Group Home (Discontinued)

Chapter Two

When my eyes flutter open I'm alone. Go figure. I shuffle out of the living room and toward several voices. My tired feet trudge up the stairs. I sigh when I reach the last step, walking into the kitchen. Wandering out of the kitchen and around the corner to the second staircase. Up I go. I grumble to myself.

"Roman, it's not that big of a deal." The older boy, Logan, pinches the bridge of his nose. "We just have to move things around for Virgil, to keep him comfortable."

Oh, this is my fault. I stuff my hands in my pockets and keep my head down. Waste of space, it's what you really are.

"Why can't I just stay here. It'll be fine." Roman stomps, arms full of his belongings.

"Because Patton knows how to best deal with a panic attack. I tend to come off to...emotionless. You are too full of emotions. The other two are obvious no's. Patton is best suited to room with him." Logan looks tired of arguing with Roman.

"Fine. Do what's best for the new guy. Don't care about your family." Roman storms out of the room, passing me down the hallway.

I'm not part of the family. It will end up just like before. I clench my hands into fists in my pockets. They won't stop shaking.

"Hey kiddo," My body jolts at the voice. Patton. "I was just gonna ask if you heard all that?" The curly haired boy is the only one to go out of their way to speak with me, so my gut says to trust him.

I nod shakily, removing my clenched hands from my pockets. He looks down at the and noticed their shaking, his eyes widen. "C'mon," he reaches toward my hands, but looks at me for permission first. I nod again. "let's take you somewhere quiet." He gently takes my hands and leads me back downstairs.

I don't need another panic attack today. I want to stay awake. And I don't want to have to take care of me more than they already have.

"Virge, do you wanna help me with dinner?" I notice many prepared ingredients set out on the kitchen's island. A small smile makes it's way to my lips as I give yet another nod.

TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TRASHMAN

"Breakfast for dinner!" Patton grins and looks toward what we cooked up. A giant pile of pancakes. Separate plates of bacon and sausage. A plate of cheesy eggs and another plate with a stack of toast. It was a feast.

The table was set, seven plates. Three on each side of the long table and one at the head.

"Guys! Dinner!" Patton called up the stairs. I flinch at the sudden noise, but wait patiently for the others to sit down before I do. They all have their usual seats and I don't want to impose.

The twins sound like a heard of elephants coming down the stairs, Logan and Janus are quieter and slow. But before I know it all the seats but one are filled.

I sit beside Patton and Mister Sanders, who is at the head of the table. I unfortunately am across from Remus, Roman next to him and Logan at the end. I assume Janus has sat himself beside Patton.

The group has already started choosing their meal as I sit and watch. There is so much food, I've never seen so much in one place before. Much less gotten to eat it.

"Virgil, you can eat." Mister Sanders says quietly as to not notify the other.

I give him a look. I want to eat, so badly, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep it down. I doubt my body will be used to much food. But I need to tell him this somehow.

He seems to understand my inability to speak and pulls out his phone, opening the notes.

I don't know if my body can handle all this food.

I type quickly and pass it back to the adult. I notice his eyes widen as he picks up on the subtext. "Just eat what you can. Don't force yourself to eat more than you can handle."

I nod and slowly pick up a piece of toast, it's still warm. As I take a hesitant bite I look up and notice Remus staring at me. His green eyes have another strange look in them, those are untrustworthy eyes.

I manage to eat most of the toast, not the crusts, and I'm onto my third piece of bacon when my stomach lurches. I remember the bathroom off of the kitchen and quickly push my chair back, it screeches against the wood.

I stumble into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. My fingers are as white as the porcelain of the toilet seat as I empty the little contents of my stomach.

My throat burns. Both from the vomit and bruising. With wide eyes I look into the toilet bowl, sighing in relief when I don't see blood.

The relief soon turns to disappointment as my eyes fill with tears. I can't even keep down a meal. A grim chuckle crawls from my throat. Hardly even a meal really.

"Virgil, how ya doing in there?" I hear Mister Sanders from the other side of the door. I want to answer, or even get up, but all that I manage to do is let out a weak sob.

The door opens and he slides in, tears streaming down my pale cheeks. I'm weak. And I hate myself for it. But there's nothing I can do about it.

"Do you wanna go to bed? I think the boys finished switching rooms." He asks while gently rubbing circles against my back.

I nod, as usual, and slowly get to my feet. My legs feel like flimsy noodles, but I manage.

I follow as Mister Sanders guides me through the dinning room. I keep my head down, not wanting to see their pitying faces. My eyes look up the staircase and I gulp, it looks much taller than usual.

I jolt when I feel a hand against my back, "I'll be right behind you." His words are reassuring. They give me just enough energy to make it up the stairs.

I walk into the first room on the left. One bed has dark blankets while the other has baby blue sheets and stuffed animals scattered on it. Patton's. I assume with a smile. I climb under the dark fuzzy blankets, the warmth surrounding me.

"I'll get you a phone this week, before you go into school." Mister Sanders begins to explain as he sits himself at the end of the bed.

"On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Roman stays after school for drama. Patton stays for board game/hacky sack club on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Logan stays for Scholastic Bowl practice the same days Roman stays after school. Janus usually comes home after school and Remus stays on Wednesdays for a club he created. He calls it the Anarchy for All club. There are like three members, I don't really ask. You can come home or stay any time you'd like, as long as one of the others know your plans."

I slowly nod, registering all the information. A yawn escapes my lips and Mister Sanders lets out a chuckle. "I'll let you sleep, good night Virgil." He closes the curtains at the far side of the room and closes the door quietly as he exits.

Maybe it won't be so bad here. I smile as I nuzzle my face into the freshly cleaned pillowcase and drift off.

1277 words my guys. I know I have like four readers for this story but I'm okay with that. If no one reads it, I'll make it for myself, it what I was doing anyways. But I appreciate those who do read it. Thank you guys. Don't forget to comment and vote. Also credit to the amazing artist for the photo at the top. Until next time, this is Zoe signing off.