Anyone else but you

Chapter 4

Okay I'll admit, leaving McCormick on the pavement knocked out wasn't the best idea. But he won't die from it, at least I think he won't. But even if he's skinniest kid in school, I can't lift him. He's tall and carries his weight very well.

I told Clyde and Token not to bother picking me up to take me to the hospital. It was an hour walk there only if you went fast, and I wanted to walk it. I wanted the solitude. In a town like this it just seems there's no silence, people are always trying to start something.

Quiet little mountain town my ass. Ever since third and fourth grade, this town has gotten stupider and louder. Yet they still call it quiet, little, peaceful, hell I heard someone call it rustic! What the fuck does that even mean? There's too many shops, there's too many houses, there's too many people, there's too much noise!

So as soon as I stopped beating up McCormick and you know crying. I went home, put bandages around my hands, and started walking. I plan to stop somewhere, anywhere because it's only 1:45. I just needed to walk, I just needed to think.
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It was 3:36 now, I had stopped at a gas station to buy water, cigarettes a lighter, and mints. Old habits die hard? Is that expression correct right now, hell if I cared. If Tweek remembers me and smells my breath after I had just smoked, he would kill me. Well scream about me being an idiot then kill me. The gas station was right next to the hospital, so I stood outside of the hospital smoking. Blowing smoke into the cold air. It was cold enough for me to wear a jacket, but not a big one.

As I finished the cigarette I smashed it under my foot, and then proceeded to eat what felt like over 15 mints. I stepped inside the hospital, the air conditioner powered gust of wind hitting my face as I shivered, why did they always keep this place cold again? I couldn't remember for the life of me why anyone would want to be in a place this cold. Then again no one wants to be in a hospital.

I took a seat in one of the many dull colored uncomfortable chairs the hospital graciously offered. I looked around the waiting room, it was depressing to say the very least. People were crying, some held their head in their hands, and one person looked like they were up for days. They had bags under their eyes like Tweek's, not like mine. Mine were dark but not terribly noticeable, while his might as well been tattooed there. They were dark and always there, never changing.

I sighed checking my phone, as I felt it vibrate in my coat pocket. It was Clyde messaging from Token's phone, I could tell due to the way he texts.

[Momma Token: r u there yet????]

[Craig: yeah I've been here awhile.]

[Momma Token: Ok good we didn't want 2 pick u up]

[Craig: how considerate]

[Momma Token: Luv u <3]

I turned off my phone, I can only handle Clyde's text speech for a limited amount of time. This is why I prefered cell phones, quick and easy conversations are the best. I closed my eyes to think, something I have done a lot of today. Behind my eyelids I picture a dark void, I'm floating in the center of it. I try to speak but nothing comes out, and suddenly lights start to twinkle. Stars fill up the void and I'm now surrounded by small lights shining on me. In the distance I see a figure, as I approach it the details of it came clear. Messy blond hair, a green shirt, faded jeans, muddy converse shoes. I knew precisely who it was, it was Tweek.

I turned him around his eyes were blank and he was calm. No visible shaking at all as I stared at him, he smiled softly. I hugged him and didn't let go, I could see tears coming out of my eyes. He leaned over to my ear and whispered something, I'm not sure what Tweek said. But I now seemed calm and collected, I still refused to let go of him. He just stayed still, he didn't hug back or smile. He just put his head on my shoulder and stayed still.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, In real life. I opened my eyes to see Token and Clyde standing in front of me, they both looked equally as bad. Both had soft bags under their eyes, Clyde's hair was unbrushed, and Token was slouched over. Since posture was weirdly important to him, it was strange to see him shorter then normal.

"You two look like shit," great line to break the silence I know. Token just weakly laughed, and Clyde smiled tiredly. Everyone was worried to death for Tweek, but I was glad they could smile right now. Just thinking of the fact that any minute now I'm going to have to see Tweek in a hospital bed, possibly hooked up to tons of machines. It honestly scared the shit out of me. I didn't want to see him like that, and I didn't want to think of the fact he may not know who I am.

3:47 now, any second his parents will turn the corner, his dad's eyes puffy and his mom's make up running. They'll tell us that he doesn't remember anything, and he'll possibly never recover. Or they'll tell us that he only has memories from when he was 10 and before. Or something else that will kill me inside.

Clyde and Token sat to the right of me, we're just waiting in uncomfortable silence. Each of us with our own thoughts of what will happen. With our own worries. Mine was just more on an emotional level. God that sounds selfish but it's true. Me and Tweek had just started something great and it could already come to a crashing end.

A nurse approached us, "excuse me are you here for Tweek Tweak?" She smiled, it felt sickening, how could she smile right now? I just nodded, and she made a motion for us to follow. Where was his parents? Why is she taking us to Tweek?

"Tweek's parent's aren't here but they told us to expect 3 teenage boys, and to let you see him. However, with a person with memory loss three people at once can be... over whelming. So I'm going to let you see him one at a time. You all can choose who sees him first," She continued on till we got to his room. Smiling at us waiting for us to choose who saw him first.

Token and Clyde agreed that I should go first since we had a stronger bond then they did. We're all best friends; but Tweek and I were just closer. I was relived and terrified that I was going first. I didn't know what to expect, so as the nurse opened the door. I closed my eyes softly and stepped in. I opened them once I heard the soft click of the door closing.

I saw Tweek laying there with wide eyes at me. He wasn't really hooked to anything, one fear was now subsided. But he had a scar on his head from the impact, it wasn't deep enough for stitches apparently. His hair was brushed and he just looked different. I could tell it was him by dark circles that remained, his emerald eyes that sparkled in any lighting, his narrow face, as well as the strong scent of coffee that followed him everywhere, plus he still twitched. God I loved that he still twitched.

"Hey Tweek," I mumbled with a weak smile, "do you remember me?"

"You -ngh- seem familiar but I c-can't remember your na-name. Sorry, I know y-you must be disa-disappointed," he said looking down at his hands. I hated that he didn't remember me, it felt worse then someone taking a sword and stabbing it through my stomach. Then twisting it and kicking me in the nuts.

"Well I'm Craig Tucker, uh I'm your best friend or was I guess. We've known each other since about 4th grade."

"I-I know of you, but it's all a blur. I -GAH- vaguely remember us fighting in th-third grade. I s-see little flashes of scenes from fourth gr-grade- one we're holding hangs... B-But everything else is a haze... I'm not sad or an-angry thinking about you."

"I guess that's good, I mean it's better than you not knowing me at all."

"T-Tell me about what we used to do."

I paused for a moment as a single thought took over. Should I tell him about the kiss? I decided against it, and after a brief silence spoke, "well you and I used to just hang out in my room watching tv and playing video games. Some nights you would spend the night and we'd look at the stars, and talk for hours. You used to play with my pet guinea pig named stripe till she died, and then I got spot. But those are just some things we did alone, it was completely different when Clyde and Token were around."

"That sounds," Tweek paused, what could he be thinking, "really f-fucking gay dude -GAH- I don't think i'd e-ever do anything that... sa-sappy and boring and sh-shit." I froze looking at the blond before me, what the fuck did he just say?