Adding Shadows

Hard Knock Life

Roman's first encounter with Logan had been a interesting one. He had walked in on Wednesday, followed by Virgil, and bowed to Logan before sitting down.

"Your attire is highly impractical." Logan told the early child in the prince costume. Roman wasn't fazed, and he quickly responded,

"It is actually quite practical when it comes to slaying dragons, and it is fashionable. And prince has got to slay."

Logan looked up from the lesson plan laid out in front of him and stared at Roman "No human being has to kill anything."

Roman laughed and Virgil stifled a giggle, and Roman shook his head "That is not what I meant by 'slay', my good sir."

Logan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and Virgil sighed "He meant a prince has to look amazing. That's what 'slay' means, amazing. Basically."

Logan nodded like he understood, though he was clearly still confused, and scribbled a few things down on a piece of paper.

"What are those?" Virgil asked, pointing at the flash card looking papers. Logan quickly put them away, embarrassed.

"Vocabulary cards." He cleared his throat, looking down at the lesson plan again, clearly indicating he was done talking so Virgil and Roman sat down.

'He keeps vocab cards with slang on them?' Virgil scribbled down onto a scrap paper, passing it to Roman who read it and shrugged.

'Adults R weird' Roman passed the paper back and Virgil nodded in agreement.

The rest of the school day went by normally, both Racer and Hunter ignored them, but at the end of the day Roman and Virgil were called to the front desk.

"What do you think they want us for?" Virgil asked, nervously hugging himself and tapping his fingers against his arm.

Roman recognized Virgil's nervous tics and tried to lighten the mood "Perhaps they finally realized how smart you are and they're moving you up to the next grade. And I'm being moved up with you so you'll survive!"

Virgil giggled and rolled his eyes "Oh, I'm very sure." He hugged himself tighter but the finger tapping stopped.

When they got to front desk the usual receptionist was accompanied by none other than Math teacher Logan John.

"Good afternoon, Mr Phillips, Virgil." Logan greeted them casually, but his usual intimidating expression loosened and a soft smile peeled through.

"Hi.." Virgil muttered back in response, Roman just made a small bow motion in response.

"You are most likely confused as to why you are here." Logan scanned their faces to check they were following before continuing "We already called your guardians and we have gotten their permission, but these decisions are completely up to you."

Virgil and Roman exchanges a confused and bewildered look before nodding to Logan.

"Roman, we believe it would be a good idea if you spoke to the student counselor. It is to my understanding you turned down your mothers offer of a actual therapist."

Roman swallowed "Yeah.. I don't know. Grown ups don't understand me.."

The receptionist laughed "Trust me, Dr Picani will understand you." Logan nodded in agreement.

"Again, it is completely up to you. But we all think it could do you good. Why don't you try it for just one day for thirty minutes, and if you don't want to, no one will make you go back."

Roman thought this over before sighing defeatedly and nodded "Just one time for thirty minutes. Can I go now? To get it over with?"

The receptionist nodded and told Roman to follow her. Roman did so, only pausing momentarily to wave goodbye to Virgil.