The pain became unbearable. Without Mello, Matt suddenly felt washed up, boring, and lame. Keri refused to speak to him, the other students figured he wasn't a good person, and he couldn't even turn to Mello. Mello wasn't just another 'mouth'; how stupid could Matt have been to stay that? He saved his game, unwilling to play anymore. His bed welcomed him, promising some type of comfort. For the first time in his life, at fourteen, Matt thought he might have been too young.
He sniffed softly, reaching for his pack of cigarettes on his night table. Too exhausted, or ashamed (he couldn't tell), to show his face, he sparked his lighter and took a long drag. The numbing effects of nicotine immediately cleared his head. He began to contemplate how he would apologize to Mello.
Suddenly, someone knocked at his door. He stood up, smashing his cigarette into the bottom of his shoe.
"Hey," Matt smiled at a scowling Mello standing in his doorway.
"I'm not going to forgive you," Mello announced. "But, Christ I'm bored."
