Tweek
Shocked by all that happened, Tweek couldn't think clearly for a few seconds. When his sense returned he hurried into his room and closed the door. He was unsure what an angry Red would do to him while Craig was into his bedroom. After a few minutes, Tweek heard angry footsteps and a rolly bag rolling down the hall.
Tweek tried to listen to the back and forth between Red and Craig, but his heart was beating so loudly that he couldn't focus on what they were saying. Everything that lead to this point felt like a dream. A dream that if he woke up from he might have to cut out his heart because it would just be so fucked up.
Tweek's thoughts flashback to when Craig took his hand, how warm and soft he felt. When Tweek looked at his hand, he could feel the sensation that ran through him again, calling back the butterflies that had scattered when Red went shitcrazy. When the front door slammed, Tweek sat in front of his room door, the furthest his nervous would allow him to go.
Tweek sat in front of the door till the bright sky arrived. He glanced at the time and it was now 9:00 am in the morning. Craig left around 6:00 am which means 3-hours had passed.
Driving should only take Craig 30 minutes max to get to Red's place and back. The fact that it's been so long made Tweek worry. So many awful thoughts ran through his mind. He imagined Red distracting Craig while driving causing them to died in a car crashed.
If that wasn't the case maybe Red convinced him to give her a second chance, where she lured him into her apartment and killed him because she didn't want him to be with anyone but her. Why else wasn't he home? Tweek got up and looked at his phone, no messages.
When the morning came and left and now it was closer to 4:00 pm Tweek felt sick to his stomach. Where was he and why wasn't he home yet? Instead of just calling Craig, Tweek called the nearest hospital to make sure Craig wasn't admitted. And by 6:00 pm Tweek had convinced himself that perhaps the couple made up and he was just spending time with her.
The awful thought cut his heart painfully as he thought back to the little moments he shared with Craig. Was it all a dream? And when did he become such a cry baby? His eyes betrayed him every time his heart felt heavy. Tweek laid in bed wondering what the hell was happening to him.
"How long have I loved him?" Tweek whispered.
The world was so cruel, Tweek could remember the first time he saw Craig in preschool and how Craig would just watch him from afar with concern eyes.
Tweek would never forget the time when Craig rebuilt his tower. It was after Eric knocked it over for the 1 millionth time and the teachers did nothing. Tweek had decided at that moment that he would find something else to play with, that maybe it was because the boys wanted to play with the blocks but not with him and that's why they bothered him.
When he moved over to find a new activity, Craig went and rebuilt his tower the way Tweek had built it. Then he warned Eric not to break it again, and if he did he'll bite him. Eric never knocked over his tower again and Tweek never thought he could love anyone just as much as his loved his parents.
It was dark now and still no sign of Craig, Tweek was starving, but couldn't convince himself to go find food to eat. He was so consumed with so much grief and anxiety that he was afraid he would die if he moved. When 10:00 pm arrived and no sign of Craig, Tweek finally gather the courage to message him. For 90 minutes there was no answer and it made him even more anxious. Closer to 12:00 in the morning, Tweek jump when he felt his phone vibrating. When he looked it was a message from Craig.
Tweek was so happy and so sad it took him a few minutes to gather himself before reading the message. When he finally read it, he wasn't sure how to respond.
I'm okay. Decided to stay over at Clyde. Will see you tomorrow.
Tweek wasn't sure how to absorb the message. To him, it appeared as though Craig was avoiding him by not coming home. Tweek couldn't blame him, so many things happened that was out of Craig's characters that made Tweek believe that maybe Craig was feeling comfortable about being home.
Tweek wanted to reply but couldn't, everything felt worse now. He put the phone down and flipped onto his stomach and cried into his pillow, where he cried till he felt numb. Tweek was in this same position before, where Craig felt uncomfortable with him and turned on him. Now the situation was different because they lived together. So instead of rebelling Craig opts to stay away.
Tweek remembered what Red said the night before, about taking advantage of Craig's kindness. Despite how crazy Tweek knew Craig could get, he always knew that Craig was a good person who's regrets is easily seen in his eyes. Whenever Tweek was alone in the past, he would always catch Craig watching him as if he regretted what he did. A reason why Tweek could never hate him.
Tweek didn't want Craig to fear coming home, so the answer to this situation was clear. Tweek staying knowing how uncomfortable Craig felt would be taking advantage of Craig's kindness.
"I'll get a job and fixed this," Tweek said when he felt the photo of his parents underneath the pillow.
Craig
Craig was surprised when Tweek text him, despite knowing why he would text him. Craig had spent the entire day out of the apartment and knowing Tweek he probably thought that Red killed him and that was why he didn't return home.
The thought of Tweek caused a chemical imbalance for Craig every time he came to mine. It didn't feel right, it was a scary feeling. His heart would start racing and his stomach would flip, and his throat would feel blocked like he couldn't breath. This wasn't normal.
After Craig dropped Red off and returned home, he couldn't get out of the car. He stayed parked in the garage afraid of what he might do if he went into the apartment. Too many moment when Red was not around that he felt himself fighting his forbidden desire and lost to Tweek every time.
So instead of causal roommate interactions, Craig took his hand, and fought back the urge to kiss him and worst wanting to undress him in the same fashion he would Red. The thought of what sounds Tweek would make underneath him was what prevented him from going upstairs.
His thought were not normal. What would his parents say? His dad would be so disappointing. When he couldn't go upstairs, he went to visit his parents. Where he only stayed for breakfast because all his mother could talk about was how beautiful Tweek 'a man' was and how he and his sister Tricia would make such beautiful little blond haired, green eyed babies. Fire ignited inside him at the thought of his mom trying to ship Tweek and his sister together. Even after leaving, Craig couldn't go home yet so he texted Clyde to see if he was up and that he was coming over.
It was Clyde's fashion to not ask obvious questions, which made the day move smoothly. They joined up with Token in the afternoon who ask about who was hosting football and what happened to Red. After explaining what happened, the guys began running through names of other girls that would be less bat shit crazy for Craig. Never once did they ask why he took Tweek's side, something Craig was happy about.
Towards the evening, Clyde did pick up on the fact that Craig had no intention of heading home. He never asked him why, just simply told him he could stay in one of the empty rooms. And Clyde's dad of course viewed Craig as another son so it was no questions asked. Token however, was ordered to return home by Nicole.
Craig called it a night when he saw Tweek's text. He manage to clear his head while away from Tweek and the apartment. He was no longer bound by Tweek's gravitational pull and could see right from wrong. Even though to his heart everything he was feeling was right.
After Craig messaged him back, there wasn't a reply. In a way Craig wished Tweek asked him why he didn't come home, but Craig knew that it wasn't Tweek's nature to offer follow-up questions. Tweek never wanted to feel as though he was bothering him. Still, Craig waited for another text that never followed.
The next day, Craig woke up his eyes focused on the window and the light snow that began to fall. Craig liked the snow, but now it had more than just childhood memories associated with it, it was snow that brought Tweek back into his life and snow that almost killed him.
Either way snowfall reminded him now of Tweek. He glanced at his phone and noticed Tweek never responded. Craig brush away the sad feeling he felt when he realized he had slept in. It was almost 11:00 am which wasn't like him. Craig was hungry and knew that if he wanted to eat more than cereal he would have to head home.
Craig made the bed before leaving the room. He went and woke Clyde up to tell him he was heading home. When Clyde mention breakfast, Craig reminded him that it was almost lunch and said goodbye.
As Craig drove home, slightly anxious, he wondered if Tweek was upset with him. Would Tweek be in the living room or in his room hiding?
Suddenly, Craig realized something he failed to address yesterday and that was how he might have made Tweek feel. All this time he was worried about his feelings and never once thought about what his action might have done to Tweek.
At the red light, Craig debated not going home. He wasn't sure if he could bare it if Tweek was weirded out by him. So when he scrambled to think of what to do, the realization happened, Craig was afraid to go home.
At that moment, his fear of going home was the worst feeling in the world. Is this how life is going to be from now on? This was why Craig never wanted roommates.
"I could just get another apartment…" Craig muttered, before saying screw this and heading home.
It took 90 seconds for the elevator to get to the 49th floor. Craig didn't realize it was so slow. When he turned the door knob, the door opened, and he entered. Craig was so happy to be home even though his stomach was flipping again.
As he walked through the apartment it was very quiet, Tweek's room door was slightly open but he wasn't inside. As Craig made his way through the apartment and no sign of Tweek he started to panic.
Did Tweek leave?
Craig entered Tweek's room and saw his parents photo sticking out from under the pillow. There is no way Tweek would leave without it. Craig pulled the photo out and stared at it. This was all Tweek had of his parents.
Craig frowned, if Tweek continues to sleep with it, it'll withered. As Craig went to return the photo he remember his scanner and went to scan the photo so that Tweek can have a digital copy of them. When he was done he returned the photo and went to wait for Tweek to return —if not to come home but at least for the photo.
Tweek
Tweek woke up very early to get started on his day. He had decided he would browse the neighborhood shops in search of a job and if he didn't find anything in The Tower community he would try around his campus and beyond.
Months ago, when he tried to find a job, no one would hire him because he was homeless. Tweek was in a much better place so there was no reason not to land a job.
When Tweek left his room to go put on outer wear, he glanced around the space at the items that was out place and quickly tidied up so that Craig won't have to if he got home before him.
Tweek even left the door unlocked just incase Craig didn't have his keys. As he waited for the elevator to come Tweek caught himself repeating what Craig would say before walking out.
"Phone, money, keys."
As Tweek walked out of the building for the first time alone, he stuck out his hand to catch the light snowflakes that fell. It was cold and quiet outside, the only sound was from the cars the drove over the grainy salts that was pour to stop the snow from joining.
The Tower community was very similar to Sodasopa. Yuppies and wealthy people lived there and so the neighborhood catered to them. Unlike everywhere else that still struggled with the pile of snow that fall days ago, in The Tower community the was all cleared. As if the scoop and carried all the snow away.
The ground was heavily coated in salt so Tweek wondered were they preparing for another blizzard. It was very early, but that didn't stop residency from going to the Whole Foods, and the the small boutiques and independent books stores. Despite the cost to live there it was a charming place.
Tweek was surprised to see all the mom and pop coffee shops, rather than a Starbucks. It brought back great memories of his parents shop. However, no one so far was hiring. Still, it didn't stop him from searching. For Tweek finding a job at a coffee shop was ideal, because it was something he was familiar with.
Tweek walked to the other side of The Towers which felt so far away in search of a bakery or coffee shop. When he spotted a shop call Wren's Coffee, he took note that the sign looked like his family's old sign, so he entered joining the long line.
He could tell just by the smell that they made delicious coffee, and the line of people was a testament. When he noticed the sign by one of the registers that said they 'we're hiring,' he was happy he kept walking and didn't turn around.
There was only two people working, a older woman and a younger woman. They looked so much alike Tweek believed they were related. When Tweek got to the register the older woman who name tag read Wren smiled, a smile that reminded him of his mom, which stumped him.
"Are you ok?" She asked kindly despite Tweek slowing down the line.
Tweek nodded.
"What can I get you?" She asked sweetly.
"The house blends and it says you are hiring," Tweek replied handing her the card Craig had giving him. It pained him to use it, but for whatever the reason he felt he need to try their coffee.
"Have you worked in a coffee shop before?" She asked.
Tweek nodded.
"Ok, this is my daughter Aspen she will get you a form to fill out,"she replied charging the card. "Would you like a receipt?"
Tweek nodded. When Tweek step aside to fill out the form, the girl bring over his coffee accidentally dropped. She apologize over and over again and hurried to the back room.
The older women looked stressed as she apologized to the customers for the delay.
When Tweek was done filling out the form he approached Mrs, Wren and asked if he could help. She paused for a second, looked at the long line and nodded.
Tweek smiled as he took off his jacket and backpack to put to the side. As he made his way around the counter, the owner handed him a cap and a hair tie to pull his hair back. Then she passed him a gray apron and started to show him how to use the register. While this was all happening the customers looked confused, but they waited patiently without much complaints. Tweek knew these kind of customers, they were the loyal type who would come out in a blizzard just to support or get their favorite blend.
Tweek was already familiar with the register from when he worked with his parents, so he turned to the next customer on line and smiled. The young woman turned red very fast and Tweek wondered if she was well.
While Tweek rang up the customers, the owner was made the orders while the young girl finished cleaning the spill and cleared the tables.
After spending several hours helping, the rush was gone and he felt he could finally leave them to manage on their own. The owner who reminded him of his mom was so nice to him. She paid him for his time despite Tweek telling her it wasn't necessary, and worked out a work schedule that worked around his school schedule.
Tweek was very excited to be working in a cafe again, he felt closer to his parents. On top of that, now he can save money and give Craig his space back.
"Do I leave or take this with me?" Tweek asked Aspen, unsure what do with the apron and cap that he finally took off.
"You can keep the hair band, but I'll take the other stuff," Aspen replied.
Tweek nodded.
As Tweek was wearing his jacket, he heard the front door opened, so he turned to make sure it wasn't another flood of customers. When he saw Bradley and Bebe entering, he was shocked.
Tweek felt numb when he realized there wasn't an exit strategy. Bradley and Bebe seem surprised to see Tweek as well. Bradley style strangely reminded him of Craig's. When Craig moved out on his own everything about his style, except his favorite colors, changed. He went from always wearing jeans or sweatpants, T-shirt and sneakers to mainly wearing coats or blazer, button shirts, tailor pants and shoes and still sneakers. Unless the weather required otherwise. It was almost like Craig had matured after his inheritance. While everyone but Token stayed the same.
So Tweek was very surprised to see the spoiled boy who was always into pricey sneakers and variety jackets wearing a wool coat, and tailored clothing. Bradley looked tragically handsome. Bebe wore a camel coat that resembles his, she was dolled up like they were going somewhere fancy.
"Tweek hey," Bradley said, still surprised to see him.
Anxious for the first time in a few hours, Tweek lifted his hand in a quarter wave, then he went to grab the fresh coffee Mrs. Wren poured for him to replace the cup Aspen dropped hours ago and hurrying out after saying goodbye to them.
When Tweek left and the cold air hit his face he felt like he could breathe again. This feeling was short lived. Bradley left the shop alone, stopping Tweek who looked extremely uncomfortable.
"Sorry," Bradley said letting go of his arm. "I'm just surprised to see you. Doesn't Craig live on the north end of the towers?"
Tweek stomach started to flip, he was embarrassed with himself that he still couldn't get it together around him. So many memories the good, bad and the unwanted.
"Tweek?" Bradley said concerned.
"Yeah" Tweek finally uttered.
Bradley smiled, and Tweek was reminded of how much that smile gave him life during his darkest days in high school.
"I just moved to tower 2 this week," Bradley said pointed to the building on the corner. It was on the same block of the coffee shop that Tweek now works at. "I'm on the 20th floor, suite 20A. You should visit sometimes and let's catch up."
Tweek's thoughts flashed back to the times he was alone with Bradley and how there was rarely ever any talking between them and if there was it was only after sex when Tweek was too tired to think straight.
"I really love your hair like that, you look handsome," Bradley said, reaching to brush the few loose strange from Tweek eyes. Tweek's response was delayed, only pulling away after he felt Bradley's hand touch him.
Tweek turned to the door and watch Bebe exist with two cups of teas and pastries. She glared at Tweek as she handed Bradley his credit card.
"I heard from the owner that you work at the coffee shop now," Bebe said slightly annoyed.
"Wow, that's great," replied Bradley.
Tweek was nervous at how Bradley received the news. Tweek feared he might see him more than he'd like now.
"I should to go," Tweek said and walked off without saying another word.
The further he got from them, the suffocating feeling Tweek felt started to lift. Finally, he took a sip of the coffee and it even tasted familiar. Tweek wasn't sure if he was in his feelings because of the great coffee or because of his encounters with Bradley, still the tears felt hot are they crawled to edge of his eyes. Thank god it was snowing and thank goodness his coat had a hood.
As he walked home, he wondered if Craig was there. He didn't receive any messages from him so he was unsure of what he was doing or if he was he still avoiding him.