Forgot to mention in the last chap, but I thought it would be interesting/ a possibility that Wendy could very much pass as being biracial/white presenting with her mom potentially being latin (and also in a way white presenting but she married a white man thus Wendy is mized). I just thoughtit would be something I try out.

To answer GBond007 and TriceTokushu: I'm not too worried about spoilers though I won't directly say to keep it cool. But, based on my other stories and what you've already read you can fit some puzzle pieces together.

South Down: Yep, Stendy both got the short end of the stick with some stuck-up parents.

. . .

. .

.

Amongst the rows of old bookshelves in the back of the school library, Heidi and Red sat at a small table in a shelved corner. Sitting in plastic chairs of silver blue and a black round table of matching high school colours that were marked similarily all over the school. Amongst a section of books about Anthropology, Heidi re-read a page on the short origin summary of certain Eastern Religions as Red scrolled through her laptop. Her friend looked up from her screen every so often at Heidi's heavy reading.

"Why're you taking Anthropology as your Social Studies, again?"

Heidi's eyes didn't leave the page. "It was this or Economics."

"Gross."

After taking a bunch of twists and turns, their third study partner had finally found her way around the right corner. Bebe brushed her blonde curls behind her in relief as she came and joined the two in taking a seat.

"Geez, you guys had to pick the armpit of this whole library?"

"It's quieter back here."

"It's a library," Bebe reminded. "Quiet is their religion."

"Speaking of," Heidi lifted her book. "Hush."

"'Kay, geez." Her friend defended. "You're awfully focused."

"Religion is not my field of expertise," Heidi said, looking confused as she read through another paragraph. She quickly closed the textbook cover. "Forget it, I can't look at this."

"I can't study, either." Red agreed. "I started scrolling through Hinge."

Bebe looked at Red's screen quickly and back. "What happened to that Denver girl this summer? You were all drooly over her."

Red scoffed, awkward tension making her scratch the back of her neck. "Yeah, that ended quicker than it began. I don't even feel like dating, just curious who's nearby."

Her friend laughed. "Yeah, tell me about it, there's definitely been a shortage of beaus in the market lately, huh. Except for Donovan who's always down for a dick-in."

Red was amused but argued her situation was different. She was one of the only gay kids who were out in this town. Acceptance wasn't really an issue with her immediate family, but finding kids who played the same team was. Especially when her best friend group of girls was predominantly straight.

Red looked to Heidi who just stared off. "Hides."

Heidi snapped back into it. "Wha?"

"Your little Anthropology brain is gonna be just fine."

Heidi sighed. "I'm so stupid...I should've gotten it over with when Geography was being offered last term."

"It's one Social Studies credit, you'll be fine." Bebe dismissed.

"I can say goodbye to an English Lit program.."

"Oh, stop." Bebe laughed. "You worry too much. You're a smart bitch."

"Buddhism isn't even what I'm worried about," Heidi opened her planner, skipping ahead a few months to a midterm that was making her piss herself. "A whole section of the curriculum is on Judaism alone. That history is longer than humans being on earth."

"Why don't you ask Brofvloski?" Red suggested, going back to scrolling through the dating app. "He'll probably have a thing or two to tell."

"He's Jewish, he's not Moses." Heidi argued.

"I love Kyle, but," Bebe snorted. "With how know-it-all-y he is, he might just be Moses after all."

"God, you almost sound like-" Heidi stopped, shutting her mouth.

Bebe exchanged a very knowing look with Red. They knew they were on the exact same page as Heidi. "I sound like who, Hides?"

"No one.." she muttered.

"No, no. Share."

Heidi tried to wave it off. "They're not friends anyway so it makes total sense.."

Red closed her laptop. "I hate to break it to you, Heidi. But, Eric Cartman treating everyone like shit doesn't make total sense."

"I'm not in the mood guys."

"No, Hides," Bebe protested. "It's no different the way he treats you before he comes crawling on his knees screaming; 'Waaaaah, I've changed, Heidi, I've changed!'"

"You and Clyde have been just as on and off as Eric and I."

"That's purely for benefits," Bebe reminded, taking out her phone as a reminder to text Clyde. "Neither of us want anything more."

Red nodded. "I know you're tired of hearing this, Hides-"

"Yes, I am.."

"But what you want is near impossible to find with Fartman. Remember that."

On the Tuckers' couch, Craig kept his arm around his boyfriend as they enjoyed the late afternoon free of little homework. They knew that would change soon, but the benefit of the beginning of the semester was that it was mostly prep for entrance exams and SATs. As an old re-run of Terrance and Philip played, Craig happily enjoyed the company of his boyfriend in such a calm state. It was nice having him in the comfort of his home, especially when having the house to himself.

Tweek cuddled into Craig's side, feeling a lot of calm amongst the storm. While senior year to most people was a chance of preserving memories, to him it was still a cesspool of decisions and decided futures of doom. Having a moment where Craig was able to bring him down from everything and keep him calm was serenity.

And sometimes...there was just the reminder of how loved he felt. And how in love he was.

Tweek looked up, staring at the side of Craig's face. His boyfriend felt his eyes before he turned his head and met with them. Wondering with his own eyes what Tweek was so smiley about. It simply didn't need an answer as Tweek shifted up into his seat and was the one to initiate a kiss.

The door unlocked and they separated from each other quicker than ever. What was expected to only be Thomas Tucker was in fact Thomas Tucker and...co. A bunch of random older men came in laughing with him who Tweek didn't recognize and Craig knew to be some of his dad's colleagues. Thomas laughed in hardy chuckles with them before stopping with a blank frown at the sight of his son and Tweek simply just standing there.

Craig shoved his hands into his pockets. "'Sup."

Thomas swallowed and looked at his colleagues. "Uh, you fellas remember my son Craig."

The boys awkwardly stood there, as Craig gave a curt nod to the men.

"And this boy?" One asked.

Tweek didn't know whether to open his mouth or not, but Thomas quickly decided for him.

"Tweek. My son's..friend."

Tweek blinked and Craig scowled.

"Hey, I promised you all beer!" Thomas quickly diverted, sharing some laughs with the guys as they walked past the boys and into the kitchen. Thomas was the last to follow, making sure to look back at his son in a harsh whisper.

"Take it out of the house, will you? Christ."

He disappeared into the kitchen and Craig clutched his fist. Tweek took hold, urging him to open his fingers into a handhold instead.

"Why don't we just...go to the diner."

Craig knew it couldn't be helped, he shook his head. "No..I think I'm just gonna do some homework."

"Okay," Tweek agreed, getting Craig to face him. His boyfriend subsided his anger to exchange an assuring kiss. He could give a shit less about the jackasses in the next room. The kiss was still less romantic than it could've been moments ago.

"I'll text you later?"

"Yeah," Craig said, bringing him to the door as Tweek picked up his bag. "Bye, babe.."

Tweek gave another look of concern, before slipping out as Craig lingered at the closed door. He turned to go retrieve his books from the coffee table and his bag sitting by the armrest. Swinging it over his shoulder as to go upstairs in prep to disappear for the evening.

The men laughed rowdily from the room over, causing his anger to stir. He could hear his dad's laughs amongst them.

"Fuck it," he dropped his books and made his way to the kitchen.

As he came and simply leaned in the archway, the guys hollered over whatever office nonsense they were talking about. One took notice of Craig waiting patiently for their attention and dialed down his laughs.

"Hey, you planning to join the old fellas, son?"

Craig quickly looked to his dad, who seemed ultimately confused over his son's sudden interest.

"No, but," Craig pushed himself off the wall from leaning. "Next time, my boyfriend Tweek and I will have to catch up with you."

Some expecting smiles faded, and awkward coughs and looks ensued. Craig grinned slightly as he caught sight of his dad angrily lowering his beer. Too bad looks couldn't kill; Craig thought, as he left the guys to their business.

"Kenny, why are you making us watch this?"

"Yeah, it's so outdated."

"Sh!" Kenny hushed both Kyle and Stan. They were situated on the Brofvloski's couch while Stan and Kyle were leaning back in boredom as the television blared an old episode of Baywatch. Kenny, on the other hand, was at the edge of his seat.

"Dude, if watching lifeguards run in slow motion gets you off," Stan shrugged. "I don't care. But geez, online porn is free."

"This isn't about getting off." Kenny reminded. "It's about the satisfying thrill of people saving lives while looking super sexy."

"I didn't think Prime had Baywatch.." Kyle said, slumped against the couch. "Doesn't this count as being in the same room as Kenny gets off?"

"I'm not getting off! Do you see me touching my dick!?"

"Can we please watch something else?" Stan groaned.

"Fine," Kenny complained, picking up the AppleTV remote and switching. He hopped over to Netflix and immediately started going through a list of genres. When he clicked on Grave of the Fireflies, Stan clucked.

"Aw dude, come on. This movie is so depressing."

"Yeah," Kenny dropped the remote to the couch. "And cinematic artwork."

"You've actually made me watch it enough times to like it," Kyle said, getting comfortable to indulge in the movie. As the anime proceeded, Stan took out his phone to take a look at the time and one text from Wendy.

"'Kay, well have fun talking about this in Anime Club," Stan said.

"Ooh, that's a good idea."

"I gotta go meet with Wendy," Stan got up, picking up his backpack as he did. The bros said bye as Stan left quickly, and Kenny and Kyle remained.

"This movie really is depressing," Kenny agreed.

Situated at one of the workshop tables of the Tegridy barn, Wendy and Stan pushed aside tools and mason jars of dried hemp to study. The air outside was too hot but they enjoyed studying outside the most to focus. Settling on staying in the shaded barn with a window and door cracked open was the right choice. Stan ran a finger along the historical text regarding the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century for their History class.

"The first secretary of the communist party, Nikita...Crust-ev...was elected in 1953."

Wendy chuckled, pointing at the Russian name. "That's pronounced Khrushchev. Like Cruise-chov."

"I was close."

Wendy shook her head. "I think you're telling yourself that."

Stan lifted the textbook for closer inspection. "If we sling together enough sharp syllables, it'll make one of those guys' names. That's enough for the test."

"Yeah, enough to get you and F," his girlfriend teased, trying to take the book from Stan though he kept a tight grip on it. He grinned in watching her struggle. "Give it!"

"You're the expert, you don't need a stupid textbook." Stan winked.

"Not true!" Wendy cackled, Stan tried keeping the book out of her reach. "Stan!"

He tossed the book behind him as Wendy edged off her seat enough for Stan to take hold of her arms. Directing his girlfriend's gaze to align with his as the antics died and she smiled closely at his grinning lips. They closed the space between them in a kiss as Wendy had completely forgotten about the book.

The barn door edged open more as Tegridy's leading face entered.

"Hey, hey-" Randy called, getting the teenagers to part. "None of that in my barn."

Stan rolled his eyes, while Wendy giggled. "Sorry, Mr. Marsh."

Randy put his gallon jugs of specialty weed on a reserved table. "Stan, I told you there's slack to pick up. C'mon, put on a hemp hat and get to work."

"We're doing homework," Stan said. He got up as he took his books with him and gave a hand to his girlfriend. "C'mon, let's go to the porch."

"Wendy, actually, you go to the porch and call for Sharon," Randy decided, turning around with a joint being rolled in his fingers. "Stan, there's more specialty jugs out in the truck. Could you grab them? Oh, Wendy, Sharon has more mason jars you could help with."

Wendy lowered her books. "I mean, if you need the help-"

"You don't need to do anything," Stan assured, shooting his dad a warning glare. "Would you stop trying to recruit my girlfriend into your business?"

"Stan, what did I tell you?"

"We don't have time for this," Stan said, trying to take Wendy's hand and leave.

"There's more to life than just studying. Get your hands a little dirty!" His dad put down his unfinished joint, picking up some fresh hemp as he held it forward. "Feel some nature between your fingers!"

"It might be a nice break," Wendy agreed, trying to make things reasonable.

"You say that because you don't live here," Stan said. "Trust me, once he hooks you in, you're trapped."

A blue rag entered through the barn doors, trotting by Stan and Wendy's feet as he smoked a joint. "Stan, you gotta stop treating your father like a cultist."

Stan took a hard look around at the barn. "I'm starting to think Tegridy is a cult.."

"It's marketing and good business," Randy said. "You don't see Tolkien complaining to his parents down at Credigree."

"Tolkien's parents don't get batshit when he just wants to study."

Wendy sighed. Randy stopped his work. "Are you calling me a bad parent?"

His son scowled. "Well, you're being an asshole."

"Stan, it's okay-" Wendy tried.

"You're really not much to say that," Towelie said, high as a kite as he smoked his blunt. "This is Tegridy's biggest special yet."

"Towelie, get out of here!" Stan growled.

"Okay, I've heard enough!" Randy snapped. "Frankly, this isn't even about business alone! This counts as your chores as much as taking out the trash, or doing the damn dishes! So grab a hemp hat, Stanley!"

"Shove it up yours!"

"STAN MARSH!"

"Go CHOKE on your weed for all I care!"

Wendy awkwardly looked down behind Stan. While she witnessed spats between Stan and his dad, Stan was starting to say things more unsolicitedly and threatening as they fought more. Soon Sharon came in upon the beckoning of yells she could hear all the way from the house.

"What is going on!?" Sharon demanded.

"I've had enough of our son constantly making me out as the bad guy!" Randy protested. "I'm running a business and trying to get some basic recruit!"

"You want me to inherit a stupid farm, and I won't!"

"Option! I said option!"

"Okay, enough!" Sharon said. "This is getting out of hand between you two. In the house, now!"

Stan sighed as Wendy rubbed a hand to his back. Sharon grabbed a mason jar of the specialty as she came and handed it to Wendy.

"Wendy, sweetie, here's your father's hemp order. I'll give you a ride home."

"Okay.." Wendy agreed, looking to her boyfriend as Sharon left behind her. So much for the mood being ruined. "I'll text you, later.."

As his girlfriend left through the barn doors Stan pinched his nose from another frustrated headache. Tensions were still high as he retrieved the books he'd dropped in anger and Randy simply passed him to leave as well.

"Please. Just help me with the orders." Randy said before dipping out.

If Stan didn't think it before, he truly knew now that Tegridy was ruining everything for him. He'd been thinking beyond that even. A lot of the time regarding a future that everyone in his grade could relate to. But, looking for schools and jobs was only part of the ordeal. Stan had plans he didn't think anyone knew of. But, he was certain that telling his friends might not get him the reaction he wanted.

Craig laid flat on his bed, scrolling through his phone as the effort to do homework failed. As he went along his feed he came across Clyde's post of some small after-party dinner at a restaurant he and some of the footballers had the other day. He'd noticed Bebe somewhere in the background along with Heidi. He hadn't known that he and Bebe started up their little antics again. Heidi he figured would've been dragged along to that boring shit, poor gal. Frankly, Clyde hadn't been as much in touch with Craig or some of the others since the beginning of the summer. They were still friends and all, but there had been a gap that, well, annoyed Craig a bit when Clyde decided to leave for whatever Cartman and Kevin were doing. He'd been close with those two for a few years, but it was starting to make a dip in his friendship with Craig and Tweek and even some of the others now.

Why? Craig couldn't care currently. The only thing he took notice of was the sounds of his dad's colleagues traveling through the living room and to the front door. In an instant, the voices were gone with the slam of the lock. It felt like a long minute before angry footsteps heaved their way up the stairs. Craig sighed, sitting up as he tossed his phone aside and the footsteps arrived at his door.

It busted open. "You've got a lotta nerve!"

Craig huffed irritably, swinging his legs off the bed to face his dad. "Yeah, so do you."

"What was your goal in coming in and saying that crap?"

"That crap?"

"You know what those guys are like!" Thomas reminded. "You know what you said! I hope you're fucking happy!"

"What crap could I say?!" Craig argued from the edge of his bed. "They're the ones with issues!"

"These are grown men, Craig!" Thomas marched further. "Men with families!"

"Yeah, 'grown', you're no better! So what if I had Tweek over!?"

"And on the couch! I don't need to bring people home to find a bunch of-!"

"A bunch of what?!" Craig shot up, coming to face his old man inches from his face. "Say it! I know what you think of Tweek!"

Thomas frowned with his son so close and angry nose-to-nose. "You can't keep carrying this nonsense on."

"What nonsense?" Craig snarled, deciding to smile at poking the right buttons he knew to push with his father. "That I'm super, ultra gay with a gay boyfriend?"

His father looked away, backing away from Craig. Just as a ginger girl, only a sophomore, stood in the door with her shoulder-length hair parted down the middle with a white bandana to hold it back. wearing a light blue zip-up over her black and white stripe shirt, over blue denim bellbottoms with black and white chucks.

"What the hell is happening now?" Tricia said, reliving similar fights as she leaned against the doorframe.

"Tricia, get out." Craig demanded. Right as his mother came behind Tricia and worriedly looked between her son and husband.

"Thomas?" Laura asked worriedly. "Craig, what happened?"

Her husband didn't bother as he pointed at his son sternly. "Stay in your room, we have more to discuss." He turned to leave. "Tricia, take the trash out."

"Whatever," his youngest said, following in leaving. Laura entered as she stared at her son for an answer. Craig could see the exhaust in her eyes the more this was carried out between him and his dad. He wished he could make it easier for her, but, he couldn't do that for himself either.

Laura just clutched her heart worriedly as Craig grabbed his pillow, screaming into it.

To be continued...