I pushed open the door to my classroom. The students immediately stopped talking, and I couldn't even manage to take pride in that. I set my bag on my desk and forced a small smile.

" My name is Mr. Crofters. Welcome to American History. I will be your teacher for this year. I expect you to be punctual and to never slack," I stated. " I believe everyone is capable of the very best, and I want nothing less from you."

You speak like a robot. Your kids won't like that! They'll fall asleep! You have to be exciting!

Patton's voice rang in my head and I chose my next words carefully. With a small smile, I said, " I am sure none of you will slack off, though." A girl in the front row smiled and a boy nudged his friend in the back row. My heart leaped.

" I am just as new as all of you," I mused. " You can ask me for directions, but I'll probably send you the wrong way." I noticed some of the students loosening up, as if they felt more comfortable now.

" I am not promising my class will be easy, but I'll do my best to make sure you all know what you need to know to pass," I assured. " I'm willing to provide extra help if you email me ahead of time. It'll give me an excuse to not have to help the theater teacher with his play."

My smile only grew when the class gave a collective laugh. I turned to the board to write my name down and I silently thanked Patton for his advice. Virgil was correct, Patton was nothing but kind to me, and I was a fool to ignore him.

After that class, I had three more, then lunch, with two hours between each. I repeated the same joking formula at the beginning of each. Once introductions were done, I handed out a small quiz. Not for a grade, just to see where everyone was in terms of knowledge. I noticed my third class struggling a little more than the others, and I lamented having to make a separate lesson plan just for them.

I ate lunch in the teacher's lounge. Roman joined me soon after I sat down. We chatted for a little about our classes and I asked about Virgil. Roman smiled sadly, " He's eating in his classroom. I feel sorry for anyone with his class today."

" Does he have any freshman classes?" I inquired. Roman shook his head.

" No, but there is a new group of juniors he's getting. Poor them. They probably thought there would be no more surprising teachers," he mused. I sighed.

" I should thank him." Roman looked up at me in shock.

" What? Why?!"

I shrugged. " He was right. I ended up taking Patton's advice and my first day has gone splendidly."

The other man smiled. His phone began to ring and he picked it up. " Hi, Raincloud," he greeted, a content smile on his face. I guessed it was Virgil on the other end. Roman's smile fell. " What?! Don't you have more classes today?!"

There was hurried speaking on the other line and the sound of a car engine starting. " We can do that later! You have a job!"

An audible " Fuck off!" could be heard on the other line, before Virgil hung up. Roman cringed and set the phone down.

" He got word that Patton woke up a little while ago and he's going to see him," he groaned. He put his hands over his face. " Says his next class isn't until 4."

" Patton's awake?!" I shot up from the table. Roman dragged his hands down his face.

" Not you too, it's only the first day!" Before he could finish, I'd abandoned my lunch and I was practically running to my car.

I was speeding to the hospital, following all traffic laws, almost as quickly as I had been the night before. I found a parking spot and rushed from the car, clutching a small bag in my hands. I stopped just short of Room 216.

Nervously, I pushed the door open and walked inside. I knocked on the wall to alert anyone of my presence, before peaking my head around the corner. Virgil sat next to the hospital bed and looked away when I entered. Everything was exactly how it'd been previously. Except, Patton was sitting upright and smiling at me.

I sucked in a breath and stepped closer. " Hi," I said shortly.

" Hi," he giggled back. " Come closer, I can't see anything without my glasses."

" Oh, about that," I remembered. I carefully sat on the end of his bed and pulled out the contents of my bag.

" What is that?" Patton squinted. " It's all blurry!"

" Maybe this will help," I said. I leaned closer and slipped the glasses onto his face, careful not to hurt him.

He gasped and grinned like a child. " Logan! You fixed my glasses!"

I offered him a small smile. " No, I bought you new ones. We have the same prescription, you know."

" Whaaaat? No way!" He threw his arms up and around me in a hug. " You're the best!"

Virgil cleared his throat and Patton pulled away. I noticed his eyes looked a little more pained. " Right. The doctor said not to do those quick movements."

" Logan, don't you have classes today," Virgil asked, a slight edge to his voice. I met his eyes and an emotion I didn't recognize flashed through them.

" Not until 4," I replied.

He snorted and slumped back in his chair. " Whatever."

Patton looked nervously between us. " So. . . uh. . . How was your first day?"

" The kids thought I was a student again," Virgil said nonchalantly. I blinked.

" Wait, again?!"

The emo sent me a pointed look. " Yes, again."

" How was your day, Logan?"

I briefly thought it over. " Well, I took your advice and loosened up. The kids laughed at some of my jokes and it went nicely."

" Wait, jokes?!" Virgil said, shocked.

I scoffed, " Yes, jokes! I can be funny!"

Patton giggled and I felt a shiver go up my spine. I stopped fighting with Virgil and looked over at him, watching him laugh. The smile on his face sent a pang to my heart. He looked so carefree, despite the bruises and cuts on his face. I glanced between him and Virgil, and then gazed at my hands in my lap.

I felt beyond guilty. There was a point, not more than 24 hours ago, that I thought Patton was nothing more than a nuisance. Like an insect to be swatted away. I needed to apologize, but I didn't know how.

Virgil left to use the restroom and I checked my watch. I had at least half an hour before I would probably have to get back. I turned my attention to Patton. I caught him staring at me, and he looked away quickly, a blush tickling his face.

" Patton," I said softly. He looked back at me gingerly. " I'm sorry."

His eyes widened and he tilted his head to the side. I scratched the back of my neck. " I'm sorry for being too thick to see that you were offering me your kindness. I am sincerely sorry for brushing you off, and not seeing what was right in front of me."

Patton's face turned extremely red and I began to panic. " What's wrong?! Are you okay?!"

" N-No," he stuttered, before catching himself. " No! I'm fine! It's just. . . well. . . the words you were using. . . made it sound like a. . . proposal of some kind. . ."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he grabbed a pillow and buried his face in it. I smiled slightly. " Well, if you'd like it," I offered. " I could take you out for dinner to make up for my previous behavior."

He let out a squeak and I was worried I'd taken the joke too far. I hardly heard it when he responded with a shy, " I'd like that."

We exchanged numbers and I said I had to get going. Virgil came back in as I was leaving, not meeting my eyes. I headed back to my classroom and completed the second half of the day just as I'd completed the first.

One student asked me for help on every single question on the quiz, and another stared at me with a creepy look on her face. Quite a few talked through me, even more ignored my instructions, and I began to lose faith.

Finally, I was able to shut my classroom door, and lock it. I got in my car and drove over to the dormitories. I walked inside my room, and found it to be very dark. Very quiet. Very lonely. I sighed. Then, my phone buzzed.

And I smiled.