I'm so happy people are actually enjoying this :3
But that means I have to type more soon x333 Not now, though. I just finished my whole English essay in one sitting. It was on Edgar Allen Poe =w= So.... this chapter has some stuff in it
(she can't remember what happens)
Matt... eats.... one bite of normal food :3
And, I find it nessisary to mention that the stories original titles was supposed to be read: Slender Threads (of things to treasure) and that the name is from lyrics from a Dashboard Confessional song.
Love,
kyo
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You're dismissed for lunch." The teacher announced. Everyone immediately stirred around, either heading out to go to the cafeteria or to eat a packed lunch or bentou - depending on their nationality. I shifted to my feet, stretching, before throwing a look back. Matt was uncomfortably squirming in his seat while Linda sat next to him, chatting in his ear. I smirked, debating with the idea of leaving him, before walking back to him.
"Come on," I started.
"Zip it, Mello." Linda stuck out her tongue. "I can't believe you. Look at poor Matty. You freakin' split his lip!" She bit.
I frowned, but didn't have a solid argument. Matt was staring down at his desk, not meeting any eyes. "Fine, fine, whatever." I shrugged, ready to leave. Matt's head snapped up to look at me. "Come if you want." I offered, walking towards the door. I could hear his seat push back before he suddenly had my arm in his hands and clung to it. I let him until we got to the hall, where I shook him off. "God, Matty, grow a spine will ya? Tell Linda to fuck off if she's annoying you." I snapped. He put his hands behind his back.
"Sh-she... Linda wasn't bad." He murmured. "She doesn't like you, though. And she totally thinks you abuse me." He scuffed his feet across the floor.
"What?! You didn't even correct her?!"
"I-I-I-!" He stuttered.
"Nevermind." I waved my hand. "Let's just eat."
"Oh... can I go to the room?" He bowed his head.
"What, so you can have a tv dinner for lunch? No way."
He frowned. "No, I wanna have a smoke. I haven't since you moved in."
"And it's staying that way." I growled.
He pouted. "I'll tell everyone you raped me."
"Then I'll tell everyone that you're in love with me and you only wished I did." We glared at each other for a long second, but he crumbled quicker.
"Please? Just one smoke? You wont have to deal with the smell or anything. It'll air out by the time you go back to the room." He begged. "Pleeeeeeeease?! I'll do anything!"
"Anything, huh?" I grinned. He swallowed hard and nodded quickly. "I'll keep that in mind. Okay, you can go, then. But you bettershow up for class after. And you're eating dinner at the cafeteria, too. Got it? And that doesn't count as my "anything" wish. It's an order."
He nodded before, really suddenly, wrapping his arms around my neck and hugging me. I froze until he let go and bowed his head. "Thank you so much, Mello! You're the best!" He lifted his head to smile at me. Somehow I felt like I had lost some sort of battle, and it pissed me off. But I smiled back without even thinking. Before I could get another word in edge-wise, he was already making his way down the hall to the nearest staircase. I went to the cafeteria, feeling defeated. I ordered whatever caught my eye first and sat down, knowing I wasn't going to get a bite before someonecame to bug me. So I took a hurried spoonful of the chicken curry and tried to get it to my mouth.
"Mello!" Linda plunked herself down next to me.
"Fuck." I muttered, setting the full spoon down. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
"You think I'm gonna scold you?" She smirked as Toya and Jeret sat behind her.
"Yes. And... is one missing?" I noted.
She threw a glance back. "Oh, you mean Erity? She's sick." That's who it was. Linda's roommate, Erity, the smartest of her gang, rank-wise. She had been 5th the last time I'd checked, which was a while ago. Now after Kousuke's death or disappearance or leave or whatever, she might have been bumped up to 4th. I wonder if she saw Matt as a rival, like I did Near. Did she hate him? "Not the point, my dear Mel." I frowned. "And I'm not gonna yell at you. Not just yet. I want your side of the story - since Matt doesn't have a side. The boy wont talk. Does he hate me or something?" She rolled her eyes. I had an uncontrollable urge to say "yes," but I bit my tongue. "So you tell me. Why did you hit him?"
"For the record, he did hit back." I bit. She examined me. "I know I don't look it. Not my fault he's weak. But it hurt when he was hitting me."
"Want sympathy? He's a computer geek. Of course he can't hurt you as much as you can him. You took martial arts classes, Mello." She tsked. "So why'd you attack him now?"
"My ribs are bruised." I defended, before realizing I was fighting a losing battle and gave up. "And we just got into a fight. It's none of your business. Can I eat now?"
"I'm making it my business." She announced. "So tell me what happened."
"Fuck that." I bit. "What makes you think you can make it your business?"
"'Cause Matty's such a cutie~!" She squeed. I grimaced back. "And you hurt his pretty-boy face, asshole. So start explaining or I'll sick the fan base on you."
"Fan base?" I muttered back. "You're kidding?" I hoped.
"Not in the least. Maybe you, as a guy, can't properly admire it, but Matty's fiiiine." She nodded.
"Wait, Linda, is that really why we're here? 'Cause I'm hungry and... don't care about this subject." Jeret interjected.
"Yeah, I wanna eat lunch, too." Chubs added.
Linda waved her hand, shooing them off. "Mello, though, isn't allowed to eat until I have an explanation. And a vow that it'll never happen again." She smiled sweetly at me. "Matty's anti-social," she added, and her subordinates scurried off, "but a different kind than you, Mel. You're a more haphazard, accidental anti-social. I mean, it's not like you shy away from crowds, in fact you like being the centre of attention, am I right?" She smirked. I sighed back, knowing I wasn't going to eat for a while. "You don't hide, but people shy away from you. No doubt because you're violent and use brute force to plow your way through obstacles."
"Why does it sound like you aren't making this analysis off the top of your head?"
"You doubt me?" She gasped. I gave her a look. "Okay, so I got it all from Jeret. But you're getting off track again. Matty's different from you. He avoids people all together and shys away from company. And I'm sure sadistic you might see this as a perfect opportunity to use him as a lackey. He's smart, a quick learner, obedient and if he doesn't listen, you're stronger. But, Mello, I'm serious when I say," she looked me straight in the eye.
"I think you've got this all wrong." I waved my hand dismissivly. "It was just one fight. I'm not going to use and abuse him, believe me. He's the laziest person on the face of the planet. And I don't want to ever fight him again. You and I both know I'm already in deep shit." I sighed. "And now can I eat?"
She smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess. You sound sincere." She offered.
Without any warning or a word, Matt showed up, sat himself down across from me and - using my spoon - took a bite of my lunch. "Ga-! Fuck you!" I pounded my fist against the table, but Matt didn't even flinch. He set the spoon back on my plate and shrugged.
"Too spicy." He decided. "And the rice was over-cooked."
"You live off microwavable noodles! You don't have the right to denounce the cafeteria staff's cooking." I bit. He smiled back at me. Linda giggled, jumping to her feet.
"So, Mel, it's decided then? You and Matt'll come over to study tonight after dinner? And to wish Erity your best, of course." She grinned.
"What?!"
"Good. See you two then!" She waved.
"We're studying?" Matt mused after she had skipped off.
"No!" I snapped.
"I thought you liked studying." He cocked his head.
"Not with Linda. No thank you."
"Well, it's only polite. You promised, after all." I opened my mouth to argue. He held up his hand. "I know, Mello. You didn't. But it's the thought that counts. And we have to wish Erity a...." He trailed off.
"She's sick." I urged.
"We have to wish Erity a get well soon, then." He nodded.
"People say you don't like being around people, but I find that hard to believe." I muttered.
"Who said so?" His voice sounded suddenly serious.
"Everyone." I mumbled in between taking a bite of my curry. It was spicier than usual, but I couldn't tell if the rice was over-cooked or not. It seemed perfectly normal. He didn't utter another word, just watched me carefully while I ate. I looked up, but he didn't avert his eyes. I still couldn't tell what colour his eyes were through the orange tint. "If you're hungry, order food." I muttered. He shook his head and turned his attention out the nearest window. Watching his profile for a brief minute, I went back to eating.
Matt wasn't bad looking. I mean, he was a little strange looking, between his striped attire, the goggles and crimson-coloured hair. But that was it, he was just an odd-ball, not ugly or anything. No, maybe he wasn't just "not bad looking." Maybe he was even "good looking." Maybe he was sort of "handsome." Tousled hair; smooth, pale skin; boyish looks; thin, lean body; and you couldn't see his eyes or, really, anything above his nose, but you could tell he had a nice face, full lips.
I shook my head a little, snapping myself out of my sudden analysis. Okay, so he was okay-maybe-good looking. But was he really fan base worthy? I mean, really? How many people could admire Matt that much? Were there people who would really have the time to notice all those little perfections of his between striving to be number one? Well, you know, aside from myself. I didn't count, right? I mean, I'd be living with him, after all. And my analysis could be- er, is purely to help myself be number one. I had to detail him, after all. Because no matter how innocent he seemed, he was still 3ird. Still an enemy. An opponent. A threat.