Creek - Crush

Chapter 24

The halls get crowded really fast. Before we know it, we are surrounded.

Thomas looks stressed.

"Come with me."

He grabs my arm and I lead him out of the hall and into the cafeteria.

My group of friends all see us enter.

Tweek is scowling. What's wrong now?

I look down and realize Thomas is still holding my arm. I wiggle out of his grasp and approach the table.

"Hey, guys. This is Thomas. He's new. You all cool if he sits with us?"

Tolkien smiles and makes room at the table. "Sure thing! Welc-"

"We don't know him."

I'm caught off guard when Tweek interrupts Tolkien. He's never done that before.

"Well, no... he's new."

The table is silent. Tweek is looking straight at me, as if he's trying to tell me something.

"Here, sit next to me." I scoot over so he can sit on the end of the table.

He's sitting right next to me but directly across from Tweek.

I can feel the tension.

"Tweek, this is my FRIEND Thomas."

"Hello." Tweek says without looking at him.

The rest of lunch goes the same way. Tweek keeps shooting daggers at Thomas.

I'm not stupid. I know why.

Tweek is jealous.

I can't lie, I do find it very cute.

After school I find Tweek. He had just texted me.

"Tweek? What's this about work being canceled today?"

"There was a power outage that's gonna last all day."

"Oh. Well, thanks for the heads up."

"I want to see Stripe."

"Hmm?"

"Can I come over to see him?"

"Yeah. Yeah of course let's go."

He follows me silently. Somethings off about him today. It's not just the jealousy, he seems anxious about something.

-

Tweek hurries upstairs to where Stripe is. I take my time to get a drink before I go up. I did a lot more talking today than I'm used to.

I like it when Tweek does all the talking.

I take a moment to catch my breath. Seeing Tweek in my room always made my heart race.

I step in and close the door. "He looks happy to see you."

"Sure." He puts Stripe back in his cage.

"What's wrong with you today?"

He pushes me back until I'm leaning against the door. "Who gave you that hickey?"

He takes off my hat and rubs my neck.

"You did."

"What?"

"When you were drunk. You gave it to me."

His face turns bright red. "Really..?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry... that must've been uncomfortable..."

"It wasn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I enjoyed it. Maybe a little bit too much. Just before you gave me this you told me you like me. We kissed too. Is it true? Do you like me?"

"...yes."

I can't contain my smile.

"Tweek, come here..."