Chapter 21

"Lies"

"What'd he say?" Matt asked, as Kaori shut the door to the suite, setting her stuff down on a table and going over to sit by him on the sofa.

She gave a long sigh, and hesitated for moment, wondering how to say it. "Matt, he..."

"He's not going to do anything, is he?" Matt guessed.

When Kaori nodded, he shook his head. "I figured as much. I mean – I expected it."

"It's not right," Kaori said angrily. "He shouldn't be treating you this way."

"It's fine," Matt replied softly.

"He'll come around, I'm sure of it. Just give it time," Kaori said gently. "He does care about you, he just..."

"I know," Matt said. "You really don't have to do this."

"I'm sorry," Kaori replied. "About what happened."

"It isn't your fault. There's nothing you can do – especially if Mello has made up his mind. Just leave it be, that's all you can do."

"I'll talk to him again in a few days," she replied. "You can stay here as long as you like."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Matt..." Kaori began, but then stopped in mid-sentence. "Nothing. It's late – I'm going to bed, alright?"

He nodded. "Goodnight."

That night, Matt stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom, his hands shaking as they rested on the dresser. Tears silently slipped out of his eyes and dripped on his hands.

"I love you."

"Lies," he whispered, his hands tightly gripping the edge of the dresser.

"I'll always need you."

"Lies." His hands shook as he picked up the scissors resting on the table.

"You're the most important thing to me in the world."

"Lies." Slowly, he pressed the blade against his skin and drew it across his arm, creating a thin red line – fresh among the other scars scattered along his arm. "Lies, lies, lies, lies...."

His shoulders shook and the scissors dropped onto the floor.

Matt sat down and leaned against the foot of the bed, hugging his knees to his chest. The tears fell hot and fast down his face, as he began to sob, and he buried his face in his arms, his cries slightly muffled throughout the room.

-End of Chapter 21-

One of my reviewers, Salvi, commented saying that this chapter actually made her cry.... I was really surprised, I didn't think it would. Though I've had quite a few people comment and say my fics have made them cry, ahaha ;;

Matt has conflicting emotions now as well. He believes everything Mello told him must have been lies, because he seems to have forgotten about him so easily. And he reverts to hurting himself again.... ;;