Shouldering the last few people out of the way Kenny sighed in relief seeing his androgynous sister crouched in the corner. Currently her head hung between her legs with her hands laced at the base of her neck. Guilt filled the dirty blonde seeing his sister's anxiety taking over. Hurrying over he ignored the few people who called his name, solely focusing upon his sister.
Craig and Tweek hung back knowing from Tweek's paranoid anxiety that too many stimuli would cause Ali to panic. Although the bluette had never verbally admitted to having anxiety, the boys had been slowly figuring out a couple of triggers that made Ali withdraw and become snippy. Well, Tweek did most of the figuring easily picking up the smaller ques while Craig did most of the unintentionally triggering. The biggest one they found was people entering her personal space uninvited. Tweek was given a pass almost immediately, but it took almost 6 months before Craig got his pass; even now Ali still had to initiate contact first.
Oblivious to anything happening around her, Ali focused on her breathing. In her mind, she tried to convince herself that all of these assholes who kept calling her Kenny were pulling her chain. It was all one big practical joke more than likely set up by her brother. Releasing a long breath through her nose, the bluette couldn't pretend. These supposed peers really don't recognize her anymore. God, how much stupid could this town bred? Sure as twins they look exactly the same down to their heights, but that's why she dyed her hair. Also if one took the time to look there were differences.
Suddenly someone crouched down invading the writer's personal bubble. Before they could speak, Ali grounded out, "Look. I'm not Kenny. If you want anything go find the blond asshole in the orange parka." Pulling her head further between her legs, the bluette tried to make herself as small as possible. Maybe they would get the hit and leave her alone.
"The pit falls of being twins."
Green eyes snapped up glaring into the mirror of herself. "About fucking time. I am never going without a cigarette for more than 45 minutes again." Taking the drink, the female twin downed a large gulp. The rum burned in the best way, only second to cigarettes, grounding her shot nerves. A hand gently rubbed her head as Kenny did his best to ease his guilt. Closing her eyes, Ali hated how well it finished stabilizing her.
"I need to do some business and I'm afraid it's going to take longer than 10 minutes." Kenny's tone was apologetic, but it didn't stop Ali from pleading with her next glare for her bother not to leave. At the very least take the bluette with him to do these transactions. Kenny shook his head cutting that suggestion short. In order to protect both of his sisters he couldn't let her come. Giving a small smile he tapped their glasses together. "Don't worry I got you some drinking buddies."
Fear squeezed Ali's heart. Her brother wasn't about to leave her alone with his friends, was he? She could handle two out of four, but if he was expecting her to socialize with either Kyle or Cartman she would be blacked out before the original ten minutes were over. Taking another long drink, ink stained fingers dug into the soft flesh of the girl's temple. Maybe if she pleaded hard enough her twin would reconsider. Peeking up into clear blue eyes, Ali knew it was pointless to argue. Hesitantly, she looked over Kenny's shoulder already thinking the pantry might be a great place to hide.
Green eyes narrowed as she couldn't find the distinctive head full of blazing red locks, nor could she see the beloved football star surrounded by his adoring fans, not even the sweet adorable Butters'presence lit up the room. Instead her gaze was drawn to a tall stoic boy whose eyes brightened up once their gazes locked. Looking to his side she saw her coworker shyly waving while constantly looking around making sure his hand didn't accidentally hit someone walking passed. The female McCormick's heart squeezed and relief flooded her body.
Kenny raised his finger as though about to start into the arguments he had prepared to persuade his sister, when Ali moved past him heading straight for Craig and Tweek. As soon the bluette reached Tweek, she rested her forehead on the shorter boy's shoulder breathing deeply the ever present scent of dark roast coffee. The writer was so far past the end of her rope that her personal bubble was nonexistent for anyone she remotely felt comfortable around. The rational part of her brain reminded Ali she was invading Tweek's space. "I'm sorry," she apologized, but left her head where it was taking a few more deep breaths gathering herself.
For a moment the shoulder tensed, but following a twitch Tweek relaxed his arm snaking around to lay a hand on Ali's head. Scrubbing gently at the writer's scalp, a low hum followed a gentle shake of the owner's head. Grunting her appreciation, Ali closed her eyes oddly enough finding just as much comfort in Tweek as her brother.
Behind Ali the male McCormick followed slowly. He felt his lips tighten as he stared jealously for a moment at Tweek's content face. Kenny considered taking back his favor as his sister's back visibly relaxed and the normal guarded feeling she projected dissipated. No one should be able to comfort his sister as quickly as he could nor break past her guards so easily. Then reality kicked in and the older twin also relaxed knowing that Ali would be ok while he did his job. Pulling one of the prepacked bags of weed from his inside pocket, Kenny handed it to Craig. Craig gave a single nod in thanks before slipping money into Kenny's hand as he took the offering.
Making a face, Kenny wasn't sure if he was relieved that he didn't have to account for the missing bag or indebted to the guy willing to look after his sister for free. Craig merely smirked like a dick as though knowing it bothered Kenny. Flipping off the taller boy, the dirty blonde turned to Ali bending over so that he could catch her eye. "I'll catch up with you later to see what you are doing."
Ali shrugged and stood up straight ignoring the pang of wanting as Tweek's hand slipped from her head. Focusing on her brother finally gave him a genuine smile since entering the house. "I'll be fine. Go screw your girlfriend after you're done. You deserve it getting me out of the house."
Kenny smirked ruffling Ali's hair. "I've still got an hour or I owe you 2 whole cartons."
Ali returned the smirk shoving his hand away playfully, "You've caught on to my schemes." Giving Kenny's shoulder a quick punch, she watched as her brother took the stairs two at a time to the second floor. When she could no longer see his parka, green eyes instantly swung to Craig her face matching the taller boy's normal expression. "I need a cigarette, now." The writer had not meant to be demanding, but addiction was a needy bitch especially when she been ignored. Pleading with her eyes she hoped Craig would be understanding.
The eye brow above hazel eyes raised whether from amusement or curiosity, Ali didn't have the patience to figure it out. She had kept up her end of the bargain now she wanted her reward; which she didn't currently have on her person and her alternate source ran up stairs. Grumbling about her rotten luck, Ali eventually bit out. "I smoked my last one before walking over here and Kenny wouldn't let me buy a pack on the way. I'll pay you back for it later."
Craig smirked as the bluette's hand traveled up to rub her neck as her eyes shifting to the floor. Taking the time to observe how Ali grew self conscience asking for what she wanted, he couldn't deny the twinge that happened in the pit of his stomach. He knew Tweek felt it too as soon as the blondes hand wrapped around Craig's pack of cigarettes in his sweatshirt pocket. Quickly grabbing Tweek's wrist, the chullo wearing boy jerked his head to back door. This was a chance to get Ali alone and the stoic boy wasn't about to give it up. "Let's step outside. I hate being that douche with the first cigarette."
Ali snorted weakly gesturing to the haze hanging around them, but quickly moved to follow close on Craig's heels when he took off to the kitchen door. As the trio made it out into the chilled Colorado air, it wasn't hard to find three empty seats on the abandoned patio. Dusting off the snow, Craig and Tweek took a love-seat while Ali took the chair closest to Tweek. Scooting to the end of the seat green orbs looked at Craig in anticipation.
Taking his time to get settled the dark haired boy ignored the girl's silent pleas. His muscles tensed as he tried to keep his face and boy language neutral. Throwing an arm around Tweek's shoulder, Craig causally asked, "What did you do for the rest of the evening?" Balancing his cup on the arm rest, long fingers slipped into his pocket wrapping around the pack yet he didn't pull it out right away. Kicking his long legs out nonchalantly, Craig couldn't stop the smirk as he continued to tease.
Ali tsked burying her face in her cup. She didn't want to be any ruder than she had been already, at least not to these two. Glancing back into hazel eyes she finally realized Craig was teasing the writer with her addiction. Deadpanning the female twin turned her to her coworker looking over to get sympathy, but she only found more joy at making her uncomfortable. Her tongue extended childishly before she answered. "I wrote until my computer ran out of power."
"The story you were telling me about?" Tweek excitedly leaned forward. His emerald eyes shown with genuine interest. They were beautiful pulling Ali into their depths and stirring up the fantasies she hadn't even hinted at to Kenny.
Blushing she pulled a knee to her chest wrapping her free arm around the appendage. "A little on that one, but I was doing more free writing just letting my thoughts flow."
The blonde nodded encouraging her to continue leaning forward almost out of his boyfriend embrace. It was nice having someone willing to listen to her ideas, but the nice feelings could no longer tide Ali over. Her whole body shuttered while her thumb tapped her shin. Giving Craig a pointed stare the bluette silently begged for him to stop teasing her.
As a giant smile spread over the apathetic boys' face as he dangled the pack, "What's the magic word?"
"Fuck you!" Ali growled raising her middle finger. Biting his lip to keep his smirk from growing, Craig handed over the pack casting a glance at Tweek. The blonde stared adoringly as he watched the female twin flick the lighter to ignition. As the shorter boy met hazel eyes, they both silently admitted to the groin flooding thrill teasing Ali gave them. What would she think if she knew? What was she thinking in general?
As the acidic smoke filled her lungs the McCormick visibly relaxed. Taking another draw as soon as the first left her mouth, Ali felt everything inside her finish settling into place. Looking at Tweek she gave a half smile apologizing for taking so long to answer. "It was a meta piece about my life and not going to a stupid party. Too bad I can't control my life like I can my writing." She considered not adding her next words, but Ali didn't want the boys to think she wanted to leave anytime soon. "But I'm glad I came."
"I'm really Gah-glad you came." Tweek blushed hiding his face behind his cup. In his mind Tweek swore at himself for slipping, but not because he was embarrassed by his untimely tick. Instead it was because the twitchy blond was reminded how he had been desperately begged Craig to attend the last few parties in hopes that they would eventually run into Ali. Had his desperation shown in his inflection? Oh God! What if she caught the change in tone and asked about it? Tweek couldn't lie, at least not to his coworkers, she had an uncanny way of knowing when he wasn't telling the full truth.
Craig nodded his head in agreement secretly soothing Tweek by running his fingers over the hairs at the nape of the other boy's neck. With a nudge to Ali's leg, the stoic boy afforded her a small smile. "We've been talking about seeing if you would want to hang sometime outside of work. You're cool to be around." Mentally slapping his stupid hat off his stupid head, Craig silently berated himself. Cool? Really? If the Asain girls hadn't Tweek in his lap wrapped in red strings the tall boy wondered if he would have ever gotten laid in high school.
"Cool?" Ali asked snuffing out the butt and focusing on her drink. Both boys held their breath as the word was said in such a disbelieving way they feared the game was up before they could have a chance to recover. Yet when light green eyes looked up they only looked tired. "I believe I'm as far from that as my family is to having money."
Taken back both boys shared glance. How could she believe that? Alison McCormick was the epitome of cool to them. Not to mention Kenny made sure to carefully to lay out his stories so she that she was a legend around school. At least to the younger grades thought she was a legend, her peers at the very least respected her to look down at her job at Tweek Bro's.
"I'm curious at that statement." Craig offered another cigarette which Ali took without hesitation. "Town genius, graduated college what would have been her sophomore year in high school. All the while living on the other side of the tracks. I mean those are just claims to fame. On a personal level your creative mind and intelligent conversation. What's not cool about you?"
"You also make the best coffee and you just look cool!" Tweek added wanting to add his own compliment, but finding Craig took all the good ones. Glancing to the sides the blonde decided to get one up on his boyfriend. "You also have a way of keeping my fears away." Turning back with a shy smile, he used it to keep himself from gloating at smoothly delivering his flirty compliment. The hand that had switched to massaging Tweek's neck squeezed extra hard in payback.
Without a clue what was going on between the two boys, Ali reached over and grabbed Tweek's hand giving it a gentle squeeze. The bluette couldn't stop the smile that pulled her cheeks as tight as they have ever been in her life. No one outside Kenny and Karen had complimented so nicely. Letting go before it got inappropriate, the smile faded and she laughed bitterly. "It was a ruse, my friends. A ruse set up by greedy adults. I mean I'm pretty smart. Like maybe two grades a head of you, but college?"
Ali laughed again taking a long drink. The buzz was giving her muscles a false warmth so the writer stretched out her limbs. Lounging back in the chair she continued her not so secret confession. "It wasn't that hard to figure out what to study to pass those tests. Then when the mayor saw how easy it was, I became the towns special project to get South Park on the map. The perfect underdog story. I couldn't get into a normal college but community college that's easy. Studying writing and graphic design neither require much previous high school or other worldly knowledge."
Huffing Ali's tone became frustrated, "I graduated at 16, big whoop. Who wants to hire a fucking 16 year old! Only a coffee shop in need of a direct source from their supplier." Glowering at the imaginary images, the writer tsked again before downing the rest of her drink.
Both boys understood the underlying terms of Mr. Tweek hiring Ali. In recent months, Mr. Tweek had eluded to feeling guilty that Ali had become a pawn in his business dealings. Trying to make up for it by letting the writer work as much overtime as she wanted and also take home the leftover pastries. All off the books and under the table because it was no town secret that Kevin had become a self centered greedy bastard.
Tweek had his own personal vendetta against the oldest McCormick child; which Craig shared. As one of the few times Kevin found the energy to come out to Tweek Bro's, he had manhandled his sister into the backroom where inaudible yelling could be heard. When she returned to the floor, both barista's had spent the rest of the shift ignoring Ali's swollen lip and bruises forming along her jaw.
Blue locks shifted side to side as Ali moved her head letting her light green orbs slide close. Her own memories coincidentally lining up with the boys. Eventually giving Tweek an apologetic smile for dissing the coffee shop, one was returned with a twitch of the eye. After that day the blonde barista did everything he could to never leave Ali alone with her brother, and she was grateful.
As the sounds of the party mixed with the natural night life of Colorado, the three teens sat wishing the current situation was different.