Chapter two:

"Apparently Linda overheard you telling Rodger that you and Near are together." Matt explains. "Not many seemed surprised but they are watching to see if it is true. Some girls looked a little jealous but they then began looking at other guys in case it is true."

"Oh." I say understanding. I shrug. "Whatever. As long as no one hurts Near I don't care who knows."

Matt grins then pats me on my back. "That's the spirit!"

I nod and head to get the food for me and Near.

Once done I head to get to Near's room so we can eat.

I find the door slightly open so I open it by knocking my hip against it going inside.

Near is waiting for me by sitting on his bed twirling a strand of hair. He turns to me as I enter.

I kick the door closed then go over to Near. "Here."

Near stops twirling his hair to take the tray of food. "Thank you." He says.

"No problem." I tell him and sit down next to him.

We eat in silence for a few seconds but I know he needs to know what is going on.

I swallow what's in my mouth before speaking. "You know Linda overheard me telling Rodger about us and spread it around."

Near pauses then turns to me worried but I give an assuring smile.

"Don't worry." I assure him. "Most seemed to have seen it coming."

"Oh." Near says a little relieved then goes back to eating.

We finish eating with small talk between eating then we take the dishes down to the cafeteria to put them to get washed.

As we walk side by side people watched us as they want to watch for confirmation of what they heard.

We put the tray and dishes where they need to go then leave the cafeteria.

I decide to make sure that people know for absolute certain that Near is mine as I feel a wave of possession go through me. I move closer and slink my arm around his shoulders keeping him close.

He looks to me then when his eyes meet mine I smile only for him to give the smallest smile, that you would miss at a distance, and he raises one hand to gently rest on my hand that is attached to the arm that's around his shoulders.

We turn back to where we are going.

This seems to be enough for the people who see us as they turn away looking satisfied.

I can't help but grin at this.

We get to class and even the teacher looks at us watching as we head towards my desk before she turns back to whatever she was doing before.

Near moves to stand in front of me while I lean against my desk as we begin to talk about some recent lessons in our classes.

That is until the bell rings and we need to head to our desks.

Class went on as boring as ever and we are doing review so I let my mind wander to think about me with my dear Near until the bell snaps me back to reality.

I get up since I didn't bring anything today and I turn to Near as he also gets up only to go over to him. "What's your next class?"

"I have English." He tells me.

I frown though I did expect it as I already knew that we didn't share the next class which is after this class that is science but I was just curious at what class he had. "Ah. I have social."

"Oh fun." Near says. "I hate social."

I smile and chuckle. "I can understand why." I am glad to have him. "Come on. I'll walk you to your next class."

We link arms and walk out of the classroom.

Classes went on boringly and I only had three classes that have Near in it but through classes today there was no partner work so I had to just sit in my desk only able to watch Near if I don't need to pay attention.

Finally the last class of the day the last class that I share with Near!

I get up and this time Near comes over to me. I turn to him.

He is twirling his hair. "I need to do some research for one of my classes." He says. "So I'll see you later?"

"Do you want my help?" I ask.

Near smiles very softly again. "Thanks Mello but I can handle it."

"Oh I didn't mean it like that." I begin but he stops me by placing a finger against my lips.

"I know. But I am just letting you know." He assures me.

I nod an ok and he removes his finger. I give him a kiss on the lips quickly. "Good luck."

He returns the kiss when I kiss him. "Thank you."

We leave the classroom with that.

Near heads off to the library and I wander off to my own room.

I plop down onto my bed laying there staring at the ceiling just letting my wander to wherever it wants. I eventually sit up and turn to my desk in my room. I know I have some work due tomorrow so I might as well do that to pass the time. I get up and go over to my desk this time plopping down onto my chair so I can begin working which is what I do. I just work on it until it complete then I turn to look outside.

The evening soccer match is about to start so I get up and I head outside to join in.

On my way there I begin thinking about something that I actually have to force myself to stop thinking about before a reaction happens.

I had begun wondering when might be the perfect time and method to make him mine so to speak.

Obviously I want to make it memorable for him as I feel pretty confident he's never had sex before though I intend to make love to him.

I do my best to distract myself with trying to figure out how this soccer match will end. I make it outside and I head over to where the group for the soccer match has gathered. "Don't mind if I join?"

They turn to me.

"Thought you'd be with Near." Tom says. He is a light brown haired male with the hair style of the movie image of the most popular jock. He often wears a dimly colored blue shirt with back shorts that almost reach his knees and black runners. His dark coffee eyes are like a mirror to his exact thoughts so it's quite easy to know what he is thinking if you look at his eyes.

I slightly frown. "Just because we are dating that doesn't mean we are going to be stuck to each others side twenty four seven."

Tom smiles as he feels a little stupid as my answer made him realize how stupid him asking was. "Right right sorry." He waves it off. "Anyways we'll be happy if you can join us. We are a little uneven in numbers and you'd even it out."

So I joined the match.

So far my team is winning.

Five to one.

I have the ball and am racing towards the other teams goal. I smirk as I approach and I see two guards ready to block me. I keep going then at the last minute I pass the ball to one of my team members who tried to be sneaky on getting up in line to be passed to.

He kicks it for the goal and the goalie just barely misses it meaning we just scored another goal.

I smile and we high five each other.

It's now six to one.

We move to position as the game must go on.

Finally it comes to a close and my team won with eight to three.

I wipe the sweat off of my forehead and I am offered a water bottle by Tom. "Thanks." I say taking it.

"No problem." He walks away with his own water bottle.

I open the water bottle given, some orphans grab plastic Dasani water bottles just before the soccer match for the players, and I take a nice long drink.

The water is wonderful after a good amount of exercise.

I finish with a sigh of relief then I close the water bottle before heading inside. I decide to head to my room getting changed into non-sweaty clothes that I plan to sleep in. I put the water bottle on my nightstand before heading to Near's room. I knock and wait for a reply.

"Come in." Near responds so I open the door heading inside.

He is at his window as if watching something outside but turns to me as I come in. He smiles more than he does in public though I can't expect him to completely open up in public. "Hey Mello."

I smile back and close the door behind myself before heading over to him. "Hey." I greet then glance outside. "What were you watching?" I ask curiously.

He turns back to looking outside. "The sunset."

"Makes sense." I say looking to it. "It is a nice angle to watch it from."

"That it is." Near agrees.

We watch the sunset for a few moments then I turn my head to look to Near.

He's smiling softly just a little more than he will in public.

I don't think I can stop myself right now. It's been so long since the first time I realized as well as accepted that I want Near. "Near."

He turns to look to me. "Yes Mello?"

I swallow a little harshly then move closer to him.