New Kids (Prinxiety/Logicality)

Chapter Four

Virgil sped to his first class, history. It was tremendously boring. He avoided eye contact with anybody at all cost. Mostly with the teacher. He didn't want to get called on for any reason whatsoever, although he figured he would be at some point in the year. Thankfully, he was barely noticed at all.

After that, he had English. It wasn't as bad; the teacher made a bunch of stupid puns that he nearly laughed at. He had a soft spot for bad jokes, but he wouldn't let it show. He went through that class as barely a shadow; unnoticed and unimportant.

Finally, he had another class with Roman. Thankfully, it was with Logan, too, because geometry was difficult and neither of the other two boys were very good at math and Logan seemed to pride himself on his skills.

"In my old district, we did geometry freshman year," Logan explained, "so I know how to do pretty much everything already," he told the other two as they sat down on either side of him. "Just come to me if you require assistance."

"Thanks, Logan," Roman said, somewhat relieved. Virgil was still somewhat anxious, but that was just his usual jitters. He was almost always anxious.

"Yeah, thank you," he muttered. Logan gave them a small smile.

"Anytime," he replied, then turned his attention to the front of the classroom as the bell rang.

-

"I must say, I rather enjoy geometry. I normally like being challenged, but it's nice to have a class you can relax in and not stress over, to give the brain a break," Logan told his friends as they all went down to lunch together. They were going to meet Patton there, and Roman spotted Remy sleeping in an obscure corner, so he dragged him along.

"Come on," he'd grumbled, dragging the ever-tired boy down to the cafeteria. He'd had to remove his sunglasses, revealing dark bags under his eyes that were in no way makeup.

"Why?" Remy complained, although not resisting. "I don't wanna be here."

"Me neither. People make me uncomfortable," Virgil shuddered. "At least, a hallway full of strangers does. Kind of comforting to have some people I kinda sorta slightly know."

"I agree with that. Everything here is so boring," Roman muttered.

"Am I really the only person here who likes school?" Logan asked, slightly miffed.

"Yes," the other three said in unison.

"Nope! I love it here," Patton said from behind them, causing Virgil and Roman to jump. Remy was too tired to physically exert himself that much and Logan wasn't surprised in the least. "Everybody is so friendly! And the teachers are so nice and I've got you guys and that's reassuring, I guess."

"Wouldn't you rather be anywhere else, though?" Roman asked, dramatically waving his arms about.

"Stop it, you're going to take someone's eye out," Virgil grumbled.

"Sorry, Hot Topic," he answered.

"Aww, you think I'm hot," the emo nightmare smirked, causing the Disney prince reject to blush slightly before crossing his arms in annoyance.

"Shut up, My Chemically Imbalanced Romance. My point is, would you not rather be elsewhere? Doing something exciting?"

"I think this place can be exciting," Patton smiled.

"I like that one," Logan decided, and Patton giggled.

"Thanks, Lo. You're pretty great, too. I think you're all great."

"That's sickeningly optimistic," Remy groaned. "How are you so happy? This place just kinda sucked all the joy out of the atmosphere."

"I dunno," the cheerful boy shrugged. "I'm just a happy person. It's fun, you should try it sometime." Remy rolled his eyes and they found themselves in the cafeteria. They sat down at an empty table.

Deceit soon spotted the band of newbies and plopped himself next to Virgil. He jumped again in surprise.

"Geez, De," he muttered. "Warn a dude next time."

"Good to see you, too," the snakelike teenager grinned mischievously. A couple of passing sophomore girls glanced at Virgil in what looked like pity. What reason would they have to feel sorry for him? Was he really that pathetic? Or did it have to do with something else? Or someone else?

"Whatever," Virgil rolled his eyes. "What's up?"

"The sky. Look, Virge, this might seem a bit... straightforward," he lowered his voice, but they were both fully aware of the rest of the table watching them and listening intently on their conversation.

"Yeah...?" Virgil gestured for him to continue, a bit nervous.

"Would you like to hang out with me at some point? I'd really like to get to know you better. As more than a friend."

"Um... didn't you say that people call you 'Deceit' for a reason?" Virgil asked anxiously, scooting away slightly.

"Because it's a cool nickname?" the other wiggled his eyebrows seductively.

"You said it was fitting. And besides, I don't know why, but... you make me kinda nervous. No offense, but... just a little bit. Maybe just because I don't know you all that well, but I'd rather not do anything before I know you at all. Sorry to disappoint," he finished his short rant, not meeting anybody's eyes, not catching the slightly shocked expression on Deceit's face.

"It's alright," he quickly composed himself. "That usually works," he added under his breath. "But no worries!" He cheerfully stood up and practically pranced away, much too happy to be authentic, leaving behind a slightly angry Roman, a shocked Logan, a confused Patton and Remy, and a very, very flustered and red-faced Virgil.

"I don't like him," Roman said aloud as soon as Deceit was out of earshot.

"Agreed," Logan said in agreement.

"What just happened?" Virgil whimpered with his face in his arms. "This place is freaking me out and I don't like it and-"

"It's alright, Virge," Roman moved to sit next to his friend. "It's alright. Please don't have a panic attack on me here," he whispered, putting a comforting arm around Virgil's shoulders.

"I won't, it's just..." he took a deep breath. "Thanks, Ro. We have art next, right?"

"Yep," Roman smiled at Virgil, who lifted his head.

"Thanks," he said again. "Sorry for freaking out on you. It's just with all the stress and anxiety and there's so many people. It feels like they're all watching or something and I've just felt a bit uncomfortable all day."

"I can hardly hold it against you," Roman said. "It's okay."

"Of course it is," Patton piped up, sensing a panic attack on its way. "After all, even if something did go wrong, we'd all be here to help you out."

"Naturally. I've never been good with people, but even I can tell when something is wrong," Logan added reassuringly. "I might be a bit of a last-resort type of person to come to with issues about feelings, but to the best of my abilities, I will always try in some way to help any of my friends out."

"And of course I'm here," Remy said, forcing himself not to yawn. Maybe this new school wouldn't be so bad. These guys, at least, were pretty chill. "I shall be your comic relief when Patton fails to make an appropriately timed dad joke."

"Dad will never happen," the dad-like teenager grinned.

Virgil was speechless. How could these people that he barely knew at all be promising to help him like this? No one ever had, not since his mom had died. His dad had made him grow up far too quickly, and none of the kids in his old school had even acknowledged his existence, much less cared. Occasionally they would laugh if he managed to embarrass himself, but most of the time, it was almost as though he didn't exist.

He had yet to decide if he preferred existence, but at the moment, he was fairly certain that his answer would be yes.