popularity || sanders sides [DISCONTINUED]

18 | Logan + Roman

there will be a pov change around halfway through, and that's because i knew it was logan's turn for a chapter, but i didn't know what to write for him so i just decided to make the main plot of this chapter take place in roman's pov.

Chapter 18: Awkward Circumstances
  Logan Sanders

It was one of the smoothest rides I had ever had, driving myself and my friends to McDonald's on that day after rehearsal. Honestly, the three of them deserved it; they worked really hard today. And this was my way of rewarding them: with greasy, salty food that could in no way be good for anyone to digest.

Roman and Virgil were in the backseats, as far away from each other as they could get, almost as if touching each other would give them as severe consequences as the plague. Patton, however, was beside me in the passenger seat, smiling from ear to ear as we got closer and closer to our destination.

Once we did arrive, Patton practically jumped out of the car a second before I could even fully park, causing me to want to lecture him but not do it because he looked like a child, with a huge smile on his face and all, and if I was honest, he looked adorable.

After I exited the car, Roman opened his door, shut it, and basically speed-walked to Virgil's side to open his for him. Virgil barely looked at him when he got out, simply rolling his eyes at the act, which appeared to make Roman genuinely upset. But I didn't know much about emotions, so I brushed that off and started walking into the restaurant, Virgil and Roman following while Patton ran in front of me, making it to the door first.

"I win!" Patton said to us after we had caught up to him at the door. I smiled, not that much but it was there, "That you did." And after that small exchange of words, the four of us entered the building, allowing the strong scent of salt and grease hit our noses. It was almost intoxicating, for after I stepped in I found myself wanting the food more than I had before.

We started walking to the register to order, but Roman stopped, smiling nervously, "I, uh, have to use the bathroom real quick. If you wouldn't mind, could you guys order for me? Patton knows what I like." And before we could reply, he was gone.

"What's his deal?" Virgil muttered, most likely feeling that Roman was acting strange, just as I felt. Ha, felt. That's a first.

It was a while after we had gotten our food and started eating that Roman returned, still with that nervous smile on his face, accompanied by slightly redder cheeks than before. I wondered why he'd be looking like that, but brushed it off as Roman being Roman.

Conversation at the table spread like wildfire as Roman began eating and the other three of us continued. But there was this weird feeling in the air, like something was about to happen. I didn't know what, and I didn't know when, but somebody here was going to get themselves into more trouble.

And I pray to God it won't be Patton.

pov switch
roman castillo

"Roman, could you get me a refill?" Patton asked, handing me his cup. Virgil had insisted that he and I didn't sit next to each other for whatever reason, and though it made me sort of upset, I couldn't deny that I was having a good time sitting next to Patton. We had both gotten Happy Meals as we always did and had been playing with our toys before he asked me to get him more of his drink.

I nodded, "Sure!" And then I got up to retrieve my friend his drink, which I'm pretty sure was Sprite but might've been water. Guess I was going to have to guess.

On my way over, I felt someone's presence behind me, but I blamed that on this being a busy restaurant and that of course someone was going to be behind me. But when I had just dismissed it, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a chill go down my spine.

I turned around and looked into the person's eyes, and immediately recognized him: Dawson. I hadn't seen him since eighth grade, seeing as he had moved shortly after the incident in the cafeteria. I had hoped I wouldn't see him again anyways, but here he was.

"Hello, Roman." He said smoothly, leaning against a wall. I narrowed my eyes and turned back around, not in the mood for this kind of thing. Today was not the day. He seemed to not get the hint at all, "Roman, I have an offer for you."

"What do you want?" I asked, still not bothering to spare him a glance over my shoulder. But I could still tell that he was smirking at me, and that made me uncomfortable, "What if I said that I could make you even more popular?"

I frowned, knowing how impossible that offer was to fulfill, "Unrealistic."

"I see I have quite the cocky one here. Though, that's not really too big of a surprise. You've always seen yourself above everyone else, haven't you, Roman?" I chose not to respond, and Dawson went on, "Alright then, new offer: what if I told you that I could get Virgil to like you back?"

Tensing up, I finally turned back to face him, "Y-You know?" His prideful sneer just grew wider, "Oh, Roman, everyone with a brain knows. You're not the most inconspicuous person to exist."

Suddenly, I felt myself getting more and more annoyed with the conversation, wanting to get Patton his drink as he had asked, "Get on with it."

"I know a way to get Virgil to like you. All you have to do is...sleep with Peach Solomita, pretend to date her, whatever necessary. People are naturally drawn to things they can't have. It'll work."

"I don't really trust you on that," I replied, turning to walk away, but he kept following me, "You should. It'll only be in your favor, Roman. I'm trying to help you."

Giving up on ignoring him after a second or two, I responded, "I might consider it. Go away, leech."

And that was the end of the conversation. I quickly got Patton his drink and went back to the table. Nobody questioned why it had taken me so long, and I just prayed that they didn't see me talking to Dawson, or, even worse, hear what we were saying.

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This is the best I can do without doing another pov switch. The next chapter will be a backstory chapter for Virge, and that's as much of a plan as I'll ever get. Hope y'all enjoy this surprise update, it's not much, but it's something :)