Assistance Required

Under the Stars

TW mention of controlling parents

Virgil was wrapping plastic wrap around his cast to prepare for a shower. He had spent his time in his classes thinking about his conversation with Logan. He wished his parents weren't so strict and he could be his own person. It sucked watching him try to be so perfect all the time and, honestly, it was a little annoying.

He walked into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. He let the warm water wash over him as he lost himself in thought. Logan was always helping him. He taught him breathing exercises when he was panicking, he helped him not feel so alone after his dad kicked him out, he devised a plan so he wouldn't be alone after he tried to kill himself, he drove him from the hospital, he helped him with his homework, he sent his schedule to everyone in case Virgil forgot where he was supposed to be, and he was letting him stay in his dorm. Virgil got an idea.

After his shower, he walked to the elevator to get to the student center. His stuff was already down there from earlier. A few of the others were still standing as they prepared to leave for dinner. Virgil went to his bag and rummaged around for his phone. He pulled it out and placed it in his pocket. He joined the others in walking to the dining hall. Patton walked around with him to help him get a plate of food, loading a little too much onto the plate before he sat down. He pulled out his phone and did some research on astronomy.

Virgil mostly ate in silence. He only really joined the conversation when someone dragged him in or when he was laughing at Roman for spilling his drink all over himself. After the others raided the desserts, they walked outside. Virgil loved the cool autumn air. He stopped walking as he took in the scenery.

"Is everything okay, Virgil?" Thomas asked.

Virgil nodded as he looked up at the evening sky.

"It's nice out, tonight," he said.

"Yeah, I guess it is," Roman said.

"It's cold," Janus protested.

"You can already see the stars," Virgil said.

He noticed Logan perk up and look at the stars.

"How many of those stars do you think are exploding right now?" Remus asked.

"Honestly, Remus. Do you have to ruin every moment?" Roman asked.

Remus shrugged.

"It's just a question."

"I'd say with the infinite expanse, it's safe to assume a star is always either dying or being born. There are an infinite amount of possibilities when it comes to the universe."

"It's also really scary to think about what's out there," Patton said, "like black holes!"

"Well, yes, but the closest one is 25,000 light-years away."

"25,000 light-years?!"

Logan nodded.

"There's no use in being afraid of something so far away. It'd be the same as worrying over our own sun exploding billions of years from now. We'll be long gone before then."

"You seem to know a lot about space," Thomas said.

"I have an appreciation for the vastness of our universe, yes. The world around us has always been fascinating. We've been studying it for thousands of years and there's still a lot left to uncover. Somehow the universe just sparked into existence and it's been creating new wonders ever since. And just how small we are compared to how massive the entire universe is, is truly amazing."

"Wow," Joan said, "It's a lot to take in."

"It really is beautiful though," Roman said.

"Yeah," Patton agreed.