Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 5: Ew, Mornings and School are Awful

CW: talking about losing a tooth (little kid), stitches, implied bullying

Virgil dragged himself down the stairs with a sigh. He had barely slept last night and felt nauseous, maybe he should have eaten the crackers last night. Well... at least they were there when he woke up. He was able to snack on them for a bit before packing his school bag and grabbing clothes for the shower.

Roman hadn't returned from wherever he went yet, and honestly Virgil was hoping that meant it was all a dream. However once he finally got one of the bathrooms to himself and he had undressed, he still had that giant scar on his back. Oh right, and he felt like shit. But... his black eye had healed already.

Instead of questioning it, Virgil got into the shower which was steaming hot by now. He had put it on the hottest setting to wake himself up, and it was an attempt to make himself feel clean. He felt absolutely disgusted when he woke up, as if he slept in a dumpster.

While he did feel cleaner when he got out, his back was also red from the heat. He didn't care, even if it highlighted the scar. He just pulled a black shirt on before grabbing his hoodie. He put in the black stud earrings he had before applying some black eyeshadow under his eyes.

"Oh, that's what was smeared all over your face last night," a voice said, making Virgil jump and hit the counter with his hip.

"Ow, shit," he cursed in pain, holding his hip. He looked up and saw Roman, who looked a bit guilty.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you."

Virgil sighed, putting away all of his makeup supplies in a makeup bag to put back in his room later. He did not trust leaving them in the bathroom since others tended to like to share. He had bought the makeup with his own money, he wasn't going to share it with others who would make a giant mess with them.

"It's fine, just give me a warning next time," Virgil whispered, keeping his voice low so no one would hear him talking to himself.

He looked back up to see Roman was wearing new clothes. Black pants and a dark red shirt with brighter roses. "Where'd you get those?"

"Oh, Remus showed me a few shops around this town. You humans have grown fast, your technology is amazing! Doors that open when you sense them! I had thought Remus had used his magic at first."

"Considering those doors are locked at night- Wait did you guys steal clothes?"

"I did leave some gold coins on the counter."

Virgil put his hands up. "Okay, first off no one pays in gold anymore. You know what, I don't care, not my problem unless you stole from the grocery store I work at."

"Grocery store?"

"It's full of food."

"Oh! A market! No, we didn't go to a store with food. Just clothing and some technology. Remus got me a phone, but I don't know how to use it quite yet. He showed me how so I'm learning!"

"Lovely, I have a demon that doesn't know shit about the human world. As long as you don't get caught with the stolen stuff, whatever."

"Yes I'm well aware. Thieves get their hands cut off in some countries. Or do they not do that anymore?"

"I don't know? Maybe? I go to an American school, do you think I know anything about other countries?"

"I have no idea what that means, but I'm guessing no?"

Virgil rolled his eyes. "You and I are going to get along so well."

"Not if we don't try, you sarcastic vampire. Whether you like it or not, we're stuck with each other."

"Until I kill you that is."

Roman smiled at him. "Good luck trying, it'll keep me entertained as I try to navigate around this new world. If you keep it entertaining, that is..."

"Oh so you can be a little shit when you want to be."

"Virgil!" someone called. "Quit hogging the bathroom! I need to take a shower!"

Virgil grabbed his makeup. "Sorry Lila!" He quickly left the bathroom, stopping by his room to drop off his makeup and grab his backpack.

Roman followed Virgil as he walked down the stairs. "Did you eat any of the crackers?" he asked.

Virgil nodded and hummed a yes, not wanting to be seen talking to himself.

"Well, be sure to eat some breakfast too."

"Not hungry," Virgil mumbled.

"Have humans stopped eating? You need more than just crackers."

"Oh Virgil, good morning," Delores greeted, holding a basket of clothes. She frowned when she noticed his bag. "You know, maybe you should stay home today? I don't know what happened last night, but you look tired."

"I have a test in one of my classes, I don't want to have to make it up later."

"Okay... I won't stop you but try to take it easy today. If you change your mind before you leave, I won't mind. I would actually prefer it."

"I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me."

Delores sighed, "At least your eye seems to be better. Just be careful at school, I won't be able to come in today since Xander isn't coming in to help me today. So... try to avoid those kids. Oh, and there's breakfast in the kitchen," she said before walking that way. "Janus get out of the fire escape!"

Virgil groaned before making his way to the kitchen, Roman following in slight confusion.

"What kids?" he asked.

"No one, it's fine," Virgil growled under his voice.

Roman frowned. "I'm starting to hate that word."

"Well get used to it cause it's true." Virgil grabbed a bowl and box of cereal. He didn't plan on having much, but when pouring Roman flicked his wrist to make more fall out. Virgil sent a glare at him as Roman pretended to look elsewhere. Though before he could say anything, he felt someone tug his jacket.

"Virgil!" the little kid shouted, Virgil frowned seeing stitches on his lip. "I lost a tooth yesterday! I wanted to tell you after school, but you didn't come home."

"S-sorry bud, but how did you hurt your lip?" Virgil asked, bending down slightly.

"I got hit with a hockey puck at PE! It knocked out my tooth, and then the tooth fairy came last night and gave me a dollar!" the kid held up the single dollar bill.

"That's really cool, but I hope your lip gets better soon."

"It's okay! I feel cool like you now! Like that time you came home with a cut on your cheek."

"Yeah but that was because... I tripped." Roman frowned when he realized that was a lie.

"Well you're still super cool! Oh, Dannie's finally getting adopted today! Delores said those nice ladies are gonna pick her up after school! Do you think you're gonna get adopted soon?"

Virgil gave the kid a small smile. "Maybe."

"I hope you get nice parents! I hope everyone here gets nice parents!"

"Yeah, me too. You should get something to eat though, bud. Before you have to go to school."

"Oh right! Okay, bye bye!" The kid ran off to grab a plate before piling some mini pancakes on it that Delores must have made.

"What was that?" Roman asked.

"What was what?" Virgil grumbled quietly, grabbing a spoon and some milk.

"You lied about tripping, you're not a good liar if I may add. What really happened?"

Virgil glanced over at him with a look that was hard to read. "You'll see."

Roman sighed, "I don't like the sound of that."