How many shrimps do you have to eat before you make your skin turns pink? Eat too much and you'll be sick. Shrimps are pretty rich.
STORYTIME!
Freak
Slut
Burnout
Bugeyes
Lardass
Virgil didn't exactly go to a friendly high school. At this place, it was fight or be fought. Well, fight or be beaten into a bloody pulp. It's a white trash school that's trying to be ghetto but failing miserably and it just makes everyone miserable. Not to mention that the only good kids at this school are forced to hang out with bad kids. Just like Roman and Patton. Roman was a good guy, but his friends Remy and Deceit get him to do horrible things. And poor Patton had been sent the hospital for the second time this semester. He's transferring schools. Lucky him. Meanwhile Virgil is stuck all on his own in this hellhole.
Freak
Slut
Cripple
Homo
Homo
HOMO
Yep. That's what Virgil's made fun of for. Being a homosexual. Virgil likes boys, so what? For that he gets shoved into lockers, pushed in the hallways, laughed at in the cafeteria, and so much worse. Teachers can't do anything about it. In fact, they also tease him for his sexuality. Virgil had been trying desperately to numb himself to derogatory terms such as Faggot and Dick Sucker and Man-Whore, but he can't help but cry at the end of the day. His broken family can't help him. He has no friends. All he can do is dream about the day he graduates and hopes he can find a man who loves him and wants a stay at home husband. That's pretty much all Virgil is good for anyways.
How many shrimps do you have to eat
Before you make your skin turn pink
Eat too much and you'll get sick
Shrimps are pretty rich.
Virgil covered his wrist with his jacket and made his way through the halls. Just this next class period and one more and he can be done for the day. Then he can escape and go somehwere where he isn't always forced to watch his back. That's when it happened again. Virgil felt something grab the back of his neck and he heard the sound of rusty metal squeaking. Not another locker. For the love of god please not another locker! Virgil was starting to develop claustrophobia because of this. Before he knew it, he had pain all over and he was twisted in a cramped, dark space with no hope of getting out until the poor kid who owns this locker opens it and puts him through more pain.
Virgil's body ached, the open wounds under his jacket stinging. Why was he born in this place? Why couldn't he just die and move on? He hates everything about this place. It sucks. It downright sucks! Virgil stopped himself from crying and looking like an even bigger wuss in front of everyone. There was a lot of crap in this locker. Whose was it anyways? Lucky Virgil. The door opened and he fell out, books and papers falling all around him. He landed at someone's feet. Virgil looked up and saw the valedictorian himself: Logan Newton. He was a nerd, but he wasn't bullied at all. His dad is a policeman And his mom is a lawyer. People knew better.
"Virgil, correct?"
Logan knew him? Of course. He's one of the many laughing stocks of this crackhouse. Virgil nodded and stood up. His body still had a phantom pain lingering, his wrists still stinging. Why were they still stinging? Virgil flinched when he felt something on the open skin of his arm. His jacket. The sleeves must have rolled up. That's the air hitting his cuts. Virgil opened his eyes, which he didn't realize were squeezed shut. Logan was examining his arm. What was this guy tryin go to get at here?
"It seems you've been injured. Allow me to clean your wounds with my first aide after tidying up my locker."
Oh yeah. His locker. He must have messed it up entirely, hadn't he? Damn. He should apologize or help or something. Logan, despite the flood of teenagers running by, got o; his knees and began organizing the different papers he had. Virgil noticed some sheet music somehere in it. Was Logan in band or orchestra? He didn't know. Virgil shook off the shock and curiosity and got down, picking up the books littered around. Virgil stacked them and stared at the one on the top. It was a book on astrology. Space must be so cool, huh? Virgil always wanted to go to the moon as a little boy. When he noticed Logan was staring at him, he shook it off and clumsily smiled at him, handing him the books.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry for ruining your locker... and stuff... I, uh. You don't have to talk to me or help me. Everyone else hates me anyway sooo...."
Wow, that was just a pig pile of awkward wasn't it? Virgil tried to laugh it away. The last of the kids disappeared and the bell for class rang. Second to last class of the day. Logan looked up, listening to the bell. Then he sighed. Virgil had never heard of Logan missing a single class before, even if he was sick. Logan took the books and leveled them in his locker. Then he took out w little white case from his bag. There was a big Red Cross in the front. He took out some sort of little bottle of liquid, some gauze, and some bandages. Logan set them out on the ground and sat down. He extended his hand, gesturing for Virgil to give him his arm. Virgil didn't have the heart to tell Logan that he did this to himself.
Virgi, handed him both arms after rolling up the sleeves all the way. Virgil watched Logan's eyes go wide at seeing all of the cuts littered on his skin. Blood was smeared everywhere, drying in a dark oxidized color. Logan look the little bottle and and opened the lid. He muttered something that Virgil didn't understand under his breath before pouring it all over his left arm first. Virgil sucked in through his teeth and winced, trying to pull his arm away, but he couldn't. Logan was holding on tight. Virgil watched as white bubbles erupted from the cuts, stinging and burning like a thousand needle stuck in the cuts. Virgil felt like he stuck his arm in a fire. What was this!? Logan seemed to read his mind and answer his question.
"Hydrogen Peroxide. It cleans harmful bacteria from wounds. It's essential for disinfection before wrapping a wound. It's going to sting."
Virgil nodded, clenching his teeth together. The stinging died down after a minute and Logan began wrapping his arm with the gauze and bandages. When he was fully wrapped, he didn't notice he was clinging the other arm to his chest. He was afraid of going through that same pain with his right arm. Logan gestured for him to give him the other arm. When he didn't, he reached over and took it. He doused the cuts in the same liquid, burning Virgil all over again. After that arm was also wrapped, Logan began cleaning up his first aide. The silence was killing Virgil, so he decided to say something.
"Hey, thank you. I know you got tardy just to help a nobody like me. Sorry about that."
Logan just stared at him for a minute. He didn't say a word. He turned around, put the first aide kit away, and closed his locker. Virgil still sat on the ground, re-covering his arms with his sleeves. Nobody needs to see his bandages. They'll just attack him even more and call him weak. Virgil blinked when he saw Logan extend a hand to him. Was he going to help him up or something? Reluctantly, Virgil had that Aladdin moment of "do you trust me" with Logan and took his hand. Virgil was pulled up to his feet. Virgil looked at Logan's face for any sort of reaction or emotion. Nothing. Huh. Maybe he'll say something?
"If you ever need me, here."
Logan flicked out a card. Virgil took it and read over it. It had his parents' phone numbers. Just in case he needed a lawyer or officer, huh? Virgil flipped to the back and felt his face grow hot. Logan's phone number was printed on the back with blue ink. Virgil looked up, and Logan was already gone. His heart started pounding. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no. Virgil is falling in love with Logan...
Black, White, Green or Blue
Show off your natural hue
Flamingo.
Oh oh oh oh.
If you're multicolored that's cool too.
Logan was at home after a long day. For some odd reason, he couldn't keep his mind off of that boy from earlier. Virgil Araña. Logan had many sources of information on him from around. Logan gets intel on everyone. Virgil is a mixed race male. Half Ecuadorian, Half Canadian. It's a really special mix when you think about it. His last name means spider in Spanish. He is a homosexual. He is rather frail and small, easily stuffed in a locker, and he is on suicide watch. Logan knew very well he didn't get those cuts from any bullies. Unless you'd count himself as his own bully. Logan knew very well that was self harm. Maybe that's why he gave him the card with his family's contacts? Logan isn't even know himself. That's when Logan's phone buzzed
{Unknown Number}: Hey, Logan? This is the phone number on the card you gave me. It's Virgil.
Logan felt his heart experience accelerated contractions. It was odd to say in the very least. Logan read over the message several times, trying to decipher whatever the heck it meant. Did he need help? Did he want to talk? Was he experiencing the same conflicting symptoms as he whenever he saw or thought about him? Logan shook it off. He created the contact in his phone for Virgil and necided to answer back. That's what a normal person does when texting someone... right?
Logan: Yes, it is me. I actually have a question for you if you wouldn't mind me asking.
Virgil: Shoot.
Instant reply. That meant Virgil wanted to talk to Logan. That's good. Now... how exactly should Logan phrase this? What exactly did he want to ask again? About these emotions or should he bring up the cuts from earlier? Logan could always try to be a regular person for once in his life. When a person wants to spend time with another they ask them on a date, don't they? Is that how this works? Wait, dates are for romantic and/or sexual attraction. Logan had no idea what he was feeling, so he shouldn't go into that territory.
Logan: I've noticed you're on my father's suicide watch. Those cuts of yours weren't injuries, were they? If that is the case, I would wish to spend time with you outside of school to prevent you from trying that again. You are a human being who deserves to feel all emotions, such as happiness and joy, and you don't deserve to feel like you don't matter.
Logan went overboard, didn't he? He just let his thumbs type and didn't stop until he realized that the text message would be separated into two. Logan saw that Virgil had, in fact, read his message. The phone showed that Virgil as typing. Did Logan overstep his boundaries? Why was his chest pounding? Logan had never experienced these symptoms before. Was he experiencing some sort of anxiety? That sounds like the best diagnosis...
Virgil: You knew?
Virgil: I'm sorry I
Virgil: I didn't meant to be a bother.
Three separate messages. Logan read over them. Oh no. Virgil is blaming himself for this. This is a congnitive distortion. This needs to be corrected immediately. Logan began typing furiously, trying to get the information to the other boy as fast as physically possible.
Logan: No, you haven't been a bother at all. I'm the one who's hound apologize for asking and bringing up such a sensitive topic.
Logan: In fact I was just looking Fire an excuse to ask you to be my company just for a little while. I find you interesting and intriguing and I wish to spend time with you. You are not a bother in the slightest.
Logan accidentally pressed send too early while typing, so that's why he sent two separate messages. Logan felt as though he messed everything up. It was at this time his mother returned home and called out to the house to let everyone know she won her latest case. When his mother leaned over to give her son a kiss, she read the messages. She leaned over and scrolled up, reading through the entire conversation. Logan was panicking inside. He had never been in this situation before and nor had he read a single book on hoe to do it. His mother, who was now invested, sat down next to him. They waited for Virgil to send the next message.
Virgil: Yeah, uh, sure. I'd do anything to get away from home right now. You know that corner store at the front of the neighborhood right next to the Highschool? That 7/11? I can meet you there if you want. Sorry.
Logan's mother squealed. Her son had a date! She gave him a big kiss on the forhead and went to go tell the news to his dad over the phone. Logan felt himself smile. He doesn't smile often. He replied that he would be there and went to go grab his wallet and his car keys. Logan kept feeling the accelerated heart rate. For some reason... he liked it.
You don't need to change.
It's boring being the same.
Flamingo.
Oh oh oh oh.
You're pretty either way.
Virgil sat on the concrete outside of the seven eleven, drinking a slurpee. Logan wanted to meet him here? Probably to dissect his brain or something involving research. Virgil didn't mind. His stepmom and dad are fighting again and he doesn't want to be stuck In the middle of the third messy divorce. His dad just can't seem to find a descent woman, huh? He's a good guy, but he has a horrible taste in women. Virgil looked up when he saw a car pull up. A nice dark blue rodeo. Logan stepped out. Wait a second, was Logan smiling!? And he actually had color in his face!? What's going on here?
"Virgil, thank you for agreeing to meet up with me. I, well, actually had a few questions. Not involving your mental state if that's concerning you!"
Logan quickly corrected himself. Virgil rose an eyebrow, growing suspicious. Was Logan luring him into some sort of trap? Virgil felt so vaunerable it wasn't funny. That's when he noticed how Logan was twiddling with his thumbs and the honeyglow in his cheeks. Wait a second... this is fake. He's acting. There's no way. No way In hell. Virgil's heartrate quickened too. What was going on!? Virgil hugged his jacket close to himself, listening to whatever Logan anted out of him.
"It's actually a list of symptoms I've never experienced or read upon before. Most involve anxiety, however I have no familial history nor have I shown any signs of anxiety before so I highly disregard that possibility. I've been feeling rapid heart rates and rather warm in my face and blood. It's only whenever I think of a specific person as well. I'd assume this is what a normal person unlike me wouldn't experience so, any ideas?"
Holy fucking shit. Virgil felt those same things too. He did get a crush on Logan after earlier. But this!? This has to be a daydream. Virgil must have fallen asleep or have been knocked out by his stepmom again after getting slapped. Virgil didn't know what to say. The words left him. This was amazing. This was incredible. This was actually happening. Virgil had to check one more thing before he could be sure. Virgil reached for Logan's hand. Logan held it. He didn't flinch backwards, he just accepted it. Yep, that proves it. Requited Crushes at first sight exist. God exists everybody.
"Logan... you're in love."
Virgil felt Logan flinch. Virgil looked up at him, Logan looking at the ground and refusing to meet Virgil's eyes. Yep. That makes it certain. Logan was definately in love with Virgil. Logan looked up and Virgil felt Logan slip his hand into his own. Virgil felt his breathing grow tighter. What was he doing?! Logan was leaning closer. Logan obviously doesn't know how love works. Virgil squeezed his hand and turned his head, telling him to stop. Virgil was going to have to teach him, wasn't he?
"Logan, you can't just kiss someone! You have to ask for their consent! I thought you were smart enough to know that. Besides, we're outside. In public. Where homophobia exists. Now isn't the best time. I've also nevertheless had my first kiss yet. I'd rather wait until after we've dated a while..."
Logan nodded, understanding. Virgil turned his head back around. Logan was backed up a good distance. Virgil knew a little bit about Logan. He loved learning and experimenting. A science and math nerd. Powerful in school. He's headstrong too. Virgil felt his heart tug a little bit. He really does want to date Logan, learn more about him, and maybe live a life together. Logan smiled and nodded towards his car.
"Should I take you somehwere else? You've told me you'd rather not go to your house. If you have family problems I'm positive you can stay at my place."
That's dangerous, but so is going home. Virgil sighed and nodded, letting Logan lead him to the car. This was a very unexpected series of events, wasn't it?
2952 Words
Your girl is SUPER PROUD OF THIS ONE LIKE WHAT!!!!
Soemtimes life throws horrible situations at you. Abusive people, poverty, pain, anything. Life isn't hard. Life sucks. But you're strong if you can make it through. Push forward and persevere through tough times. Stand up for yourself and remember that you deserve do much better than the bad. You deserve the good. You deserve to be happy.
Internet hugs and blow kisses!
~Eva