A/N: Hi, guys! I hope you'll all sit tight for a few chapters…for the boring stuff. The first few chapters don't exactly have a lot of action in them…but there will be violence and spookiness later. You have been warned. Oh…and the M rating? Probably won't take effect for awhile. It's just in case…
Disclaimer: I don't own L….or Light.
After chemistry, L managed to survive the rest of the day at school, without Light's help. He wasn't trying to be rude. He just didn't want to seem helpless. He didn't need someone to lead him to every one of his classes. Light seemed a little hurt when L politely explained that he would be fine if Light would just leave him alone, but he backed off.
In sixth period, L ran into Matsuda. Or, more accurately, Matsuda ran into him. To Matsuda's delight and L's chagrin, they were paired together for badminton. Matsuda was an utter failure. He always wanted to jump in, even when it wasn't the right moment. Several times, he had jumped in front of L to take a swing at the birdie and then miss spectacularly. L had quickly learned to duck.
Matsuda followed L after P.E., vigorously apologizing for all the times he had almost hit L with the racket. "I-I'm so sorry. I-I know I'm not any good at it. I just get so competitive, you know?"
"It's fine," L mumbled.
"No, it's not fine. I almost hit you, didn't I?"
"Several times, Matsuda-kun," L drawled. He wanted badly to get home. The gates were just ahead.
Matsuda sighed. "I'm really, really sorry. It won't happen again."
"I'll be sure to be alert for gym class tomorrow," L muttered. "I will see you tomorrow, Matsuda-kun."
"Are you sure you're okay? I didn't hit your head, did I? Want me to drive you home?" Matsuda's face was twisted in anguish.
"I'm fine," L assured him. "Quit acting like you put my life in danger."
Matsuda wrung his hands anxiously. "But I could have."
L turned his back to him and ignored that last outburst. He walked slowly home.
When he arrived home, Watari was busy in his workshop. L was grateful that Watari didn't hover over him and ask him how his day had gone. Perhaps he knew that he took after his father, who liked quiet.
L settled in his bedroom. He had a double bed with an oaken headboard and old flannel sheets. L suspected that Watari had given him his father's old room. But it didn't matter. L looked wistfully at the ancient television set standing in one corner. He doubted it would even work. Well, maybe it was for the best. His mother had always complained that he watched too much television.
L easily finished all his schoolwork for the next day and began reading through the required books he had not yet read. The teacher had tried to send L home with all the book on the list until he proved to her that he had already practically memorized Shakespeare's collected works. She sent him home with three slim novels. L had started on the third book when he realized it was getting late outside. The lighting in his room was dim, the light flickering at times. It was best to read by daylight. With a heavy sigh, L shut his book. Tomorrow, then.
L pulled back the covers of his bed. The sheets smelled dusty, but he could put up with that. He had no allergies and he didn't get sick very easily. The sooner he got to bed, the sooner he could sleep. He hated staying awake with nothing to do. Maybe tomorrow he would buy a flashlight so he could stay up and read past dark.
Sleep had never come easily for L. Even when he was tired, it usually took him hours of lying in bed before he actually drifted off to sleep. However, he was surprised to find his eyes drifting shut almost as soon as he climbed into bed.
L's dreams were hazy. The only clear thing he could recall was Light Yagami. The surroundings were faded, but Light stood out clearly, his golden eyes pleading with him. "Ryuuzaki, I'm your friend, right? You won't even tell me your real name? Is it that big of a deal?"
L tried to speak, tried to tell Light. Under that golden stare, he was powerless. But his tongue seemed heavy. He couldn't get out the word.
Light's expression hardened and he bared his teeth in anger. "You're forcing my hand," Light growled. "I will-"
L woke with a start. Someone was lightly tapping on his bedroom door. "L? You have a friend here to see you."
L groggily recognized his grandfather's voice. "Yes, yes, in a minute," L said wearily. He glanced at the clock hung on one wall. It was almost time for him to head to school.
L threw on some clothes and headed downstairs. Light was sitting in the kitchen, cheerfully sipping a cup of coffee.
L raised an eyebrow.
Light smiled tranquilly. "Good morning, L. I thought I would walk with you to school today."
"I do not need help," L said firmly. "I found all of my classes without your help."
Light shrugged. "I just thought I'd help. I could catch you up on what we covered before you started school here."
L stared at him. 'Why are you making an effort to do this?"
"Just being friendly I guess." Light set the coffee cup to the side of the sink and looked L over. "You're wearing the same thing as yesterday? Is that your lucky sweater?"
"I was not wearing this yesterday," L disagreed.
"Yes, yes you were. White sweater and jeans. Seriously, if that's all you have I could always take you to the little shop right outside town. I could buy you some more sweaters."
L shook his head. "No thank you, Light-kun. I have plenty of sweaters. They just all happen to be white."
Light laughed, seeming completely at home in Watari's kitchen. He lounged against the counter. "Well, it looks like I need to take you shopping. White isn't a very practical color."
L frowned. "I'm fine, Light-kun."
Light coked his head to one side. "You know, you don't need to do that anymore. This is America."
L blinked. "Do what?"
"Call me Light-kun. We don't do that here. So, how long were you living in Japan to pick up that habit?"
L shrugged. "I was there last year. We moved extensively. I've been to England, France, China, Germany, and Australia."
Light laughed again. "Quit bragging."
"I'm not." L stared at him steadily. "My parents always acted like they were running from something. We never stayed in one place long before I woke to my mother's terrified screams. Once my mother was frightened, we moved on. She would be content there for maybe a month before terror gripped her again."
"So, you moved around a lot because your mother had nightmares?" Light was skeptical.
L sighed. "I do not know what she was terrified of, but my father believed her terrors to be real. Perhaps Mikami was right. Even after she moved out of this town, the house still haunted her."
Light shifted uneasily. "I…well, it's getting time to go to school."
L nodded solemnly. He grabbed a chocolate chip cookie off the counter and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"That's your breakfast?" Light stared at L as if he was eating a sock.
"I can eat whatever I want in my house," L said innocently.
"Of course you can," Light said soothingly. "Whatever you want to eat, whatever you want to wear. It's just odd, that's all."
L delicately nibbled on his cookie as he walked out the door. Watari was already hard at work and didn't even say good-bye.
Light was smiling indulgently at L as L ate. The walk to school was only about two blocks, after they had gone down the hill, and it took L half a block to finish his cookie. But Light didn't stop staring at him.
"Why do you insist on accompanying me to school?" L asked.
Light's expression became filled with fake innocence. "I'm trying to protect you from the curse."
"Firstly, I do not believe in curses. Secondly, I am not living in this supposedly cursed house. Thirdly, I would take care of any supernatural events without your help."
"You have a grudge against me or something?" Light asked, a slight strain to his smile.
"I wish to be left alone, anonymous. Please stop trying to help."
Light shrugged. "If you say so. Just don't let the curse get you. I'll feel bad."
L's eyes narrowed. "Superstitions do not sit well with me. If you insist on being my friend, you will have to cease that sort of talk immediately."
Light frowned as L started walking ahead of him, ignoring the rest of Light's attempts to start a conversation.
L breezed through his first three classes, ignoring Light's attempt to get him to sit beside him in Calculus. As the bell rang for lunch, L headed over to the oak tree to sit and finish reading his novel, and was annoyed to find Light sitting in his spot, smiling beatifically at him.
"Light, I have told you that I wish to be left alone," L said firmly.
Light waved it off. "I know, I know. But you said we could be friends if I stopped talking about the curse." He grinned. "I won't mention it again., okay?"
"I am not a sociable person," L ground out. "I do not want friends who refuse to stop following me around like a puppy."
Light patted the ground next to him and smiled. "Just sit by me for a second. I won't make you come to the table if you don't want. Mikami is a pill sometimes. But just try to understand one thing…"
"Yes?" L inquired. He was feeling hazy and relaxed again. He was starting to wobble.
"Sit down," Light implored.
L sank into the grass and gazed at Light in confusion.
"Now, what is it that you dislike about people?"
"Don't trust them," L mumbled.
"Why?"
"Because…" L gazed at Light blankly. "People can be mean. They dislike my name."
"And what is your name?"
"It's supposed to be a secret," L said in a hushed tone, his eyes wide. "Dad told me never to tell anyone I didn't trust."
"And you don't trust me?"
L shook his head cheerfully. "Not yet."
Light looked away. "You're awfully cautious," he muttered.
L blinked, trying to gather his thoughts. "What?"
"You're so reserved. You don't want anyone to get close to you. What are you so afraid of?" Light still wasn't looking at him.
L followed his gaze to see Misa smiling and waving for a distance. Mikami and Matsuda were already sitting at the table, space between them saved for Light.
"Go sit with them," L urged. "You belong with them."
"You won't come with me?"
"Why are you trying so hard to be my friend? You don't need me. You have plenty of friends already."
"But none like you." Light flashed him a hopeful smile.
L rolled his eyes. "I'm only a novelty now because I am new. Once that wears off, you will be itching to be rid of me. Please take my advice now and don't bother."
Light was puzzled. "Why would I ditch you?"
"Look, why are you so interested in befriending me if I don't want to be your friend?"
Light smirked. "You're a challenge. I like challenges. It gets boring when everyone flocks to you. Popularity is a pain. I like the quiet ones I have to work on."
L scowled. "I am not your friend and I will not become your friend. Now please leave me alone."
"Okay, okay," Light rose to his feet and put his hands up defensively. "No need to get upset. I'm going, okay?"
Light walked over to his table, glancing back over his shoulder once, as if to see if L had changed his mind. But L continued glaring at him and Light slowly walked over to his table.
L sighed contentedly and returned to his novel. Everything was now as it should be.