The Evermore Dissociate(Creek) - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"Tell me this is just a coincidence, and it has nothing to do with me."
Craig glanced up at the Tweek bros sign as he stopped his hand from pushing the door open anymore. The entirety of the way over, he'd been endlessly navigating Tweek around, explaining who lives where and who runs what. It wasn't as though it bothered him as such, only that Tweek's suspicious responses were enough to make him sigh with irritation. "It's your families coffee shop. They named it after you for some reason." He explained, and after moving aside so that a customer could pass through, he looked back over to Tweek who's eyes lit up with awe as he studied the sign.
"They named it after me?" The blonde repeated in disbelief. "Nice."
"Are you coming in, or do you just wanna stay out here by yourself?"
The frown returned to Tweek's face with him being rushed by Craig. He just added it to the many other reasons why he pondered his friendship with the guy, and after shoving his way past to enter into the warmth of his parents coffee shop, his gaze focused on his father brewing a fresh pot of coffee for an elderly customer. Craig was close behind, but his presence was hardly noticed as Richard flashed his well known smile towards his son while he gestured him over.
"Tweek, I didn't expect you to be out and about so soon. Is Craig here showing you the ropes?"
"What ropes?"
Richard only laughed at his sons response. He figured he was still adjusting to his surroundings, and not to mention his company. "Never mind that. You two find a seat and I'll bring some drinks over. What will it be, Craig?"
"Hot chocolate, please." Craig drawled, reminding Tweek of his closeness.
"Coming up!"
"He didn't even ask me what I wanted." Tweek stressed as they sat by the window. His eyes were nervously flickering over to the very few customers occupying the other tables whilst Craig silently watched him. "Why are my hands so sweaty?"
"Relax." Craig said as his shoe lightly kicked at Tweek's to gain his attention. He guessed Tweek's parents had forgotten to tell him to take his anti anxiety medication today. Perhaps that was why he was so worked up. "Your dad knows how you like your coffee."
"Coffee?" Tweek raised a sceptical eyebrow. "You're not having coffee."
"I don't like it, hence why I didn't order it."
"Whatever." Tweek dismissed, shaking the topic from his head. "You said you'd take me to see Stan?"
"I sent him a message, but he hadn't replied."
"Then call him." The blonde urged desperately. Knowing this 'Stan' character was walking around out there, somewhere, was fuelling Tweek's motives. He needed to know about the night that took away his memories. He wanted to know the full story so that he could fill in some of the missing pieces. Right now, that night was only a feeling to Tweek. He remembered being cold and scared. He remembered the pain he felt, only now it didn't make sense. It felt like finding a random bruise on your skin, though you have no recollection of the events that caused it.
He nervously watched as Craig grumbled to himself as he withdrew his phone from his pocket. Tweek unintentionally memorised the passcode as his companion unlocked it, with a few seconds of finger tapping to the lit screen going by before he held it to his ear. Craig's stare locked onto Tweek as he listened to the ringing, and as the blonde sitting opposite him stared back, he found himself examining the different shades of green his eyes had to offer.
Just as Craig was about to give up, he heard the tired mumble coming from his phone as Stan answered. "What do you want?" He sighed, sounding as if he'd only just woken up.
"Where are you?"
"At home, why?" Stan had been busy distracting himself with mobile games as he sat on the toilet. He'd almost beaten his high score when Craig's name popped up on his screen, much to his annoyance.
"Tweek wants to see you."
Stan hesitated, swallowing the saliva forming in his mouth as his eyes traced the lines of the tiles on the wall opposite him. He'd been close to having his mind taken away from the whole situation, close to feeling something other than guilt. "What for?"
"The hell should I know?" Craig said. Just then Richard wandered over to their table, placing down their drinks and leaving to serve some other customer. Tweek began to inspect the rim of his mug, trailing his finger lightly over it and accidentally burning himself in doing so. He wasn't aware of Craig's amused stare before he turned to watch out of the window, continuing his conversation with Stan. "He seems keen on talking to you though."
"Where is he now?" Stan asked. He'd put his phone on speaker, and was currently absently rolling a large amount of toilet paper around his hand as he looked to the phone resting on his knee.
"Tweek bros."
"I can be there in ten minutes." He hung up the phone expertly with his elbow as he snapped off the toilet roll, and only when he looked to the marshmallow looking mountain on his hand, did he realise he may have gone over board.
Craig's eyebrows furrowed as he locked the screen and put his phone on the table beside his drink. He could feel Tweek's eyes watching him with an intensity as he awaited to hear what Stan had said, but Craig stalled as he took a long sip of his hot chocolate, purposely avoiding eye contact just to be an asshole.
"Well?"
"He'll be here in ten minutes."
The statement made Tweek feel nervous, but even still, he knew he had to talk to Stan. The mixed emotion made it hard for him to continue drinking his coffee, despite it being the best thing he'd tasted since he'd woken up in that hospital bed. He glanced sideways at Craig, subtly watching as he downed his hot beverage impressively, and when his mug was set aside, the faint chocolate moustache made Tweek stifle a laugh.
"Sorry for ruining your plans for today." He spoke after a few seconds of silence.
Looking down at his hands, Craig passively picked at what little nail he had left on his thumb. "It's fine. Seeing Stan Marsh is way better."
Tweek wasn't an idiot, and even he could detect the sarcasm laced with Craig's words. "Even still, there's always tomorrow."
"Tomorrow my ass. We're still doing it today."
"Ugh. Can you at least tell me where we're going?"
"No, not yet."
It was actually fifteen minutes when Stan finally arrived. Tweek had watched through the glass window as he walked through the snow piled streets with speed, only then he hadn't known that was who he'd be meeting. A quiet bell rang above the door as Stan stepped inside with a pink nose. He was wrapped up in many layers, but even then managed to feel the burning cold that came with this time of year. His dark eyes roamed the coffee shop before landing on his classmates, and after gathering his courage, he made his way over, dragging out the chair beside Craig so that he could face Tweek, no matter how badly he didn't want to.
Tweek perked up at the new company. He could feel the coldness radiating from Stan as he moved his chair closer to the table. His mouth parted as he tried to find a greeting, or perhaps an apology for requesting his timely presence, but he couldn't find the words. Thankfully Stan did, though his eyes daren't reach Tweek's at this moment. "Craig, Tweek."
"Hi." Tweek anxiously fiddled with his sleeve as he looked between the two similarly looking boys opposite him. He wondered whether they were related, or if it was just a coincidence.
"Hey." Stan awkwardly smiled. He didn't want to talk about this with Craig being so close. It made him feel vulnerable, and being vulnerable around someone like Craig wasn't something Stan particularly felt comfortable in doing. "How's your head?" He asked as he looked to the swollen bump on the blondes forehead. He wasn't going to mention the fact he'd knocked his head about a couple of times when he was dragging Tweek from the car.
"Oh...it's fine. It doesn't hurt that much anymore." Tweek lied. In fact, it hurt like a bitch. "Looks like you took some damage yourself."
There was another pang of guilt in Stan's chest at those words. All he had to show for was a couple of minor cuts and bruises, whilst Tweek and Kenny hadn't been so lucky. He'd been keeping up to date with both of their situations over the past couple of days, never missing a chance to ask how they're doing so he was well aware of Tweek's amnesia, but now that he was face to face with the one awake, he didn't know what to say. He'd spent every possible chance he could take to visit Kenny in hospital. He would've stayed there if he could, but each time he'd have Mrs McCormick sending him home once he'd fall asleep in those uncomfortable chairs.
He lightly shook his head, turning to look off to the side and was grateful when Craig stood up to go to the restroom, distracting Tweek for just a second. "I'm sorry." Stan barely said.
"What for?" Tweek furrowed his brows.
"I shouldn't have let him drive. I shouldn't have answered the phone that night. God, if I'd just stayed in bed or had an early night." Stan cupped his head in between his hands as he stressed out.
"I don't... I don't know what happened that night..." Tweek voice shook as he watched Stan before him. "I don't know who's to blame, or if anyone even is. But I don't blame you. I don't."
When Stan's eyes lifted to meet Tweek's for less than a second, the blonde could instantly see the pain held within his eyes. It was almost as though he could see the sleepless nights Stan experienced, or the traumatic flashbacks that left him paralysed in the shower. "I don't know if I could live with myself if he doesn't make it."
"Kenny?"
The name stung to hear, but still, Stan sharply nodded, and after hearing the restroom door squeak open, he composed himself. Craig was back to sitting beside him in a matter of seconds, and it seemed even Tweek felt the mood shift to a less darker one. "You can come visit him with me tomorrow if you'd like? He won't be much company, but it might help to see him."
"Yeah." Tweek agreed, ignoring Craig's intrigued look. "I'd like that."
He wasn't sure if he was truly ready to see the other half of the accident, to see what Kenny's outcome had been. What could've so easily been his own outcome. But as he looked between the two guys sitting opposite him, so similar, yet so different, he felt this undetermined longing from one and an insatiable pain from the other.