Bonded by the Blues | A Sander Sides Book

Chapter 4 - I'd Rather be Blue

Hi folks! It's time for me to get snarky and antisocial!

--Virgil--

The roof shingles were surprisingly nice. I shifted and rolled on to my stomach. I shuffled forward, poking my head over the edge of the roof. Why was I on the roof of the building, you ask, instead of down in the courtyard with the rest of my... 'peers'? Well because I can, and I'd rather be alone. It's not as if I would've socialised with them anyway.

I yawned.

It was one of those delicious yawns that made me tingle from my forehead to my toes with tiny spasms as my body relaxed and settled into a more comfortable position. The sun had burned the back of my neck, I noted with annoyance. I didn't spend that much time out in the sun - too bright. I scratched my neck involuntarily and winced. Ow, my skin was way too sensitive.

I lazily began to take note of all the people down on the ground. Was I spying on them? I guess you could say that. I just need a break from humanity. Should I go down after all? Was I even allowed up here? The roof was turning out to be not so safe as I thought – well there I go again. I came up here to hide from the crowd, and now I convinced myself that I should be down there because that's what a sane confident person would do and now I can't stay up here or go down and why am I obsessing over this so much? Ugh now my first day here is ruined – wait did I ever even think that the first day would be okay –

My darting unfocused eyes came to a sudden rest on the happiest face I've ever seen. My brain went blank as I gasped. Who even was this? And why do I suddenly feel calmer?

"Hey, you!" the red and white figure shouted up.

Oh shoot. Thanks for noticing me. Should I say Hi? Wave back? I stared desperately back at him, scowling. Once again, I was indecisive. Welcome to my life.

"If you wanted to get so close to the sun, I'm right here!"

That did it. This jerk was only interested in catcalling me. I pushed myself off the edge and slid backwards. I was sweaty, nervous and the sun was probably making the back of my head heat up more than the front of it.

His apology floated up to me.

I swatted my cheeks, annoyed at myself for blushing. Oh yay. I was feeling awful again. Good to be back to the default.

I took some time to analyse what had happened. I hadn't expected anyone to see me up here. But someone did. That was nice. He genuinely did seem a decent fellow, then why did he say that awful line? It didn't even make the sense... how was getting close to the sun like getting close to him?

Oh. I was blushing again. Dude thinks he's hot. Well he is. But he shouldn't be so arrogant about it! I thought with a huff. Something didn't add up about him. I wondered what, I couldn't exactly put my finger on it.

I peeped over the edge of the roof again. Was he still around?

He was hard to miss. He stood at ease with another guy with jet black hair. My annoying caller's face was lit up with effortless charm, his hands moving expressively as he chatted. He seemed to be animated, in motion and carefree. He gave the impression that a room of artists had brainstormed to create the perfect man. Well they were successful, if the results were anything to go by.

He's nothing like me, I thought bitterly. Oh well. At least he made my day a bit more bearable.

"Bye, you..." I whispered. He won't hear me anyway.

I clambered up the roof to the flat slab right at the centre. I think it functioned as a roof-top of sorts, though I had no clue what it could be used for. It was too open.

I stuck my hands in my jean pockets, wishing it wasn't too warm to bury myself in my oversized sweatshirt...

As I neared the door at the top of the staircase, I realised I wasn't alone. Two girls were wrapped up in each other, kissing ferociously.

"We really should get to the bursar!" one giggled.

"Kissing versus paperwork? Do I even need to answer?" growled her companion, and swooped into another kiss.

Oh, get a room little miss Bubblegum and Marcelline. How am I going to make my way down unnoticed? Well I'll just have to jump off the roof, I guess. Thankfully, they were too busy to see me standing there.

I had remembered a particularly strong-looking storm water pipe on the other side of the building. Could I possibly climb down that? There weren't that many students in that area, so with some luck nobody would see me. I scooted over to the pipe, held on to it with both hands and swung my legs over the edge of the roof.

The lengths I go to not be noticed. I deserve a medal.

My feet scrambled around, and thankfully my left foot found purchase on a window sill. My years of finding alternate routes to get out of uncomfortable situations are finally paying off.

I shimmied down the pipe and landed on the ground on all fours. I looked around. There was no one, so I won't get into trouble. I low key wished there was someone, I probably looked bad-ass pulling off that stunt.

I straightened and dusted off my clothes. A crowd of people rounded the corner. I promptly dashed around the corner on the other end of the wall.

What do I do now? I had already registered yesterday. I had got a room at the hostel. I get to move in after orientation next week. There really was no reason for me to be here. I had only come today... because I wanted to.... do what? Anyways, I need to get out of here.

My phone buzzed. Huh? I checked my messages. There was a solitary message from an unknown number.

UN: Hey.

Me: who is this?

UN: Hello, Virgil.

Me: how do you know my name.

UN: I'm just checking to see if you're okay. That jump couldn't have been easy on your knees.

This was creepy... Who could possibly have seen me and then found my number so quickly? They couldn't possibly care about my wellbeing.

I blocked the number, deleted the conversation and switched off the phone for good measure.

I really need to get out of here now. 

The plot thickens... I think I've introduced all the elements now, so on to sweet sweet character arcs. 

QotW: Why does Virgil end up perched up somewhere high at least in practically every story I've come across? Heh.

Have a delicious week.