Together (Book 1)

Chapter 4

Virgil's POV

I woke up screaming before I could stop myself, sitting bolt upright in bed. I barely remembered laying down, let alone falling asleep. In panic and fear, I pulled the sleeves of my black shirt back, scanning my arms vigorously for anything.

Not a drop of blood or even a scab.

You're okay, I told myself, though I didn't fully believe it.

I pulled my sleeves back down, digging what little fingernails I had into my skin. My breathing was fast and harsh, and my heart felt like it was going to explode. My entire body shook as my head tried to comprehend my dream. I pressed my palms against my ears in a futile attempt to block out my own thoughts. Wedging myself between the pillows of my bed and its headboard, my vision began to blur with tears.

My door flung open, and I jumped, the tears falling over my cheeks. In the doorway stood Roman, confused as he stared at me.

I couldn't breathe. I quickly looked away from him, throwing my head into my hands, wetting my palms with tears. My sobs came out choked.

Roman sat in front of me quickly, whispering to himself before prying my hands away from my face. He forced me to look at him despite how much I fought. "Hey," he urged, "you need to look at me, okay?" His voice was firm, yet comforting at the same time.

I shook my head, tears pouring from my eyes. Go away, please.

He tried to convince me, "You're going to be okay. We all get like this sometimes."

I didn't want to listen to him anymore. You hate me; I know it.

"Can you do me a favor?" His voice sounded like velvet—sweet and comforting.

He earned a nod.

He took my right hand and pressed it against his bare chest. "Match my breathing, okay? In... and out..."

I stared at where my hand laid and no higher.

His breathing was calm, even as his heart thundered in his chest, and I tried to match it with my own. At first, all I could do was gasp and wheeze. Eventually—finally—I could breathe properly again.

Roman's POV

I noticed Virgil's breathing slow, and I wanted to smile, even though I was sure he hadn't fully calmed down. His hand slumped and slid down to entangle in the bedsheets.

His voice shook as he whispered, "Thank you." He slid his leg off the bed.

I grabbed him before he could stand, wrapping my arms around him before he could stand. At first, he stiffened, and I was about to pull away when he relaxed with a sigh. I pushed my head into his neck, happy to have been able to help him.

"You really scared me," I admitted.

"I know, and—and I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

"Don't be sorry," I interjected. "Like I said, it happens to all of us. It's okay to rely on others, you know."

He nodded, gently pressing against my chest—a kind way of saying that he was done hugging. "Why'd you come in here?"

"I heard you scream." I looked down, thinking of something that I hadn't before: why? "Why did you scream?"

He took a shuddered breath, and I panicked in the split second it took him to speak. "It was just a bad dream."

"Do you wanna talk about it?" I probed.

He hesitated. "You know, I've been working extra hard, and—and it was really weighing on Thomas..." Fresh tears rolled over his flushed cheeks. "He slit h—his wrists be—because of me..."

I inched closer to him, and, this time, he hugged me, soaking my shoulder. Slowly, afraid of scaring him off, I raised my hand, carefully running my fingers through his hair.

The door opened, but Virgil didn't seem to notice. In the darkness stood Patton, the father-figure looking concerned as his eyes darted between the two of us.

I hardened my gaze, willing him to go away with my eyes.

Patt sighed and half-smiled then backed away slowly, closing the door behind him.

Virgil timidly pulled out of our hug. "Can you stay, please...?"

As a few tears slid from his eyes, I brought my hands up to his face, wiping them away. "Well, how can I say no to that?" I set up a Disney movie and pressed play. When I turned around, Virgil was already curled up in bed, hugging a pillow. I slipped in next to him. I covered us both up with a soft, purple blanket that had been piled at the foot of the bed.

By the time the movie was half over, Virgil had snuggled up next to me, fast asleep. I smiled as I slowly fell asleep as well.