Stuck in Yesterday

Chapter Four

Patton's P.O.V

Patton skipped happily to the lunch room, waving and greeting those who called out to him in the hallway. As he started to approach his usual table, he could tell by the crowd that surrounded it that Logan and Roman were already there. "Excuse me, kiddos, do you mind letting me slip past?" He asked as politely as he could.

Without a moments hesitation, the crowd created a pathway for him to get to the table. Smiling he chirped, "thanks kiddos!" Earning a few 'aw's from the crowd.
Finally reaching the table, he plopped down into the seat closest to the other two boys. "Hiya, kiddos!" He greeted.

Roman, who a moment ago was seemingly ranting to Logan and a few other students about something moments before, quickly turned his attention towards the freckled boy and practically shouted, "oh! Greeting, Padre! You've finally arrived!"

Logan, after hearing his overly dramatic counterpart's loud response, looked up from his book and offered him a small smile. "Salutations, Patton," he replied.

"Thank you so much for your compliments and attention my kings, queens, and non-binary royalty! But, I request some alone time with my favorite nerd and dad, if you lovely lot will grant me my wish?~" Roman announced to the crowd of students.

There were a few giggles from the crowd, a few dissapointed 'aw's, then the crowd slowly despersed and the three boys were left alone. Roman focused all of his attention on his glasses wearing friends, a bright smile on his face. "So how was your guy's days so far?" He asked.

"Adequate," Logan replied simply, returning his attention back to his book.

"And what about you, Pat?" Roman questioned, placing his elbows on the lunch table and resting his chin into his palms.

"Oh! Mine was good," Patton began, "remember that new kid that was on the bus with us this morning?"

Roman's grin fell into a frown. "You mean Mr. Panic! At the Everywhere? Yeah, I remember him. Why?"

"I too am curious why you've decided to focus on this individual in particular," Logan agreed, marking his spot in his book and putting it down.

"Well you see, I have Introductory Physics with him," the bubbly boy explained, "and he seems like a nice guy! Kinda shy, is all."

Roman gave an indignant huff in reply. "He seemed rather rude, to me."

Logan gave an exasperated sigh before saying, "First off, Patton, it's 'kind of' not 'kinda'. Second, that doesn't exactly explain why you've taken such a liking to him. From what I understand, the only thing you know about him is his name."

Patton frowned at the two boys in front of him. He wasn't expecting such a negative reaction. "Well maybe if you got to know him, then maybe you'll be able to understand him better. Maybe you'll even get along!" Patton suggested.

"I suppose that is a logical conclusion," Logan said after a moment.

"He's also kinda cute!" Patton added in a bubbly tone.

In an instant, the expressions on his friend's faces fell. Logan's eyebrows narrowed and his eyes darkened slightly, having a look inside them that Patton couldn't quite place, and his lips pulled down into a slight frown. Roman's eyes were wide with surprise, with a hint of... anger? Jealousy? Patton didn't know. But what he did know was that his comment had upset them. "Did I say something wrong...? I'm sorry..." He apologized, staring sadly into his lap.

Their downcast expressions became panicked. Roman stood up and rushed over to the empty seat beside his blonde friend and quickly hugged him. "No no no, Pat! You didn't do anything wrong! Please don't be sad!" Roman pleaded, slightly muffled due to his face being buried in the other's shoulder.

"He is correct. You have nothing to apologize for." Logan added, placing a hand on Patton's unoccupied shoulder.

Patton let out a sigh of relief. "That's good," he said, quickly returning to his previous excitement, "does that mean you'll give Virgil a chance?"

Roman lifted his head up from the other's shoulder, confused. "Wait what-"

"Great! Why don't we find him now!" Before they could respond, Patton grabbed their arms and started to drag them through the cafeteria.

Logan, who tried to break free from the bubbly boy's iron grip, protested, "Patton, he may not even be in our lunch there is no logical reason to be dragging us around like this. And also-!"

But he was cut off by an "Aha!" from Patton and, along with a still confused Roman, was quickly dragged over to the area near the windows.

When they got close enough, Patton suddenly stopped. He was staring straight (gay) ahead of him. Curiously, Logan and Roman glanced in the direction he was looking to see what had caught his attention. There, sitting on the floor in front of the windows, was the same emo kid that had ran off the bus in a panic that morning. But something was different. Though it was clear he was still a bit tense, he was visibly more relaxed than that morning. He was busily doodling something in a small black book, a chunk of sandwich hanging out of his mouth. Aw, thought to himself, smiling fondly.

He glanced over at his friends, having to hold back a giggle upon seeing the looks on their shocked faces. "Okay kiddos, I know I told you he's kinda cute, but we came over to say hi not to stare at him~," Patton teased.

The two beside him went red in the face. Roman started to deny that he was looking at the 'Emo Nightmare', giving lame excuses such as, "I was looking at the pretty trees that are out the window!" And, "there's this other cute boy that I was looking at over there!"

Logan, clearly embarrassed, merely denied it and looked away with a huff. Patton laughed sweetly, then turned his attention back towards the teen sitting on the ground a little ways away. He began to walk closer towards him, not even looking to see if the others were following. As he grew nearer he called out, "hey, Virgil!"

But the boy in question didn't respond. He must be really focused on his drawing, he Thought to himself. Maybe I should try to talk to him later-?

Just then, his thoughts were cut off by someone clearing their throat. He looked to see a not-so-happy Roman walk up and stand beside him, arms crossed. That had gotten Virgil's attention. The boy in front of them looked up, a look of momentary confusion plastered on his face before quickly turning shocked. He rapidly shut the book in his hands and stuffed it into his bag.