Hey :) sorry, I know its been ages since I last updated, don't hate me!
Zero's P.O.V
Oh god, what's Vin gone and done now? His parents appear around the corner, their smiles fading when they see me.
"Mum, dad, this is Zero," says Vin, gesturing to me. "She's having some... issues, so I was wondering if she could stay here for awhile?"
I shift my weight nervously from one foot to another while Vin's parents take me in. Their eyes linger over my black eye and torn-up clothes.
"Vin, who is exactly is this girl?" Says Vin's mum distastefully, looking at my hair like it is the most disgusting thing she's ever seen.
"Is she some stray you picked up off the side of the road?" Asks his dad, wrinkling his nose as he looks at me.
Vin is dumbfounded, and I have to say I am too. I thought these people were nice, but I guess that goes to show that first impressions are deceiving.
"Mum, dad, Zero is my best friend," says Vin, quiet anger lacing his tone. "She went to Pinkerton with me."
"Well, why isn't she with her parents?" Says his dad. He stopped looking disgusted the instant Vin said I was his friend, but I can tell that was only for his son's benefit.
"Her dad-" begins Vin, but I cut him off.
"My dad is away on a business trip with my mum," I say smoothly.
"Oh really?" Says Vin's mother sceptically. "Then why are you all... icky?"
I glance down at myself. "Erm... I fell off my bike when I was riding over here. Rode into a pole."
"Son, can we talk to you in private," says his dad. Vin nods and they go into another room. Vin's mum gives me one last patronising glare, then shuts the door.
I wait anxiously, shuffling my feet and fiddling with my jacket. I don't really known why I care about that these people think of me, but for some reason I just do. I want them to think I'm a good person to be friends with Vin, but as I hear raised voices coming from their direction, I know that's not possible. I can just about make out what they're saying, and it's not good:
"She's a filthy little liar!"
"We can't trust her!"
"Vin honey, why would you go making friends with her?"
My heart lightens as I hear Vin's reply. "There's nothing wrong with her! She's an amazing person!"
There are a few more murmurs, then the door clicks open.
Vin's P.O.V
I honestly can't believe my parents. It's like they think Zero is inferior to them or something! I shoot a murderous glance at my mum, wrench my arm out of my dad's grip then walk over to Zero. She looks pretty stressed out; her eyes keep flicking from me, to my parents, then me again. I gently grab her arm and pull her towards my room, making sure to slam the door behind me.
"Vin, I-" begins Zero immediately, but I cut her off.
"Look Z, my parents don't trust you," I say bluntly. "They think you're gonna hurt me or something stupid."
"Vin, I would never-" she begins earnestly, but I interject again.
"I know, Zero. I know. But my parents don't see that."
"Maybe I should make them see," she growls, cracking her knuckles. I shake my head, smiling.
"It's okay Z. We'll figure something out. Maybe you could stay secretly in my room! And I could steal food for you, and you could wear my clothes and-"
"Vin, that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Including the time Newton said I should wear a dress."
I smile at the memory. She sees my expression, and slowly starts to smile too. I giggle a little, and that's it. We're gone. For the next ten minutes we are in hysterics.
"I- cant belive he actually- said that!" I gasp, my eyes streaming.
Zero tries to reply, but all that comes out is a wheezy choking sound. She's on the floor, her body shaking with uncontrollable laughing. Just seeing her sets me off again. I laugh so hard my sides start to ache and my throat goes dry.
This is why she's my best friend, I think, watching Zero roll around on the floor. We've just got this... connection. Its awesome.
Suddenly, the door opens. My dad stands there, smiling slightly. Zero's laughter immediately subsides. She slowly gets to her feet and sits down on the bed next to me. I try to wrap my arm around her protectively, but she shrugs it off.
"Vin, Zeirieo," begins my Dad tentatively.
"Zero," she corrects. "As in the number."
"Sorry, zero, I came to apologise. My wife and I... well, our behaviour has been inexcusable. So, I was wondering, would you like to stay for dinner?"
Zero's P.O.V
I freeze, my eyes widening. Vin takes my hand and squeezes it reassuringly. I'm too surprised to wrench my hand out of his grip so it stays there.
"Um... sure," I say when I find my voice. "But um... what about your wife?"
Vin's father's smile fades. "She doesn't completely agree with it, but I'm sure if you..." He eyes the blood all over me, "take a shower and put on some different clothes, she'll come round. She's a bit of a neatness nazi... so to speak."
"I haven't got any other clothes," I say awkwardly.
He nods. "Thats fine, you could borrow some of Vin's, you're about the same size."
"I'm taller than her," says Vin immediately. I scowl and grin at the same time, if that's even possible.
Vin's dad smiles, his eyes twinkling. "Alrighty then, I'll see you two at dinner! Zero, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks, Mr...?"
"Call me Cedric," he says, before leaving.
As soon as he's gone, Vin leaps up and tries to hug me.
"Ouch," I protest. He squeezes my ribs. Hard. The laughing attack before hurt like hell, but this is pain on a whole new level.
"Get off," I gasp. "Ahhhh, get OFF idiot!"
He hastily lets go and I collapse onto his bed, taking deep breaths that make me feel worse. Vin hovers over me anxiously while I compose myself.
"Z, I'm sorry," he wails. "I didn't think!"
"It's all good," I say, in an attempt of indifference. It doesn't work. I try to stand up but wince and collapse to my knees.
"Zero, I'm going to go get bandages and panadol," says Vin anxiously. His voice seems hazy, but I nod anyway. He dashes out of his room. Now he's gone I don't have to worry about him thinking I'm weak. I let out a low groan and squeeze my eyes shut. It feels like someone is repeatedly smashing a hammer into my rib cage. Vin returns, bearing a box of tablets and an armful of bandages.
"Z," he says quietly. "It's okay, I'll get you fixed up."
He hands me a couple of tablets and shove them in my mouth, swallowing them dry. Vin then tries to take off my jacket. I freak out and shove him backwards into the wall.
"No way," I say. "Over my dead body."
"But... Z-" he protests.
I grab the bandages off him and stagger to my feet, grabbing his arm for support.
"I'll go into the bathroom and do it. I need to have a shower anyway."
I snatch a T-shirt and tracksuit pants out of his wardrobe then, ignoring his stuttering, limp out into the hallway.
Vin's P.O.V
Call me paranoid, but I'm terrified.
Did Zero think I was trying to... Did she think I was being creepy? I just wanted to make sure she was okay! I didn't... I would never... oh geez. My face contorts and a grab my head. I feel like I'm about to burst into years.
"Vin, what's wrong with your face?" Asks a voice suddenly. My head darts upwards and I see Zero. She's completely blood free, wearing my T-shirt and grey tracksuit pants. Her hair is damp, dripping down into her shoulders. She looks perfect. Well, expect for the bruises dotting her arms and face, and the bandage peaking out from under my t-shirt sleeve. I quickly re-arrange my face into an expression that looks normal.
"Z! Are you okay?"
"I'll live," she says, snorting.
I look her up and down again, then an insane smile starts to spread across my face.
"What?"
"That top... It fits me perfectly... but it's too big for you! I am taller than you!"
Sorry, that chapter was super long but it still managed to be boring :( I promise next chapter will have some EXCITEMENT :D thanks to the amazing people who have reviewed so far :) and thanks heaps to IvyWallflower for motivating me to keep going with the story, and of course being fabbydoo :D puuuurrrrrleleeeeeeeaaassdeeerrr review, thanks for reading :)