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17

Roman sat there staring at his cup of cola and frowned. Virgil was sitting across from him with Patton and it was clear he was not having a good time. Roman wanted nothing more than to just come out and ask. He knew Patton could tell there was something on his mind. He couldn't get his hands to stop shaking at all.

"I'll be right back, guys. I think I'm gonna go get some food." Virgil narrowed his eyes seeing Patton scamper off towards the buffet tables. In all honesty, there was no reason any of them haven't gotten anything but the tension was just so thick it was like no one wanted to move through it.

Virgil wasn't stupid. He saw the way Roman's hands shook. He saw the way the actor tensed subtly before shifting just enough to appear ok. He saw the way his eyes twitched as they would dart about anxiously as if waiting for something to happen. Virgil could see the signs a mile away. Roman was clearly holding back an attack. 

Virgil didn't know what to do. Part of him wanted to help Roman but his own fears were stoping him. He needed answers. And if he was going to be ok with the fact that Roman was here... He needed them now.

"So..." Virgil cringed at his own voice as it spilled out over the table. "Why are you here?" Roman's eyes darted over to him as the actor held his cup securely in his grasp, this way you couldn't see them shaking. That is unless you paid attention to the ripples in the cup itself.

"What do you mean?" Virgil narrowed his eyes as Roman carefully set his cup down. "Patton invited me."

"You know that's not what I meant." Virgil sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Why are you here... in town. Why'd you come? Last I checked big-time actors like you don't care about people like us."

"That's not true..." Roman's eyes flashed making Virgil even tenser as Roman looked away with a smile. "I just had the time is all. I wanted to see a friend."

"You had the time? Sure you did..." Roman cringed as Virgil's voice shook a bit with anxiety-fueled anger. "You're an actor, Roman, You don't care about any of us. It not in your nature."

"What are you talking about?" Virgil's eyes darkened making Roman tense up in confusion. "Virgil, I don't understan..."

"Roman Black, the newest rising sensation, sets the world ablaze with his cover of Thomas Sanders's The Things We Used To Share as well as his emotionally riveting interview." Roman's eyes went wide as Virgil scoffed. "In his interview, He mentions how he couldn't have done anything without the love and support of his dear friend Damien Dark. 'Damien has been an ever constant in my life for the past year. I don't know where I'd be without him.' says the actor with a bright beaming smile." Roman was shaking. He had forgotten Anxiety said he was a reporter, clearly if he would have paid attention to such headlines... and if Anx and Virgil are the same then...

"Virgil, please don't..."

"In the newest interview with our Roman Black, he mentions meeting a beautiful lady. A Miss Ameilia Snow, who was spotted many times with Roman this past week. Is this the start of a  beautiful relationship budding for our prince's future."

"Virgil, I said..."

"Amelia Snow was spotted leaving Roman Blacks home with her bags and a very furious looking Damien Dark not far behind. The exchange between the two was hardly 'friendly' and leads many to believe the end of the relationship between the three. Many have speculated over what could have possibly have caused such and earth-shattering falling out. Roman Black had this to say on the subject..." Virgil narrowed his eyes as he shook his head reciting the headlines he's had to memories many times over because of his job. "'It just wasn't fair to her anymore. I couldn't continue a relationship that was one-sided. I felt horrible but... It's better to be honest with oneself than to suffer through such hardship. As such, I had to end things so that she can find someone who can care for you the way she deserves. And I can find the man to which I can love wholeheartedly.'" Roman heart dropped as Virgil glared at him. "Breaking news... Roman Black comes out as Gay during a recent interview over the unfortunate break up with Ameilia Snow."

"Virgil, I am begging yo..."

"What the hell Roman?!" Virgil groaned as he ran his hand through his hair. "What? Did you use that woman until you couldn't anymore? What about Damien? How did he play into this? I thought he was your best friend. That's all you ever said about him every chance you got. This is why I don't like actors. None of you give a shit about anyone other than yourself. I can't trust that you're not here to use us either. So why are you here Roman?" The actor shook horribly as Virgil tensed with anxious anger. "What's the point of being here Roman? What did you lose your job in hunters wake so you thought... I'm just gonna come home? Not likely. Plus forcing me into a situation where I am forced to be JD because if I'm not, you won't be Veronica when the school needs people to play them... I am NOT someone you can use. I am not someone you can manipulate. I am not Ameil..."

"I NEVER USED HER!" Roman snapped slamming his cup onto the table shocking Virgil so much he literally flinched. Tears slowly spilled from Roman's eyes as his hands shook so bad it was clearly visible and Virgil knew he had fucked up. "I never used her. I said what I did to protect her image because I am way too fucking nice. She didn't give a shit about me. SHE WAS USING ME!" Virgil's eyes went wide as Roman shook his head putting that familiar smile on his face as he let out a shaky breath calming himself down. "Let's just retire this subject, for now, ok, Virgil?" 

"Ro..."

"I need to use the restroom. I'll be back."