, but nobody questioned much else. She was quiet, tough, and deadly with a fart grenade. It was often stated by the boys that she’s “A total bad ass.”

The thing was, no one ever actually asked anything about her. Not her last name. Not where she came from. Not even her gender.

Why would they? She always wore the same purple sweater in her “civilian” wear. As a vigilante, she wore a baby blue blazer with a yellow lightning bolt trim, with a pink shirt that had a white lightning bolt on it, pink gloves, and gold headband with a red gem in the middle. She had a stare that could probably kill a man if she felt like it. She didn’t talk much, and no one seemed to mind. Cartman called it “mysterious hero energy.” The others just rolled with it.

That was, until the day it all fell apart...

The final battle has ended. The kids are meeting up for the first time since. “We’re proud of you New Kid!” Stan says, as he high fives the new kid. “Great job foiling Mitch’s plan!”

“Yeah, you’re a hero and you saved your mom from getting fucked by your dad!” Cartman says putting his hand on the new kid’s back.

Kyle shakes his head. “Cartman, you’re such a dumbass! That’s not what happened!”

“Whatever!” He focuses his attention back on the new kid. “You’re okay in my book, Douchebag! You can hang with us anytime.” The new kid just looks at him.

“I swear we’re going to get you to talk one of these days.” Stan says, patting her on the back.

Wendy walks up to the new kid. “Hi Drew, do you want to hang with us girls for once?”

Cartman blinks. “Drew? Who the hell is Drew?”

“The new kid.” She responds pointing at the new kid.

“You mean King Douchebag?”

Wendy frowns. “Stop calling her that! Her name is Drew! Drew Harris!”

The boys stop dead in their tracks. “Her?” Stan asks.

Wendy narrows her eyes. “You didn’t know she’s a girl?”

Cartman’s jaw drops. “She? SHE? No way dude! We don’t let girls play superheroes with us! That Call Girl bitch is bad enough!”

“The long hair, long eyelashes, and the Sailor Moon inspired costume wasn’t a giveaway?” Wendy asks. “God, you guys are so stupid!”

“You deceived us!” Cartman turns to the boys. “Emergency meeting stat!”

They gathered in Cartman’s basement later that day. Cartman paced in full Coon regalia, hands flailing as he ranted. Stan sat with arms crossed, still processing. Kyle kept sneaking glances at Drew, as if expecting her to magically change right in front of them. Kenny sat cross-legged on the floor, mostly amused. Drew, calmly munched on Cheesy Poofs.

“This is treason!” Cartman shouted. “This is a violation of bro code, the sanctity of our team, our trust, and…I LET HER BE MY SECOND IN COMMAND!”

“She’s been kicking ass for weeks dude!” Kenny pointed out.

“You tricked us!” Cartman yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at Drew. “You infiltrated our circle under false pretenses!”

“I literally didn’t say a word.” Drew replied flatly. “You assumed.” Kenny snorts.

Kyle ran a hand over his face. “Dude…she has a point.”

Cartman glares at Drew. “That’s all you have to say about your deception?”

“I didn’t deceive you! You guys just assumed-“ Drew begins to say before she’s rudely interrupted.

“You didn’t correct us!” Cartman snaps at her.

She shrugs. “I thought you guys could tell.”

“You came here originally rocking the Snoop Dogg cornrows! You looked like a fucking boy!”

“I took them out. You guys noticed the long hair.” She says pointing at her hair. “You kept making stupid comments about it.”

“Not to mention how pretty she is.” Butters adds with a smile.

“Or her huge raisins!” Clyde steps in. “I should’ve known, it’s my weakness!” He reaches his hand out to Drew, only to have it smacked away by Kenny.

Cartman steps in front of Drew. “That’s it ButtLord! We’re not going to tolerate that level of betrayal!”

Drew raises her eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“You and me! Final battle! Let’s go!” He raises his hand as his “claws” shine.

“Dude, come on!” Stan says, trying to reason with him.

“No! We’re not letting her get away with this!” Cartman is about to bring his hand down to claw Drew, when Kenny, dressed in his Mysterion costume jumps in front of her. “What the hell are you doing Kenny?”

“You’re going to have to go through me to get to her!” He tells him.

“You really don’t have to-“ Drew begins to say.

Kenny puts his hand up. “I got this!” He turns to Cartman. “So what’s it going to be Coon? If you want to fight Drew, you’re going to have to fight me first!”

Cartman looks back and forth between Kenny and Drew. He’s ready to make a move until he realized that Kenny isn’t messing around. “This isn’t over!” He says as he slowly backs away.

“It is! If you ever touch her, I swear I’ll break your arm!” Kenny threatens.

Cartman glares at Drew. “Watch your back, ButtLord!”

Kenny turns to Drew and reaches for her hand. “Let’s get you out of here!” She nods and takes his hand, and he leads her outside. “You okay?” He asks once they’re outside Cartman’s house.

She nods. “I’m fine. You didn’t have to defend me.”

“I can’t help it.” Kenny looks down. “I’ve always had an urge to protect you and I never understood why until now.”

Drew chuckles. “You can just treat me the way you did before.”

“It’s not the same.”

“How?”

“Well…you’re a girl now.”

Drew frowns. “I was always a girl!”

“Yeah, but still…”

“I’m not a fragile girl!” She snaps. “I’m not made of glass! I think I’ve proven that.”

He looked at her sideways. “I always treated you like one of the guys.” He said to her. “Cursed at you, pushed you into fights, let you blow stuff up. Didn’t even think twice.”

Drew gave him a look. “You still can treat me like one of the guys!”

He nodded. “I know. But I also feel like…I should be watching out for you.”

She tilted her head. “Why?”

“Because I have a sister.” Kenny rubbed the back of his neck, voice softer now. “When I found out you were a girl, I guess something clicked. If Karen were in your shoes, I’d want someone to have her back. I’d want someone to make sure she wasn’t alone in all this.” Kenny shrugs. “I guess I kind of look at you like a little sister.

Drew blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity. “That’s really sweet.”

Kenny leans in closer. “Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation.”

“Of being a chaotic little gremlin?” She smirked.

“Exactly!”

They sat for another beat. “…thanks for sticking up for me.” Drew said quietly. “For real.”

Kenny gave her a sideways smile. “Anytime sis! Mind if I walk you home?”

Drew shrugs. “Sure!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The next day at school, word has spread about Drew. The kids are whispering amongst their group of friends. Most are in shock, others, not so much. Tweek and Craig approach Token at his locker as he’s hanging up a picture of Drew with the rest of the Freedom Pals. “Did you hear? The new kid is a girl!” Tweek tells Token.

Token’s eyes widen. “No way!”

Craig joins them. “Cartman almost kicked her ass when he found out.”

Token laughs. “Cartman wouldn’t stand a chance! She’s kicked his ass twice already!”

Stan, Kyle, Butters, and Scott join them. “I just can’t believe we didn’t realize Drew is a girl.” Scott says, shaking his head in disappointment.

Wendy walks over to the boys, shaking her head in disgust. “You guys are idiots!”

Stan raises his eyebrow. “So you’re telling me you girls knew?”

“I’ve known since day 1!”

“How?” Kyle asks.

“She looks like a girl!”

They look over and see Drew approaching her locker. They stare at her for a moment. “Well I see it now, but not at first.” Kyle says.

Wendy rolls her eyes. “Maybe now you guys can stop treating her like she’s one of you. Like stop calling her dude!”

“Dude, we call everyone dude.” Stan shrugs.

Kyle nods in agreement. “He has a point.”

“I’m glad Drew is a girl!” Butters says as he continues to watch Drew as she walks away from her locker.

“Why?”

“Because now I can admire how pretty she is and it’s not gay!” He says with an enamored smile.

“Shut up Butters!” The boys yell in unison.

“You guys are so stupid!” Wendy says as she walks away in disgust.

During lunch, Drew walks into the cafeteria and looks around for somewhere to sit. She sees Cartman and his friends and she begins to head to their table, when Cartman puts his tray at the empty seat next to him.

“Seats taken!” He tells her.

“Aww come on Eric, she can sit there.” Butters says.

“We don’t let traitors sit at our table!”

“She’s not a traitor! She just didn’t tell us she’s a girl!” Kyle reminds him.

“She still can’t sit here because she’s a lying little bitch!” Cartman glares at Drew. “Find another table. You’re no longer welcome here.”

“Cartman-“

“I’m not changing my mind Kenny!” He looks at Drew. “Why the hell are you still standing there? Go!”

Drew sighs and walks off to find another table. She looks over and sees Craig and those guys at their table and she sits down next to Clyde.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Clyde asks.

“I was just-“

“Girls aren’t allowed to sit here!” Craig joins in.

“I was before.”

“We didn’t know the truth about you!”

“This is stupid! I’ll go!” Drew says as she stands up.

“Good! Don’t ever try to sit here again!” Tweek adds as Drew walks off.

Drew looks around the cafeteria and sees others are trying to avoid eye contact with her. She sighs and finds an empty table to sit at. Wendy walks up to her with a smile.

“Drew! Come sit with us!” She points at her table that consists of Nichole, Bebe, and Red.

Drew smiles. “Thanks…” She stands up and Wendy takes her hand and leads her to the girl’s table.

“You know the girls, right?” Wendy asks Drew.

She looks at the girls and nods. “Yes, I’ve met everyone at different times.”

She smiles. “Good, so no introductions necessary.”

Drew and Wendy sit down and she notices that all eyes are on her. “This is awkward…” She says quietly.

“Sorry for staring. It’s just weird to hear you talk.” Bebe tells her.

Nichole chuckles. “I still can’t believe the boys didn’t know you were a girl.”

“Why did you pretend to be a boy?” Red asks Drew.

She shakes her head. “I didn’t, they just assume it.”

“Are you a tomboy?”

Drew chuckles. “No, I’m just Drew.”

Wendy rolls her eyes. “Can you move on now? Everyone knows she’s a girl, it’s not a big deal! Let it go already!”

“Yeah, sure.” The girls shrug and go back to eating in silence.

“Thanks Call Girl…I mean Wendy.” Drew smiles at Wendy.

“Anytime!” Wendy winks at her. She looks at the girls. “I have an idea. I’m going to have a sleepover this weekend!”

Bebe’s eyes light up. “That’s a great idea Wendy!”

“I’ll be there!” Nichole tells her as Red nods in agreement.

Wendy puts her arm around Drew. “I want you to come too!”

Drew looks at her in shock. “Me?”

She nods. “Yes! You’re one of us and my friend!”

Drew looks at the other girls. “Is that okay with you guys?”

Bebe shrugs. “It’s Wendy’s house.”

“Yeah, we can’t tell her to invite!” Red adds in.

“I would love for you to come. You have to let me do your hair!” Nichole says as she starts playing with Drew’s hair.

“What do you say Drew?” Wendy asks with a huge grin.

Drew looks back and forth between Wendy and the girls. She thinks about it for a second before giving her answer. “Okay!” She replies with a smile.

“Great!” Wendy hugs her. “So I’ll see everyone at my house this weekend!”

After lunch, Drew heads to her locker and notices a piece of paper taped to it. She takes it off sees it’s her character sheet that’s heavily edited. More than likely by Cartman.

The New Kid’s Character Sheet:

Gender: Girl, apparently??
Alignment: TRAITOR
Religion: LIAR
Power Source: Her lying mouth
Kryptonite: Honesty

Then she notices another line that’s written in:

Cartman’s Personal Betrayal Level: 1000000/10

Drew crumples the sheet up. Just as she opens her locker, she’s hit in the back of the head with an apple. “Hey!” She turns and sees Cartman glaring at her.

“LIAR!” He shouts.

She rolls her eyes. “Would you stop already? It’s harassment at this point!”

Cartman gets in her face. “I don’t take betrayal lightly! Since you don’t have your little boyfriend here to defend you, I think it’s time we have our final battle!”

“I don’t want to fight you.” She tells him as she begins to walk away.

“That’s funny, I don’t remember giving you a choice!” He says as he shoves her from behind.

“Don’t do that!” Drew warns him.

“You’re not getting out of the fight this time Douchebag! So fight me, before I kick the living shit out of you!”

She shakes her head. “You’re insane!” She says as she slowly backs away.

“You asked for it, Butthole!” Cartman begins to charge her when he’s attacked from behind. He’s knocked into Drew, who ends up knocking him down with one punch.

“What the?” He looks up and sees Kenny. “Kenny? Oh so now I have to fight the two of you!”

“I told you, you’re going to have to go through me to get to her!” Kenny says as he stands over Cartman.

Drew steps closer to him. “Kenny, you don’t have to do this! I can handle it!”

“You shouldn’t have to handle this alone!”

“I’m okay, really!” She says as she tries to force a smile.

“If you two are done making out, I have a fight to finish!” Cartman says as he struggles to get back on his feet.

“You are finished, fat ass!” Kenny tells him.

“Fuck you Kenny! We can’t let this bitch get away with what she did!”

“Would you let this go already! No one cares anymore, but you!” Kenny says as he pokes Cartman in the chest.

Cartman frowns, feeling defeated. “I’ll let it go…for now! But it’s far from over!” He tells them before storming off, pouting.

Drew looks at Kenny. “Thanks again. But I really didn’t need help.”

Kenny smirks as he crosses his arms. “I know you didn’t, but I wanted to do it. Big brother, remember?”

She laughs. “If you say so!”

“Try to keep yourself out of trouble there, kid!” He gives her a playful nudge before he heads off. Drew watches him and wonders why Kenny keeps coming to her rescue. What’s his motive?

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

During lunch, Butters approaches Stan, Kyle, and Kenny at their table. “Hey fellas!” He greets them before sitting down.

“What do you want Butters?” Stan asks him.

“I think I’m going to ask Drew out!” He informs them proudly.

Kenny turns to him and raises his eyebrow. “Why?”

Butters shrugs. “Why not? She’s so pretty and her skin is so smooth!”

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea…” Kenny tells him.

“Why?” Butters asks as he tilts his head.

“That’s what I want to know…” Kyle says as he and Stan exchange glances.

Kenny sighs. “Drew is very vulnerable right now. No need to upset or confuse her!”

Butters raises his eyebrow. “How would that upset her? It should make her happy!”

Kenny looks at Stan and Kyle hoping they’ll save him from himself, but they look at him waiting for an answer. “Just don’t do it!” Kenny tells Butters.

“Why do you care?” Kyle asks raising his eyebrow.

“What?”

“Why do you care if Butters asks Drew out? What’s it to you?”

Kenny takes a moment to think about his response. “I care about Drew. I don’t want to see her get hurt. She’s like a little sister to me.”

Stan and Kyle exchange a glance again. “Little sister…?” Stan mutters.

“Sure…” Kyle whispers as they look at Kenny.

Butters pats Kenny on the back. “Don’t worry Kenny, I’m not going to hurt Drew. I like her too much to do that!”

Kenny glares at him. “You better not! I’ll kill you if you do!”

“That’s a little extreme, dude!” Stan tells him.

He shrugs. “Well I would say the same thing if he were asking Karen out.”

Kyle turns to Kenny. “That makes sense, Karen IS your little sister. But Drew isn’t. So what’s going on?”

Kenny shakes his head. “Nothings going on! I have to go.” He tells them as he gets up to leave. “What the hell is wrong with me…?” He mutters to himself as he heads to his locker.

Before recess, Butters is about to approach Drew when Cartman walks up behind him. “Butters?”

“Ahh!” He nearly jumps out of his skin, due to being startled. He turns around. “Oh, hey Eric!”

Cartman shoves Butters up against the lockers. “Don't even think about talking to that liar!” He says pointing at Drew.

“Well shucks Eric, when are you going to get over that?”

Cartman pushes him again. “Never! I don’t get how the rest of you can be so forgiving!”

He shrugs. “Maybe because Drew’s hot.”

“Pfft, whatever!” He leans in closer and whispers. “Just imagine the damage The Coon and Professor Chaos can do if we team up again. Drew won’t know what hit her!”

Butters shakes his head. “Sorry Eric, I have to pass.”

Cartman looks at him in shock. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m going to ask Drew out on a date!” He tries to walk away, but Cartman stops him.

“Don’t you dare! Do I have to throw you in the Coon jail again?”

Butters pushes Cartman aside. “Eric, your issue with Drew is YOUR issue. Everyone else is over it!” He tells him as he walks off, leaving Cartman dumbfounded.

“I won’t get over it until she pays!” Cartman says to himself before to storms off.

During recess, Drew is sitting under the tree near the edge of the playground, legs crossed, sketchbook in hand, shading in one of her doodles.

Butters, wearing his best nervous smile, approaches Drew with cautious optimism. His cheeks were already pink by the time he reached her. “H-hey Drew!” He said, hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

She looks up, her face brightening with that soft, quiet smile she always gave. “Hi Butters.”

“What are you drawing?” He asks.

She chuckles nervously. “Just some sketches of Mysterion and Call Girl. No big deal…” She holds up her sketchbook.

“Wow…” He says pretending to impressed. “I guess maybe you should add Professor Chaos destroying them!” He laughs.

“Professor Chaos is a good guy now, remember?”

“Oh yeah, you’re right…” He takes another look at the drawing. “You did a good job.”

“You really think so?” Butters smiles and nods. “Thanks Butters!” She goes back to sketching.

“So, uh…” He cleared his throat, as Drew looks up at him again. “I was wondering if maybe you’d want to…I don’t know, maybe hang out sometime? Just us two. Like, uh…not with the others. Like a…date?”

Drew blinked, completely surprised by Butters’ question. “That’s really sweet Butters.” She smiles genuinely. “Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you!”

From across the playground, Kenny had been talking with Stan and Clyde when he caught the moment.
He saw Butters standing nervously, saw Drew’s expression change, and saw her smile. Something twinged in his chest…something unexpected, uncomfortable.

Stan followed his gaze. “Huh? Is Butters really asking her out?”

Clyde laughed. “He’s ballsy!”

Kenny didn’t say anything. He just watched. He didn’t even realize his fingers were clenching until Stan nudged him. “You good?”

“Yeah!” Kenny said quickly. “I’m fine. Great!” But he wasn’t. Not really. He told himself it was because he didn’t want Butters to screw it up, or say something dumb. Or maybe he didn’t think Drew was ready for all that attention yet.

But as he kept watching, seeing her laugh softly at something Butters said, Kenny felt it again. That weird tug in his stomach. Jealousy? No. It couldn’t be that. He liked her like a sister. That’s what he said. That’s what he believed. Right?

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

“My turn!” Nichole squeals as she reaches for the spinner.

Drew, Nichole, Bebe, and Red are gathered in Wendy’s basement for the sleepover. The room was bathed in warm fairy lights, pillows scattered across the floor, snacks half eaten on the coffee table. A board game lay open in the center, the game Life, halfway through, little cars packed with pink and blue pegs.

Drew sat cross legged in oversized pajamas next to Nichole, who was munching on gummy bears between turns. Red was sprawled on her stomach, spinning the wheel with dramatic flair.

“All right!” Red said with a grin. “I just got married again! Third time tonight! I’m living for it.”

Bebe rolled her eyes playfully. “Red, you’re like the Elizabeth Taylor of Life.”

Nichole laughed. “She’s got two dogs, three kids, and a yacht now.”

“Winning!” Red beamed.

Drew moved her tiny car forward, landing on a “Career Change” square. “Oh come on!”

Wendy leaned over. “You’re a doctor now. You get a raise!”

“Sweet!” Drew said, pushing a peg into her little car. “Guess I’m high achieving and emotionally distant!”

The girls laughed. “This is so much fun!” Nichole says through her laughter.

“Are you having a good time?” Wendy asks Drew.

She smiles and nods. “I am. Thank you for inviting me!”

“Thanks for coming!”

“You’ve been really nice to me since I met you.” Drew tells her. “You let me be myself…”

“You’re a nice girl. I’m glad you’re now being open and honest about who you really are.” Wendy lightly touches her hand. Drew looks down at her hand and looks back at Wendy and smiles.

“Drew, your move!” Red says interrupting what could’ve easily become an awkward moment.

“Let’s watch a movie!” Bebe suggests. “Wicked is streaming!”

“I’ll get more snacks!” Wendy announces.

The lights were low, the TV flickered with the glow of a cheesy romantic comedy, and the smell of buttery popcorn filled the room. Blankets and pillows were strewn across the floor in a chaotic nest of comfort. Nail polish bottles, face masks, and empty snack bags littered the space like they were performing some kind of sacred middle school ritual. Drew sat nestled between Wendy and Bebe, her hair pulled back into a loose braid that Nichole insisted on doing.

They were halfway through the movie when Red clicked the pause button. “So Drew?” She turned toward Drew, her head tilted with faux innocence. “Do you have a crush on anyone?” All the girls turned to Drew like it was some ancient rite of passage.

“Umm…” Drew blinked. “We’re really doing this?”

“Obviously!” Bebe said, throwing a piece of popcorn at her. “It’s a sleepover.”

Nichole leaned in. “Come on, you can’t just drop the girl reveal bomb and not expect us to ask about your love life!”

Drew feels a little flushed. She glanced down at her soda can. “I don’t know…”

“The hesitation!” Red smirks. “That means there’s someone!”

“Who is it?” Bebe asks, leaning closer to Drew.

Wendy nudged her gently. “You don’t have to answer, but if you want to, this is a safe space.”

“Well…” Drew begins as she looks up. “Butters asked me out on a date.”

Red’s eyes widen. “Butters? That’s who you have a crush on?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

“You turned him down?” Nichole asks.

“I haven’t given him an answer yet.” Drew tells them.

Bebe raises her eyebrow. “So you don’t like him at all?”

She shakes her head. “He’s sweet, but not in that way.”

“He’ll be devastated if you say no.” Wendy says.

Drew frowns. “You think I should go on a pity date?”

She shakes her head. “No, but just tell him you two are only friends.”

“This feels like I’m leading on.”

“Not if you’re honest with him up front.” Nichole adds in.

“I guess so…” Drew lets out a sigh as she looks down. “I’ll talk to him on Monday.”

“Enough about Butters.” Red sits in between Drew and Wendy. “Back to my original question…any crushes?”

“Well…” Drew starts to say as she takes a sip of her soda.

“I bet I can guess!” Bebe squeals.

“Who?” Red’s eyes light up.

“It’s Kenny!”

Drew nearly chokes on her soda. “What?”

Nichole grins. “Of course it’s Kenny! It makes so much sense! He’s a cutie!”

“I didn’t say it was Kenny…”

“You’re not into him? Why not?” Wendy asks.

Drew looks at Wendy, but then quickly looks away. “Kenny is sweet, but we have a big brother, little sister type of relationship.”

Red narrows her eyes. “Big brother? You two are the same age.”

“Actually, Drew might be older.” Bebe adds in.

“That’s true too!” Red nods in agreement before turning her focus back on Drew. “So what’s that about?”

Drew thought for a second, then said, “I don’t think he sees me that way anyway. He just sees me as someone to protect.”

Wendy smiled warmly. “He does really care about you, you know?”

“Yeah, like a lot!” Nichole added.

Drew shrugs. “He said, he looks at me like Karen and just wants to protect me.”

“Awww!” Red says with a smile.

“See? He likes you!!” Bebe squeals.

Drew sighed and picked at her sleeve. “I don’t think it’s like that. That’s okay. It’s just…he’s the first person who really made me feel safe, you know?”

There was a pause, then Red softly said, “That’s actually really sweet.”

Nichole agreed. “Maybe it’s not love-love right now, but who knows? Things can change later.”

Drew chuckled, feeling more embarrassed than before. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Okay, but if you don’t end up with him,” Nichole added with a wink, “you should know your options are open. I’ve seen girls at school giving you serious side eyes lately.”

Drew blinked. “What? Really?” She quickly glances at Wendy and smiles, hoping Wendy didn’t notice.

Bebe laughed. “Welcome to girlhood. It’s chaotic, emotional, and sometimes weirdly flattering.”

The room burst into laughter. Drew is happy to hear that, but there’s only one girl in particular she hopes is giving her the “serious side eye”. She doesn’t want the other girls to know that.

“Can we get back to the movie?” Drew asks, rubbing the back of her neck.

“After you tell us your crush!” Red tells her.

“There’s no crush!”

*****

The movie had ended and been replaced by music playing softly from someone’s phone. The lights were dimmed, and most of the girls were lounging across sleeping bags, half-asleep or scrolling through their phones. Bebe was still wide awake and very much in gossip mode.

She scooted a little closer to Drew, propping her head up on her hand. “So Drew…?” Bebe said, a sly little grin tugging at her lips.

Drew gave her a cautious look. “What?”

“You keep calling Kenny your big brother or whatever. But like, he’s your age. Same class, same everything. That’s not really “big brother” territory.”

Drew blinked. “Yeah, but it feels like that.”

Bebe raised an eyebrow. “Does it really? Or is that just how you’re choosing to look at it? It seems like you’re in denial about your feelings for him.”

Wendy, still half-awake, chimed in from her sleeping bag. “She’s not wrong. You don’t get all flustered when Butters talks to you.”

Drew flushed. “That’s not fair. Kenny’s just…protective. He treats me like I’m fragile.”

“Maybe…” Bebe said, twirling a strand of her hair, “or maybe he just doesn’t know how else to show he likes you. Maybe you like being protected by him more than you want to admit.” She smirks.

Drew went quiet, staring up at the ceiling for a long moment. “I don’t know how I feel.” She said softly. “He’s been so kind. Ever since the truth came out, he’s treated me like I mattered. I trust him more than any of the other guys.”

“That doesn’t sound like a brother!” Bebe teased gently. “That sounds like the start of something cute!”

Drew laughed a little, burying her face into a pillow to hide her smile. “I hate you…”

“No you don’t!” Bebe said smugly. “You just don’t want to think about what it actually means.”

Wendy gave Drew a look, before putting a hand on her shoulder. “Whatever it means, just make sure you’re honest with yourself, okay?”

Drew nodded slowly, her smile fading into something thoughtful. She wants to be honest, but she’s not sure if she can. Especially since she’s torn between two crushes…

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Before class, Butters approaches Drew at her locker. “Hey Drew!” He greets her cheerfully.

“Hi Butters!” She says, focusing on getting her books out of her locker.

Butters looks around nervously. “So…um…you know you still haven’t answered me about the date.”

She closes her locker. “I know and I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“What’s the answer?”

She turns to him. “We can go, but just as friends.” She says firmly.

Butters raises his eyebrow. “Friends? You mean, not boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Drew nods. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

Butters starts fidgeting. “Well shucks, I was hoping for more than that…”

She frowns. “Then maybe we should call off the whole thing. I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.” She starts to walk away, but Butters stops her.

“No, no! We can still go! Please?” He pleads. “I’m fine with just being friends!”

Drew looks at him, and can’t help but feel bad for him. “Sure Butters.

Butters smiles. “Great! We can go to Tweek’s Coffee and get hot chocolate!”

“I’m looking forward to it…”

*****

The boys were all crammed around their usual table, trays filled with whatever the school was trying to pass as food that day. Cartman was busy mixing mashed potatoes with chocolate milk for some grotesque experiment and Kyle arguing with him about something trivial, Stan was on his phone, and Kenny was mostly quiet. Butters plopped down with a huge smile plastered across his face.

“I got a date!” Butters beamed, almost bouncing in his seat.

“With who?” Cartman asked, eyeing him suspiciously. “The lunch lady?”

Butters puffed his chest. “With Drew!”

Cartman dropped his spoon. “You’re dating the secret girl ninja spy?”

“She’s not a spy Cartman.” Kenny muttered.

“She totally is! She infiltrated the friend group, built trust, and then BAM, dropped the girl bomb! I still want her destroyed!”

Butters rolled his eyes. “She isn’t a spy Eric! She’s really sweet, and she said yes!”

Stan raised an eyebrow. “Dude, that’s awesome!”

Kyle smiled. “Good for you Butters!”

But Kenny leaned forward, staring Butters down with a rare seriousness in his voice. “You better be a gentleman!”

Butters blinked. “W-well of course I’m going to be a gentleman!”

“I mean it!” Kenny said, arms folded. “No weird comments. No pushing things. You’re respectful or you’re done! Got it?”

The table went quiet for a second.

Cartman looked around. “Okay, what the hell Kenny? Did we just enter a soap opera?”

“Yeah dude, relax. You’re not Drew’s father!” Kyle adds in.

Kenny ignores them and focuses on Butters. “Do I make myself clear?”

Butters nodded quickly, nervously. “I promise! I’d never do anything to make her uncomfortable.”

Kenny nodded, slowly leaning back. “Good!”

Stan gave him a curious look, then glanced at Kyle who just shakes his head. Kenny continues to stare at Butters.

*****

Drew had stayed after school to talk to the art teacher, and now the school grounds were mostly empty, shadows stretching long in the golden late afternoon light. She took the usual shortcut behind the gym, sketchbook clutched under her arm.

That’s when she heard footsteps. Then Cartman’s voice. “If it isn’t Drew the Deceiver.”

Drew stopped and turned slowly, her eyes calm but wary. “Cartman...”

He approached, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. “So tell me something. You ever going to tell the truth, or are you just going to keep sneaking around pretending you’re one of us?”

“I never lied about who I am.” Drew said evenly.

“Oh really?” Cartman barked. “You waltz into our crew, pretend to be some shy little dude, and next thing we know, you’re a girl? That’s some next level infiltration!”

Drew narrowed her eyes. “Everyone else got over it.”

“Yeah? Well I didn’t!” Cartman snapped. “Because now everything’s weird! Kenny and Butters are acting weird and it’s your fault!” He stepped closer, hand balling into a fist. “You know what we do to traitors, Drew?”

Drew stood her ground, even as her heart pounded. “You’re not going to do anything!”

Cartman’s arm jerked back. “Want to bet?”

“HEY!” Cartman froze as Kenny’s voice rang out like a crack of thunder. He came running around the corner, hoodie flapping, eyes locked on Cartman.

“I warned you, didn’t I?” Kenny growled. “I told you what would happen if you laid a finger on her!”

Cartman flinched as Kenny got right in his face, fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. “I-I wasn’t really going to hit her…” Cartman stammered.

“You were going to try!” Kenny spat. “Try again and see what happens!”

Drew stood silently, her eyes wide. Kenny didn’t look back, didn’t budge, just kept his glare locked on Cartman.

Cartman took a step back, scoffing. “Whatever dude! You’re all brainwashed. When she turns on you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He stomped off, muttering to himself about how he should’ve started his own team again.

Once he was gone, Kenny finally exhaled and turned to Drew. “Are you okay?”

Drew nodded slowly. “Yeah. I didn’t think he’d actually hit me.”

“I did.” Kenny said, softer now. “That’s why I came.”

She looked at him, really looked at him. “You knew he’d come after me?”

Kenny gave a lopsided shrug. “He’s Cartman. He doesn’t know how to let shit go.”

There was a pause before Drew said quietly, “You always show up right when I need you.”

Kenny gave a shy smile. “I told you, I’ve got your back!”

The air was still heavy from the confrontation. Cartman’s angry footsteps had long faded away, but Kenny hadn’t moved much, still standing close like a shield. Drew hugged her sketchbook to her chest, her heart still racing, but now it had more to do with the boy in front of her than the one who’d just walked away.
Then Kenny looked down, his voice a little more hesitant. “So, uh…is it true? You’re really going to go out with Butters?”

Drew blinked. “What?”

“I mean, he said he asked you out.” Kenny gave a little shrug, trying to act casual. “Just wondered if you said yes because you meant it. Or, if you felt bad or something.”

Drew raised an eyebrow. “Why would I feel bad?”

Kenny looked away. “I don’t know. Butters is Butters. He’s nice, but…kind of a mess.”

Drew tilted her head. “Do you think I shouldn’t go out with him or something?”

Kenny hesitated. “I think you should do what you want. Just make sure he deserves it.”

Drew stepped a little closer. “You mean, make sure he’s a gentleman?”

Kenny gave a sheepish smile. “Yeah. That’s…definitely part of it.”

Drew smiled softly. “I wouldn’t accept anything less. Thanks for caring.”

Kenny gave a quiet nod, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. The tension in the air had shifted, something unspoken blooming between them. “I should probably head home.” Drew said at last.

“I’ll walk you!” Kenny replied instantly.

*****

It was a rare sunny day in South Park. The snow hadn’t melted, but the air had softened just enough to allow a proper walk without freezing. Drew tugged at the sleeves of her coat as she waited outside Tweek Bros. Coffeehouse, shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot.

Butters approached with his usual bounce, wearing a slightly oversized pea coat and a too earnest smile. “Hiya, Drew!” He greeted, cheeks already flushed.

“Hey Butters.” Drew replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re on time.”

“Well shoot, I didn’t want to be late! My mom says, first impressions are important.” He held open the door for her. “Ladies first.”

Inside, the coffeehouse was warm and smelled like espresso and cinnamon. They grabbed cocoa and a table by the window, sipping quietly at first before Butters nervously broke the silence.

“So, um…I hope it isn’t weird or anything, me asking you out. I just…always thought you were really nice and pretty.” He laughed awkwardly. “Even when I thought you were a boy, I thought you were a real good looking one!”

Drew laughed, surprising herself. “Thanks…I think.”

Butters turned red. “I didn’t mean that in a weird way! I mean, I kind of did, but I also just, gah! I’m making this real awkward, aren’t I?”

“It’s okay!” Drew smiled. “You’re sweet.”

He beamed. “I’m real glad you think so!”

They talked more as they wandered out of the coffeehouse, walking past Stark’s Pond and stopping to toss snow at each other. Butters made her laugh more than she expected. He was silly and awkward, but kind hearted in a way that was hard not to like.

Still, every now and then, when he got a little too close, or when he looked at her just a second too long, Drew felt something tighten in her chest. It wasn’t fear, but it wasn’t butterflies either. It was…hesitation.
After walking her home, Butters stopped at the door. “I had a real nice time,” he said earnestly.

“Me too.” Drew said truthfully, but quietly.

He hesitated, then leaned forward just enough to ask, “Can I…maybe hold your hand?”

Drew looked at him, the warmth of the day still lingering around them. Though part of her heart was still conflicted, she smiled and offered her hand. “Sure Butters.”

He takes her hand and looks down for a moment, then took a little breath and stepped forward. “I hope it’s okay if I do this…”

Before she could ask, Butters leaned in and gently kissed her on the cheek. It was quick, warm, and sweet and when he pulled back, his face was tomato red.

Drew blinked, touching her cheek. Then she looked at him and gave a soft, genuine smile. “Thank you…”

Butters stared for a second. “Y-you’re welcome…”

Drew reached out and lightly squeezed his hand. “You’re really sweet, Butters.”

His smile returned, crooked and wide. “Golly! Thank you Drew! I’ll text you, okay?”

“Okay.”

As Butters turned and walked off, nearly tripping on his own feet as he glanced back at her one more time, Drew watched him go with a small smile. She had that guilty feeling…

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Nichole sat cross legged on Drew’s bed, idly flipping through one of Drew’s sketchbooks, while Drew lay on her stomach on the floor, chin resting on her arms. “You begged me to come for a reason. So what’s going on?” Nichole asked casually, not looking up. “How’d it go with Butters?”

Drew exhaled through her nose, a mix between a sigh and a laugh. “Honestly? It was…sweet.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Sweet good or sweet awkward?”

“A little of both.” Drew admitted. “He was nervous and fumbled a lot, but he was so polite and earnest the whole time. He asked to hold my hand and then kissed me on the cheek.”

Nichole gave a slow smile and finally looked up. “Aww! Did you like it?”

Drew went quiet for a second. “I mean…it was nice. It made me feel appreciated. I guess...”

Nichole nodded. “But…”

“But,” Drew said, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. “I don’t know if I felt anything more than that. Like, there weren’t sparks. There wasn’t this big moment where I suddenly saw fireworks or whatever.”

Nichole tilted her head. “You don’t have to feel all that right away. Sometimes feelings grow.”

“I know,” Drew said. “But I feel like I’m trying to convince myself to feel something just because Butters is kind and likes me.”

Nichole looked thoughtful. “Do you think maybe you’re feeling something for someone else?”

Drew bit her lip. “Kenny told me to be careful. Told Butters to be gentle with me.”

“Yeah?” She said, narrowing her eyes. “You’ve mentioned him a lot lately.”

Drew hugged a pillow to her chest. “He’s always watching out for me. But it’s confusing, because he treats me like I’m Karen.”

Nichole smirks. “You sure he sees you that way? Or is that just what he tells himself?”

“I don’t know…” Drew mumbled. “Bebe said something the other night about how Kenny’s my age, so why do I see him as a big brother? Now I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Nichole smiled gently. “You’re allowed to be confused, Drew. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Take your time and sort out your feelings for these guys.

Drew smiled back, a little weakly. “Thanks. I just don’t want to hurt anyone. Especially not Butters.”

“You won’t!” She said, reaching over and touching her hand. “As long as you’re honest with them and with yourself you’ll be fine.”

The silence between them grew a little heavier as Drew stared up at the ceiling. The music in the background had shifted to something a little more mellow.

Nichole was about to say something else when Drew suddenly spoke up, her voice lower this time. “Do you think they’re ever going to see me the same way again?”

She blinks. “What do you mean?”

Drew sat up, hugging her knees. “The boys. Ever since they found out I’m a girl, it’s like…everything changed. I used to just be The New Kid. Now I’m the girl who “tricked” them.” She made air quotes and rolled her eyes. “They treat me like I’m made of glass now.”

Nichole’s face softened. “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“Kenny’s been the worst about it,” Drew added, sighing. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate him looking out for me, but sometimes it feels like he’s trying to wrap me in bubble wrap and shove me in a closet.”

Nichole chuckles. “Classic protective big brother energy!”

“But I’m not Karen!” Drew said firmly. “I’m Drew! I’ve been through the same crazy crap they have. I’ve fought beside them. I’ve bled beside them. But now, suddenly I’m too delicate to even handle Cartman talking trash?”

Nichole nodded slowly. “It’s annoying. Yes, girls can be vulnerable, but we’re also tough!”

Drew looked at her, grateful. “You think they’ll ever get over it?”

“They will.” Nichole said. “Once you remind them who you are. You’re not fragile, Drew. You’re just as badass as you were before! You just have better hair.”

That made Drew laugh, her shoulders relaxing. “Thanks!”

Nichole smirked. “Anytime.”

*****

The lunchroom buzzed with the usual chaos. Trays clattering, Cartman yelling at someone for sitting in “his spot,” and the occasional spork flinging through the air. Kenny sat across from Stan and Kyle, absentmindedly poking at his mashed potatoes. Butters slid into the seat beside Stan, practically glowing.

“Fellas!” He said, grinning ear to ear. “Drew and I went out on a date, and guess what?” He leaned in closer like it was top secret. “I kissed her! On the cheek! She even smiled after!”

Stan blinked. “Oh nice…”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. “That’s cool Butters!”

Butters puffed his chest. “Yeah, I’m basically her boyfriend now.”

Across the table, Kenny’s fork paused in midair. He didn’t look up, but the air around him shifted just slightly. Kyle noticed. “You okay, dude?”

“Fine…” Kenny mumbled, stabbing his peas with a little too much force.

Butters, oblivious, kept going. “She was really sweet about it! I think she likes me a lot. I mean, obviously since we’re kind of a thing now! Isn’t that wild?”

Stan offered a polite smile. “Good for you dude.”

Kenny shoved a spoonful of food in his mouth and muttered, “Yeah…wild.”

Kyle leaned closer to Kenny, lowering his voice. “You sure you’re fine? You look like you’re about to commit murder.”

“I said, I’m fine!” Kenny snapped, then instantly softened his tone. “Sorry, I’m just tired.”

Butters leaned back with a sigh. “Ahh, I’m just so happy!” Kenny's jaw tensed.

Across the cafeteria, Drew was laughing with Wendy and Bebe at a different table. Kenny glanced over briefly, catching her smiling in Butters’ direction when she noticed him wave. She smiled at Kenny too. But the pit in his stomach didn’t go away.

After lunch, Drew had just walked out of the bathroom with Bebe and was heading out to recess when she saw Kenny leaning against the wall. She whispers something to Bebe before she walks over to Kenny. He looked up when he saw her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

“Hey,” she said cautiously. “You okay?”

“I need to ask you something.” Kenny said, stepping forward. “I want you to be honest.”

Drew’s brow furrowed. “Okay…”

Kenny swallowed, his voice tense. “Are you really dating Butters? Or did he-” He hesitated. “Did he force anything on you?”

Drew blinked, stunned. “What?”

Kenny looked away for a second, then back at her, eyes burning. “You can tell me, Drew. If he did anything you didn’t want, if he pressured you into kissing him or going out with him, I swear, I’ll-”

“No!” Drew cut in, firm but gentle. “He didn’t force anything. Butters is harmless.”

Kenny’s shoulders dropped slightly, but the tension lingered.

“He just kissed me on the cheek.” Drew added. “I let him. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I wasn’t expecting it, but I didn’t feel scared or anything.”

Kenny clenched his jaw. “Then why are you with him if you don’t like him like that?”

She glanced at him. “I’m not with Butters! I never have been, we’re just friends.”

Kenny’s shoulders relaxed, but his jaw still tensed. “He sure talks like you are.”

“He does?”

Kenny folded his arms. “I think maybe you need to tell him you’re not!”

“Why do you care?” Drew asked, sharper than intended. “Why do you care so much about who I’m with?”

Kenny blinked, caught off guard. “I’m just…trying to look out for you.”

Drew stood with her arms tight at her sides. “I don’t need you to look out for me Kenny!” She snapped. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I moved here! Hell, since before that! You’re acting like I’m helpless all of a sudden just because I’m a girl!”

Kenny stepped back, stung. “That’s not what I meant…”

“Then what did you mean?” Her voice cracked just slightly. “Because it feels like ever since everyone found out I’m a girl, you boys act like I’m going to break if I sneeze too hard. I’m still me!”

“I know you’re you-” Kenny tried, but she cut him off again.

“Then stop treating me like I’m your little sister! I’m not Karen!”

That landed like a punch. Kenny’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

Drew looked away, frustrated. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t get to decide who I talk to, or if someone likes me, or how I handle it. I didn’t ask for protection.” She turned toward the door. “I didn’t ask for anyone to save me.”

She left Kenny there, unsure if he was trying to protect her…or protect himself.

During recess, Nichole, Wendy, Bebe, and Red are sitting by the merry-go-round talking and laughing when Drew rushes over to them. She lowers her head, but doesn’t say anything.

“Drew?” Wendy asked, walking over to her. “You okay?”

Drew’s lip quivered. “I don’t know.” She said, barely above a whisper. “I just…” Her voice cracked. Her eyes welled up fast, tears slipping down before she could stop them.

“I feel like everything changed the second they found out!” She choked out. “The boys look at me differently now. Like I’m this delicate thing they have to protect or watch. I didn’t ask for that. I didn’t want that!”

Nichole slid off the merry-go-round and wrapped her arms around her. “Drew…”

“It’s like…I’m not one of them anymore. I try to be the same, I try to prove I’m still me, but they don’t see me like that.”

Red moved closer too, gently rubbing her back. “That’s not fair. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know. But…” Drew’s voice hitched, trembling. “I yelled at Kenny! I told him off. He was just trying to care. Now I don’t know what he thinks of me.” There it was. She hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but it hung in the air anyway. Bebe exchanged a look with Wendy.

Bebe moved to kneel in front of Drew. “You really care about him...”

Drew bit her lip and nodded, more tears falling. “I didn’t mean to yell. Everything's been so heavy lately, and I’m so tired of proving myself. I guess I just wanted him to treat me like he used to.”

Wendy gently pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. The others joined in, forming a circle around her like a shield.

Drew’s lip trembled. “I hate crying...”

“Then you’ll really hate this part.” Red joked gently, passing her a tissue.

That finally got a weak laugh out of Drew, but it didn’t last. She buried her face in her hands and continued to let the tears fall full.

“You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed.” Nichole said softly.

“And you’re allowed to get upset with people you care about.” Red added.

“Kenny…he’s not going anywhere.” Wendy assured her. “He just needs to understand. I think he will, in time.”

Drew cried into Wendy’s shoulder, her heart pounding, emotions spilling out after being bottled up for far too long. “I don’t want to lose him.” She whispered.

“You won’t.” Bebe said firmly. “But maybe it’s time to stop protecting his feelings and start being honest about your own.”

Drew turned her head toward her, heart thudding a little louder than before. Wendy’s face was soft, her eyes searching Drew’s with genuine care. That same warm look she always gave her when no one else seemed to understand.

Drew’s voice came out small. “I’m not sure how I feel...”

“About Kenny?” Nichole asked gently.

Drew nodded, then quickly shook her head. “I mean, yeah, but…not just him.” There was a silence. The kind where you can almost hear hearts beating.

“I think I just don't really know what I want.” Drew said. “Part of me likes the idea of someone liking me. Kenny makes me feel safe, but…” She looked at Wendy for a second too long. Her stomach flipped. “I don’t know. It’s all messy.”

Wendy reached over and took Drew’s hand in hers. “It’s okay not to have it figured out. You’re allowed to take your time. You’re only 10!”

Drew nodded slowly, her throat tight. She gave a soft, forced laugh. “I just don’t want to mess everything up…again.”

“You won’t.” Wendy said quietly.

Drew squeezed her hand but didn’t say what was on her mind. That sometimes, when she looks at Wendy…she wonders. That scares her more than anything else. She closed her eyes. For now, she will keep that part to herself.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

The house was quiet for once. Karen sat on the worn living room floor, flipping through a battered book while Kenny sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, which was playing an old cartoon with the volume barely audible.

Karen looked up. “You okay?” Kenny didn’t answer. She tilted her head. “Is this about Drew?”

He sighed and leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. “Is it that obvious?”

Karen gave a half smile. “You’re not exactly subtle.”

Kenny chuckled once but the sound didn’t last. “I thought, I don’t know…at first, I just wanted to protect her. Like I do with you.”

Karen nodded. “That makes sense.”

“But now it’s different. I get mad when other guys talk about her or touch her.” He grimaced. “Especially Butters!”

“She’s not a little kid though.” Karen pointed out. “She’s your age.”

“I know.” Kenny muttered. “That’s what Stan and Kyle keep telling me. But when she looks at me with those eyes, like she needs me even for a second, it’s like something in me just wants to be her shield forever.”

Karen was quiet for a moment before saying, “Maybe you don’t just want to protect her, it sounds like you care about her.”

Kenny didn’t answer.

Karen stood and walked over, flopping beside him on the couch and nudging him with her elbow. “Do you like her?”

He exhaled slowly. “I don’t know. I think so. Maybe more than I should.”

Karen tilted her head. “Then why haven’t you told her?”

Kenny scoffed. “Because she likes Butters. Or maybe not. I don’t even know anymore. One second she tells me they’re not dating, the next, she’s yelling at me to back off. I feel like I’m chasing something I’m not even allowed to want.”

Karen looked thoughtful. “Do you think she’s confused too?”

“Yeah.” Kenny said quietly. “She’s trying to figure out who she is. I don’t want to make things harder.”

Karen smiled softly. “Then be there. The way you always are. But if she ever does figure it out and it’s you she wants. don’t run away from it.”

Kenny looked over at her, surprised. “When did you get so smart?”

Karen grinned. “I live with you. Someone had to be!”

He laughed, genuinely this time, then leaned back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. “Thanks, Karen.”

“Anytime, big bro.”

*****

The final bell had rung, and most students had already dispersed. Drew sat alone, her arms wrapped around her knees, watching the clouds roll across the sky. Her backpack lay beside her, untouched. Footsteps crunched on gravel.

“Drew?” Kenny’s voice was tentative.

She looked up. “What do you want?”

Kenny hesitated before sitting down beside her, leaving a respectful distance.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” He tells her. “For how I treated you. For acting like you can’t take care of yourself. You can. I know that now. I was just confused.”

Drew stayed quiet, hugging her knees tighter.

Kenny’s voice softened. “I wasn’t just trying to protect you because I see you like Karen. It’s more than that. I like you, Drew. Like, really like you.”

Her head turned, eyes wide. “You-”

Before she could say another word, a loud voice interrupted them. “Kenny!” Butters came storming across the sidewalk, his fists clenched and face red. “You trying to steal my girlfriend?”

Kenny stood up quickly. “Butters, stop.”

“No!” Butters jabbed a finger at him. “You’ve been sniffing around her ever since she showed up! You act all big brother-y and sweet, but now you’re making moves?”

Drew stood too, her voice sharp. “Butters, I’m not your girlfriend.”

Butters faltered, blinking. “But…we kissed. We went on a date!”

“I know.” Drew said gently. “I appreciate it. But that doesn’t mean I owe you anything.”

Butters’ lip trembled. “So what? You’re just going to go running off with him now?”

Kenny clenched his fists but forced his tone to stay calm. “This isn’t about you, Butters. You don’t get to decide who she talks to, or who she likes!”

“She’s mine!” Butters blurted.

“No I’m not!” Drew snapped, her voice firmer now. “I’m not anyone’s!”

That silence that followed was deafening. Butters looked stunned. His bottom lip quivered again before he turned and stormed off down the sidewalk.

Drew exhaled, then turned back to Kenny, who looked almost as surprised. She spoke before he could. “I don’t know what I feel right now. Everything’s messy. But I don’t want to hurt either of you.”

Kenny nodded slowly. “I get it. I just needed you to know how I feel. Even if you’re not ready to answer.”

There was a pause. Drew looked at him with something soft in her expression tenderness, maybe even affection but she said nothing more.

*****

Butters sat behind the school, knees hugged to his chest, rocking slightly back and forth. His usual cheerful expression had long vanished, replaced by a tired, heartbroken stare. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the grass and fence.

He sniffled quietly, barely noticing the sound of footsteps crunching up the gravel path behind him.

“Welp, looks like someone got dumped!”

Butters looked up to see Cartman standing there with a smug grin, a bag of cheesy poofs in one hand. His tone was mocking, but there was a gleam in his eye. He was calculating.

“Go away Eric.” Butters muttered, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

Cartman plopped down beside him, uninvited. “Aww, don’t be like that, dude. I’m your friend. You can talk to me.”

Butters scowled. “She said she wasn’t my girlfriend. Said I don’t get to decide who she talks to. I didn’t mean to. I just thought we had something. Instead, Kenny likes her and I think she likes him too.”

Cartman nodded slowly, pretending to be sympathetic. “Yeah…that’s rough, buddy. Real rough.”

There was a long pause before he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Sounds to me like Drew led you on. She used you. All that time pretending to be one of the guys she tricked us all. She’s a liar and trickster!”

Butters blinked. “She didn’t trick me…”

Cartman raised his brows. “Didn’t she? You liked her. You treated her like a lady. What does she do in return? Tosses you aside the second Kenny bats his greasy eyelashes!”

Butters’s lips pressed into a tight line. He didn’t want to agree, but the sting in his chest made Cartman’s words feel a little too real.

“And Kenny?” Cartman scoffed. “Kenny freaking McCormick! That poor bastard always acts like he’s better than us. Thinks he’s noble or something. What a joke.”

Butters looked down. “I thought Kenny was my friend.”

“Exactly!” Cartman leaned back, arms out like he was painting a picture. “You get stabbed in the heart, and he’s the one holding the knife. Sounds to me like this is the perfect time for Professor Chaos and The Coon to rise again!”

Butters blinked. “You’re really serious about teaming up again?”

Cartman grinned. “Not just team up, exact revenge on Kenny and Drew. We remind them what happens when you mess with Chaos and Coon!”

Butters hesitated, fists clenched in his lap. His mind was still swirling with Drew’s words, her rejection, her kindness…and the way she’d spoken to Kenny.

“I don’t know Eric…” He mumbled.

Cartman leaned in, his voice low and venomous. “She broke your heart, dude. Are you just going to sit here and cry about it, or are you going to do something about it?”

Butters’s face twisted. A shadow of anger flickered behind his eyes. “…Maybe they do deserve a little chaos.”

Cartman’s grin widened, wicked and triumphant. “Welcome back Professor!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

The lair was dimly lit by glowing monitors and scattered comic book posters. Cartman stood before a whiteboard with “OPERATION: REVENGE” written in thick red marker. He was fully suited up as The Coon, his makeshift raccoon tail swaying as he turned toward Butters.

Butters, now dressed as Professor Chaos, slouched on the couch with his arms crossed, clearly still nursing his bruised ego.

“So,” Cartman said with a devilish grin, “let me get this straight, not only did Kenny steal your girlfriend, but now Drew’s acting like you never even mattered. Is that about the size of it?”

Butters’ lip quivered. “We weren’t really boyfriend and girlfriend, but we went on a date! I kissed her on the cheek and everything! I thought we had something special!”

Cartman smirked, eyes gleaming with opportunity. “Exactly! This is why we must strike back. Not just for you, for justice! Drew has crossed another line!”

Butters blinked. “Y-you think so?”

Cartman marched over, placing a gloved hand on his shoulder. “Absolutely! Drew played you, dude. And Kenny? That traitor parades around like he’s some kind of white knight, ‘I got to protect her like my little sister’, give me a break!”

Butters sniffled. “But Drew’s still kind of nice.”

Cartman scowled. “Nice? Butters, she rejected you! Don't you want to unleash chaos on her?”

Butters hesitated. “What kind of chaos?”

Cartman turned back to the whiteboard and circled two stick figures labeled “D” and “K.”

“We hit them where it hurts. First, we expose Drew’s secrets, whatever she’s hiding. I know the bitch is hiding something else! Then we make Kenny look like a fool in front of everyone. I’m talking full humiliation.”

Butters fiddled with the frayed ends of his gloves. “But what if Kenny gets mad? He’s kind of scary when he wants to be.”

Cartman leaned in, eyes glinting. “Then we hit harder!”

Butters swallowed. “…Okay, I’m in.”

Cartman grinned wide, drawing a crude doodle of The Coon and Professor Chaos standing triumphantly over Kenny and Drew. “Those two are going to remember who they messed with!”

*****

Drew sat alone on the swings, her backpack dropped at her feet, and her gaze fixed on the sky. The whole week had been weird. The boys had started acting almost normal again…except for Cartman, who never stopped sneering, and Butters, who couldn’t even look her in the eye. But it wasn’t them she kept thinking about. It was Kenny.

The way he looked at her. The way he always showed up when she needed someone. The way he made her feel safe, even when she didn’t want to admit she needed it. She was still swinging lightly when she heard footsteps crunching the gravel behind her.

“Hey,” came Kenny’s voice, quiet and gentle.

She turned her head and gave him a tired smile. “Hey.”

Kenny walked up and stopped beside her, hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets. “You okay?”

Drew shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. Just thinking.”

He looked at her for a moment, then sat on the swing next to her. “About what?”

“…Everything,” she said with a sigh. “This whole thing. You guys treating me like I’m some fragile doll or like I betrayed them. I didn’t even do anything.”

“I know.” Kenny said softly. “You were just being you. That’s what I like about you.”

Her swing slowed, and she turned toward him, brows raised slightly. “You really meant it when you said you like me?”

Kenny flushed a little, but he didn’t back down. “Yeah, I did. I don’t know when it happened exactly. I just care about you a lot. Not like I care about Karen. This feels…different.”

Drew’s heart was pounding, but it wasn’t from nerves. It was warmth. Relief. Maybe even happiness. She stood up from her swing and walked over to him, looking down at him with a soft smile.

“You’re the only boy who’s made me feel like I’m still me.”

Kenny looked up at her, eyes shining beneath his hood. “Can I…?”

Drew nodded. Then, under the fading sunset and the rustling trees, Kenny stood up, leaned in slowly, and kissed her. Soft, unsure at first, like he was afraid she’d vanish. Drew melted into it. For the first time in a while, she didn’t feel like a mystery, a target, or a burden. She just felt wanted.

When they pulled apart, neither of them said anything at first. Kenny just held her hand and smiled. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll walk you home.”

*****

Kenny and Drew were walking hand in hand, sharing quiet glances and soft smiles, when the familiar sound of a scooter rolling up broke the moment. Stan and Wendy pulled up side by side, helmets tucked under their arms, cheeks a little red from the wind. As soon as they spotted Drew and Kenny, Wendy’s brows shot up.

“Oh my God! Did you two finally admit it?” Wendy said with a teasing grin, stepping off her scooter.

Stan smirked. “Took you guys long enough!”

Kenny scratched the back of his neck, chuckling under his breath. “I guess we’re not as sneaky as we thought.”

Drew tried to answer, but her eyes flicked toward Wendy. She was standing there in her purple jacket, her hair catching the golden edge of the setting sun, eyes full of life, lips parted in curiosity. Drew froze for a heartbeat. She’s so beautiful!

The thought came uninvited, crashing into Drew like a sudden wave. Her heart skipped, and her fingers tightened slightly in Kenny’s. She forced herself to smile.

“Yeah. I guess we’re seeing where this goes.”

Wendy grinned, stepping closer. “Good! It’s about time.” She bumped Drew gently with her shoulder. “Kenny’s a lucky boy!”

Drew smiled again, wider this time, but inside, her stomach twisted. She felt happy. Kenny had kissed her. He’d made her feel safe, special, and wanted. But as Wendy’s laugh rang in her ears and her scent, citrus and cinnamon, lingered near, Drew felt something else rise beneath the surface. A quiet, aching confusion.

“I’m happy for you guys!” Wendy said, brushing hair behind her ear. “Seriously.”

“Thanks.” Drew replied, hoping her voice didn’t sound too tight. “It means a lot.”

Kenny nudged her lightly. “You okay?”

Drew blinked, snapping back to reality. “Yeah, I’m good!” She said quickly.

Stan grinned. “Come on, let’s grab a soda or something. You two can tell us how it finally happened.”

As they all turned to walk together, Drew stole one last glance at Wendy from behind. The sway of her hair, the effortless way she moved, the sound of her laugh.

‘What’s wrong with me?’ She thought as she looked at Kenny beside her. He was smiling softly, completely unaware. Drew took a deep breath and kept walking.

Meanwhile, Cartman crouched behind the overgrown bushes of an abandoned yard, binoculars pressed to his eyes. Beside him, Butters was peeking through a gap in the fence, arms folded across his chest and lower lip jutting out.

They watched as Drew walked beside Kenny, her fingers still laced with his, laughing softly at something he whispered. Then he saw it! The soft glances, the way Drew stared at Wendy for just a little too long, and the smile she gave that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Did you see that?” Cartman muttered, lowering the binoculars slightly.

Butters didn’t respond.

Cartman turned. “Dude, Butters! Did you see how she looked at Wendy?”

Butters sniffled, his voice small. “She was just with me last week. We went on a date…I kissed her cheek…”

“Yeah, yeah!” Cartman waved dismissively. “Now she’s swapping spit with Kenny like you never existed. That’s cold.”

“I don’t get it!” Butters whined, still watching the group walk off down the sidewalk. “Was I just not good enough?”

Cartman gave him a wicked side glance. “Or maybe you weren’t what she wanted. I don’t even think she wants a boy…”

Butters blinked at him. “Huh?”

Cartman leaned in like he was about to share a national secret. “Did you see the way she looked at Wendy? All soft and dreamy? Like…gay Twilight or something.”

Butters frowned. “You think she likes Wendy?”

“I’m not saying anything for sure,” Cartman whispered, “but what if she does? What if all that time she was pretending to like boys, it was just a cover? Think about it Butters. She turned you down, then suddenly she’s into Kenny, but then she’s gawking at Wendy like she’s her soulmate?”

Butters looked conflicted, his face scrunching up. “Now that I think about it, she’s always drawing pictures of Mysterion and Call Girl.”

Cartman’s grin grew slow and sharp. “This just got interesting! If Drew’s playing both sides of the fence, so to speak, maybe we’ve been going about this all wrong.”

Butters sniffed again. “I just wanted her to like me…”

“Now you can get even.” Cartman said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We don’t just take her down. We make everyone see who she really is. She betrayed you, Butters. She betrayed the boys. She’s messing with feelings left and right, and you and me? We’re the only ones who can stop her!”

Butters glanced down, uncertain. “I don’t know Eric, I’m having second thoughts. I don’t want to hurt her.”

Cartman smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll come up with the perfect plan. This time, it’s personal.”

He brought the binoculars back to his eyes, watching Drew laugh at something Wendy said that look still lingering on her face. Cartman’s grin turned icy. “Gotcha, bitch!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

The playground buzzed with the usual chaotic energy, kickballs flying, kids yelling, swings creaking in rhythm. But away from it all, crouched behind the monkey bars and peering through a pair of plastic binoculars, was Cartman spying on Drew.

“All right, subject is sitting under the big tree near the fence.” He whispered into a walkie talkie. “She’s got her sketchbook in her lap, and she’s smiling, like she’s thinking about someone. Classic infatuation behavior.”

Next to him, Butters sat on the grass. He didn’t even bother holding his walkie talkie. “Eric, this plan is never going to work.” He grumbled. “You’ve had me following Drew, taking notes on who she talks to, and spying on her in the lunch line. What’s the point?”

Cartman kept watching. “The point, Butters, is to expose her. We figure out who she really has feelings for, and then, BOOM! We use it to turn everyone against her and Kenny.”

Butters frowned harder. “What if she’s just confused? I mean, people have all kinds of feelings sometimes, and maybe she didn’t mean to hurt anyone. She might not even like Wendy that way.”

Cartman rolled his eyes. “Dude, she was staring at Wendy like she was a triple layer chocolate cake. I know that look.”

Butters shifted uncomfortably. “This all feels really mean, Eric. Maybe we should just let it go.”

Cartman snapped the binoculars down and glared at him. “Let it go? Butters, she humiliated you. She led you on, then kissed Kenny like you were yesterday’s leftovers. You want everyone to forget that? You want to just sit back and let her be the “cool new girl” while you get left behind like a loser?”

Butters lowered his eyes. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

Cartman scoffed. “Well I do! If you're too chicken to help, then I’ll do it alone. I always knew I’d have to carry this mission solo.” He whipped the binoculars back up, muttering under his breath. “Now, let’s see who she looks at next.” He says as he pulls out his phone to get prepared.

Butters sighed and stared at the ground, a knot forming in his stomach. He didn’t want to be part of this anymore, but walking away now would mean losing Cartman’s approval. Somewhere deep down, a flicker of guilt was growing. Not just about Drew, but about Kenny too. Despite everything, they were his friends.

*****

The shade from the wide tree in the corner of the playground offered a quiet refuge from the chaos of recess. Drew sat cross legged in the grass, her sketchbook open but untouched on her lap. Her eyes were distant, watching kids run by, but not really seeing them.

Nichole approached, brushing crumbs off her hoodie as she finished her snack. She plopped down beside Drew. “You’ve been kind of M.I.A. lately.” Nichole said casually, nudging her shoulder. “Everything okay?”

Drew blinked and offered a faint smile. “Yeah…well, kind of. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

Nichole gave her a knowing look. “Let me guess. Boy problems?”

Drew hesitated, then exhaled. “Something like that. It’s complicated.”

Nichole tilted her head. “Want to talk about it?”

Drew stared down at her sketchbook, fingers tracing a barely started doodle. “I think I have feelings for someone. But I’m not sure what they mean. I don’t know if I should say anything because it could mess everything up.”

Nichole blinked, suddenly more intrigued. “Okay, who?”

Before Drew could answer, her voice dropped low. “You can’t tell anyone.”

Nichole raised her hand like she was swearing an oath. “Promise.”

Drew bit her lip. “Wendy...”

Nichole’s eyebrows shot up.

Drew added quickly, “I don’t even know if it’s real. I mean, I like Kenny, he’s amazing, he’s safe, he cares about me. But with Wendy, I get butterflies. I don’t even know what she’d think.”

Nichole softened. “Oh Drew…”

Several feet away, Cartman’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he clutched his recording phone, mouth agape. “Oh my God!” He whispered. “She does like Wendy! I KNEW IT!”

Butters looked conflicted, peeking through the leaves. “She told Kenny she liked him. Maybe she’s just confused.”

“No Butters, this is better than I ever dreamed!” Cartman hissed. “This isn’t just heartbreak, this is a scandal! A love triangle and betrayal. We’re talking recess legend tier!”

Butters looked more and more uncomfortable. “I don’t know if we should be listening to this, Eric. It’s a private conversation.”

Cartman ignored him, still recording. “It’s a public playground. Fair game.”

Back under the tree, Drew put her face in her hands. “I feel like no matter what I do, someone gets hurt. The last thing I want is to hurt Kenny. He’s the one person who’s always there for me.”

Nichole placed a hand on her back. “Whatever happens, just be honest with yourself. That’s the only way it’ll stop hurting.”

Drew picked at the grass beside her, her voice low. “Wendy was the only person who knew I was a girl from day one. She figured it out immediately and she never treated me weird about it. She didn’t out me or make me feel like I had to act any different.”

Nichole listened quietly, nodding.

Drew glanced up, eyes shimmering but steady. “When I was around her, I felt like I could just be me. Not the ‘new kid,’ not some girl in disguise, not a project for the boys to protect. Just…me, and that felt really good.”

Nichole exhaled slowly, choosing her words carefully. “I get it. Wendy’s amazing. She’s smart, confident, and she sees people. But, you know she’s still with Stan, right?”

Drew looked away quickly. “I know. He’s my friend so I don’t want to fuck that up either.”

“Are you sure about how you feel?” Nichole asked gently.

Drew shrugged, her voice trembling just a little. “I don’t know if I like her, like her. Or if I just feel safe with her. But whatever it is, it’s different than what I feel with Kenny. Like I said, it's complicated.”

Nichole leaned back, resting on her elbows in the grass. “Sounds like your heart’s got a lot going on. Doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, though. It’s okay not to have it figured out.”

Drew gave a grateful half smile. “Thanks Nichole. I haven’t said any of this out loud. You’re the first person I told.”

Nichole nodded. “Anytime girl!” She hugs her.

Meanwhile in the bushes, Cartman grinned like he’d just struck gold. Butters, however, frowned. “Aww Eric, she sounds really sad.”

Cartman muttered, “Yeah, yeah, she’s sad. Boo-hoo! But we’ve got everything we need. We’re going to flip this playground upside down.” Butters bit his lip, feeling conflicted, but said nothing.

Chapter Text

Chapter 10

The classroom buzzed with chatter as Mr. Garrison scribbled something pointless on the whiteboard. Drew sat near the back, trying to keep a low profile. She hadn’t spoken to Kenny all day, and her conversation with Nichole still weighed heavy on her chest. She caught Wendy’s eye once, but quickly looked away.

“Attention, everyone!” Cartman stood up suddenly, holding his iPad up high. “I have something extremely important to share with the class. Something that will BLOW YOUR MINDS!”

Mr. Garrison rolled his eyes. “Eric, sit down!”

“No! This is a matter of emotional betrayal, suppressed identities, and scandalous affection!” He declared. “This is about the new kid, who’s been hiding something even deeper than her gender!”

The class turned toward Drew. Her heart dropped. Cartman tapped the screen, and a recording started playing loud enough for the whole class to hear.

“I don’t even know if it’s real. I mean, I like Kenny, he’s amazing, he’s safe, he cares about me. But with Wendy, I get butterflies. I don’t even know what she’d think.”

Drew’s eyes widened as the video continued. Gasps rippled through the room. “Wendy was the only person who knew I was a girl from day one. She figured it out immediately and she never treated me weird about it. She didn’t out me or make me feel like I had to act any different. When I was around her, I felt like I could just be me. Not the ‘new kid,’ not some girl in disguise, not a project for the boys to protect. Just…me, and that felt really good.”

Wendy’s face turned bright red. “What the hell Cartman?”

Kenny stood up so fast his chair scraped across the floor. “You recorded her? What the hell is wrong with you?”

Cartman shrugged smugly. “I just thought the class should know what kind of backstabbing, triangle forming lying bitch we’ve been dealing with!”

Drew’s entire body froze in her seat. Her eyes darted wildly. Everyone was staring, whispering. The betrayal sank deep into her skin.

Butters turned to her, his voice quiet, full of regret. “Drew, I didn’t know he was going to do that. I’m really sorry.”

But Drew’s breathing was shallow. Her cheeks were hot. Her throat tightened. She grabbed her backpack, didn’t say a word, and bolted for the door.

“Drew!” Kenny shouted, reaching for her, but she was already gone. The door slammed behind her.

Mr. Garrison turned around, now finally paying attention. “Okay, what the hell just happened?”

Kenny turned to Cartman and shoved him hard. “You had NO right!”

Cartman just grinned. “Guess someone didn’t like sharing her spotlight, huh?”

Wendy looked stunned, her fingers trembling slightly as she clenched her pen. She couldn’t even look at Stan. In the silence, even Butters looked ashamed.

Kenny stormed out moments after Drew, but she was already gone. Vanished down the hallway, maybe out the doors entirely. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight beneath his parka. He spun around and found Butters standing near the lockers, staring down at his feet.

“Butters!” Kenny barked, storming toward him.

Butters flinched. “I-I didn’t know Eric was going to show the whole class!”

Kenny got right up in his face. “You let him record her! You let him humiliate her in front of everyone!”

“I didn’t let him do anything!” Butters squeaked. “I didn’t mean for her to get hurt, I swear!”

Kenny stared hard at him, his breath fogging with fury. “You think this is some dumb cartoon plot? You’re playing villain again Butters, and real people are getting hurt!”

Butters’ eyes watered. “I didn’t mean to. She's all confused and hurting and I was hurting too, okay? I liked her!”

Kenny’s voice lowered, but not in kindness. “You liked her, so you let Cartman ruin her life?” Butters couldn’t answer. He just turned away.

In the girl’s bathroom, Wendy leaned over the sink, gripping the edge tightly. Her reflection stared back at her, unreadable. Nichole stood beside her, silent for a moment, then finally spoke. “You okay?”

“No.” Wendy said flatly. “Did Drew really say that she might have feelings for me?”

Nichole hesitated, then nodded. “She was just trying to process what she was feeling. You made her feel safe. That's all she was trying to say.”

Wendy looked down at the faucet, then turned it on and splashed cold water on her face. “She’s been through so much already.” Wendy murmured. “I can’t believe Cartman just exposed her like that. It’s so cruel!”

“She’s probably feeling like she can’t trust anyone right now.” Nichole said gently.

Wendy looked into the mirror again, voice soft. “I need to find her.”

*****

Drew sat under the bleachers, hugging her knees, her hood pulled over her head. Her cheeks were still damp from crying, and her chest ached with embarrassment, betrayal, and confusion. She heard footsteps crunching over gravel. Her heart jumped, and she wiped at her face quickly.

“Drew?” It was Kenny’s voice.

She didn’t answer. A few seconds later, he crouched beside her. Wendy appeared a moment later, kneeling down on the other side.

“I know you probably don’t want to see anyone right now.” Kenny said. “But we just wanted to check on you.”

Drew stared at the ground, quiet.

“What Cartman did was NOT okay!” Wendy added. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Drew sniffled and kept her voice low. “Everyone was staring at me like I was disgusting. Like I did something wrong just for saying how I felt.”

“You didn’t.” Wendy said gently. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s okay to feel confused and open up to a friend.”

Drew looked up at her. “You heard what I said, didn’t you?”

Wendy nodded. “I did.” A pause. “I want to be honest with you,” Wendy continued. “You’re an amazing person. Brave, smart, and a really great friend.”

Drew felt the word friend hit like a soft sting.

“But Stan’s my boyfriend,” Wendy finished softly. “I love him. I hope you understand.”

Drew managed a nod, her voice small. “I do. I didn’t mean to mess anything up. It’s just when you were the only one who knew I was a girl, it made me feel seen and safe. Maybe I mistook that for something else.”

“It’s okay.” Wendy said, placing a hand on Drew’s. “I get it. I’m still here for you. I still care about you, okay?”

Drew looked down, lips trembling. “Thanks.”

Kenny had been quiet, watching them both. Now, he finally spoke. “I’ve been worried about you.”

She looked at him. “Really? You don’t hate me.”

He hesitated. “I care about you and I hate what happened today. You didn’t deserve any of it.”

Drew looked between them, her eyes red but clearer than before. “I’m just tired of everyone deciding how I should feel.” She said. “Tired of everyone trying to protect me or shame me or put me in a box. I want to just be me.”

“You can!” Wendy said. “We’re here now. We’re not going anywhere.”

Kenny nodded, steady. “No more secrets. No more Cartman. Just us.”

Wendy looked between Drew and Kenny, sensing something unspoken lingering between them. She gave Drew’s hand one final squeeze before standing. “I’ll give you two some privacy,” she said with a small, understanding smile. “Take your time.”

Drew watched her go, heart thudding. As Wendy disappeared around the corner of the bleachers, silence settled in again.

Kenny shifted beside her, his hands fidgeting in his lap. “So…” he began, trying to keep his voice casual, “what does this mean for us?”

Drew looked over at him. His hoodie was slightly crooked, and his eyes were softer than she’d ever seen them.

“I mean,” Kenny continued, rubbing the back of his neck, “do you still feel the same?”

Drew exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to the ground. “I do,” she said, voice quiet but steady. “I really like you Kenny. You’ve made me feel safe and seen.”

Kenny waited, but she didn’t meet his eyes yet.

“But I think I need time,” she admitted. “Time to figure out who I really am. Not just the new kid, not just the girl everyone didn’t see coming. Just me, Drew Harris.”

Kenny nodded, his expression unreadable for a second, then it softened with quiet respect. “I get that,” he said. “You don’t owe anyone anything. Not even me.”

Drew looked at him then, eyes a little glassy. “You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” Kenny snorted gently. “Nah. I’m proud of you.”

He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. “Take all the time you need,” he whispered. “I’ll still be here, whether it’s as a boyfriend or just as a friend.”

Drew gave a shaky smile, one hand touching the spot where he’d kissed her. “Thank you Kenny.”

“For what?”

“For not making this harder.”

He shrugged with a small smirk. “Hey, I’m not Cartman!”

She laughed softly at Kenny’s joke, but the sound faded quickly. Her smile disappeared, her brows furrowed, and her jaw clenched as something dark and sour crept back into her chest. “Cartman!” She spat, her tone turning sharp.

Kenny blinked, surprised by the sudden change in her expression. “Drew?”

Her fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. “He humiliated me in front of the whole class! He spied on me, recorded me, and then shared it with everyone like it was entertainment!”

Kenny’s voice was calm but serious. “I know. It wasn’t okay.”

“It was vicious!” Drew said, eyes blazing. “He's going to keep doing stuff like that unless someone puts a stop to him.”

Kenny nodded slowly. “What are you thinking?”

Drew finally looked up, her gaze fierce and unwavering. “It’s time I stopped letting Cartman control the narrative. He wanted to make me feel small, weak, and ashamed.” She pauses. “Well, screw that!” She said with a tight, bitter smile. “He wants war? He’s going to get it!”

Kenny gave a half smile, proud of the fire in her voice. “That’s the Drew I know!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 11

The usual buzz of kids swapping snacks and arguing over trading cards was suddenly pierced by the sound of determined footsteps. Heads turned as Drew strode across the courtyard, eyes locked on her target: Cartman!

He was sitting at a lunch table with Butters, smugly shoveling Cheesy Poofs into his mouth like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Cartman!” Drew’s voice rang out, sharp and cutting through the noise.

Cartman paused mid chew and glanced up, brows raising in mock surprise. “Oh hey, it’s the secret girl. Come to cry again? Or are you going to confess your undying love for Wendy in front of everyone this time?”

Butters shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Uh, Eric…”

But Drew was already at the table, and she slammed both palms down on the surface hard enough to rattle their trays. “I’m done playing nice!” She snapped. “You humiliated me, invaded my privacy, and tried to turn the whole school against me! But here’s what you didn’t expect!” She leaned in closer, eyes locked with his, voice dangerously calm. “I’m going to kick your ass!”

Cartman blinked. “W-what?”

“You heard me! I don’t care what dumb costume you hide behind, or what stupid plan you and Butters cooked up! I’ve had it! It’s going to be me and you after school!”

Cartman stood slowly, trying to puff up his chest, but the flicker of fear in his eyes betrayed him. “You think I’m scared of you?” He scoffed, voice wavering slightly. “You think just because you throw a few punches you can-”

Drew didn’t let him finish. She grabbed the front of his jacket and yanked him forward, nose to nose. The entire courtyard was watching now, hushed and wide eyed. “I’m done letting you treat me like shit! You wanted a fight, now you’re going to get it!” She hissed.

“Butters,” she added without breaking eye contact with Cartman, “you’ve got one chance to walk away from this. Because if you keep standing next to him, you’ll go down with him!”

Butters looked between them, pale and trembling. “I just wanted you to like me…”

Drew released Cartman with a shove that sent him stumbling backward. “This isn’t over!” Cartman barked.

“No!” Drew said, turning her back on him as she walked away, voice loud and clear. “It’s just getting started. Just wait until after school!”

*****

The word had spread faster than a new episode of Terrance and Phillip. By 3:15 PM, nearly every kid in school was crowded around the playground, forming a loose ring with their backpacks slung over shoulders, phones out, and excitement buzzing in the air.

“Dude, are they really going to fight?” Clyde whispered, eyes wide.

“Hell yeah!” Craig muttered, adjusting his hat. “I’ve got five bucks on Drew!”

“Isn’t Cartman like three times her weight?” Token asked, concerned.

“Let’s see how much that helps him when his ego’s the real thing getting punched!” Wendy adds in.

Stan and Kyle stood off to the side with Kenny, who had his hood pulled up a little tighter than usual, his eyes never leaving the entrance to the lot. “You good?” Kyle asked.

Kenny didn’t answer right away. “She said she had to handle this,” he finally said, almost reluctantly. “But if Cartman lays a finger on her…”

Wendy approached quietly and stood between them. “She’s going to be fine!”

As if on cue, Cartman waddled into the lot, chest puffed out, cape dragging behind him as he adjusted his Coon mask with exaggerated flair. Butters trailed behind him as Professor Chaos, visibly unsure about everything.

“All right, everyone shut up!” Cartman shouted, climbing onto a bench to address the crowd. “Today marks the day justice is served! For lies! Betrayal! Girl trickery!”

Groans echoed around the crowd. “Get off the bench, fat ass!” Someone yelled.

That’s when Drew appeared. She stepped into the circle, shoulders squared, her eyes locked on Cartman with deadly precision. The crowd erupted in cheers just at the sight of her.

Cartman narrowed his eyes. “You ready to get your ass handed to you by The Coon?”

Drew cracked her knuckles. “You ready to get knocked out by a girl you thought was a boy?”

“Oooooh!” The crowd chorused.

Cartman jumped down and stomped into the ring. “No powers or weapons. Just fists!”

“Fine by me!” Drew said.

The crowd held its breath as the two squared off. Kenny had to fight the urge to intervene, but Drew caught his eye for a brief moment and gave him the smallest of nods. She had this.

Cartman lunged first. Drew sidestepped with ease and jabbed him in the side. He wheezed, stumbled, and charged again. Drew ducked, spun, and hit him square in the chest with both hands. He landed flat on his back, the impact shaking the gravel. Everyone went nuts.

“Holy crap!” Stan shouted.

“She took him down in three moves!” Bebe cheered.

Cartman groaned, dazed. “I think I swallowed a filling…”

Drew stood over him, catching her breath but proud, defiant. “Let this be a lesson. Next time you try to humiliate someone, make sure they won’t kick your ass afterward!”

The crowd was still buzzing after Drew’s takedown, but Cartman wasn’t done. He groaned and rolled over, staggering to his feet with a wheeze. “Y-You thought that was enough to beat The Coon?” He rasped, his face red and his cape askew. “You’re just a-”

Drew didn’t wait. She came at him again, fists up, eyes locked. Cartman managed to sidestep at the last second and shoved her back. She stumbled but caught herself, skidding across the gravel and whipping around. Now it was personal.

“You humiliated me in front of the entire class!” Drew said through gritted teeth. “You crossed the line, Cartman.”

“You betrayed the Coon and Friends by being a girl in disguise!” He shot back, charging again like a wild boar.

They collided in a flurry of limbs, Drew quicker and sharper, Cartman heavier and fueled by pure spite. The crowd didn’t cheer now, they just watched, stunned, as the two kept going. Each hit landed harder. Each block got slower. Cartman landed a shove that knocked Drew down, but she kicked his knee as she fell, forcing him to collapse beside her. Both of them were panting, bruised, and sweating.

“Damn!” Stan muttered. “They’re not stopping.”

Kenny clenched his fists, starting to step forward, but Kyle grabbed his arm. “Let it happen.”

“She’s not giving up.” Nichole said quietly.

Back on the ground, Drew pushed herself up with trembling arms. Cartman mirrored her. Their eyes met again. Exhausted, but locked in that unspoken, stubborn standoff.

“You done?” Drew panted.

“Never!” Cartman said, dragging himself to his feet. “I’ll fight until you admit you’re a liar.”

“I never lied!” She snapped. “I was just trying to make friends!”

Cartman swung. Drew blocked. She struck back. He caught her wrist. She elbowed him in the gut. They collapsed again, tangled, both gasping.

“Okay, I think they’ve had enough!” Butters whimpered, standing at the edge of the crowd.

“Agreed,” Token muttered. “This is just sad now.”

Finally, Cartman rolled away and flopped onto his back, staring at the sky, chest heaving. “I can’t feel my legs…”

Drew lay flat, her cheek against the gravel, groaning. “I’m think I’m going to puke…”

Kenny pushed through the crowd and knelt beside Drew, gently helping her sit up. “You proved your point,” he whispered. “Come on…”

She didn’t resist as he helped her up. Her legs wobbled, and she leaned into him. Cartman just lay there, groaning something about injustice and corruption.

Wendy ran over with a bottle of water. “Here,” she said. “You were incredible!”

Drew took the bottle, still dazed. “I think I dislocated my soul…”

The crowd slowly dispersed, the legend of the brutal Drew vs. Cartman brawl already forming in whispered retellings. Some sided with Drew. Some, mainly Cartman’s few loyal weirdos, still clung to his version of events. But everyone agreed on one thing, that fight was epic!

Chapter Text

Chapter 12

At Wendy’s house, Drew sat with her arms resting on her knees, her knuckles scraped and a fresh bruise forming beneath her eye. Her sweater was dusty, her hair wild, and her expression distant. Kenny sat beside her, gently dabbing antiseptic onto a cut on her cheek while Wendy held an ice pack to the side of Drew’s face. The three of them were exhausted, but grounded in a strange sense of victory.

“I can’t believe you didn’t pass out!” Kenny said to her.

Drew winced as the antiseptic stung. “I think I did for like two seconds.”

Wendy gave her a small smile. “That fight was insane! People are going to be talking about this all week!”

Drew blinked. “Do I look as bad as I feel?”

“You look pretty bad ass to me!” Kenny said, trying to make her smile.

That got the faintest laugh out of her. “Thanks.”

Just then, the door creaked open and Bebe and Nichole peeked in. Bebe stepped in first, arms crossed. “You two done playing doctor? It’s our time with her!”

Nichole smirked and added, “Yeah, Drew’s going to need some proper comfort. Emotional support and junk food.”

Drew looked between them, then at Kenny and Wendy. “You won’t be mad if I…?”

Kenny stood up, brushing his hands on his coat. “They’ve been waiting for you. I’ll check in later.”

Bebe walked up and linked her arm with Drew’s. “Come on, champ! We brought hot chocolate and face masks!”

As Drew stood up with a slight limp, she looked back at Kenny. “Hey…” He looked up at her, those tired but soft blue eyes waiting. “Thanks for being there again.”

Kenny gave a small smile. “Always.”

Wendy exchanged a glance with him, then nodded at Drew. “You have people who love you. Don’t forget it.”

Drew hesitated a beat, her hand resting over the spot where Kenny had cleaned her wound. She glanced at Wendy, then turned and walked with Bebe and Nichole.

As Wendy heads towards the door, she looked at Kenny. “She really means a lot to you, huh?”

He nodded once. “Yeah, she does.”

Wendy nods just before she tries to leave, but Kenny stops her. “Can I ask you something about Drew?”

She nods. “Yeah?”

Kenny hesitated. “How do you feel about her?”

Wendy exhaled slowly through her nose. “She’s my friend.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Wendy turned to look at him more directly. “What are you asking, Kenny?”

“I saw how she looked at you,” he said quietly. “I saw how you looked back.”

Wendy looked away. “I’m not trying to make things weird,” Kenny said quickly. “But I like her and I know she has feelings for you, so I’m curious if you return those feelings.”

“I’m back with Stan,” she said carefully. “I love him very much.”

Kenny frowned. “That didn’t answer the question.”

She sighed, meeting his eyes again. “Drew’s complicated. I noticed her before any of you did. I saw the way she carried herself, how she held back. I wanted to be the one she could open up to.”

Kenny stayed quiet.

“But, I’ve never been into girls.” Wendy added. “Drew is gorgeous and a great person, but she’s not my Stan.”

Kenny nodded slowly. “Just don’t string her along,” he said quietly. “She’s already dealing with enough.”

“I’m not!” Wendy said quickly, but her voice lacked certainty. “At least I’m trying not to.”

“I hope you’re not.” Kenny gave her a long look, then turned to go. “I’ll show myself out.” As he walked out, Wendy stood alone for a moment, caught in that strange space between love and loyalty, friendship and feeling.

*****

Drew arrived home, she figured her parents would be in the living room, but they’re not. The cars are outside so they’re definitely home. The house was quiet, too quiet.

“Drew?” Her mom’s voice rang out from the kitchen, and in a flash, Kelly appeared, her eyes going wide with horror the moment she laid eyes on her daughter. Chris wasn’t far behind, and both parents looked like their hearts had just dropped.

“Oh my god, sweetheart!” Kelly rushed forward, gently cupping Drew’s cheeks, eyes watering. “What happened to your face?”

Chris’s face twisted into something between panic and fury. “Who did this to you? Tell me right now. I swear-”

“Dad!” Drew said quickly, her voice tired. “It’s over! I’m fine!”

“Did someone jump you?” Kelly asked, checking her daughter over with frantic hands. “Do we need to take you to the hospital?”

“No.” Drew muttered. “I’m okay. It looks worse than it is.”

“Kid, your eye is swollen and your knuckles are bruised!” Chris said, jaw clenched. “Who did this?”

Drew dropped her backpack onto the floor and sighed. “It was Cartman.”

“Cartman?” Both parents shouted in unison.

“The fat kid?” Chris asks.

Drew nods. “I started it,” she admitted. “He’s been harassing me since he realized I’m a girl. He humiliated me in front of the whole class. He recorded a private conversation and played it for everyone. I wasn’t going to let him get away with that!”

Kelly looked stunned. “You fought him?”

“He fought back. I didn’t expect him to actually keep going, but I couldn’t back down. Not after everything.”

Chris ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. “Jesus Drew!”

Kelly wrapped around Drew protectively. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

“I didn’t want you to worry.” Drew whispered, the weight of the day finally catching up to her. “I needed to handle it. I needed to show them I’m still me.”

Her parents exchanged a glance. Chris finally softened, stepping forward to place a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “We know who you are,” he said gently. “But you don’t have to fight every battle alone.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “I just thought if I stood up to him, he’ll back off.”

Kelly kissed the top of her head. “Well, we’re proud of you for not backing down. But I think you should go rest. You look awful.”

*****

Drew lies on her bed in an oversized hoodie, her limbs sore from the fight. The faint glow of her phone screen lit her face in the dim room, casting shadows under her tired eyes. She scrolled through her photo gallery slowly, like she was moving through time.

A selfie of her, grinning with fake blood under her nose after one of their superhero battles. Kenny stood behind her in full Mysterion costume, his eyes visible behind the black mask, narrowed in fake seriousness. She smiled faintly. He always tried to act mysterious, but with her, he dropped it sometimes.

Swipe.

Another photo, Call Girl, her pink visor pushed up and her fingers posed in a peace sign next to Drew. They both had matching smirks, looking like partners in crime. Wendy’s hair had blown perfectly across her cheek in the wind. Drew’s heart tightened. She stared at the photo a little longer.

Swipe.

A group shot of Professor Chaos, Toolshed, Fastpass, Mysterion, Call Girl, and herself, cloaked in her custom gear, standing shoulder to shoulder with them like nothing could break that illusion. Like they were a real team. She sighed, lowering the phone to her lap.

Everything felt so different now. Being “the new kid” was easy when no one knew who she really was. Now everyone knew. Some still treated her the same, some were confused, and some were angry. She didn’t even know how she felt half the time.

She looked back at the photo of Wendy. There was something in the way Wendy had looked at her that day. Something in how Drew had felt looking back.

Then she switched to the one with Kenny. His arm had been around her shoulders in that one. So casual…and protective. Drew leaned back into her pillow, the phone clutched to her chest. She wasn’t ready to choose. Not yet. But in the quiet, with nothing left to distract her, the feelings swirled.

She then let herself cry, not out of anger or humiliation, but just to let it all go. She wiped the last tear from her cheek and unlocked her phone again, this time searching for something else. She scrolled past selfies and group shots until she reached the older albums. She hesitated, hovering over one of the thumbnails, then tapped.

A photo filled the screen, The Coon, striking an exaggerated hero pose atop a tree stump in someone’s backyard. Drew, partially in frame, with a foam sword slung over her shoulder. Back then, they thought they were invincible. That they were a real team.

Swipe.

Cartman again, this time sitting beside her at Kupa Keep HQ, wearing his wizard hat, waving the stick around like it meant something. She was beside him in her knight armor, pouting dramatically while he gave some over the top speech.

Swipe.

A short clip played. Cartman shouting in character about how “the New Kid’s loyalty shall not go unrewarded!” Then he’d turned to her, breaking character with a snort, and muttered, “You’re not so bad for a noob!”

Drew smiled faintly. Back then, he’d included her without a second thought. He hadn’t known she was a girl. He didn’t care. They’d been friends. Weird, chaotic, and sometimes toxic friends, but friends nonetheless.

Now they’d nearly beat each other senseless in front of half the school. She touched her bruised cheek, still sore. She didn’t even remember how the fight ended. Only that neither one of them had backed down. Neither one of them wanted to.

‘How did we get here?’ She thought.

Cartman had betrayed her in front of the whole class. Humiliated her. Weaponized something vulnerable and private. It was cruel, even for him. But deep down, there was this tiny, gnawing ache. Because it hadn’t always been like this. He used to be someone she trusted. Maybe not completely, but still trusted. Now, all that was left were bruises and silence.

She turned off her phone and lay back down, arms behind her head, eyes on the ceiling. The past felt so far away now. But it still hurt. Not just the betrayal, the loss.

She has to make this right…

Chapter Text

Chapter 13

The glow of the television flickered across the dim room of their once glorious superhero lair. Cartman sat in his gaming chair with a cold bag of frozen peas pressed to his swollen eye, a bandage stuck to his cheek and his cape crooked around his shoulders. A nearly empty bag of cheesy poofs rested in his lap.

Across from him, Butters slumped on a beanbag. He stirred a juice box quietly, watching Cartman grumble to himself. Cartman yanked the peas off his face and scowled.

“Okay, new plan,” he muttered. “She wants war? I’ll give her war! I’ll expose every embarrassing thing she’s ever done. We’ll ruin her reputation!” He glanced at Butters. “You in?”

Butters bit the straw of his juice box and looked away. “I don’t know Eric,” he mumbled. “I still feel really bad about what we did.”

Cartman stared at him, stunned. “Are you serious right now?”

Butters nodded slowly. “Yeah, sure I was hurt she didn’t want to be my girlfriend and all, but maybe I was just confused. We shouldn’t have recorded her like that. That was private.”

Cartman scoffed, tossing the bag of peas aside. “She attacked me in front of everyone! She drew first blood!”

“Yeah, but you drew humiliation.” Butters admitted.

Cartman stood abruptly, wincing as his knee nearly gave out. “So that’s it? You’re bailing on me? After everything we built! Chaos and the Coon?”

Butters rose too, slowly, brushing cheesy poof dust off his sweater. “I’m saying count me out of whatever revenge thing you’re planning. I just want to make things right with Drew, not worse.”

Cartman’s nostrils flared. “You’re weak!”

Butters gave him a tired, sad smile. “I’d rather be weak than mean.”

He turned and climbed the stairs, leaving Cartman alone in the basement bruised, fuming, and now without his sidekick. Cartman kicked over a cardboard box and growled. “Fine! I don’t need you. I work alone anyway!”

*****

The chatter of the cafeteria died down just slightly when Drew entered, her black eye fading to a deep purple and a butterfly bandage clinging stubbornly to her cheek. She kept her shoulders back, trying to ignore the whispers, the glances, and the gasps from kids still buzzing about the showdown the day before.

She found Stan, Kyle, Token, Clyde, Jimmy, Tweek, Craig, Scott, and Cartman clustered near the lunch line, mid-conversation. Drew stepped into their circle. It got quiet fast.

“I need to say something to all of you.” Drew said, voice steady but sincere.

Some of the boys looked around awkwardly. Kyle folded his arms. Cartman raised an eyebrow.

Drew took a breath. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you I was a girl from the beginning.”

There was a pause. Clyde blinked and Tweek twitched. “I didn’t mean to trick anyone,” she went on. “When I moved here, everyone just assumed I was a boy and I didn’t correct it. I thought if I did, I wouldn’t be accepted, or people would treat me differently. I was right, some of you did.”

The group remained quiet. Cartman gave a sarcastic smirk, but didn’t interrupt. Drew looked around at each of them. “But even so, that doesn’t make it right. I should’ve been honest. That’s on me. I’m sorry I wasn’t. If I hurt anyone or made anyone feel uncomfortable, I’m sorry for that too.”

Jimmy nodded slowly. “W-wow. That t-took guts. G-good for you, Drew.”

Craig gave a lazy shrug. “Doesn’t matter to me. You still kicked Cartman’s ass!”

Token chuckled. “She’s still the same kid who outsmarted half of us.”

Stan and Kyle exchanged glances, then Kyle spoke. “You’re still part of the team. We’re over the lie.”

Drew smiled softly as Cartman huffed. “So that’s it? One ‘I’m sorry’ and we’re just supposed to forget she lied to us for months?”

Kenny stepped forward, but Drew put a hand on his arm. “No,” she said, looking Cartman in the eyes. “I’m not asking you to forget. I’m asking you to understand. That’s all.”

Cartman rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’m still watching you.”

Kyle groaned. “Shut up dude You’re just mad because you got your ass kicked by a girl...again!” A few chuckles broke out, the tension finally loosening.

As the boys began to walk to class, Stan nudged Drew with a small smile. “Thanks for saying that. I know it wasn’t easy.”

Kenny lingered at her side, quieter than usual. “You okay?” Drew asked.

He nodded. “You didn’t have to do that. But I’m proud you did.”

Drew gave him a crooked smile. “Trying to start fresh.”

Kenny looked at her for a long second before quietly saying, “You’re doing good, Drew.”

*****

The girls gathered at Wendy’s house after school. Pillows scattered across the living room floor, a half eaten pizza in the box, nail polish bottles rolling under the couch, and a rom-com playing softly in the background while no one really watched it.

Drew sat cross-legged between Bebe and Nichole, Red, and Annie on the other side of the blanket fort they built. The girls laughed, shared inside jokes, and passed around candy like nothing had changed.

After a round of goofy dares and whispered crush confessions, Bebe leaned back and eyed Drew with a smirk. “Okay, I’m going to say it, there’s still one thing we think you should deal with.”

Drew raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Nichole tilted her head toward the kitchen, where Wendy was grabbing drinks for everyone. “You and Wendy. You’ve got some stuff to talk about, right?”

Drew froze for a second, her heart lurching in her chest. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Bebe gave her a look. “Please! You’ve been staring at her all night like you’re in a teen drama.”

Nichole smiled softly. “That moment in class wasn’t just humiliation, that was heartbreak.”

Drew’s face flushed. “It’s complicated.”

“We know!” Bebe said. “But that’s why you need to talk. If there’s something between you two it deserves to be said.”

Before Drew could argue, Wendy came back carrying a tray of sodas. She looked between the three of them, slightly suspicious. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing!” Bebe said too quickly. “We were just thinking you and Drew should go talk for a sec.”

Wendy blinked. “Talk about what?”

Bebe and Nichole stood, grabbed Red and Annie, and practically dragged them toward the stairs. “We’ll give you guys a minute.” Bebe whispered to Drew as she passed.

Wendy sat down beside Drew on the floor, setting the drinks down and brushing her hair behind her ear. “So, what did they mean by that?”

Drew looked at her hands. “I think you know.”

Wendy exhaled slowly, her voice quieter. “Do I?”

Drew swallowed hard, then finally looked her in the eyes. “I don’t want to make things weird. I know you’re with Stan. But I also know when I came to this town, you were the first person to really see me. Not the new kid. Me.”

Wendy didn’t interrupt, letting Drew continue. “Somewhere in all that, I started liking you. I don’t even know if it’s a crush or something deeper or just admiration, but it’s there. I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position.”

Wendy’s face softened. She reached out and gently squeezed Drew’s hand. “Drew, I care about you. You’re brave and loyal and stronger than most of the guys we know. I admire you too.”

Drew bit her lip, blinking fast.

“But I’m not into girls. I’ve never felt that way. I love Stan. That hasn’t changed,” Wendy continued. “Still, I want you in my life. Not just because you’re a great teammate or a fun sleepover guest, but because you’re my friend. I don’t want that to change.”

Drew felt something unclench in her chest. The disappointment was real, but the rejection didn’t sting like she thought it might. It felt more like clarity. “I don’t want that to change either,” she said.

Wendy smiled gently. “So we’re good?”

“We’re good.” Drew said, nodding.

Wendy opened her arms, and Drew leaned in without hesitation. They hugged tightly, holding onto the moment like it was a tether pulling them back to center. When they pulled away, Wendy gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go upstairs before Bebe bursts down here trying to eavesdrop again.”

Drew laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” They stood up together, side by side not as something new or romantic, but as solid and genuine friends.

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

Drew sat on her front porch, sipping a can of lemonade and staring off at nothing in particular when she heard footsteps approach. She didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

“Hey!” Kenny said, pulling his hood down just a little as he sat beside her.

“Hey.” Drew replied.

They sat in silence for a moment, watching leaves dance across the street. It was a comfortable kind of quiet, the kind they’d shared more than once since everything blew up.

“I heard you stayed at Wendy’s last night.” Kenny said.

“Yeah,” Drew said softly. “Sleepover with the girls.”

He looked over at her, eyes curious but cautious. “So…did anything happen between you two?”

Drew smiled faintly, then shook her head. “We talked. She’s not into girls. Even if she were, she’s with Stan. We agreed to just be close friends.”

Kenny nodded slowly. “That’s probably for the best.”

Drew took a sip of her drink, then asked quietly, “You think so?”

“I mean,” Kenny started, choosing his words carefully, “how do you really feel about it?”

“I think part of me really wanted it to be something.” She admitted. “Not just because it was Wendy, but because she was the first person I let in. I liked the way it felt to be seen like that. To not hide.”

Kenny nodded. “That makes sense.”

“But,” she continued, “I also think maybe I wanted her to like me because I didn’t know how to like myself yet. Not after everything.”

Kenny blinked, a little caught off guard by how raw that was. “Drew…”

She looked at him, then smiled. “I’m getting there, even if it hurts a little.”

He reached over and gently took her hand in his. “You don’t have to figure it all out alone.”

“I’m really glad I have you, Kenny.” Drew whispered, squeezing his hand.

“I’ll always have your back,” he said, with a grin.

They sat there like that for a while, hand in hand, watching the sky shift from bright to golden. There was still a lot left unspoken feelings, questions, and whatever would come next. But for now, there was peace.

*****

The whispers in the hallway weren’t as sharp. The stares weren’t as long. The desks weren’t scooted farther away from Drew’s like they had been the week before. It was different, and somehow, still a little awkward.

Drew walked in quietly that morning, expecting the usual sideways glances. But instead, Stan greeted her with a smile. “Hey Drew! Want a seat next to us at lunch later?”

She blinked. “Uh, yeah. Sure!”

Kyle gave her a small wave from across the hall, and Jimmy offered a kind, “L-l-looking good, Drew!”

She chuckled. “Thanks Jimmy!”

Even Tweek twitched less than usual around her.

As she stepped into the classroom, Kenny was already there, legs kicked up on his desk. He looked up and gave her a nod that said, you good? She nodded back. Yeah.

Most of the boys treated her normally again maybe with a bit more caution, maybe a little gentler but no one brought up the fight, the video, or the Wendy thing. Everyone, except Cartman. He sat slumped at his desk in the back, arms crossed, eye still slightly swollen, and muttering under his breath every time she walked by.

“She’s got everyone fooled!” He growled. “One speech and suddenly she’s Joan of Arc…”

Drew ignored him. She didn’t have to prove anything anymore not to him, not to anyone.

Butters, meanwhile, was quiet. He kept his distance, but his expressions weren’t angry anymore, they were guilty. Like he wanted to say something but wasn’t ready yet.

At recess, she sat on the bench beside Kenny, Wendy, and Stan. The group was slowly getting back to its old rhythm. “You holding up okay?” Wendy asked, nudging her gently.

“I think so,” Drew said. “It’s weird. But not bad.”

Stan nodded. “You’ve earned a lot of respect. Most people wouldn’t have handled any of this as well as you did.”

Kenny glanced sideways at her, a small grin tugging at his lips. “Told you they’d come around.”

Drew smiled, a real one this time. She then heard soft footsteps behind her. “Uh…hey Drew.”

She turned to see Butters standing a few feet away, fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve, eyes low and voice uncertain.

“Hey,” she said calmly.

Butters stood there a second, rocking on his heels. “Can I sit?”

She nodded, and he plopped down beside her, careful to leave some space. Stan lightly nudges Wendy and gestures for them to get up. She nods and they leave Drew and Butter sitting on the bench alone.

They sat in silence for a long moment, the awkward kind. Finally, Butters exhaled. “I’m real sorry, Drew. For everything.” She turned to look at him.

“I was just…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was hurt and confused. Then Eric got in my head, and I let it all get real ugly. I shouldn’t’ve helped him record you. I shouldn’t’ve shared it. That was wrong.”

Drew nodded. “It was. But, I get it.”

Butters blinked. “You do?”

“I think part of me went on a date with you because I wasn’t sure about my feelings.” Drew admitted. “I didn’t know if I like Kenny or Wendy or both. You were sweet, and you made me feel safe when everything was weird. You were a great friend Butters. I’m sorry for my part in this.”

Butters frowned slightly, but there wasn’t anger in his eyes just understanding. “It still hurt.”

“I know,” Drew said gently. “But you weren’t the only one who got hurt.”

He nodded. “I know. Again, I’m really sorry.”

She gave a small smile. “Thank you for apologizing.”

“I mean it,” he said. “I don’t hate you. I was just being dumb.”

“You weren’t dumb, Butters. You were just being human.”

He looked at her, his eyes wide. “Does this mean we can be friends again?”

Drew smiled, warmer this time. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Butters smiled back, visibly relieved. “Okay. Cool. Uh, do you want to go on the swings for a bit?”

Drew laughed. “Sure. Why not?”

The two of them got up and wandered toward the swings, talking more easily now, the tension between them finally fading like the sun dipping low behind the trees.

Shortly after, Bebe and Nichole waved Drew over to join a round of four square. Red was already calling next. As she ran off to join them, Kenny watched her go the weight that had hung over her for so long finally seeming to lift.

For the first time since she arrived in South Park, Drew Harris wasn’t just the new kid. She was one of them.

Chapter Text

Epilogue

By the time the first snowfall blanketed South Park, things had changed. Not in some dramatic, earth shattering way, the kind of change that Drew was used to bracing for. But in the quiet way that lets you finally breathe again. The kind that says, You’re safe now. You’re home.

Drew had become more than just the new kid. She was Drew Harris, the kid who could dodge dodgeballs like a ninja, deliver the best sarcastic one liners in class, and stand toe-to-toe with Cartman without flinching.

She and Wendy were closer than ever. There was no weird tension anymore, just real friendship. The kind where they could braid each other’s hair, talk about anything, and lean on each other without judgment.

With Kenny, things were different, and yet the same. Their bond had shifted, deepened. Sometimes they held hands under the lunch table when no one was looking. Sometimes they didn’t need to. They hadn’t labeled anything, and that was okay. Drew was still figuring herself out and Kenny, in his own quiet, loyal way, was letting her.

The girls had become a kind of family too. Bebe, Nichole, Red, and Annie didn’t just invite Drew into their sleepovers or ask her to join in their games. They trusted her. Looked out for her. Listened when she cried, called her out when she needed it, and celebrated her wins like they were their own. With them, she didn’t feel like a novelty or an outsider. She felt like a girl among girls.

Butters, true to his word, had become a better friend. He still blushed when she smiled at him too long, but he never crossed a line. They laughed again, shared inside jokes again. He even let her push him on the swings during recess without complaining.

Even the rest of the boys, Stan, Kyle, Craig, Token, Tweek, Scott, and Jimmy started treating her like one of their own again. Not a girl in the group. Just Drew. Tough, weird, sharp tongued Drew, who happened to be a girl.

As for Cartman, well, he still grumbled. Still glared. Still muttered about conspiracies and revenge. But these days, fewer people were listening.

Drew’s photo was finally up on the “Class Helpers” bulletin board. She had her own seat in the lunch rotation. She had friends who knew her, really knew her and still wanted her around. She still had hard days. Moments of doubt. Flashes of confusion. But she wasn’t alone in them anymore.

On the first real snow day of the season, she sat on Kenny’s porch with a blanket over their shoulders and watched the town light up with holiday decorations. Snowflakes landed in her hair and melted against her cheeks.

“This place is crazy.” She said, sipping cocoa.

Kenny grinned beside her. “Yeah, but it’s our kind of crazy.”

Drew smiled. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t just surviving. She was living. She belonged. And South Park? South Park was hers now, too.

Not because she had conquered it. Not because she’d won fights or earned titles. But because she’d carved a space for herself in a town that had no idea what to make of her at first and stayed true to who she was, even when it hurt.

She had her friends. Her people. Her stories in the snow and scars that told them. Laughter in the halls. A place at the table. A name they said with warmth.

South Park was loud and messy and unfair sometimes. But it had made room for her. Now, she finally made room for it.

This strange little town was hers because she had made it hers. One snowflake. One secret. One truth at a time.

The End.