Chapter Nine:

Feelings

Envy's Point of View:

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the silence. Silence? Strange, since I always heard at least one person moving about. The second thing I noticed right away was the amount of warmth and weight on my stomach. I lazily opened one eye and craned my head down enough to see what I was feeling. Mello had, somehow, ended up laying with his head on my stomach and had his hand laying loosely on my left hip. I smiled lightly as butterflies tickled about in my stomach.

Wait, butterflies? Why was I feeling nervous like this? It couldn't have been the fact he was still in his boxers. I had seen him like that many times before, both recently and all the way dating back to my years at Whammy's. Maybe it was just because he was clinging onto my hip. Yeah, that had to be it. No one had ever really touched my hips before, so I had to be getting worked up over that…right?

"Mello?" I whispered as I stroked his hair. "Mel?"

No response. I chuckled lightly at how deep a sleep he seemed to be in. Carefully, I moved his arm off of me, as well as his head. I slid out of the bed, tiptoeing to the dresser. I grabbed a black and red plaid skirt, a black long sleeve shirt, a pair high heeled boots, and a black belt with silver studs to change in to and made my way to the bathroom.

The first thing I did was plug in the flat iron to straighten my hair. I didn't want to deal with my curls today. Sure, they could look good on the right day, but today I looked like a poodle gone wrong. While I waited for the flat iron to heat up, I changed out of my pajamas. I fixed my skirt lightly before brushing my hair out to prepare it for the burning hot metal plates. That helped tame it some, but not much. With a wondering sigh, I began to straighten my hair. It took thirty-five minutes to get all of it straight. Who knew it would take so long? It went just past my shoulders blades when I had it straight, so I guess I can see why it took so long. A mix of long hair and thickness added to the difficulty, apparently.

I finally reached into the cabinet next to the mirror and got my make-up bag out. I put on a somewhat thick layer of powder before applying my usual smoky black eye shadow. Once I had my eyelid covered, I took the small eyeshadow brush and added a lighter color of gray to the crease. I took my eyeliner out, putting it on my upper lid and just barely under my eye. Taking one last look in the mirror, I smiled. Today felt like it was going to be VERY good…

Mello's Point of View:

I woke up to a cold, empty bed. Slightly startled, I sat up. I looked around for Envy. The only traces of her were her glasses and necklace on the table next to her side of the bed. I was about to go search for her when I heard her light humming come from the bathroom. I instantly calmed down and laid back again. I closed my eyes once more as I listened to her intoxicating hum form into words. She sang a song I just vaguely recognized as "Good Morning Sunshine" by the '90s band Aqua. She quieted herself as she opened the bathroom door and walked over to the dresser.

'She must still think I'm asleep…' I thought to myself as she put a pair of earrings on. She turned around and jumped slightly when she saw I was awake and watching her.

"Mello!" She exclaimed as she put a hand to her chest. "You scared me. Did I wake you?"

"No. I was already up."

"Oh, good. I was hoping you were in a deep enough sleep to where I wouldn't disturb you." She flashed a smile at me as she went to her side of the bed. She sat down, moving her long bangs out of her face. She slipped her glasses on, quickly moving to put on her necklace.

I raised myself up on my elbows as I continued to watch her. She stood up, strutting back to the bathroom. I couldn't help but watch her entire body as she walked. The way she carried herself just mesmerized me sometimes. The way her hips would swing caught all of my attention today, though. The almost too short skirt she was sporting waved side to side with her hips as she walked. It was enough to make my blood boil with teenage hormonal desire.

No! No, no, no! I mentally smacked myself. I sat up all the way and rubbed my forehead. I didn't have time to be thinking about that kind of thing when I had a goal. A goal to better the world. A goal to avenge L. A goal to beat Near. Near. I wonder where that little twit is at anyway? How far has he gotten in the case? It doesn't much matter, anyhow, since we have a notebook and Shinigami in our hands, but I still wonder. We need to advance soon if we want to get even further ahead of him.

I jumped up, preparing my clothes to change as Envy walked back out and began making the bed.

"So, what are today's plans?" She asked over her shoulder. "I hope nothing too serious. I think we could all use a break by this point."

"A break?" I questioned, a little more harsh than I meant for it to sound.

"Y-yeah…sorry, I shouldn't have said that…"

"A break…" I pondered. Envy did seem a little worn lately, same for Matt and Tease. Maybe a break wouldn't be so bad. "No, I agree with you, En. We all deserve a small break."

"Really?" She leaned against the wall after finishing the bed.

"Yeah." I pulled my pants on, smirking when she turned her gaze away with a blush on her cheeks as I tied the strings at my crotch. "Maybe we can go somewhere. Like…the…mall, or something. We could bring Matt and Tease along with us." I quickly added.

"Um…sure. That sounds nice. I'll go ask them, ok?" She flashed another small smile at me as she left the room in almost a rush. I waited until she was out of the room to groan and bang my head against the wall.

"Why did I add them at the last minute? I wanted it to just be us today…" I turned and leaned against the wall. The cold paint sent a chill down my spine. I watched a fly on the ceiling as I thought aloud some more. "Wait…why did I want it to be just us today? Could it maybe be…no. Impossible."

'Improbable.' My inner voice corrected. I sighed, finally putting my vest on.

"Right. Improbable…"

Matt's Point of View:

I sat on the bed with Tease behind me as I slipped my red and black stripped shirt on. I fixed the goggles on my face as a knock came to the door. Envy slowly creaked it open.

"Hey, guys. You're up, right?"

"Of course we are. We don't sleep in all the time like you and blondie." Tease joked as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Why? Does he need us to do more research and filing today?"

"No, actually." Envy smiled brightly. "He agreed with me that we all need a break. He said we can all go out somewhere if you're willing to go with us. So, wanna go?"

I looked at Tease for a second before getting up and approaching my sister. I threw my elbow onto her shoulder and leaned against her, thankful she was so short. "I'm game. Where are we going to go, though?"

"Don't know. We'll decide something eventually, though."

"Wicked. Tease." I looked over at her as she observed us. "You want to go, too?"

"What the hell? I have nothing better to do." She slid off the bed, putting her ever worn out flipflops on.

"Sweet! I'll go tell Mello~" My sister sang as she skipped off. I leaned from the door frame and called for her to put something on under her skirt. She threw an arm up at me, letting me know she heard me. I turned around, automatically going to search the room for my boots.

"...I think I'm go to change shirts. I don't look good in this one..." Tease said, most likely to herself rather than me. I looked up. She was wearing black skinny jeans, and an amazing white top that hung off one of her shoulders. It showed just enough of her curves to make a man want to pursue her.

"Don't change." I peeked under the bed as I spoke. "You look really nice in that shirt. Hell, you look just plain stunning today."

"Stunning? Are you crazy? I look horrible."

I pulled my boots out from under the bed and walked to her. I took her chin between my index and thumb and lightly tilted her head up to look her in the eye. "Never say that. You never look horrible. You always look beautiful, beautiful enough to take my breath away. You've always had that effect on me."

She seemed to be at a loss for words, so I released her chin, grabbed my boots, and left the room with a hidden smirk on my lips.

Tease's Point of View:

After having a small mental melt down from Matt's words, I grabbed my cell and my wallet and went to the main area of the base. Envy sat next to her brother with leggings on. Just looking at them right next to each other, you could tell they were related. It helped that they were wearing similar colors. I silently watched as Envy helped Matt get a spot off his boot. Mello waltzed in shortly after Envy was successful in removing the mystery spot.

"So," he started, "where do you guys want to go?"

"I'm cool with going anywhere. Just as long as I don't have to stare at a computer screen for hours upon hours..." Envy joked. She looked over at Mello. I watched as her face softened, an almost shy smile cross her lips. I smiled to myself, thinking of all the ways I could toy with her to get her to tell me what's on her mind when she looks at him like that.

"Tease, where do you want to go?" Mello asked.

I put a finger to my chin in thought. I bit in the inside of my cheek, wondering. "What about the small outlet mall just a few miles away from here?"

"Hey, that sounds like a cool idea." Matt agreed.

I felt my stomach knot up in the good kind of nervous way when he agreed with me. He seemed so calm all the time, I couldn't stand it. I don't think I ever saw him overthink anything or disagree with anyone really. He was a 'go-with-the-flow' kind of guy, and I loved that about him. It seemed like I loved everything about him a lot more lately...

"So, to the outlet mall we go!" Envy announced, standing up. We all went out to Matt's mustang. I was ready to fight Mello for the passenger seat when when he automacially went for the back passenger seat. I didn't question him, fearing a fight would break loose. I happily took the front seat, smiling at Matt lightly as he started the car.

Mello's Point of View:

The car ride to the outlet mall was, in a word, pleasant. Tease and Matt kept their own converstation going the whole time, leaving me and Envy in peace. When we got there, we split up. Tease wanted to look at games, so naturally Matt followed her. Envy and I simply walked around, looking at anything and everything. One place really caught her attention.

"Hey, Mello, check this one out. Isn't it beautiful?" She picked up a crystal figurine of a butterfly.

"Yeah. Shiny."

She set it down and continued looking around, me following her. She was admiring a crystal panda when some guy that looked like he belonged in a boy band came up to her and began talking.

"Hey, cutie. What's your name?"

She glanced up. She smiled sweetly as she replied. "Lost. Get lost." She went back to looking at the animal figures. I looked away so I wouldn't laugh at the guy's face.

"Ha-ha, that's funny, copying James Bond. Now, really, what's your name? I'm Jackson."

"I don't care what your name is, therefore you shouldn't care about mine. Now, goodbye."

He stepped toward to her, starting to say something else, when I cut in. "So, babe, see anything you like?" I placed my arm carefully and securely around her waist. She looked up at me, getting the idea.

"No, nothing suites my fancy here, hon. Nothing at all." She gave the guy, Jackson, a once over before turning back to me. She took my hand and lead me away. When we were a safe distance away, she began laughing.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just how pathetic some guys are sometimes. You know, I'm glad you followed me instead of going off with Tease and Matt."

"Me too. Who knows what that creep may have wanted?" I glanced down, noticing we still our hands linked. "You hungry? I know I am."

"Yeah, I could go for some food."

I held her hand a little tighter as we weaved through the huge crowd to find some food.

Tease's Point of View:

The games that were being sold were pitiful. None of them were any good. So, Matt and I looked at the posters they had as well as the plushies and figures of characters and such. While Matt was mulling over buying a one-up mushroom from the Mario games, I stared at him in thought. I was just seeing him so differently now.

"Hey, Matt?"

"Huh?" He flipped the plush mushroom around to look for a price tag.

"Can I try something with out you freaking out or anything?"

"Sure. What do you wanna try?"

I stepped up to him, pushing his face toward me. I got on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. I felt him stiffen for just a milisecond before he relaxed and kissed back. I quickly pulled away, to both our dismay. He pushed his goggles onto his head, his wonderful emrald eyes wondering what just happened. I smiled up at him.

"I just wanted to try it."

He smiled back. "Well, I'm glad you did. Could that maybe mean that you're crushin' on me, too?"

"It just could." I grabbed his hand, lacing our fingers together. All of a sudden, ruining the moment, his phone began blasting "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid". He pulled it out, not even bothering looking at the called I.D.

"Hey...Already?...Alright, we'll meet you guys out there." He snapped his phone shut and shoved it back in his jeans pocket.

"Are they ready to go or something?"

"Apparently so. You ready?"

"I guess. Let's go." I smiled up at him again, feeling overjoyed.

Envy's Point of View:

By the time we got home, the sun was setting. Sidoh was outside still, chewing on some chocolate. I greeted him with a cheerful smile as we all entered the building. Matt and Tease instantly went off to their room to be alone. As expected since they were turning into a thing. I remained in the main area with Mello. Rod sat in there with us, one of his regular 'guests' with him.

I faced Mello, playing with my fingers. "Today was really fun. I wish we had time to do it more often, honestly..."

"It was pretty fun, wasn't it?"

I glanced behind me for a split second and saw Rod getting a little too friendly with his guest. "I'm going to go chill in the bedroom. You want to come?"

He looked behind me. "Yeah. I'm ready to change anyway."

We got to the bedroom, both of us changing into more comfortable clothes. For him, it was just a simple pair of lounge pants and no shirt. For me, it was a tank top and a pair of his old pajama pants. When I walked out them he gave me an odd look.

"Aren't those mine?"

"Yep. They're comfortable. Do you not want me to wear them? I can take them off and change into-"

"No, no, you're fine. Just caught me off guard."

"Oh." I sat on the edge of the bed next to him. We looked at each other for a moment. He reached up and removed my glasses. After setting them down, he tucked some of my hair behind my ear and moved my bangs out of my eyes. he hesistated in bringing his hand down, allowing it to remain on my cheek. Being stuck in his gaze i felt myself leaning in to him. Our lips were less than an inch away from each other by this point.

Knock, knock, knock. "Sis, do you have my headphones?"

We both stopped moving. I looked down at the ground, my shoulders dropping a little. His hand fell from my cheek. I slowly moved my upper body away from him.

"Why would I have them, Matt? I have two pairs of mine that work perfectly well."

"Ok, then. You could've just said no..." He mumbled through the door. We lisetned as his footsteps faded out. I continued to look at the ground as the air around us seemed to be suffocating us with the awkwardness of the moment.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just-" I started to apologize but I couldn't think of what to say. I felt awkward and embarrassed.

"It's fine. I'm just as much at blame, if not a little more." He said. He stood up, putting a pair of slippers on. "I'm going to look some stuff up. If I get into it, I might come to bed late."

"Ok." He left the room with an awkward galnce back at me. Feeling shame, I grabbed my favorite pillow, laid down on top of the sheets, and slowly fell asleep...

.::~Author's Note~::.

Ok. so, I feel like this was super long...maybe it was because I kept switching P.O.V's...I don't know. Speaking of the switching, how did I do? Did it turn out well? I hope so. If it did, I might do it once or twice again. I'll definitely do it much later chapters...ANYWAY, after this chapter, guess what's coming up? The inncident where Mello gets his scar! :) Please, review this~ That would make me very happy and encourage me to keep going...