3 - South Park High; Alternatively, The ThunderDome

After Bebe had shoved Craig and Tweek into a half-assed introduction, they'd all went their separate ways.

Of course, Craig hadn't expected to see Tweek at school the next day-since he'd never seen him there before, he'd just assumed that he went to the private school with Bebe and Butters. And yet, there he was, wild hair and wide, baby-blue eyes, sipping coffee from his oversized thermos.

Craig normally didn't ever leave his friend circle. He tended to mind his own damn business, and on top of that he sort of came across as an asshole to most. The way his voice hardly ever left a monotone, and the way he didn't really care about other people's opinions. It wasn't normal, so people didn't treat him normal.

The poor guy looked so lost, Craig couldn't just ignore him. He walked up and snatched Tweek's schedule from his hands. "Locker 237," he muttered as Tweek stared at him in confusion. "That's next to Clyde's. Follow me."

Craig led the boy to his best friend's locker. "Clyde, Tweek," he said in the way of introductions.

Clyde raised an eyebrow. "You must be pretty special for Craig to meet you without dragging me along," he grinned, taking a hand out of his letterman jacket pocket and giving Tweek a light punch on the shoulder. The blonde let out another one of his yells, twitching to the side. Thankfully, Clyde didn't mention it, just tipped his head to the side.

Tweek blinked. He almost seemed to be in shock for a second before he answered in a high-pitched voice. "W-well-ngh-actually we met at-"

"-at Shitty-uh, City Wok." Craig cut in. He didn't need Clyde finding out about the ballet classes. It wasn't that he didn't trust him, it was just that he sucked at keeping secrets, and one slip up could result in Craig's reputation being entirely fucked.

Tweek looked at Craig quizzically, but didn't argue. Before anyone could pick up the conversation again, Craig felt a tap on his shoulder and spun around.

It was none other than Kenny McCormick, probably the most perverted guy in school, but also one of the most trustworthy-unless you got on his bad side. "Hey, Tucker," he smirked, tugging at the drawstrings of his orange hoodie.

Craig crossed his arms over his chest. "The hell do you want?" Kenny took hold of Craig's sleeve and pulled him away from Clyde and Tweek. Craig was reluctant to leave those two alone, but he allowed himself to be dragged away.

"So, what did you happen to be doing at Mrs. Steven's dance studio yesterday?" Kenny asked, a grin teasing at his lips.

Craig took Kenny by the collar, a scowl fresh on his face. "How did you find out about that?"

The dirty blonde giggled. "Oh, I have my ways. So what was it? You have a girlfriend that goes there?"

The noirette shoved him away, rolling his eyes. "What's it to you?"

Kenny brushed himself off and leaned in. As usual, he was completely unfazed by Craig's tough exterior. He'd seen the noirette at his worst and weakest, and that took away from the whole scare effect. "Come on, I'm just curious."

"Well it's none of your business."

"Oh my God," Kenny fought back a laugh. "You are so doing ballet, aren't you?"

"Shut the fuck up. No I'm not." This kid was too smart for his own good. He was always at the right place at the right time, and he always figured out secrets way too easily. That's what pissed Craig off about him.

Kenny raised his eyebrows. "I knew it. So what's it like? Are there any cute girls?"

Craig shrugged. "I dunno. I guess."

Kenny nodded. "I'm coming with you."

"No you aren't. If people see us there, especially if we're together, we'll be dead. People will think we're, you know…"

Kenny smirked, placing his hands on the taller boy's chest. "They'll think we're gay? They'll think we're dating?" He rolled his sky-blue eyes. "Who fucking cares, Tucker?"

"I care," Craig said, shoved the blonde off of him. "Just leave me alone."

"What was that all about?" A voice asked behind him, and Craig turned to see a dark-skinned boy with chocolate-colored eyes.

"Oh, hey Token. It's nothing." Token Black's family was the richest in South Park, but somehow he'd convinced his parents to let him attend public school. Probably because he and Clyde were closer than anyone else. Craig couldn't help but be a little jealous of what they had, a comfortable friendship with nothing in question.

The boy shrugged. "You up for video games after school?"

"Sorry, I can't. I have to do chores for my asshole dad."

"Oh come on, Clyde's bringing Cheesy Poofs."

"Seriously man, I can't." Craig didn't like turning down an opportunity to hang out with one of his closest friends, but he couldn't exactly miss ballet. His mom was paying a lot for it, and they were both risking a lot because of his dad.

Token turned to Tweek, apparently already considering him an addition to their inner circle. "What about you, you wanna come?"

Tweek twitched and let out a yelp. "Ngh-I can't! I have-ngh-ballet practice after school."

Clyde snorted. "Ballet? That's so gay man."

Tweek looked down and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "I-it is?"

"It isn't," Craig muttered, rolling his eyes. "But whatever." He glanced over at Token, who didn't really seem to have an opinion on whether or not ballet was gay.

The boy cleared his throat. "So Tweek, did you just move here or something?"

"No, I've just been-ngh-homeschooled until now. My parents-ngh-are really strict." The blonde started twitching harder, holding onto his silver thermos like his life depended on it.

"Oh, well that su-" Token was cut off by the ring of the bell and raised his eyebrows, sighing. "Time to listen to Mr. Garrison complain about teaching high school yet again," he murmured as he started in the direction of first period.

Clyde let out a groan, took hold of the back of Token's bookbag, and followed him to class.

"Do you know where your first class is, Tweek?" Craig said, turning his eyes to the shorter boy.

He nodded and gave an awkward wave. "W-well, I'll see you—ngh-later!"

Craig didn't move immediately, just watched as the blonde ran off through the crowd. He was an interesting new scene in South Park, someone that made the air seem more vivid, alive. And Craig liked that.