Patton yawned largely as he walked into school stretching his arms above him.

"Morning Patton." I group of girls chanted as he walked past.

"Good morning." He smiled making them break off into giggles.

"Patton my man." A boy rushed up to him. "Did you ask her?"

"Yup she's totally single. I even mentioned you and she said she thought you were cute." Patton replied his smile growing.

"Sweet! Thanks dude, I'm gonna go talk to her!" The boy ran off.

Patton did a quick dive to save some things from falling to the ground, that came from the arms of a person hidden behind the mass amount of things they were holding.

"Patton?! Thank God, help me out?" Lacy asked.

"Sure thing." He replied his smile growing even more. "Where to?"

"The Rec. room please." she let out a relieved breath.

"You got it boss!" He chirped.

Logan was walking by and had seen what had happened he watched semi-curiously as Patton walked off with the supplies, but he then turned his attention back to his book, and kept walking.

-&-

"Hey Roman." Patton sighed as he jogged up to his locker that said friend was stood next to.

"Geez there you are, what took you so long?" Roman asked.

Patton caught his breath as he began to spin in the code to open his locker. "Sorry I was doing a few favors."

Roman frowned. "That's great and all buddy, but you can't do everything everybody asks of you all the time. It's not healthy to exhaust yourself."

Patton couldn't help but think back on Logan's words.

"I wouldn't want you to overexert yourself. It's not healthy to be so tiered..."

He found himself smiling contently as he thought about the way Logan had said that to him. "I'm fine, thanks for the advice." He grabbed his books, before closing his locker, and they walked to first period together in casual conversation.

-&-

"Hey Logan." Patton said simply as he sat down next to him in the library at lunch, with a small smile.

"Hello- Patton!" He suddenly exclaimed quietly when he looked up from his book. "What did I tell you about proper rest? My God you're so pale." He noticed the bags forming under Patton's eyes, and his sluggish nature, something no one else had really noticed all day long. "You aren't running a fever are you?" He placed a hand to Patton's forehead.

Patton felt his heart skip a beat, and gently pushed his hand away.  "I-I'm fine." What the heck was that? And why did my voice shake. My voice almost never shakes!

"If you're sure..." he trailed off still seeming kind of concerned.

Patton began to eat, and finished quickly as Logan went back to reading his book. He felt his eyes dragging down more and more with each blink before finally they just stayed closed.

Logan stiffened in surprise when he felt a head fall onto his shoulder. He looked down to see Patton leaned against him, his breathing soft and slow, and his eyes gently closed. He relaxed before casually going back to reading his book.

-&-

"Patton, wake up."

"Mmm..." Patton scrunched his face up, but didn't open his eyes.

"Patton."

He finally opened his eyes when he was shaken slightly.

He sat up from whatever he was leaned against and yawned groggily. "Sorry..."

"The bell rang, so don't be tardy to class." Logan said simply before grabbing his things.

"Yeah, yeah okay..." Patton stood too starting to gather his things. How long have I been asleep? It couldn't have been more then fifteen minutes... so why am I still so tiered... ugh I don't feel good. His legs felt weak. He grabbed his head as he started to walk. I'm wearing my glasses right? Why is my vision so blurry?

"Patton!" Logan exclaimed catching the boy as he suddenly collapsed.

-&-

"So Virgil how did your practice end up going yesterday?" Logan asked his friend as he walked into chemistry.

"Horrible at first, but... I did good apparently so." He replied.

"See I told you you were simply overreacting yesterday." Logan replied.

"Today could always be worse..." Virgil sneered. "In fact I know it'll be worse, I can't go."

"Don't do this again." Logan sighed.

"Maybe I won't go..." He ignored his friends comment. "It would be easier."

"You're going, and you don't even have the option of leaving this time." Logan crossed his arms.

"Why aren't you staying after school?" Vigil asked sitting up and looking at him.

"Not today." He answered simply getting his notes out.

"Why not?" Virgil was surprised. "You always stay after you don't break your schedule."

"Well I have a different engagement to deal with." He replied.

"Doing what?" Virgil asked curiously, but then was ignored as the bell rang and the teacher started class.

-&-

Patton blinked awake to see a white ceiling. He was lying down, a set of windows to his left showed the front courtyard of the school. He felt better now. His body was rested and his head clear.

"You're finally awake. Feeling better I hope." Logan asked from his chair on the other side of the elevated cot.

Patton looked over to him. "Where am I?"

"The nurses office, you fainted during lunch today." Logan replied closing his book and stuffing it in his bag. His voice still remained emotionless. "It worried me a great deal."

"Sorry..." Patton trailed off feeling himself smile. "It must have been exhaustion. Guess a fifteen minute nap wasn't enough."

"I warned you about this you know." Logan frowned.

"I know... I'm sorry." Patton replied. "Wait... you don't have to stay here with me, you'll be late for class."

"Class? Patton it's the end of the day." Logan told him.

"What? Really? I was out that long?" Patton asked suddenly feeling very confused from missing out on everything.

"Indeed. And I ensured the nurse that I'd conduct you home when you woke up. So on that note let's proceed." Logan stood slipping his book into his bag. "Do you need to go to your locker?"

"No I should be good as long as I have my bag..." he trailed off sitting up finally and looking around.

Logan picked it up off the ground and handed it to him.

"Thanks." Patton smiled at him again.

That different smile, the one that pondered Logan greatly. Said boy cleared his throat. "You are ready then?"

"Yep, wait! What about Lacy, I was suspend to help after school again today!" Patton suddenly remembered as he stood up.

"Don't fret I told them you wouldn't be able to attend this afternoon, they understood." Logan replied.

"Oh okay." Patton said simply before starting to walk.

Logan followed as they walked out of the sick room and into the main nurses office.

"Oh Mr. Sanders glad to see you up and on your feet." The nurse smiled. "Make sure you get proper rest from now on and eat well too. Your fainting was also do to a bit of malnutrition."

"Right I'm sorry to cause you trouble." He apologized.

"That's quite alright dear." She smiled. "It's my job after all. Also, I called your parents, but neither answered."

"Oh well that's not surprising..." Patton let a polite smile stretch at his lips. "They don't usually take personal calls at work. It's policy I guess."

"Oh well... that could be a problem if there was an emergency. Is there another person we can contact in case that happens?" She asked.

"There's my big brother, he's a couple hours away, but really the only other person." Patton replied.

"That's alright could you write down his name and number here?" She handed him a clipboard.

He took it gently and scribbled down the information before handing it back to her.

"Perfect, you're free to go. Bye Logan." She smiled at the other male.

"Goodbye." He replied as he and Patton left the office.

"Well today has sure been eventful..." Patton trailed off as they made their way to the parking lot doors.

"That's one way of putting it." Logan sighed looking at him in the corner of his eye.

Patton giggled slightly at that. "Thanks for taking care of me." He looked up to Logan flashing him that smile again, this time it lasting longer then a few seconds.

Logan felt his feet stop moving and his back stiffen at the sight.

"Is something wrong?" Patton asked stopping a few steps in front of him.

"No no certainly not. Let's go." He replied straightening his glasses before walking ahead to the car.

-&-

Logan pulled up in front of Patton's house and parked the car.

"It's only 3:20?" Patton asked in confusion, man my internal clock is all messes up. Anyway we have some time, you wanna start on our project?"

"Are you sure you don't need to rest anymore?" Logan asked.

"Logan I slept half the day away. I'm fine now." Patton shook his head.

"Alright." Logan shrugged turning his car off and pulling the key from the ignition. He reached behind his seat to grabbed his bag before they both opened their doors and stepped out.

They made their way up the longish path to the front door, Patton fiddling with his keys the entire way up. He unlocked the white door and swung it inwards.

"Take your shoes off please, my mom doesn't like dirt being dragged in." Patton replied practically hopping out of his shoes and up the single stair that led into the main entry way. He ran on his tip toes down the hall calling back to his companion. "I have to get my laptop upstairs, make yourself at home!"

Logan did as instructed and removed his shoes before walking in slowly, looking around. He looked to the right to see a small office, across to the left was a half-bathroom, and what he assumed was a coat closet. Also to the left was a door with a little glass window he looked through to see what appeared to be a rather large food pantry. He then walked into the main part of the house which was a large living area slightly to the left complete with an assortment of furniture.

There was a wall to the right with an archway leading to the kitchen, and just ahead a grand staircase leading up stairs. All in all it was a huge home.

Rich much... Logan couldn't help but think.

"Okay I got it!" Patton replied appearing in the exposed upstairs hallway, running his hand along the railing all the way down. "Let's get started." He moved over to the couch, Logan joining him.

-&-

"Oh my goodness I'm hungry can we take a break?" Patton complained offer a few hours of working. He was splayed out over half of the couch, lying on his stomach.

Logan looked at his watch from the opposite end of the. "It is 6:30 we should probably just end for the day."

"Thank God." Patton jumped up in excitement.

Logan started to pack up his possessions in his bag. "Make sure you eat a good dinner remember what the nurse said about malnutrition."

"Yeah, one problem, I can't cook to save my life." Patton laughed nervously.

"Don't your parents ever make dinner?" Logan asked.

"No... they don't get home till late, so I'm kinda on my own most of the time." Patton replied.

"Well I suppose I don't have any plans... I could make you a healthy dinner." Logan set his bag down again.

"What?" Patton asked in surprise. "You can cook?"

"It is a valuable life skill after all." Logan stated simply. "So may I?"

"Uh... yeah knock yourself out." Patton shrugged. "Use whatever you can find."

Logan walked into the kitchen and Patton followed he started to search the fridge, and pantry, that connected from the kitchen to the front hall, for anything he could use. He then rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

-&-

"That food was so delicious!" Patton exclaimed happily. "How do you do it?"

"You simply sauté the vegetables and a little meat with a bit of sauce and seasoning. It really isn't hard, and it's healthy.

"Anytime I attempt something like that I end up with charcoal, or an undercooked mess." Patton frowned.

"It just takes practice. A little more for some people." Logan replied.

"Logan!" Patton exclaimed, fake being offended. "Are you calling me impaired when it comes to cooking?"

"What? No I was just-" he was cut off.

"I'm kidding!" Patton laughed. He then leaned over the island and poked him. "Learn to take a joke, silly."

"What did you just do?" Logan asked in confusion.

"I poked you. Poke." He replied poking him again.

"Please stop that." Logan said casually.

"Why? Does it annoy you?" Patton laughed poking him a few more times, this time with both hands. "Poke poke poke."

"Enough." Logan grabbed the boy's hands to stop him. He then stiffened noticing Patton staring at him with his eyes sparking again. What does that look mean? Logan thought curiously. He then dropped his hands slowly and looked away. I don't understand... "Do you do this with all of your guests that come over?"

"Not really." Patton shook his head. "My parents are pretty strict about the whole having friends over thing." He looked down to the countertop, tracing circles on it with his finger. "But I guess I don't really mind, I don't have many close friends who I'd want to spend time with after school anyway."

Logan watched him curiously. Interesting... here I've heard all the people claiming to be his friends taking about how great he is and yet... he sits here and says he had none.

"I mean Roman is really the only person I'm close to, but he's my neighbor, and we've known each other since we were kids, so he's an exception." Patton continued as he rested his chin in his palms. "He's usually pretty busy though..."

"Wait Roman? As in the drama club, always gets the lead in the school play Roman?" Logan asked him.

"Yep that's the one!" Patton chirped his smile returning. "You know him?"

"Of sorts, I don't suppose you've heard of Virgil?" Logan asked.

"Oh yeah~" Patton chuckled. "Roman talks about him a lot."

"Yes well he happens to be my, as you would call it, best friend." Logan admitted.

"Really? Ha, that's so ironic. Small world..." Patton continued to smile. He was glad to be sitting at a table with someone after eating together and talking. He hadn't really experienced that in a while... He was always alone after school... it was always so quiet. He hadn't realized just how lonely it had been till he actually had someone there... he'd just gotten used to it. How sad is that..? He thought his smile dropping slightly.

"Indeed, well I shouldn't stay too late, my mother is expecting me back." Logan stood from the table placing his dish in the sink.

"Oh... okay." Patton replied mimicking his actions. "I'll walk you out."

Logan got his bag from the living room and the two boys walked down the entry hall to the front door. Logan slipped on his shoes.

"See you tomorrow!" Patton waved happily.

Logan gave a polite smile in return. "See you tomorrow." He then opened the door and left.

Patton watched as he drove away before closing the door again. He locked it, but once finished, didn't step away. He leaned his head against the back of the door, looking down. His smile dropped completely that time.

It was quiet again...

Hey guys, awe my poor lil bean! He's been through so much! It's okay Logan will help him. Hopefully... anyway I hope you enjoyed this longer chapter. Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋