A/N: Hello Readers! Here is another instalment of Reach for the Stars!
Reach for the Stars
Chapter 9
Finding myself trapped working the counter on Saturday night is pretty nerve wracking, but throw in the people and the holiday season my nerves are being completely destroyed. "Welcome", I muttered for what seemed to be the hundredth time as another customer entered. I caught the glare of another coworker currently hiding out in the supply closet. "Jeevas if the cloud over your head was any darker", the shift manger, Jamie, said as she was leaning against the counter.
Glancing up at Jamie with a tired expression I muttered, "Today is not my best day."
"At least you are here on time today. Just what other job has been keeping ya so busy?"
Her question caused Len's words to echo throughout my head. 'Now until you premier on the show please keep you involvement on the down low as we do not want a repeat of the season one incident.' She never quiet explained what had happened, but the warning had stuck with me as I responded,"You will see."
Jamie gave me an annoyed look before saying, "This better not be drug related. You already smoke and smoking is a gateway drug." The sarcasm was clear as day on the woman's face.
"First of all cigarettes are not drugs and secondly I can't tell you because I am under contract."
This was not the first time she has tried to relate my habit to other even worse ones and it probably wouldn't be the last time. Still it bothered me that people always seemed to assume the worse with me. Do I really look like a druggie?
"Anyways I was just passing by to check in on ya."
"Well as you can see we are swamped and a bit short of staff," I said with a bit of anger.
"You have two people on this shift that is plenty of staff for a smaller outlet."
It probably would have been fine if Stan actually worked. I would kill to hide in the store room with Stan, but someone has to work the floor. "It would help though to have another person", I commented running a hand through my hair. Personally I didn't know which was going to be worse these coming weeks. The Holiday season or dealing with Mello Monday.
Returning home at the normal midnight time I barely noticed another person sharing the landing with me. All I wanted was to lay in my warm bed and not to see the blond who seemed to be on the verge of a panic attack. His shaking could clearly be heard through the grocery bag he carried as he hurriedly was trying to get his door open. It surprised me that Mello didn't say a single sarcastic remark before I was able to enter my apartment. Instead the worse thing he did was simply glance at me with a face that appeared even more stressed then my own.
Inside the apartment the thought over what would make him so nervous was running through my mind. It didn't seem like the normal Mello I knew. What was wrong with him then? My questioning thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Emile asleep on the couch still dressed in her business clothing. This reminded me that even she was going through a rather rough time trying to accomplish her lifelong dream.
Sitting down on the only other open seat in the living room a small sigh escaped my mouth. Up until now I was provided with just enough luck to get by. It was lucky that I met Emile just as I was kicked out of the dormitory and that she was looking for a roommate. At the time I was just fresh out of college with four years' worth of debt under my belt and a family who would not even speak with me. To say I was not ready for life was an understatement. Still she was in her last year of schooling and had even more troubles then me. I complained at times over my job, but she held both an internship and a job without complaining. Shaking my head lightly I stood deciding that I had done enough thinking for the night.
Sunday passed in a blur of video games and some of the unhealthiest foods I could get my hands on. Monday dawned on me way to fast bringing a whole new slew of situations I would have never wanted to be a part of. Sitting up in bed the thought of having to deal with Mello caused me to want to just go back to sleep. Getting up I knew I needed the money desperately that this job would give me.
Arriving at the studio every one appeared to be in rather high spirits from an announcement I had missed. Making my way around the large group of people around the stage to the normal area I sat. I glanced over to my surprise Mello was not in his seat allowing relief to flow through me. Personally I was still a bit angry with the blond, but perhaps I was over reacting a tad bit. Of course the moment that I was happy he was not here had ended as he approached our sitting area.
One look at Mello's face told me that he did not do well over the weekend. Dark bags were rather noticeable under his eyes along with his rather messy hair spoke of his sleepless nights. Glancing over at me he remained silent as he simply sat down. Resting against a hand under his chin Mello closed his eyes. I remained silent as well unsure how to go about speaking with him about my D.S. especially with his current state of being.
Silence is what would best describe the events of that day between us. The filming process had Mello rather busy, but every one still had breaks. Towards the end of the long day Len appeared seemingly out of the shadows. The black haired woman scared me at times with her overly optimistic attitude that clearly showed in her face. "Hello Matt how are you doing", Len asked fishing through a large stack of papers. "I could be better", I admitted as she found the paper that was needed. "It is always darkest before the dawn", Len said handing me a thick pack of stapled papers. Taking it I found the words 'Death Note; Episodes three and four' written across in in the same odd font style.
"This filming will be using a special site off of set, but I am unsure if you will be required to come along. Also there will be a small meeting after filming today."
Something about this meeting felt off as Len's smile only grew with its' mention. Remaining silent I nodded showing I understood. I just wanted to get this day over and done with. Without even faltering from her smile Len more or less scuttled off to continue her paper passing rout. Mello didn't return to our station until just before the meeting.
"We have to meet up with the cast before we leave", I announced to him receiving only a small nod. There was no way this man was this upset over what had happened. His current state went against everything I thought that might happen when we met again. I thought he would have just been his normal angry self-saying some rather nasty remarks.
Making our way to the center of the filming area my breath hitched slightly from the sight of a large amount of people. I caught a small glance from Mello as he apparently noticed this small action, but his eyes faced forward just as I caught him. Calm down Mail it is no worse than working the counter and it's a lot shorter. Staying on the very edge of the group Misa's voice sounded over the calm talking.
"Alright now that everyone is here we can begin our drawing for secret Santa."
The girl seemed rather excited over this event as Len began walking around with a hat containing a large amount of tiny folded paper.
"As normal do not let anyone know who you got and try to keep the gifts under five dollars."
Why I had not expected this to happen was beyond me. To make matters worse due to my anti-social self I barely knew anyone in the cast and I doubted my budget would probably not even be five dollars. As I thought, running a hand through my hair, my Christmas was looking better and better by the moment. Picking up a slip of paper I was sure my luck had officially run out as the world 'Mellow' was scrawled in pencil across the paper. WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
A/N: Mirei-Chan: I really like the idea of something like that happening! It wouldn't fit with this story though with my plan for it (-_-). It will probably be used in a different story. Misa does cause a great deal of trouble, but if she didn't who would? Finally I do not mind long reviews as I love reading them! Please continue reading and I hope you enjoy it!
Ern Estine 13624: I don't even know what I would do if someone broke my D.S.! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Readers: Did you all like this chapter? What do you think will happen next? Will Matt get Mello an interesting gift and who did Mello get? Another chapter will be released in the next couple days as well! Thank you for reading and I hope you continue to do so!
