Patton walked into school the next morning utterly exhausted. He rubbed his eye and yawned walking past everyone to just go straight to his locker, deciding to ignore giving the usual greetings he did in the morning. No one really noticed either way. He got to his locker and opened it slowly exchanging what he needed for the morning.

"Hey Patton." Roman greeted as he opened his own locker. "You don't usually get here before me."

"Yeah guess I just was walking fast." Patton replied although he didn't honestly feel like doing anything quickly that morning.

"Hey." Roman casually used placed his hand on his cheek to turn Patton's face up so he could see him. "You have bags under your eyes... are you okay?"

Patton smiled at his concern. "Yeah I'm fine."

They heard someone clear their throat next to them.

It was Logan. He looked between them for a few seconds not looking amused and his voice remained flat. "Patton, I chose the DJ and Caterer for you. They have very good reviews so just call them as soon as you can." He held out a slip of paper.

Roman dropped his hand and Patton lit up his eyes sparkling for the first time that morning as he turned towards the other and took the paper. "Oh thank you Logan! That helps a lot I appreciate it."

"It was really no trouble." He replied smiling at him ever so slightly.

They both looked to Roman as he chuckled.

"What's with that smug look?" Patton asked innocently tilting his head to the side.

"Oh nothing." Roman shrugged.

"Did you end up finishing your extra credit assignment?" Logan asked ignoring the arrogant princely figure.

"Yeah..." Patton sighed. "Just in time."

"Good, but don't overwork yourself." He frowned.

"Yeah yeah I know." Patton smiled waving it off.

"Anyway dear Patton." Roman started closing his locker before casually slinging his arm around his shoulders as the first bell rang. "There's the bell we best not be late."

"Okay?" Patton shot him a strange look as they fell into step together Roman not removing his arm. "Um... bye Logan."

"Yes farewell." Prince said dismissively and gave a small wave with his free hand.

"Goodbye." Logan replied and Patton missed the slight glare the nerd shot at his best friend.

Roman still smirked as they turned the corner seeming satisfied with himself.

"What are you doing?" Patton asked him still oblivious to what just went down.

"Nothing, I'm acting as I always do." He replied sliding his arm away. "Don't worry your silly little head about it." He ruffled his hair a bit before walking ahead into their classroom.

-&-

Patton walked into Mrs Boggs class later that day and handed in his extra credit assignment with a small smile.

"Well, I'm impressed you finished it in time." She took it and neatly placed it to the side on her desk. "If It was done properly and with a good amount of effort I'm sure it will be enough to raise your grade to an A."

He sighed in relief. "Thanks, it would really save me."

"Yes yes, seeing as though you always present yourself as hardworking in my class I figured you'd be reliable enough." She said flatly, but Patton knew that was as kind as Mrs. Boggs ever really got so didn't take offense to her tone. "Now please take your seat."

"Yes ma'am." He nodded feeling his smile grow a bit at the lifted weight. He went to sit in his seat and copied down the few notes she had on the board already.

After Mrs. Boggs finished attendance the phone on her desk rang and she answered it. "Yes." She sighed. "Alright I understand I'll send him down." She hung up. "Patton Sanders."

Patton who was just closing his notebook again perked up at the sound of his name. "Yeah?"

"You're wanted in the office. Take your things. Just do the homework written on the board." She replied nonchalantly.

"Oh, okay." He replied. I didn't do anything wrong right? He grabbed his things and left just as Mrs Boggs started teaching the others.

-&-

Normally every worry in the world would be running through Patton's mind as he approached the main office, but right now he was honestly too tiered to care. He was just happy to get out of class to be honest. If he had to learn one more thing with the amount of sleep he got last night, which by the way was hardly any, he thought his head would explode.

He turned the handle and walked in to see the secretary and principal standing in front of the counter waiting for him. The only other one there was a student he'd never seen before slumped down in one of the waiting chairs with his head thrown back, a few papers shielded down over his eyes, balancing on the bridge of his nose.

Patton looked away from them and to the two adults. "You called me down."

"Ah yes Mr. Sanders." The principal greeted wiping away a few wrinkles from her navy blue pencil skirt.

"Am I in trouble?" Patton asked lifting his bag onto his shoulder and raising a brow.

"Oh heavens sake no." She replied. "You Are simply one of the students signed up for showing new kids around the school and we have a new student today."

The kid simply raised a hand from the arm of the chair with a gruff. "Hey." Not even bothering to actually look up at any of them.

"Oh... okay then." Patton replied. "You just want me to show him around?"

"Yes and make him feel welcome." The principal smiled. "Ashton?"

Ashton sighed slightly removing the paper from his eyes and standing up stuffing his hands into his jean pockets causing the small chain hanging from two of his belt loops to rattle slightly.

Patton smiled at him. "I'm glad to welcome you to our school."

Ashton looked him up and down with a curious "hm." And then removed one of his hands from his pockets and held it out to him. "Thanks."

Patton shook it. "Nice to meet you. Let's get started."

-&-

"That is the recreation room. If you join the pep club or the students activity club like me then you'll spend a lot of time in there." Patton said guiding Ashton around. He walked down the hall past a few classrooms and then stopped waving left. "And that's the library. It has books and computers if you ever need one."

"You got some fond memories in there?" Ashton asked casually.

"What?" Patton asked slightly surprised by the question.

"I don't know." Ashton shrugged. "It's like this whole tour you've been wearing that polite smile, but when we stopped here your expression changed a bit. Seemed happier I guess."

"Oh..." Patton replied. After noticing the others semi-curious stare he had to look away as he felt a blush creep onto his cheeks. "Its nothing in particular..." he lied starting toward the stairs. "Let's carry on then."

-&-

Patton yawned as he approached the library feeling even more rundown then this morning. He saw Logan down the hall and smiled so he wouldn't worry.

"We don't have to work on our project if you're too tired we do still have an acceptable amount of time to finish." Logan offered.

"No it's fine." Patton replied shaking his head slightly, but really he just wanted Logan to come over again.

Logan was skeptical, but agreed anyway.

-&-

The two boys now sat on Patton's couch together working. Patton felt his eyes drooping the whole time, but tried to ignore it. He didn't quite understand how he could be so tiered and yet feel an exhilaration running through his veins because he was simply sitting near the person he liked. But there was also that permanently stabbing pain in his chest when he remembered his feelings weren't required.

"I did a section yesterday while you were preoccupied, but I would like to inquire your opinion because I would never wish to do something you wouldn't approve of, so-" Logan cut himself off when the other boy suddenly fell into him breathing steadily.

He was about to wake him or push him away, but stopped when he looked to his face and saw how peaceful he seemed.

He couldn't help but notice his heart speed up. "You're making this very difficult Patton..." Logan sighed to himself sadly.

-&-

Patton blinked awake two hours later finding himself laid out across the couch. He propped himself rubbing his eye up causing a blanket to slide off of him and tumble to the floor. He looked around a bit in confusion.

"Finally awake I see." Logan started walking into the living room seemingly from the bathroom.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep." Patton apologized. "You came over to do work..."

"That's quite alright we do still have some time don't agonize over it." Logan replied matter-of-factly. "I told my mother I'd be back earlier tonight, so I should probably get going." He grabbed his bag slipping his laptop into it carefully.

Patton couldn't help but feel a twinge in his heart. He didn't want to be left alone all night again... he always ended up tossing and turning half the night because of the deafening quiet that always seemed to haunt him. Looming around him reminding him that he was never going to be the perfect happy boy with a million friends everybody wanted him to be. "Okay..." He replied his voice uncharacteristically small and quiet. He felt himself hold in a few tears. He couldn't help it, he was a bit sensitive when exhausted.

Logan looked over to see his face and his eyes widened. He felt like a spear went through his heart just at the sight of how sad he looked. He kneeled down in front of the other boy putting his bag down and placing a hand on his cheek. "Patton..?"

As if realizing he'd let his true feeling slip to his expression Patton lit up a little. "I'm sorry! I'm okay, really. You can go." No don't... Patton scolded himself mentally for the thought.

"I can remain longer if you need me." Logan offered with a frown. He didn't like it when Patton covered up how he really felt.

"No!" He shook his head quickly. What are you doing idiot? Ask him to stay... one voice told him, but another countered this. What are you so pathetic you need him around all the time? He's made his stance on your relationship clear. He doesn't feel the same, stop pushing things.

"Are you quite certain?" Logan asked.

"Yes Yes go have dinner with your mother, she's expecting you." Patton let his smile remain. I wish I could eat with my mom... Patton! Stop! This negative thinking isn't getting you anywhere. But he couldn't stop that other voice.

Logan searched his eyes before letting out a sigh. "Alright..." he got back up and picked up his bag. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow!" Patton chirped.

Logan walked to the front door and stepped outside closing it behind him. He looked back one more time feeling his heart still aching slightly. He really didn't want to leave Patton alone right now, but didn't want to insist on staying. He let the frown remain on his face and walked to his car.

Patton stood from the couch to watch out the window as Logan's car drove away. When it did he sunk down to the floor feeling the loneliness kick in and the tears break free. He cursed himself. "Damnit Patton..."

Hey guys, Awe poor Patton! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long I was busy over the holidays, and it seems motivation is getting hard to come by. New character though that's exciting XD. Tell me what you thought of the new part. Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋

Word count: 2,000