Patton had gotten his lunch and was scanning the tables trying to decide where he wanted to sit that day. This was always the hardest part. I mean he didn't really have a problem with not having anywhere to sit, but quite the opposite. There were too many options. So many groups invited him in he lost count. He knew it was probably really selfish to complain about having too many friends, but that was just it... he didn't really. I mean real ones. Most people he'd talk to he'd hardly consider good acquaintances. When it came to having close group of people to him... well he really didn't have one. I mean he had Roman, but he always sat with his theater friends, and Patton often felt left out.

Usually he'd just end up settling for one group one day and another the next, but he'd really just sit there and eat. Sure they would engage him into whatever conversation they were having and he'd speak up then, but mostly he'd listen. There was no personalization in the conversation for him... no, "Hey Patton how was your day?" No, "Hey man do you have a story you'd like to share?" Or even "You okay you look a little tiered?"

All in all his lunch interactions were very dissatisfying, and despite being surrounded by people who liked him... he felt alone.

Some days, like today, even the thought of sitting at a table was too much, so he'd sneak off to go somewhere quieter.

The library.

He walked into the large room full of shelves to see only a few people in there. A group of girls at the computers, and a few other students here and there searching for and checking out books.

The tables in the center were fairly empty aside from a girl with her laptop, a couple kids napping, and... Logan.

He was sitting there a brown paper bag with the discarded crusts of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the table in front of him, a book in one hand, and an apple in the other. His eyes were focused on what he was reading as he bit into the red fruit.

Patton walked over and sat down next to him. "Hey, Logan."

The nerd looked up, and over his book seeming surprised someone had sat with him, let alone addressed him. He then swallowed, and lowered his book slightly more. "Hello."

"I didn't think anyone else ate in here." Patton smiled at him.

"Yes well, it isn't a very customary for many of the prevalent and larger groups to intermingle here." He responded.

"I guess not, but it looks like we just keep running into each other." Patton replied. "Figuratively and literally."

Logan smiled at that making a small sound of amusement. "I suppose it is a curious coincidence."

"Indeed." Patton added before starting to eat his lunch.

With that Logan smiled and went back to his apple and book.

Patton sat there content to be in the silence, but still with someone.

-&-

Logan walked into his chemistry class and sat at his normal lab table.

"Hello Virgil, what seems to be the worriment with you?" He asked referring to the boy who was currently face first into the table top quietly grumbling to himself.

"Kill me..?" Was all he said.

"What situation has gotten you into such a dismal mindset?" He asked readying his notes.

"I just got cast as one of the leads for the play..." he mumbled finally looking up.

"And that is not satisfactory?" Logan questioned.

"No it's not satisfactory." Virgil replied. "I didn't want it, plus knowing my oh so great luck, none other than Roman got the other lead."

"Ah yes, you're long time rival." Logan nodded in amusement. "I have to admit I never quite understood why you two couldn't get along."

"Because he hates me." Virgil replied.

"Isn't it your general inclination that everyone hates you?" Logan raised a brow.

"Everyone but you and the three quarters of the school that don't know I exist." He place his chin in the palm of his hand and looked away.

Logan sighed deciding not to get into it again. No matter how he tried to reason with him factually he knew Virgil wouldn't change his mind on people's opinions on him. So he just went back to paying attention to his notes.

-&-

"Logan can I borrow you're notes for the first selection you guys read? I wasn't here then..." Patton asked as Logan had just walked in and sat down next to him in his usual seat.

"I suppose it wouldn't hinder me." He replied handing over his notebook.

"Thanks!" Patton chirped pulling out his phone and taking pictures of the pages before holding the thin booklet back to him. "I appreciate it."

Logan took it again, their finger's brushing together for a split second. "Uh... my pleasure." He muttered looking the opposite way."

The bell rang and Mr. Conti stood from his desk to start the review of what they read yesterday, stressing the importance of what was going to be on the test.

"Now." He stated seriously. "For the remainder of class I want you to get out a piece of paper and write me something. It can be an original story, a long poem, or you can just tell me something about you. Just make it express you, show me the person behind all of those blank faces I watch everyday. I won't be sharing it with anyone, so make it as personal as you want. I urge you to try and step out of your comfort zone. Just... impress me." He smiled in the direction of The two boys sitting in the back. "Make it at least a page long, and turn it in by the end of class." He then sat back down at his desk as everyone began to silently work.

Step out of our comfort zone..? Logan thought as he opened to a blank page. What does he mean by that? He looked over to Patton who was furiously writing with a small content smile of his face. Make it express me... He looked back to the blank page before placing the pen to paper, and beginning to write.

-&-

"Hey Patton how was your day?" Roman asked as he walked up to his locker after first period was over.

"Good~" he smiled happily.

"That's great buddy, well I'll see you tomorrow, I have the first practice today. With him..." he pouted.

Patton chuckled at that. "Don't be so mean Roman, I'm sure you'll be fine. See you tomorrow."

"Bye." He waved as Patton turned to walk towards the door.

"Hey, Patton!" A voice called his name.

He stopped and looked over to see a girl waving him down from the doorway of a classroom. He smiled. "Hey Lacy."

"Are you busy?" She asked seeming kind of stressed.

"Um well... not necessarily, but-" he was cut off.

"Great." She sighed in relief. "Could you help us out? We have all this work to do for the World Cultures Festival, and most of the people who signed up to help, didn't show. There's only a handful of us, and we won't be able to get everything done in time."

"Oh..." Patton replied. He knew if he helped them he'd miss the buss and have to walk home, but he hated to see her so on edge. "Sure!" He perked up. "Just tell me what to do!"

-&-

Patton yawned and stretched his arms above his head after helping Lacy out for a few hours. So exhausted... He thought as he walked toward the main exit. I really don't want to walk home, but I don't have much of a choice.

The door to the library opened, someone walking out, and locking the door behind him.

"Logan?" Patton asked seeming surprised.

"Patton, you are still here?" He wondered aloud.

"Yeah I was helping out for the upcoming festival." He replied the polite smile returning to his face, but his shoulders remained sagged. "You're still here too?"

"Yes I like to stay and read in the library for a while." He replied.

"The school gave you a key?" Patton asked nodding toward the small metal object in his hand.

"Yes the librarian was upset I was remaining after school so late, so they gave me a key to lock up for myself. It's not too big of a deal, it only opens the library, and I have to be out by this exact time anyway." He responded. "I guess they just considered me to be trustworthy."

"I suppose so." They began to walk the rest of the way down the hall together.

"Are you well Patton?" Logan asked looking down at him. "You seem quite fatigued."

Patton looked up his eyes widening slightly at the question. "What..? I mean uh... yeah I'm fine..." he felt a genuine smile tug at his lips. "Thanks for asking."

Logan raised a brow at him, but continued to act casual as they walked out the doors into the parking lot. "Just assuring you won't loose consciousness in my presence."

"Yeah well, I still appreciate it." Patton pulled his bag straps up higher on his shoulders. "Anyway I'll see you tomorrow." He started to walk away.

"Patton?" Logan's voice stopped him.

He turned back around to look at him.

"Do you want a ride to your home?" He asked waving his car keys in his hand.

Patton just stared at him for a few seconds, before replying. "Uh, sure!" Wait a second why'd I just agree, I hardly know this kid? Now I'm just going to tell him where my house is?

"My car is parked over here." He began to lead the way.

Patton followed him silently, and jumped onto the passengers seat, swinging his bag onto the floor below him, and buckling his seatbelt. The car had a black interior that was as clean as could be. A small sent of an air freshener hooked onto the air vent lingered in the atmosphere.

Logan put the key in the ignition and started the car up, with a smooth hum.

"This is a nice car." Patton pointed out.

"I guess. I didn't really desire a car, but my grandmother made the decision to get it for me. I suppose it is convenient." He said as he carefully pulled out of the parking lot. "Where is your residence?"

"Do you know where Ashwood is?" Patton asked.

"I do." Logan nodded.

"Well you turn down that street and go down a bit of ways to Westwood, and I'm a few houses down to the right."

Logan just nodded again without responding as he drove. Patton just turned to look out the window at the passing scenery.

-&-

Eventually they pulled up to the side of Patton's house.

"Thanks for the ride." Said male smiled unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the door. He stepped out and leaned back in to grab his bag off the floor.

"You are welcome. Have an enjoyable evening, and do make sure to get proper rest." Logan smiled at him.

Patton froze. He smiled at me? Oh my god. What a second! Why am I freaking out about that? I mean sure I haven't really seen him smile at someone before, but why does it make me happy that he chose to smile at me?

"Patton?" Logan was now staring at him strangely after a few seconds of silent eye contact.

"Oh uh!" Patton shot up, hitting his head on the car ceiling. "Ouch..." he rubbed the growingly sore area. "I'm fine I'm fine!. He shouted feeling his face flush. "Thanks again for the ride, bye!" He then quickly closed the door and ran inside. He grabbed his heart when safely indoors, and watched as Logan drove away. What's wrong with me?

Hey guys, I hope you liked the chapter :). I made it a bit longer so yay! Tell me how you are enjoying the story so far, and maybe if you have any predictions? Idk sure yeah XD. I'm an awkward human...😐 vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋