Lifeline (Tweek & Craig)

Chapter Fifteen

Tweek

Tweek dried his hair to the best that he could and change into the comfy clothes Craig had brought into his room while he was showering. Just a regular graphic shirt and navy sweatpants. Tweek could hear the excitement going on outside his door and knew that Craig expected him to participate, but he couldn't find the courage to touch the doorknob let alone leave the room.
           Tweek sighed, he loved football. He missed being able to watch it with his parents. This however was different, he would be watching it with Craig and his friends. The same people who were mean to him years ago.
        Tweek sat on the bed and waited for the right moment to come. When that moment happened and he was almost at the door, everyone behind the wall burst into excitement because Bradley arrived. Tweek chocked on his saliva and sat back down. Even in the bedroom he wanted to disappear and die—screw the order.
             Tweek sat back down and decided that Craig was just going to have to throw a tantrum later. He glanced at the time and realized he has been procrastinating in the room for a little over an hour and it was almost time for the game to start. Tweek was certain that once the game started no one will remember he agreed to join.
          As Tweek laid on the bed, hoping that doing so would keep his chest from exploding, when he heard a knock on the door he froze. The knock was different from the way Craig knocked so he wondered who it was.
        "Tweek, the game is starting are you coming?"  He heard Token say.
          Tweek sighed, he wondered if Craig put Token up to this. Telling by how quiet it became in the living room, Tweek figured they were listening for an answer.
        "Tweek, are you alright?" Token asked, he sounded worried.
         Damn Token, Tweek thought. Of everyone he knew that was currently in the next room, Token was the only one that stayed neutral to him. Token never had anything to say and never participated in humiliating him. For someone so rich, he was such a humbled, good guy. So Tweek could see why Craig might have sent him to call him. Taking a deep breath, Tweek walked and opened the door.
           "Dude, were you sleeping?" Token asked. Tweek's hair was still damp so it looked a bit like bed hair.
          "I wanted to," Tweek replied, low for just him to hear. Tweek took the hair band that was around his wrist to tie up his hair.
        Token smiled handing Tweek a can of coke. As Tweek scanned the room, he was surprised that so many people came, even friends Craig made in college were there. There was only two apartments on this floor, so it was no surprise that it was a big space, but when he saw so many people in it, Tweek realize that it was a seriously big space. 
        As he skimmed the room, he spotted where Bradley sat. He was sitting beside Kenny and Butters on the couch on the right closest to the tv. When Tweek saw him staring he quickly searched for Craig who he found in the kitchen with Clyde, Stan and Kyle. Craig looked surprised to see him. Maybe he didn't expect Tweek to come out. 
       "Tweek," Craig called him over.
       Tweek's eyes revisited the uniquely, stained floors as he walked into the kitchen and stood before the island. Tweek couldn't get himself to look at anyone. He felt so awkward.
        "Hey Tweek," Kyle and Stan said in unison. They have been together too long, Tweek thought.
       Tweek looked up and waved before taking a seat. He glanced at Craig who wore his poker face again. He didn't look angry, annoyed, happy or sad, his expression and frosted eyes was just—just.
        "Would you like to pour that into a plastic cup?" Craig asked him. Craig's voice was so soft and caring that it helped relaxed him.
         Tweek nodded handing Craig the can, Craig took it from him which for some strange reason upsetted Clyde.
          "He can't walk around and pour it in a plastic cup himself?" Clyde asked Craig.
          Tweek paused, confused. He wondered if he should have done it himself.
           Craig chuckled, as he stared from his friend to Tweek. "I actually don't mind doing it, that's why I asked. Would you like me to pour yours into a plastic cup to?" Craig asked resting a hand on Clyde's shoulder.
          "Fuck off," Clyde muttered, brushing his hand off. Craig's playfully smiled was so precious that Tweek's heart sped up and woke up his butterflies.
          "Btw Tweek Congrats on findings a job," Stan told him.
      Tweek was surprised he knew. "Thanks," Tweek replied afraid to looked at Craig who seem riled up whenever work was mention earlier.
          "Wendy was so emotional when Bebe told her," Stan said taking a sip of his beer.
          "Seems like Tweek's the topic of all the girls conversation these last few days," Kyle said, grinning. "I think Jesse has a crush."
          "They can talk, but he is not available," Craig replied, with a teasing smile.
          "Wait, huh?" Clyde said confused. "So all it took for Tweek to find a girl was to not be homeless? I highly doubt things happen so fast in one damn week,"
          "I think anything possible, not everyone likes jerks," Craig replied, his tone harsh this time.
          Tweek watched the two go back and forth, personality wise they were so much alike. How they manage to be friends for so long was a wonder.
       "Speaking of girls and rumors—BRADLEY GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!!!" Clyde yelled, his voice cutting through the noisy space.
            So much for staying a distance from him, Tweek frowned. After a few minutes, Bradley appeared and with all the places around the island he could stand, of all the spaces around Clyde, who called him over, that he could be, Bradley who had managed to change out of his clothing from earlier back to his usual self decided to stand next to him. For a second there, Tweek worried he was going to sit down next to him but instead he choose to stand.
         Tweek felt his stomach flipping as he looked at the marble slab as if it was his first time seeing it. Tweek took note of something, despite Bradley standing next to him, Bradley didn't say anything to Tweek. It was high school all over again.
          "Yeah?" Bradley said looking at the one who called him.
            "I hear you live in the neighborhood now," Clyde said, "what happened to the place you were closing on?"
            Bradley grinned, glancing at Tweek before looking at the others. "Decided it was too far. Bebe would have a hard time visiting if I moved to Beaverton,"
            "I thought you didn't care if she could visit at all," Stan said confused.
           Bradley laughed, "Why wouldn't I care if my girlfriend can visit me?"
          It was Tweek's first time hearing Bradley refer to Bebe as his girlfriend, and it left a sore taste in his mouth.
         "Dude, because you said I don't care if she could visit me or not!" Stan said with an irritated laugh.
          "Aren't you the one who said, I want a fresh start, and that you don't want to know your neighbors?" Kyle added.
           Tweek watched Bradley from the corner of his eye, and could see Bradley's eyes so often looking down at him.
       Bradley smiled,  "I don't remember saying that, but to circle back to Clyde. I called their realtor, found out there was an apartment available, saw it, decided it was the best fit. Sent the information to my parents and it was done. I'm not fully moved in yet."
          "Need any help?" Kyle asked.
          "Thanks, but no worries. It's just a few things left but it's mainly just unpacking."
           "So is Bebe moving in?" Token asked finally coming over. Token sat on the opposite side of Tweek.
          "Not as of now, I really just want a space that's mine for a while with no restrictions," Bradley said.  "You can't do certain things when you are living with family or roommates," he said smiling.
          When Tweek felt like Bradley was standing to close, he crossed his arms and rested his head on it. Tweek heard Craig's voice say 'excuse me', so he lifted his head to see where Craig was going. Craig had walked around and got between him and Bradley, sitting on the other side of Tweek. Bradley walked around the island and stood in his place next to Clyde. When Tweek looked at Bradley, he looked annoyed.
          When Tweek glanced at Craig, Craig had this smirk on his face that melted Tweek's heart. He want to say thank you but instead just smiled.
         "Wow, you two got close again," Kyle said, unsure of what to make of Tweek and Craig's chemistry.
         "Very close," Craig replied, and Tweek felt himself turning red.
           Craig can be playful around his friends, still Tweek was worried that they would suspect more. Why wasn't Craig worried? Or did he not care what anymore thought.