The Only One

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: TW suicidal implications, mentions of sexual harassment

"So? What do you want from me?"

Virgil had found Roman sitting on a park bench, legs crossed, nervously tapping out a frantic rhythm on the worn slats.

"Oh my God, you came. Thank you so much. I know you have no reason to trust me at all, but I can't let Marina treat anyone else like-- like that."

There was a long pause during which they both could think only of their respective experiences with her.

"Virgil, are you hurt?"

"No."

Roman raised an eyebrow.

"I told you, you can be honest about this with me."

"Yes, I'm hurt."

"Virgil, can I see your arms?"

"What? Dude, we're in public, I--"

"Oh, come on. You know no one ever comes here. Besides, we're facing away from the street. And we're behind a tree."

Whatever. It wasn't like he would find anything he didn't already know was there. He slid his left sleeve up gingerly. Roman winced at every bruise and mark from her nails, but looked up at Virgil and said, "I thought-- I thought maybe-- so, you don't? Oh my God, oh my God, that's amazing."

"Sorry, but, what the hell are you talking about?"

"I mean, you know, you said the thing in class before, about the polar bears, and I don't know, you've never worn short sleeves even on the warmest days, and I guess I just assumed, but I shouldn't have--"

Virgil lost track of what Roman was saying. So he thought he'd find cuts there, and he didn't, and now he thought--

"And really that's so great because if you did I don't know what I would do, but--"

"Um, actually, Roman?"

"What? Oh! Do you mean--"

Virgil saw Roman's eyes widen as he started to realize. He couldn't bear the dawning horror and distress he saw in them. But he had to be honest, didn't he? It would be worse if he lied, it would be worse later... But Roman didn't need to ever find out, did he? On the other hand...

"Um, nevermind. I just-- yeah, nevermind."

Roman looked relieved, but Virgil could see that not all of the hesitation had left him. He wasn't entirely convinced.

"Um... you know, I should really go, I have homework, or something?" Virgil sprang off the park bench and almost ran back to his house. Almost as soon as he closed the door to his room he got a call from someone. Oh, shit, it was Roman again. They'd literally just seen each other, what did he want? He really didn't want to pick up but he figured he owed him something after lying at the park.

"Hey, what is it now?"

"You never did say what happened at her house. It's OK if you don't really want to talk about it just yet, but I really need you to know that you can trust me with anything that happens between the two of you."

"Listen, dude, I still can't figure out why you care about me this much, but nothing happened that wasn't normal for... for a couple."

"Relationships can be toxic. Relationships can be abusive. If she hurt you, if you were uncomfortable, there's something wrong."

"OK, so I've been more comfortable in my life, but I swear it was fine."

"Normally I'd take your word for it and let you be."

"Please do."

"But she once made herself my girlfriend."

"Dude, you're flaming."

"E-e-e-exactly. Let's be honest, so are you. I know what she's like in relationships."

"You know, fuck it. Yes. I was super uncomfortable, I didn't want to do anything that she wanted but she made me anyway. She violated me, she made me-- I can't do this right now." Virgil was starting to cry again now. He had to stop. Crying is weak. He was fine. He didn't need to be crying. Why the hell was he still crying?

"Virgil? Virgil! Are you OK over there?"

"She-- I-- I never wanted--"

"Oh my God. Did she-- She never went there with me. She'd hit me sometimes, and kiss me when I didn't want it, but... oh my God."

Virgil couldn't face talking anymore. He hung up and threw his phone across his room with all the strength and just sat in the middle of the floor, unable to stop his stupid, weak crying. Vaguely, he heard his phone buzzing from under his bed where it landed, but there was no way he would pick up a call. He wasn't sure how long he ended up sitting there sobbing desperately, but at some point he realized it was dark out and there hadn't been any sounds of life from around the house for some time. As soon as he realized it must be nighttime, he heard a bang at his window. Oh shit. Oh no. He knew having a balcony off his room was a terrible idea. He had always told his dad someone would climb up, break into his room, and kill him. Now it was happening. He wasn't even scared that he'd get murdered, he didn't really care if he died or lived. Mostly he didn't want to be hurt. He was in quite enough pain. He pulled his hoodie far down over his eyes and waited for something to happen. Instead, he heard a frantic knocking on the balcony door. He looked up slightly. That was a familiar silhouette. Wait-- Roman? What the hell was he doing? Was he seriously insane?

"Could you open the door? Maybe? It's freezing, jeez!"

"Roman! What the fuck!"

"I don't entirely trust you to spend that much time alone. Sorry not sorry. But I'm here now and you're gonna have to deal with me." He grinned at Virgil, but it wasn't enough to hide the real concern in his eyes. Those stupid eyes. Why the hell did the guy have to be so pretty?

"I don't suppose there's much I can do about you. I'm fine. You didn't have to do any of this." Virgil figured he had to be a bit hospitable, or something. After all, whether wanted or not, this guy showed up in the middle of the night just to make sure he was OK. "Do you want, like, a blanket? Or something? A pillow?"

"Yes. Definitely. Both of those things. Also food. You have snacks, right?"

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