"It's Complicated"

Desperation

Tw: Middle school (middle school is hell- ), strained relationships, toxic "friendships", mentions of bullies, I misgender canonically not cis characters for like- 3 lines, because they haven't come out, yet

Somebody tell me what Quill's gender is, because their Instagram has he/she/they, but I'm not sure what they actually say their gender is and I don't wanna keep calling them non-binary if that's wrong. If someone can confirm for me, I'll have character!Quill come out again later on with their new gender

Roman isn't the most popular boy in  middle school. That honor goes to Remy. Then Virgil and Remus, though that trio is more infamous. The most popular kids are the ones that pretend to be friends with Roman. Asking him for money and favors then leaving him out of their activities. When he says no or complains, they tell him he's being selfish and act all hurt until he breaks. It's not healthy, Roman is fully aware. But when he's broken down from being alone, it's hard to stay strong and uncaring. 

Roman bounced up to Virgil one day, hope in his eyes because Remy skipped today.

"Virgil!" Roman greeted.

Virgil and Remus stopped talking and turned to Roman.

"'Sup, Ro?"

"Can you guys hang out after school? It's been forever."

Virgil glanced at Remus who shrugged in response.

"Yeah, sure. Who's place?"

"Yours?" Remus asked.

Virgil nodded, "Sure. See ya then, Ro."

And then they were gone. And people were crowded around.

"How did you talk to them?"

"Why did they respond to you?"

"Why weren't they rude?"

"They have nicknames for you?"

"How can you just casually ask them to hang out, and they agreed??"

"How are you not scared of them?"

The questions came like bullets that Roman didn't feel like answering. 

"Uhhhhh.....Well- he's- they're my- I've-," but every time Roman tries to give an answer, more questions cut him off. It went like that 'till the bell for class rang and they had to rush to class. 

.

.

.

Virgil laid his legs over Roman's lap, not resting them, but hovering comfortably. Remus sat next to him, but criss-cross applesauce. 

Roman sighed as he put down his sketch book. He's improved a lot, he's still not as good as Remus, but he's definitely got the skill. 

"We been drifting apart too much for my taste."

Remus awkwardly rubbed his neck, "Yeah, I guess...sorry."

Roman stayed quiet.

Virgil nudged him, "I'm sorry, Ro. Remy just has a busy life that we wanted to, y'know...be a part of."

Roman frowned, "It's fine," he pulled his knees away from them and up to his chest, "I get it," He jumped off of Virgil's bed and started packing his stuff, "Remy's cooler and much more important."

"Hey, Roman, don't-," Virgil tried to protest.

"Just...stop it...I shouldn't have even tried. I don't wanna make you feel bad for enjoying your lives. I'm not gonna force or beg you to pay attention to me. I'll stop bothering you." And he was gone before they could speak.