Lies #1: Panic

Chapter 5

A long time before Virgil went to the art gallery, before he lived with the unbearable fear of other people, he was a somewhat friendly person. Out of the high school class, he was the fourteen-year-old emo who hid his anxiety. People liked his dry humor and quick wits, although he only had two real friends that he kept day-to-day contact with. These two people were his best friend Adri White and his dad. On the Friday that everything changed, Virgil was hanging out at the arcade with Adri.

They were taking turns playing Pac-Man near the front of the store. This was the game they always played, never any other ones. Most of the others were first-person shooters, and neither of them liked that kind of game. Pac-Man was easy enough, although it presented a fun challenge on the harder levels. Currently, Virgil was narrowing his eyes at the screen, trying to find a way to bypass an enemy. Adri stood right next him, clinging onto his shoulder tensely. They were both focused on the game, the world around them faded to background noise.

"Of course," Virgil suddenly threw his hands up in the air as the game over tune played. Adri laughed, patting his arm. "Alright, my turn. You can try again after me. See, if you had turned right there you could've dodged him. Watch, I'm gonna cream this level!" She shoved him aside gently and took control. He put his hands in the pockets of his purple-and-black jacket. His father had given it to him for his birthday last year, and although it was a bit too big for him, he'd grow into it. It had patches and white thread sewn into it to make it look more raggedy; it was perfectly his style. He was always wearing it, as it was very cozy.

Adri lost, obviously, and they decided to leave. Virgil was smiling, happy with the day. School hadn't been that bad, he and Adri had done some fun activities, and now he was going to head back home where there would be pizza waiting. His dad made the best homemade pizza, and he'd promised to make some that night. His mouth was watering just thinking about it. As they exited the arcade, Virgil glanced over at his friend. "Hey, um, do you wanna come over to my place? Dad's making pizza."

She looked tempted. Humming for a moment in thought, she shook her head. "Nah, sorry. I'd have to go home, get my stuff, and come back, and by the time I get there we wouldn't have much time to play games. Tomorrow though, maybe? You'll have leftovers, right?"

"Maybe," his smile turned into a grin. "I won't be surprised if we don't. Dad really likes his own pizza, and I do to. I'll try to save you some, though, since apparently I have to bribe you with it to come over." When she faked astonishment, he laughed. "Don't pretend that's not why you're friends with me. You deal with me for the food, and I know it."

Rolling her eyes, Adri started walking away. "Yeah, yeah, you know me too well. Totally don't think you're a cool gay dude that has the best sense of humor into the entire school." When Virgil tried to object to her accusation of him being gay, she simply plugged her ears. He sighed as she disappeared around a building, leaving him alone out in the darkening city. His house was only a few blocks away from the arcade, luckily, so he wouldn't have to wait long before dinner. Going the opposite direction from Adri, he started heading across the streets of Gainesville.

It was becoming dark quite quickly. Virgil didn't mind; nobody was out and about this late, and he had earbuds in. Music played softly in his ears and he stared at the cracks in the cement as he passed over them. It was a good day, that was for sure. He could just imagine the delicious crust and cheese, tomato sauce and olives waiting for him, and his dad excited to hear about his day. Virgil's dad was the best dad in the entire world. After Virgil's mom had died, he'd taken on the responsibility of raising Virgil. They did so many things together; they'd shared so many amazing experiences. He'd even taken his son to New York City when he was ten, and Virgil had wanted to live there ever since. There were so many things he could draw there! And maybe his dad would come with him.