It was that one instant of recognition that Mello treasured, he held on to it and held it to his chest every now and then when he felt insignificant. Mello didn't have any close friends back then, he was lonely and angry and only existed in order to become the best, to finally climb to the top and step all over Near's ugly white head. And that made him even angrier.
It was that one time that he decided to wear a hoodie and read his textbook outside that it all started. A couple of boys only a year or so older than him approached and smiled "hey you, our friend over there thinks you're pretty"
"Well tell him to shove it" Mello had a big mouth for an eight-year old.
"What the- hey! It's a boy! You said a boy was pretty! Haha!" Both boys yelled back at their friend making fun of the situation
"Can you stop? I'm trying to read"
"Oh, sorry Sally, didn't mean to bother you sugar" One of them mocked. The other one laughed and pointed, Mello didn't know which one of the two bothered him the most, so he decided both of them deserved being punished for daring to bother him at all. He punched a jaw and then kicked someone's stomach, moved back and waited for a response until he got one, then he punched a nose and pushed a body to the ground, torturing it into submission by twisting it's arm. And if it weren't for Roger, he would've ripped the goddamn limb off.
"Mello! What are you thinking! Get up boy, to my office" Mello complied but took a second to look back at his masterpiece and smiled as he heard the boy wail in pain.
Once in the office Roger sat him down and lectured him on appropriate behaviour, he suggested Mello should have a couple sessions with the Wammy psychiatrist and scheduled him for next Tuesday. Mello simply remained quiet.
Beyond Birthday had tried to avoid detention by claiming he had a headache and asked for permission to visit the nurse. He slid in, got into one of the beds and closed the curtains around him so he wouldn't be bothered. It was only a couple of minutes into his mid-day nap that the piercing sunlight hit his eyes as the curtain was ripped open by one of the nurses.
"Oh! The nerve! Beyond, get up at once! How many times have I told you, Roger wouldn't allow for you to rest here while the sick kids" she motioned to the blonde next to her as she emphasized 'sick' "are in need for care. Come on! Up up up!"
Beyond stood up lazily. The kid looked perfectly healthy to him but he wasn't in the mood for arguing. "I'm very sorry Clarissa, you see, I haven't been able to sleep much lately, I've been having nightmares again. I wish I could tell you all about them, they give me fever at night. I think I'm horribly sick"
"Oh you are sick all right. Next time you feel ill you know to come here" She tucked the younger kid in bed and closed the curtain "there's nothing like a soaked cool drape for a fever" she opened a jar and shook out a couple of pills "maybe it could be that horrid diet of yours, boy, protein and carbohydrates, that's what you need!" she split open the curtain yet again and fed the boy the pills and a small glass of water.
Beyond smiled and sat in a big, white armchair that stood away from the sunlight "Do you mind if I rest here for a while?"
"As long as you're not puling another one of your mischievous little evasions and hiding from punishment again"
"No, no. I've been good"
"Fair enough, I'll be away for a few, we're running out of band-aids. Darn kids turn more violent each day" And with that she was gone.
"So… you're sick" BB asked with a sly tint to his tone "I remember you, you gave that one kid the beating of his life" He peek inside as found the boy looking up at him with wide, attentive eyes. "That was fun to watch. What's your name?"
"Mello"
"Mello… I'm Beyond Birthday"
"I know. Everyone knows"
BB smiled at this and turned to the sugar jar that rested on the nurse's desk. He opened the lid and dumped some into his mouth, chewed on it and swallowed with a satisfied expression. "You're third down the list, you must be smart"
"Not smarter than Near"
"Near? That's the kid with the fainting spells. His sucre levels drop instantly at times and he gets pale… well, pale-er and Clarissa rushes with a big jar of sugar and gives him three spoonfuls" BB gulped down another mouthful from the jar. "You don't need Clarissa's sugar, Mello, you're better" Mello watched the words roll from the boy's lips and couldn't believe his ears "You're my new pet".
"Pet?"
"Yes, loyal, willing and dangerous, like a pit-bull or a crocodile"
"Crocodile" Mello whispered to himself. He liked the idea, getting to hang around the coolest kid the house, getting praised for fighting and hearing how much Near Sucked (yes, with a capital 'S') out of someone else's mouth. He nodded "Okay"
"Kay, it's settled then, get up, we have places to be"
"But, I can't"
"What… too 'sick'?"
"No, I can't let Roger see me. I have an appointment with Dr. Something"
"Psychiatrist? Cool guy, he'll give you candy if you admit to having issues. Been there done that. Now let's go, don't worry about Roger"
BB walked out the door and Mello followed glowing with joy, he might as well be waging his tail and chewing a biscuit.
