Lesson 0: Always Look On The Bright Side
Disclaimer, because apparently it's not obvious enough that I do not own Death Note. -.-
"But life inevitably throws us curve balls, unexpected circumstances that remind us to expect the unexpected. I've come to understand these curve balls are the beautiful unfolding of both karma and current." - Carre Otis
The residents of Wammy's House Orphanage could feel that the day was going to be different. For once the sun was shining down on the otherwise rainy Winchester and a crisp summer breeze blew through the garden trees. The majority of the children were itching to get outside and play in the lovely weather, but alas, they were stuck in the chilly dining hall for their monthly announcements.
At the front of the dining room sat a stage large enough to fit an orchestra, and it was filled with all the staff of the orphanage. A lone podium stood in the very centre at the front of stage with an older gentleman standing tall behind it, twitching his preened grey moustache. He scanned the hall and observed all the children, smiling when he met the gaze of another. Even though he loved his job of helping the world's greatest detective, he had to admit he missed seeing all the children - after all, what kind of a man would he be if be didn't care about the children within his own orphanage?
The rest of the hall was decked out with beautiful white tablecloths that were thrown over large round tables. Elegant wooden chairs aligned next to them by the dozen, each holding one unusual child. Especially the four chairs at the table closest to the stage.
Four teenagers sat around the table, each with their own different style. The first was the youngest, a small boy adorned in all white, named Near; the second was Mello, who was the second oldest and clad head to toe in black leather. Next was a young gamer, Matt, who was dressed in his usual stripped long-sleeved shirt with ordinary jeans; and lastly the oldest - the orphanage's stud - Devon, who wore a flimsy unbuttoned shirt that showed off his chiseled chest and ripped blue jeans.
The tension among the boys was almost intolerable. The only pair that were friendly was Matt and Mello, who were as it turns out, best friends. However, a hostile aura remained over the table; whether it was from the competitiveness amoung the four or not was unknown.
"Hm hmm," the old man cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone. "Good morning, all. I am pleased to announce the beginning of the summer competitions. The focus of this year's summer exam shall be on the practice of physical strength."
This caught everyone's attention. Never had the children had to be trained in violence, let alone compete in it! It was a preposterous idea: the children were supposed to train to be L's successor, not his bodyguard! A heavy murmur stirred the room for a few seconds before the staff could settle them down. The man continued speaking when the room fell back into it's cold silence. He wasn't fazed by the icy stares he was receiving from the children at all, in fact he would've chuckled if he wasn't giving the formal announcements.
"The children below fifteen will be taking classes designed to test their knowledge on the human body as well as minor endurance courses, while the others fifteen and above will take part in self defence and attack lessons." Before another cloud of disturbance could erupt through the crowd of orphans, he continued without hesitation, "Your marks will go towards your end of year ranking and believe me when I say that having this knowledge will greatly benefit you in the field of becoming a detective."
Mello glared at the old man on the stage. He was strong enough to fight and it wasn't as if he didn't know how, so why did he have to go to these stupid lessons?! There would be no point!
Matt glanced sideways from his portable gaming console to look at his friend's reaction. The look Mello was shooting the old man made him cringe, it wouldn't be long before the blonde would begin screaming in a fit of frustrated rage if he didn't do something soon.
"Hey, Mels," he whispered to get his attention, "you'll beat Near at this one for sure!"
Mello's head snapped to stare at the redhead with new found amusement. His ice blue eyes sparkled in excitement; yes, he could finally beat that little sheep and take his rightful place as number one! It's not like the kid would know how to fight anyway, so he would have the advantage! It was perfect!
The blonde's thoughts were interrupted by a certain whore sitting across from him, "I hope my trainer's a chick," Devon purred, "I bet she'll be hot too. Mmm, I can picture her now: tight tanned skin, long silky hair, perfect ass-"
"Shut the hell up, slut!" Mello snapped at the older boy. It was easy to see that the two hated each other, almost as much as Mello hated Near.
The man at the podium grinned at the scene before him. Everywhere he looked, the children had excited or surprised faces etched on their faces; even Near, which was quite an accomplishment for the normally emotionless albino. Deep down he knew that many problems and disturbances would arise from the new quest, but he brushed them aside for the moment and focused on the bright, alive atmosphere of the room, especially at the first table where Mello and Devon were in a heated argument.
Oh, this was going to be an exciting summer, he just knew it.
So, that was the prologue! Please tell me what you guys think, especially if I've made mistakes or incorrect statements! That goes for the whole book! I'd hope that at least one of you adorable readers likes this book, but if you don't, well, I guess you don't have to ready it, do you? ^-^