I lasted a whole forty minutes at home before I realized I had absolutely nothing to do.

I listened to music. I tried watching a movie. I made coffee. I changed the bandages on my arm. I tried doing a single push-up. I took an extra dose of my medication (on accident). I tried drawing candy monsters. I tried cooking. I tried reading. I even tried cleaning.

Every activity kept my interest for only a few minutes before I was left feeling so pointlessly empty and bored. My brain was craving depth and not the pointless filler that usually took up my time. Truthfully my brain was craving human interaction but there was no way I was giving in to that.

As I'm debating what to do my mom calls. One stressful twenty-minute call later I was hanging up and decided I would go to the bookstore. I get decently dressed and fill my largest thermos with dark roast coffee. And then I was on my way to the center of downtown South Park.

As I walked I flicked a camel to life and my thoughts swirled around my newest coworker.

The walk was therapeutic and when I arrived at the local bookstore I was kind of disappointed. I quickly missed the soft cool breeze, but the temptation of books lured me into the shop.

I actually liked to read. There was something about getting lost in the lives of fictional characters that's very appealing to me. It was a means of escape that frankly wasn't self-destructive. I even loved reading all kinds of books. I didn't really have a preference when it came to them. I read pretty much everything. Anything worth reading I'd read.

I wandered to the teen section, a section I truthfully didn't frequent often and couldn't help but scoff at most of the books presented before me. Honestly, I didn't think most teen books were really all that well written; the characters were usually superficial, the plot basic and they lacked substance. I liked books that distracted me and these books rarely ever worked. Every once in awhile though I'd find something I deemed interesting enough to dedicate hours of my life to.

I was currently observing some new best seller when a high pitched girlish voice called out my name. I didn't have time to see who it was as two delicate arms threw themselves over my shoulders. I cried out in surprise but as I glanced down at perfectly manicured nails I knew exactly who it was touching me.

Bebe Stevens: the epitome of perfection when it came to a female specimen.

It's hard not to like Bebe. She happened to be sincerely beautiful, decently smart and absolutely the sweetest. The only people who disliked Bebe Stevens were probably jealous teenage girls who wished they were her.

Bebe had worked at Tweak Bros for a good six months when we were sophomores. Besides Kenny, she was the only other person to work at Tweak Bros that I actually liked. Bebe was overly friendly but her friendliness happened to be extremely infectious and so I tended not to mind it.

"Ack, h-hey Bebe. Y-You scared me! Jesus."

"Oh, whoops. I didn't mean to do that. I just saw you and had to come over and say hello. Anyhow, how are you Tweek?" Her dainty arms unwrap themselves from around my shoulders and she darted in front of me so we were facing each other. In her red heels, she's taller than me.

"I'm a-alright."

"That's good." She cooed with a smile. In a weird way, I worshipped Bebe and her perfection. I didn't want to taint her with my lesser presence and every time I was around her I got the overwhelming urge to run away, to ensure her perfection remains unscathed. "What are you up to?"

"N- Nothing really. J-Just got off w-work a little bit a-ago." I slowly put back the book I had been looking at as Bebe casually leans back against a bookshelf.

"Hmm," Her clear blue eyes dart up to stare at the ceiling thoughtfully. "That reminds me, I've been wondering, Tweek, do you guys have any positions open at the shop? I could use a job again, I've gotta save up for college, you know?"

Actually I didn't know since I put no thought into going to college. On the other hand I did know there were always openings at the shop.

"Oh man, y-yeah. C-Craig just started working there t-though. My p-parents are out of t-town right n-now so I can't j-just hire anyone until they're b-back b-but when they're h-home we can h-hire you." At the mention of Craig Bebe's thin brows shot up.

"Wait a second, Craig Tucker?" I nod. "Like the Craig Tucker?" I nod once again and to my surprise Bebe giggles.

"Wow," She breathed out a sigh as she giggled again. "I knew he was looking for a job, but I was not expecting him to end up working at the shop." I secretly loved how she referred to Tweek Bros Coffee as the shop, just like I do.

"You're f-friends with C-Craig?"

"Well yeah, I am dating his best friend after all."

"Clyde?" She nods. "Oh w-wow." I didn't know that…

"Do you know when your parents will be back so I can talk to them about the job?" I shake my head. "Oh, well, you still have my number? Great, well just text me when they're home."

"Okay."

"Awesome! I've missed working at the shop. It was definitely my most favorite job ever." I smile shyly as she laughs.

We fall silent and she looks thoughtful. After a moment, she hums and speaks up.

"Hey Tweek, are you actually doing anything today?" I shook my head. "I'm supposed to be meeting the girls soon to go bowling. We already partnered off and Heidi is supposed to be my partner, but she's sick." Already I was filled with dread. "Be my partner?"

It's really freaking hard to say no to Bebe Stevens. Coupled with the fact the shiny blonde was always pushing me to do things that were outside of my comfort zone, the teen beauty was in her own way just as dangerous as Kenny. The biggest problem here was that I knew exactly who Bebe was friends with and those girls are fucking terrifying. They were all very intimidating and I'm pretty sure none of them liked me.

"I don't k-know," I began unsurely. Bebe's pretty little lips pinched together as her eyebrows shot up in a pleading expression.

Bebe used her beauty as a weapon. She pushed and pulled at your emotions, subtly manipulating you into her will. There was nothing hostile about the way Bebe manipulates people, it was an unconscious habit utilized to achieve her goals.

"Fine," I finally groan while exhaling heavily. Unfortunately, Bebe's innocent manipulations worked every time.

Unsurprisingly Bebe squealed, reached out and plucked my hand into her dainty little hold. "Thank you Tweek, you're so sweet. Are you ready to go now or did you want to look around for a little longer?" I was embarrassed by Bebe's appraisal so I had to take a few moments before I could tell her we could leave now.

As we exited the bookstore Bebe rambled on about how excited she was for senior year. Even when we reached Bebe's old red convertible she continued to talk about senior year as she drove. I tried to be nice and listen, but cars really freaked me out.

I was so preoccupied with the fact Bebe was so busy talking there was no way she was paying enough attention to the road in front of her that I didn't actually hear single word coming out of her mouth. The statistics of car accidents, teen accidents no less, filled my brain I nearly had a panic attack. Deep breaths, Tweek, deep breaths. Finally, we reached the town's only shitty bowling alley and I scrambled out of the car in relief.

The single bowling alley looked like it belonged in the fifties which would have been cool if only it didn't look so ghetto. I honestly didn't know anybody even went to the bowling alley anymore but sure enough as we walked through the swinging double doors I spotted a group of ten or so girls giggling and gossiping. I didn't spend much time with people, let alone girls. Already I knew this was an awful idea.

As soon as Bebe and I stepped up to the array of girls they all stilled and went silent. Bebe shot me an irritated glance, one I knew was due to the annoyance she felt towards her friends and not at me.

After a moment, Wendy Testaburger stepped forward with a friendly smile. "Heya Tweek."

I've probably talked to Wendy a total of four times in my entire life, but it didn't stop the meticulous girl from greeting me, which in a way is nice. Wendy was one of those girls I never knew what to expect. Some days she was friendlier and I actually felt almost comfortable around her. Other days she was suddenly a raging bitch who I swear was out to kill. I had a feeling her mood had to do both on how her relationship with her boyfriend Stan was going as well as how much of an asshole Cartman happened to be that day.

With Wendy's greeting a handful of the other girls said their hellos before turning back together to continue gossiping or talking about shoes or clothes or whatever girls talk about.

Wendy started making her way towards Bebe and I. I scrambled in my head trying to come up with a plan for how I'm going to survive this entire shindig. The buzzing has still been presence and without the constant pressure in my head I'd probably be having a total freak out by now.

I seriously do not understand girls. Some are chill and you can pretty much treat them as a guy, others spoke weirdly about things I could never understand, some were controlling and confusing and then there were some girls I was too intimidated to even be in the same room with.

Bebe, strangely enough, fell into the first category, hence why I could actually be friendly with her. In middle school, Wendy was placed into the controlling category but was edging her way to being simply way too intimidating.

"Hey babe," Bebe greeted happily.

"Hiya Boo." I awkwardly step backward as the two girls briefly embraced. I don't understand why girls called each other by couple-y names. "How are you Tweek?" Wendy politely asked, turning her attention on me. I squirmed under her direct gaze.

"I-augh- I'm g-good."

"That's great." Wendy turned to Bebe as she crossed her arms, seeming to completely disregard me suddenly. "I'm guessing Heidi bailed on us?"

"Oh yeah, she claims she's sick but I'm pretty positive she's just ditching us for a date with Bradley." Wendy gasps and glances over her shoulder briefly to see if any of the other girls are listening.

"That bitch! She promised she'd come. If she's going to ditch us, I wish she'd at least have the balls to tell us straight up rather than lie about it. How'd you find out she's going on a date?" I follow Bebe and Wendy as we make our way to the front desk to get bowling shoes.

"I passed Bradley downtown on the phone with his '"sweetums" talking about going to North Park for dinner. Then five minutes later Heidi calls me saying she's sick. Either Bradley is cheating on Heidi or she's lying." Bebe explained with a short burst of laughter.

"Oh god, that's golden!" Wendy exclaimed as she began laughing. I don't understand how any of that is funny… "Are you going to say something to her?"

"Nah, she can go on her precious date. I'd choose Tweek over Heidi any day!" I gasp as Bebe wrapped her arm around my waist. To my relative astonishment, Wendy laughs and smiles at me.

"Yeah, really, me too." Wendy's words left me feeling dizzy and mind blown. Since when would Wendy Testaburger pick me over one of her little groupies? Since when has Wendy even relatively accepted me?

Dazedly I grab my shoes from Bebe and follow the girls who continue gossiping to the seats where everyone else is waiting. Everyone is a bundle of giggles as they get ready for the game. Each partnership is considered one player so the girls make pairing names with their partners. Bebe and I end up being Beek which makes me wince, but Bebe laughs.

Ten minutes later the game finally starts and I settle in for a long afternoon of sitting in silence. My assumption is correct. Besides girls shouting "BEEK!" when it's Bebe or my own turn to bowl I'm left alone. Bebe's constant grins and glances directed at me made me feel included enough.

As we neared the end of the game Bebe got a phone call and disappeared to take it. I distracted myself by staring up at the star decorated ceiling. I was so distracted I didn't even notice Wendy sitting next to me until she spoke up.

"So, you excited for senior year?"

"O-Oh Jesus!" I exclaimed loudly in surprise. Wendy laughed softly at me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I should have known better than to just do that. But senior year, yeah?"

"Y-Yeah… It's c-coming up." I awkwardly murmur, not knowing what else there is to say.

"I mean come on, is it just me or does it feels like this is suddenly happening out of nowhere? Doesn't it feel like just a few days ago we were all fourth graders causing all kinds of trouble?"

Well, today is a day full of a bundle of surprises.

"I-I'd rather n-not be a s-senior." I admit shakily. Even with this new raw side of Wendy, staring up at the ceiling earnestly, I was still intimidated. Wendy turned her gaze on me and smiled. The way her eyes crinkled was kind of distracting and for a moment I could understand why Bebe chose her as a best friend.

"Exactly. I mean, who actually wants to grow up?" Wendy paused and snorted. "Okay Bebe, that's who."

"W-What, really?"

"Oh yeah. She's determined to go into business and become a classy badass business woman or something. Sometimes she just spams me with all these texts of pictures that she wants her future to be like. Since when does Bebe have more ambitions than me?"

I could imagine Bebe in her desired future of business jackets, pencil skirts and heels.

"W-What do you want to d-do?" I ask, feeling slightly more at ease.

"Oh, I don't know. Law maybe? I like arguing for what I want so it's kind of perfect, don't you think?" Wendy laughed and I can't help but smile. Before our conversation can continue Wendy turns her head to look in the direction that Bebe disappeared to. I turn my head to see what she's staring at.

All breath leaves me as I watch Bebe walk towards us with three boys in her wake.

Clyde Donovan was holding his girlfriend's hand while he talked enthusiastically over his shoulder to his friends. Token Black looked politely amused with a small smile tugging his lips as he followed Clyde dutifully.

Then there was Craig Tucker who walked slowly behind them all.

Craig walked with his shoulders slouched lazily and his eyes downcast as if bored. His hands were shoved into the front pocket of his blue hoodie. Clyde and Token have yet to notice me, but Craig's eyes drift upwards and somehow manage to lock instantly on me.

It's actually funny how Craig's jaw drops, his eyes widen slightly and his eyebrows rise. Unfortunately, I'm filled with too much panic to appreciate Craig's uncharacteristic reaction.

I know I told Craig earlier today I'd hang out with Clyde and Token, but I wasn't ready to hang out with them two hours later! As Bebe pulls the boys closer I slouch down in my seat in some pathetic way of hiding.

I can still feel Craig's heavy gaze on me.

"Oh Clyde, babe, look! Tweek is hanging out with us. He volunteered to be my bowling partner because Heidi couldn't make it." Bebe explained as she led the boys straight to me.

And now I was frozen. Absolutely frozen. Why is it that I always freeze in the face of danger?

Clyde looks at me and after staring at me for a second does a complete double take that is purely comical. His mouth opens and closes and nonsensical garble leave his lips. Token looked surprised to see me but smiled hesitantly and politely. Craig by now was stubbornly looking away.

"O-OAUGH." Clyde blubbered out. Bebe gave her boyfriend a half-hearted scolding look then glanced at me with a slight frown.

"Hi Tweek, it's great to see you again." Token quickly spoke up. I remembered Token always being the moderator and it's weird to see how that hasn't changed.

"WHA-BU-TWEE-HAH-OAUHH?" Clyde was still spouting nonsense that even made me feel embarrassed.

"Oh shut up you dumb fuck. No need to shit your pants. It's just Tweek, fuck." Craig suddenly snapped, flicking a hand out to lightly hit the back of Clyde's head.

Clyde whirred on Craig, red faced. "Oughhhhaah! Don't call me dumb you asshole!" Craig was already opening his mouth to retort something when Token steps in.

"Children stop fighting or I'll ground you both." I'm too frozen to even be amused by Token treating Craig and Clyde like children.

"Clyde give Tweek a proper hello." Bebe instructed calmly.

I felt my cheeks go red as Clyde turns his big grin back to me. "Hi Tweek! It's been so long! I've wanted to hang out again, you know, like the good ol' days? You know you kind of look exactly the same. In a good way of course. I think-" Clyde was rambling and Craig's sharp elbow gets the ditzy brunette to finally shut up.

"I'm going to go buy a soda." Craig's voice sounds more monotone than it does at work.

"Okay Craig." Token says.

As Craig turns to walk away my eyes meet stormy gray ones. Craig stares at me blankly for a moment before he shrugs lightly. And then he's walking away, leaving me with Bebe, Wendy, Clyde and Token.

"So, Tweek… How have you been?" Token asks. Clyde opens his mouth to say something, but Bebe interrupts him.

"Think before you speak Babe. You don't want to embarrass yourself." Bebe instructed strictly.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever heard better advice coming from you Bebe." Wendy teased lightly.

"I'm not going to embarrass myself!"

"Clyde you're being kind of rude."

"What does that even mean Wendy?"

I couldn't keep up with each person suddenly speaking. All the interaction was making me dizzy and I haven't even said a single word. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.

"I-I have t-to go!" I screech, loudly over everyone. The entire group, including the flock of girls, goes silent. I felt my cheeks turn red and unshed tears blur my vision. Everyone was staring at me as I try to get me erratic breathing under control.

After an awkward moment, I turn and run out the building.

I only run down about one block before I slow down to an inching pace. Embarrassment coursed through my veins and it was one of those moments where I just wish Tweek Tweak didn't even exist. I felt achingly dumb and useless. What kind of person was I if I couldn't even handle five minutes of interaction with people I actually vaguely know?

My hands are shaking and I run a hand down my forearm to try and calm my nerves. My touch reminds me of the secret markings on my skin. The thought makes my heart speed up and I feel breathless all over again. The idea was planted. Once the idea was planted there was no running from it.

I started walking faster while running my hand up and down my sacred arm. The pain and irritation kept the reminder in my head fresh and desirable. Now I just had to-

"Tweek!"

"J-Jesus!" I screeched in surprise. I glance over my shoulder to see a familiar noirette running towards me. My favorite coffee thermos is in his left hand. Craig catches up to me with ease. I stop walking and turn around as Craig walks the final few steps up to me.

"You forgot your coffee." He deadpans, holding it out. I take the thermos and I'm glad to see that it's still blissfully warm. The adrenaline and sinful thoughts washed through me and then was just gone. Just like that.

"Oh," I sigh.

"Clyde and Token say sorry. They keep insisting they didn't mean to scare you off." Craig groans and rolls his eyes with a shrug. "Clyde is just too fucking easily excitable. He pretty much started crying when you left."

Oh…

"S-Sorry. I- I just didn't e-expect to hang out w-with all those g-girls and then y-you guys showed up and i-it was all just really o-overwhelming." Craig started walking in the direction I had been heading and I followed alongside him.

"Don't be sorry. Clyde is dumb as fuck and Token can be really fucking oblivious." Craig sighed. "Are you heading home?"

"Y-Yeah."

"Mind if I walk with you?"

"S-Shouldn't you be g-getting back to the bowling alley?"

"Fuck no. I was trying to find an excuse to leave." A comfortable silence falls over us. Craig takes out his Marlboro blacks and lights one. Walking with Craig was soothing and even if we were silent I felt at ease. I felt safe, normal and perfectly content. It's unfamiliar.

The walk is longer considering I live across town from the bowling alley. The walk is silent but peaceful. We're walking for about half an hour before we arrive at my house. I fumble with the walk as Craig stands casually several feet away.

"Do y-you want to c-come inside?" I ask sheepishly.

Kenny's the only person to have come over to my house since I was actually friends with Craig and Kenny really doesn't count. Kenny's just Kenny.

"Sure."

I'm oddly relieved that Craig didn't deny my offer. Craig follows me inside and mimics my actions as I take off my shoes. I line them up carefully against the wall. Craig is openly looking around the living room as we walk through and enter the kitchen.

"W-Want anything to d-drink?" I'm at the coffee pot putting on a brew of coffee grounds and Craig is leaning against the counter. He's staring at the fridge which is littered with a collection of magnets from various trips.

"Sure. Just pour me a cup of coffee." I glance at Craig in surprise. I know for a fact he doesn't like coffee so why would he ask for one? Craig is too focused on the stupid fried and magnets. I wish he'd look at me.

"Okay." I pour us the coffee then start realizing I had no idea what we were supposed to do now. Should I invite Craig to play video games? Watch a movie? Do we just talk? I hand the coffee cup to Craig who takes it.

"When did you go to Disney Land?"

"Ninth-grade. My d-dad forced me to g-go with my cousins."

"Did you actually ride any rides?" Craig steps closer to the fridge and his left hand lifts to trace the magnet of Tomorrow Land which was a part of the amusement park.

"J-Just one." I laugh softly as I realize the sudden irony. "It w-was Space Mountain. It m-made me think o-of y-you. It was k-kind of cool but t-terrifying."

Craig glances back at me and he's smiling slightly. "That's funny. Token invited Clyde and me to go with him to Disneyland once, but I didn't want to go. When they came back Clyde wouldn't shut up about that ride. It's the one ride I actually want to go on now."

"Oh, wow." What a coincidence.

"Do you want me to leave?" Craig asks suddenly, turning completely around.

Craig's question is sudden and unexpected. He looked kind of guilty.

"I-I was actually about t-to ask you if you w-want to go up t-to my room and s-smoke."

AN: I feel like Tweek has this secret little hipster side to him. Or at least he does in this fic c: Like always thanks for the all feedback etc. and special thanks to Buddy6o for being my beta and thanks to Sam for forcing me through this chapter xxLanie