I was almost relieved when my alarm clock woke me from a nightmare, which I couldn't remember a few moments later. I scratched my throbbing head, dragging my feet towards the bathroom. The mirror reflected an exhausted, run-down version of myself. Normally, my morning goal revolved around fixing up my appearance, but I couldn't even bring myself to lather my hair in mousse. Everyone already knew what I looked like anyway; there was no point in trying. Besides, they all saw me last night. I was a wreck. They would understand.

"Good morning," I muttered as I stumbled into the kitchen. Maria, our house keeper, already lay breakfast out on the table.

"Good morning, Mister Light," she beamed towards me.

Unfortunately, Maria could barely speak a word of English. My mother was the only one in the house who understood Spanish, and their conversations would consist of piercing chatter and giggling. Although my mother was too much of a snob to admit it, she loved Maria. I'm sure if going out to dinner with the house keeper was acceptable in her social life, she would do it every night. My mother, as intelligent as she is, always chooses social values over her own happiness.

I settled into the chair, gazing at the feast strewn before me. Suddenly, I felt sick. I practically flew to the bathroom. I plunged onto my knees, throwing up into the toilet. Clutching the seat, I found unexplainable tears rolling down my cheeks. I flushed the toilet, watching last night's dinner circle down the drain. For a moment, I wondered how happy I was myself. Only a moment, though. I brushed my teeth and left the apartment before Maria could protest.

Outside looked just a dreary as I felt. It was one of those days where mist choked any color remaining in the city. Even the doorman, who was attempting to hail me a taxi, appeared gray. He glanced toward me apologetically with his whistle dangling from his lips. Apparently the entire city decided to take a cab. I sighed, running my fingers through my ragged hair.

"Sorry this is taking so long, Mr. Yagami," he said before he blew into his whistle, raising his arm towards an oncoming cab. The illuminated light on top indicated there was already a passenger.

"It's not your fault. I'll just walk." I tried to shoot him a grin, but the iciness of my voice completely demolished any chance of kindness. The doorman nodded softly, returning to his post.

Of course, it started to rain as soon as I began my trek. I even refrained from thinking, 'could this day get any worse'. I sighed, clutching my messenger back tightly against my chest. My school, St. Catherine of Augustine, was located only a few avenues from my apartment. In the rain, though, it felt like miles. A few pedestrians scuttled past me, ducking under awnings and scaffolds when they could, but I didn't bother. I was already wet, so why not take a shower?

A black, conspicuous car suddenly pulled up next to me. The back window rolled down, revealing one of the kids in my science class. His name slipped my memory. "Hey," he called. "You look a little wet."

I refrained from snapping at him. "Yeah, it's raining after all."

"Do you want a ride?" We never uttered more than three words to each other, but there he was, unlocking his door and offering me shelter. I wanted to deny it, but the warmth of the car's heater teased my frozen fingers.

"Sure."

I slid in next to him, attempting to smile. We avoided any eye contact as the car inched through traffic.

"Thank you," I muttered, glancing towards the black television. I cringed, suddenly realizing how horrid I looked. "Did you do the assignment for Monday yet?"

"Yeah. I was surprised how easy she made it. Maybe she decided to give us a break."

We rode the rest of the way in complete silence. I found myself studying my savior. His hair nearly matched my own, sputtering in different directions. Not only that, but the bags under his eyes settled my self consciousness about my bloodshot eyes. Even his uniform fit him awkwardly. He was tall, nearly my height, but he seemed to shrink in the outfit. His tie hung crookedly around his neck, tucked roughly under his blazer. But the most fascinating thing about him were his eyes. They nearly bugged out of his head as he examined the scenery outside the window. Indifference glazed over his pupils, but they still glimmered in the city's gray palette.

Finally, we reached our private school. "Well, thanks again for the ride."

"See you in science."

"Yeah. See you then."

As soon as I stepped foot inside, Misa greeted me with a squeal. She threw her arms around me, kissing my cheek roughly. "Light, you missed an amazing time! Why did you have to leave?" She pouted up at me, jutting her bottom lip out. Even with the pathetic expression, she still maintained her beautiful manner.

"Sorry. Listen, Misa, I don't feel well."

She furrowed her eyebrows quizzically. The fact that I wanted her to let go flew right over her head. "Oh, poor baby," she cooed. "Did you take some Asprin? I have some in my locker, if you want!"

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay, well, will you walk me to class?" She asked me the same infuriating question every day since we started dating. Sometimes I wondered if she was testing my limits, seeing how far she could push my patience. But, I maintained my composure and forced a smile.

"Of course."

She gripped my hand as we passed our peers. Most of them greeted us with smiling faces, but some just narrowed their eyes and avoided any contact. Their reactions came with the territory. We were, as many claimed, the 'hottest couple on campus'. It used to provide some comfort in our broken relationship, but after a while, I despised the idea. It was so juvenile and unnecessary. I can't blame them for being jealous. Normally, we were the center of attention and envy burns through humans, especially the immature ones, like wild fire.

It took me a moment to realize Misa's babbles were directed towards me. She was raving about the modeling job she acquired two days ago. And wherever Misa went, she expected me to follow. So, that weekend she wanted to drag me all the way out to Long Beach to watch her pose for some swimsuit ad. I'd been to plenty of shoots to know I would be bored out of my mind.

"Yeah, sounds good," I sighed, preventing another argument in the middle of the hallway. She beamed towards me before disappearing into her class room. Dating someone you can't stand is exhausting, believe me.

I wandered towards science, suppressing the urge to run to the bathroom and puke again. Hollow eyes watched me as I stumbled by, leaning on the lockers for support. Their judgements normally bothered me, but I couldn't deal with the extra pressure. Thankfully, the science door was right around the corner. I wandered inside, immediately greeted with waves and fake smiles.

"Hey," I mumbled to Erik, slumping into my chair.

He eyed me cautiously. "Dude, what happened to you?"

I sighed, closing my eyes. "I just had a shitty night. I want this day to be over with already."

I couldn't help but notice my savior crouched in his usual chair a few seats away from mine. He placed his hands upon his bent knees, which were pushed against his chest. Every day he sat like this until Sister demanded he sit properly. I suddenly realized he was staring right back at me with a quizzical expression. Unlike most of my peers, there seemed to be some depth lurking behind his cool, indifferent gaze. I found myself smiling.

Sister Kippling suddenly dropped her books on the table, captivating the class' attention. I hesitated before finally glancing up front. "I know you're all a bit bored of my class, so I've decided to assign a group project."

The class erupted in cheers, until she added, "I will be choosing your partner."

And that's how I got stuck with my savior-L. He seemed irritated about the choice but slipped into the empty seat next to me. He hunched over, waiting for further instructions. I suddenly felt the need to thank him again but I held my tongue. Sister spoke for a few more minutes before finally allowing us to begin discussing.

"We can meet at my apartment if you'd like. I live on 8th and 77th." Although the distance between the school and his house surpasses the that between the school and my own, I found myself agreeing.

"Is tonight okay?" I asked.

He shrugged, his eyes lolling towards the window. "Sure, I guess. I just have to be somewhere at nine."

"That's fine. Misa will probably want me to come out or something, anyway. This way we get some of it done and don't have to worry about it the rest of the weekend."

"Who's Misa?"

The question shouldn't have bothered me. "Uh, oh, my girlfriend." I guess my tendency to believe the world revolved around me clouded my vision. Not everyone actually cared about the petty high school social ladder. In fact, he seemed puzzled that I even had a girlfriend.

"Oh," he traced his top lip with his thumb. "Misa Amane, that model, right?"

"Yeah."

"She works with my friend's father. In fact, I think he's shot her a few times."

"I'll have to ask. What's his name?"

"Matt Jeevas."

I shrugged at the unfamiliar name. When the bell rang, we agreed to meet up after school. I wish I had asked Misa about Matt, but it slipped my mind as the day passed. My clogged, self absorbed brain decided that other things were more important. Like my hair-which still looked atrocious.