Assistance Required

Work

TW self-harm, verbal abuse, anxiety

Virgil listened to everyone else talk around him as he poked at his food. Patton had insisted he get something to eat but he was tense and his stomach was tight. It was one of the only times during the week that all eight of them could eat a late lunch/early dinner together. Virgil didn't feel like joining in on their conversations. He felt like he'd just bring down the mood.

He forced a few bites so Patton wouldn't lecture him later. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and frowned when he saw the ID. It was work. He excused himself to answer it.

"H-hello?"

"Virgil?"

"Yes?"

"Hi! I'm sorry to call you like this! Emma just called out and we were wondering if you'd be able to come in today!"

He bit his lip. He had work he should do. He was already starting to fall behind and his grades were getting worse. But he was spending more money on food now that he wasn't at home. He was still saving up for his car insurance payment next month. He also didn't want to let his coworkers down.

"Um... sure. I can come in," Virgil said.

"Really?! Thank you! I'll see you at five!"

He looked at his phone and saw they had hung up. He sighed as he returned to the table.

"Who was that?" Thomas asked.

"Work."

"Oh, do they need you to pull an extra shift?"

Virgil nodded.

"Yeah, one of my coworkers called out, so they asked me to cover for her."

"What time?"

"Five to ten."

"Shouldn't you be focusing on your schoolwork?" Logan asked.

"I also need the money," he muttered as he shrugged.

There was an uncomfortable silence around him making him tenser. He stared at his plate poking at his chicken with his fork. He stabbed a piece and put it in his mouth chewing on it slowly.

"Can I go for dessert now?" Remus asked.

"Remus, I swear!" Janus yelled.

Virgil heard some of the others laugh around him as he slowly picked at his plate. The conversation started again. Virgil felt a hand on his back and looked up. Roman smiled at him warmly before patting his back and going back to eating his food.

After lunch, Virgil joined a few others in going to the student center to work on homework. Virgil worked on calculus until around four. He went up to the dorms to change into his work clothes and went to work.

Patton texted him once every hour like he had on Sunday. He was put on register again, but it actually wasn't that bad today. He was actually having a pretty good day... until his dad walked in.

Virgil froze as he watched the man walk up to the counter. He wanted to run away. He wanted someone else to take the order. But he couldn't. He couldn't move. He couldn't get away. His father's eyes were locked onto him. He gulped as he stopped at the register.

"H-h-how c-can I help you?" Virgil asked.

His father narrowed his eyes on him before slowly ordering. Virgil's hands shook while he took the cash.

"You still have that crap on your nails? Damn, what do people think? You're supposed to represent our family and you're walking around with that crap on your nails. Unbelievable!"