The Evermore Dissociate(Creek) - Chapter 84: Chapter 84

After the two friends had separated ways a few hours ago, Tweek was left wearing a small smile for the rest of the day. He'd made it through the curious stares of his classmates, and the observant eye of his teachers. Now though, he was making his way to Mr Gates class, and all he could worry about was their group assignment that he'd missed out on. Sure, he'd helped Stoley for the most part, but who knows what bizarre ideas he'd included during Tweek's absence. At least he didn't have to worry about Eric adding his input.
When he stepped into the room, his ears filled with the voices of his classmates. His eyes scanned the room, noticing Clyde and Token talking at one end, whilst Craig rested his chin into the palm of his hand, tiredly flicking his pen between his fingers, at the other side of the classroom.
But then Tweek's eyes found Kenny's. He'd already been looking in Tweek's direction, with an unsure smile that looked as though it was taking up all the energy he had left. Tweek wasn't smiling though, at least not whilst his eyes remained locked in place, staring at the wheelchair that Kenny was forced to sit in. Aside from that, Kenny was looking much better than the last time Tweek had seen him in the hospital.
Feeling uncomfortable at the prolonged staring, Kenny chewed on his bottom lip as he looked away. He could sense only seconds later that Tweek was approaching him, and he could only pray that he wasn't made to feel like a victim. Only when the chair beside him was dragged out, did Kenny turn his head to face the other blonde. He could see the nerves that prickled at Tweek's body as he sat down, with his hands resting on his lap to hide them from sight. Then, after a moments hesitation, Tweek was sighing out a shaky breath. "How're you doing?"
"Better than it looks." Kenny replied, glancing down to his legs. "What about you? Why haven't I seen you around lately?"
"I'm fine now, I was just... dealing with things in my own way."
Nodding in understanding, Kenny briefly glanced over his shoulder to see Craig stoically watching them. "Have you two sorted things out yet, then?"
"Hm? Oh yeah," Tweek shyly nodded. "I'll fill you in later, when it's not so crowded."
Throughout the day, a certain song had been stuck in Kenny's head. Occasionally he'd find himself humming along to the tune, but in the end, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the song to leave his mind. It didn't make sense to be fixated on a song that he hadn't heard in the longest time, or at least, a song he was unaware of hearing only recently during his time in hospital.
Whilst Tweek was talking beside him, Kenny's eyes zoned out. He was looking down at his hands as few words that Tweek was saying, reached his mind. That song was on a loop, replaying for the thousandth time today. It was annoying, and for some reason, it made Kenny feel mentally paralysed.
When Mr Gates strolled into the room, ten minutes late, the song faded into a quiet mumble, and Kenny was able to turn his focus to their teacher. Rather than sitting in his usual seat, Tweek had decided to stay next to Kenny. It wasn't that Kenny minded, but having Tweek sitting beside him, made an uneasy feeling of dread to fill the entirety of his body. He hated it. He hated the nauseous feeling he'd have whenever his eyes met Stan's. He hated being reminded of that night, the one that left his legs barely working. The same night that his mind was haunted by.
He saw the unraveling mess that night had created. Not only to himself, but those around him. He saw the strains in Stan's eyes as he fought the urge to wash the nightmares away with alcohol. He saw his mothers worry as she compromised food for the stack of growing bills. But mostly, Kenny saw what his future was going to be like, and he was terrified senselessly.
For a while now, he'd known he wasn't going to get to go away to college with his friends. Instead, he'd have to start a full time job just to pay off his debt. On top of that, he'd have to work his ass off to save up, so that he could finally move away from the destructive cycle that he called home. Kenny loved his family, through their flaws and lack of affection, but for the sake of himself, and whatever sad attempt of a life he was destined to have, he knew he had to make it on his own.
Tiredly glancing away from the teacher, Kenny subtly stared at Tweek from the corner of his eye. When the year ends, he'll be going away to college. Not only Tweek, but all of Kenny's friends would be leaving him behind.  They were going to experience what he was not, and in truth, that sucked.
Their senior year was coming to an end quickly, with only a couple of months left. Thinking about it made Kenny's stomach twist uncomfortably. He wanted to savour these last months, before he was tossed out into the real world, alone and confused. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to his main group of friends. He wasn't ready to say goodbye to Stan and Kyle, or even Eric for that matter. His entire life had been spent with those guys by his side, and now, so suddenly, that was coming to an end.
With his fingers digging into the palm of his hand, Kenny drew in a deep breath. He closed his eyes and thought about his plan, but the truth was, he didn't have a plan. At eighteen years old, Kenny's life was already taking a turn for the worse, and all he could do, was go along for the ride.