I shift my gaze, stealing a glance at the jittering boy beside me. We make eye contact for a brief moment, but he quickly turns away with a small shriek, clearly frightened by the gesture. It's a comman occurance though, and I'm used to it. But it doesn't cease to hurt, even if only a little bit.

My name is Craig

I stand with my untouched lunch tray to rid myself of it. An obnoxious jeer grabs my attention, and I see Eric Cartman sneering at Kyle. What a jack-ass. My gaze drifts to the orange clad boy beside him, eyeing one of his friends lunch tray before him. I sigh, then approach the table.

"What do you want, fag?" Cartman. God I hate him. I flip him the bird, deciding not to waste my breath on the fat-ass. With my other hand, I reach between two nameless kids and set the food in front of Kenny. "Here." I turn, planning on heading back to my table, when I see Tweek jerk and look away. Fuck. He saw that. I shift route and head towards the cafeteria door instead.

Breaking eye contact with him immediatly, I stare into my almost-empty thermos of coffee. Craig can be really nice, even if he never wants anyone to see it. I tilt the liquid to the side, watching the liquid quake lightly in rythym with my hands. He, Craig, and I had been friends for almost ten years, since third grade, but lately he's been closing himself off. I'd ask him what's wrong, but, Oh God, what if it brings up bad thoughts and he'll hate me? I can't. But I'm worried. He's been getting into more fights outside of school. He comes to school with new bruises almost every day.. Every day that he comes to school, anyway. He's been skipping alot more, too. I know! I'll bring him to my parents coffee shop and make him some, coffee makes everyone feel better. I'll invite him after school.

There's no way in hell I'm going home to my dick of a father, so I wander around Starks Pond to avoid the drunk bastard. I pull up into a tree and sit in the branches, watching the rare wildlife scatter through the snow and water every now and again. Hesitantly, I reach up and touch the bruise that plauges my face and wince, regretting it immediatly. Drunk bastard. I check my watch, figuring school is out by now. I was right. Hopping out of the tree, I start walking back into town to meet my friends at one of the regular hang out. Absentmindedly, I slap my ass to make sure my wallet is there.

Fuck.

Looks like I have to make a stop home.