Assistance Required

Can you help me?

TW depression, anxiety

Virgil walked into the dining hall making sure to pay the man at the front before taking a seat. After grabbing a plate and a drink, he pulled out a book and started reading.

"Is this seat taken?" someone asked.

He looked up to see a boy with curly dirty blonde hair staring at him. He wore a light blue T-shirt and a gray cardigan. Virgil shook his head and the boy took the seat in front of him. Virgil turned back to his book hoping the boy would just let him read.

"What's your name?" the boy asked.

Virgil looked up to see the boy's freckled face staring at him again.

"Uh... Virgil."

The boy smiled.

"My name's Patton! We're in Renaissance history together!"

"Oh... yeah."

Gosh, he sounded lame. He poked at his food with a fork.

"Um..." Virgil looked up to see Patton fidgeting with a bracelet on his wrist, "you're really good at history. I was wondering if you could help me out? I really suck at it."

"I only look good at it because I already took the class in high school," Virgil muttered.

Patton's rimmed eyes widened.

"Really? Then why are you taking it again?"

Virgil groaned.

"I have no idea. I never got my score back from the college board, so I have to retake the class."

(A/N: this is something that has actually happened to me. I took AP Psychology in high school and took the AP exam. I never got my score back so I had to take intro to psychology in college.)

"So... do you think you can help me?"

Virgil shrugged.

"I guess..."

Patton smiled and clapped his hands.

"Oh thank you! That class just makes me feel so dumb sometimes. I can't keep up!"

Virgil nodded. He wasn't sure what to say so he just took a sip of his drink."

"So, what dorms are you staying in?" Patton asked.

Virgil slowly put his drink down. He pulled on the sleeve of his hoodie a little before answering.

"I'm actually a commuter," he mumbled.

"Oh! That explains why I didn't see you around before classes started."

Virgil just nodded again. Why was Patton still talking to him? He got what he wanted. A few minutes passed while they ate their food before Patton tried again.

"You know, I can introduce you to my friends. We all live in the same hall so we kind of consider each other as a little family. I'm the dad!" he giggled.

"You don't have to do that," Virgil said, "I-"

"I know I don't have to, but it'd be nice to have some familiar face. Every time I see you, you're by yourself and it's nice to have some friends, right?"

Virgil stared at the table while chewing on his finger. How should he answer Patton? He didn't really feel like he was worth anyone's time and trying to fit into a whole group like that would just be a nightmare. Especially if they were as close as Patton claimed. He didn't belong with them. He looked down at his food and realized how tense he was. His stomach was hurting. He looked up to see Patton watching him waiting for his response.

"Thank you for the offer," Virgil said slowly, "but I'm okay."

Patton frowned before looking down at his plate and nodding slowly.

"Okay..." he said softly.

Virgil took another sip of his drink. Patton picked at his pasta for a minute before looking at Virgil again.

"What's your phone number?" he asked.

Virgil choked on his drink causing water to spit out in front of him. Patton handed him some napkins smiling sheepishly before cleaning off his lenses.

"Sorry, Kiddo. I didn't mean to sound so blunt."

Virgil waved it off as he dabbed at the mess he made.

"Wh-why do you want my number?"

"You said you'd help me study!" Patton chuckled.

Virgil nodded. He reached into his bag for a piece of paper but Patton handed him his phone. It was a lot nicer than the one he had. Virgil put his name and number into the new contact screen before handing it back to him. Patton smiled as he put away his phone. He grabbed his bag and stood up.

"I have to go to class. I'll see you around!"

Patton took his dishes away and walked out of the dining hall. Virgil looked down at his own plate of food. He had barely touched it. Did that just happen? He rested a hand on his stomach. Why was he so tense? He sighed as he turned back to his book. He wasn't hungry anymore, but he didn't want to waste his money. He tried to force a few more bites as he read, but eventually, he gave up and threw it away. He walked to the student center and ordered a coffee before finding a corner to read in. He still had time before his next class.

He tried to focus on the story, but he couldn't stop thinking about his interaction with Patton. He had to admit, it was nice having someone trying to make friends with him for once, but trying to fit in with a group? He sighed. He was better off alone anyway. He'd probably just ruin the mood or bring them down. The rest of the day felt as if it dragged on forever, but looking back it was just a blur. He received a text from Patton but didn't respond. What was he going to say? Patton was so cheerful and he was just a downer. Patton would honestly be better off getting help from someone else.

Virgil wasn't worth anyone's time. So, why did he agree to help him?