The Evermore Dissociate(Creek) - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Craig had been blankly staring at his wall for the past hour, with his feet tangled up in the slept in blankets, and his raven hair disarrayed from the non stop turning he'd accomplished during sleep. He'd contemplated getting up a while ago, vast hunger starting to set in with the mental image of crispy bacon sliding through his mind, yet hearing his parent readying to tear into each others throats like a pack of wolves going against their omega, made him reconsider. It had been like that for a while now, the two of them continuously picking at the slightest thing like an itchy scab.
The low vibration of Craig's phone was enough to stop him from listening to their latest argument. He made a low groan in the back of his throat, before aimlessly swatting his hand out to grab at it. He always forgot to prepare himself for the intense brightness that came with looking at his phone first thing in the morning, his translucent eyes read the notifications on the screen, non of which interested him. Clyde had sent a few messages, nothing out of the ordinary there since he was a double texter. He'd had an old one from Token that he'd never bothered opening, and a new one from Kenny.
He ignored Kenny, his head not ready to deal with him right now, and instead opened  the conversation with Clyde, deciding to see what he wanted. It something about him leaving his wallet at Kyle's, and not wanting to go over there alone. Like hell Craig was going, he'd rather scratch his own eyes out than willingly go to Kyle Broflofski's household.
Clyde had another idea in mind, though. He knew Craig would brush him off, or pretend he hadn't read his messages. His pace increased slightly as he wrapped his arms around his stomach in a weak attempt to shield himself from the cold. Blankets of white snow coated the sidewalk, deep enough to engulf his shoes, making it difficult to walk normally. Clyde's red nose glistened, not completely numb, as the harsh air circled him like a plague. He sniffed, with Craig's house in sight as he dragged his feet from the holes they'd created.
He paused before knocking on the door since he could already hear the war going on inside, and momentarily thought about turning around, but then again, with all that going on, Craig would probably be greatfull to get away from them for a while.
When Craig answered the door with a stern look, not speaking as he stood with the door half open, he ran one hand through his hair. Clyde could see Mr Tucker in the background, slouched on the couch as he watched tv with a can of beer in his hand, despite it being early morning.
Clyde fixed his friend with a pitiful look, though Craig only stared back absently. "If we head over to Kyle's now, we can make it to Tokens' band practice in time to hear them play one song. At least then he can't complain about us never showing up." Clyde proclaimed.
"I'm not going." Craig shifted, deciding to lean on the door, using it for support. His voice was a usual monotone as he blankly watched Clyde shiver.
"Craig! Who's at the door?" The sophisticated tapping of heals could be heard, before a blonde woman appeared by Craig's side, pulling the door open to its full extent. Craig scowled at his mom, having being knocked off from leaning against it. "Oh, Clyde! Good morning dear, are you coming inside? It's absolutely freezing out there."
Clyde politely smiled but shook his head, exposing his neck to the cold air. "We're about to head out," He blurted, mischievous eyes flicking to his friend for less than a second. "Craig said he'd help to look for my wallet."
Craig scoffed. "No, I didn't."
Mrs Tuckers waved her son off dismissively whilst her eyes hovered on the brunette standing at her door. "Oh my, do you have any ideas where it could be?"
"I'm hoping the Broflofski's, if not I'm screwed." Clyde's doleful expression only made Mrs Tucker want to be of more help than she could offer.
"I'm sure you'll find it." She sympathised. "Craig, hurry up and put your shoes on before Clyde freezes."
Craig looked up from his phone. "I've already said, I'm not going."
"Don't be silly. Clyde would help you, if the roles were reversed."
Craig raised an eyebrow at his friend, but only Clyde shrugged with a sloppy grin tugging on his lips. "Fine, whatever."
Clyde didn't mind being the only one talking as they walked over to Kyle's house. He had a lot to say, never letting the one sided conversation end. Luckily enough Kyle's house wasn't far from Craig's, the walk only lasting around five minutes, despite the snow slowing them down. Kyle's mom answered the door before her son had time to protest. Clyde had been trying to ring him all morning and Kyle had successfully avoided him up until now.
"Can I help you boys?" Mrs Broflofski asked.
Craig continued to stare passively at the redhead, whilst Clyde charmingly smiled. "Is Kyle home? I think I left my wallet here yesterday, when we were working on our assignment."
"Oh, of course, come in." Mrs Broflofski opened the door wider, allowing the two of them to shuffle in. "Kyle! Bubbah! Your friends are here!" Hands cupped around her mouth as she shouted up the stairs.
Craig glanced around the living room, noticing the outdated wallpaper, which was quite obviously chosen by Kyle's mom. His gaze wandered to the sofa currently occupied by young boy playing video games, but Craig lost interest quickly, going back to pretending to be intrigued by the phone in his hand.
"Would either of you like a drink?" Kyle's mom asked, already heading towards the kitchen.
Clyde met Craig's eyes in silent questioning and Craig shook his head. "No thanks." Clyde replied. Heavy footsteps raced down the stairs with the speed of a charging bull, and Clyde all but jumped when he saw a flash of red hair. To Craig's amusement, Kyle didn't look happy at all, his brows so closely knitted together that they could be classed as a monobrow. It wasn't until Craig looked down that he spotted what they'd came here for, and with in seconds Kyle tossed it to Clyde. Lucky for Kyle, Eric hadn't been around, or he'd surely have something to say about him so coincidentally having someone else's wallet.
Clyde didn't have the best of reflexes and missed the flying object completely, with it landing just at his feet. "Don't leave it again." Kyle warned, already heading to the door to let them out.
Clyde stuffed his wallet into his back pocket, huffing as he watched the redhead pull the door open and gesture outside. Craig had no idea what part he took in this whole ordeal, he guessed moral support against Kyle's cold shouldered attitude, but surely Clyde wasn't that codependent. He was just glad he could leave, seeing the cold snow as a welcoming compared to the ora of the Broflofski's.
Craig was first to head out, practically sprinting and knocking Clyde out of his way, before settling his shoes into a patch of snow outside. Clyde paused by Kyle, giving him a dry look as Kyle tried his best ignore his presence. "We're working at Token's house tonight, don't be late. Dick." Kyle only looked ahead, tiredly slinging the door shut behind his classmates. "I think that went well." Clyde concluded after a short while of neither of them talking.
Craig dryly laughed, pulling his hat down further to cover his ears from the cold, only to scowl as he looked ahead to see Kenny coming their way with Butters following behind like a trained lap dog. Clyde turned to his friend upon noticing his pace had slowed down dramatically, the noirette looking as though he was about to hide behind a bush or something, until Kenny voice interrupted him.
"Craig!" Kenny laughed, coming to a halt in front of them with Butters shuffling at his side. Craig huffed. "I messaged you, but I'm guessing you ignored me." He smirked, eyeing the phone Craig was holding onto loosely.
"You're right." Craig drawled.
Clyde looked to Butters, feeling the same in this situation. "S'alright, we were just heading to your place now." Kenny purposely seeked out the eye contact that Craig denied.
"No, you weren't."
"We were, but thanks for meeting us half way." Craig looked to Clyde for support, but Clyde only shrugged, burying the tip of his shoe deeper into the snow. That's the last time Craig helps him out. "Where're we going?" Kenny asked.
"We're not going anywhere." Craig scowled, continuing down the road and knocking Kenny's shoulder as he passed. Kenny grinned as he followed, leaving Clyde to walk beside Butters hesitantly. Craig could hear the multiple steps of crunching snow behind him and inhaled deeply, refraining from lashing out. Instead he sped up a little faster, heading in the direction of the school.
Clyde occasionally added replies to Butters' senseless rambling. The boy could talk for days but Clyde wasn't complaining, it was better than Craig, who didn't speak at all when they walked. It was almost as though he could only concentrate on one thing at a time. Kenny hummed a tune from his place just behind Craig, making sure the apathetic of the two could hear him.
Just a little further; Craig had to continuously tell himself.