Assistance Required

The Argument

TW self-deprecation, arguing

Sun Jan 24

Virgil woke up to something stabbing his side. He groaned and grabbed whatever it was. He placed it on his desk and realized it was a pencil. Why did he have a pencil? He rolled over and found an open notebook on the floor. Oh yeah. Oh no! He just fell asleep without putting the notebook away! Anyone could have found it while he was asleep! He stumbled out of bed and ended up falling in a tangle of blankets causing a mini earthquake to rattle the room. He closed the book and shoved it in his bag. He was struggling to kick off the blankets when the door opened.

"Are you okay?! I heard a crash!" Patton asked worriedly.

"I-I'm fine. I just... don't know how to leave a bed apparently."

"Do you need help?"

"Nah!" Virgil waved him off. "I just need to get the blanket to stop attacking me and I'll be fine."

"O-okay."

Patton left him to sort himself out. He struggled for a few more minutes before finally breaking free of the blankets and throwing them back on the bed. He stood up and smiled at his victory before turning his attention to his closet. He got dressed and went to the bathroom to get himself ready for the day. After doing his makeup and everything he grabbed his bag from his room and headed down to the student center to get something productive done.

He entered the student center and found Thomas, Janus, Remus, and Roman already there. He sat down at the table next to theirs and set up his stuff. There really wasn't too much to do since it was still the first week of classes, so he decided to work a bit on Spanish to see if he could get ahead. An hour later he was reading his geology textbook and taking notes. He kept getting distracted by the others talking around him, but he didn't want to leave. After last night, he could use their company. He even found himself joining in on their conversations every now and then.

Virgil realized he hadn't eaten yet but he wasn't all that hungry so he just grabbed a coffee and went back to reading. Patton joined them a little while later. Apparently Logan and Joan were in the library. Patton had tried doing some work in his room but he had started to miss his friends so he joined them in the student center. Virgil couldn't blame him.

It wasn't long before Virgil headed up to his dorm to shower and get dressed for work. He should have showered earlier but he really didn't feel like it. He still didn't really feel like it but he did it. He met Logan in their dorm and the two headed down to the car together. They drove in silence for a bit before Logan decided to clear his throat.

"Um... are you... doing okay, today?" Logan asked.

Virgil nodded.

"Yeah, I'm alright, thanks. I fell out of the bed this morning but other than that it's been a pretty good day."

"You fell out of bed?"

"Yeah, I got tangled up in the blankets. Apparently they weren't ready for me to leave the bed quite yet."

"I suppose."

There was a brief pause before Virgil spoke again.

"Why do you keep asking?" he asked hesitantly.

"It just seemed like something was bothering you yesterday. I just want to be sure it isn't anything concerning."

"No, just-" he paused. He didn't know why but he couldn't bring himself to say it. A part of him still wanted to. Logan's his friend. He's helped him before. He should be able to talk to him. Instead he just shook his head. "Nothing concerning."

"Just what?"

"Nothing. It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I'm fine. Today was good. I got a good amount of reading done for geology and I got a little ahead in Spanish. I didn't get too far ahead, I'll still need to do more Spanish work this week, but it's something and that helps."

"Did you need any more help in astronomy?" Logan asked.

"I might later. It's not what I was expecting honestly. It kind of makes me feel dumb."

"Do you really want to keep this class? I appreciate you taking this course with me but if it's too much stress on you, you should probably just drop it while you have the chance."

"I hadn't thought about dropping it."

"There's nothing wrong with dropping a class."

"I'll... I'll think about it. It isn't so bad right now."

"Just don't push yourself too hard."

Virgil laughed dryly.

"Like you?"

"I don't need a call out right now!"

"You refused to join us yesterday because you wanted to get ahead of your work! The semester just started! You even said no to Patton!"

"Now's the best time to get ahead before the professor's start assigning bigger projects. Besides, with Thomas and Roman it's probably another one of their favorite Disney movies which they've already had me watch or have talked about so often I know the basic gist of it already. I prefer reading in my spare time anyway."

"But you said no to Patton."

"I'm sure he understands. It's not like I'm refusing to spend time with him altogether. He knows how important my studies are to me."

"Exactly! You push yourself more than any of the rest of us. You're always studying and now you have a job too!"

"You were the one who suggested I get a job."

"Yeah, but I also said get a lighter schedule."

"I am fully capable of handling a full schedule and a part time job."

"Yeah? And do you see yourself having time to spend with your friends to relax or going on a date with your boyfriend?"

"The semester just started. We'll find out one way or another."

"And if I'm right?"

Logan sighed.

"I don't see how focusing on my studies is 'overworking myself.' My parents stress me out more than my schoolwork."

"Taking a little time away from work is good for you too."

"When did this become about me?! You've been dodging around my question for the past two days! Don't think I don't notice you changing the subject!"

"You're changing the subject too!"

"I'm perfectly capable of taking a break from time to time and I can certainly make time for my friends and Patton. And while I may turn most of them down, I do occasionally join in on movie nights. Don't try to focus on my 'flaws' just because you don't want to talk about your problems."

"That's- that's not... I didn't mean it like that," Virgil said quietly. "I just... we do worry about you sometimes too. We like hanging out with you and sometimes it feels like you're never around. And I know I have problems. I just... I... I don't... I..."

Virgil's voice trailed off and he bit his lip. He did feel bad. He shouldn't have attacked him like that. He shouldn't have kept the conversation going. He could have left it alone but he just had to ask why Logan kept asking if he was okay. Logan was just worried about him and he turned it around on him. Virgil tugged at his sleeves and turned his attention to the window. They arrived at his work soon after.

Virgil could almost feel Logan about to say something. He heard him turn and could see him mouth open from the corner of his eye but he left before he could say anything. He couldn't deal with it right now. He messed up. He didn't want to hear Logan try to fix it. He needed a bit to think first.

He started this. He needed to fix it.