Group Home (Discontinued)

Chapter Five

The pace beside me begins to slow, so I turn my head toward Virgil. His feet are dragging on the tiled floor of the mall, his eye lids are drooping slightly, and a sliver of a smile still rests on his lips. "Virge, how ya holding up?"

He glances up and yawns tiredly. His eyes blink repeatedly as he tries to wake himself up. He waves his hand toward me as if saying he's fine. I glance around and see a bench close by.

"Do you...Do you want to ride on my back?" I ask hesitantly. My eyes flicker toward the smaller boy who's eyes are now wide. My mouth gapes in shock when he nods and begins to shuffle toward the bench.

The fair skinned boy clambers onto the bench and I position myself in front of it. He climbs onto my back, his thin legs hooked around my hips and his arms loosely around my neck. It doesn't take a lot of extra energy to hold the boney boy, he's extremely light.

I hook my own arms under his knees and begin back toward Logan and Patton. A nose nuzzles into my hair and he releases a few breathy chuckles. His happiness and content makes a warm knot to form in my stomach. Laughs escape my lips when he rests his chin on the top of my head.

I half listen to the two older's conversation, but can't focus on their words when fingers are running through my hair. "We're almost to the car, sleepy head." He only hums in response.

The car isn't parked too far from the building, so the walk is short. Unfortunately, that means I have to let Virgil down. Patton and Logan pile the bags into the trunk as Virgil slides off my back. Once the four of us are buckled up, per Logan's request, we started our journey home.

My thoughts wander, surprisingly to school. Thomas has probably spoken to the school and gotten Virgil a schedule, since he's only a freshman I wonder if we share any classes.

He might have Algebra 1 with Remus (he's not the best in math) or Geometry with Patton (Logan has tried to help Patton but he says he doesn't have a "math brain") and I, it all depends what his middle school grades were. Janus is also in Geometry, only a different hour than Patton and I. Logan is uber smart and managed to get into Calculus as a Junior.

Most of us are in some sort of honors English, we all have a knack for writing and creating.

Freshman have Earth Science. Remus, Janus, and I ave Biology as Sophomores. Being Juniors, Logan and Patton have Chemistry.

PE is a mix of all the grades. So is study hall. I don't know what electives Virgil would be in. All I can hope is that no one bothers him when I'm-we're not around to protect him.

"Roooooman!" I jump back into reality and hit my head on the roof of the car.

"Heavens Patton! I was in very deep thought, don't do that." I grumble rubbing the top of my head. I then realize we're the only ones in the car. "Where is everyone?"

"Logan and I grabbed the bags and took Virgil inside. When you didn't follow I came to get you." He chuckles as his dark sandy curled bouncing. "Janus even started dinner, he's making homemade pizza!"

I start out of the car, Patton jumping out as well. "I hope Remus didn't put a whole bottle of hot sauce in the tomato sauce again. Logan practically has flames on the sides of his face!"

Patton's nose wrinkles up as he laughs. "He really doesn't take spice well, he almost started crying. But he'll never admit to that." Patton holds open the front door for me.

"I trust that Janus has it well supervised this time." I run my fingers through my hair and follow Patton to the dining room table where the others are seated.

"What took you so long, Roman?" Mister Sanders asks from the head of the table, momentarily looking up from Virgil fiddling with his new phone.

"He was in, and I quote, very deep thought." Patton says with a grin before running to help Janus in the kitchen.

"Be careful Roman, you don't want to hurt yourself." Logan doesn't look up from his lap, which holds a copy of The Oddessey.

I hold a hand to my chest with a dramatic gasp as the other begin to laugh. "How dare you, Logan. I hope you know I keep a perfectly fine GPA."

"Boys." I turn to Mister Sanders, who had a stern voice but an amused expression on his face. "I got Virgil's schedule from the school today and I'd like you all to look at the classes you share. Also please give Virgil your number, we decided it would be his easiest way to communicate with everyone."

I sit with a huff and glance across the table to Virgil. He begins to fidget when he feels my gaze, but looks up. He looks at me with little expression and blinks
v e r y slowly. I laugh lightly to myself as Patton calls that dinner is ready.

TIME SPIK BROUGHT BY THE QUESTION: DOES JANUS SHED???

Everyone has gathered in Virgil and Patton's room with our school schedules. Logan and Patton are sitting together on Patton's bed and I'm sitting with Virgil on his. Janus is sitting on the floor in front of Virgil's bed with his beanie pulled over his strawberry blonde hair. Remus is slouched against the closed door with his legs spread disgustingly wide.

"So we've discovered the only classes Virgil shares with any of us are Geometry with Janus first hour, Band with Remus fifth hour, PE with Roman seventh hour, and Study Hall with Patton and I." Logan looks between with six schedules in his lap.

"I didn't realize you liked art, it's your second hour." Patton says, mostly to himself. "Oh! What you do play in band?"

I glance to Virgil as he mimes playing the drum set. A wide grin appears on my face, we've gained a little percussionist.

"That's wicked!" Remus cackles, "I play the trumpet!"

"Only because you like to be loud and annoying." I mutter and Janus hits my knee from his spot on the floor.

"Well, I think since we've given Virgil our numbers and discussed schedules it's time to get to bed. His first day at our school is tomorrow and he should be well rested." Logan stands, discreetly (not really) pecking Patton's forehead, and walks to the door.

He opens it and Remus slumps to the ground, blocking the road. Janus steps over him before grabbing him by the wrist and dragging him to their room.

"I guess Mr. Boring has decreed it bedtime. Goodnight Patton, and sweet dreams Virge."

Heckity heck! Five abs and one peck! A whole 1149 words later and I finally get this chapter out to the world. The next chapter will also be in Romans POV. I have no excuse for why this took so long, I'm just lazy. I really hope you like it. Until next time, Zoe signing off.