"Hey, you're alive!"

Virgil had just entered the school gates and Roman was already striding next to him towards the school doors. He didn't answer, only continuing to walk, only giving a slight hum to show acknowledgement.

"Hey... you not gonna talk to me?" Roman frowned once he got no reply. He quickly stepped infront of Virgil, causing him to come to a hault and look up at the athlete.

"Please... talk to me..."
Roman gave a small pout, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched the boy with pleading eyes.
"...Was it your dad?"

"Yes... no... partly..." Virgil winced at how he phrased it, looking into the distance, just to the side of Roman.
"We talked... found out why he doesn't like you... Did you know our fathers were the highschool rivals?"

Roman's arms dropped to his side as he lent to one side. "No."

"Yeah so... my Dad doesn't really want us near eachother..."

"No. He doesn't get to decide that. I got home and my dad said that you were pretty chill and seem like a nice guy so in need be, we could go to mine after school-"

"Roman... that's not.. Ro..."

"No, Virge... I can't just do that!"

"We barely know eachother. And please, he's being a father for once and protecting me... they were enemies, Roman, he's just judgmental." Roman stepped forwards and gripped onto a piece of fabric on Virgil's hoodie, his other hand placed on Virgil's arm. Virgil gasped at the sudden movement as Roman moved his face closer to Virgil's.

"I'm not letting you go. You're Dad can be as judgemental as he wants towards me, I don't care. What would your mum do?"

Virgil went silent before looking down apon his shoes. "...She would want me to be happy and maybe risk things, but I'm not a risk taker, I prefer to stay on solid ground where I can't get hurt."

"Then take this risk with me..."

Virgil sighed and looked back towards Roman, his eyes catching the sorrow in their luscious green. He shifted his gaze to around them, the movement causing Roman to sigh and step back, his arms dropping by his side.

More people had started to enter through the school gates, Virgil swore under his breath before placing a feathering grip onto Roman's wrist, dragging him off behind the grey, worn out, brick school.

The questionable look in Roman's eyes made Virgil let go and lean against the wall. Roman following in suit.

"Sorry... There were a lot of people and-"
"You don't have to explain yourself... "

Virgil nodded as he looked to his left, watching Roman stare up at the sky.

"Our mothers were friends..."
"What?" Roman looked at him confused as he turned his body towards the emo.

"Our mothers, they were friends but broke it off because they loved our fathers, they couldn't be friends if our fathers were rivals..."

"Then make your mother happy..." Roman stated as he held onto one of Virgil's hands. He looked down at their hands before looking at Roman with his eybrow raised.

"I know I'm gay and you're bi and all, but that doesn't mean we have to act gay." He stated as he shifted his hand out of Roman's. Bitting his lip, Virgil moved his arms around Roman's waist.
"You idiot..."

Smiling, Roman did the same, bringing Virgil into a comfortable embrace.
"How am I an idiot, exactly?"

"You just are. I'm not used to letting people in so quick, especially a jock. I'm not a touchy person. Let alone you can't be seen with me."

"Wait... why not?" Virgil looked up at Roman confused at why he didn't understand the obvious.

"Because... we fit into different groups of people. You fit in with the popular people with Patton and Jason, you always have. I fit into the freaks and unpopular people like Logan and other people."

"You and Logan aren't freaks."

"Logan is freakishly smart. And last I checked, I am with my... emo... gothic ... thing..." Roman giggled at the structure of Virgil's words, looking down at him with a wide grin that stretched ear to ear.

"Not to me~"

"Yeah, well... we see things differently." Virgil went to continue until he noticed a certain gleam in Roman's eyes. That's when he noticed Roman was closer than he realised. Still inching closer, slowly. Roman's words hushed, almost as if they danced in the gental breeze.

"Ever thought that you're just not your type?"

"No. I... just... I just don't expect people to like me... I guess... either way, I'm not ready for relationships." As the last part was said, Virgil placed his index finger to Roman's lips, stopping him from moving closer.

"S-sorry... I-... I didn't -realize. I... sorry..."

"It's... fine..." Virgil giggled and stepped out of the walm embrace. Stepping backwards as he contuined to talk "See you around, you have a big day."

"Big day?"

"Yeah, you're going for the main role, are you not?"

"Of course I am! How did you-"

"I'm not oblivious. I just don't care."

Roman laughed as he watched Virgil still stepping back in minimal steps. "Where's my 'good luck'?"

Virgil stopped for a moment before smirking with his eyebrow raised, gaining Roman a look of pure puzzlement.

"Lunch. I'll see you then before audition." Before more was said, Virgil was gone.
Roman smiled before walking the opposite direction to Virgil's relief.

He had his back to the cold wall as he looked around the corner, watching Roman go. His heart was pounding in his chest as he made his way to form room. He walked into the bright room and seated himself next to Logan.
"You're early...? That's... new?"

"I'm always at school this time, just normally in the libary with Mrs.Ariti."

"How come you're not this time around?"

"... I was... with Roman..."

Logan smirked and looked forwards but before Virgil could question it, the first bell rung; signalling People should start making their way to form room.

He pulled his hood over his head as people assembled through the door and into their seats. The teacher had walked through the door and sat at their desk. Doing the register, to which he ignored. Grateful that Logan was there for him.

"Logan, are we friends?" Virgil blurted out, but hushed enough for Logan to hear. Turning towards Virgil confused of the question.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... we talk... You help me when you don't even have too... I'm- sorry... I don't know why I was-"

"Hey... I do indeed see you as a friend. I find you easy to comunicate with."

"Yeah, right..."

"It's a fact. Others are quite confusing. Roman is different as he understands refrences he hasn't even seen and Patton... he just understands. You, you're not loud or annoying, you're perfectly calm and relaxed... as you can be. Soft spoken."

Virgil bit his lip before turning his body towards Logan in a swift movement.
"Can I tell you something? Well... two things really..."

"Of course."

"Promise not to pity at one and laugh at the other?"

"I promise?" Logan raised his eyebrow as he got more curious of what Virgil was about to tell him.

"Okay... 1... yesterday. You said to say hello to my mother... I didn't want to say infront of your boyfriend- uh- Patton...Logan-...my mum died... yesterday."

"Really? How did that happen?"

"I don't really want to talk about it all that much."

"Sorry..."

"It's fine... second... I'm 'afraid?' what is happening to me when I'm around Roman. When he's around, I feel safe, and walm and... bluh I sound like a teenage girl. But when he's gone... I feel like my world would crumble, I feel touch starved... I-... I'm not used to feeling like this. Worse part... my dad doesn't want me near Roman. Like Roman cares though."

"Seems to me you have some form of feelings towards him." Logan smirked as he proceeded to write down whatever the teacher was reminding them of.

"Feelings? Like... romantic? I can't suddenly fall for him in the span of a day. I don't even know him that well."

"And I do." Logan finished writing and turned back to face Virgil. " Virgil, he's not known to go around flirting with everyone to just brake their hearts. Girls just fall for him by looks, not by his personality. Roman has known you for a while, even if you only met yesterday."

"I don't know... I'm on edge about feelings because of-... a guy..."

Logan nodded as he watched Virgil tense up at the memory of a certain person.

"Virgil... I'm not telling you to act apon anything... just... I let my emotions out one-day, and due to that, Patton and I are happily together. You can take you time, as long as you need. You don't even have to what so ever. Just, I think you're feeling this way because of everything around you. You were anxious and hidden, Roman came along and broke down your wall, that's a big enough sign as anything that he means a lot to you."

Virgil sighed as he relaxed, he turned towards the board. The teacher had written 'Auditions today!! Set crew in seats and actors behind set!! Good luck!!"

"Roman's auditioning as lead roll..."

"Are you going to watch?"

"Of course... I told him I'll wish him luck."

Unknowinly, Virgil had a faint smile dancing on his lips. He picked up his pen and started doodling on his hand, unknown to him, he had written Roman's name at one point.

The bell had rung as he pulled his sleeve over the ink, being careful not to smug the latest drawing. He had waved goodbye to Logan as he made his way down the busy, and highly energetic crowded corridors. Once he had assembled through his classroom door, he sighed how happy people looked. Whether is was because of the play, or just something amazing happened, everyone seemed to be a little extra today.

He made his way to his seat as he slouched down as his legs were finally off the pressure of standing and or moving. He closed his eyes as he relaxed, sighing in relief, before his bubble was popped.

"Virgil?"

Patton had spotted him in the class and walked over, crouching down at his side. Virgil hadn't moved from his position, his heart speeding up at talking to someone other than Logan or Roman.

Patton's hair seemed to have a sort of curl to it, his eyes sparkled bright as he smiled brightly.

"I was wondering if I could ask you something? It might be a bit personal though..."

"S-sure..."

"Did I ever... do anything that upset you? I know I can be a bit... thingy at times..."

"No. I just... I just have trust issues... And I didn't really want to hurt someone as happy as you with my issues so....basically I-I don't like letting people into my life..."

"Oh okay."

"...S-sorry..."

"You don't have to apologize!"

Virgil tapped his desk, fearing he made Patton uncomfortable. The beat his fingers displayed how much his heart was racing, Patton gentally lifted Virgil's hand off the desk and straightening his fingers out on the desk. Virgil sat confused until he felt a sudden wave of calm wash over him.

"Wha- ho-... whaa...?"

"My dad's a part time therapist. Working with Emile's parents... they teach me a few tips. Quite handy."

Virgil's eye went wide with a small smile before a voice screamed at him to not let anyone else into his life. His smile immediatly vanishing.

"You have to know the right pin points. Calming pressures. Pulse and blood speed rates to know people emotions. Quite fascinating really!"

Virgil's heart soon fell to his natural pulse as he look at his hands. "That's... acually quite cool-"

"Morning class." The teacher walked into the room and dropped her work onto her desk and her bag to the left of her desk. "Please sit down in your chairs as I load up the registration."

Patton stood up and smiled down at the anxious boy, Virgil only giving a sided smile as the child-like persona moved back to his seat.

Class had moved in time quite slow. It was boring and loud in Virgil's perspective. But in time, it finally ended. The bell had rung loudly as it echoed throughout the school.

People piled out of the classrooms and into the halls as they made their way to next class to which Logan was in the same class to as Virgil, along with Roman and Patton. English. One of the few classes they all had together.

The hallways were busy and overfull like always. Crushing Virgil into unwanted People.

"Watch where you're going!" An all to familiar voice barked. "Oh~ well isn't it the emo freak."

Virgil turned towards Jason with wide eyes. "I'm sorry I-"
He had managed to bump into someone else. He closed his eyes tight in hope it wasn't one of Jason's clones.

"Virgil?-"

"Thanks Roman. Do you mind joining us in showing this freak-show what happens when he messes with me?"

Virgil's eyes shot open and looked at the person he bumped into. True to Jason's word, Roman stood there leaning over him. Things seemed to go in slow motion as Roman's face turned from confusion to pure anger. Roman moved Virgil behind him.

"He's not a freak! You're the freak if you think it's cool to be a naracisstic prick. Just because you're 'top' of school, doesn't give you a right to bully people who do nothing wrong!"

People were watching now, almost forming a circle around the 3. That wasn't a good sign.

"Roman. Who's side are you on? What did he find out about you? How much is he paying for you to be nice to him. He deserves it!"

"Nothing! He's been through crap and he doesn't need you to add to that list!"

"Roman-" Virgil asked, trying to gain his attention

"Everyone goes through crap! So shut the fuck up!"

"R-Roman..."

"Oh yeah?! Well at least most people here aren't gay fags!"

Silence... that was all that was left. A teacher had made their way through and into the circle and gasped at the scene.

Virgil hiding behind a furious Roman with fear, holding into him tightly. Roman's eyes burning with anger and hate until he saw the teacher and noticed how Virgil was cowering behind him. Jason. He looked the worse. Pure shook spread across his face as his nose started bleeding.

Roman had punched Jason square on the nose.

"You 2." She pointed towards the 2 friends. "Head teachers office. Now. Jason. Clean your nose and head to the office aswell."

She walked away as Roman turned towards the emo. People heading to their class in hope to not be late.
"I-I'm sorry. I.. I didn't-... I'm so sorry V."

"Don't be sorry... thanks for standing up for me..."

Roman gave a slight smile and connected their hands so they could get through the crowds better. Once they had reached the door, Roman let go peered into the empty office. It was empty, unless you include the Headmaster sorting through paperwork holding the school phone to her ear.

"She's busy at the moment. We have time till she calls us in or Jason gets here." He turned back to Virgil and looked him up and down.

Virgil's head was hung low and he was pulling his sleeves down over his hands. He seemed closed off, but looked up when Roman took his hand in his and pulled him onto his chest. Wrapping his arms around eachother, they swayed to the silence of the hallway.

Virgil looked up from Roman's chest and was about to speak before getting cut off.

"What the fuck did I walk into?"

"Shut you're mouth! It's a hug, a sign of affection towards friends!"

Jason gagged and whispered - loud enough for them too hear- "You're both fags."

"Do You Want Me To Punch You Again?!" Roman moved off the wall and moved Virgil the other side of him.

"R-Roman... please...don't..."

"See? You won't touch me. Not unless you wanna hurt you're little girlfriend."

"Boys." Unknown to them, the Headteacher had opened the door and watched the little quaral since Roman threatened to hurt Jason once again. "You can come in. No talking until we're all seated."

They nodded as she allowed them in. She walked around the desk and watched the 3 sit infront of her. It was silent and she waited for a while before deciding to speak.

"So... I got a call less than 5 minutes ago to inform me that 3 boys were on their way to my office as a fight broke out in the corridoor. Like to explain."

"Miss, Virgil had nothing to do with this."

"Mrs Green said other wise. Jason? You're side of the story?"

"I was just walking and Virgil bumped into me, I asked him politely to be careful and watch where he was going and Roman thought I was being mean so he punched me."

"Oh Please! Politely is the complete opposite. You called him a freak! And a fag!"

"Roman! Watch you're language!"

"Tell him that!" Roman stood up and motioned to Jason. Virgil placed a faint grip on the hem of Roman's shirt and tugged him back onto the chair.

"Roman... you're side of the story?"

"Jason asked me to help bully or in Jason's words 'mess with' Virgil. He called Virgil a freak and a fag so I punched him. Then the teacher sent us here."

"Virgil?" Miss turned to the emo who had stayed silent through the whole situaltion. "What's you're side of the story?"

"W-well... um... I-I got out of class... and the corridoor was... really tight? I accidentally dumped into J-Jason... and well... he c-called me... a-an... emo-... freak... I tr-tried to move away and I bumped into Ro...Roman! I ment Roman... then... basically... Roman's story... starts from there."

"Virgil... I want you're story..."

"Roman defended me."

"Virgil? How long has Jason been bullying you?"
Virgil looked down and played with the hem of his hoodie as he mumbled his words.
"Virgil... speak up."

Jason let out a silent growl from the back of this throat, causing Virgil to flitch.

"T-two years....... m-may-be t-hree..."

"Jason, 2 months worth of detentions. Roman, you have a detention tomorrow after school as you were defending Virgil but did inflict harm. Virgil, you're free to go."

Virgil sighed of relief, gripping onto Roman's sleave as Roman smiled. Only one detention. Tomorrow after school isn't so bad.

"What?! 2 months? I can't have a detention after school every day!"

"Jason, calm down. I said 2 months worth of detentions. So if you have to miss a day, than another day is added. Starting in 2 days so you and Roman are not in the same room as eachother."

"Understandable." Roman smirked as he glanced at the bully to his side.

Miss grabbed three postet-notes and wrote an identical message on each and handed them to the three boys. Before the note reached Virgil's fingers, she spoke with a soft voice. "I'll like to talk you once these two left." She looked at Roman with a stern look, but her eyes showed trust. "You have the same class, am I correct?"

"U-uh... yes."

"You may wait outside for him, if you so wish."

"Of course!"

"You may now leave. No fighting while outside my office... the walls are thin."

Reluctantly, Virgil let go, giving Roman a smile to which he returned. The two popular boys got up and left the room and only faint muttering was heard on the other side before 1 pair of footsteps ghosted away down the empty hall.

Virgil turned back to the teacher as anxiety coursed through his veins. Tapping his heal on the floor, his fingers pulled at loose strings from his hoodie. His eyes flickered to his hands where his drawing were and he saw Roman's name in cursive writing.

Miss had lent forwards and hushed her voice. "Virgil? Is there a reason you hadn't informed us of the bullying until now?"

"Uh... I g-guess... I don't really 'believe?' school could do much about it... I... I doubt I would have said anything unless R-Roman had stepped in..."

"How long have you been friends with Roman?"

"W-well... he claimed he knew me for a while... I've seen him a-around and in class, but we became friends yesterday. H-he's already done so much for me in 24hrs a-an-d I feel like I-I've done so little for him."

"Do you feel this way because of you're anxiety?"

"H-How d-do yo-u-?"

"I notice the signs. My brother had anxiety."

"O-oh..."

"Anyway, you best be off to class. I will have to call you're mother about the your absents and bu-"
Virgil's were wide and Miss could see his eyes start to glass over.
"You're mothers the one who cares for you? Correct?"

"N-not anymore... Dads back from work! So..."

"Did you're mother leave?"
He shook his head 'no' and Miss soon caught on and her lips formed an 'o' shape.
"Yesterday?"
A nodd.

"I want you to stick with Roman. He's a great kid and from what you said, he's a great friend too. You feeling like you're not worth him, is wrong. Everyone is worth something and he is that something to you, Virgil. Now, you don't want to keep Prince Charming waiting."

She gestured towards the door and Virgil blushed miraculously. He nodded with a petite smile and got up. "B-bye Miss."

"Bye."

He opened the door and stepped out, shutting it behind him with a click. His eyes stung as tears threatened to fall.

"You okay Hot Topic?" Roman asked. Virgil turned to him and lept into his arms. Roman retured it, shocked at the sudden embrace, but enjoyed the affection shown by the emo.

"I-I think... I really, really want my mum here but... I have you... that's all I need right now."

Roman smiled the brightest he had that week, tightening his hold on Virgil as they stood in the hallway.