Assistance Required

New Work

TW anxiety, mention of suicide

Fri Feb 26

Virgil had already had a long day before he walked through the door. Midterms were in two weeks so classes were giving a run down on big projects coming up and what to do for the midterms. He was focusing more on his homework, he wasn't sure how he'd find time to actually study for an exam!

Then, he ended up having a complete mental breakdown in therapy today. Everything was starting to pile up and he hated it so much. He couldn't hold himself together anymore. He talked about how much he he hated himself and how much he just wanted to die right now. And then they had the conversation of whether or not he was suicidal. He wasn't actively looking to kill himself but he didn't exactly trust himself at the moment. He also told her that at least Patton and Logan knew that too. She gave him a number to call in case it got worse.

He clocked in and asked the manager where he was today. He went to his station and started his work. As much as he hated talking to people, they were a really good distraction from his thoughts. For once, he was a little upset he was in the back. He wasn't exactly happy with his thoughts right now. They kept telling him what he was doing wrong in his life. They were mean. And he didn't like it. But he couldn't exactly get away from it.

It was another long shift as he just went through the motions, longing for the time he could finally get back to his room and go to sleep, but after they closed up the manager gathered them all around.

"Hey guys, before you go, I have some bad news." Virgil's stomach dropped. He didn't need anymore bad news today. "So, the owners of the shop have decided to sell the place and retire. Sadly, the new owners are planning on converting the business to something else and taking on new staff. I'm giving you all advanced notice so you can start looking for other jobs. I've really enjoyed working with you guys over the years and I'm going to miss some of you. I managed to get a manager's position at Dairy Queen if you guys ever wanted to see me again. I wish you guys luck."

Virgil was quiet on the ride back. He was still trying to process what just happened. He hoped this was some kind of nightmare or fever dream and he'd wake up and go to work like normal. Way too much was changing in his life right now. He really just wanted something consistent. Right when he thought he could keep walking his path, it took a hard left and it was starting to make him dizzy.

"Virgil?" Logan's voice pulled Virgil from his thoughts. He realized they were sitting in the campus parking lot. Logan had already turned off the car and opened the door and Virgil was still staring into space. He unbuckled and slid out of the car.

"Is everything okay?" Logan asked as the car doors slammed behind them.

Virgil just shrugged as they walked towards the building. He heard Logan sigh.

"Virgil," Logan said as he stopped at the door. He stood in the way of the entrance, preventing Virgil from getting in. "What's going on?"

Virgil wanted nothing more than to go to bed and forget today happened, he wasn't ready for this conversation. But he didn't want to just push past Logan to get inside. He didn't have the energy to be that forceful.

"I um..." Virgil started. He hated the words. He didn't want to say them out loud. Saying them out loud proved it was real. He couldn't pretend it was a dream if he spoke the words out loud. But he knew it was real and that he had to face this reality. "I got fired today."

Logan looked at him in shock. They both sat down on the stairs as Virgil explained what the manager told them before leaving. Logan was quiet as he processed the information. Virgil was fine with the quiet. It gave him time to think as well.