Mello sat on his little plastic chair, normally he would have hated reading time, but it was his 6th Birthday today, and he couldn't be happier. As he skimmed the words in his book, the classroom door opened and Roger stepped through. All members of the class stood, apart from Mello who sat and carried on reading,

"Mello?" Roger asked,

Mello looked up, he then sighed and stood.

"I don't want to interrupt, but I'd like you all to meet the new member of your class" Roger smiled.

A small red haired boy stood half behind Roger half open to the elements, he wore a stripy black and red top, and baggy grey shorts that went to just below his knees. Even this was too colourful for Mello, he was just 6, but he knew how good he looked in black.

Roger went on to say, "His name is Matt, and he's a little shy, so please treat him well, that is all".

The boy was ever so slightly pushed to the middle of the front of the room. Roger started to leave, but then paused and looked back, as if he'd forgotten something. Mello felt a flash of hope, had his estranged mother remembered his Birthday? No, Roger then turned and left.

"Well Matt, there's only one place left, next to Mello at the back" the teacher said pointing at Mello, "Is that alright?"

Matt just nodded. The teacher handed him a copy of the book and he walked to the table. The children sat and continued to read in silence. Mello stared back down at his book. But he felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to Matt. He went to scowl but Matt held a pencil out to him.

"Happy Birthday" he smiled,

Mello took the pencil and stared at the stripes of red and black, it matched Matt well.

"How did you know?" Mello asked,

"Roger has a big calendar on his wall, it has everyone's Birthday's on it, when I was talking to him, I read it, and it had your name in big red marker, I didn't have a proper present with me, so you can have my special pencil" Matt replied smiling.

Mello couldn't help it, a smiled broke over his face, "Thank you".

That was a better present than his mother, Now whenever I look at the pencil, I'll remember Matt. Mello thought smiling. He stared at the pencil, Matt.