It was night. The charcoal gray sky matched the color of the bleak city streets perfectly. Everything was the same color- the buildings, the pigeons, the people walking past. A steady rhythm of traffic resounded throughout the urban jungle, matching up with the marching of the droning citizens. All in all, it made for a depressing and dull picture to look at. Except, in a dark alley, a splash of red leaked out on to the gray picture, where a boy stooped over, sobbing...
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Irritatingly bright sunshine pierced through the rain-stained windows of Wammy's House, shining directly on Matt's face. Slowly opening his bleary eyes, he suddenly smiled and hopped ecstatically out of bed. Grabbing his goggles, he ran out the door into the hallway, heading towards the cafeteria.
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Mello was drowsily eating his first chocolate bar of the day, leaning on the cheap table with his eyes drooping closed. He mumbled quietly to himself, wishing he hadn't stayed up so late last night. Suddenly, his ears perked up as he heard an excited shout.
"Helloooooo Mellooooo!" exclaimed Matt as he practically exploded into the cafeteria and pounced on top of the blond from behind.
The half-asleep blond greeted his friend with the usual punch in the face.
"Matt, get off of me!" he shouted, nearly falling out of his chair in the process.
"Aww, someone looks grumpy!" laughed Matt as he rubbed his cheek where Mello punched him.
Mello sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain his composure. "Matt, what do you want?" he asked warily.
The red-head clapped his hands excitedly, leaning over the table casually and clearly trying to suppress his exuberance.
"You know what today is, riiight?"
Mello sighed again. "Let me guess: Your birthday?"
"No, it's actually Nintendo's birthday!"
Matt received a blank stare from Mello. Laughing, he said, "Just kidding! Of course it's my birthday, silly!" and slapped Mello on the back.
"So, did 'ja get me anything?" he asked happily.
The blond simply shook his head, a little guiltily. Mello had, in truth, completely forgotten. Again.
Matt looked a bit put out at first, but quickly came up with an idea. "That's okay! Can you just do me a small favor?" he smirked.
Mello looked up. God, what now? He thought apprehensively.
Just as he began fearing the worst, the red-head declared, "Play videogames with me all day!"
Mello nearly fell over in his chair again. Well, maybe that's not so bad... he grimaced.
Laughing, Matt dragged Mello away from the cafeteria. "Schweet! C'mon, sleepy head!" he exclaimed, ignoring Mello's groans.
The half-eaten chocolate bar was left alone on the plastic table. Mello looked back at it longingly and sighed, "By the way, how old are you?"
"Thirteen years, four hours, twenty-six minutes, and...," Matt checked his watch, "...sixteen seconds!"
Mello shook his head. This was not his day...
The two boys quickly walked through the echoing, empty hallways, jumping over furniture and tripping up the stairs as Matt haphazardly led Mello to his room. They had just rounded a corner when they nearly fell over on top of...
"Near!" exclaimed Matt. "Good morning!"
The white-haired boy murmured his reply, without looking up from the floor. He was completely sprawled out across the hallway where Matt's room was, absorbed in his favorite blank jigsaw puzzle. But then Near paused and quickly scanned Matt's face with a stern expression. "Are you okay, Matt?"
Matt was completely thrown off. What? How did he-? "Yes! Of course! What would make you think otherwise?" he laughed nervously, and led Mello away by the hand without giving anyone the chance to reply.
What was that about? thought Mello quizzically. His train of thought was interrupted by his friend's voice.
"Hey, um, Mello? You can go in my room and set up the videogames if you want... I'll be right back..."
"Wait, where are you-" Mello stuttered. But Matt had already left him alone in the hallway. Mello looked down the hall at Near, and his rival simply raised one eyebrow in reply. Something isn't right...
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Matt slumped on top of the stairs and stared gloomily out the window off to the side. He had tried acting as normal as possible, but his thoughts kept straying to that dream... "Perfect," he thought sarcastically to himself. "My first day as a teenager, and I can't enjoy it..." The images from his dream last night remained in his mind, echoing his hurt. Mother...
