Unstable || Prinxiety

Chapter 24

(Virgil's POV)

Song: Roaring 20s - Panic! At the Disco

"Happy birthday!"

I shuddered as another person gave me a warm greeting as I passed them in the hall. I'd been hearing the familiar yet dreaded words more times today than should be possible in a lifetime. It was my birthday today (obviously) and so far I'd been given gifts after gifts and cards after cards - it was my nightmare. What time was it now? It was finally 8:00pm - too late for any more celebrations - I told myself optimistically, but even I knew that I was lying to myself. The whole day, my friends had been suspiciously preoccupied and my keys to my room had suspiciously gone missing. I knew a surprise birthday party when I saw one.

So for the whole day, I'd been trapped outside of my apartment, trying to avoid people and any sign of celebrations, which in this small world of Thomas's mind, proved to be impossible. Whenever I passed my room, I heard a calamity of disorganized noise inside, so I knew something was afoot.

As I approached the corridor leading to my room, I could hear dull music mixed with indistinguishable chatter thumping through the walls like blood through veins. And before I knew it, I was standing right outside the heart of the music, which happened to be the entrance to my room. Reluctantly, I found myself knocking at my previously locked door, wincing as it gave way and the various noises of chatter magnified. Greeted with a gust of warm air and cheers, I couldn't help but smile as I crossed past the threshold.

"Happy Birthday!"

I couldn't hold back a smile at their efforts, especially when I realized who had come to celebrate my birthday. It was Logan, Patton, Roman, Loneliness - Deceit even - and various others that I'd never talked to who'd obviously just come for the food. That's when I noticed my surroundings.

I was rendered speechless with admiration as I took in the room, but quickly gained composure as I greeted my company with half-hearted waves. They had covered almost every visible surface with balloons, streamers and confetti, and each wall had a different theme. The wall decorated with red items caught my attention first - it was obviously Roman's doing. Another was simple and precisely decorated; it basically screamed Logan. Patton's corner was covered with all things fun, but to his credit, was neat enough.

"Thanks guys," I muttered, but my thanks went in vein as I was drowned out by the noise. It seemed like no one apart from those near the door seemed to notice my appearance, not that I minded.  Roman saw me first, practically leaping off the near-by couch to say hello. Drink in hand, Roman was the definition of drunk, and I realized that the party had obviously been going for some time.

"Here have you been this whole time? This is literally your party," he drawled, words slurring, but he was having too good of a time to be even remotely annoyed with me. I shrugged, honestly not knowing myself, and made my way over to the food table with Roman behind me.

"Are you drunk?" I asked, although the answer was more than obvious. Even from that distance, I could smell the harsh, sour scent of drink on his breath.

"Um, excuse you? I've never had alcohol in my entire life! Do you honestly think that I, Roman, would ever disgrace myself in that manner?"

Sure. Someone was going to wake up with a serious hangover tomorrow.

"Did the entire country come or something?" I asked, looking for conversation. I helped myself to the nearest snack as I waited for his response, pouring myself a drink of a slightly fishy mixture. But when I looked up, Roman was already gone, dancing in the center of the room amongst a massive crowd of equally drunk people.