Chapter 2: Tuesday

Light yawned as he walked into the school. Yesterday Mello asked Watari when the next shipment of his chocolate would come in, and Watari said next week. That threw Mello into a fit, and he dragged Matt past the property line and into the woods with him. Light, or anyone for that matter, didn't realize they were missing until after dark.

So Light had to stay late, treading through the woods looking for the pair.

Light ended up starting off the school day cranky and annoyed. At his locker, he refused Ryuk an apple. During first period algebra, he returned Mello's murderous glares with his own brand of unpleasantness.

In second period science Light was very pert and snappy with L. It was all he could do to keep from lecturing his insomniac friend on better controlling his wards. L was understanding and sympathetic, but Light could tell he was hurting L with his anger. Thankfully, L was patient enough to calm Light significantly.

By third period English, Light was able to talk to Near civilly. You see, Light was particularly annoyed with Near. In the quest to find Mello and Matt in the woods, Near did not help. He tagged along of course, hovering close to L. He didn't call out or really look at all. Just sort of stood there silently twirling his hair like always.

In fourth period social studies Light made a point of being especially nice to B. B had been the only one who had not succeeded in angering Light that night. He had been nice and helpful through out the whole dang process of hunting down the two M boys.

In Light's 5th period gym class his main priorities were to stay clear of Matt and ignore all futile attempts of flirting from Misa and Kiyomi. Which was pretty easy, since they were playing Light's best sport, (tennis,) and their teacher is very generous when it comes to random partnering.

Then there was lunch. After taking his time changing in the boy's locker room, he headed for the vast lunchroom. He sat down with a grunt next to L at their usual table. Fir a moment he listened in on L and Mello's heated debate on chocolate cake, then got in line for his food. He got his tray and headed for the slow moving, (yet empty,) line for the hummus and vegetable platter. He was content on spacing out until he got to the register, when he was jumped by his biggest fanboy.

"Hiya Light I heard you and L scored top on the national exams again! Congratulations!"

Light sighed, moving up in the line. "Thanks Mikami…"

"So Light, I was thinking maybe we could study after school. Are you free today?"

Light hesitated. He knew better then to tell Mikami his actual schedule. It was widely known at Vems that once Mikami had tried to stalk Light for a full weekend.

"Sorry Mikami, I have student council after school today. Maybe some other time?" Light mentally snickered. He had student council on Thursdays. Light actually had math counts today.

As Mikami walked away, visibly saddened Light felt a little guilty. Mikami was the nerdy kid who always got picked on. Sure, lying may have solved Light's problem, but he knew it wasn't right.

Light held back a sigh and turned to purchase his food.

Back at the lunch table, Light customarily observed his friend's food. L had his classic meal of a Snicker's ice cream bar, coffee milk, and a special edition Fruit Roll-Up. Mello had a chocolate bar. (As expected of him.) Matt had forgotten his lunch, wrapped up in a new DS game he bought. Near had what appeared to be a plastic container filled with marshmallow fluff. Light had enough sense not to question that. And last but of most definitely not least, B also had his classic meal of strawberry jam. He was slurping it rather loudly.

Light sat down at the table pointedly ignoring the gagging sounds Mello was making at Light's food.

Just as Light was able to settle in to his hummus and vegetables the clash of his girlfriends occurred.

"Raito-kun, Misa wants you to sit with her instead of these weirdoes. You'll come, right? Pretty please!" Misa smoothed out her frill black skirt, smiling and making slight giggling sounds. Kiyomi daintily attempted to push Misa away. "No, Light. Sit with me!" Kiyomi nondescriptly pointed at her cleavage.

Light leaned over the table, grabbing Near's fluff and spoon right of the boy's hands. "Oh hey Near, that fluff looks really good. May I borrow that for a minute? Thank you so much."

Near simply blinked and expressed what little anger he felt by twirling a lock of his unnaturally white hair.

Light dramatically spooned some fluff and aimed it at Kiyomi and Misa. "Thanks for your concern girls, but I'll sit with my other friends." The two girls squealed in their own unique manner before stumbling off in their paper-thin heels.

Light handed the fluff spoon back to Near. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." Was the indifferent response.

Just as things were quieting down a bit a smart girl with jet black hair ran up to Light's table, flustered. B growled before downing some more jam. "Naomi." He snarled.

"B." She said venomously.

Mello sensed that the two were about to start in one of their common capoiera battles, and shot Naomi a charming smile. "Hey Naomi, love the Mrs. Lovett-do."

"Oh thanks Mello, I've been practicing." Naomi had landed the lead female role in Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and had been attempting to style her hair how it was supposed to look. Finally having gotten it right, Naomi's normally neat black hair had been curled frizzily, and somehow pulled into an insane up-do.

"It's actually perfect, Naomi. Ms. Lidner is going to love it."

"Oh right, Ms. Lidner is actually what I wanted to tell you about, Mello. I just found out she's pregnant!"

Mello gave her a questioning look. "With who?"

"Some guy named Anthony Rester…" She said vaguely.

Mello shrugged, crumpling his chocolate wrapper. "I'll have to congratulate her at rehearsal today."

And with that, Naomi left.

Sixth period was the same except they had a young and goofy substitute teacher. "My name is Matsuda-sensei and I- OW, OW, OW!" Matsuda had tripped over a box of half finished foam puppets and was sprawled out on the floor, crying. Light offered to get the nurse.

Seventh period chorus was dull. Taking his place next to Mello and Matt, (Mello had made Matt take chorus by force, not wanting to leave Matt alone.) in the baritone section. The songs the group was currently practicing were Agnus Dei, a Latin song taken from Mass, (Mello particularly liked this one for that reason alone.) Shine on Me, on African American spiritual, Joshua! (Fit the Battle of Jericho), a powerful rendezvous battle song favorited by many students, and Dansi Na Kuimba, a partially Swahili song that Light found rather annoying.

After the afternoon announcements were over and done with, the chorus teacher dismissed them by voice part. First the sopranos, then baritones, then altos. Next Light would head for his locker, then Ms. Kwesell's room for math counts.

Light was surprised to find L waiting by his locker. It wasn't like L to do that, and what was more unsettling was the grim expression on L's face. His bags underneath his eyes appeared even more prominent then usual.

"Hey L." Light said casually, spinning his locker dial. "What's up?"

"Light-kun there's been a change of plans. Watari has taken ill and I need to help him recover. Unfortunately, I cannot have you over to study today. I shall see you tomorrow."

L turned to go, walking away from Light without further speech.

"Bye L…" Light's words hung in the air dryly.