Chapter III
What the hell did he do now? Are you mad at him because he forgot that you were the handsome blonde that blew himself up?". Matt laughed. "Honestly, what did he do to you?". Mello frowned. "He wanted to know if I am Mello. I mean, who did he expect? A Power Puff Girl?". Matt grinned. "C'mon, I'm sure he remembers you. I guess he's just shocked. I mean, until he talked to you, he was sure you were dead". Mello stood up and went to the kitchen to get himself a bar of chocolate. He unwrapped it impatiently. "Don't be so upset. I mean, it was just a friendly call", Matt said. He rolled his eyes and turned towards the TV again. Then he lit a cigarette. Mello glared at the phone. "I'll be in my room", he said, turning towards the door.
It hadn't bothered Mello that Near had been the one that called. He would've been angry at anyone that called. Not because he didn't like talking on the telephone, but because he had just been about to talk to Matt. Mello needed to talk to Matt because he had a problem. He was in love. This was a problem because the one he was in love with was just sitting on the sofa, smoking and playing video games. Mello was in love with Matt. And to him, this was a problem. And now stupid Near had spoiled everything with this call. Well, to be honest, Mello probably wouldn't have talked to Matt, even if no one had called. But, to Mello, it was easier to blame Near than admitting that he was just too chicken to tell Matt the truth.
When Mello heard the front door being unlocked, he stood up and left his room. "Hi", he said. Then he realized that L was not the only person standing in the hallway. Near was standing in there, too. The fact that Near was standing seemed like a miracle to Mello. He had never thought about Near being able to stand. "What are you doing here?", he demanded. "He missed you", L said gladly. "Oh, hi, Near", Matt said, surprised. Mello hadn't noticed he had come in, and when he heard Matt's voice, he flinched. "You're actually able to stand?", Matt asked. "Thanks, I love you, too", Near replied. "Aw, c'mon, boys, be nice", L complained. "Near will soon be your brother, so don't be nasty. All of you. You should try to be friends"
'´Try to be friends, huh?', Mello thought. In his opinion, L was a genius, but the fact that L thought he and Near could actually be friends made him wonder if L was going crazy. "What do you mean when you say we'll be brothers?", Matt asked. "Oh, I'll adopt him, too. Of course", L answered. Matt said something like "Oh, okay", and Mello tried to fake a realistic-looking smile when he said "Ah, nice. I guess trying to be friends won't hurt, right?". "We'll get along fine", Near promised. "Yeah", Mello said. "Well, I'll go to my room now. See you". He left them standing there and went to his room. There, he took a bar of chocolate from his desk's drawer. He sighed. He hated the idea of Near being a part of his family, but as long as Near didn't call him 'Mels', he would be fine. Mello had another problem to deal with, and that was much more important than Near.
The others were still standing in the hallway. L knew that Mello hated the idea of living together with Near. He just didn't want to disappoint L. Near knew that, too. And, of course, Matt knew it, too. Matt knew everything about his best friend. Mello had even told him his true name, and that was a much bigger secret than Mello's dislike against Near. Finally, L decided to show Near his future room, and Matt went back to the Play Station.
Near stayed for an hour, then he called Gevanni and told him to pick him up. L was glad that Near knew about him now. He knew Mello and Near would get along fine. At least, he hoped they would.
Mello sat on his bed, cursing himself for not talking to Matt about his feelings again. Near had just left (and Mello knew that because he had heard the front door being opened and closed again). "Damn", he said, jumping to his feet. "Why can't I just tell Matt that I love him?"
Suddenly, Mello froze. He just realized that there had been a sound from the room's door. Mello turned around and saw his best friend standing in the doorway.