Chemistry - A Sander's Sides Fanfiction

- 2 -

When Virgil walked through the doors of Sidebay High School on his first day of school, his stomach was in knots. Not only was it a new school, but it was also new classes and new people. He was not looking forward to it.

The only thing that could calm him down while he walked through the packed halls was The Neighbourhood blasting in his head phones. Peeling red lockers lined the white walls of the indoor hallways. The floor was made up of grainy tiles, patterned in the colors mainly white, then red, blue, and green. He felt the eyes of students latch onto him as they realized that they had never seen him before. Virgil desperately wished he were in a high school with an uncountable number of kids, so they wouldn't all know he didn't belong -- or even better, he just wished he were still in his room.

His first class of the day was something called  "Government and Economics" -- whatever that was; he only knew it was required. It was room 56 and Virgil made his way there slowly. Even though he had a map in hand, he couldn't help being worried that he was going to get lost.

The first bell rang and after a minute he found the classroom. He walked in and took the only seat left. Once again, he felt almost all eyes on him for a moment. The teacher, who introduced herself as Mrs. Kayte, called his name for roll call and he reluctantly raised his hand. He didn't want to be the center of attention -- he hated being the center of attention.

This was agony.

He rushed out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang and kept his signature guarded expression for the rest of the day. Luckily, people got the idea and didn't approach him. At one point during third period, a girl with straight blond hair and clear green eyes looked as though she was about to introduce herself, but then he looked up at her with a scowl and she backed off.

After the post third period break, Virgil wandered through fourth period, again with a lack of attention -- except his english teacher pointed out that he was the new kid, of course. Luckily he didn't have to say more than his name and then it was done.

Fifth period was when it got interesting. He had decided to take chemistry because it seemed like one of the easiest two-level class that the school offered -- no way was he taking second level physics. He walked in and immediately recognized the red-scarf-clad walking stereotype who had sauntered out of -- and most likely into -- his first period Government and Economics class. Virgil didn't know the name of the kid, but upon checking the seating chart, realized that he would be meeting him very soon; they were seat partners.

Reluctantly, Virgil made his way over to the empty chair. He saw that his seat partner and the nerd in front of him were talking. Said nerd looked generally unenthused with the conversation. What a good sign, Virgil thought sarcastically. He hoped to whatever force might be controlling the universe that he would not hate his seat this year.

When Virgil sat down, the boy immediately introduced himself. Roman. Huh. The social interaction was fairly simple and short, but Roman did seem like he was going to be talkative. Wonderful. At least it was fifth period, and not some time early in the day when Virgil was barely awake enough to function, let alone hold a conversation -- no matter how little effort he put into said conversation.

After the bell rang and the middle-aged-Einstein-looking chemistry professor, Mr. Tamm, took roll and passed out some sort of syllabus, Virgil was caught off guard by the kid in front of him whipping around. The excited-looking boy was wearing glasses, a light blue polo, and... was that a cardigan around his shoulders? He literally looked like the stereotype of a preppy mixed with some sort of dad -- he even had khakis! Am I dreaming? Virgil wondered in a brief moment of disbelief. Before he had time to decide, the boy spoke.

"Sooo," he began with a huge smile, "I overheard that your name was Virgil. Nice to meet you! I'm Patton." He also extended a hand, just like Roman had. People still shook hands these days? Weird.

Virgil shook the boy's -- Patton's -- hand anyway. "Uh, nice to meet you too...?"

Patton just beamed. Then, he half-turned to the boy next to him. "So, since it doesn't seem like he's going to do it, let me introduce you to Logan!" Patton's hands shot out to the side, displaying Logan as if he were a car on the 1960's show Let's Make A Deal. Logan turned, clearly annoyed.

Virgil, at that moment, had never related more to anyone he'd never met in his life.

Logan took in a deep breath when he was given an expectant look from Patton. "Hi. Yes, I'm Logan. I don't know why this is necessary, considering you already know my name."

Virgil let out a short huff of breath -- it was as close to a laugh as he was going to get today. "I'm Virgil, but you probably already know that." He was once again washed with a cold feeling. He hated telling people his name -- he always thought they were going to laugh or something. But, as per usual, no one laughed. Logan just nodded and then turned back around in his seat to continue working. On what, Virgil had no idea, considering they had no classwork and likely no homework in any other class. Virgil just shook his head, not interested enough to plague himself over the question.

Patton turned back to his desk too, but not before restating, "Nice to meet you, Virgil!" He seemed like he was going to be a ball of obnoxious energy for the rest of the year.

Virgil studied his seat partner and the group in front of him for the rest of the period. Roman kept catching his eye because of the brilliant red scarf he wore around his neck. He also wore a fashionably-cut white button-up that was rolled up to his elbows. It looked soft. Underneath the unbuttoned front, Virgil could see a t-shirt. He couldn't exactly tell what it said, but it looked like the graphic of a play or movie -- most likely play; everything about this kid just screamed theater. His brown hair was styled a little up in the front so it would have more texture, and he had lucently glittering brown eyes -- it's like he just dripped popular from every aspect. Virgil also immediately pinpointed Roman as gay -- or something of the sort. It wasn't a specifically important detail, but for some reason, it was blatantly obvious to Virgil. Like he'd noted before: walking stereotype.

Next, Virgil shifted his focus to Logan. The boy seemed rigid and obedient, eager to slave away his days in high school, then college, and then an office. But he seemed like he was smart. He had an intelligent gleam in his eye and something about the way he spoke screamed "I read the encyclopedia and play with rubix cubes for fun." He wore a black button-up and... he was literally wearing a tie. A striped blue tie. What. These kids are so weird, Virgil confirmed to himself. He also had dark blue jeans on but Virgil assumed he was also a khaki guy. His glasses were nearly identical to Patton's -- which was ironic because of how polar opposite the two obviously were.

Finally, Virgil focussed on Patton. He was afraid, however, that if he looked at the boy for too long, he would be noticed and Patton would turn around to talk. Virgil had already noticed his appearance, but the more interesting thing about Patton was the fact the he seemed to be constantly buzzing with electricity. He never seemed to stop looking generally pleased, and often had a smile on his face. He was sickeningly optimistic. Virgil had a feeling it meant he would be willing to do anything for anyone -- just as long as it kept that person happy. It was also interesting that he seemed to be incredibly fond of Logan, but Logan didn't seem remotely interested in being friends with Patton. It's like he couldn't get the message or something -- that or he didn't care. That determination could become an issue for Virgil, if he realized he didn't like Patton.

The period came to an end eventually and Virgil was once again given no homework. He exited the classroom as quickly as he could and jammed his headphones back on his ears -- headphones that he immediately took off again because someone tapped his shoulder.

It was Patton. "Hey kiddo!" Ugh. "So, I was thinking, you probably don't have a place to sit at lunch, so --"

"No."

Patton looked slightly taken aback. "... No? Are you sure?"

Virgil, as lonely as he felt, was not looking for pity or unwavering small talk. "I'll be fine on my own. Thanks for the effort though."

Patton just gave him a concerned frown as Virgil turned away. He felt a little bad as he stalked off to some secluded corner of the cafeteria patio.