Chapter seven:

I don't think he has noticed me yet as he heads for Near. I quickly release the book and tensely watch ready to help Near if needed. I know I'll have to be careful to not reveal that he's been talking to me but that doesn't mean I can't defend him.

Rodger stops in front of Near.

Near freezes and tenses but won't look to Rodger.

Rodgers hands clench into fists and I clench my jaw seeing that Rodger is acting different than any other time I've seen him.

Suddenly Rodger speaks.

"You little shit." He moves forward and grabs Near by the hair.

My eyes widen slightly.

The adults are in this too!? Well at least Rodger is... But I can't imagine that if Rodgers in then the other adults won't also be in on this! They will be in on this if Rodger is.

I begin moving towards them as Rodger lifts Near up.

"You stupid freak. On the last big test your mark dropped by half a point." Rodger snarls.

I pick up the pace.

Why does the bookshelf have to be on the opposite side of the room I need it to be on?!

Rodger uses his other hand to grab Nears throat harshly. "You little shit. You were given expectations to be perfect and your moron of a brain couldn't even do that one simple job!" He squeezes Nears neck.

I hit Rodgers arms making him drop Near in surprise.

Rodger turns to me making it more obvious he had no idea I was there.

Near coughs slightly as he has one hand on the ground for extra support with his other hand gently reaching towards his throat.

"Mello?!" Rodger slightly gasps. "What are you doing?!"

I glare at him. "I may not understand what's going on." I begin. "But when I saw what you did well did you think that I as a human being would just let you do something like that?!" I growl at him.

"I thought you would have enjoyed it." Rodger counters.

"No matter who it is there is no reason to attack them like that." I growl at him. "You have no good reason!" I can feel Near look to me but I stay strong continuing to glare at Rodger.

If I soften my look at all Rodger might catch on so I must keep reminding myself about what just happened.

"In fact I do." Rodger replies. "You see he is a failing piece of shit that has to be taught a lesson. Don't you agree? Don't you agree that the rival that is keeping you from the one thing that you desire most is a little shit needing to be taught a lesson?" He almost leans closer with a look that tells me he thinks I'll join in if he reminds me that Near is standing in my way of being in the number one spot around here.

"That does not justify why I should let such a violent act continue." I say without hesitance.

Rodgers eyes narrow. "Everyone else is on board with this. And I thought you'd be in the lead with that." He growls at me.

I stare at his eyes. "Everyone?"

Does it really go that far?!

"Yes. So why aren't you on board?" Rodger questions watching me.

"I don't care if I'm facing an army who are equipped with guns while I only have my bare hands to defend myself. I am standing up against a brutal attack." I respond. "It is something that should not be done to another living being."

Rodger snarls. "You are being an idiot!"

"No." I say strongly. "You and everyone else who are a part of this are being idiots!"

Rodgers anger seems to over flow and he raises a fist.

Whack!

My eyes widen as suddenly Near is between me and Rodger taking the hit for me.

He is facing me and is knocked slightly towards my side.

I catch him. "Near."

Rodger also looks surprised.

"Why'd you do that?" I ask.

Near stays close to me as his eyes are slightly cast down almost making them fall under the shadows cast from his bangs and I keep him close.

"You both a bloody morons!" Rodger snaps then leaves... For now.

I glare wishing death upon Rodger as he leaves then I soften my gaze as I look back to Near. "Why'd you do that?" I ask again.

Near rests his forehead against my shoulder. "I wasn't going to let you get hit because of me."

I bring a hand to his back and I stroke it. "It wasn't because of you. It was because of me."

Near raises his head to look to me ready to cry. "But I'm the reason he came here in the first place." He protests.

I hush him. "Don't blame yourself. That codger has no idea what he is talking about." I tell him I bring my hand from his back to his cheek gently rubbing my thumb on it to wipe a tear that fell down his cheek. "It's ok. I got myself into it on my own. I wasn't going to stand there and watch it happen after all."

Near moves closer to me.

No ones P.O.V.

A growl is heard as someone walks away. "So you want to join in on the side of that moron?! Just because of what happened?! You're real pathetic."

Mellos P.O.V

"Near." I speak after a few moments.

"Yes Mello?" He asks slightly leaning into my touch.

"Please. I know it'll be hard but I need you to tell me everything that's going on. I want to help you and the best way I can do so is if you tell me everything." I say watching him the entire time.

Near seems hesitant but his logic wins. "I will do my best." He says. "But not here."

I shake my head that is a signal of no in agreement. "Yes not here."

"I will let you know tonight." He informs me. "I just... Need to recollect my thoughts."

I nod. "Ok." I agree. "When you're ready."

"Thank you." He responds and wipes his eyes. He pulls away. "We should leave before he comes back or sends another adult."

I nod. "Ok."

We clean up the puzzle then head out of the room.

"I'm going to my room. I should be ok." Near tells me then he slips away.

I want to follow but I could tell from the look in his eyes that he really needs to be alone for a little bit to collect all of his thoughts. I have noticed he is indeed showing me more emotions even in a single glance and I know that it's special because in public he's always had that mental mask hiding his own feelings from the rest of the world. I turn and wonder where I should head now.

Maybe the library?

I begin heading in that direction.

Then Matt approaches me.