The Divide [Logan X Patton]

The shop where the lost things go

"A-ah, a party huh? That's nice." 

I walked up to him and un-winded the string from his finger as I continued 

"Id really like you to come with buddy, I won't go if you're not going." 

Virgil sighed heavily 

"I-I don't want you to miss out because of my stupid problems, go without me" 

"Virgil! Your problems are not stupid! Nothing about you is stupid, and I'm refusing to go without you! We are a package, you get me and you for the price of one!"

I watched as more tears swelled in Virgils eyes, his face was still pale as a tear made its way slowly across his cheek. 

"I want to go its just...I'm scared. The last time I went to a party..." 

Virgil began to fidget with his drawstring again. I knew why. 

Junior year of high school Virgil and I got invited to a party. It was the first time either of us got invited to a high school party, I remember Virgil being so excited. It ended in flames, Virgil and I got separated in the crowd. I tried looking for him but every corner I turned there was someone trying to talk to me, someone offering me alcohol I dared not touch and when I found Virgil he was being locked in the closet. They shoved him in and leaned against the door so that he couldn't get out and they didn't stop until I made them. When I pulled him out of the closet he was a bawling mess. I never had been able to forgive myself for losing him in that party, and I don't think I will ever truly forgive my high school peers. How could humans be so cruel to one another? Virgil still held the same beating heart that they all did. I'm not sure what disgusts me more, the way they treated Virgil, or the fact they had the guts to come up to me and ask me why I "hung out with Virgil" to look me in the eye and tell me "You know, you'd be really popular if stopped hanging out with him". 

"Stop, your blaming yourself again" 

Virgil wiped the tears from my eyes, tears I didn't even notice were streaming down my cheeks 

"It's not your fault, you were the one good thing about that party" 

Virgil hugged me tightly and I smiled. 

"Virgil, I promise this party won't be like that one, hell they won't even know our names."

Virgil nodded 

" I won't let it happen again, not ever." 

Virgil stepped back and gave a happy nod 

"I'll go, I can't be afraid forever!"

I jumped excitedly 

"Really! I'm so proud virgey"

"So" Virgil started 

"-whats the dress code?" 

"Um, nice clothes but not fancy? Like, not suits but nice dress shirts. Anyways, we gotta go shopping so put on some real clothes and grab your train pass" 

As Virgil rounded the corner I heard him mumble under his breath "Doesn't answer my question but okay" 

I chuckled and went to my room to get ready 

The train ride was silent aside from a small baby crying and the muffled music coming from Virgil's headphones. I drifted into thought about how excited I was to take Virgil shopping at an actually nice store. I actually have money to take him shopping somewhere nice and exciting and it felt good to be able to buy things for him. When we  got to our stop Virgil pulled out his headphones and looked at me 

"Where are we going anyways? 

"Somewhere nice" I replied, a little too excitedly. 

I could tell Virgil's suspicion rose. I grabbed him by the hand and gave him my best reassuring smile 

"I promise that you're going to love it" 

We walked quickly through the mall, passing by shops, food stands, and people so fast that they all became smudged, blurred colors. 

"Patton" Virgil chuckled 

"-where on earth are you taking me?" 

I quickly rounded the corner and stopped in front of the large store, Virgil let go of my hand and took 3, small steps forward. 

"Vintage pop, I haven't been here since we were-" 

"Kids" I finished 

"I know, I thought, maybe. You would be-" 

"Excited? I am, it's just...I thought they closed this place down."

Virgil turned to me, a soft smile plastered on his face 

"Thank you" 

We walked in and started scanning the racks. Virgil pulled out a black and white striped shirt, looked at the tag and then quickly put it back. 

"Wait, virge, what did you have" 

Virgil shook his head and blew a strand of hair out of his eye. 

"Its nothing" 

I moved to his side of the rack. 

"Did you like it? Here, pull it out and show me" 

Virgil pulled the shirt out and handed it to me 

"It's pretty expensive" 

"I didn't ask if it's expensive, I asked if you liked, so, Virgil; Do you like it? 

Virgil hesitated

"Yes, I do, I really like it, I like the black with the white, and it has a small breast pocket." 

I glanced at the tag, folded the shirt and threw it into the basket.