For those who haven't had a chance to read "The Los Angeles BB murder cases", A and B came before Near or Mello, but AFTER L - they were meant to replace L if anything happened as the next great detective.
It is mentioned in the story that "A" killed himself, because the pressure was too much for him to handle.
I imagine that it wasn't JUST the pressure.
Disclaimer - I DO NOT own Deathnote, A, or B.
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Amber hated Wammy's, even when he still used that name.
Even before they called him things like
alternate..
He would sit by himself in the corner of the classroom they had put together for only two students, huddled with a book or document
or case
while 'B' sat in the center.
'B' was always in the center.
And 'A' was careful to stay the hell away from it - whether he meant to or not.
That was probably when the fear started.
'A' learned much faster than 'B' could, but you'd never know it if the two were together.
That's why Roger would audio-tape 'A's lessons, so that 'B' might learn from the way 'A' seemed to peel through latin and Greek and the cases they handed out every morning.
That was probably when the threats started.
'A' developed his stutter at thirteen - and even Roger had said that it was probably a sign of stress,
a sign of breaking.
And 'A' just wasn't brave enough to tell them that no no, it was 'B'
Better
Best
Bothering
always
assuming
assertive
assassinate.
That was probably when the ticks started.