Virgil was staring at his ceiling. It’s 1 am, because, of course it is. He hears his parents yelling downstairs. Which is super fun when it’s your sad hours. His anxiety loves to kick up at these hours. He felt himself slide off his bed, his anxiety begging him to do something, because staying still is too passive. All he felt was despair as he felt his anxiety kick up another notch. And suddenly he couldn’t breath.

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Virgil woke up exhausted. His panic attack took a lot out of him, especially at 3 am when he’s already low on energy. His dad should be out at work, now- though, he’s most likely out drinking after his argument with Virgil’s mom. Virgil isn’t mad at them. No, not all relationships work out, even married couples. That’s just how it is, and he understands them staying together so that Virgil can have a steady life. He appreciates them going through this for him...but it just makes him feel bad. It makes him feel like he’s forcing them to stay unhappy. Virgil wants to talk to them all the time about how he wouldn’t mind if they got divorced. Virgil doesn’t have an attachment to many friends, and if he really gets fed up with moving, he can stay one place for half of highschool, and the other for the rest. Or he can just stay in one place. Anything’s better than this reality of arguments and breakdowns.

But- a n x i e t y … Virgil sighs and washed his face to help him feel more awake. He puts on his emo outfit (Black ripped crop top, purple plaid zip up hoodie, ripped black jeans with the little chain thing hanging at a loop at his side. Spiked choker, his classic eye shadow, and black combat boots) He’s not over the top with his emoness, like the gothic ghosts who try to summon Satan- nah, he’s emo, but he makes it look like a style not a personality trait. If that makes sense. Cause I mean- summoning Satan would be cool- but it would be a lot more terrifying.

Virgil decided against the spiked choker and put on a plain black one. Much better.

Virgil was walking to school- when he tripped over a pair of legs- shit-

“What the-” Virgil looked over…, “Logos?”

The boy with glasses looked up and pulled his legs out of the way, “Ah- my apologies, Arch.”

(A/N- Virgil Arch is his full name.)

“Why are you sitting on the ground?”

Logan sighed, “I’m waiting for Roman and J- Deceit.”

“Did you just stutter?”

“Not at all.”

Virgil laughed, “You’re amusing Robos.”

“Robos…?”

“Y’know- like- robot and Logos combined.”

Suddenly, a guarded voice spoke next to them, “Don’t call him a robot, emo-tional wreck.”

Virgil looked up at Roman Prince, who’s standing with Janus Lies, Remus Prince, and some new girly looking prick.

“It’s alright, Roman, it was clever.”

Roman recoiled, “Lo, you hate being called a robot!”

“He had no mal intent.”

Roman scoffed, “Whatever. Why did you call us here before school?”

Remus sounded bewildered, “It was super hard to get out of the house! Who knew parents had dress codes?”

Roman, Logan, Janus, and Lark all raised their hands.

Remus just gaped.

“I apologize if I caused you any inconvenience. I wanted to ask you two if you were okay,” Logan looked at his two best friends.

“Um...of course, why?” Janus responded, looking over at Roman who shrugged, saying, “I’m good.”

Lark tilted their head, “Why wouldn’t they be?”

Virgil has the tendency to go invisible when he’s super quiet. So, he stayed super quiet.

“...After Remus left, their mothers came to get them...and I was worried…”

Roman and Janus seemed to finally understand what was worrying Logan, Janus asking, “Is that why you called me yesterday?”

Logan nodded. Roman and Janus went and sat on either side of him, not caring that Lark and Virgil were there as they drew him into a hug-cuddle.

Janus smirked sadly, “We’re fin, Lo. Promise.”

Roman attempted to joke, “Besides, they can’t kill us without getting bad media coverage.”

Janus laughed, “They’d probably kill us again for that.”

Lark sighed, “Geez, and I thought my parents were dense. Anyway, who’s the emo?”

The three of them blanched as Remus laughed at the boy who’s still on the ground watching it all.

Roman sputtered, “Why are you still here???”

“Ha- this is more entertaining than getting to school on time.”

Janus rolled his eyes, “We’re still on time.”

Lark raised their eyebrows, “Really? Cause it’s 9:15, right now.”

Remus laughed, “Roman, how’s it feel being late for the first time in ever?”

But Roman didn’t look amused. He looked horrified. So did that other two.

“H- How did it get so late!?”

The three of them stumbled as they stood up.

Janus was panicking just as much, “Crap! We’re gonna be in so much trouble!”

Virgil rolled his eyes and stood up, “Relax, how much trouble could you get in?”

Janus listed off, “Well, I wasn’t supposed to leave the house for two days apart from school and business, so if I’m late, they’ll think I’m goofing off and probably take away my snakes.”

All three boys were sad at the prospect of the snakes getting taken away.

Logan listed another, “I’ll probably be no longer allowed to see my friends.”

“I would be banned from...well...band.”

Virgil laughed, “Your parents are strict.”

Lark whacked him, “Don’t laugh!” Lark noticed their new friends’ odd behavior. They’re becoming less and less bubbly, they’re scared all the time, and they say things that really concerned Lark. “Your parents would ban you from the things you love for being late one day on accident.”

Virgil immediately stopped laughing as he realized how messed up their families actually sound, “Geez…”

Remus looked up, placing a finger to his chin as he thought, “Now that you mention it...those three always looked terrified whenever they knew they were gonna be in trouble…”

But they were already gone.