TW: Asthma and panic attacks

It's Tuesday. They want my answer. I haven't made a decision, I can't. On one hand, I have honest friends who don't really like me, and on the other, friends who completely like me but lie a lot. I hate it when people lie. 

I get up and get ready for school. I still wear purple, as the color has actually grown on me. I avoid all the pastels and neons, though. I prefer darker colors, that's never going to change.

I put on my eyeliner, less foundation than before, and look in the mirror. I've kept some of the altercations the Lights did when they gave me a makeover. I also keep my hair the same shade of purple as when I first met the Darks. I really don't want to leave either of them, despite everything.

I start my walk to school. J-Dee and Remus sometimes walk with me, but it seems today they took the bus. Fair enough.

At my locker, I realize kids seem to leave me a little more alone now. Not in the 'he's with the popular kids leave him alone way'. More in the 'you don't even exist' way. Fine by me. I wonder how long it's taken me to notice, though.

On my way to class, the Lights stop me in the hall. Patton looks a little uncomfortable, Roman looks annoyed, and Logan looks emotionless. I'm immediately on guard.

"Hey, Virgil! What's it gonna be, them or us?" Roman asks.

"I- uh-" I stutter.

"Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, huh?" I hear someone shout.

I spin around. My heart drops when I see J-Dee and Remus, both looking extremely offended. Great, now I don't really have a choice.

"Well, go play with the Lights now, I guess. My mistake for ever thinking you were a friend," J-Dee says.

I'm like a deer in headlights. I'm frozen in shock. Have I really just lost the only people that care about me? Even if they did lie, they were being genuine there. 

It feels like I'm always running. Away from my past, present, and future. Away from friends and family. Away from the world. How is it that I'm only 14? 

I'm running again. I don't know where, but I'll find somewhere. Somewhere no one will talk to me or bother me. I'm done with friends for the last time. Next school, I won't talk at all. I don't want this ever again, and no friends ever come without drama. 

"Now look what you've done!" I hear someone say.

They mean me, don't they? I'm always the one messing up. I sprint to the bathroom, not caring that I'm missing class. I lock myself in a stall and let myself cry. I still try to keep quiet, I don't want anyone to come looking. Because then they might ask questions that I'm not ready to answer.

I don't know how long I was running, but it didn't do me any good. I start to cough and wheeze a bit. I don't know why, but it doesn't help my panic and stress at all.

*Patton POV*

"Now look what you've done!" I shout.

I'm glaring daggers at the Darks for being so awful to Virgil. That poor boy looks like he's been through a lot. He probably has. He just wants friends and everyone here just keeps trying to tear him apart.

I'm ready to fight those kids, but as I try to do so, Roman holds me back.

"They're not worth it, Pat," He says.

Something in me makes me drop it.

"Let's go find him," Logan says.

I nod, still glaring at the Darks, who look annoyingly smug.

We hear the bell ring. We're late for class. Logan hates missing class. But to my surprise, he pulls a Veronica Sawyer and makes a fake hall pass. I didn't know he knew how to do that.

"Where do you think he is?" I ask.

"He couldn't have left school grounds, so he might be somewhere in the halls. I doubt he went to class," Logan says.

---

Class is almost out and I'm walking past the bathroom when I hear light sobbing. I take Roman's hand and lead him inside. I ignore the butterflies in my stomach. I need to focus. One of my kiddos is upset.

"Virgil?" I say.

The sobbing pauses. I see one of the stalls closed and locked, so I assume he's in there. 

"Kiddo, it's ok. We're here for you," I say.

Roman and Logan may not really like Virgil, but I do. As far as I'm concerned, he's my friend, which means I should be supportive. That's the right thing to do.

"Can you let us in?" I ask.

No response. I can hear soft wheezing and his breaths getting faster and faster. I tap on the door and notice it isn't locked.

"I'm coming in, ok?" I say, my voice soft and quiet.

I let go of Roman's hand and push open the door. I see Virgil, hunched on the floor, hyperventilating. 

"Kiddo, breathe with me," I say.

I take a deep breath in and out. I motion for him to copy. He does, but he's also wheezing, which doesn't help.

"Ro, can you go get Logan? And remind me to yell at those guys later," I say.

Roman nods and walks out. After a few minutes, he comes back just as the bell rings. We have to get to class or we'll get detention, but Virgil's in no state to do so.

"Hey kiddo, it'll be ok. Ok?" I say.

He's clinging to me now, refusing to let go. I won't either. Virgil is officially one of my kiddos now, so I need to protect him.

"Virgil, can you name five things you can see?" Logan asks.

"Floor, walls, Pa-" Virgil starts to say.

He cuts himself off, coughing and wheezing. I don't think he's just panicking now.

"Logan, is he ok? What's happening?" Roman asks.

"Asthma," Logan says, "We need to take him to the nurse," 

Logan reaches to help Virgil up but he scrambles back, shaking his head. He doesn't want to go. But he has to, he's coughing and wheezing even more now.

My allergies are biting back at me with a vengeance today. Not fun at all. Well, I hope you enjoyed reading and feel free to leave any thoughts or feedback in the comments. Have a superb day/night you magnificent peep!