"How was dinner?"
"Not too bad, pizza night. What about you?"
Tweek answered with a preemptive shrug,
"My dad was working tonight and my mom is out with friends so I ended up making a grilled cheese." They took careful steps in the school parking lot, the faulty street lamps making travel unknown. It had been dark out for a number of hours at this point, in part due to South Parks' northern latitude. The ghosting edges of mountain tops alluded to the scenery that residents more often than not painted out, no doubt a commonality.
"Do you have any alternative plans? Since your family will be out."
"I have friends too, you know." Tweek rolled his eyes up a little, "No plans so far. What about on your end?"
"There's supposed to be a gathering at Tokens. You could probably tag along if you wanted." Craig rooted around in his pocket for car keys, unlocking the door to a white Subaru and reaching across to unlock the passenger side. "I can just drop you off too if you'd want and you could tell me later. It's won't really start until 9 but I'm planning to go around 10." Tweek hopped in, swinging his backpack between his legs and pulling the seatbelt too soon.
"Yeah I can do that. I need to take care of some things first, but I can walk over once I'm done." One of the many benefits of South Park was the close proximity coinciding with the fact that people rarely moved in economic standing, meaning that it was very unlikely that someone would move. Tweek had moved once early middle school, and that was good gossip for about a month or two. "I'll hit you up before I head out."
Craig nodded and picked out their playlist for the minute drive.
"It would probably be best if I picked you up, since it's on the way."
"That works for me."
Tweek hung out on his stoop until Craig showed up, having showered for a second time that day and changed once more. Dark khaki joggers were paired with a faded green band t-shirt, a red flannel thrown over top. The chatter over the loud music trailing out of the windows let Tweek know it would not be an isolated endeavor. Luckily enough the passenger seat was still open.
"Hey Tweakers! Long time no see!" A hand grabbed his shoulder, the words rolling off of his neck. He turned slightly to see Clyde, smiling and noting the yeasty scent of his breath.
"Yeah nice to see you again," He took a more detailed look at the back seat, passing around "Hey"s with Butters and Damien. He didn't know much about Craigs' friend group past the sixth grade and it seemed to be mixed with a curious combination of folks. He wasn't sure if it was more of a relationship based on carpooling or if it was anything deeper. Tokens was about a 15 minute drive, given that it was a little further out in the "nicer" part of town. Clyde filled it up by shouting over the music, and for part of the ride Craig tried to compete by turning up the volume. Once it was apparent that shouting was not determining factor for Clyde he gave in, doing the bare minimum to reassure his friend that yes, he was listening.
Tokens' was more than Tweek was expecting. Cars filled the winding drive way, and not everyone had the same skill in parallel parking. Craig was suffering considerably five minutes into the ordeal he gave up and pulled slightly onto the lawn. They meandered up to the front of the house where a collection of smokers and nonsmokers were gathered, Clyde and Damien getting stuck in a shuffleboard of conversations, Butters wandering off soon after they got inside. Craig made his rounds on the way to the kitchen, making each interaction brief, with Tweek following until approached by Wendy. Anxiety induced politeness kept him behind, eyes watching frantically as his ride disappeared from sight.
"Tweek! What are you doing out here? Don't you usually work Friday nights?" Wendy teased, bumped his arm lightly.
"Haha, yeah, um, I got my work schedule changed. Now I do more of the lunch rush and a couple of mornings when I have free periods." He and Wendy weren't that well acquainted, but it was pretty soothing to come across someone that he talked to more than most- even if it was in work based scenarios. Wendy had really shot up over the years, and had a lot going for her. She was Volleyball co-captain, honor role, and AP induced. Rumor has it she had even been taking community college courses over the summer. Tweek had learned a bit about this while making her coffee. She was planning on going to nursing school as far from here as possible, and because of the bust in the economy, her family had been forced to use her college fund to keep the house. They were in better standing now that there was some recovery, but at the time Wendy had been devastated. Now she was working mostly on a scholarship basis and had enough credits that she could transfer to the nearest city easy. But her eyes were on the East coast.
"Bummer! Guess I'll see you in the mornings more often. Did you come with anyone?"
"Craig picked me up on his way, he brought Clyde, Damien, and Butters too." He furrowed his eyebrows, licking him lips, "So, uh, is it usually this big?"
Wendy shook her head,
"Not usually. A bunch of Tokens' friends who got to private schools are on break though so it's a little different then the regular crowd." She took note of Tweeks' fidgeting hands that were currently kneading circles into his palms. "It's a little quieter out back. Want me to show you around?"
His face muscles softened in relief, nodding and thankful that Wendy was willing to give him a tour. Their first stop included getting drinks, with Wendy being a graceful facilitator, introducing him to various social groups throughout the house without lingering for too long.
Craig was having a different experience, lounging on the back porch and halfheartedly holding a red cup of white wine, taking hits of weed when a bowl was passed around. He had hung out with some of Tokens' fencing friends before and while he understood the social obligation that Token felt, he couldn't stand the clear divide of social groups at parties like this. He had gotten on pretty comfortable terms with a couple of the lacrosse players, Thomas being one.
"So what's new on your end? Buy any boats recently?" Craig said between deep gulps,
"Yeah, planning on getting a nice yacht to sail in Wilmers' creek, you know? Five sails and all that shit." Thomas responded, smoking a bunch of his personal collection. He had a medical marijuana card that benefited greatly in these situations. Craig let out a snort, stealing a puff.
"Can't imagine. You start on applications?"
"Unfortunately. Not sure what I want to go for yet but not going for at least one semester is a pretty big no for my family. How bout you Craig? You planning on escaping this miserable town?"
"Haven't started." Craig shrugged off the joint being passed around and opted for a cigarette instead.
"Clocks ticking to get out of this hell hole. Not calling you poor but it's a lot easier for me than it is for you." He stole a sip of Craigs' drink, leaving the smallest amount left.
"Yeah." It was times like this that Thomas convinced him maybe all rich kids weren't so self-centered and unaware. Craig got up, tossing his cigarette off the railing and pushing past the glass sliding door. He was sure that Tweek was probably off dying somewhere, and it was up to him to rescue his therapy partner. It was kind of a dick move on his part, but when he had looked back, Tweek wasn't there and he was interested in waiting around. He was beginning to feel a little guilty. He scanned from room to room, unsure of where he would be. He remembered Tweek mentioning something about having friends, and tried to recall who he probably hung out with. He went into the basement, the voices bouncing off of the walls and culminating in a wall of sound. When he turned the corner he was less than surprised to see a game of beer pong going on, taking a double-take when he noticed who was working the table.
Tweek arched his hand, a sharp pop as the ball hit the inner lip of the cup. He held onto his red solo cup lazily, toing the line of dropping it and keeping it secure. People shouted in support, the cheers fueling Tweeks' drunken ego as he took a sloppy sip of white wine. This was his third drink so to speak, it terms of different things, but he had definitely drank more than enough of each. Wendy gave him a crisp high five, and the two beckoned for their next opponents. Craig looked around, spotting Clyde who was currently flirting away for a group of prospective bangs, when Craig intercepted his line of vision and cornered him.
"We need to play." He didn't give much of an option, Clyde was already signed up for it. Clyde raised an eyebrow, lips folding back into his cheeks in confusion. "Pong." Craig turned around, commanding him to follow by default and forcefully placing his hand on the table. He was never above dramatics, but didn't stop him from feeling cool as hell. Especially with the mixing chemicals floating around his symptom. Tweek looked up, a stony expression washing over. Craig dead stared back. The tension was apparent, most people assuming it was a result of ex-best friend forever status. Some 'ooo'ing went around, whispering included. Tweek, without a filter and a considerable amount of confidence, took a splashing sip of wine for extra effect,
"I'm going to crush you." He said, crashing the bottom of his cup on the table for emphasis. The crowd went wild for half a second, the excitement in the atmosphere building and shushing one another when Craig cleared his throat.
"I didn't realize you had feelings for me. Don't think I'll go easy on you." Some hooting and general pushing of people occurred, Tweek bouncing the ball a few times before shooting and sinking one. The air was a lot more explosive than it had been before, no doubt, the chatter now electric rather than being a booming repetition of words without purpose. People began to file in as the game progressed, Tweek and Wendy starting off strong in the first half, and Clyde and Craig lagging behind but making a quick turnaround. Tweek and Craig exchanged petty insults and taunts, Clyde and Wendy talking light-heartedly and laughing all the while. It was in a twist of fate that Tweek got it with the behind the back throw initiated after catching the ball. People exploded with sound, hands touching Tweek all over the back and grabbing at him in a celebratory way. If he was any more sober it would have bothered him, but for now he flourished in the cheers, grinning so hard his face hurt. He caught Craigs' gaze and without speaking began making his way up the stairs towards the porch.
"I didn't take you as a professional," Craig commented, shutting the sliding glass door behind him and shuffling with his box of cigarettes.
"This isn't my first party," Tweek reached out his hand, making a grabby motion. For a moment Craig paused, unlit cigarette balanced between his lips and confused with what was expected of him before nodding, raising his eyebrows as if to say 'oh'. He handed one over to Tweek. After a few clicks Craig bent his head down to the flame, Tweek leaning his hand toward before sticking the cigarette in his mouth as well. There were moments of silence, not all of them the actual worst.
"Sorry for ditching you earlier. Crowds aren't my favorite," Craig shifted his weight from one foot to the other, thinking of something to say or ask. Apologies weren't the best spring board for conversation. Luckily, Tweek picked up the slack with a long draw and a quiet exhale
"It's fine, Wendy kept me safe." He continued to sway more than the regular amount, stumbling back and leaning against the wall with his hips jutted out and his eyes half lidded. He felt cool as hell from this angle. Craig snorted, elbowing him lightly in the side,
"Hey cool guy, you come here often?" Craig said, speaking a little too loud for how close they were. He was feeling it a little. At least enough to relax.
"Uh, yeah, only on um… pong days, competition pong," Tweek lazily raised his empty hand to place a crooked peace sign over one of his days. "I'm a pro. You might have heard of me."
"Yeah, I think I've seen you. In Sports Illustrated, right?"
Tweek stared dumbly, trying to understand the connection and then grinning.
"Yeah yeah yeah! That, that was all me." He nodded rapidly, thinking as fast as his blurred mind could handle in an attempt to keep it going. This was a different kind of conversation, one that reminded him of before the friend break up. He had to keep the vibe going, "You might want to take a picture, because you know, I'm a celebrity."
"Aw shit, you're right." Craig tossed his cig and fumbled with his phone, Tweek standing upright and moving in. "Alright count of three. One, two, three-" This photoshoot continued for a couple of minutes, starting off pretty seriously before Tweek began to throw peace signs left and right, and when Craig brought up snapchat and put on the dog filter, it was all over. Tweek held the phone, inspecting the cartoon ears and nose.
"This is good. This is very good. You've got to send this to me." Tweek stated, his face conveying seriousness with sharp eyes and tensed features. He posted it to Craig's story, typing his username in and handing the phone back. The cigarettes were done now. There was no need for them to be outside, and at least on Craigs' part, the sobering process had begun. Tweek was drunk, but a functional drunk. They stumbled between eye contact and figuring out what sort of body language was appropriate to convey.
"Wanna wrap things up?" Craig asked, already starting to open the door.
"Yeah, I'm down," Tweek answered, quick to follow.