I just stare out of the window and watch as the world flies by, and I’m both eager and nervous to see the others again. I also don’t want to admit that there will be a part of us missing, someone who should be here with us and not with her.
I don’t know how much time passes, but I think I must have nodded off. Should I be this tired? It’s not important, all that matters is that we are now here.
“Come on, sleeping beauty, let’s get up to our room.”
“Are we sharing a room?” I ask, as I rub the sleep out of my eyes.
“I don’t fucking know what the official arrangements are. Stop asking sensible questions,” he replies coolly as he helps me out of the car.
As if he cares what they are, he’s already decided I’ll be staying with him. No matter how much I try, I can’t bring myself to think of a good reason why I shouldn’t. Not that my opinion matters, but still.
We walk into the hotel and head straight for the elevator, and go to the top floor. It’s a little surprising that he isn’t in the presidential suite, but I guess Sir has claimed that one for himself.
Not that Emmet’s room isn’t luxurious, it even has a whirlpool bath in it. Maybe a little extravagant, but I’m still trying it out later.
Emmet shoots off another text as I look around the sitting area, and I can’t help but jump as someone knocks at the door before it opens.
“Finally, you have got to sort him out. I am one comment away from drowning him in the bathtub,” Tom says as he drags Aeron in, and I bristle at his words.
“That’s a little insensitive, don’t you think?” I say quietly. All eyes fall on me as Tom’s cheeks turn red.
“Shit, Moonbeam, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” he says, as he manoeuvres Aeron further into the room, who has a goofy smile on his face.
“It’s fine, Tom.” It’s all I can say, and I can feel the awkwardness as though it’s a tangible thing.
“Little Zero,” Aeron slurs, and my heart hurts for him. I wish he wouldn’t keep doing this to himself.
“Oh, Aeron, what have you done to yourself?” I walk over to him and wrap my arm around his waist. I know I can’t support his weight, but I want him to know that I don’t blame him.
“What everyone expects. I’m the fuck up after all. Can’t-even-keep-you-safe.” His words all bleed together and tears sting my eyes, but this isn’t anytime to cry. Especially as he throws his hands out and backhands Tom right across the face, and now I’m trying not to laugh.
“Can we get him to the sofa, please?” I ask, as I look at Emmet and he nods his head.
We get him settled and he rests his head back with a loud groan, but he quietens down as I lean my head on his shoulder.
“Is it my fault?”
“Of course not, and whoever said it deserves a smack,” I say without thinking, but my brain catches up with my mouth and I quickly throw my hand across my face. Shit, could that be construed as a threat to a Harkwright?
“I do fuck everything up though, don’t I? I mean, what good am I? Fuck this, I need a drink, or a joint,” he mumbles and I sit up. I cup his face and tilt him so he’s looking at me.
I don’t care that Emmet and Tom are in the room, Aeron needs me and I need him to actually hear me and understand what I’m saying.
“Do you remember when I said you were my favorite sin?” He nods before groaning at the movement and I roll my eyes. “You still are, and that’s because I see you. Everything that makes you who you are, the fun, loving Aeron. And the one who messes up and reaches for a joint when life gets too hard. I still see a better version of you, but that doesn’t mean you need to change who you are and I never want you to. I just wanted you to stop doing the things that made you seem cruel because that isn’t you.” I run my fingers across his face as my words fail me and I have to take a few deep breaths before I can continue. “You think you’re no good, but you’re the opposite. What happened to me is not your fault and I won’t let you blame yourself for it. For crying out loud, Aeron, I’m nearly twenty. Do you really think I need to be coddled?”
“No, I think you’re stronger than we give you credit for. But we’re vultures, we fly around until we see a weakness and then we swoop in and take our spoils. It takes more than strength to survive us.”
“It’s been two years and I’m still here, I’ve questioned my sanity a couple of times, but no matter what has happened, I’m not broken. Even if I did break, I think I could put myself back together again, maybe more jagged than before but I wouldn't let myself stay like that. Not if I could help out.” I don’t know why I added that last part on, but it feels important.
“I think you could too. Okay, I’m going to sleep this off because my head is hurting like a motherfucker,” he groans and I laugh.
“Good, because you do deserve that one,” I say with a laugh and he just pouts.
“I think I’m going to come up with a new nickname for you. Little Zero just doesn’t feel right anymore. You never deserved that number in the first place.” Tom helps him to his feet, and I follow him up.
“Don’t you dare, I’ve grown… attached to hearing it.” I’ve grown attached to you.
Tom half carries, half drags him out of the room before he comes back in and I sit back down on the sofa.
“Am I ever going to get a nickname?” Emmet asks out of the blue, and I’m struck with a case of deja vu.
“Sure, but I’m not calling you the prince.”
“How about God?” he says with a smirk and there’s a twinkle in his eye. And I’m not falling for it, I refuse to acknowledge that request.
“You have got such a fucking complex, you’re not a prince and you sure as hell are not a God,” Tom snaps as he sits in the chair in front of me.
“I don’t think I am, but seeing as she’ll be calling me it when we’re in bed later.” And there we have it. How could Tom not have seen that coming?
“You have got to be kidding! You’ve spent nearly three weeks with her at the hospital. You are not having tonight as well.” He gets to his feet and Emmet is in front of him in no time, as they stare each other down.
“Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it?”
“Enough!”
They turn to me almost in slow motion, and it's warranted, seeing as I try not to raise my voice too often. Not unless it’s needed.
“I have spent the last few weeks in a hospital bed, I do not want to come back to you guys arguing over who I’m going to be sleeping next to. So, either figure it out like adults or I will take a goddamn blanket and pillow and make myself a bed in the bath.” I narrow my eyes and dare either of them to laugh before I storm out of the room.
I know I won’t be able to get away with this when we get back to the Academy, but for now, I couldn’t give two shits what Emmet or Tom has to say about it.
10
Time For A Friend
Luna
Emmet and Tom couldn’t agree on who would stay with me, so I slept in the bed on my own. I didn’t expect Emmet to give it up for me, and he didn’t. If he knew there were two rooms, then why did he have to antagonize Tom so much? I guess that’s just Emmet, and he’s the reason I can’t see this working out. I mean, I imagine it was Tucker who suggested they ‘share’ me. I’m just surprised he went along with it.