One week. It's been one whole week since that somewhat awkward and slightly depressing conversation with Tweek's mother. Now it was Monday morning, and working with Tweek at the coffee shop the previous weekend was hell. He hadn't made me coffee, or helped me with my apron, or even spared a glance at me. Like a pile of shit meant more to him than me. I had even tried to talk to him but he told me he didn't want to speak to me about anything and then proceeded to suggest that I stop talking to him.

I felt defeated and alone. Completely, terribly alone. More alone than I was the first time he left me. But Tweek was in love with me. So why does he insist on avoiding me?

What did I even do wrong? I was speechless due to such an unexpected love confession. He said he was straight! I had never even considered he was lying...

Even the bus ride to school was awful. The overly packed vehicle filled to the brim with pimply teenagers who were too lazy to get up early and walk to their school, which wasn't even that far considering how small this mountain town is. I always took the bus. I, too, was a lazy bastard.

Sometimes Tweek chose to ride on the bus, other times he walked or got a ride from whichever one of his parents were home. His family was never together as a whole. They needed someone to cover that 24/7 coffee shop, and very few people worked there. From what I know it's only Tweek, his parents and I who go behind that counter. They really needed more workers...

That day, Tweek got onto the bus. It just so happened that I was sitting next to Clyde, while Token sat with that girl from the dance directly behind us. Kenny sat alone in front of us. It was the only open spot available, so Tweek made his way.

Like every other time I had seen him after that night last week, his eyes were dead. The bags that collected under them piled upon one another, much heavier than normal, while he kept his gaze trained on his mug. He sat down and I stared at the blonde mess of hair in front of me. It looked as if he pulled at it way too hard this morning. It was messy and wild and uncared for and so Tweek. It was who he was, and I wouldn't change that for the universe and all its constellations.

I lost him before, but this time it just seemed so much harder.

Kenny turned to him and I had to strain my neck to hear what they were saying.

"You've got my number, right?" asked Kenny.

"Ngh.... Y-yeah..." Tweekers responded.

"Dude! Are you even listening?!" interrupted Clyde.

God fucking damn it, Donovan.

"Shut up," I shoved my middle finger in his face, not even bothering to look at him.

Clyde stared at me, then looked in front of us to Tweek and Kenny. "Ohh! You're jealous."

"Stop being stupid, Clyde," I told him.

"That's impossible," said Token, leaning forward so his face was right next to ours.

"Token! You're actually talking to us!" laughed Clyde.

"He's such an idiot that he hasn't even found out that something happened between you and Tweek," Token pointed out. I looked over toward Token. Of course he figured it out, a whole week without Tweek and I speaking was unheard of since we became friends again.

Clyde opened his mouth to retort when suddenly something dawned upon him. His eyes widened and he looked from me to Tweek, then stared at Token, "Seriously?!"

"See?" Token said, smiling slightly. Clyde turned away. "So, what happened?"

I sighed, "I'd rather not say."

Token nodded, "Well, we've always got your back man."

"Yeah!" agreed Clyde.

I stared at them for a moment. Then the bus came to a sudden stop, and I have never been so thankful for going to school. But even before the vehicle came to a complete stop everyone had already stood up. Like robots, programmed only to get through the day - which was exactly how I had felt that entire week. A cold, lifeless shell of a being with nothing but nuts and bolts an a chip implanted into my back telling me what to do, how to act. How to live.

At the time, I really thought that I might explode. I'd just shatter into a million little pieces, and then Tweek would step on my leftover shards and get hurt. After all, that's the only thing I've been doing to him for years.

My feet were the only things keeping me going, dragging me to the door of the bus. Tweek stood directly in front of me, with Kenny standing in front of him. Behind me was Clyde. None of that was important, though. My entire focus was on Tweek. He was staring down at his hands, or his feet, walking with such caution and awareness of his surroundings that it made me feel even worse.

He was so close and yet I couldn't get to him. I couldn't do anything. I had no idea what to do other than internally break down. So I followed Tweek off the bus and watched as he scurried off to his first period. Then I turned away and headed to my own classroom without another word.

"Wait! Dude!" called Clyde from behind. I didn't respond, only continued to walk down the hall. I couldn't even bring myself to lift my arm and show him my trusty middle finger. It was too much work.

I simply kept walking, my head held high in make-believe confidence. He hadn't followed me, for that I was thankful. I didn't think I would be able to fake it much longer, especially if he had tried to further speak to me.

The entire school day, I saw very little of Tweek. It seemed as if he was purposely avoiding me. Actually, he was avoiding me. He'd been doing so ever since that day. The day I couldn't tell him that I liked him back. I had never once even considered having a crush on another guy as a possibility.

Even so, every time my vision did happen to brush against Tweek's twitchy, paranoid figure my chest would tighten and my breathing would hitch. Why was I acting so ridiculous?

By the time break came along, I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't pretend like everything was fine. I think the only reason it had taken me such a long time to actually snap was because I had been subconsciously avoiding him, too. Yet I saw him today, all by himself looking more empty than I had ever seen him. So I left. I dropped everything and just ditched. Running away from your problems is never good - why couldn't I see that?

As I walked through the doors, none of the school staff even questioned where I was going. Everyone left to go and buy food somewhere else, since the cafeteria wasn't all that good. Those on yard duty just assumed you'd be back. Well, I wasn't going back there. Not that day, at least.

I took out the lighter I never gave back to Christophe. The pack he had given me containing only two cigarettes were gone. I knew I could just walk to the nearest gas station and purchase some of my own without being asked about my age. I was nearing eighteen anyway and everyone already thought that I looked older than I actually was. That and the fact that nobody who worked there ever gave a shit about you. So, naturally, I walked over and bought a pack. The same ones that Christophe always got, since I was already used to them.

After I got my cigarettes and was out the door, I took out my phone and set an alarm for the same time that school ended. I had work today and if I didn't keep track of time then I might just not make it and Tweek would be even more mad at me.

I walked to Stark's Pond. Hardly anyone was there, which wasn't surprising since it was the middle of the day. Most adults would be at work, while the kids either at school or in daycare. I sat down at the bench, full of so many useless memories of Tweek, and took out a cigarette.

Only, they weren't useless memories. They meant nothing, sure. But they also meant everything at the same time. How was that even possible?

I took a drag, then slowly exhaled the smoke.

Everything about Tweek was so.. weird. So different. He's an overly paranoid kid who's scared of practically everything, but he can sure pack a punch. Tweek could definitely take care of himself - he's tough and intelligent and just an all around amazing human being. He just chooses not to, because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Especially not the way I hurt him.

A few more puffs.

When did Tweek ever sleep? I've only witnessed it a select few times. How often did he work overnight at Harbucks? His parents wouldn't have let him do it on a school night, would they? My eyes shifted to the sky.

The smoke filled my lungs, leaving me a little less empty than I had been before.

How long had it been since Tweek had 'fallen in love' with me? Was he really into me like that? Idiot, Craig. If he wasn't into you, why would he say such a thing in the first place?

I allowed my head to fall low, now staring at the ground and taking another drag of my cigarette. What the hell was I supposed to do?

I remember all the times when Tweek and I would visit Stark's Pond together. We'd talk, make fun of passerby's, and just all around had a great time together. I imagined his panic-stricken face when speaking of the Underpant's Gnomes, then his frustrated expression and outbursts when no one believed him. I remember our time in the hospital together after our fight and how our relationship grew from then on. Our friendship.

I left the cigarette untouched for too long and it burned down. I threw it into the snow, smudging it with my foot, then took out another one. I lit it and took a drag.

Tweek sometimes got lonely. It would happen randomly, and he would call me up. I'd keep him company no matter what I was doing. Even one time, when I was having a fight with my dad and I felt my phone vibrate. I had taken it out of my pocket to see who the hell would want to talk to me at such a moment. I didn't care what my dad was going to say, I was angry with him anyway. After I had seen that it was Tweek, I answered it without a second thought. My father got pissed, but I flipped him off and told Tweek I was going to his house whether he liked it or not.

A small smile tugged at my lips from the thought and I finished off my cigarette.

I liked Tweek. I always have. I liked him as a friend, nothing more. But he confessed his love for me. His love. Now that I'm really thinking about it, could I hold some sort of feelings toward him as well? No, no.. That's impossible. Sure, I like Tweek. Yes, I can't go too long a period of time without thinking about him.. That's just because he was my best friend.

Another cigarette.

What's the difference between best friends and romantic partners, anyway? Isn't that what it's all about? Having someone you can tell anything to, be whoever you want around, know that no matter what that person will stick by your side?

Craig. What the hell are you thinking?

■ ■ ■

A little over a half pack of cigarettes and a billion thoughts of Tweek later, the alarm on my phone went off and I was prepared to start another work day, standing silently beside Tweek engulfed in the sort of awkward aura that neither one of us would be able to handle.

One week. That's how long it has been since the last time he and I had a friendly conversation. That's not nearly as long as the first hiatus that had been put on our friendship, yet for some reason as I walked through those doors and saw Tweek standing there behind that counter... I couldn't take anymore.

He was just standing there, with his apron tied perfectly around his waist and his eyes concentrated on the cash register. He smiled to the man that he was serving, then went to make his coffee. Because yet again I had left him all alone.

I walked toward him, head held high and shoulders squared. I paused, then turned back around and went into the storage room. Craig. Snap out of it, I told myself.

But I couldn't. Everything was clouding my brain, making it hard to focus clearly on the task at hand. I slid my apron over my head and reached behind my to tie it. I sighed and didn't even bother trying after the first time screwing it up. I walked out and stood behind the counter, assisting the next customer.

I felt something behind me move and I wasn't expecting it. I spun around and saw Tweek there, looking up at me with a blank expression.

"What?" I asked.

"Your apron. I.. I fixed it.." and he turned back around and went to work. Why does everything seem so much worse than it had been before?

Looking at him, slowly making drinks for the customers.. I felt my eyes water and I knew what was going to happen. I couldn't hold it in anymore. Everything just came crashing down on me, from years ago up till now. Every little burden on my shoulders fell to the floor, along with all my walls.

"T-Tweek," I said, surprised by my own voice. He turned around, looking shocked as all hell. I choked down my tears and walked up to him. Did I mention my pride went down the drain, too? Not that it really mattered anymore. None of it meant anything if I couldn't have my best friend by my side. I wrapped him in my arms and pulled him close, "Stop it."

"Cr-Craig?! Wh-what- ACK!- what are you.."

"Stop ignoring me," I told him, squeezing him with the majority of my strength. He could take it, I knew he could. "I can't deal with this.." The more I talked the harder it was not to cry. My emotions were hurting so bad that it was putting me into physical pain. Was that even possible? "I need you, Tweek."

"I need you, Tweek," said Craig. His arms were wrapped securely around me and he was crying. Craig Tucker was showing emotion. By this point I didn't even care that everyone started talking in hushed voices and staring at us with weird looks.

"Craig.." I said, feeling my own eyes well up in tears.

"Man, I.. I can't- can't be apart from you. I-I-I hate it," Craig's entire body was shaking, probably due to his crying. He was stumbling over his own words, something I wasn't used to. This entire situation was something I wasn't used to. I didn't understand. "I never considered that you'd like me in that way.. That's why I stayed silent," throughout this entire time he was hugging me with his face buried into my hair. "I never thought I could like you back, either. I'm not sure if I can or if I do. I'm a bit confused.. But.. I know that I don't want to be apart from you.. Ever."

Craig pulled away, and looked at me. He only shed a couple of tears, but I wasn't expecting him to full on cry anyway.

It wasn't like in those movies or books where everyone disappears and you're only left with your crush and yourself. No, I was way too aware of everyone. Of their stares, their talking, their chuckling, their confused glances.. I was also aware of the strong scent of cigarette smoke coming from Craig, and I tried my hardest to just look at him and him alone.

I wasn't expecting this.. Whatever it was. This confession? No, he made it clear he didn't like me that way.. Now, I was the one who was speechless.

"I'm sorry," Craig said sincerely.

"Craig..."

"I'm so sorry," he repeated. "I'll do anything. Let's hang out - er, let's go on a date. Let's do something together. Anything."

Though tears were still on the verge of falling to my cheeks, I smiled and even let out a small chuckle, "Y-yeah. I missed you, man."

"I missed you, too," said Craig, hugging me again. And this time, I hugged back.

A date, huh? I could get used to the sound of that, so long as they're coming from Craig's lips. Still, there was something nagging at my brain.. He wasn't suggesting a date because he wanted to go on one with me, he was doing it so I'd be his friend again.. I didn't want to make him feel forced to do anything..

Still. Craig Tucker showed emotion. True, pure emotions that I'd never once seen on him before. That made me extremely happy. I also felt guilty. I didn't want this to happen. I don't ever want to see Craig looking so upset ever again, even if I wished to see such an emotional connection between us..