Coach lowers his focus mitts. "You know," he says. "Most people use this as an outlet." He starts taking them off. I guess I was so bad he's giving up. "How come you're always so distracted? Today it's more than usual." Yeah, because of who I have to box with. I glance towards Tweek who's looking over amused.

"Honestly, let's just wrap it up here," he says. I'd be more upset if I weren't relieved. He's right. I've been thinking too much. It's always something.

No, it's just always him. I can't stop thinking about what my mom said. That I should just go for it. That it's worth risking everything but… If he rejected me, there's no way I could fight him anymore and coach definitely wouldn't accommodate two practices for us. It's only a few months but we'd still have to go to school together and then I guess I'd… quit boxing? I can't.

If Tweek and I were together, I always said it wouldn't be different but I never really thought about it. Tweek's not an affectionate person in general so it probably wouldn't. What if it was though. An affectionate Tweek…

If I told him, what would I say? I want more than this. I want all of you. I want you to myself. God, I couldn't say that. I want us to be together. After that Tweek's only response is to kiss me in every scenario. My confession is so genuine and powerful that Tweek is incredibly touched in every parallel. I hold him and we kiss and he just asks what took me so long.

My heart skips so I let the thought go. I should never think of something like that again. But the thought is back within seconds. That's how today's been even before boxing. Tweek in my bed. Tweek in my truck. Tweek at school. Tweek smiling. Tweek laughing. Every time he's made me feel better when I was down. Tweek pulling his hair back or letting it down. Tweek getting dressed. Tweek in the shower. Tweek naked.

"Ready?" Tweek nudges me.

"What? Oh. Yeah…"

"Then c'mon already."

"You got somewhere to be?"

"I was talking about your daydreaming," he tells me. We walk to the truck. "What about you?" he asks. "Busy?"

I glance at him, through the windows. That's new code for, Let's fuck. "No but, I'm going to a party with the guys." I unlock the doors and we hop in. "So, I can't."

He huffs, "What about this weekend?"

"This weekend I'm free," I tell him and then after some silence and considering, "You should come." He makes a face. "What?"

"Eh… Um, I'm busy today."

"Asshole. You were just free."

"Mm," he considers. "I don't like parties. Or crowds."

"Me either. That's why I'm inviting you."

"I don't really want to," he tells me bluntly.

"Have you ever even been to a party?" He's quiet because he hasn't and he knows he can't lie about it.

"Dick," he accuses.

I laugh. "It's fine, man. The guys are the only reason I get to go. But you should go to one before you graduate at least." Tweek's glaring at me. "What now?"

"You're just… so stupid," he tells me. I try to backtrack to where I acted stupid.

"They're not so bad," I tell him, choosing to ignore it because if I punch him in the face he won't want to come. "There's drinks and drugs usually if you hang out long enough." We pull up to his place.

"I don't know."

"Well, think about it, at least?" He sighs, hopping out. "Alright," I frown. "But if you change your mind, it's at Jenna's." Tweek waves without looking back.

If he wouldn't even go to a party with me… What the hell am I thinking?

I get to Token's all dejected and introspective. Stupid. How do I like him? This is him trying to be more respectful? That shit came out of nowhere and had no relevance at all. I didn't do anything to piss him off. It's like he wasn't even pissed off but just felt like letting me know I'm the dumbest person he knows.

I am stupid for inviting him to come. I don't know why I did that. I knew he was gonna shoot me down! God, that's so fucking embarrassing.

I walk inside. Doesn't look like Token's parents are home. I jog up the steps and push open his door. "Hey."

"Yo," Toke waves. He's already ready, chilling out on his console. I walk into the bathroom where Clyde is messing with his hair in the mirror.

"I was trying to grow my hair out," he says. "But shit, I look gross."

"Yeah," I agree.

"Fuck you, Craig." He grumbles. "We can't all be impossibly handsome."

"Well, clearly not impossible." I chuckle, leaning over counter and checking myself. "Where's Kenny?"

"He's at Jenna's already. I guess they have a thing now?" That's good. I didn't feel like dealing with him being a smartass. And Clyde's a lot tamer when he's not around.

Since I knew I'd be coming today. I already packed a bag and had it in my car to come straight here after practice. So, I change into something more 'party appropriate' and check my hair in the mirror next to Clyde, who's still doing this.

"We get it, Craig, you're hot." He groans. "Can you go somewhere else while I try to deal with this?"

"Want me to buzz it for you?" I ask. He stares at me and then at himself in the mirror. "Toke, you have a shaver?" I lean out of the doorframe.

"Man, what are you about to do to my bathroom?"

"Don't worry, we'll clean!" I promise with a toothy grin. It means I'm lying and have no intentions of cleaning whatever mess is about to happen but Token has people for that probably…

Clyde taps his chin. "I don't know. This took the entire school year." Token enters, pulls open a drawer, hands me a whole razor set, and leaves.

Now I'm razor in hand. I'm pretty much ignoring Clyde. He's impulsive by nature. He's gonna say yes and then I'll get to shave a head. Plus he's right. His hair's looked terrible for a while now. He could never pull off that man bun. "How short do you want it?" I ask pulling the guards out.

"Craig," he whines.

"Take your shirt off so it doesn't get dirty."

Token reenters with a large sheet and throws it on the floor. "Get hair anywhere else and you sleep in here tonight," he threatens and I just snicker. This feels nice. Being with them like old times.

Clyde pulls his shirt over his head and onto the floor. "Leave like an inch or two."

"It's getting late," Token warns us. "Hurry up."

"C'mon, Toke, you know you wanna get in on this," I hold the shaver towards him. "I'll let you have the first swipe."

"Gee, I'm honored," he deadpans. Token takes the razors and Clyde sits in a chair in front of the mirror. "You sure?" Token checks.

Clyde hums in thought briefly. "Yeah, it's almost summer. It's too hot anyways."

Token buzzes a line right down the middle of Clyde's head and we all bust out laughing.

"Looks good," Toke decides, switching the trimmers off.

"Wh- What the fuck?!" I double over, holding my stomach. "Looks great, dude. You ready then?"

"Nah," Clyde wheezes. "We can do better." He digs through a drawer until he finds a pack of tiny black rubber bands. I'm not really watching him because I'm still laughing and when I'm finished and finally look up, Clyde's put the two sides of his hair in pig tails.

We all start screaming. Now I'm on the ground. "You look like fucking Pennywise!" Token grabs the counter to hold himself.

"You look so fucking stupid!" I cackle. "I'll give you fifty bucks to go just like that."

"For real?" he asks.

"No," I laugh.

"I would," Token says.

Clyde face twists up. "Nuh uh, if it's Toke the price goes up."

"What the hell is that? That's not fair."

"Whatever, Toke. Craig has a job and works for his money so fifty Craig dollars doesn't equal fifty Token dollars."

"Craig dollars…?" I chuckle still on the ground.

"Didn't you say we were in a hurry. Can you assholes stop fucking around and finish?" Clyde says.

"What'd you mean? It's done."

"Then give me the damn trimmers, I'll do it myself!"

I pop the battery out. "I think it's dead." Like it really matters if we make it on time. Clyde looks like he's starting to really get upset. Clyde knows I'd seriously chuck this thing out the window and leave him like this.

"Craig," he starts fake sobbing. "I don't want to do this right now."

"Wanna fight for it?"

"You box!"

"You play football."

"Sounds like an even fight to me. Please take it outside where you won't break my shit," Token interjects.

I wave him off. "Boxing's not messy," I assure him. "I know what I'm doing."

"Man, this is gonna be dumb," Token let's out a heavy sigh. "Let's go downstairs. Living room's probably best."

Once we're down and Clyde's standing in front me, I start laughing again. "Dude, I can't look at you. Put a hat on it or something."

Clyde starts punching me, not seriously but also not soft either. It makes me laugh harder because he looks so ridiculous. "Can't box and laugh at the same time. Who's the tough guy now?" Wham, wham, wham. He's right. He could actually beat me. I hadn't anticipated this.

"Give me the damn battery, asshole," he says. "Why'd you even offer?"

"I can't breathe."

Clyde let's go of me. "C'mon, McGregor, fight me." Clyde takes a boxing stance. Well, I mean, I can tell that's what he was going for.

I regain my strength and look him over. "Alright."

I pop Clyde in the mouth in one quick move. He stumbles back stunned. "Ah, Craig!"

"With a block like that, I could just end it in one blow."

"Fuck boxing." Clyde pummels me to the floor. Like a real lineman.

I try to get him in a headlock but now that we're wrestling, Clyde might be stronger. Boxing isn't all about strength if I can dodge your moves anyway but I can't do much with him on top of me like this. "Just give me the damn battery. How are you like this and you're not even drunk yet?"

"You're making me go so I might as well have fun," I say, struggling against him. "And I'll have a great time if you're there looking like this." I laugh at him again with tears in my eyes. He looks like a WWE reject. Clyde takes the opportunity to further restrain me. He gets my hands down.

He glances to Token who's barely watching. Token notices and goes, "Oh… Uh, what do they count to? Three or ten?"

This cracks me up even more. "What… kind of wrestling are you watching?" I say through more laughs.

"Fuck, forget it. I pinned you. I win."

"Who said we were wrestling? Weren't we boxing?"

"No rules," says Toke from the couch. I'm glad he's entertained.

"You're such an asshole," he gets off me and stands. "I'm sure his dad has one too. That can't be the only razor in the house."

"Hm, you're right," Token agrees and then chuckles, "Should've done that in the first place."

"Shut up, Token."

"Alright, alright, you won. I'll finish it." Then we can go to this stupid party and get it over it. I finish Clyde's hair and he gets dressed again. It's been roughly an hour since the parties started. It's a good thing. It means less time spent there hating myself. Once we're all ready, we hop in the truck and start driving.

Nobody really says anything. Clyde plays the radio. Halfway there I realize I'm driving. What the… I don't want to be responsible tonight. "Hey."

Token turns the music down. "Yeah?"

"Who's driving back?"

"Isn't this your car?" Clyde retorts.

"There's no way I'm not gonna drink."

"Then why did you get in your car, Craig?" Token asks.

"I wasn't thinking about it!" I say, turning down Jenna's neighborhood. "Someone should've said something before we left."

"Well, you got in your car, I assumed you were volunteering," Token says.

"You guys tricked me. I bet this is the real reason you invited me. To chauffeur."

"Yeah right," Clyde says. "Drink, Craig. I'm sure by the time we're leaving someone will be good enough to drive and if not, we can Uber and get the car tomorrow. Problem solved." He's right. I relax a little more.

We pull up to her house. You can already hear the party inside. Kids hang around the front, some going in and out of the house. I park somewhere on the side of the road. "If my truck gets toed…"

"Token will pay for it!" Clyde tells me, rubbing my shoulder. "Right, Token?"

"Fuck off."

"You know you would though."

"I would for Craig, not you, asshole."

We get out of the car and approach the scene. We should've pregamed and Ubered here. I feel so dumb that it slipped my mind. This is gonna blow.


A/N

If anyone has it, send me the link to this fanart. I've always wanted fanart and then nobody even tells me about it? D,: