Author's note: What's this? Another update in less than a week? Wow. Yeah, I was bored in the weekend (: So, anyways, this is the third to last chapter!
Buuut, I have had requests for Mello's diary of the same year to be written. HOWEVER, I have some doubts about it, because the things that happen would be the same as in Matt's, but from a different perspective. (Mello's. OMG, run!) I don't know if you guys would get bored of the same thing. But, please review and tell me if you would read it, because if enough people say yes, then I'll write it (:
On the subject of reviews, thanks for all of yours~ They're all very nice (: And, to everyone who called Matt either slow, oblivious or dumb - yes, I agree (: Buuut he's cool, so we can forgive him :P

~Rainbow Fruit Loop x

~The Weird and Wonderful World of a Guy Named Matt~
~Chapter Ten~

October 1st 2006.

Okay. I am calm enough to speak properly now. I guess you guys are all expecting an explanation on the whole "OMG, I'M IN LOVE!" thing, since I just kind of stopped writing last month.

So, yes, I have fallen in love with Mello. It's true. I have no idea how it happened, or why it happened, or what to do about it, but… yeah.

I don't know if I should tell him. I mean, I don't think he'd be angry, as such, because we're such close friends, but… yeah. If it did make him feel uncomfortable, then it would ruin everything, and I don't want to take that chance.

Or do I?

But what if the person in the wardrobe was him? Because that would mean that he did like me - he would have kissed me, after all - and everything would be fine. More than fine, actually. We could… I don't know, be together or something.

But if it was him, then why hasn't he done anything about it? Is he shy? Or has he not made up his mind about whether or not he wants to be my boyfriend?

Fuck, I'm so confused. I think I preferred being asexual, you know. It was definitely easier.

I've decided to avoid Mello for a bit (easier said than done, seeing as I live in the same room as him), just until I decide what to do. I mean, knowing Mello, he'd pick up on my change of feelings, and, as I've said, I don't know what I'd do if he asked me.

Maybe, if I do want to confess, I could make him some sort of chocolate cake covered in pink or red hearts? Or, I could find one of those love heart sweet things with the words, "Be Mine" on it and give it to him? Or, I could whisper it to him in his sleep, and then when he woke up he'd think that it was his subconscious talking to him.

Oh God, I just heard the door opening. Mello's coming! Quick, I must stop writing and pretend like I haven't been thinking about him! Shit, where's my DS when you need it?

Argh, I can't find it! Time for Plan Two! The closet!

…FML.

October 6th 2006.

Today, Mello asked me why I was avoiding him.

ARGH. Why does Mello have to be so observant? Pity he's a genius. Because, really, he's so much smarter than me when it comes to this sort of stuff. I mean, I think my IQ's getting close to mental retardation just by thinking about Mello and the mystery kisser scenario.

Don't judge.

But, anyways, I tried to say, "Who's avoiding who?" in a casual, offhand way, but he just raised an eyebrow at me.

He said, "Matty, I found you hiding from me in the closet a few days ago. If that's not avoiding me, then I don't know what is."

I kind of gave this weird chuckle thing - it sounded like I was being strangled, but I'm hoping he didn't notice the odd hacking noises - and said, "Who doesn't love a good game of hide 'n' seek, Mels?"

He just looked at me. You know that kind of look people give you when they know that you're talking absolute crap? Yeah, it was that look.

So I decided to change my tactics. I thought that maybe I could make him think he was going loopy or something. In hindsight, if that had happened, that probably would have been dangerous. I mean, Mello being sane-ish is terrifying enough, thank you.

But anyways, I said to him, "Maybe you're paranoid, Mels? Why would I want to avoid you? Maybe you're the one avoiding me?"

Reverse psychology. Always works.

He looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "That's true. But I've hardly seen you for the past few days, and I know it's not my fault!"

Reverse psychology. Never works.

But, um, yeah. How should I have gotten around that?

In the end I panicked, and just ended up mumbling some crap about entering the school Chess Club.

I don't think he believed me, though, because he gave me the aforementioned "look".

I really do need to learn how to be subtle when it comes to the art of avoiding people.

Maybe I could learn from Near? He's an expert when it comes to having no friends.

October 16th 2006.

Mello was bored yesterday, so he stole my laptop and managed to find a list of things called, "Ten Things to do at Walmart."

Roger lets us go into town on Saturdays (today is Saturday) and so Mello thought that we should try the list using his six favourites.

It was hilarious.

So, we caught the bus from outside of the orphanage, went into town, and found the largest Tescos we could.

Now, one of the great things about Mello is that he's a brilliant actor - like, insanely good - and he doesn't get embarrassed easily. I told him that he could be the one to do the acting, and I'd just watch (and kill myself laughing, as it turns out).

I'll go through what happened.

Number One. "Go up to a stranger and say, 'Hi! How are you doing? It's been so long!'."

So, we walked around the shop for a bit until we found a young girl who looked like she'd play along instead of punching Mello in the face and telling him to piss off.

So, Mello walked up to her, and said, "Oh my gosh! Hi! How are you doing? It's been so long!" in this ultra-gay voice.

Now, I should have known that Mello doesn't do things by halves. Because, just as the girl was about to open her mouth and say something, Mello wrapped his arms around her in a huge bear hug, and lifted her off the ground.

God, her expression sent me into hysterics. Fuck, I almost had to leave the shop.

She looked absolutely mortified; like she knew that she should remember him (Mello's really convincing, remember?) but couldn't.

So then Mello put her feet back on the ground, and pulled away, and she offered a shaky, "Hey…!"

Mello then started nattering about everything and anything. "How's Natalie? Has she had her baby yet? And how's Dan? You two still together, or has he cheated on you again? If not, then can we expect a happy announcement anytime soon? Oh, and I saw your Mum a few days ago. Her hair's looking lovely!"

The girl just kind of nodded and said, "Uh huh…" Her eyes kept flickering towards the doors, and I could tell that Mello had noticed, because the smallest smirk appeared on his lips.

The encounter kind of went on like that for a bit before the girl said, "I really, really need to go, because I think that maybe my house is on fire!"

When Mello came sauntering back to me, I was literally holding my sides. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.

Number Two. "Challenge other customers to duels with tubes of gift wrap."

I had to help with this one, because Mello thought it would be funnier with both of us fighting.

So, we both chose tubes of gift wrap in our favourite colours (me: a particularly unflattering shade of orange, and Mello: black with pink stars) and grabbed another few in boring silver for our other "opponents."

Then we started a fight right there in the "Stationary and Cards" isle, and it was only a few minutes before a group of spotty, unintelligent teenage boys started gawking at us.

We threw them a few of our silver tubes, and, before we knew it, we were involved in a ten-person-and-counting gift wrap duel. I swear other people were grabbing rolls of gift wrap to join in with us.

It was like a flash mob, only with gift wrap dueling.

But, God, it was so much fun.

It was all well in good until an old fat man (who, unfortunately, worked at Tesco, and, therefore had "authority") decided that "enough was enough" and that we should scatter.

Number Three. "Hold indoor shopping cart races."

Since we already had a crowd of people hanging around with us, we told them all our third plan. They all seemed strangely enthusiastic, but that was probably because they had been forced to come with their parents, and wanted to rebel against the system.

Of course, we waited a few minutes so that the man with the beard thought that we were behaving, and lollopped off somewhere.

We collected three trolleys, and then decided on the course, which was through the toiletry isle, around the collection of scarily-expensive electronics, down the fruit isle, and then back to the Stationary isle.

We had three people racing at a time, and managed to reach the semi-finals before we were yelled at by the same fat man, who started to turn an alarming shade of beetroot.

Mello, surprisingly, was in the semi-finals, even though we've all seen how incredibly unfit he is. I think it's because he refused to lose to a bunch of strangers.

Number Four. "When an announcement comes over the loudspeaker, assume the fetal position and scream, 'No, no! It's those voices again!'."

Mello was the one who had to this, naturally. I didn't really like making a fool out of myself more times then necessary.

We made sure that he was positioned in the middle of the front of the shop - the place with all of the checkouts - and then when an announcement came on about how all children's toys were fifty percent off, Mello clutched at his head, assumed the fetal position, and started fake crying.

"No! NO!" he had shouted.

Of course, one of the nicer-looking people who worked there - that is, not the guy we had encountered twice before - went up to Mello, and said, all concerned, "What's wrong, honey?"

Mello looked up at her with fake tears glistening in his eyes (I don't know how he does it. He's fucking brilliant) and started screaming.

When she'd calmed him down enough - it involved taking him to the Staff-Only area (I watched through the panel of glass in the door) and giving him chocolate until he stopped screeching - she asked him what he was scared of.

He said, "It's those voices… The voices are back…" and started crying again.

I was almost crying as well - crying with laughter. Honestly, take my word for it. Mello's acting is beyond words.

Then the woman chuckled, and put her arm around him and said, "You don't need to be scared of the voices, darling. It's only people like me speaking through the intercom. It's nothing scary!"

"Are you sure?"

The woman then nodded, and smiled at him."It's nothing to be afraid of!"

Mello nodded slowly, sniffled, and said, "T-Thanks. I think I get it now… I won't be scared anymore."

She smiled, and he hopped of his chair and made his way over to the door.

When he came out - a bar of chocolate clutched in his hand - we both had hysterics. Mello's really fun to be around, if he's not in a mood.

I said, "She… She believed you! She honestly thought that you were scared of the intercom!"

Mello - through his laughter - choked out, "She was all concerned and everything!"

Ah, good times.

Number Five. "Try on crazy costumes and walk casually through the store."

This was another one that Mello wanted me to join in for. We walked around the woman's clothes for a bit, and Mello found us a few feather boas. We were basically trying to find the weirdest, most colourful clothes in the shop.

Armed with some disgusting items on "fashion" - which, really, I'd be ashamed to be seen wearing if I was serious about buying them - we walked into the fitting rooms and got changed.

I looked like a hippy. I was wearing large, purple, heart-shaped glasses, a rainbow-coloured beanie with earflaps and a pompom on top, a red feather boa, a tight lime green t-shirt with a pink peace sign on it, a pair of black leggings (ew. Leggings) and these really weird clompy school shoe things.

I didn't want to leave the changing rooms, but I thought that - since Mello had made an effort - I should too.

Though, I almost had to go back into the changing rooms when I saw what Mello was wearing.

Fuck, I can't even begin to describe it. Just imagine: a skimpy pink skirt, a too-tight purple strapless shirt, many feather boas, and these really, really high stilettos.

I know. I thought the hot pink skinny jeans were bad. Thinking about it now, I think I kinda miss them.

Just, remember, though: Mello doesn't do life by halves.

So I said to him, "…You, uh, look like a transvestite, Mels."

And he just beamed at me, like he was proud or something.

Walking around the store was hilarious, though, because no one could say anything to us, because we were walking. Just walking. And, we had a backup excuse just in case anyone did ask us what we were doing. It was: "We're taking our clothes for a test drive."

No one asked, though, so Mello actually told some random guy who was looking at us weirdly.

We had to stop though after Mello fell over in his too-high heels for the fifth time, and almost broke an ankle. It stops getting fun when bones break, you know.

Number Six. "Walk up to an employee and tell him in an official tone, "I think we've got a Code Three in Housewares," and see what happens."

Now, I this is the one that I thought would be the most interesting. I mean, doesn't everyone want to know what a "Code Three" is? Turns out we didn't actually get to know, but oh well.

So, Mello - who, by now, had changed out of his transvestite clothing - did this really professional walk - surely you've all seen it? That really fast walk that people do when they mean business - up to a gullible looking young female (we decided that young females were the most likely to believe him, because they're all so ditzy).

After glancing at her nametag, Mello said,"Stacy, we have a Code Three in Housewares." in this really official, deadpanned voice.

Stacy's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped a little.

She said, "Are you sure? Code Three?"

Mello nodded seriously. "Yes, Code Three, I'm afraid. Am I alright leaving this with you? Are you able to manage sufficiently?"

"Yes, sir." She replied.

Mello? A sir? Pfft…

So then Mello nodded at her and walked away. Stacy then pressed a little button on the intercom and said in this mega-panicky voice, "We have a Code Three in Housewares! Repeat, Code Three in Housewares! Quickly, people! Code Three!"

We then decided that our job was done, and sprinted away before people could realize that we were only "joking", and arrested us.

Oh my God. I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun. Who knew that supermarkets were so amusing? Mello's just so entertaining to be around, I guess.

I bet he could even make cleaning toilets fun.

But then, at the end of the day, he surprised me by giving me this really warm hug, and murmuring, "Thank you, Matty. I had a lot of fun today."

Aw.

October 23rd 2006.

Right. Now, fun day out at the supermarket or not, I'm still super confused about what I should do.

Though, saying that, I did end up telling someone today.

Want to take a guess? …No? Not interested enough?

It was L.

…I know, I know. You've probably got that look on your face - the 'WTF' look. (Trust me, I'm familiar with it.) Let me explain.

L came on one of his weird visits to talk to us about our futures, but this time he wanted to talk to us individually.

When it was my turn, I, obviously, went in to talk to him; only because I had to, mind you.

It was half way through the "chat" when L said, "You look distracted, Matt-kun. Something the matter?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess so." I replied intelligently.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, nibbling at his thumb nail.

And it all came flooding out.

You know how sometimes you just want to tell someone something to get it off your chest? Yeah, it was like that. I was just feeling so clogged up with emotions that I still don't quite understand, and it felt like I was going to explode unless I told someone.

And I didn't think that L would judge me. Much.

I blurted out some inarticulate crap - something like what follows.

"I think I'm falling in love with Mello, and I have no idea what to do about it. I'm so confused. I mean, he's told me that he's gay and everything, and I'm totally fine with that, and I don't think he'd hate me if I told him the truth, but I don't want to risk it. And I know that he really likes someone here at Wammy's, and it might be me, but I'm not sure because I'm too scared to ask him. I thought that it was Near, but it wasn't. And then we played this game called "Seven Minutes in Heaven" and I got locked in the wardrobe, and someone got shoved in with me and kissed me, and I don't know who it was, but it could be Mello, because he's been giving me clues, kind of, and he fits the descriptions. But then, if it was him, and he does like me, then why has he not done anything about it? I mean, this is Mello we're talking about, so it's not like he's shy or anything, so that makes me thing that maybe it's not me, so will I just end up making a fool out of myself and ruining a perfect friendship if I confess?"

Told you it was all crap. It also took me a few minutes to get my breathing back to normal.

L just looked at me with those dark, blank eyes of his, which really annoyed me.

"Why don't you just tell him?" he finally suggested.

I was just about to start screeching - "Weren't you listening? I can't confess, because it might ruin everything. WHY WEREN'T YOU LISTENING?" - before he stopped me by saying, "Or, you could ask him who he likes."

I paused for a second.

"I mean, has he ever lied to you? If you asked him, would he be honest with you?"

Hm. Good point.

So I said, "Well, yeah, he probably would tell me the truth."

L smiled. "And if that someone he mentions is not you, then you can pretend like it doesn't hurt until you are out of sight. Merely asking him won't make him suspect your feelings. And, then if he tells you that he likes you, then your problem is sorted."

Teenage dramas. I've had enough of them already.

"But…" I then paused for a second.

L raised an eyebrow at me. I think that he was secretly enjoying this.

"I've always thought that dating your best friend is like committing friendship suicide, because if it doesn't work out, you'll never be as close to them as you were before." I said. "Do I want to risk it?"

"If you don't do anything, things will just keep getting more awkward around him." L shot back. "You'll be so aware of him that it will be hard to concentrate on anything else. Your friendship will probably suffer as a consequence. So, you either leave it and try to save an already condemned friendship, or you go for it and get what you want.'

Hm. It sounded like he was speaking from personal experience. I almost asked him, but then refrained. I don't really want to know the ins and outs of L's sex life.

But his words have motivated me.

How hard can asking Mello who he likes be?