*Logan POV*

I have never felt more alone, even with my friends. Today is January 16, exactly 32 days away from my birthday. My day of freedom. The day I can get Virgil back. But for now, I keep my distance. He doesn't want to talk right now. I hope he will open up eventually, but I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't.

There's a school pep rally tonight, and everyone is encouraged to go. It will be on the football field, and the marching band will be performing. I am only going because Patton plays the clarinet in the marching band. 

Roman and I drive together and arrive 20 minutes before it starts. We get snacks, good seats, and several blankets to watch. Its still January, so it is very cold out. But still, we're here to support Patton, and that's what we'll do. I can't help but wonder why this couldn't have been held in the gym, though.

Roman sips on his hot cocoa as the cheerleaders start. Amy is one of them, so I have a break from her tonight. I take out one of the books I brought and read while people perform. It's cold out and I want a distraction.

---

After the pep rally, I pack up our stuff while Roman goes to congratulate Patton. As I'm walking out to my car, I see out of the corner of my eye Virgil and Jan.

"No, Jan. That's too mean. They may have betrayed me but I am not going to do that," Virgil says.

"Virge, if you're so angry then why not? I mean, you said he kissed a girl, so he obviously doesn't like you-" 

"But what if he does? What then? Am I just supposed to do this to him and then break his heart?"

"He broke yours,"

"I don't care. Mine's been broken so many times it doesn't even hurt anymore," 

"Virgil, don't get too dark on me. But you need to toughen up. You used to not give an f, what happened?"

I continue to walk and don't hear the rest of their conversation. I want to tell Virgil that I definitely still like him, and would date him without hesitation. I can see Jan is manipulating Virgil, trying to force him to do stuff for his own revenge.

When Roman gets to my car I unlock it and he asks me,

"Hey, Lo. Woa, you good, fam?"

I look at him, confused. He sighs a bit.

"Is- is that another contemporary slang term I have to learn?" I ask.

He nods and I pull out the index cards I keep in my pocket.

"Back to my question. Are you good? You look like you've been crying," Roman says.

I do? I look in my car mirror and see my eyes are red. 

"I miss him. I know why he won't talk to me but this is the one thing I can't logic my way out of," I say.

Roman's expression goes from concerned to sympathetic.

"It's ok. Just try to talk to him. Use your expert logic. Didn't we try to teach you to talk to guys? Did any of those lessons stick?" He asks.

I nod. Of course, they stuck, I memorized almost every word of them.

"But every time I try he shouts or ignores me," I say.

"Well, he probably still listens even when he seems to be ignoring you, so talk then," Roman suggests. I nod and I start the drive back to Roman's house.

*Virgil POV*

There's a stupid pep rally for school tonight and it's mandatory. Which is stupid. So I invite Jan to come suffer with me. 

Once we get there I pretty much cling to him the entire time to avoid talking to people. I hope no one realizes he's from Rockview. But then again, if they did they might just assume he's a transfer. 

---

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the rally is over. I rush out of there, practically dragging Jan to my car. 

"Dude, slow down," Jan says, pulling his arm out of my grip.

"I just want to get out of here as fast as possible," I say.

"No kidding," He says, rubbing his wrist.

We get out to my car before most other people do.

"Finally, we can leave this dump. I hate pep rallies, not gonna lie," I say.

"Me too. Why did I have to come?" He asks.

"So I have a friend to suffer with me," I say, smirking.

Jan sighs.

"I am never coming again,"

"Suuure you won't," I say.

"So, what do you think of the plan I told you about last night?" He asks.

"No Jan, that's too mean," I say, "They may have betrayed me but I am not going to do that,"

He came up with the idea to sabotage the next play, by messing with a bunch of props and parts of the set and then messing up in the sound booth. 

We continue to argue, but stop once we see a large group of students entering the parking lot. 

"C'mon. We can talk about this later," I say.

We get in the car. My heater is still mostly broken but there's a little heat coming from it. But that doesn't change the fact that it's the middle of winter. Jan's driving, despite it being my car because my leg is still injured. 

Once we get back to my apartment building, I struggle up the stairs and we make it into my apartment. Both my parents are working right now, so Jan and I chill in the small living room, watching TV. 

He's on his phone and after a few minutes, he mutters.

"That jerk-"

I lean over and look at his phone.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Some blonde chick is posting more rumors about you. She saw us earlier and now is telling everyone we're dating again and you are plotting something. Stupid stuff," He says.

I roll my eyes.

"Not again," I say.

"This happened before?" Jan asks.

I nod.

"It's not a big deal. She's a total brat and I honestly don't care what she says about me," I say.

I do care, but I don't want people to know. It's better to just ignore it because then it might go away. Plus, people already give me weird looks and avoid me in the halls unless they want to say something rude. I've stopped caring at this point. I only have a few more weeks left of CherryWood anyway. 

I'm still not completely sure if I want to go back to Rockview. That would mean becoming more obsessed with maintaining my image and caring more about what others think of me. Popularity is a prison. 

Hi, sorry for updating a little later today than normal, school has been a nightmare. Also, I feel this is moving a little too slow so I'm trying to figure out how to make it go a little faster, but not too fast. I hope you enjoyed reading, feel free to leave any thoughts, theories, or feedback in the comments, and have an astounding day/night you magnificent peep!