Chap 10

After getting up from being toppled, Matt had taken his DS back, and was hugging it lovingly against his cheek.

"I've won you back, beautiful…"

Ivy stood, glaring at him, completely out of it.

"How?...How!" she screeched, grabbing Matt by the collar and getting in his face.

"There's no way! I'm a master at that game! A master!"

"Hey, it's not my fault you lost," he put the hand held system on his bed. "Sorry, sweetie."

Matt grinned slightly, only fueling the girl's anger. It hadn't been the loss of the DS that made her mad, it was the fact that he had beaten her at all together, in her element! Her game, with her character!

The grip on his collar tightened, pulling him closer.

"There is absolutely no way that you could've beaten me fairly," Ivy half hissed, her face so close to his she could feel his breath.

"Are you saying I cheated?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Matt scowled. Being called a cheater at a video game was one of the worst things someone could say to him.

Mello, sensing the tension rise as the two got quiet, stood to separate them. Near had also risen, standing behind Matt.

"Alright, guys, c'mon. Don't fight about something this stupid," the blond said, taking Ivy's hand and pulling it off Matt's collar.

"Tch," Ivy yanked away from the boy's hold, storming out of the room with heavy steps.

"What a bi-,"

"Don't call her that," Near cut Mello off, surprising not only the two boys staring at him wide-eyed, but himself as well.

Then he realized he was alone, and if his rival took a notion to, he and Matt could flatten him. Not one to stay and find out if his thought would come true, Near went after Ivy.

Almost caught up with her, he stopped. Why am I following her? This isn't as important as studying or helping L. Not even close to working on cases. Why am I putting so much effort into my 'friendship' with this girl? I've only known her for a day and a half!

He looked down, twisting a piece of hair. There's more than likely not much I could do to help anyways. Ivy's really just being a sore loser. Near sighed, and started in the opposite direction, towards the play room he knew so well, without a second thought about his decision.

"Uh!" the defeated girl exclaimed, punching a wall. "Damnit!"

She turned to the big double doors leading into the library. It was emanating with the chatter of the many children who currently occupied it. She opened the doors, chose a deserted table, and sat, head buried in her arms.

A group of girls sneered at her, slowly approaching the table with malevolent grins spread across their faces. One, a tall brunette, slammed her hands on the table, making Ivy lift her head quickly and give her a 'what the fuck?' look.

"So, I see you've been hanging out with Matt a lot here lately since you got here, huh, freak?" she said, her voice dripping with venom. "That's really something, making friends with one of the hottest guys here straight off. I hope he pays you for the extra 'lip action'…"

The group of teenagers laughed and snickered at the crude joke.

Ivy was flaring. She was, no, she would, knock this girl out if she pushed it any further. It would be difficult, she had a lot of friends, and the kid herself didn't exactly look like your typical girly girl. Ivy was sure she'd get slammed pretty bad, but just one good punch to the side of the jaw was enough to get her point across.

"Leave me alone," she warned, stepping away from the table and clenching her fists.

"Ooo. I'm so scared. You punks always think you're the shit, don't you? Because you dye your hair and hang with boys all the time. You're nothing but a little skank," the brunette replied with equal coldness.

"What, do you like Matt or something? Think I'm stealing him from you? Well, here's a newsflash, you can have him," Ivy said, wanting to end it, then began to walk away.

Then a searing pain struck her on the side of the head. Instantly she dropped to the floor, regaining her thoughts after a couple of seconds, she realized she had been hit with something. Warm dark drops began to fall on the floor as her vision swam. Anger now rising, pushing the sick feeling back, Ivy stood shakily and faced the girl who had struck her. She was holding a pipe, probably passed to her by one of her loyal followers. It had a smudge of Ivy's blood on the end, glistening in the sunshine leaking in from the windows.

"You bitch," the rainbow haired girl cursed, suddenly rushing at the brunette with a raised fist.