Chapter 129
"Where are the others?" I ask as I pick at the food.
"Eat it, Vince." Howard says, giving me a nudge. "Naboo's room, I think. Bollo was just being, well, Bollo, and Noelle seemed tired, more than anything else, but Naboo seemed pretty angry." I duck my head. Howard must notice, because he speaks quickly. "Not at you, he wasn't angry at you, he was just worried about you. You know how much he cares."
"He doesn't." I mutter.
"He does, Vince. That's why he worries about you so much. I think he was angry at himself, that he couldn't help you. It wasn't your fault, I promise. Alright?"
"Alright." I say after a few minutes, looking up at him again. He smiles.
"Good. Now, eat."
"But Howard-"
"That wasn't a request, Vince. Eat." He says sternly.
"You're worse than Naboo sometimes."
"I am not!"
"You are!" I say, starting to eat again.
"I should go and tell the others you're up, actually."
"Can I ask you a question first?"
"You just did." He says, smirking.
"Howard!" He laughs.
"Are you pouting?"
"No!"
"I think you are!" He teases.
"Look, can I ask you a question or not?"
"Yes, you can."
"What did Naboo say to you before he left?" He stops laughing and waits several minutes before speaking quietly.
"He said 'Look after him.'. That was all. 'Look after him.'"