Near's POV
Near ran hurriedly down the Sophomore hallway, trying to find a good hiding place. He was trying desperately to escape the three bullies that were trying to beat him up, again. He soon came to a bathroom that he knew no one ever went into and slipped into it, breathing a sigh of relief. He was finally safe. The bullies ran past the bathroom and down the hallway. Near leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, finally feeling safe. Then he heard a voice beside him. "What are you doing in here? This is our bathroom." He tensed at the slightly husky voice and opened his eyes to find himself staring at the most feared guy in his Sophomore class. Mello Keehl. He had shoulder length blond hair and striking blue eyes, and was wearing his signature leather clothes. Near's breathing hitched, then he said, "I-I was j-just trying to g-get away from L-Light and h-his gang. S-sorry."
Then he heard a light chuckle and looked behind Mello to find Matt Jeevas, Mello's best friend and lover, beeping away on his infamous Nintendo DSi. He had a small smirk on his face and was wearing his signature striped shirt (black and red) and his dark blue baggy jeans tucked into black boots, and his ever-present goggles were over his eyes, hiding any emotions they gave off. "Matt, isn't this the new kid? I could swear that he looks familiar." Mello was talking to Matt, and he didn't sound mad, or angry, but curious. Near looked back to Matt who just shrugged. Mello then looked back at Near and said simply, "Lift up your shirt."
Now Near was really scared. They wanted him to strip? Why in the world would they want that? Maybe they wanted a threesome, or a gang bang. Something like that. Near shook his head and Mello rolled his eyes, gripping the ends of his shirt and yanking it up, leaving it covering Near's face and his arms forced up. Mello looked closely at his chest and stomach and traced a finger over a deep, dark ugly bruise that was forming. Near gasped and winced, because it was really sore. Mello finally pulled the plain white t-shirt back down and said, "Who was with Light when he did this? And don't lie to me."
Near was still stunned from having his shirt pulled up and said, "Mikami, M-Misa, Takada, Ryuk, Rem, and Matsuda. But Misa and Matsuda didn't do a-anything." Mello smiled and said, "Alright. Matt, get BB and meet me by the locker rooms. We need to get Light." Matt nodded and pocketed his DS, exiting the bathroom. Near immediately panicked and said, "Please don't involve Beyond! He'll tell Dad, then Dad will come home early and possibly get in trouble with Grandpa, because he's supposed to be working on an important case!"
Mello gave him a confused look and said, "How do you know Beyond? When did you guys meet?" Near looked away for a minute and said, "He's my cousin. He's like an older brother to me and will call my dad because he worries about me, then Dad will come home early and end up being away longer because he is a detective and the case he is on is really important. If he comes, he'll end up getting behind on his case. So please don't tell him."
Mello seemed to be thinking for a minute, then said, "Alright. But you have to be my new friend, and come in here during lunch. And don't worry about Matt saying anything. He'll probably just grab Beyond and take him to the locker room without saying anything." Near nodded and Mello helped him up, as he had slipped to the floor. Mello handed him some school books that had fallen in the hallway, and Near said, "Thank you Mello. I'm Near, by the way. I need to get to class." Near ran out of the bathroom, hurrying to his Physics class that he was now late for.