How to survive Middle School (Sanders Sides Middle School AU)

Chapter 13: Who to believe

"Virgil?" The voice asks again.

I still don't respond. Definitely out of pure fear this time.

"He has to be around here somewhere. Everyone stop breathing and listen,"

So it's multiple people. Great, it'll be even harder to escape.

"Over there, I think I heard something," One of them says.

I hear footsteps getting closer. I scramble up and try to run. I trip.

I make contact with the ground, face planting into a pile of sticks and rocks. I can feel one cut my lip.

"Virgil, wait!" I hear one of them call.

I get up and do not wait. I run. I'm not in any state to handle this, especially not now. I have no one to support me or calm me down. No one. Not exactly the confident state I can escape a kidnapping in.

I make it home, completely out of breath. I'm pretty sure I have a mild form of asthma, but it's never been confirmed. My parents just say 'don't run and you'll be fine, it's not like you're playing sports anyway'. 

It's time I stop taking people's words and do some digging myself. Dad's job here is actually going well, so we won't be moving until at least the end of the school year. That's the longest I've ever stayed at a school. I don't want to mess anything up.

I get on social media. The only reason I have it now is because of this. I never have wanted it before either, apart from Tumblr and MySpace.

I dig through the Lights and Darks profiles. I find nothing noteworthy. Or suspicious. Although they did say it was in private messages. But J-Dee and Remus also said they didn't talk with the Lights. So how would they have access to their PMs? And they seemed like loners, too, so it couldn't have been through friends.

After hours of searching and a little bit of hacking that I tricked my dad into doing, I still have nothing. So either the Lights deleted their messages or J-Dee and Remus are lying. Maybe I should ask around and find out their reputations. Or do more social media stalking so I don't have to talk to people.

At around 4 AM, I have everything laid out. Neither of them has completely 'good' reputations, but they're not completely bad either. Turns out the Dr. Picani thing was true, but the Darks have been keeping secrets. I don't like this.

Since it's technically Saturday right now, I decide to continue working. Screw sleep. I need a way to confront both groups at the same time to get answers. I also need to not have a panic attack while doing so.

I go downstairs and search through the cabinets. I have one bottle of anxiety meds that we never have the chance to refill, so I use them only when necessary. On Monday when I plan on doing this, they will be very necessary.

---

"Hey, can we meet up after school? We can do the dye then," I say.

It's Monday morning. I'm feeling a little more confident, or just a little less anxious. More normal.

"Sure," J-Dee says, "Where?"

"I dunno, the edge of the woods?" I suggest.

J-Dee and Remus both nod.

"See ya there, V," Remus says.

We all have different first classes, so we go our separate ways. Now for the Lights.

"Hey, Virgil, can we talk sometime? I want an explanation, both from us and you," Logan says.

I feel like he's doing all the communicating with me now. Are Roman and Patton scared of me or something?

"Sure. Edge of the woods, after school," I say.

I go off to class. I don't dwell on the possible outcome of this as much as I normally do, which is either good or bad. I can't decide.

---

It's time. Great. I'm not panicking nearly as much as I normally would. Which is good, because right now I need confidence. Confidence which I haven't had in too many years. Middle school has been crap for me, not going to lie.

Both groups show up at the same time. I order myself to be calm.

"What are they doing here?" Everyone asks at the same time.

Sometimes I'm pretty sure this is a movie.

"I invited you all here for some answers. None of you have been very honest," I say.

"Dishonest? I would never lie, that's wrong!" Patton says.

"We know, Pat. But you're the only cinnamon bun here that wouldn't do it," I say, "Everyone else, though, has some explaining to do," 

They all share nervous glances. Not good.

"Look, you guys," I point to the Lights, "I was told spread fake rumors about me. And you two," I point to the Darks, "Have not been telling me the whole truth, or completely accurate information. Explain,"

I did hope they would cooperate, but they don't. Because everything in life has to be even more complicated than necessary. 

After a lot of arguing and stubbornness, I turn to Patton.

"Look, you seem like the only honest one here. Can you explain what you know?" I ask.

He nods. I don't miss how he backs away from me a bit, though.

Patton explains what he knows. He's been at this school district the longest. Everyone else moved here at a certain point, so he knows their stories. 

So to sum it all up, the Lights did not talk crap about me, but they also never really liked me. The Darks lied to me but did kinda like me. 

"Great, so now that you know, who are you choosing?" Remus asks.

I look at them. They all look on the brink of murdering each other, and I don't trust Remus not to actually do that.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Choose one group. You can't play both sides anymore, or this will probably happen again," Roman says.

Well crap. This isn't what I planned for, and I'm definitely going to make the wrong choice no matter what. 

"I'm going to get back to you on that," I say.

I turn around and sprint before they can protest. I know I probably can't outrun them or their question, but I'm pretty sure I can climb. I've done it like, once before.

I manage to get up a tree and into the mess of branches when I hear them all down below.

"Come on, it's not that hard of a question! Why does he always run away?"

"Just give him time, he needs it,"

"No, we've given him time. He's just messing with us. I say we ditch him,"

Wow, rude.

"Heck no! We're all that poor kid's got,"

I also don't like being pitied. It makes me feel weaker.

As they fade out of earshot, I slip down the tree. Somehow I manage not to get injured. It's not too dark out, and I'm able to make my way home easily. I feel my anxiety return as I walk in. I have a big decision to make, and either way, the outcome won't be too pretty.

So sorry for the late update, I've been having a life today (for once). And tomorrow, too, so expect another later update. I hope you enjoyed reading, and feel free to leave any thoughts or feedback in the comments. Have a great day/night you magnificent peep!