Nine.

Attitude.

Chapter nine.

VINCENT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I groaned and rubbed at my eyes when I heard Zander's soft voice waking me. "No." I waved my hand, trying to shoo him away. "You have to get ready for work, love."

I whined, "Perverted Paul is there.." I mumbled, Zander sighed and chuckled. "Can I meet this Paul?"

"He's actually called Connor." I squint at my caregiver, "Then can I meet this Connor?"

"Connor doesn't suit him." I mutter, "And you shouldn't be calling him perverted." Zander boops my nose and I feel my cheeks heat up. "Fine..I'll invite him for tea or something." I mumbled and sit up. "Thank you." Zander ruffled my hair.

"I'll make your lunch. I'm assuming you don't like jam?" Zander asked, "How'd you know?" I grumble, "You barely took a bite out of the sandwich I made you."

"Oh, yeah, hate jam. Can I have a cheese and cucumber sandwich?" I ask and Zander nods. He then leaves and I get in the shower.

I get dressed and brush my teeth, when I get downstairs there's a bowl of cookie crisp on the table and I sit there. I begin to eat when my mind goes to last night and my cheeks begin to burn.

I managed to slip into littlespace. It was.. nice. It was like nothing mattered in the world except from what might happen if I didn't have Marley with me. Now that I'm older. Everything matters again. How I need to be wary in case I see him again. How my dad needs to get sober. How my mum is dead. My whole past.

"Vincent, is something on your mind?" Zander asks, I look up from my now empty bowl. When did I finish that?

"No."

He gives me a skeptical look but doesn't ask anything more.

It's my second day of work and I really don't want to go. What if I fake being sick? Nah. Plus, I gotta ask Perverted Paul to tea.

"Come on, let's get going then." Zander gives me a smile and passes me my bag. "Thank you." I mumble, we put our shoes on and get into the car.

Once he gets to my work, he helps me out his car. Hugs me and kisses my forehead, reminding me to eat lunch and drink plenty of water. I smile softly and wave as he drives away.

Once he's out of sight, I pull out a cigarette and begin to smoke it.

"Smoking is bad for you, little one." I hear that annoying voice say. I'll let you think who it is.

Perverted Paul.

"I don't care and don't call me little one." I say and finish off the cigarette. "Does your caregiver know you smoke?" Connor raises a brow at me and leans against the wall. "No." I give him a glare and he chuckles. "Your glares aren't scary."

"Fuck off." I snap. "Hm." He squints at me and I grimace. I groan as I remember this dickhead has to have dinner with us tonight. If he says yes.

"Zander was wondering if you wanted to join us for dinner tonight." I mumble, "Oh? You're talking about me?" Connor smirks, "Ha! Nothing good."

Connor rolls his eyes at my response but does say he will be there. "Okay. 7pm." I say and walk into the restaurant.

Connor follows behind and I place my bag in my locker.

~~~~~~~~~

It was currently 6:55pm and Zander was cooking dinner. I tried telling him I could do that but he refused.

I jumped when there was a ring at the door. "Can you get that, Vincent?" Zander asks and I nod.

I go to the door and open it, "You're early." I say and glare at Connor. "It's better to be early than on time." He smiles at me, "It's better to be perfectly on time." I go close the door but just as I'm about to a hand stops it from closing.

"Vincent. Don't be rude." I hear Zander say, "You always turn up at the wrong bloody times." I grumble and Zander gives me a pointed look. I huff and glare at Connor. "Love, go set the table."

I roll my eyes and go to the dining room. I set up the table and place all the food on the table. "Good boy." Zander praises when he walks in and my face lights up.

I grab Marley off the dining room table and hold her close. Zander sits at the table, Connor sitting after him.

I sit next to Zander and place Marley on my lap.

"Vincent, no toys at the table." Zander gives me a smile and I can't help but pout. "But Marley is my emotional support friend."

"I don't want her getting dirty, go place her in the living room." I groan but do as asked. I come back and I see Connor with an amused glint in his eyes. "What." I snap and Zander gives me another stern look.

We all begin to eat and I can't help but fidget in my place. Zander notices this and quietly asks if I'm alright. I nod and play with my food.

"Sweetheart, don't play with your food." I look at Zander and then back at my plate. I eat it and once I'm done, I wait for everyone else.

Zander and Connor have been talking this whole time but I haven't been listening. I hear my phone vibrate and I look at the message. It's from Jake. But it's in the group 'Fagatrons'.

Jake: Guess who's coming to New York!?

Me: Who?

Carlos: Us!!

A bright smile appears on my face. "Zander!" I say, my voice coming out as a whine. His attention is pulled to me and he gives me a worried look. "Can I go call Carlos and Jake!?" I ask practically bouncing in my seat.

Zander noticing my excitement obviously says yes and I run off to the living room. Tripping a little but I quickly brush it off and call them.

"You're coming to New York!?" I squeal, "Yes! And we're staying for a week!" Carlos says. "You're both coming here?" I giggle, "Yeah! It's gonna be so fun." Jake laughs.

I jump up and down, "Oh my gosh! This is amazing. I miss you two so much!" I say, and just as I'm saying this, Zander and Connor walk in.

"We miss you too!" Jake and Carlos say at the same time. "Jinx!" Jake shouts and I laugh, "When are you coming?" I ask, "Next week." Carlos replies for me. "That's too long! I might just steal you like tomorrow." I mutter.

"Okay!" Jake and Carlos say in sync. "You two scare me with how much you say stuff at the same time."

"We're just in sync." Carlos jokes. "Oh my gosh, you missed the best party last night!" Jake suddenly said and I frowned, "Who's party was it?"

"Ivy's." Carlos answers for Jake, "Everyone was so fucking high, man." Jake then laughed. "People always get high at parties." I shrug, "Not you. You don't get high, you even refuse me and Carlos from getting high." Jake whines.

My mind flashes and suddenly I'm thinking of something I don't want too.

~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~

TRIGGER WARNING-

RAPE

DRUGS

He grabs my waist and kisses my neck. "S-Sir, I told you I-I don't like this!" I cry, "Shut up." He shouts and I feel the tears start to flow down my face.

He takes off my top, I cry and scream for him to stop. I hope someone can hear and comes to save me. But nobody does. I try hitting him, but it's useless.

I scratch at his face and my wrists are soon pushed really hard into the brick wall making me cry out. "Stop fucking fighting me!" He snaps and I whimper. "N-No!" I shout, and regret spreads through me instantly.

His eyes flash with anger and I can feel the blood drain from my face. "W-Wait, sir. I-I'm sorry!" I cry but as I do something is shoved down my throat. He forces my mouth closed.

"Swallow." He growls and I flinch, obeying him. It takes a while, but my brain gets foggy and it's like I suddenly have no control over my body.

I feel a hand wrap around my throat and cold air hit my skin and I realise I'm naked. "I would take it easy on you, but little fucking brats don't deserve that." I hear sir whisper in my ear.

~~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~~

"Bro, you alive?" Jake asks and this causes Zander to look at me. I clear my throat and rub my eyes, "Yeah, sorry. Just zoned out."

"Love, are you alright?" Zander asks, Connor also looks in my direction. "Yes. Anyways, I'll see you two losers in a week!" I joke, "See you in a week, Vinnie!" Jake and Carlos say.

I hang up and notice my hands shaking. I stuff them into the pockets of my jeans and look at Zander and Connor. "It's getting late, I really should go." Connor says, "Okay. Cya, perverted Paul." I give him a nod and he rolls his eyes playfully. "Yeah, Yeah. Bye, Vincent."

He leaves and Zander comes up to me. "Darling, is everything okay?"

_____________________

A/N

Part of Vincent's past again. I'm so sorry if this isn't good. I'm bloody exhausted and I've literally just finished this at 2:24am. Oh gosh, someone get me a better sleep schedule. Goodnight, lovelies!! <3

I love you all so much and I'm so proud of you. Never give up and keep trying, my lovelies! Stay safe. <3

Take care. :)

Wc: 1620.