Assistance Required

A New Laptop

Sun Nov 29

Virgil sighed as he stepped into the car. He had actually really enjoyed his time with Roman's family. He'd rather stay with them honestly, especially if it meant he didn't have to go back to classes. They had eaten breakfast, packed up their belongings, and said their goodbyes. Theresa and Robert stood on the step waving while Roman backed out of the driveway. Virgil spent most of the ride staring out the window and talking to the twins. It was a long drive though. It was almost dark by the time they got back to campus.

Patton tackled Roman and Remus the instant he saw them.

"I missed you guys!" Patton giggled.

"We missed you too!" Roman said.

"A little air, please!" Remus said.

Logan walked into the hall.

"Oh, that's what the noise is. Welcome back," he said as Patton stood up.

Patton pulled Virgil into a hug beaming.

"So? How was it spending the week with your boyfriend!"

"Patton!" Virgil whined as his face grew hot.

"And me!" Remus chimed in.

"How could anyone forget someone so loud?" Janus groaned from down the hall.

"Are Thomas and Joan back yet?" Roman asked.

"They're flight should be arriving in an hour," Logan said looking at his watch.

"Perfect," Remus said rubbing his hands together.

"No! You can't prank them!" Patton scolded. "They had a long flight and they'll want to relax as soon as they get here."

"Awww! You're no fun!" Remus whined as he walked to his room.

"You can't prank me either, Dumbass," Janus mumbled as he walked into the room.

"Janus!"

"So," Logan said catching everyone's attention, "how was your week?"

"Oh, yes! What was it like meeting his family?" Patton asked.

"Mom seemed to really like you! And I know Dad might have said some things about your art, but I think he likes you too. He's just stuck in his old ways. I'm sure you'll be an artist some day."

Virgil chuckled dryly.

"Thanks. It was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I was really nervous about meeting your family, but they're actually really nice and supportive."

"Yeah, I'm glad you like them!" Roman said.

"So... are you feeling better now then before break?" Patton asked.

Virgil hesitated before answering. How was he feeling? He wasn't worried about Roman's family anymore. He still had money problems, but at least he didn't spend any money that week. It helped.

"I think so," he said nodding slowly. "I'm definitely not as worried about Roman's parents hating me."

Logan readjusted his glasses and straightened his sleeves.

"I'm glad to hear you're doing better," he said. "Even if it isn't by much, a little is still an improvement."

"I suppose so," Virgil said.

"I should probably be going soon, I volunteered to pick up Thomas and Joan from the airport today," Patton said.

"I'm probably going to crash for the night. Unless you guys wanted to watch a movie or something?"

"I actually wanted to talk to Virgil, if you don't mind," Logan said.

"Oh, I don't mind! Go ahead!" Roman said before walking into his room.

Virgil watched Roman disappear before turning to Logan.

"You-"

Logan waved him towards their room and walked away. Virgil followed him into the room, Logan closing the door behind him. Virgil sat down on his bed. Logan sat at his desk and rummaged around in his bag.

"Logan-"

"Aha!" Logan pulled out a laptop and held it out to him. "Here. You said you needed one. My parents got me a new one for school and no one uses my old one. My family all has their own. I figured you could use it."

Virgil stared at it. It was a lot nicer than he could ever afford. He shook his head.

"No, I couldn't," he said.

"Look, I've already moved all of my data to my new laptop and it's just collecting dust now. My parents were probably going to sell it anyway. I already talked to them and they think it's a good idea to let you use it. You could even do some of your art on it."

"It can do that?!" Virgil asked.

"Yeah, it's one of the first touch-screen laptops. I even still have the stylus that came with it." Logan pulled out a little pen and set it down on the desk. "I'm sure we could find some software for you to do art. It would be easier for you to showcase your art online if it's already saved on a laptop. Please, just take it. My arms are getting tired."

Virgil carefully grabbed the laptop and set it in his lap. He ran his fingers over the cool surface.

"Do you want me to help you set it all up?" Logan asked.

"Uh... sure," Virgil said.

Logan pulled the other chair over to his desk and Virgil sat down next to him. Logan showed him some of the features and helped him set up a password and everything. He also went over possible protection software and prices. Then he helped him look for art software to try out. A couple of hours later Virgil had selected a background and was trying out the art software for the first time. He was having trouble figuring it all out and it felt kind of awkward, but he wanted to give it all a shot. He was just messing around with the different pens and layers. It was actually a lot more fun than he thought. His biggest issue was him wanting to rest his hand on the screen and screwing up the work. He was trying out different ways to position his hand so he didn't do that.

There was a knock at the door. He heard movement and a few moments later Patton was standing over his shoulder.

"Oh that's cool," Patton said. "What are you making?"

"Nothing really. I'm just messing around with the features," Virgil said as he leaned back in his seat. "I keep wanting to rest my hand on the screen and it's messing me up, though. I wish there was a way to fix that."

"I can't help you with that," Logan said.

"I'll figure something out," Virgil said as he turned back to the screen.

"Anyway," Patton said as he turned to face Logan. Patton grabbed his hands and swung them loosely. "We passed this cute little sandwich shop on the way back and I was wondering if we could go check it out sometime?"

"Oh? Did you have a particular date in mind?" Logan asked.

"Maybe this weekend?"

"I don't think I have any plans this weekend. I would love to try this new place with you."

Patton squealed and hugged him.

"Thank you, Logan!" he said.

"Aww!" Virgil said. "You're so cute! I'm going to be sick."

"Just don't be sick in the room," Logan said rolling his eyes.

"Why don't you guys go be sickeningly adorable in the hall or something. I want to sleep."

Patton giggled as he led Logan into the hall and Virgil closed the lid to the laptop. He stretched before getting changed and crawling into bed. He stared at the laptop sitting on his desk. He couldn't believe how kind Logan was. All of his friends were far too kind for him. He didn't deserve it but he had it. He smiled as he fell asleep. He had great friends.