"Look, it's not like I knew the fan was going to be there. Or be so verbal." He was defending. "And I certainly didn't know that Mayne was gonna be hanging around!"
Z was silent.
"You know, I really hate these silences of yours. You go off at me for talking to the girl and then you don't even try to counteract me when I defend myself. What's your freaking problem?"
Still Z didn't say anything.
"And then, y'know, you actually had the gall to, to snicker when you saw the state of my clothes. I mean, how was I suppose to know that part of me would evaporate? It's a good thing I was wearing clothes otherwise I would have lost skin. Admit it Z, you laughed when I was out of sight. And if you didn't you wanted to huh? That be right, laugh at the guy who just lost most of his shirt and the back of his pants."
Ripples and Twinkles giggled. Zac gave them a look.
"Yeah, did you two get a good look at my boxers?"
They just giggled more.
"At least these two admit it. I'm telling you, if I didn't have Restoration, I'd sure be a sight for sore eyes right now. The media would have a field day."
Z gave him no reaction.
"Argh!"
Zac was convinced he saw a small smile on Z's face. But all he did was turn on the radio.
"Bay-bee bye bye bye!" Ripples and Twinkles sang loudly the second the music came on.
"Oh please no." Zac groaned, and changed stations. "Anything but them."
The next station immediately played a Backstreet Boys song. He switched stations again.
"No offence to them, they're nice guys but I can not listen to their music."
Zac expected no reply from Z, and he got none.
**********
Other than they radio playing, with three certain people singing along, it was quiet for the next few hours. Then Z was forced to stop. The traffic was seriously backed up.
Z got out of the car to figure out what was happening. She came back looking seriously ticked off.
"What's happening?" Zac asked.
"Car accident. No way around it. We have to wait until it gets cleared. And that's going to take hours."
"Oh great."
"Yeah, exactly." Z said, giving an exasperated sigh.
There was silence in the car for about two seconds, then Z faced the two insect people.
"Listen you two." She said. "You are not leaving this car. There are plenty humans out there and they will see you. Besides all that I do not want Mayne or any other of Goblin's henchmen to see you, so stay low."
"You're not the boss of us!" Twinkles objected.
"Yeah, da mighty Ripples has no boss-dude and neifer does Twinky."
"You're a big, fat, ugly, meanie, bossy-boots!"
"Ok, fine." Z said sweetly. "But I will not rescue you if any of Goblin's henchmen catch us. Of course, it'll probably be too late by then anyway. We all know how The Goblin likes her insect people..."
Ripples and Twinkles looked at each other.
"Please don't let da horribibble Gobble-head eat us Zelly! Pwease don't!" Ripples said.
"We'll do anyfing!" Twinkles added.
"Good, then don't go out of this car and don't draw attention to yourselves. Got it?"
"Yes Zelly!" they said together.
Zac gave Z a smile.