Lifeline (Tweek & Craig)

Chapter Eight

Craig

Craig started cursing when his alarmed woke him up. After the 5th snooze, he finally rolled out of bed, stretched and then went to make coffee. Once he started the machine he went to get dress. He wanted to wear something comfy, so he choose sweats, a shirt and a sweater. Craig was hoping for a mellow day, he had so many things that he wanted to take care of and hoped no one made plans for their breaks between classes.
         Craig went to drink his coffee, when he look at the time and then to Tweek's door he noticed that he didn't hear anything or any movements. After giving Tweek another 15 minute, Craig went to knock on his door. When Tweek didn't answer Craig entered.
            Tweek was in the same position he slept in last night, only difference was that he was sweating. Tweek opened his eyes slightly, before closing them. He was definitely alive but didn't look well.
             "Tweek, are you alright?" Craig asked sitting on the bed next to him.
              Tweek opened his eyes, looked up at Craig and then nodded.
               Craig touched his forehead, he was extremely warm. "Shit, I think you have a fever," Craig said getting up and walking out of the room.
              He went into the linen closet and pulled out the temperature reader that his mom bought him a while back. He remembered his mom explaining all he had to do is run it across his forehead to scan the temperature. When he figured out how to turn it on, he went to check Tweek's temperature.
            Craig was happy that Tweek didn't protest any of his failed attempts to read his temperature, in fact Tweek didn't do much moving at all. When Craig finally got a good read, he was surprised that Tweek had a 102 degree reading. A number that if his mom saw, she would be rushing him up the er. Worried, Craig went to call his mom for some advice.
             "Mom! Question—"
             "—Hey sweetheart, I am on my way!"
             Craig paused. "Wait, why?"
              "If I don't make you real food, you will only eat pizza. That's why," She said, snapping. " Are you ok?"
               "Ok," Craig said nervous, confused and annoyed all at the same time. "Mommy, the housekeeper comes today and you both don't get along! Why didn't you come yesterday?!"
                "Who cares about her, I can visit my son whenever I want. What did you have for dinner last night?"
                 Craig paused, irritated.
                "Pizza again? Anyway tell the doorman I'll be coming and up. I believe you have class, so if you are not out— get going!"
                Craig paused, irritated again.  "Wait, if I had a 102 temperature what would you do?"
                 "Are you okay, do you have a fever?"
                 Craig could hear his mom panicking.
                 "No just asking," Craig replied.
                  "Why? That's a stupid thing to ask," she replied.
                  "Omg, mom! What would you do?"
                   "Take a cap of Motrin and see if it goes down. If it doesn't it, we go to the emergency room. Baby, is everything ok?"
                   "Yes!" Craig snapped. "And btw, I have a roommate."
                   "Who?!" his mom said shocked.
                    "Tweek Tweak, and he has a fever. So if you are not going to be nice please stay home," Craig warned.
                   "I'll be there in ten, give him Motrin and get to class!" She said hanging up.
                When his mom hung up, Craig just stared at his phone. He wanted to throw it against the wall. Instead he went to get Motrin, and sat on the bed next to Tweek as he read the instructions.
                  By this time, Craig was aware of Tweek's alertness, and he tried to ignored his long stares. Part of him, at that very moment, so desperately wished he knew what Tweek was thinking.
                "This shit is disgusting, but you are going to have to drink it," Craig told him. "Can you sit up?"
                 Tweek nodded as he struggled to sit up, his back pressed against the headboard. Craig handed Tweek the cap filled with the medicine and he drank it.
                 Craig smiled, glancing at his watch and then sighed. If it was up to him he wouldn't leave, but he knew his mom won't let him stay home.
                 When Craig heard the door slam, he took a deep breath before turning to Tweek.
               "Remember when I told you my mom comes once a week and makes food for me? Well, mom is 4 days late. Also cleaner is coming in 40 minutes. They do not get along," Craig said then sighed.
              Laura stood at the door of Tweek's room, and turned to her son and then to Tweek. 
            "Hello Tweek," she said after kissing her son's cheek. "Get going, you are going to be late," she said at Craig's side before moving to check Tweek's forehead. Craig was so irritated, but he didn't argue.
              "If you need anything tell mom to call me," Craig told Tweek before leaving.