Chapter three, it took a little while, sorry :,(

Zero's P.O.V

I jam my headphones in my ears and turn on the loudest, most horrible song that I have. I snatch a magazine from beside my bed and start to read about some poor distressed singer. I lie flat on my back on the floor and start doing sit ups. All my usual distraction techniques, but this time none of them work. Memories are buzzing around in my head like a storm of angry bees. They keep stinging me, but unlike bees they don't die after one sting. A loud knock at the door pulls me out of my own head. I get up and wrench the door open. As soon as I see who it is I attempt to close it again, but Vin shoves his foot between the wall and the door. I sigh, defeated.

" What do you want?" I ask without any emotion whatsoever.

" We just want to see if you're alright Zero," says Trixie soothingly.

"I'm fine," I say, smashing the door repeatedly on Vin's foot.

" But you were crying," says Newton earnestly, his eyes wide.

" Yeah," says Vin, swapping his feet and giving his first a break. " Newt told us. You never cry Zero."

I grit my teeth. " I wasn't crying, my eyes were watering because... I was punching the wall and it hurt."

" If it hurt so much why didn't you stop?" Asks Trixie logically.

" Because punching stuff is fun," I say, rolling my eyes. " Punching all of you would be pretty fun too."

Newton makes a little whimpering sound and backs up. I feel a little guilty, but make sure it doesn't show. I kick Vin's foot out of the way and slam the door in their faces.

" One more question Zero," Vin calls. " Who poured bleach on your head?!"

That was the last straw. I throw open the door and grab Vin by the front of his shirt, slamming his back into the wall.

" Vin," I growl. " Shut the hell up. Don't talk about things you don't understand."

He narrows his eyes at me.

" Why do you have to be so secretive Z? We can help you."

I punch him hard in the gut, then hang him by his undies from a coat rack just for effect. I stalk back into my room and slam the door shut. I listen hard, and hear my friends walking away. Only then do I allow myself to lie back on my bed, and think.

Vin's P.O.V

" What is with her?!" I say angrily as Trixie help get me down from the coat rack. " Why has she got to be so... Zero like?"

Trixie pulls me down and sighs. " Vin, I know we've been friends with her along time, but that doesn't change the fact that we don't know anything about her."

" Thats what annoys me!" I shout. We start walking back to HQ, me striding in front of the other two.

" Hey Vin, wanna have another go at the D.N.A thing? We could grab one of her toenail clippings and-"

" No Newton," growls Trixie. " Let her have her privacy."

I open the door to HQ and collapse onto one of the beanbags.

" I don't get it. She's our friend, why can't she just-"

Suddenly, Mr Sopper's voice comes through the intercom.

" All students, please go to the front of the school with your bags. Your parents will pick you up from there. Have a wonderful holiday, and best of luck to you all for high school!"

Zero's P.O.V

As soon as I hear those words, my heart sinks even lower than before. From the corridor, I can hear door opening and kids whooping. I sigh and get off my bed, grabbing the backpack that holds all my worldly possessions. A few spare clothes, cheap magazines, my ipod, phone and a photo of me and my friends. That's it. Not much to show for 14 years of being on this earth. I take one last look around the room that has been my home for three years, then walk out. I join the flow of people and soon I am standing at the front entrance. Mr Sopper is standing at the gate, seeing people off. I walk up to him and he smiles at me.

" Well, Zero, good bye. Thanks for all the good things you brought to Pinkerton."

I attempt to smile at him, but it feels like my face is paralysed.

" Bye," I say shortly, walking out the gate.

" Zero!" A voice calls. " Hey, Z!"

I turn around.

" What do you want Vin?"

Vin stops in his tracks, looking hurt. " I just wanted to say bye to you. We might not see each other more for ages!"

Come on Zero, I say to myself angrily. This is Vin, stop being such an idiot.

" Bye Vin," I say coldly.

God, what's wrong with me?

" Bye," says Vin dejectedly. " I'll text you... maybe."

He turns to walk away, and time slows down. I have no idea what I'm doing, but suddenly I'm running up and hugging him.

" I'll miss you," I whisper to him.

Vin smiles up at me, his blue eyes swimming with tears. " Me too Z."

I break away and nod, this time managing a small smile. He beams back at me, then walks away.

" See ya Trix, See ya Newt," I yell at the top of my voice. Trixie and Newton, who had been getting into their respective cars, smiled and waved at me. I turn and walk up the street, leaving my friends, my home and my happiness behind me.

OMIGOSH ZERO WAS CRYING... or wait, was it just that her eyes were watering because she was punching the wall... Hmmmmm. Plz plz review! And thanks so much to Ivy Wallflower for supporting me :) you might not realise, but you've been pushing along this story and motivating me to write, so thanks ? plz review!