Wow! Thank you all for reading; I must admit I am a bit surprised at how many reviews I've gotten! I must say, sincerely, Thank you! Please enjoy this chapter and continue to review! --Luv, Cart
Matt paused his DS game and sighed in frustration, this was the fourth time he'd died before the checkpoint. He was obviously distracted. "Maybe I should call…" he murmured out loud as he rolled down his glove and eyed the fading red name on his hand; it had only been two days. Wasn't modern protocol to wait three days? Was he allowed to call on a weekend, or should he wait for Monday?
Matt sighed again as he ran a hand through his hair. Dating or girls or whatever it was, should be the last thing on his mind—not even something he should be thinking about in the first place. Mello said attachments should be avoided; Kira would probably kill them sooner or later, leaving behind someone who would care was obviously a mistake.
"Ugh, what do I do?" He muttered to himself, taking off his goggles to rub his face. It didn't have to be so serious, it could be casual. Why was he worrying himself so much? Even if they had some great chemistry, there was no reason to think they were going to get serious. Casual was great, superficial, and no one would get hurt. Hell, a lot of people did that these days. Besides, if he called, maybe he would stop being so distracted daydreaming about her.
Making up his mind, Matt got up from the couch in what was designated as 'his room' in the mafia headquarters. As he opened the door and stepped into the hall he re-applied his goggles, the fluorescents as well as sunlight made his eyes (that were so accustomed to dark gaming rooms) sting and tear without the tinted goggles. As an afterthought, he rolled back up his glove.
"Mello!" he shouted towards the doorway down the hall, but stopped abruptly as he reached it and saw the blonde surrounded by mafia members. They were no doubt busy planning something. They always were. Mello had that what-do-you-need-now?! Look on his face that Matt hated; it was like Matt was a child that wouldn't shut up and 'let the adults talk'. Mello could be so damn condescending.
"What?" Mello demanded in his PMS tone, taking a bite from a chocolate bar. Ever since Mello had joined the mafia, Matt felt like his best friend was ignoring him. Sure, part of him liked the plenty of perks they got from being with the gang, but most of Matt still hated the mafia for taking his friend away.
"Never mind, happy plotting" Matt stated flatly before leaving the doorway to look for his phone himself. To tell the truth, parts of Mello were always gone—even from the beginning. Mello was consumed by the desire to beat Near from day one, and his competitive nature was still the same now, if not worse. The pale, white-haired boy always took up most of Mello's thoughts and time. Matt supposed he should be used to being ignored by now, because even back in Whammy's it felt like parts of Mello were always off somewhere else plotting. Now it was just plots on a bigger scale, and less room for Matt to fit in than before.
Really, this only solidified the 'screw Mello's orders' action that Matt was currently in progress of committing.
The redhead sighed as he reached the large kitchen of the mafia headquarters; and there it was, just like he suspected. He picked up the silver phone and quickly flipped it open before removing his glove to reveal Eddy's number. He took a deep breath and then dialed, making sure to get the number right. It rang twice before he heard the click of it being answered.
"Hello?" It was a male voice and Matt froze, his mouth turning dry, as it continued, "Hello? Who is this?" The voice questioned, but the phone was suddenly snatched away before Matt could come to his senses and reply.
"Don't answer my phone for me, jerk!" that was Eddy. So then who was the guy? "Hi! Sorry that was my brother" at her words, Matt took a bigger sigh of relief than he should have. He was thankful he didn't have to ask and risk sounding like a jealous jerk.
"Oh, that explains it" he stated, and he couldn't help the smile growing on his face at her sunny voice. He pictured her face as she spoke, light thin blonde hair sliding down to her shoulders with crisp blue eyes and the freckles; oh the cute patch of freckles dusting her nose and cheeks, Matt always had a thing for freckles.
"Matt? Hey! What's up?" she said enthusiastically and Matt leaned against the counter, shaking his head as he tried to stop his daydreaming. "Matt?" she asked again, and he imagined her sweet pink lips forming the words with a smile.
"Uh nothing really, I was just wondering what you're doing for lunch" he said with a grin as he heard her giggle through the phone.
"What'd you have in mind?" Eddy questioned, but Matt knew she would agree regardless to what he said.
She had to admit, she was a bit nervous. Eddy had changed her outfit at least 3 times before deciding on a pair of flattering blue jeans and a tight, black resident-evil-umbrella tank top. It was better than a dress or skirt; it was casual but still not too tomboyish. Plus, the afternoon sun was plenty warm enough to show a bit of skin. All she had to do now was wrangle with her limp hair.
"So how important is this boy? You're acting like you're in high school" Edward commented from the doorway with a smirk. He had her face, only with manlier features—but they had looked identical when they were younger. They still had the same cornflower blue eyes, straight blonde hair, freckles, pale fair skin, naturally rosy cheeks, and pouty lips. They were basically the same face, well, for the most part… (Edward sported scratchy blonde stubble)
"Shut up and get out! I'm dressing!" Eddy shouted as she blushed, picking up a blue sundress before throwing it and hitting her twin smack in the face. He didn't retreat out of the room, but instead removed the dress and walked towards the large closet.
"Please, you've been dressing for an hour. By the way, could you show more cleavage?" Edward asked, rolling his eyes as he hung up the dress and placed it in the closet they shared. The apartment was only a one-bedroom, and even for that price it was hard to make rent, so the two were forced to share a room.
"I said shut up, jerk. I just so happen to like this guy, okay?" Eddy stated, her insults more nervous and kidding than serious. She turned around as she observed her outfit in the full-length mirror, making Edward snicker as she held up her hair. Eddy tried desperately to decide between a ponytail, or simply leaving it loose.
"Well then, I hope you know I'm meeting him. I have to judge if he's right for my little sis" Edward stated smugly, ignoring the glare she shot him. "I'm only two minutes younger than you!" Eddy protested, picking up a pillow to throw at him.
BBZZZZzzzzzttttt!
It was the buzzer from the intercom by the door, the buzzer that would let visitors in the building. The twins looked at each other simultaneously, Edward grinning like a madman while Eddy glared darkly. "Don't you dare!" Eddy shrieked at him as they both lurched forwards at the same time, racing for the intercom. Edward got there first, just barely holding Eddy back from lunging at him by mashing his fist against her forehead.
"Is this Matt? I'll buzz you in" Edward stated to the intercom before pushing the button that would let Matt through the apartment complex's front door. With a chuckle, Edward released his grip on her as he tousled her hair. Eddy let out a loud, angry sigh and glared at her smirking twin in a slightly less than serious way.
"God, now you messed up my hair!" Eddy exclaimed exasperatedly before rushing back to the bathroom. "And you better not harass him when he gets here! Don't even speak two words to him!" She called warningly before shutting the door. She combed the thin blonde strands quickly before taking one last look at her appearance; Natural-looking makeup, hair loose, and looking dang good if she could say so herself.
"Now did you see where I put my bag last?" she asked as she came out of the bathroom, only to see Matt being questioned by Edward. "Ed!" she proclaimed, giving him a dirty look as she crossed her arms. "What did I say about harassing Matt?" she asked, and Edward sighed while Matt just looked from one sibling to the other.
"Fine, I'm done. Now go on and get out, I have to get ready for my audition" he stated and Eddy pouted, crossing her arms with a frustrated sigh. Edward crossed the room, fumbling around behind the couch and disregarding the two still standing there.
"But I can't find my—" Eddy began in a whine, but Edward interrupted her as he retrieved the army green messenger bag from behind the couch. "Thanks, Bro! Twin ESP sure comes in handy. Good luck on the audition!" Eddy said with a laugh and a smile before kissing her brother on the cheek and nudging Matt out the door.
The door shut solidly behind them. "So, your brother's an actor huh?" Matt commented as they began to walk down the hall. Matt had assumed as much, with all the talk about auditions and the fact that they were knee-deep in make or break LA. Eddy laughed lightly at his question.
"I suppose he is and actor… of sorts. He hasn't done anything serious as of yet, but his career is why we moved out here" she explained, looking amused at the fact and probably thinking of some family memory as she stared into space. The two reached the stair landing, Eddy's apartment was only on the second floor so the stairs would be quick work.
"We?" Matt prompted, looking a little confused. "Did you move out here with your brother alone?" Eddy's smile faltered at his question, but only a heartbeat before she was back to traipsing down the stairs. Matt blinked, and she was smiling at him again.
"Well, our parents were never very supportive of the arts. My mom's a lawyer and my dad's an accountant. When they heard that we both wanted to go to Art College, they had a fit and wouldn't give us any money unless it was towards a 'real' job. Mom thought Ed would be better as a politician and me a doctor" Eddy laughed, as if it were some inside joke, smiling up at Matt. "I will never have the brains to be a doctor" she commented before continuing. "Edward and I just sort of… disappeared after graduation, black sheep of the family you could say. I can't stand to be without my brother, so I decided to follow him to LA. I mean, I can sell comics anywhere, but Ed only has one chance—and that's here" she finished as they reached the last step of the stairs.
They stopped briefly as Eddy looked up at him with a sigh that said 'let's change the subject'. "What about you? What's your story?" She questioned and Matt turned, starting to walk towards the doorway. Eddy floundered for a moment before racing to meet him at the door. Matt was practically panicking; he couldn't just dismiss her question and change the subject away from himself. Even if she 'didn't have the brains' to be a doctor (he suspected she really meant 'enthusiasm' instead of 'brains'), she could very well see an avoidance tactic just the same. He had to say something, but it certainly wouldn't be the truth.
"Well I grew up in England" at least, it wouldn't be the whole truth anyway. Even if Matt wanted to tell her the whole story, Mello would most definitely have a colossal fit. Probably involving Mello's gun, the term 'pistol-whip', and Matt's face. Then Mello'd probably snap his fingers and make a goon 'take care' of Eddy. It made Matt grimace just thinking about it.
"England, really? That's crazy! I went there one spring, it was a family vacation. Did you live in London?" Eddy was so excited that she hadn't even noticed the frown take his face, and Matt quickly replaced it with a soft smile at her antics. "You know, I thought you had a slight accent when you first spoke to me but it sounded more… American. Like northern, but weird—I guess that's the British part" She stated, tilting her head in thought and Matt laughed.
"I did live in London for awhile when I was young, but then I moved to a more rural town when I was assigned different… foster parents. I left when I was about 15, though. I came to New York, lived there for a few long years. Maybe I picked up a bit of an accent, if you say so. I got a job, and then here we are" Matt finished with a quirky smile at Eddy. She was looking up at him with big eyes as if he were an abused lost puppy she'd just found. "…stop that" he stated flatly, looking quickly away from those eyes.
"But aww! Poor Matty!" she cooed, hugging his side. Matt sighed exasperatedly. Why were orphans such a turn on for chicks? Mello had gotten several lays by using the 'my parents are dead' line. True, there was a certain mysterious-ness by not having a real 'origin', (In fact one of the thoughts that had soothed Matt at the time of his family's death was that he was now like Batman, which is just about as mysterious as you can get) But in the case of Eddy, he supposed it was her sympathy that was kicking in. While no one in their right mind hated being compared to Batman for anything, getting pity out of it was something Matt certainly did not consider an achievement.
"I'm fine" Matt stated, pulling her arms off him. Sometimes Matt wished he could pull of the mysterious side as well as Mello could. Batman was not someone to pity, and neither was Mello. "Anyway, let's get a move on. We're blocking people" Matt suggested, and Eddy looked around as if she'd forgotten they were standing on her apartment stoop unmoving.
"Uh, right. Where is this place you're taking me anyway?" Eddy asked, hopping down the steps two at a time and turning to wait for him at the bottom. "I told you on the phone, it's a secret" Matt said with a smirk as he glided down the steps and turned onto the sidewalk. "So a secret as in… you're not gunna tell me?" she asked, giving him puppy eyes as she caught up with his walking pace. "A secret as in; no I won't, and not even with those eyes" Matt said and flashed her a smile before taking a sharp left into the street. He stopped in front of a cherry red mustang, making Eddy's jaw gape open as he produced the keys for it from his pocket.
"T-this is your car?!" Eddy exclaimed in disbelief as Matt unlocked the passenger door and opened it for her. "Are you really that surprised? I don't look that poor, do I?" he asked, feigning mock hurt. She slid into the black leather interior of the car "You do for a '60 beauty like this" she shot out before he closed the door. Matt couldn't help but smile at her statement as he went around to the other side of the car; so she was cute, a self-proclaimed comic nerd, and she knew at least something about cars. Someone might just have to pinch him.
