I walked to his front door and rang the bell. "Hey, Ruby," I said to her when she opened the door, "Craig's home, right?" His car was in the driveway.

"Yea, he's here. He's in his room," She turned to yell up the stairs, "Craig! Kenny's here!"

"Ruby, stop yelling! It's 10 AM, dammit!" We heard her dad yell from another room.

Ruby turned around and flipped her dad off from where ever he was. Then Craig came down the stairs, phone in hand. He came over, messed up his sister's hair and said "Thanks, Rube," before she grabbed her phone and went upstairs herself.

"You're coming with me," I told him, grabbing his wrist and dragging him out the door.

"Dude, what the fuck, hold up," He stammered out as he resisted.

I let go, realizing I forgot the most important part. I took a bandana out of the back pocket of my jeans and started toward Craig, ready to cover his eyes. I probably should've told him what I was doing, considering he freaked out. "Kenny, what the fuck are you doing."

"Craig, your 18th birthday is tomorrow. I got you something, but it's a surprise."

"So you gotta blindfold me?"

"Yup. And it isn't with me, so I gotta take you to it."

"Oh," He said, hesitant and confused, "Alright then. Let me get my keys."

He went back inside and I waited for a couple minutes, then Craig came back out and locked the door with said keys. "Alright, you gonna blindfold me now you kinky fuck?"

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I know what you did with Jessie. That shit gets around."

"Who fuck told you?" SHE was the one who wanted to try that shit, not me. It was a one-time thing!

"You did," He said, starting to laugh, "You were high."

"Oh, shit, I did?"

He was smiling, "Yea, man. But don't worry; I haven't told a soul."

I gave a sigh of relief and that made Craig laugh again. "Blind me, man," He said, arms out.

I tied the bandana around his eyes and pushed him toward my truck. I don't think he was expecting that because he almost fell forward. "Dude, chill."

"Sorry, man," I said. My guiding was more… gentle from then on.

Since I backed into his driveway, I could easily lead him to the passenger side. I opened the door for him and said "Okay, we're at my truck now. The door is open, so you can get in."

He seemed nervous and was flailing his arms around trying to find something stable to hold on to. I laughed a bit and decided to help him out. I took his hand and put it on the truck, and then did it again with the other hand. "Thanks man," He said, smiling.

Once he was in, he was fidgeting finding the seatbelt and struggled to buckle in. It was super funny, actually. I closed the door for him, walked around to the driver's side and got in the car myself. I started it up and told Craig he could relax for a while. This is something I've been excited about for months and I can finally tell Craig. Well, I can show him. It's definitely more of something to show.

After driving for about five minutes, I pulled into the parking lot of the Phoenix on the Fax apartment complex and parked the truck. "Can I get my vision back?" Craig asked

I chuckled and said, "Yea, man, take the thing off."

He pulled the bandana off of his face and was confused. "Why are we at the new apartment complex?"

I took a key out of the pocket of my hoodie and said, "I live here now, man."

He raised his eyebrows. "Are you serious?"

"Yea man. Apartment 206."

"You're so lucky," Craig said in awe, "What a place to get away from your hell hole house. So is whatever you got me in your place?"

I took another key out of the pocket of my hoodie and tossed it to him. "Happy Birthday."

Craig's jaw dropped and I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. "No way," Craig said, staring at the key, "No fucking way."

"Yea, man," I said, taking the keys out of the ignition and opening my car door, "Come on, let's go see it."

I don't think I've ever seen Craig so excited. He bolted out of the car and I locked it behind us. I led him to the building. His eyes widened and he said, "Damn, this place is NICE."

I took his shoulder and led him toward the mailboxes. "Check this out, dude."

"K. McCormick," Craig read, "And C. Tucker?!"

"Yea, man," I confirmed, "The paperwork is official and everything."

Craig ran his hand back through his hair with this look of pure astonishment. "So this is what you've been saving your money for?"

I nodded yes and added "All those tips from the past year and a half. That's why I've been so eager to take on those large parties."

"Kenny, you're the fucking best," Craig said with the most genuine happiness I've ever seen.

I pat his shoulder and told him it was no problem at all. I took him to the elevator and we went up to the second floor. "The place came with a kitchen, bathroom, cable, internet AND wi-fi and a bedroom with a huge-ass closet," I told him as we walked down the hall.

"One bedroom?" He asked

"Yea, just one," I said as I stopped at door 206, "But we can alternate who sleeps on the couch."

I opened the door and watched Craig's face get even bigger. I truly have never seen him so happy. A lot of my shit was already in the place, so that helped with the cozy-factor. He went inside and began exploring. "Welcome to casa del McCormick y Tucker," I proclaimed

"This kicks so much ass!" Craig said with pure joy.

"Dude, I already told Karen that if she has any trouble at home, she can call me and then I'll come get her," I added, "So if you want to do the same for Ruby, go right ahead."

"That sounds like a fantastic idea, Ken," He said as he walked toward the balcony door, "I just can't believe this is real."

"Believe it, man," I said, going toward him, "We're actually free, just like Kyle and Stan and Clyde and Token and all those other bastards going away to a four-year school."

I gazed out the glass door and felt Craig turn his attention to me, so I looked back at him. He looked like he was so happy he could cry. He threw himself at me, arms around me in a strong hug. "Thank you so much," He said, muffled in my hoodie, "You have no idea how much this means to me."