Disclaimer: I do NOT own Death Note in any way, shape, or form I just daydream about it a lot so that's why I come up with OCs'…duh.
My current L fanfic is on hiatus right now because I'm currently revising a few of the chapters so I decided to move along with my Matt fanfic, and I honestly do plan on completing this one, so please enjoy and review.
My hands were convulsing within the bowls of my coat pockets. I sat alone in the backseat of a limousine. I was even shut apart from the driver, so there was no one to really converse with.
What a shame. It would've helped to calm my nerves.
I don't know what was worse, the ordeal I had just been put through, or the one I was about to face in a matter of minutes.
My tiny hand reached up to my right temple where I felt the soft clump of gauze held onto my skin with medical tape. I could still feel the light throbbing of the fairly recent wound.
Yesterday morning, I had woken up to the sound of a steady beeping, then as my vision adjusted to the bright florescent lighting of the room, I saw a UV hooked up to my arm, then the monitor indicating my steady heartbeat, then the smell.
It hit me like a sack of potatoes. It smelled of sterilization.
I knew perfectly well where I was.
That's when I felt the sharp pang on the side of my head. I recalled the previous night's memories and instantly wish that I hadn't.
I felt the tears well up, spilling out from my lids almost as quickly as they had formed.
I had been in the kitchen with my mother making candy apples when a brick had gone flying through our kitchen window, causing glass to be strewn across the linoleum floor.
My father had stumbled in through the broken window, the stench of alcohol clinging on to him like a plague.
"Craig, what's the deal?! You practically scared Hayley to death! ," Mom shrieked.
I knew she wanted to cuss him out so bad, but refrained from doing so since I was in the room. I'm 12-years-old already yet she still treats me as if I'm such an immaculate and naïve child.
"The front door was locked. For a second I thought you mighta been screwin' that no good Shawn from across the street. I see the way you look at each other. ," Dad slurred
Now I shifted, beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable with the situation.
"How dare you! You know, if you weren't too hammered you might remember from time to time that you keep a spare key to the house! ,"Mom retorted.
"And I bet ya Shawn does too. ," he spat back at her.
That's when I heard the sharp noise of Mom's hand colliding hard against Dad's cheek.
Hell fire ignited instantly in his eyes, as Mom wasted no time in making a dash for the hallway, but she couldn't out run him.
He easily forced her down to the floor on the heap of shattered glass, taking off his steel toed boots and beating her on the back of the head with it.
"Dad NO!!!! ," I cried leaping onto his hunched form, miserably attempting to pry him off of Mom.
"Your mother needs to be taught a lesson, Hayley! ," he swiftly shoved me off causing me to bang my head on the edge of the kitchen counter and black out.
After that, I regained consciousness in the hospital where there was an elderly man in a suit sitting on the chair beside my bed.
"Ah! Hayley Teal, I presume. ,"he greeted gleefully.
I nodded my head 'yes', to awe struck to reply with actual words.
"I am Quillish Wammy, founder of Wammy's House for Gifted Children. I've heard a great deal about you, . I heard you were taking College Physics, am I right?"
I nodded yet again.
"And I also heard that you managed to shut down the school district's computer system in order to avoid the state exams the following day.," he said with a mischievous smile.
"Wait! How do you know about that! No one was able to catch on to me. Not even the super attendant! ,"I nearly jumped out of my hospital gown.
"I have my sources, . Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me. I also hear that you're lead guitar in your school's orchestra."
"Uh, yes sir.,"
Where was this conversation heading?
"Well seems to me like you have great potential to be a great scientist or a musical prodigy.," he smiled.
"Thank you, . But you wouldn't happen to know where my mother is, do you? I need to get back home with her now that I'm awake."
The look on his face said it all.
It was pained, and full of regret and pity.
"I'm afraid your mother didn't make it last night, . You're father is being locked away as we speak for attempted manslaughter. I'm very sorry dear."
I felt a rage of water works overcome me at that moment, not caring if was there or not.
And that's the reason why I'm in this limousine. Apparently, I have no other living relatives to move in with and since is convinced that I'm some sort of protégé, I've been flown out all the way from a one horse town in Texas all the way to England to attend Wammy's House for Gifted Children.
My insides felt numb.
How could Dad bring himself to doing such a terrible thing to someone he 'loved' so dearly at one point? Did he not think of the consequences?
Of course he didn't, Hayley, he was drunk.
A horrible drunk at that. Not even the kind that makes you laugh or tell you amusing stories.
As long as I was old enough to remember, Dad had spent most of his nights drinking away at a nearby bar, usually coming home a bit rowdy.
This time he had taken it too far.
I don't care if I have to spend my entire life alone now, because if he ever tries to seek me out, I'll ignore him. He took the only person that cared for me in this world, more than he ever could have, so I have no intention to ever speak to him again.
He can rot in that jail.
I felt a shiver run down my spine due to my harsh thoughts. England was going to take some getting used to. It was a hell of a lot colder than my humid little hometown back in Texas.
I was more than likely sure I looked like crap at the moment. The last time I had looked at my reflection was in the bathroom back at the hospital before I left with .
My dark brown hair was mid neck length and very texturized and piecy, somewhat in a pixie cut, even though that hairstyle usually goes with models and I'm far from being one.
My skin looked pasty, emphasizing the dark circles under my eyes.
And to think this heroin chic look was in.
I had managed to peek under the gauze that dressed my wound and saw a gash on there. Lucky for me that my bangs are long enough to cover up the gash once I had to stop these gauze pads.
The limo passed by some tall steel gates and up a driveway that gave way to a humongous building that looked like royalty could've lived there at some point.
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.
I opened the door, feeling like at any moment I was about to puke.
There stood a tall man, about the same age as .
I exhaled a sharp breath. For a second I was worried I'd have to face the entire orphanage occupants all at once.
My short, scrawny legs managed to force me out of the limo and take a few steps towards the man.
"Hello, . My name is Roger and Quillish has already informed us on your enrollment at Wammy's House. I will be your guide and dean. Please, follow me and I'll show you around while your bags are brought up to your room. ,"he said in a British accent.
"Yes sir."
Roger's polite persona managed to make me a little less nervous and a lot more curious about this giant manor I'd be residing in.
We walked through the massive oak doors at the entrance and I was immediately greeted by the sounds of children laughing and chattering amongst themselves.
"Here at Wammy's, we have many children residing who have shown great potential in scholastics and the arts.," he informed as we shuffled down a long hallway that was filled with many doors to rooms on both walls.
"So has informed me. This place is like a training academy for soon to be geniuses.,"I smiled to myself.
"Yes, well we see a great potential in each and every one of our children to grow up and be a benefit to mankind. And we see that potential in you as well, ."
"Hehe, well it seems I have a lot to live up to then.," I chuckled nervously.
"I'm sure you will do just fine."
We turned left at the end of the hallway and found ourselves outside what I assumed to be his office due to the large desk and many shelves of books in the room
"Please have a seat.," he ushered.
I did as I was told and sat in the comfy rolling chair in front of his desk as he took his respected seat behind it, pulling out a file within a drawer of the desk.
He pulled out a paper and handed it over to me.
"This is your schedule, you shall start attending classes come this Monday.," he smiled.
I looked down at the sheet.
1st period: Orchestra
2nd period: Advanced Physics
3rd period: Art
4th period: Psychology
"Another thing , in order to protect our students, we give them aliases to go by. Is there any name in particular you would like to go by?"
"Hm. Well I do like my last name a lot, and it is my favorite color, so would it be possible to go by that?," I asked crossing my fingers.
It was worth a shot. It was the only thing I managed to come up with on such short notice.
"Of course. Now please, let me show you to your room."
"Yes sir."
I shuffled behind Roger yet again as the sight of a little boy crouch over in the middle of the hallway came into view.
"Hello Near. How's that puzzle coming along?," Roger greeted him.
The little albino boy was in fact working on a puzzle, and was practically finished with it. He wore a stern expression as he looked up at us.
"Just about done, Roger. Would it be too much of a hassle to get me another one? ,"he requested politely.
"It's no problem at all. Oh I'd like to introduce you to Teal."
Near glanced up at me with his two black orbs.
"Hello Teal.," he said somewhat monotonous, but nowhere near being rude.
I smiled at him. He was very adorable.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Near."
"Near is in line to be one of L's successors, should anything happen to him, God forbid.," Roger chimed.
L!?
"Wait?! You mean the L?!,"I gawked shifting glances between the elderly man and the white haired boy.
"Why yes, he's actually one our students here and will be giving you a full tour of the school first thing tomorrow.," Roger said.
Well, there go my nerves.
"Let us be on our way. Goodbye Near.," Roger bid his farewell as he continued on ahead.
"Later Near!," I waved to him before dashing off to catch up to Roger.
After many twists and turns down the many hallways of the manor, we made it towards the one that my room was located in.
BANG!
One of the doors to a room swung open and out sprung a red headed boy with another blonde one pinning him to the floor in a rage of fury.
"Where the hell did you hide them, Matt?!," the blonde one shouted.
"If I tell you, that's taking all the fun out of the game!," the red head laughed, despite his predicament.
"I'm not playing games, Matt! Now for the last time tell me where you hid them before I beat you down to last Tuesday!"
Roger cleared his throat, causing to two boys to glance up at him, giving him that scared 'deer in headlights' expression.
"What seems to be going on here, gentlemen?," Roger asked with a quizzical look on his face.
"Matt hid my sack of Halloween chocolates and he won't tell me where.," the blonde boy exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at the red head.
"I was just trying to get Mello to play a game of scavenger hunt with me. I've been bored all day Roger, the batteries on my Gameboy died.," the redhead which I assumed to be Matt pouted.
He was cute, but not in the way Near was cute. Matt was more of like the boy that would catch the attention of most of the girls back at my middle school in the states.
"I'll be sure to get you a new pack tonight, Matt, but I think it's best you tell Mello where his chocolates are.," Roger said suppressing a chuckle.
"Hey Roger, who's the girl?," Mello piped. He and Matt stared at me with curiosity, resembling four-year-olds at a fireworks display.
"Boys, this is Teal. She's our new resident here, and conveniently she's staying in the room right across yours. So I expect you two to mind your manors and make her feel welcomed. Why don't you all become acquainted with each other, while I go make a few phone calls.," Roger suggested.
I was somewhat reluctant to let Roger leave, I didn't know if these boys would end up being as friendly as him and Near were.
"Teal, huh?," Matt said boldly walking up to me. His eyes were shielded behind a pair of goggles, so I couldn't make out what his eye color was.
"Um yeah.," I smiled nervously, scratching the back of my head.
"I dig it, sweetheart. It's pretty unique. I'm Matt, and this here is my good buddy Mello."
"Nice to meet you guys."
"Geeze, how'd you manage to get that bandage there, babe?"
"Oh, um, I tripped at the airport before coming here.," I said lightly touching my bandaged temple.
"You should try to be more careful, toots.," Matt said.
I glanced over at Mello who was beginning to look pretty irritated at this point.
"Where the hell did you stash my chocolate you asshole!," Mello shouted causing Matt and me to wince.
"Fine, fine. It's in library behind between Catcher in the Rye and 1984.," Matt said giving him a cheesy smile.
Mello said nothing more, but his eyes did all the talking as they shot Matt a venomous glance before storming out the hallway.
"You'll have to excuse my friend, sweetheart, he's not always so, uh, testy.," Matt said.
"Can you blame him, you did hide his stash afterall."
"Point well taken. So looks like we're neighbors, neighbor.," he said placing an arm around my shoulders as we both shifted our positions so we were both facing my room.
"Looks like it, huh. So how old are you Matt?"
"12. Mello's 13. How 'bout you?"
"12. So I couldn't help but notice that you said you had a Gameboy."
"Yes ma'am!," he beamed with a toothy grin.
"Color?"
"Yuh huh."
"I brought mine with me. If you want you can borrow it till you get those new batteries. It should be in my room by now.," I said opening the door to my room, Matt following behind.
"Oh God. Where have you been most of my life, darlin'?"
"Texas.," I simply replied.
The walls to my room were a turquoise color and so were the sheets on my bed where a few of my trinkets lay.
Matt instantly spotted my Gameboy lying at the foot of my bed and made a B-line for it.
"Don't worry about unpacking. Check your closet.," he informed, becoming engulfed in my game of Metroid Prime.
I walked over to my closet and saw that all my outfits had been hung and my shoes neatly tucked away on a special shoe rack in the massive walk-in closet.
"Oh God. It's huge!," I gaped.
"That's what she said!," Matt joked, never taking his eyes off the Gameboy screen.
I spent a good 20 minutes exploring the remainder of my room. I even had my own bathroom and it was stocked with essential toiletries. I was completely amazed by this. Was I staying in an orphanage or a suite?
I had never been used to having so much space to myself. Back in Texas, Mom, Dad, and me lived in a small two bedroom house and we all had to share a bathroom, so it caused many arguments.
Then that's when it hit me like a ton of bricks again.
Mom.
I had been trying to suppress any thoughts of her until I was alone at least, but I couldn't help but feel like this was transition was all too sudden.
That I lost her in a mere matter of moments.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a picture frame I had packed up before coming out here. It stood perfectly still on my computer desk and held a picture of Mom and me when I was a baby.
I admired Mom for her perfect looks and how she never aged. People would often mistake her as my older sister.
"Is that your mother?"
I turned around and saw that Matt was standing right behind me, his stare fixed on the photo.
"Yeah it is.," I mumbled almost too low to hear.
"I could tell, you two look alike. You're both really pretty. Kinda like pixies."
"Pixies, Matt?," I raised a quizzical brow due to his random statement.
"Yeah well you have fairy like features, like your hair and 'cause you're short.," he smirked patting my head.
It was true. For a 12-year-old, I stood at 4'11. Not very tall indeed.
"Well I owe you for letting me borrow your Gameboy. I needed to finish off a gym battle in Pokemon Yellow. How about you come back to my room and we'll play a few rounds of Tekken?," he asked shuffling his weight towards his right leg.
I instantly perked up when he mentioned the word Tekken. It was my favorite game to play at the arcade at a Pizza Hut back home. I was undefeatable.
"Deal. A few rounds of me whooping your butt sounds good."
"Pixie say what?! I'll have you know I reign the undefeated Tekken champ around these parts.," he teased.
"Oh yeah? You're looking at the Texas champ right here.," I said flexing my non-existent muscles.
"Bring it."
I gave out a yawn and looked at the electric alarm clock by Matt's bedside stand. The flashing neon green letters read 12:06 AM.
It had been and even score so far 15-15. Tied.
"Let's continue this some other time. I'm pretty sleepy, Matt.," I stifled a yawn.
"Sure thing. Wanna lose tomorrow, babe?," Matt said standing up and stretching.
"Heh, well I'm not sure about the losing part but it's a date."
"Great. My first date and I know it won't be one where I end up regretting the person I wake up next to.," he joked.
"Shut up.," I said punching his arm playfully as I walked towards my room.
"See ya tomorrow then, Pixie."
"Are you gonna continue calling me that, Matt?," I asked turning around to face him.
"There's a high chance I probably will. It kinda stuck.," he smiled.
"Well I still gotta think of one for you. Night Matt."
"G'night."
I entered my room little a small smile play at the corners of my lips. My first friend at Wammy's.
Guess it wasn't going to be so lonely after all.
I really liked being in Matt's company, especially because we were both videogame junkies.
I reached into my messenger bag that rested against the bottom of my bed post.
I pulled out my stuffed penguin, Che. I made it a habit to try and sleep with it every night since I was 6. Mom had taken me out to Sea World as a surprise just so I could see the penguins, my favorite animal in the world.
It was the first time I'd ever been to an amusement park, and it was just one of those days where the memories would be forever engraved into the back of my mind.
I curled up into a ball on the bed, hugging Che close to my face, letting a few last tears escape my eyes before I drifted off to sleep.
