This was kind of a pointless chapter. Nothing particularly interesting happens...it's a fill-in. So chances are, if I get a review or two today, I might be more easily persuaded to update with chapter three today, also. –hinthint-

However, from here on in, it starts to get fairly dramatic. –twirls finger- Woot.

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Chapter 2: Emotionless and Empathetic

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"I can't understand why we're repeating a project we already did," Near murmured. "The results won't change. The pH balances of certain substances just don't."

"Me either. Though, they must have a reason behind it. Always do." Mello tapped his chin. "Well, at least we know what we're doing; it'll be easy to get a good score on it. Though, something must be up. They just don't assign us something we already did for no reason."

"Maybe there's an ulterior motive. Maybe we did something wrong last time and they want to see if we get it right now."

"Hn," Mello grunted. "I doubt that. Maybe they're just testing us, to make sure we didn't…forget anything? Well, whatever, guess we'll find out when we hand it in." He stopped in front of the storage door, and opened it slowly. "Okay, so now...what's on the list?"

Near watched Mello analyzingly. After a moment, he put a finger to lips thoughtfully, gazing upward at the room as he entered.

"We need laundry detergent and room-temperature vinegar...those are in here somewhere..."

Mello browsed the shelf, snatching a bottle of white wine vinegar and holding it at his hip. He peered down at the list and scoffed slightly.

"Mayonnaise? Will we even find that in here? I figured that'd be in the kitchens or something." When Near glanced over his shoulder to look at Mello, the latter shook the bottle of vinegar at him. "Well, one down. Did you find the detergent?"

Near's gaze traveled to a shelf a foot above his head. Mello began to reach for it, but pulled back immediately; Near stood on his toes and stretched to grasp at the handle, nudging at it until it fell. Mello couldn't fight off his slight smirk when Near's shrouded hands clasped around the jug.

"Yes," he said unnecessarily. "We need bleach, too."

"Bleach? Top shelf, on the right." Mello handed the vinegar to Near and pulled down the heavier jug. "I'll never get why they put the heavy stuff on the top. Anyway, are we forgetting anything?"

"We need soda, mineral water, and tap water for the neutral constant, all of which we can get from the kitchen..." Near stared at the list in his crowded arms, trying to read the top part of a word covered by his sleeve. "And…alcohol."

Mello pulled the paper from Near's arms carefully, turning it over to raise an eyebrow at it.

"We also need milk, fruit or fruit juice, and Vaseline."

Distractions, distractions. Mello glanced at Near, unnerved by the sudden scheduling issues. Near didn't notice his uncertainty.

"We definitely have to make a trip down to the kitchen, then, and to the bathroom, for Vaseline and alcohol."

"And didn't we use, like…" Mello trailed off, thinking back, before glancing at the list. "No…never mind. Different project. But we need hand sanitizer, and that's the last thing. Plus we need the litmus paper."

"Sanitizer's here," Near said, stretching onto his tiptoes again. He reached up to grab it, but jerked back as though shocked. Mello cocked an eyebrow curiously as Near's confused reaction.

"What's wrong?"

"I brushed into something fuzzy."

"A mouse?"

Near shook his head. "It was cardboard. Maybe moldy." He glanced up at the tall shelf, almost regretfully. Mello watched until the younger boy gave him a slightly pleading look. "Um…"

"Yeah," Mello said, nodding. "I'll get it." He pulled down the sanitizer, then grabbed a carton of juice, carefully holding it by the bridge at the top. "Who the hell put juice in here? Good thing we noticed this before someone else…ergh, that's just gross."

Near smiled at him. "We have about a week to do this, which is less than we had last time. Let's just gather the ingredients for now and we'll test everything tomorrow."

Mello's widened eyes vanished as he turned his head, averting his gaze from Near's void-like pupils. Hair shrouded his face while he narrowed his eyes.

"Pfsht…what's with the grin?"

"Nothing," Near replied honestly, and when Mello glanced at him to check, he could see the boy's smile had vanished. Near adjusted his grip on the objects in his arms.

"Let's drop these off in my room and then go back to the library, okay? Matt might need our help with his math. He should be done with history by now."

"Fine." Mello plucked the sanitizer from Near's arms to lighten his burden and pushed back him to get to the door. Near thanked him quietly and followed, despite Mello's lack of a response.

Their attempts to leave the room failed; Linda greeted them in the doorway, smiling broadly. When the boys simply stared at her, she closed her eyes and waved.

"Hi!"

"Hi…" Near said, lowering his head slightly. Mello snorted.

"What d'you want, Linda?"

Linda frowned, opening her eyes; she brought her hand down slowly.

"Roger says for you to go to his office, Mello."

"Now?" He glanced down at Near, who shrugged without meeting his gaze. "Why?"

"Dunno, says it's urgent. I'll help Near."

"No, I'll help Near," Mello growled, stepping in front of Linda as she reached for Near's armful of items. "Roger can wait five minutes so we can drop off this sh-"

"No, Mello," Near said quietly, looking around Mello at Linda. "You go on. Linda, thank you."

She beamed at him. With a scowl, Mello dropped his things into her arms carelessly. She stumbled; he pushed past her, storming from the room and down the hall.

"What's his deal?" Linda groused, pouting and standing up straight. Near glanced at her, though his expression didn't change.

"What do you mean?"

"He's so…angry today! Well, every day."

"That's not true," Near said, his voice dull. "He's not always angry."

"Pfft!" she replied, sticking her tongue out a little. "Sure he is. He's always storming around."

"Doesn't mean he's angry."

"Aw, what do you know?" she retorted playfully, nudging him with an elbow; he moved away from her touch. "Can you read his mind?"

"No," Near replied smoothly, moving to walk past her at a leisurely pace. "But that just makes me more sure of it."

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