Chapter Text
Roman’s toe caught on something and sent him flying down the rest of the flight of stairs. His luggage spiraled spectacularly to the bottom step, burst open and dumped half his clothes out.
“Great.” Roman grumbled, standing up. His knee was aching and there would surely be a bruise there the next morning.
He grabbed his suitcase and started collecting all the clothes that had spilled out. He checked his watch and panicked when he realized it was 10:57, almost 11. He rushed to get the rest of the clothes packed.
“Roman.”
Hearing his name the boy whipped around and stood up straight. “Yes?”
“Why. Are you packing in the middle of the hallway?” His father asked.
“I’m sorry.” Roman said, “I tripped at the top of the stairs-”
His father held a hand up and Roman immediately shut up. “I don't want excuses. I want you on the plane with Patton in-” he checked his watch. “One minute.”
Roman nodded, bowed and hurried away down the hall.
“Behave yourself at school.” His dad said after him, before sweeping his way out of view.
The young boy sighed, wishing he had a dad who just said a normal goodbye when his son left for boarding school.
Walking toward the runway, Roman wondered if his dad liked his best friend, Patton, more than him. It was honestly very likely. Ever since he’d lost Roman’s mom, he’d been cold hearted and distant. Roman couldn’t blame him, but the whole situation seemed like something out of a clique movie.
“Hey Roman! Hurry up! Chris is about to take off!”
Roman looked up to see Patton hanging out of the jet, beckoning him to walk faster.
So Roman sped up grabbing the rail, just as the ramp was being pulled back into the plane. He swung his bag around the door and shut it behind him.
Breathing heavily, Roman dropped his bag next to him and plopped heavily down in the seat next to Patton. “You made it.” His friend said, slapping his back.
“Yeah, well Chris could have waited.” Roman said breathlessly.
Patton shrugged, “You know the guy, he’s very punctual.”
Roman and Patton spent the rest of the ride chatting about what they thought school would be like.
“We’re gonna meet so many new people!” Patton said excitedly. “They’re all gonna love us.”
Roman was more skeptical though, “We don’t know what Remus has told them Pat. He could have said that we’re the shittiest people, or that we sleep in a trash can, or that we’re friends with a lot of commoners.”
Roman wrinkled his nose at the last one. “Also, who’s to say that the people who go there are commoners as well?”
Patton rolled his eyes, “Roman, commoners aren’t bad! I’m friends with a couple-”
“Ugh I know, how do you stand it?”
“-and they’re not terrible. My point is, don’t make people feel bad! Then you’ll never make more friends!”
Roman crossed his arms, “Excuse me! I don't need more friends! I have you.”
Patton gave him a condescending look, “Roman, you know I love you. But seriously you gotta find your people!”
“My… ‘people’?”
“You know, the ones you click the most with? Like uh, you like theater right!? So, theater kids. They’re your people.”
Roman looked at him, confused, “And finding my… ‘people’ will help me make more friends?”
Patton nodded enthusiastically.
“But I don't want more friends!” Roman protested.
“I think you do, you’re just not admitting it.” Patton leaned forward a bit and Roman turned away. “C’mon Ro! Work with me here! It'll be funnnnn. I promise.”
Patton stuck out his pinky finger. Roman took it and looked his best friend dead in the eye. “You better be right.”