Stuck in Yesterday

Chapter Fifteen

Virgil's P.O.V

After Andrew's departure, Virgil and Logan were left alone in a heavy silence. "So," Virgil began after a moment, "what is this debate supposed to be about again..? I wasn't here when she talked about it..."

"Ah, Yes. I am aware of your predicament. We have not been tasked with a specific assignment, only that we must have a debate of some kind." Logan affirmed.

Virgil breathed out an exhausted sigh, already feeling too tired to work on the project. But he was very aware with whom he'd been partnered with and knew that, regardless of how he felt about it, things would need to get done. Not knowing what else to say, the darkly clad boy asked, "Okay then, do you have anything in particular that you want to debate? Cause I've got nothing."

Logan pondered for a moment, his forehead and nose scrunching cutely in thought (which Virgil subconsciously took notice of). Eventually, much to Virgil's mild disappointment, the overly formal boy's face relaxed and he suggested, "What would you say about a discussion about cognitive distortion?"

Virgil stared blankly at him. "Congi- wha?"

The other frowned but continued, "cognitive distortion. When you think things are different then they actually are. If you don't mind me saying so, from what I've gathered from my interactions with you is that you seem to have a more negative and emotionally charged outlook. I take a more logical stance. A discussion on cognitive distortions given certain situations, I believe, could generate an interesting project given our dynamic. What do you think?"

Virgil blinked, still processing the information given to him. Although a bit exasperated, Logan patiently waited for his response and maintained a steady eye contact with the other, which made the emo feel a bit stressed but he wasn't going to say that. "Sounds like a good plan," he finally replied, "how many situations should we come up with?"

"I think that two situations will suffice," was the other's reply.

And so they began to collaborate about different possible situations and talking points for said situations. By the end of the period, they had come up with the necessary building blocks that they needed for their debate and even began to formulate their opening statements and key points.

In a blink of an eye, the bell rang and the class period was finished. "Good work today, Virgil," Logan complimented, a faint but still noticeable smile on his face.

Virgil cleared his throat awkwardly, replying, "uh, thanks. You too."

Why did I do that? He might think I'm sick or something, he fretted, gathering his things.

"Uh see ya, I guess..." were the emo's departing words to Logan, who still wasn't fully packed to leave.

"Firstly it's "see you" not "see ya", and secondly farewell." Was the reply he just barely heard as he walked out the door.

And with that, Virgil was off to his last period class: Spanish. He didn't know why harder classes like Spanish and math were allowed to be the last or first classes of the day. In the beginning and end of the day for students is the hardest because they are typically too tired to focus. Or maybe that was just him. Within no time, he reached the foreign language hallway and was standing directly in front of the door of his classroom. Welp, just one more class. It should be fine. Probably, he decided before turning the door handle and pushing the door open.

The teacher, a middle aged man with thinning brown hair, was near the front of the classroom setting up a projector. Most of the seats in the room were already full meaning he was probably one of the last, if not the last, person to arrive. This was confirmed by the bell ringing moments later. "¡Buenas tardes chicos! ¿Cómo están hoy?" (translation: "Good evening kids! How are you guys today?") The teacher greeted the class enthusiastically.

Nobody replied. Virgil took this opportunity to get the teacher's attention. "Um... Perdón Señor..." (translation: "um... excuse me Sir...") he called out weakly.

The teacher turned to him and smiled. "¡Hola! ¿Eres el estudiante nuevo? ¿Cómo te llamas?" (translation: "Hello! Are you the new student? What is your name?")

"Sí... Soy un estudiante nuevo. Me llamo Virgil." the dark haired boy confirmed, tugging absentmindedly at his hoodie strings.

He was still very aware that he was standing in front of the class. "¡Mucho gusto, Virgil! ¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español!" (Translation: "It's nice to meet you, Virgil! Welcome to Spanish class!")

The ends of Virgil's mouth pulled up into a shy smile. "I-igualmente... gracias" (translation: "It's nice to meet you too... thanks.")

He seems like a nice teacher. Maybe this won't be a horrible class, the emo boy mused optimistically.

As soon as he finished his thought, the door swung open and in pranced a familiar drama king. Roman, who was Still catching his breath from apparently rushing from his last class to this one, dramatically announced, "¡Hola compañeros, maestro! ¡Estoy aquí ahora! ¡No necesitan preocuparse!" (Translation: "Hello friends, teacher! I am here now! You don't need to worry yourselves!")

But as soon as the princely male's eyes landed on Virgil, his entire mood took a one-eighty. His face almost immediately scrunched up, his lips pursed as if he'd eaten something sour. "Oh," he muttered, "it's you."

Virgil's stomach dropped. What the heck is this dude's problem?!

"¡Roman! Primer, no hablas cosas así a otros estudiantes. Segundo, sabes que solamente usamos español en mi clase. ¡Siéntate!" (Translation: "Roman! First, do not say things like that to other students. Second, you know that we only use Spanish in my class. Sit down!") the teacher chastised harshly.

Roman, who was ever so slightly taken aback by being scolded, opened his mouth to protest but then decided against it and  grumpily went to take his seat.

Virgil looked up at his new teacher with sparkles in his eyes. It was so rare to find people who would stand up for him like that. And that's how Spanish became Virgil's favorite subject.