OH NOES! SCHOOL starts Friday. Me hate. Because, you know, the entire vacation you're bored and only write stuff, but when it's almost time for school you just have BUNCHES of things to do! I need to watch movies, write stories, play games, swim, train, shop, sleep and read manga! :3

Chapter 11

This chapter went online earlier then expected!! XD

Date: 24th August

It's the day.

The only day I dread, because most people knew this day too.

And they wouldn't leave me alone with it. Not to think of Mello… he could be a tad more annoying and irritated than usual.

Normally, I didn't really mind it, but I felt just a little cranky today, without specific reason, but I could blame it all on puberty – since, with my sixteen years, I'm still a teenager.

I decided not to leave my room and just wait for people to try and burst in before I would act on this day at all. It was quiet until at least twelve in the afternoon, when someone started banging the door.

I took the liberty of pushing a chair under the door knob and after a minute the banging stopped.

Then I froze. Did Mai lock her door, or was her bathroom door locked? Probably not, for she had not even been informed today was the day I would turn sixteen. People considered it a great age – but I couldn't tell the difference.

"Pervert!" Was screamed and I deduced that person – Mello, perhaps – walked in on her changing, since it was a free day and since shortly, Mai had the tendency to stay awake until late and sleep out even later.

This thought brought a tiny tinge of amusement, as well as a drench of protective behaviour, but it was discarded when I heard a crash and a door slam. I hope Mai had kept the alarm clock neat – Roger had been assigned to replace it for at least a dozen of times now.

Five seconds later my bathroom door opened and I look around to see Mai, clad in a too big T-shirt she stubbornly referred to as 'short dress. Not that I minded.

She smiled her sleepy smile – yes, she had been sleeping – and she moved to sit down on the bed. "So this blonde chocoholic bursts into my room," She starts, refusing to speak Mello's name and I smirked lightly. "Told me today was your special-cherry-on-the-top-day." Oh, was she angry at me for not telling her? I hoped not. Either that or she had that time of the month, since she never talked Matt-talk.

"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday, Near?" She asks me quietly, and even though she acted calm I could see she was a little surprised.

She asked me for it once, and I discarded it as 'somewhere in the summer'. She would have probably expected me to notify her on at least a week notice.

She shifted around and I noticed the hands behind her back – at my raised eyebrows she blushed prettily. Ah yes, puberty… it had kicked in long before, but recently it showed more… reactions to Mai than I wanted too. It was as if my body was in war with my mind, and I furiously tried to keep my body from winning.

But even my mind couldn't help but notice how pretty she turned from the first time he saw her, and how she developed just a little more.

Here I went again. I shut of those thoughts robotically and scolded myself, before eyeing Mai again.

"Don't dare think I don't have a gift." She murmured before petting the bed, and I silently comply, sitting down next to her. Normally I don't like gifts – I still don't – but I was genuinely curious to hers. She gave me a wrapped box-like present and bit her lip when I carefully opened it and removed the top, revealing what was inside.

"I know it's really cheesy…" She begins when I look at the brand new puzzle. It wasn't white, as I preferred, but a picture of me and Mai (did she took this at the lake?) was branded across it.

I ran my fingers over it, and Mai giggled nervously as I put it down. "And it's not very special. I thought… You know, maybe you liked it?" I smile briefly at her, but enough to comfort her and she sighs when I lean in to her, pressing my lips against hers.

As usual, she locked her arms behind my neck and deepened the kiss, and once again most rational thoughts were slammed down by the raw forces of nature – yes, it's that horrible.

She pushes lightly and I comply, so we lightly fell back on the bed. Ah, this wasn't helping those 'forces' at all. As unmoral it might seem for me – I did have… how did Mello and Matt call it… Dirty thoughts? I rather say strange suggestions.

We parted for air and she nipped my lower lip playfully, continuing, and my hands rested close to her knees, before taking the liberty to wring up her… short dress and gently touch her lower back. The contact caused her to make a muffled sound I discovered I loved, and she wringed her own hands underneath my shirt. I closed my arms around her and pushed her against me even more, hearing that lovely sound again when I accidentally grinded my hips against hers.

Come to think of it, those 'forces' weren't that bad. They were just annoying – I couldn't concentrate normally and I hate it when I don't have a clear thought on something.

Suddenly she stirred and sat right up, looking alarmed. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep in a groan when she shuffled around on my lap – after all, she mostly still thought I was the same boy from a few months ago.

Then she grabbed the collar of my shirt and yanked me up quickly and right at that moment my bathroom door opened. I stare at Roger disinterestedly, succeeding in hiding any blush that might have occurred. Roger gave a lecture about locking the door and not coming down when people requested me to, but I found it very difficult when Mai's hands snakes over the bed to meet mine like a feather's touch.

X-X

"Near~" Mai chirped before she waltzed in my room, sitting down next to me. "Wanna do something? I'm bored."

Yes, it was the second of September and the classes will start soon, but unlike normal children who do a lot of things the last days, Mai does absolutely nothing the last days. And it would bore her, a lot. I had been hoping Matt and Ellen kept her busy long enough, because frankly, Mello and I didn't have much time. L still wanted us to read reports and all that, though I don't see the use of it. Maybe just to prepare us if we suddenly need to take over the case.

"What do you want to do?" I ask quietly, ignoring my half-done puzzle. She smiled when she saw she got my attention.

"I don't know; something? We could watch a movie…"

And that way I ended up in Mai's room – for I had no television, why should I have one? And was forced to watch a horror movie she claimed was absolutely wonderful. I don't like movies, nor do I watch them a lot. They bore me because I would have figured out the plot already, and I would give the movie quits, leaving it unfinished.

Right now though, I couldn't say I minded how Mai was curled up against me with wide eyes, staring at the screen frightened. I smirk lightly – she used to tell me she was never afraid of horror movies, but this scene proved otherwise. Or maybe it was just this specific movie, called The Grudge.

Right when the girl named Susan lifted the covers and saw a girl coming up to her, the door slammed open, and Mai yelped loud enough for me to close my eyes. Mello raised one eyebrow before he saw the television.

"Dipshit, you really afraid for that?" He directed to Mai, who had taken the defiant stance immediately. "Not everyone has a dysfunction in his brain for all that sugar, Mello."

"I'LL KILL YOU-"

"Mello! Don't be so rude!"

Ah great, Linda. Mai scrunched her nose at Mello, childishly agreeing with the brown haired girl. Mello scowled. "Linda, go screw a dog or something."

This caused an outrage from Linda and Mai, seeing both adored dogs. Heck, Mai even ordered me that if we ever got out of the orphanage and somehow turned to live together, I should buy her two dogs. Personally I didn't like animals very much, for you had to give them a lot of attention and love. I wasn't able to do that well, so it might be better to save the poor pet for a good owner instead of me. But if Mai would want two, I'd give them to her. She has attention in over-drive, so it might be good.

"That's it! I'm gonna tell Roger!" Linda shrieked, running out of the room. Somehow I also wonder how everyone always ends up in Mai's room.

Mello snarled. "No you're not! YOU JUST WAIT-" The door was slammed and Mello talked more muffled, not enough for me to hear.

Mai sighed. "Now the atmosphere of the movie is ruined!" She whined, crossing her arms as I stood up and turned the poor movie off. "There's really nothing to do in this stupid orphanage." She complained softly to herself and I twirl my hair, wondering if I should go back to my own room now or not.

She turned around and eyed me, smiling cheekily at me. "Oh well. I think I'm going to go outside… wanna come too?" It was a hopeless question, for she knew I was going to say no anyway. So when I shook my head she only grinned a little, before grabbing sneakers out of her closet. This, I took for a sign to leave for my own room. I didn't really needed to see how she bended over with that low-cut T-shirt just yet.

X-X

I haven't seen Mai all day yet, really. She had told me today was Ellen's birthday, so I think most girls nearly consumed one another for gossip, parties and god knows what girls do. I had been tempted to go and see her, but I let it rest. Who knows what they might do when a boy crushes in their slumber party. A slumber party from almost an entire day. Though I heard Matt got in. But Matt… maybe his relationship with the girls is just a little too good. That, and he always plans every party here in this orphanage. Well, the party from the children. The adults wouldn't allow him to plan a holiday.

After classes ended Mai hurried of in an enormous herd of females and as far as I know, the only sign they are still alive is the giggling and squealing coming from Ellen's room when someone happens to pass by.

I wonder if Mai was still as sad about her mom and brother as a month ago. I knew she still thought about it a lot and all, but I think she might be clearing up a little more. Which is why I choose to ignore her this day – so she can hang out with her friends more than usual. Even if it will cost me some hours of freedom, for she will probably have much to tell this evening. And in a few days she'll turn fifteen herself, which will probably be a big party too. And a party in her room, with secret opening to my room. God help me.

After I done the little homework I had left – most of it I made during class, while making notes too – it was already evening and time for dinner. Roger made it clear each of us were to attend the meals, even if you weren't hungry. If you were sick, you got to stay in your room, but that was one of the few exceptions.

The problem was that if you're not hungry and you need to go, you get a plate of food in front of you and out of boredom you'll start eating it anyway, which will result in a sort of sick feeling later. At least that's always what happened with me – but thankfully it was only soup this evening.

Even the girls were to attend the dinner, and they were all huddled in a corner, talking animatedly, but Mai glanced at me a little more than usual, and then she would giggle along with a girl I didn't really know the name off. It was easy to make the conclusion she'd been talking about me. And even if those clues weren't obvious, it would be deduced from that it was a girl's party. I knew enough of them to know they gossip, a lot. Tell secrets and all.

Not that this bothered me – why should it? It's not like it means trouble or something. Mello, however, found it deeply irritating. A majority of the girls had been glancing at him – most of them had a deep obsession with the leather-clad boy – and it annoyed the hell out of him Matt wouldn't tell him what the ruckus was about. Because, Matt knew everything that was going on there.

I decided on watching Mello act around while he tried to gain more information from Matt, who kept his mouth shut defiantly, with a daring grin on his face.

"Matt, tell me!" Mello said, narrowing his eyes dangerously. Matt shrugged playfully. "Maybe about the tightness of your pants?"

"FUCK-"

"Mello, leave Matty alone!"

Mello scowled at the girl group and animatedly started to eat his soup, glaring at it hardly. I had to say, this Mello bashing by the girls last couple of weeks was starting to get at least a little amusing.

He left as soon as the girls left, probably to spy on them. Matt only shook his head and got up at the same time as me, walking after them. Actually, I felt the urge to walk after them too, as well as probably every other uninvited kid here, but those instincts were quick forgotten and since I didn't have anything to do I'd go to the library.

I've read almost every book there, just like Mello, but sometimes I re-read some of them just because I had nothing to do. Sometimes I overlooked things, and it was interesting to see how the plot could change because of that.

The libraries were also pretty big. There were dozens of books, a few computers in a row, and also some tables and chairs for people to make homework. There was even a big screen for documentaries.

Around half past eleven the librarian told me to go to my room and I obliged quietly, as well as some other kids who were still hanging around here. If I was correct, Mai should be in her room now because Roger would never allow such a party to go on all night on a school-week.

"Mello, go away already." I heard from around a corner and I sighed, wondering what he was up to now. And, the voice also sounded like Mai's, so I had all reason to go and watch what was happening. Mello talked awfully soft, and it was quite impossible for me to hear. I heard some words like my name, one of my 'nick-names', her name, some random words like 'the' and 'one'.

I lean against the wall quietly and watch from a fair distance as Mello leans in and forcefully pressed his lips against Mai's.

This… should enrage me, should it not? Then why did I felt pity? Maybe a part in my mind knew that Mello only did this because he wanted to be even with me, to defeat me in more then just intellect, or he was just really desperate. And Mello would know that what he did was useless, he'd regret it later because he knew he mocked himself, but it didn't stop me from thinking Mello might not be the dear friend I thought him to be.

The look on Mai's face was already enough to hate Mello a little more, and when the blonde walked away quickly I didn't made it a fact I hid myself.

"I have her Mello." I murmur quietly, and I met his icy blue stare for a second. He ignores me, continues to walk, but I know it'll take him long before he'll forget about it, because I just won again. And maybe that sounds childish, but it's the truth.

To save Mai any embarrassment, I turn around and shuffle to my own room, deciding to just forget the entire topic. It'll only make her either angry or sad, and that wasn't my goal, really.