The British Standard chapter 4
The following week started off the same. Margie walked over and rode to school with L and Watari. She realized they didn't live far and set up this plan. "This is really cool, L. You live with a great man." Margie said as they jump out of the car. L smiles "Yep, Watari's the best." Watari watches the two of them go into the school and then drives off.
Inside the school, the two run into trouble. "Ain't that sweet, L and Margie are…" Joey stopped when he saw L's face. "Gonna cry, huh?" L pushed Margie back "What did you say, Joey? Huh?" Joey keeps mocking him and L remembers what Watari said and grabs Margie's hand and goes down the hall. "L, you didn't punch him? You must be pretty brave." Margie says being pulled down the hall. "Margie, thank you." L starts crying his eyes out and they go down to their classroom. "Mr. Polini. Something's wrong with L. Joey just did something to him again." Then, Mr. Polini walks over and squats beside L. "Hey, L, what's wrong? You can tell me." L wipes his eyes "Nothing, Mr. Polini." Mr.Polini holds L's hand "Something's wrong. I can tell." L takes Mr.Polini's hand off his "It's nothing, ok." Mr. Polini stands back up "Well, it's time for class." Margie helped L to his feet and they walked in together.
At the beginning of class, Mr. Polini makes Joey sit in the back of the room. L just watches Mr. Polini at his desk.
At the end of the day, l runs out quickly and Margie follows. "Slow down, L." She says catching her breath. L stops "I don't want to run into Joey again." L sees Watari waiting for them and takes his time. Watari opens the door "L, Margie, how was your day?" Margie tells him about what happened and L just stays quiet.
L stays quiet until they reach home. "Margie, you want to come in?" L said getting out of the car. Margie nods "Will it make you feel better?" L nods and Watari opens the door.
Once they get in, they throw their bags on the floor and Watari sits down in a chair. L climbs onto his lap. "Margie, I think you may be making him stronger." Margie gets confused "Why, Watari?" Watari ruffles L's hair. "Because, he never had a friend like you before." L looks up at him "Go ahead and tell her. Maybe she'll understand." Watari smiles "Ok, L. Margie, L's parents died a few months ago. I think you might be helping him get over that." L nods at Margie "Do you see now, Margie?" She nods "A little. I never knew you went through so much, L." L jumps off Watari's lap "Watari, I feel better. Margie let's do our school work. Mr. Polini gave us a ton." Margie smiles "All right." Watari stands up "Ok, if you need anything, I'll be at the orphanage, ok." L and Margie nod. Then L jumps on the couch by Margie.
Watari walks down the hall and meets up with Josie. "Your turn, Josie. They're doing homework. Oh how's Near and Mello doing?" Watari asks passing through the door. "Oh, wonderful. Mello got chocolate over his work and no one can make it out. Near is still top of the class." Watari smiles "That's good. I'll see you later. I'll be working a bit later on some new papers, so you're going to have to get L ready for bed." Josie nods "Ok, see you later."
Josie walks into the living room "Hey L, Margie, did you do all your work?" L and Margie nod. Then Margie looks at the giant grandfather clock "Oh, gotta go, bye L." L waves as Margie grabs her bag and walks out the door. Josie sits by L "Father is working late, so why don't we go out to eat?" L looks at her "Sure that sounds good." L gets his shoes back on and they walk out the door.
They arrive at the restaurant and find a seat. L looks around and sees Joey and his mother coming towards him. "Hey, weirdo." Joey's mom looks down at him "Now, none of that , Joseph. Now apologize." Joey stares at L "Sorry, L. There I said it, can we go?" Josie turns to look at L "What happened, L?" Joey and his mother say godd-bye and leave the table. "Nothing, Aunt Josie."
They finish up and head back home. "L get ready for your bath. I have something to give you." L goes down to the bathroom and Josie comes in. L jumps in and finds his duck. He starts making quacking noises with it. Josie bends down "Here, I found this to go with your duck." She holds out a rubber swan. L takes it "That's cute, Aunt Josie. Now Mr. Quack has a friend." Josie smiles and starts soaping him up. She thinks "What happened today? I'll ask father when he comes back." She rubs over L's scars and he twitches. "Aunt Josie, that tickles." L says washing the soap off.
Josie helps L out of the slippery tub and into his night shirt. L places the new swan by his duck. "There, she looks pretty nice there." Josie says opening the door. L jumps and shuts the light off. Then they go to L's room. Josie lifts L up onto the bed. "Now, whatever happened today, just forget about it, L." L nods and holds his blanket close. Josie rubs his head and he falls asleep. Josie shuts off the light and closes the door.