Chapter 1

I drove towards the sign that screamed nostalgia. Reminding me of the few small vacations my family took out of town. It stood plain and simple on the side of the road. Big, bold letters that read "Welcome to South Park."

Welcome to home.

I could already smell the pine in the air. The familiar scent brought back memories of camping trips with friends. Nights fogged by alcohol and illegal substances. Friends I haven't heard from in years.

Driving further into town I came across buildings new and old. There was the tire shop, my first job. Standing a few blocks down was an unfamiliar restaurant that looked fairly busy. Lunch time, I could only assume. I took the back roads home only to find new apartments. I barely recognized my hometown. It looked almost crowded.

Finally arriving home I pulled my single suitcase out of the trunk. I walked up to the door, feeling like a stranger for having to knock. My mom opened the door, her bleached blonde hair trying to escape her bun.

"Craig, sweetie," She pulled me into a tight hug.

"Hey, Mom," I smiled at her. Ever since I was fifteen I've had to bend down to hug her properly. "How is he?"

She frowned, stress wrinkles showing more without her excessive use of makeup to cover up any faults. "Not too well. Your father is still in ICU."

I nodded. Lately my dad had been going through numerous medical problems. Two days before arriving he apparently suffered through a heart attack and collapsed at work. According to the doctors he wasn't getting any better.

"Where's Ruby?" I looked around the living room at the pictures that hung on the walls.

"Oh," My mom rubbed the back of her neck, a habit she developed when under stress. "She's at the hospital with the kids."

My sister had a toddler and a newborn. I had only met the oldest boy a couple of times. Honestly, I didn't know the names of either kid. She and I didn't exactly have the closest relationship. Something I wasn't too proud of.

"Can I," I stopped mid-sentence.

"Do you want to go see him?"

I nodded, embarrassed I couldn't say so myself.

I drove to Hell's Pass, my mom pointing out the new buildings on our way. She was just trying to make the drive seem shorter than it really was. But my nerves and guilt took the best of me. I hadn't been home in a few years. I had visited for a Christmas or some holiday like that. Since then I had been living the traveling life of a pilot.

Once we got to the hospital my mom practically ran out of the car. From then on she was pretty quiet. In the waiting room sat Ruby, holding a tiny bundle of baby human and keeping an eye on the other one which was pretending to read through a magazine.

"Hey," I waved.

She stood, looking me over. She looked tired and worried. The lack of sleep showed through as bags under her eyes. Without saying a word to me she looked over to our mom, "How're you doing?"

My mom smiled and nodded before taking a seat next to her grandson. I chose the seat across from them, but it felt as if I wasn't anywhere near them.

Minutes passed before a nurse came out and greeted us. "Mrs. Tucker," He called. My mom immediately jumped to attention, "If you would like to see your husband you and your daughter are welcomed to do so." His smile looked forced and practiced. Something familiar rang through my ears, though.

"And what about me?" I awkwardly stood in the background.

The lean man looked up at me and his eyes widened. He grinned, "Craig," he sounded amused.

"Yes?"

"Ouch," He didn't look phased, "don't even remember me."

He flashed his name badge to me. 'Tweek Tweak' it read.

And suddenly the voice, the smile, those wide eyes all clicked. Up until the second year of college this boy was my everything. He was the one who accounted for many of my firsts. He was the first one I planned my life with. My first real relationship. My first time. My first love.

Tweek Tweak, the boy who used to be all jitterbugged and wide eyes had somehow grown up. His hair was tamed and pulled back, his eyes less alert to his surroundings. The only thing that seemed to remain was his thin body, his slight tremor, and that forced and practiced smile that I had fallen for.

Suddenly, all of the nerves and guilt I had felt in the car returned with full force.

A sudden Creek story hit me in the face. This will be 3 chapters. Thank you for reading.