Virgil dashed out of the room, leaving me confused. Things were going well. Really well. What had I done wrong? I tried to ignore that tugging feeling in my chest and mask my hurt as everyone turned back to me. I gave a convincing smile and soon the conversation led away from Virgil. The next day I spent in the hospital, surrounded by doctors, nurses, and my hovering mother. I had to wear an arm cast for the 4 weeks and my chest had been wrapped thoroughly due to the broken ribs. The pain seemed dull in comparison to the way I was feeling about Virgil.
I had to fight to be released from the hospital Sunday evening. My mother tried to insist I stay longer, but I wasn't heartless. There was no way in hell I was going to let Virgil go to school alone after everything that had happened. I finally got my way, and I got back home around 7:00. I was tempted to call Virgil, but something told me he wouldn't pick up, despite his assurance we were still friends. But my fingers were itching to call someone, so I dialed Logan.
"Roman. I assume you're home now?" His voice was slightly breathy over the line.
"Yeah, I just wanted to call someone and-"
"You assumed Virgil wouldn't answer?" Logan finished the sentence and I sighed.
"Tell me I'm not crazy and he really did just run out of that hospital room." I could hear my voice getting whinier as the sentence trailed on.
There was some shuffling and I thought there was another voice speaking softly in the background, but Logan quickly spoke. "No, you aren't imagining things. I imagine he was simply excusing himself after your mother walked back in." It was no secret that Logan was not a fan of her.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. You doing okay over there, Logan?" I suddenly asked as I heard Logan's breathing pick up again and someone was humming very close to the phone.
"Yeah, I'm fine," He tried to play it off and I thought there was a scuffling sound and someone sighing. "My, um, dog keeps trying to distract me." The last part of that sentence sounded pointed like he was actually chastising his Doberman, Colby.
"Your dog sounds very human to me, Logan," I gently teased. "Is there someone there with you?"
"I'll pick you up tomorrow. Bye Roman," Logan tried to hang up but he must have missed the button and didn't notice. I could hear Logan say "You have got to stop doing stuff like that when I'm talking."
"Sorry, Logan." I realized the person was Patton and I swiftly hung up. I did not need to hear the rest of the conversation.
——
The car ride to school was quiet and tense. We were all expecting the worse as soon as we pulled up to the parking space. Logan parked and as if by magic, a small group surrounded the car. I realized it was a small part of the drama club. I got out of the car slowly. "What are you guys doing?"
"We're your protection squad! No one is allowed to fuck with you if we're here!" A small chipper junior spoke up, and I recognized her as Valerie.
"I didn't think you guys would be okay with me being..." I shoved one hand into my pocket as Logan and Patton got out of the car.
"Dude, we're the drama department. Most of us are theatre gays. And besides, we already knew. Any boy that sings "Sexy" from Mean Girls like that, is not straight." Another senior named Talyn rolled their eyes.
I started to protest. "That's...true." I sighed but I couldn't help but smile. I really did have people that cared about me.
"The rest of us are going to be watching Virgil." Another boy named Terrence pointed over to another small group. Virgil was standing in the middle, smiling a little. He looked up at me at the same time. Our eyes locked and I waved a little. I saw him smile a little, but then he turned and walked to the building surrounded by angry drama geeks.
We followed after them after a few moments and while I was shot a lot of angry looks, no one approached me. Except for Dee and Remus, which I found a little confusing.
"Hey, do you guys mind if we talk to Roman for a minute in private?" Dee smiled, which I found odd. He never really smiled. Remus was hanging off to the side, watching Virgil.
Talyn was about to speak, but I interrupted. "Yeah, that's fine." I didn't really see the harm in it.
"Great, follow us please." Dee walked back to the doors, opened it, and gestured for me to walk out. I did as he asked and soon, it was just Dee, Remus and I standing by the side of the school.
"So, what's-" I started to speak until Remus roughly shoved me towards the wall and crossed his arms.
"Listen, Princeton, this is how this is going to work. You are going to shut up and listen and we're going to talk. Got it?" Dee stood menacingly close to me and when I didn't respond, he continued. "You need to stay the fuck away from Virgil."
"Wait, why?" My head turned from Remus to Dee. "What's going on?"
"Shut your mouth or I'll tear off your nipples and shove them up your nose." Remus growled and I yelped before protectively crossing my arms over my chest.
"All you do is hurt him. You don't know shit about Virgil. That kid is my best friend in this entire world," Dee ranted, and only at that moment, I realized how close to tears he looked. "And you have not done any good for him. It's my job to protect him. So that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm protecting him from you."
Dee took a deep breath and started speaking again. "You aren't going to talk to Virgil anymore unless you have to, for the musical," He spoke the last word as if it was poison coming from his lips. "You are going to forget all about being friends with him and just move on with your little posse. I'm sure you'll soon find yourself as popular as you've always been. After all, you're Roman Princeton." The fake sympathy in his voice filled me with dread. "Everything in life has been handed to you."
"I don't see why I should have to listen to you! Virgil and I are doing fine! Maybe it's you that's hurting him." I spoke up and tried to take a step forward, but Remus pushed me back towards the wall.
Dee cackled, which was more unsettling than his smile. "Oh, that's a laugh and a half. Virgil has some odd allegiance to you, Roman. One I just don't comprehend. When he heard you were in the hospital, he begged us to take him to see you. And what happened? He came out of there, looking shell-shocked. And he refused to tell us what happened. Maybe you don't get it, Princey," Dee mistook my expression for confusion when it was one of pain. "But when Virgil ever needed anything, it was us who was there for him. Not you. Not Logan. Not Patton. Us. So, you don't get to take Virgil away from us."
"You don't get to keep Virgil away from me," I pushed Remus back as hard as I could and stood against Dee. "Virgil is not some child that needs protecting. He is old enough to make his decisions. And clearly, he's much smarter than the two of you, because he knows I would never intentionally hurt him!"
"That may be the case, Roman," Remus pulled me away from his boyfriend and the strange glint in his eyes made me take a step back. "But the fact is, you aren't good for him. I was even supportive at first but after that little display at the hospital? No, Roman. I don't think so."
"You guys can go to hell, I can live my life however I want!" I started to walk away, but Remus pulled me backward by my broken arm, and I yelped.
"We can make your life a living hell, Princeton. After we're through with you, no one's going to want to touch you. Not Logan, or Patton, or Virgil." Remus threatened and I pulled my hand away with a quick movement.
"What is your deal?!" I yelled. I was getting so frustrated with these two, I wanted to punch something.
"What is my deal? Uh, bitch, what is your deal?" Remus retorted, hands on his hips. "All you have to do is one simple thing! How hard can it be? Why can't you just take the goddamn deal?"
"Because I don't want to lose Virgil anymore than you do!" I turned and ran back towards the building, wiping the sudden, angry tears streaking down my face. I hadn't really admitted it to myself until that moment but it was true. I didn't want to imagine a world anymore where Virgil wasn't a part of it. We were connected and nothing or no one was going to get in between us.
I combed my fingers through my hair and walked back into the school building, painfully aware of the stares on my back. I ignored it and forged ahead until I heard a voice next to me, "What did they want?"
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I am the absolute worst, I say I'll try to update every day then I disappear for a few days. My bad you guys, writer's block has been hitting me hard lately. As some form of apology, I made this part a little longer than usual. Tell me if you guys are liking it! Also, I've been thinking about making a one-shot book. Not just prinxiety, but any ship requested! Tell me in the comments if that would be something you guys are interested in checking out. It would be fluff, angst, smut, whatever. So yeah! I think that's all the announcements I got. Take it easy guys gals and non-binary pals. Peace out!