第６話

"Date"

.:.12 YEARS.:.

"Hello!"

Mello nearly jumped out of his skin as a voice suddenly came from behind him, as it did every day. "Gods, Matt...you scared me half to death!" Mello gasped, holding a hand to his chest in an attempt to stop the rapid pace of his heartbeat.

Matt smiled. "You look sleepy – did you study all night again?"

"How can you be so cheerful in the mornings?" Mello asked, stuffing a few books in his locker.

"Because I get to see you," Matt said -teasingly- even though he was being serious.

"Haha," Mello said sarcastically, but smiling all the same. "Man...I don't think I've ever been this sleepy in the morning before." He yawned.

The two of them had been going to private school togther for a year now. By some miracle, Matt had been able to keep up with Mello the entire time, maintaining a B average at most. Mello had made straight A's the entire year. Although he hadn't said anything, Matt could tell that all the studying was taking its toll on the other boy. Mello was always tired, and he constantly complained of headaches.

"Why don't you lay off studying for a while today, and we can go somewhere?" Matt suggested hopefully.

"Sorry, I can't – I've got a math test tomorrow."

"Aw, come on. You know you'll pass without studying – you're a genius!"

"I can't, Matt. I'm sorry."

Matt sighed. "Fine. But I really think you're overworking yourself."

"Whatever," Mello said. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Okay, whatever you say..." Matt rolled his eyes.

That afternoon, Mello arrived home, exhausted as always.

Giving a heavy sigh, Mello plopped down face-first on his bed, savoring the warmth and comfort of a fluffy pillow.

He didn't remember what time he fell asleep. The next thing Mello knew was that he had just opened his eyes and the clock politely informed him that nearly two hours had passed since he'd been home.

"Shit," he muttered, sitting up and wiping the drool from his face. Now he was hungry.

Just as he swung himself out of bed and prepared to go down to the kitchen, he spotted something lying on the table. Chocolate...? But...

He immediately went to the door of his bedroom, pulling it open and looking in the hallway.

The other boy was nowhere in sight.

"That's funny...I could've sworn..."

"BOO!"

Mello nearly jumped a foot in the air, swerving around, fully prepared to whack whoever it was.

"Matt! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mello cried.

The other boy was doubled over with laughter. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"How long have you been here?" Mello asked.

"Since you fell asleep." Matt smiled. "I would've woke you, but I knew you needed the sleep."

"I already told you I couldn't go anywhere tonight," Mello reminded him, unwrapping the chocolate bar and taking a bite from it.

"I know," Matt replied, as Mello went back into his room. "I just figured that since we both had homework, we could maybe...do it together?" he suggested.

Mello turned to look back at the other boy, his expression slightly surprised. "Yeah – sure." He then gave a smile. "So long as you don't bug me."

"I promise not to," Matt agreed obediently, as he sat down on the bed beside Mello.

That was how it was from then on.

Every day, Mello would collapse – exhausted – on his bed after school, and fall asleep. He would always wake up to a bar of chocolate on the bedside table, and know that Matt was waiting in the other room.

He would go out to see him, and they would study together.

Almost like a 'date'...

第６話　－　終

I know this story seems like nothing but a fluff right now, but I promise it will begin to change soon! So please keep reading :)

And leave REVIEWS if you want the next chapter!