A Series of Sanders

The Present is in The Past; Part 2

"Patton?" Virgil opened the door, surprised and slightly disappointed. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, kiddo," Patton stood in the doorway, his customary cat sweater wrapped around his shoulders like always. "I heard about what happened earlier today with you and Roman and Deceit."

"What- how?" Virgil asked, confused. How could anyone know about it?

"Oh, so I was right?" A second voice drifted in from beyond Patton. Logan leaned in from behind Patton's shoulder, arms crossed over his tie. "I knew it," He said, quietly to himself.

"But... how?" Virgil asked again.

"Oh, well, it was actually quite simple. Out of the four of us, you were nowhere to be found, and Roman spent all day pretending to stare out of a window wistfully. Deceit, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found and wasn't trying to ruin Thomas's day at all. I put the pieces together, and of course, had to see if I was right or not, but-"

"Right, thanks," Virgil said in a monotone voice, wishing they'd both just leave. "Did you come here for any other reason than to show off?"

"Yes, of course," Patton said, smiling cautiously. "We wanted to see if there was anything we could do?"

"Or, possibly, hear the tea, sis?" Logan added, holding up a vocab card.

Virgil allowed himself a momentary smile before shaking his head. "Thanks, but... I think I'm good," He said, reaching to close the door.

"Wait, Virgil!" Patton said, and for some reason Virgil did. "We don't have to talk at all if you don't want to. I just... Well, I figured that if Logan's theory was right, you might not mind some company. Or maybe just... a distraction?" Virgil shrugged, and Patton held up a collection of DVDs, saying, "We brought some of those movies we know you like. The ones by that director."

Virgil took the DVD's, looking at the titles. The Corpse Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands.

"Only if you want to," Patton said quickly, and Virgil looked up at him and Logan, actually happy they were there.

"Why not?" He said, letting them in. If the person he really wanted to see was refusing to show up, then there was nothing Virgil could do about it.

Nothing except hang out with his friends and try to take his mind off of what was bothering him. And, when someone as nice as Patton shows up with a solution, you don't just ignore that. Maybe he'd feel better tomorrow. Maybe they'd come tomorrow.

There was nothing to do now but kick back and watch a Tim Burton movie, and keep his mind clear.

~