Author's Note: Hello fellow readers! I'm glad to bring you all yet another chapter in my FanFiction! The story is coming along nicely, I'm still so surprised I made a story this long. (I thought I'd be done in just 4 chapters!) I'm really grateful for everyone who has taken the time to review. All follows/favs are nice too. Though really, it is the amount of views that inspire me. I have had quite a few people read through my entire FanFction so far, and I'm really glad I can make something that interests others. As requested, please consider leaving a review of the chapter. I really hope you all enjoy, have fun! :)
Chapter 12 – Cold
POV: Wendy Testaburger
'Another beautiful day...' Wendy thought to herself as she sat on the hard wooden bench overlooking Stark's Pond. She gazed out across the calm grey waters, silently churning from the light breeze. Wendy could feel every skin cell on her face being heated from the sun's bright rays. She enjoyed the outdoors, it made her feel free.
Wendy took a slow inhale. The air felt fresh as she breathed. The scenery had changed quite a bit since summer had arrived. All the trees that had been bare during the winter had grown back fresh green leaves. It seemed as if summer made South Park more lively.
Wendy was so fixated on enjoying the nature she didn't realize a warm breath next to her ear. 'Hey!' A familiar, monotone voice barked next to her. She jumped, startled. She twisted herself around to see the familiar face of Craig Tucker looking down at her with his dark eyes. 'Don't scare me like that!' Wendy reached out and gave Craig a light push against his stomach. Craig let out the lightest breath from her touch.
Wendy smiled lightly at Craig, who wore his usual plain face. 'Well, it was your turn to choose the date, what would you like to do?' she asked. Craig looked around the pond, analyzing the area. They were the only people at Stark's Pond. 'Want to go for a walk?' Craig held out a hand, palm up. Wendy nodded pleasingly. 'Of course!' She extended a hand towards Craig, placing it on top of his. He gripped her hand lightly and ran his thumb around her knuckles as she stood up.
'Where to?' Wendy asked. 'Just around.' Craig replied. Craig began walking down towards the pond. He walked alongside the waters with Wendy. Another breeze rippled the calm waters. The wind blew on Wendy's hair, sending some loose strands in front of her face, tickling her. She reached up to brush her loose hair behind her ears. The nature calmed Wendy, having Craig with her made her feel safe.
'So...' Craig started in his plain voice. 'How are your parents?' Wendy stared at the ground as she walked with him. 'Oh...they are doing alright.' Wendy told him, a bit hesitant to his question. Wendy had been raised in a strict fashion. Her parents had always been highly demanding of her. Wendy was expected to be perfectly clean, academically smart, and achieve above and beyond. It wasn't easy to live with parents who commanded you to be the way they wanted.
The forcefulness of her parents made her feel fake at home. A lot of times Wendy had to smile and agree with her parents when they were unfair. She wondered if she enjoyed being outside so much because she wanted to be away from her parents. When she was with Craig, Wendy felt as if she could be herself. She didn't have to be overly polite or act fancy all the time. She gripped Craig's hand a bit tighter.
Craig watched a couple of birds fly overhead and dissapear over some trees. 'Who would have thought...one and a half years of us being together.' Wendy spoke. Wendy could see the corners of Craig's lips raise. It always pleased Wendy to see him smile. 'Yeah...who would have thought?' Craig repeated. Wendy was the next to speak. 'You know...we've both changed a little bit...' Wendy continued.
Wendy had definitely acknowledged they both changed in their own ways. Craig had grown a few inches taller, and his hair had grown out bit longer. One of his eyes was nearly hidden by a long swoop of black hair across his forehead. Wendy maintained her same, usual hair, but her body had developed more.
Wendy knew that her and Craig didn't only change physically. Being around Craig taught her to relax and enjoy herself. Craig had accepted her just the way she was. Wendy was able to laugh around him, talk to him how she wanted, and rely on him. He was sometimes very quiet, but he charmed her nonetheless.
Craig had also helped Wendy forget about Stan, because Craig was all she thought about. Stan was now a minimal thought in her mind. All of her regrets, pain, and heartbreak seemed to subside with Craig's presence. Something about the way Craig was soothed Wendy's feelings. He had a way of making her feel wanted and valued.
Stan didn't have that same effect on her. She felt he had spent a lot of time making plans and commitments with Kyle instead of her. Her jealousy had partly influenced her decision to find someone new. While she still held the same feelings from before towards Stan, she did little to take time to remember. She felt it was trivial to think about a past relationship when dating someone new.
Craig suddenly paused at the far end of Stark's Pond. 'Let's stop here.' he said. He released his hand from Wendy and took a seat in the grass, facing towards the pond. Wendy sat down next to him in the same fashion. Wendy looked over at Craig's face. He seemed to have a faraway stare, as if he was deep in thought about something. She had seen him look that way a few times. Wendy reached out and slid one arm around his, squeezing it. 'This was a great idea, I'm having a great time.' Wendy told him. Craig remained silent.
Craig's silence was something Wendy had always wondered about him. She was always curious about what he was thinking. He was mysterious sometimes, and this drew Wendy to him more. She wanted to know more about him. He would usually make jokes, tell stories of others, but hardly ever talked about himself. Wendy had waited for him to open up to her, though the truth was Craig was still a mystery to her.
'My parents say they want to have you over again.' Wendy told him. 'Though I'm not sure you'd want to have to be Mr-' She poked Craig in the side for each word she said: 'Handsome-Young-Gentleman-Craig.' Craig giggled for a second. He looked down at the grass, grinned, then looked forward in the distance again. 'I guess they must like me, huh?' Wendy forced herself to nod in response. Sadly, Craig's assumption was terribly wrong.
A year ago Wendy had decided to tell her parents she had been dating Craig. She wanted to tell them sooner, but the worry of what her parents might do weighed on her shoulders. The more she saw how her parents were seemingly perfect, proper people, the more she didn't want to introduce Craig to them. She was worried they would be judgmental. She remembered the night she had finally told her parents...her mind replayed what had happened a year ago.
The Testaburger family had sat down at the dinner table. Wendy sat at the side of the table. Her parents had taken a seat at the far ends of the table. Wendy had been quiet during dinner. Her mother and father sipped on fine wine silently as Wendy picked at her pasta. After everyone at the table had finished eating, her mother stood up to gather everyones plates and utensils.
'Fantastic dinner, dear.' Wendy's father complimented his wife as she took his plate from underneath him. Her father picked up the napkin from his lap and dabbed his lips evenly. Her mother had strolled off into the kitchen behind Wendy. Wendy heard the sound of her mother turning on the sink water. It was a sound she usually heard after dinner, her mother always had a routine to do the dishes right away.
Wendy had remained at the table for a few moments, she couldn't will herself to speak. Her father reached down by his chair, and pulled up the daily newspaper, still wrapped in fuzzy string. Her father always enjoyed reading the newspaper after dinner. He undid the string and fluffed up the newspaper, reading its contents. The silence was eating at Wendy. She knew any second her parents would wonder why she was still hanging around instead of going to her room like usual.
Wendy's eyes were fixed on the back of her fathers newspaper. She couldn't see his face. He turned the page, crumpling the paper loudly. Wendy couldn't stand the silence anymore, she wanted to get her confession over with. She silently wished herself good luck and forced her lips to move. 'I need to tell you both something...'she had choked out.
Her father slowly lowered his newspaper halfway, raising his head to look over it at her. She heard the running water from the sink behind her cease. She heard her mother move towards the table. In a matter of minutes, that which she had hoped wouldn't happen became a reality.
'He's a wonderful person! You just don't know him!' Wendy said in frustration. Her mother had returned to her place at the long end of the table. Wendy looked at her, then darted her gaze towards her father. Wendy could see the chandelier above the table reflect in his glasses. Mr. Testaburger pointed his index finger toward the bridge of his nose, and nudged the connecting piece between his lens, adjusting his glasses. 'Love...' he began. 'I just don't want to see anything happen to you.'
Her parents looked at each other, and her mother gave a slight nod of agreement. Wendy's anger was rising steadily. They hadn't even considered what she wanted. She felt they were being very unfair, and selfish. Her parents looked at her, Wendy felt hot from pressure. Her father broke the silence. 'We're just concerned, honey. I've heard about this 'Craig Tucker' at school. I've heard he's a troublemaker. Your mother and I are just worried you may end up getting into a bad situation with him. I'm sure there are plenty of other boys out there who have better values.' Wendy stood up quickly in anger.
'I don't care about your 'values!' she argued. 'I want someone who 'I' can like, not someone you want me to like!' Wendy was shocked when her parents didn't retaliate to her yelling. After a brief pause, Wendy spoke again, more calmly. 'I want to be with him. He makes me happy...he's a great person. You don't even know him...so please...' Wendy felt a lump in her throat. Her eyes were starting to water. 'Please...just offer him a chance. Meet him once, I'm sure you two will like him...'
Her parents avoided her gaze for what seemed like an eternity. Her mother finally looked up at Wendy. 'Sit down, sweet.' she said calmly. Wendy felt as if she knew what was coming. She angrily slumped back down into her chair, crossing her arms defensively. Her parents watched her without saying a word. Wendy couldn't find any words to say. Her frustration overwhelmed her. A tear finally burst, leaving a red streak down her face. She lifted a hand and rubbed the back of it against her eyes.
She had cried for nearly a minute before her mother finally spoke. 'I think your father and I need to talk.' Wendy shut everything else out as she cried into her hand. She heard her parents stand up and walk away from the table. Their footsteps eventually dissapeared and Wendy sat at the table alone. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself. 'At least they are talking...' she thought. 'Maybe a miracle will happen.' Wendy didn't have high hopes, however.
Sometimes Wendy felt like she hated her parents. She hated that they could get away with choosing her lifestyle. They forced all their opinions, rules, and ridiculous expectations on her. Wendy could never truly feel herself at home. Craig was her medicine, she needed him to feel free. He was an addiction to her. Even if her parents forced her to not see Craig, Wendy vowed she'd do whatever she could so that they would remain together.
A grandfather clock chimed throughout the house as Wendy composed herself. She was breathing more evenly now, calmed down from deep breaths. Her face was still red from crying, but no more tears fell down her face. Wendy was tired from waiting, she desperately wanted to sleep. At least sleep was a brief escape from reality.
She suddenly heard the movement of her parents from behind. Wendy looked down at the table, avoiding their eyes. When they both returned to where they had been seated earlier, Wendy allowed herself to examine their faces. She couldn't tell by their expressions what they had decided. She silently prayed that they would allow her to see Craig.
Her father let out a huff and interlocked his fingers. He leaned forward on the table, his elbows rubbed against the wood. 'Your mother and I have came to a decision. She thinks you should be allowed to have a chance with this 'Craig.' Well...' her father glanced briefly at her mother, and back to Wendy. 'We've decided that you may still date Craig.'
In an instant Wendy felt as if she had grown wings and could fly. She was surprised at the freedom her parents had given her. Her mouth dropped and worked its way into a smile. She wasn't sure what to say. She let out a breath of relief. 'T-Thank you...' she said sincerely. 'Thank you, thank you so much. I'm so hap-' her words were cut off by her father. 'But...'
Wendy's happiness was quickly put on hold. The realization hit her there was going to be some sort of condition. 'You are to invite him over here tomorrow night. We're only giving you this chance because you insisted he was a good person. Mind you though, if I hear something I don't like, that will be the end of you two, end of story.'
Wendy wasn't sure if she should be relieved, or worried. She felt as if she was being choked by an invisible hand. She wanted to speak against them, but she knew any rebellion would result in her parents disliking Craig, thus them wanting their relationship to end.
The night after her confession, Craig was knocking on her front door. Wendy answered it. Craig was wearing black skinny jeans and a blue T-shirt. Wendy was wearing slightly fancier shirt, she felt Craig would seem a little under dressed to her parents. To Wendy's surprise, both of her parents had been extremely friendly towards Craig, regardless of his wardrobe selection.
Her parents had both met Craig with friendly faces and warm smiles. Wendy watched as Craig gripped both of their hands, introducing himself. She was grateful Craig was at least polite. He was fairly reserved, but was polite and sociable when he needed to be. Though it was true he enjoyed being quiet more, Wendy felt it was a form of silent expression.
The dinner itself hadn't been the most pleasant, but luckily Wendy's parents hadn't pushed questions on Craig. They asked him general questions. They inquired about his academics, sports, interests, hobbies, but luckily didn't seem to interrogate him. Craig kept his responses fairly simple and short, but remained polite towards them. Wendy could sense his nervousness.
She was more than relieved when the dinner had ended. She could sense some urgency in Craig when he looked out the window after they had all finished dinner. 'Well, I better go...' Craig said as he stood out of his chair, placing the napkin on the table next to his plate. 'Thank you for the dinner, Ms. Testaburger. It was great.' Wendy's mother smiled at him and nodded. 'It was great to have you, Craig.'
'I'll walk you to the front door.' Wendy offered Craig. Craig waited for Wendy to show him the way. When they had left the dining room, away from the sight of her parents, Wendy gripped Craig's upper arm softly with her hand. He looked down at her. 'Sorry, I hope that wasn't too bad.' she told him with a light smile. 'They seem like nice people.' Craig said flatly. 'I have to go home and feed Stripes, otherwise I would stay...if they wanted me.'
Part of Wendy wanted Craig to stay, so she could be around him for comfort. Another part of Wendy acknowledged the fact that if he stayed it may cause trouble for the both of them. Wendy realized the best thing for her to do would be to let Craig go home to avoid any issues. 'I'll see you later.' Craig embraced Wendy briefly.
Wendy watched with sadness as Craig opened the front door. She savored the sight of him every second up until he shut the door. She touched her temple with her fingers. She was so frustrated at the situation. She wanted to go cool off in her room. Sometimes she could relax there.
'Huh...' she jumped at a voice behind her. She slowly turned around to see her dad gazing at her through his glasses. 'He didn't seem to talk much...' Wendy looked away from her father towards the wall, avoiding eye contact with him. 'Look at me.' her father said. Wendy gathered all of her inner strength to meet his eyes. He slowly approached her. He stopped in front of her, his height towering over her. 'Just remember, your relationship is at our mercy.'
Back in the present, Craig was running a stick through the surface of the water, sending light ripples across the pond. Sunset was fast approaching. She had spent most of her day with Craig. He was always a pleasure to be around, even if it was just sitting next to him and enjoying nature together.
She reached over and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. 'I'm glad I'm with you...' she told him. Craig's face lit up bright red. Wendy thought it was cute that he still got embarrassed when romance was involved. Wendy had a boyfriend before, but Craig had never been with anyone else. She hoped she would be the only one for him.
Craig's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Wendy released her grip from around his neck and sat back down on the grass. Craig pulled out his phone and turned the screen away from Wendy's view. She watched him with curiosity. Craig tapped his fingers on his phone then froze suddenly. He stared at the screen for a few moments in silence. His eyes portrayed something Wendy couldn't describe. Craig stood up suddenly. 'I'm sorry Wendy, I need to go home.'
Wendy felt saddened at the fact that yet another date with Craig was ending, and so soon. She wanted to have him all night. She had hoped she could star-gaze with him tonight. It was something she had secretly planned for, but Craig had to be committed to something else. 'I'm really sorry.' Craig said in his monotone voice. 'My parents said they want me home right now.'
Wendy stood up alongside him. 'I see...well can I walk you home?' Craig looked at her hesitantly. 'I don't know if that'd be a good idea...' Craig had actually never mentioned his parents to her throughout their entire relationship. Wendy had asked him questions about them, but he always avoided the subject or gave her a short answer. Though she felt he would open up to her when he was ready. Still though...she couldn't help but feel bothered by the fact Craig hadn't offered her to be introduced to his parents.
'Craig...' Wendy started. 'I don't mean to pry...but why can't I walk you home?' Craig returned a hard gaze to her. 'Because...they are a bit different. I'm not sure what they want, but they didn't sound too happy.' He hadn't really answered her question, but she bit her tongue. 'I'm sorry, Wendy. We'll do something again soon, OK?'
Craig began walking back across Stark's pond. Wendy followed him until she came near the wooden bench. 'I'm going to stay here for awhile...goodbye Craig, I had a great time.' Craig smiled. He leaned forward to peck her on the cheek. His warm lips against her was something she loved to feel. 'Goodbye, Wendy.' Craig turned back towards the trees and walked into the woods, eventually dissapearing from her sight.
Wendy took it upon herself to walk over to the bench. She sat down on it, tapping her fingers along the seat. She laid across it, resting her back against the hard wood as she looked up at the sky. 'I'll just wait here until it gets dark...' she thought to herself. The sun was setting now, it wouldn't be long before the stars would come out. Wendy closed her eyes, taking time to relax and think to herself. She felt sleep attempting to take her over. She tried to fight it, but eventually her thoughts flowed together, and she slipped into unconsciousness.
When she awoke she saw countless stars above her head. She was unsure of the time, but she knew she had slept for at least an hour. Wendy felt a bit groggy, and tried to wake herself up by remembering the star patterns. Wendy darted her eyes across the sky, looking for constellations.
She saw Sagittarius, the Little Dipper, and the Milky Way...Her stargazing was interrupted by her freezing up at the sound of footsteps approaching from behind the bench. She sat up quickly, looking in the direction of the noise. A human figure was standing a few feet from her, she froze in fear. Her eyes adjusted to the sight of the person. She was relieved, yet a bit nervous when she recognized a familiar face. She was looking at someone she could never forget.
'Wendy?' Stan asked in surprise. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you...' he raised his hands up defensively. 'I'll just...go somewhere else.' He began to walk away when Wendy called out to him. 'Stan...you can stay if you want, it's OK.' Stan twisted around to look back her. 'Really...I can go somewhere else, it's not an issue.'
'Stan...' Wendy said. She kicked her feet off the bench and planted them to the ground. There was a space next to her for another person. 'Why don't you sit with me?' Wendy couldn't believe she had just asked her ex-boyfriend to sit with her. What was she thinking?
'Are you sure?' Stan asked, a bit surprised. 'Absolutely.' Wendy said. She was surprised at her kindness towards Stan. Stan walked over next to her and Wendy avoided his gaze. She leaned back and stared at the stars as he sat next to her quietly. The two sat next to each other in silence, Wendy could feel an awkward tension. 'What have I done?' she asked herself.
'You know...' Stan started. 'We haven't really talked a lot, you know?... How have you been?' Wendy thought about the stress of worrying over Craig and living with her parents. 'I'm doing OK.' she lied to him. They shared an awkward moment of silence. 'How are you?'
'I'm enjoying my summer.' Stan told her. 'I came down here on my own because this place brings back a lot of memories for me.' Wendy suddenly realized in horror that they had been sitting at the exact same place when she had broken up with Stan for good. She hoped he was referring to another memory, and wondered if he was referring to their break-up.
Wendy had to admit she did miss the time she had spent with Stan. She still felt an invisible bond between the two of them. She wasn't sure what Stan thought of her now, but she assumed he didn't like her much. Wendy figured she should probably leave to avoid any further tension. 'Well, I should probably head back now...' Wendy told him.
She stood up slowly. Wendy looked down at Stan, who was gazing blankly at the waters. 'Goodbye...Stan.' Stan remained silent as Wendy walked away from the bench. As Wendy approached the trees, a gust of wind picked up. She turned her head back towards the bench, and could make out Stan's black hair being lightly blown from the wind.
Wendy didn't know why, but she felt uneasy watching Stan sit there by himself. While she had been eager to leave, she felt as if something was silently willing her to go back to him. Something in Wendy's intuition told her something was bothering Stan. She suppressed her feelings when she thought about Craig.
'He's nothing.' Wendy turned away from Stan and walked into the darkness.
