The Necklace

3: Virgil

  Virgil really didn't mind Patton's company all that much. He could finally understand why Logan and Roman were so nice to Patton. Patton was kind of like a little kid, without the crying and tantrums. He was nice to everyone around him, including Virgil. When Virgil was doubting himself, Patton was right there, insisting that he was doing great. Virgil never needed to say anything about it, Patton just knew the right things to say at the right time.

  Virgil hated to admit it, but it was getting to the point where he needed Patton. Patton was starting to give him the feeling that he wasn't all that bad. That he might actually be worth something. But as soon as Virgil remembered that he had nothing hanging around his neck, the feeling Patton gave him faltered. His parents didn't help the situation either.

  Virgil never had the best home life. His father was gone, he never met the guy. His mother was still around, but she was overprotective and could have quite the temper. She yelled at Virgil a lot about all the things he had done wrong. He could never do anything right in her eyes, maybe that was why he was a ball of anxiety and self doubt.

  "Patton be careful." Virgil heard Logan call out to their dad like friend. But right then he was more like a little kid. Patton was running towards the teeter totter, determined to be the first one to get to it. Roman was close behind, knowing that Patton needed someone on the other side. A smile was on both of their faces as they ran.

  "Are they always like this?" Virgil ask as he fell into step with Logan. His eyes never leaving the two on the seesaw, slightly amused by them. Their smiles were infectious, Logan was smiling slightly as he watched them as well. Virgil couldn't help it as the corner of his mouth curled upwards the tiniest bit.

  "When we come to the park? Yes. They usually start with the seesaw and the work their way to the play set. They have a little competition of some sort and then finish with the swings." Logan said it as if he had watched them go through the process a hundred times. He seemed almost bored by it. Almost. When Virgil looked at Logan, he could make out the small sparkle of amusement in his eyes.

  "How long have you guys all known each other?" Virgil asked after a moment of hesitation. He didn't want to seem like he was intruding on the others' lives. Yeah, the others acted like he was a part of their little group, but Virgil was still unsure. He felt a little out of place among them.

  Logan gave Virgil a sideways glance. "I haven't been their friend for very long. Maybe about a year now," he paused, thinking for a moment. "We will have been friends for a year in twenty seven days. Patton was the one that came up to me. He did the same thing he did to you, acting as if we have been friends for ages even if it was our first time ever meeting.
  "Patton has always been a people person, or at least that's what Roman has told me. Roman and Patton have known each other since childhood. Their parents knew each other so they've have been together since they can remember. Maybe that's why Roman is a bit protective over Patton, being the only one that Roman has known since childhood."

  Virgil found himself nodding, trying to encourage Logan to keep talking. All this information, Virgil found interesting. He had never stuck around long enough for someone to trust him with their history. Now that someone had, he wanted to hear more.

  "You see, Patton used to be a sensitive kid when they were growing up. He would get made fun of for that. So Roman has vowed to be Patton's knight in shining armour. Or at least that's what I collected from Roman's wild tale he told me." Logan said as they made their way to the play set. Logan and Virgil walked up the ramp and sat down on one of the steps.

  "They're soulmates?" Virgil asked. He wasn't sure, but the way Logan told him everything, it sounded like Patton and Roman were soulmates. As soon as Virgil asked he closed his mouth and bit his lip. It was so stupid of him to ask. You can't just ask a question like that. Plus, Virgil didn't care, why would he? He didn't have a necklace so there was no hope for him anyway.