Wow...a new chapter in one day? Yeah, well, like I said, I had writer's block with the other one and I'm going to Europe next week (HOLY SHIT, BITCHES!), so I wanted to get this chapter and the next one out...ASAP! I REALLY like this chapter...it's cute and by the looks of the title, it's pretty obvious who's going to be in this one...YAY!

So, as I Dis-the-Claimer over here: Death Note, Mello, Matt, and all fo the fun joys and wonders of this chapter belong to my all mighty gods, Ohba & Obata...not me. Damn...

Chapter Three: Stripes

During my first year at Wammy's House, I gained quite a reputation. First I became the number one student of the institute with no one even close to second, and I became quite a bad-ass, which is remarkable achievement for a seven year old. I also let my hair grow out, just as L suggested.

L came and went. He was busy working on cases and such, but I managed to update myself on his progress. Just the thought of L put a smile on my face and made me feel so secure. I couldn't wait for him to return from wherever he was.

However, there was one night when L was not on my mind. There was a storm that night. It was pouring with raging winds and I couldn't sleep with the loud noise of thunder right outside my window.

I sighed, lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling. My eyelids kept growing heavier but there was nothing I could do. I turned my head to the window. "Shut up, stupid storm," I said. My request was followed by a burst of bright light and load roar.

I groaned and threw a pillow over my head. "I wanna go to sleep!"

Just then, I heard the main door to the orphanage open and shut. I paused for a moment and ran out into the hallway, straight to the staircase. I could hear Roger speaking, but very softly.

"You'll be safe here," he said.

I quietly made my way down to the first floor and peeked into the hall, widening my eyes. There, clad in black and white stripes, was a red-haired boy holding Roger's hand. Roger managed to protect himself from the storm with a raincoat, but the boy was soaked down to his boots.

"Hey," I said walking into the hallway. "Who's that?" I pointed to the boy who was looking down.

Roger stared at me, surprised. "Mello, you're still up?"

I turned my head and looked up at the ceiling. "The storm kept me awake," I said, nonchalantly, but quickly averted my attention back on the boy. "Who's that?"

"Oh, him," Roger said. He kneeled down beside the boy, and spoke quietly. "This is Matt. I found him on the street while running errands earlier."

The boy lifted his head, revealing a patched up eye and bandages wrapped around his head.

I gasped. "What the hell happened to him," I screamed.

"Mello, lower your voice, and watch your language," Roger scolded. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "He was beaten up real bad when I found him, so I had to stop at the hospital to bandage him up." Roger stopped again and stared at me for a while. "Mello, you have two beds in your room, right?"

"Yeah, but JC's been gone for months now," I said, confused. Then it hit me. "You're giving me another roommate?!"

Roger walked over to me with the boy, putting his hand on my head. "Really, Mello, why are you so loud. Yes, Matt will be your roommate because you decided not to go to sleep tonight," he said.

"But I…"

"Upstairs, Mello," he said, letting go of the boy's hand and walking into his office.

"What a jerk, I don't want another roommate," I said, after Roger closed the door behind him. I glanced over at the boy and sighed. "Come on, Matt, let's go upstairs."

He didn't answer, nor did he speak until we got to the room. I shut the door behind us and sighed. "That's your bed," I said, pointing to the one closest to the door.

"Okay," he said, sitting down.

I walked over to my bed and plopped down, closing my eyes. The storm was still raging on, enough to prevent me from trying to fall asleep. There was only one thing left do; socialize with the new kid.

"So, Matt, what brings you to Wammy's House tonight," I said.

"You saw, that Roger guy brought me here," he said.

I jumped up and stared at him, a small smile on his mouth. "Very funny, wise guy," I said grimacing. I kept my eyes on him and focused in on the white wrappings around his head. "What happened to your left eye," I said, cautiously.

He sighed and lied back against the headboard. "I got beaten up by some people, and they cracked my glasses into my eye. I can't even see anything with my free eye right now. I think they were my family, but I can't really remember," he said, resting his arms behind his neck. "Actually, I can't remember much at all; only my name, my birthday, and the fact that my family doesn't want me."

Listening in, I realized that in his story, he showed no sort of sorrow, but more indifference. I didn't know how any child would be able to say that without bursting into tears.

"Wait, your birthday? That's random," I said, remembering the other part of his story that bothered me.

"Yeah, it's today," he said, laughing. "Happy seventh birthday, Mail."

"Not allowed!"

He looked over at me, his free eye wide open. "What?"

"Your name's Matt, got it," I said, waving my finger in a scolding manner.

He slid down from the headboard, lying completely down on the bed. "That's right. Roger said that my name's Matt now," he said, sighing. He sat up and turned to face me. "Well, hi! I'm Matt, and you?" His voice was filled with sarcasm, which no seven year old should really understand. This kid belonged here; he was perfect Wammy's material.

I laughed and stood up walking to his bed. "Welcome to Wammy's House, Matt. My name's Mello," I said, grabbing his hand in a shake.

He laughed and went along with it. "Nice to meet you," he said, smiling.

The handshake was filled with a strange energy. All of the anger that was in my body before about sharing my room melted away. There was something about this kid that filled me with a certain aura. Little did I know that he would become my closest, best, and only friend.

Yeah, Matt wears glasses...but the goggle thing will come in another chapter...hope you liked this chapter...I DID! REVIEW, DAMN YOU!

3R66y...i tried to be cool...didn't work much, did it! LOLZ!

-Erbby