So happy people are still liking...Thanks for all your reviews.
I wish I could review back but website still isn't working properly. ARRRGH! Sorry. It's so frustrating.
A/N: Beechwood0708 - I don't know what's up with there being no line between the POVs...Could have sworn I put one in! Sorry
Stars Of Andromeda - So sorry I've depressed you hun. Don't worry, I'm working on it! I've injected a little more humour into this one. xx
Disclaimer: So not mine. Belongs to Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.
The quote is from an IAMX song of the same name (IAMX are so amazing...the singer is Noel's mate!).
"This will make you love again..."
"NO! You're not doing it right Howard! Cheater! Cheater!"
"Look I'm trying, you electro poof! How the heck are you doing this?!"
"What can I say? I'm all bendy like a glow stick!" Vince giggles.
"Right foot red Howard - RED!" Interrupts Naboo from the counter he's sat on, as I grumble and Vince laughs his daft head off. The cringe-worthy tones of Gary Numan flow through the pleasantly warm summer air...
It's Vince's birthday, so naturally we're playing Twister (as you do). The mat is spread across the shop floor and Vince and I are all tangled up together on it, like two daft pretzels. This situation is far out my comfort zone. I'm an intellectual (I keep saying that, but it is true I swear!) after all, not a borderline simpleton. But I do it anyway. Only because it's his birthday and it's what he wants to do until his party tonight. I'd only get grief if I were to refuse. Which I don't (refuse I mean) because I wouldn't want him to get all annoyed on his birthday. Already I know I have feelings for him that are stronger than mere friendship. But it's not too bad - yet. But still the game is slightly awkward.
"Ha-ha. Howard has big bum." I hear Bollo guffaw as I bend to reach the next move.
"That's it!" I cry, jumping up which in turn makes Vince collapse, still laughing away.
"Aww come on Howard, he doesn't mean it!" He splutters, lying flat on his back on the mat, looking up at me with those blue orbs of his.
"I don't care if he doesn't; this game is just undignified for a man like me!" I insist, looking away, partly to stop myself from laughing too. He looks so cute. So ridiculous in his mirror ball suit (complete with some of the biggest, shiniest birthday badges ever seen by man), his hair all fanned out and fluffy...
"Yeah, come on small eyes, don't be such a party pooper," taunts Naboo, "You promised Vince you'd do whatever he wants for his birthday!"
"And I have haven't I?" I sigh, mentally ticking off the tasks he'd set me. "I've collected his twenty bags of mail from the post office - ridiculously full of birthday things may I add, got him that special type of cookie dough he likes that you can only have shipped in from Italy AND I bought him those new, 100 Euro silver Chelsea boots!"
"You forgot to invite Gary Numan round." Grunts Bollo shaking his head at my stupidity.
They don't know I'm working on it. I may have to lock him in a cupboard when I capture Gary though, Vince scared him last time they met by trying to lick him...
"Don't worry 'bout it Bollo you can take his place for a bit," Smiles Vince, finally relenting (or so I thought), "Howard's been a total star today. And you forget, he's gotta rest his old man bones more than we do!"
"That's it, you little tit!" I yell, before diving on him and giving him a merciless tickling.
"Get off me you jazz creep! Ah no! Get him Bollo!" Vince yells, doubling up with laughter.
Soon I have a gorilla on me too, as we all roll around, laughing and shrieking on that Twister mat...
This happy little memory is about half a year old, but now it seems like a lifetime ago.
"Have a nice life Howard."
Oh god, that's really what he said. Wasn't it?
What have I done?
I can't live a nice life now. Not without him. It's impossible.
I have to find him, just to see if he's alright if nothing else. Because what else can I do? I really can't tell him how I feel. There's absolutely no point at all. He'll never say. "Yeah me too Howard!" like I've imagined him saying so many times. I'm leaving anyway. And he hates me now. I see that last cold look he gave me, and I can't stand it.
I have to make sure he's alright though, whether he hates me or not.
I grab my coat and leave the flat before I can change my mind.
We sit in the warmth of some kind of Starbucks. At least I think that's what it is. It's hard to tell when your looking out of tear filled eyes.
I never hang out at Starbucks. It just seems like such an average place. All dull and stuff.
Uh oh, I'm hanging out here now, I must be dull too. Yikes.
"Now come on Vince, why don't you tell us what's going on with you?"
I want to say "How 'bout no Naboo? I don't feel like talking ever again," but that might be a bit too textbook melodramatic. I can't believe I'm even considering saying such a thing anyway. Since when did I ever not want to talk about me? That's like, my favourite subject ever.
"Don't feel like it."
If I thought Naboo and Bollo looked worried before, that was nothing compared to the looks I was getting now.
"Maybe we should call Doctor?" Asks Bollo.
"No, you ballbag. He just needs some words of advice from Naboo is all. Just to talk."
This annoys me a lot. More than a lot actually, like whenever Topshop closes on me. How does he know all I need is a little pep talk from the lisping wonder? Does he really think I'd be in hysterics over something that easily solved? I love Naboo and all, but he aint half a plank sometimes.
"Come on Vince. Tell us what's wrong."
They're like the most bizarre therapeutic team ever, but they're all I got. I let it all pour out. Everything. I find I'm sobbing again as I recount our argument.
To my surprise, they don't laugh at my extreme spazzynes. They look at me intently, with concern and total concentration, until I'm done. Then Naboo passes me some napkins and Bollo hands me a hot chocolate. I wrap my hands around its comforting warmth and await their verdicts.
"So come on then, tell me. I'm crazy aren't I? Getting all worked up over bloody Howard." I sniffle, dabbing at my eyes. Bet I look a right mess and I don't even care (shocking!).
"Yes."
"Bollo!" Shouts Naboo. Bollo lets a little yelp of pain out. His leg has obviously become a new victim of Naboo's pointy little, shaman shoes.
"No of course it's not crazy. You're best mates. Always together and all that."
"Would you get upset if I left Naboo?" Interrupts Bollo.
"Well...yeah I would. But don't tell the others, yeah?"
While all this is true enough, it's hardly helpful. I tell them as much.
"Well, what else do you want me to say Vince?" Asks Naboo, eyebrows raised.
"Well...I don't know. Help me figure out how to make him stay, maybe? Or help me work out why he's going? Or why his leaving is hurting me so much?" This comes out in one long, sarcastic rant concluded with a pathetic, "Fix me!"
My little outbreak achieves another special look from Naboo. This one seems to say You're right, you are crazy!
"You know what? Forget it. If you're just gonna look at me like I'm mad-"
"That's not what that significantly deep look is saying Vince." He interrupts airily before I can storm out. "It's asking, are you stupid?"
"Oh much better!" I sulk, suddenly feeling too tired.
Bollo lets out a little titter, "Vince pretty but dumb."
"Why am I?!" My voice breaks, reaching the high notes indignantly (I learnt that word from Howard. Just don't ask me to spell it).
"Because the answer to all your questions are so bleeding obvious," He sighs, looking a little frustrated himself.
"Oh really? Spell it out for us then Mr Smarty-Blue-Pants!"
Oh boy, does he.
"You're in love with each other."
Hehe! xxx