Virgil sat stock-still in his seat as he waited for the bell to ring. Remy looked up and saw him, face crinkling in worry.

"Virge, what's up?"

Virgil just pointed at the paper, and then at his rolled-up sleeve, and Remy nodded.

"Need any help?"

Virgil could see the slight jealousy in his eyes, the way he so desperately wished it were him that destiny had chosen at that moment. He also saw the concern and the determination. He nodded. Remy nodded back.

Virgil checked the clock, seeing it was five minutes left in class. Remy looked too. He closed his sketchbook, put it in his backpack, and walked over to Mrs. Hunter, their art teacher.

Virgil couldn't hear what he was saying, but he did see the clear 'come here' gesture Remy made with his hand. Virgil got up, walked over, and heard "-Thank you, ma'am." and then Remy grabbed his arm and pulled him out into the hallway. "What are we-"

"Well, let's find him! Do you remember what he looked like?"

Virgil shook his head as Remy scanned the hallway.

"How are we going to find him?"

Remy sighed. "Alright, awkward question, but what's your type?"

"Huh?"

"Y'know, what kind of guy do you like?"

Virgil blinked, turned red, and swallowed. He tried to force words out, but his throat was suddenly dry.

"I... I, um, don't know?"

Remy grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Do you want to find your soulmate or not?"

Virgil blinked once, twice, three times, and said "Tall, brunette, good personality."

Remy laughed and pulled him along, muttering under his breath. "Black hair, too short, red hair, ew, what are his clothes, ew, a girl, ew, what is he doing, looks kinda mean, too short, blondielocks, don't like his haircut, is that a pin for Trump? Heck no, too tall, freckles, who dressed him, his mom? Ew, cut the pda unless you're gay, ew, a girl, ew, a girl, hey Jenna! Ew, straight, wow, what even is that? Looks like a druggie, ew, jock, ew, fashion disaster, how dare you throw away that perfectly good Starbucks, ew, curly hair, looks like-"

Virgil tuned out. He was scanning the halls for... well, if he was being honest, for someone that stood out to him. Someone that clicked. Sure, it was cliche and kinda old-school, but he was looking for someone that he felt an instant connection with.

Unfortunately, no one popped out, and everyone failed to meet Remy's criteria. The bell rang, and more students filled the halls. Remy thought one of them was cute, but Virgil didn't even see him. They headed back, spirits low.

Virgil was really sad, though he was trying not to show it. He literally had only one clue to meet his soulmate, and that was it. The universe gave him one shot, and he completely blew it. He probably wouldn't ever get to meet his soulmate. Worst of all, he had physics next. Ok, that wasn't the worst part, but he'd like to pretend it was, to reflect humor. Humor was what got him through the day anyway. It almost let him pretend like he wasn't completely miserable. He started getting ready. He didn't need a soulmate. Plenty of people were perfectly fine without them, and they were overrated anyway.

It occurred to him that he was probably... what was the term? Overmagnifying? (Logan had taught him about Cognitive Distortions, but he didn't really remember much)

He might still find his soulmate. He had the rest of his life, and if his soulmate was in his school, then there was a good chance to find him. It wasn't time to despair... yet.

He blinked his eyes, clearing away the slight wateriness, and went inside the art classroom, giving the hallway one last look. He rushed over to his stuff, ready to pack it up.

As he was shoving his pencils into his backpack, he heard a voice.

"Ooh, what's this?"

Virgil looked up, to see a young man looking at his sketchbook. The young man had brown hair and was tall. Remy was pretty much dying just out of his line of sight, pointing at him and mouthing "Dude! He's your soulmate" either that, or "Rude, he has a cake"

Virgil was betting on the first option, judging by Remy's excitement. He refocused back on the guy. He had medium brown hair, a little bushy, slightly tanned skin, a few freckles, and a big smile. He looked at Virgil, and Virgil looked at him. It wasn't a magical moment, it wasn't a feeling inside Virgil, and it was pretty awkward, honestly.

"Um..." The guy said, running a hand through his hair.

"Is this yours?"

Virgil nodded, opting to stay quiet.

"I like it. It's pretty creative."

Remy was nodding and giving him a thumbs-up, but Virgil just nodded, and picked up the sketchbook. He closed it and slipped it into his bag.

The dude looked at him a bit weirdly, but Virgil was really freaking out and he just wanted to get away.

"Um..." the guy didn't seem to know what to say, but also didn't want to leave. "Hi, I'm Roman. What's your name?"

Virgil wanted to speak, but his tongue was almost glued to his mouth. He swallowed, and managed in a small voice, "I'm Virgil."

Roman smiled wider, and stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Virgil wasn't sure if he wanted a handshake or a high five. He also stuck out his hand, albeit awkwardly. Roman shook it.

"I like your art."

"Um... thank you? I like your..." Virgil scanned him up and down, trying not to say "face." "jacket."

He had a worn dark red denim jacket, with a couple of pins around the shoulder-neck-back area. There was one for Heathers, one for Kinky Boots, Beetlejuice, Hamilton, Mean Girls, a couple of Disney ones, a rainbow one, and one that said "Love is love".

There were also a few that Virgil didn't recognize, but he'd bet his left pinkie toe (there's a story behind this, but it's a long one) that this was a theater gay.

"Thank you!" Roman smiled at him, but Virgil wouldn't let his heart go that easy.

"So... I gotta get to my next class. See you... later?"

Roman nodded happily, and Virgil grabbed his stuff and headed out, resisting looking back. He wouldn't be cliche. It didn't matter if Roman was his soulmate or not, he refused to be weak and cheesy. That would only end in pain.

Roman was just another person, as far as Virgil was concerned. He'd figure out on his own time if Roman was his soulmate.

Until then, Roman just wouldn't have to know.