Strawberry Lemonade| Roceit

Chapter Four | I Hate Thursdays

TW; Ignorant parent, neglect,  taking money without permission

Janus rubbed his slightly aching ribs, they were sore from moving around so much the day before at volleyball practice. He pulled on his binder and his shirt. He had been trying his best to take breaks from his binder during lunch and after school, but his dysphoria often told him to keep it on. 

He groaned after realizing what day it was, " I hate Thursdays." He grumbled, picking up his backpack and slinging the straps around his shoulders. He left his room and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Janus made his way to the kitchen, walking to the table.

" Sorry Jayd, don't have time to make you breakfast, " Janus's mom said with a sigh. Janus looked at her with a frown.

" H-Hey, mom? Could I have some money for lunch?" He asked, glancing away from his mother, who turned to look at him.

" I gave you some on Monday, " His mother replied, on her phone. Janus shifted his feet.

" Well... you only gave me enough for three days," He mumbled, looking down. Janus's mom merely rolled her eyes.

" I don't have time for that, I gotta go," She walked towards the door. " I'll be back around five, 'kay?" Janus sighed and nodded.

He groaned once his mom left the house. Janus opened the fridge door, which was rather bare. There was a bit to drink, some apple juice(which was nearly empty), and milk but it had expired nearly a week ago. He exclaimed in disgust tossing out the milk jug before sighing. 

Janus huffed, walking to his mother's messy room. He shuffled over to the bed and kneeled in front of the nightstand. He pulled open the second drawer, knowing his mother kept money in it. The teen pulled out enough for lunch and quickly left the house.

Janus rushed down the street, hoping he'd still be able to make it to class before the first bell rang. He ran across the crosswalk and into the school gates before he completely stopped in his tracks.

Roman was sitting in the grass, leaning back against the tree with a sketchpad and pencil laying on his lap. 

' He must be skipping class today, '

The deceitful male thought, walking over and plopping down next to him. Roman flinched and opened his eyes, looking at Janus. A smile broke out across the second year's face as he took out his earbuds. 

Janus gave a wave, " Hey~" He chuckled mischievously causing Roman to laugh softly.

" Plotting something, Mr. Snake?" Roman asked in a playful tone, nudging Janus's shoulder. Janus grinned.

" Maybe~" Janus laughed.

Today is nice

" REMUS MAKES AN ENTRANCE!!" A voice yelled. Roman and Janus looked towards the noise to see Remus running over with a grin and his arms in the air and a bottle of soda in his hand.

" Hey Ro-Ro, Dee," The male said, sitting beside the two, " Did I interrupt something~?" Roman's cheeks were instantly dusted with pink

" Shut up, you rat, " Roman huffed, rolling his eyes.

" Ouch, no need to be rude, Ro-Ro," Remus huffed, leaning back " You're not skipping class, are you? " 

Roman nodded, starting to draw in his sketchbook " Yeah, " He smiled " Just math class, I hate math" 

" Won't the office call him?" Remus asked but, Roman shook his head.

" Gave them my number instead of his," Roman replied, glancing at Janus multiple times as he drew.

Janus checked the time on his phone and groaned, " Fuck me-"

" Roman would gladly," Remus said, cutting Janus off.

" Shut up Remus," Janus mumbled " I have to go, we have a test in History "

" A test on a Thursday?" Roman questioned, tilting his head to the side.

" I know right? I swear to god this fucking woman is insane, " Janus huffed, getting up with his bag. " I'll see you guys at practice or lunch," The twins nodded as the snake-like male rushed into the school building.

It was multiple hours later, Janus was stumbling to the gym while trying to pull on his left gym sneaker. He tied to the laces quickly and rushed inside. Everyone was talking on the floor as they drank from their water bottles.

" Hey double Dee!" Remus shouted from across the gym, this caused everyone to turn their heads to look at Janus. The whole team broke out into smiles and greetings. If he was being honest with himself, Janus kinda liked it, being greeted like he was someone important... They made him feel important...

Patton stood, " We got you a gift! Oh, I hope you like it!" Roman got up with Virgil, holding out a box. It was wrapped in black wrapping paper with a yellow pattern.  Janus hesitantly walked over, taking the box. 

" Go ahead, open it," Roman grinned. They all seemed rather excited to see his reaction.  Janus slowly pulled off the wrapping and opened the box. He gasped lightly, it was a binder. A real, quality, gc2b binder. He stared at it in awe until he felt warm tears on his cheeks,

"Fuck.. I'm sorry.." He quickly wiped away the wet. 

" Go try it on, kiddo!" Patton urged, to which Roman nodded in agreement. Janus smiled, taking the binder to the bathroom to change in one of the stalls. He took off his cheap binder and putting on the new one. It was snug.

He left the stall and walked back to the gym, his shirt in his hand. " Th-Thank yo-you " He stuttered out, his hands trembling. He quickly bowed to the upperclassmen. 

" Woah, you look great, Dee!" Roman chimed, blushing lightly.

Janus had a strange feeling... It made him feel like he was floating. His cheeks hurt but he couldn't stop smiling. He felt overwhelmingly joyful.

" Wow! You look amazing! Does it fit? Can you breathe? That's probably important, right?" Patton blurted out.

" It's great Pat..." Janus smiled again. " God.. I love Thursdays.."