Prince next door (Prinxiety au)

Chapter 3

The next day he drags himself to school. And the day after that as well. Roman started following him on Instagram and send him a friend request on Facebook that same day he woke up in the older guy's bed. Virgil didn't accept, nor followed him back. Roman can't possibly think they'd suddenly go right back to being best buddies. Too much has happened since then. They're both completely different people now.
During a break between classes, Virgil decides he desperately needs something warm to drink and goes to the cafeteria where there's a cheaper version of Starbucks waiting for him. He takes out his reusable cup and hands it to the friendly lady behind the machines and register.
"Another chai latte, dear?" She wonders with a genuine smile. Virgil nods awkwardly as he tries his best to smile back. Offering her a crooked smile. The woman with already graying short blonde curls and round, black glasses framing her gray eyes always tries to remember everyone's order. At first Virgil didn't know what to do with the feeling of being observed and remembered, but now the woman reminds him of his grandma a little bit. When she puts the, now finished, drink next to the register, he takes out his wallet.
"I'll pay for his." A familiar voice speaks up behind him. Virgil suppresses a frustrated sigh from escaping his lips. He cast Roman one glare before smiling back at the woman in front of him.
"No, he's not. Here you go." He hands her the money. Roman probably already thinks he owes him after letting him sleep his drunk escapade away in his bed. He doesn't need to add to that.
"Virgil, hold up." Roman calls as he starts stepping away, but can't follow before paying for his own drink first.
"Can't. Gotta get to class." He replies without looking over his shoulder. Before he can leave the cafeteria a hand grasps his shoulder to stop him.
"Hold on. Classes don't resume for another ten minutes." Roman speaks up after he caught up to him. Virgil shrugs. Not intending to admit he didn't already know that.
"I'm new at this college thing so I figured better safe than sorry." He comes up with the next excuse as he starts walking again. Gritting his teeth when he notices Roman falling in line beside him.
"New? Did you take a gap year?" He tilts his head curiously. He knows Virgil is already nineteen. Meaning this is supposed to be his second year in college already. Virgil casts him a sideways glance before deciding to tell him the truth.
"I doubled in sophomore year." He mutters. No longer looking up at Roman, but ahead of him. Pretending to be busy not walking in to people.
"Oh." Roman starts. Virgil's eyes shift to the older boy next to him again. Is he judging him?
"To be completely honest I almost doubled as well in sophomore year." The slightly taller man shrugs as he takes a sip of his drink.
"It's a difficult year." He adds. Virgil glares at him angry.
"It's not because I wasn't smart enough." He defends himself. Roman holds up his hands innocently.
"I never said that." He quickly assures him.
"I just missed a lot of school." Virgil continues calmer, but still on edge.
"How come?" Roman wonders softly.
"None of your business." Virgil shuts him out before he can get in. "This is my classroom." He points at room T106 as he stops to a halt. Roman blinks a bit confused by his harsh tone, but doesn't seem to get the hint. Virgil looks at him for another second before going inside. Thinking that's the end of it. He looks surprised over his shoulder when he sees Roman just follows him inside.
"What are you doing?" He questions confused.
"I still have some time." The older guy replies as he looks at his phone for the time. Virgil throws his stuff on a desk at the back before frowning up at Roman.
"You can't just follow me around." He speaks up. Roman shrugs nonchalant.
"You know, I'm surprised you picked something as sweet as chai latte. I expected black coffee would fit better with your new look." Roman gestures at his dark clothes and eyeshadow underneath his eyes.
"I don't like coffee and it's not new." Virgil replies annoyed by how casual Roman is trying to be. Luckily the other man seems to get a text from one of his friends.
"Shit, miss Jones is early for once." He curses before looking up at Virgil again.
"See you after school?" He asks innocently. The same thing he always asked whenever he saw Virgil at primary school.
"Probably not." Virgil mutters in response. Further ignoring Roman as he tries to deal with the familiarity of it all. Roman remains standing in front of him for a couple more seconds. Almost as if he's debating to say something else. But then he nods and turns around to leave the room.