A dragged the eraser across the paper and wiped away the small rubber bits it left behind. She chewed her lip and scrunched her eyes shut, attempting to bring the image in her mind to the paper in her lap. She focused on the boy she saw in her head, so perfect and lifelike, and placed the pencil to the paper, eyes still shut tightly, and went to work. Her strokes were quick and without error, soon her subject was on the paper and flawless as a photograph. She opened her eyes and blushed at the results. She knew the boy on the page.
Her cheeks flushed as realization set in, I-I've drawn Matt... But why? She eyed the red-headed boy across the room who was deeply involved in one of many electronic games.

A studied his face with deep interest. His jaw moved slightly, he was chewing the inside of his cheek, causing him to appear rather frustrated; this brought her attention to his lips. Matt had such perfect lips, thin, soft, and the most delicate shade of pink. She tapped her pencil on the side of her face and slumped over, so completely involved in her own musings of the boy that she hadn't noticed the smallest of the group, Near, had come to crouch by her side.

"I believe this is not the variety of puzzle that can be solved by staring, comrade." said the cadaverous young lad whilst intertwining one of his fingers in his ivory hair. A felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she shifted her gaze to her expressionless friend.

She laughed nervously and replied while spinning her pencil between her thin fingers; "Is it really that evident? I thought I was being crafty and inconspicuous…" Near did the closest thing he could to a chuckle, a strangled sound from his throat as something resembling a smile stretched across his face.

"Really Alarice, it is not all that difficult to perceive the focus of your gaze. It is so apparent that even Mello may have recognized it." The white-haired boy spoke with reticence, he rarely showed any hint of human emotion, and it was exactly that which drew A to him so. He was so remarkable, so much thought, so little emotion. A wondered if his brain couldn't bare to function at such a high capacity and send out signals for his body to react to anything, after all, Near was the top student in Wammy's house.

God I need a chocolate bar… Mello fumed. Every goddamned time that albino fuck is in the room… Ugh, just look at him… All smug with his stupid train and that pack of cards falling out of the pocket of his pristine white pajamas… the fucking guy can't even wear normal clothes like the rest of us… I bet he thinks he's too good for normal clothes. That prick.

His fists were clenched; his knuckles were white, his nails digging into the palms of his hands. He realized that he wasn't breathing, he closed his eyes and took a deep shuddering breath, the air filled his lungs and a disturbing calm fell upon him. He opened his eyes and saw her; that petite girl, the only thing that could steal Matt's attention away from videogames. He glared.

"What's so great about her anyway, Matt?" Mello scoffed under his breath. He turned to his amorous friend and rolled his eyes. He nudged him; "Anybody home in there?" Matt turned his attention to the blonde boy and stared blankly.

"Wh-what?" he stammered, falling from the trance, his messy red hair falling over his eyes. His eyes were empty and Mello swore there was drool on the side of his mouth. This has to be stopped.

"I think I'm gonna write her a letter, man." Matt droned, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. Mello snapped.

"WHAT!?" he shrieked and grabbed Matt's t-shirt, shaking him violently. "Are you nucking futs!?" Matt remained completely stiff, his vacant gaze still in tact.

"Probably," he replied with a sideways glance at Alarice, "I mean look at her, she's kinda perfect. I don't think I stand a chance… She's probably not into guys like me…" Matt's features transitioned from vacuous to lugubrious, melting Mello's heart slightly.

"I think I can help you…" Mello mumbled. "And if you're gonna get this girl; we're doing things my way. No sissy love notes."