Chapter 12

"Howard and Bollo are going to be…staying away for a while." Naboo says gently the next day.

"What? Why?" I instantly start panicking.

"You know why. This won't happen overnight. I've told them that they can't come back until I give the word."

"When will that be?"

"A few months. You should be ready by then."

"Ready for what?" He hesitates slightly.

"Social interaction."

"Naboo, what do you mean, being ready for social interaction?"

"You can't go out until you're better. You aren't well enough."

"What? You can't do that!" I screech, my voice so high it almost fades into nothing. He puts his hands on my arm, but I jerk away violently.

"Vince, calm down."

"No! You can't stop me from going out!"

"I can, Vince, and I will."

"You can't! It isn't fair!" I know I sound like a whining toddler now, but I don't care.

"Vince, calm down. Stop shouting." I don't listen.

"No! You can't do this!"

"Vincent Noir, be quiet and listen to me!" He roars. I become silent with shock. He collects his self, and speaks calmly again. "I wouldn't do this if it wasn't for the best, you know that. You need sleep. Go to bed."

"But Naboo, I'm not tired!" I wail, burying deep into the sofa.

"Vince. Bed. Now."

"But Naboo…"

"Now." He says firmly. I trudge to my bedroom and flop down on the bed, curling into a ball beneath the duvet.

"Vince." Naboo's standing in the doorway, holding a steaming cup of liquid. He walks towards me and sits down on the end of the bed. "We need to talk about sleeping arrangements." I look at him questioningly, and he continues. "You can't sleep in here. Not when you're on your own. Follow me." He leaves the room and I follow, curious. He opens his bedroom door and I gasp. It's bigger, and there's an extra bed. I point towards it, trembling slightly.

"Am I…do I…Naboo, I…" I start crying silently, the tears rolling softly down my cheeks. I turn and hug him, lifting him up and squeezing him hard. When I put him down, he straightens his turbans and regains his composure.

"I magicked the room to make it bigger." He says, and I swear I see him blush. "You sleep there."

"Thank you, Naboo."

"Now drink this." He hands me the cup. I drink it and feel instantly drowsy. "Lie down and go to sleep. The drink should take effect pretty quickly. Goodnight, Vince."

"G'night, Naboo." I stumble towards the bed. Falling down on the soft mattress, I'm asleep in seconds.