As Matt had predicted an hour after Mello had left Mich and the rest of his gang were brought into the infirmary on stretchers. Song glanced up from checking a dark purple bruise on Matt's arm when the unconscious gang entered.

"Mello." Matt said with a smile.

"That does indeed have Mello written all over it." Song sighed, setting down Matt's arm and going to assist Nurse. Yppils as the old woman began to bandaged Mich's re-broken nose. Matt tried to keep a straight face as he watched the nurse and the nurse in-training wrap the four boy in casts and band-aids.

When Mello entered an hour or so later Matt couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips. The movement sent a shot of pain through his ribcage and he winced. Mello leaned against the wall next to Matt's bed and smirked as he looked at the four boys.

"I think you went a little over bored Mels." Song sighed, wiping her forehead as she joined them. Matt glanced at Mello and saw his eyes flash with annoyance. At least Song couldn't call him Mels without irritating him too.

"How long till they recover?" Matt asked, grinning toward the groaning boys. Song glared at him "You might think it's funny but it means a lot more work for us."

"I only asked, chill." Matt raised his arms defensively. Song sniffed hotly and continued to examine his arm, non to gently. Mello raised his eyebrows "Song, I think you making the damage worse."

Song looked up at his from below her curled lashes "Why do you care?"

Mello narrowed his eyes "Your a nurse do your job."

Song didn't response but her grip did loosen on Matt's arm. Matt saw that her eyes had become misty with tears. Mello didn't seem to have noticed nor cared.

"I've got work to do." Mello muttered after a while.

With that, he pushed off the wall and with one last look at Matt left the infirmary with a sweep of his blonde hair. Song watched him go, her lips turning down into a scowl. She glared down at Matt and squeezed his arm tightly. Matt hissed in pain.

"I want you to listen to me very carefully Matt." Song leaned toward him, her eyes wet and angry. Matt nodded, gasping as the pressure increased on his arm.

"Mello has never and will never care about you. I don't know what game your playing but leave Mello alone before I snap your arm." Song hissed, releasing Matt's arm. Matt held the limb close to his chesk and glared at the girl "What is your problem? Are you metal unstable?"

"Shut up. Your mouth is going to get you in serious trouble one day." Song muttered, making a note on his clipboard. Matt scowled "Funny, I remember Mich saying something like that to be me once."

"Then I suggest you listen! Mello loves me and me alone. If Roger hadn't asked him to look after you then you would have been thrown out long ago!" Song turned away with a flurry of black hair and stocked through the door leading off of the white room. Matt stared after her, thinking. Was what she said true? Did Mello really not care? Had Mello just taken Matt to town because Roger had made him? Did he even care if Matt was hurt? Was he only here because of Song? Questions swirled around Matt's brain, mocking and taunting him.

Matt's throat choked up and he buried himself in his blankets. Maybe that was the reason. Now that Matt thought about it he wondered why he had ever thought anything different. Mello hated everyone. Expect Song it seemed.

Mello had fought the gang because of his family, not Matt. He had come to see Song and Matt had just happened to be there. Maybe this was where Mello always was when he wasn't at room thirteen.

"Fool." Matt muttered to himself, curling a hand around his pillow. He shut his eyes tightly, a tear tracing down his cheek only to be lost in a strand of red hair. Matt practically forced sleep to come. Anything was better then realty.

Even the nightmare that came for the first time in almost a month.

The only thing that changed was that Matt had lost all will to scream for his life as his parents loomed over him. He had no one to scream to. Even in the broom closest that night he hadn't felt so alone.

…

"You'll be able to return to your normal activities this afternoon." Song smiled with sickening sweetness. Matt nodded and took the crutches she had offered him. His cracked ribs were still healing and his bruises were still yellow but his uninjured leg was fine so the head nursed decide to set him free with a warning to be careful.

Matt practiced with the crutches while Song looked on with her false smile. He was getting better although he still fell from time to time.

"You have a lot of classwork to caught up on." Song smirked as she watched him "I heard it was dropped off at your dorm."

"Fantastic." Matt muttered, trying to ignore the girl's gloating tone. Mich and his gang still hadn't woken up and it had already been five days. They were going to survive as the head nurse put it but they would be in the infirmary for at least a month. Mello had visited twice since the gang had been brought in. Both times Matt pretended to be asleep. Song seemed very happy with the situation and Matt dreaded going back to room thirteen where he wouldn't be able to avoid Mello.

Evening arrived and Song walked with him through the halls and toward the dorms.

"You've been doing good so far." Song smiled and Matt knew she wasn't talking about his physical condition. Matt didn't response as they turned a corner and walked past the dining hall. Matt tried not to look at Song's smug face and was almost relieved when he opened room thirteen's door. Almost.

"Hey." Mello greeted without looking up from his homework. Matt looked at his own bed and saw a stack of paper and a couple novels for English. Matt plopped down on his bed and lay the crutches on the floor next to it. He stared his homework without a word to Mello who gave no sign of noticing.

Matt sorted out all of his computer homework and sharpened a fresh pencil. They worked in silence, Matt tried to concentrate as Mello cursed quietly from his bed. The blonde was almost done and Matt didn't looked up with Mello began closing his books and shoving them into his bag.

"Are you staying up longer?" Mello asked.

Matt ignored the question and stared down at his paper.

"Matt?"

"Yes." Matt answered coldly and put the paper on his finished pile and picked up the next sheet without looking at the blonde. He strained his ears as he worked, listening as Mello let out a sigh and pulled his covers over him. His breathing slowly changed into a heavier rhythm and Matt guessed he was asleep. Matt sighed and pushed his goggles up away from his face. He rubbed his baggy eyes and yawned widely. Still a lot of work left to do. Thank god it was Saturday. Matt pulled an all night and managed to finish all his computer homework and read three chapters in his novel for English. He felt like a zombie when he heard Mello stirring in the bed across from his.

Matt didn't look up from page fifty in his book as he heard Mello yawn and stand. The blonde didn't say anything as he walked into the bathroom for his morning shower.

Matt scribbled down an answer on his answer sheet as he read another paragraph. Another eight chapters and he would be caught up in the book. He dragged on into chapter four, seven left, Chapter five, six left, Chapter si- Matt's head fell to his pillow with a cushioned thump. A light snore sounded in his throat. The book flopped onto the floor on it's hundredth page.

Matt was to tired to dream.

…

Sunday arrived and Matt had to pry his face away from his pillow. Harden spit clung to his mouth and his goggles had fallen to the floor. Matt pushed them back on his face and looked around groggily.

Mello wasn't in his bed or anywhere to be seen. Probably off with Song. Matt snatched up his book with more force then necessary. He bit his pencil as he checked the chapter length. Ten pages. Not bad. He forced himself to focus and ignore the empty bed across from him. Matt stopped after three pages when a big love scene started. He cursed silently and turned to good old math.

It was better but not by much. At least the algebraic fractions and coordinate planes didn't start making out. Matt got through ten sheets of homework before his sanity began to be in question. His stomach thundered and he reached down to collect his crutches.

He carefully swung his legs over the bed's edge and stood on his good leg. He placed the wooden crutches on the carpet and began to hobble toward the door. Before he reached it however it opened and Mello stepped in. Mello pushed the door open wider before he stepped around Matt and headed toward the bathroom.

Matt looked at the floor as Mello passed then limped out of the door and managed to close it behind him. He slowly made his way toward the kitchen ready to eat a horse. The cooks recognized him at once and happily put together a lunch for him. He gratefully ate the sandwich at the empty dinner table and sucked down his punch like he hadn't eaten in years. He sat there for a time, not wanting to return to room thirteen.

"Matt! There you are!"

Matt looked up from the dark wood of the table to watch Lily run toward him. He smiled "Hi Lily."

"How are you feeling?" Lily asked at once, plopping down next to him. Matt shrugged "Fine I guess."

"Ugh I hate crutches." Lily made a face when she saw the long sticks of wood. Matt raised an eyebrow "Have you broken you leg before?"

"Ankle."

"I see."

"So what's the over all damage?" Lily tilted her head, looking curious.

"Broken leg, three broken ribs, bruise all over and a tooth gone. Luckily it was a baby tooth." Matt thought, counting off all the things Madam. Yppils had told him. Matt chewed on the rim of his cup while Lily was silent.

"Something bothering you?" Matt asked through the plastic. Lilly gave a half shrug half nod "Hey Matt, you know that day that you came to breakfast with the gash on your forehead and the swollen cheek?"

Matt nodded, how could he forget? The day he had first thought Mello might have cared. It seemed nothing more but a childish wish now.

"Did Mich do that to you?" Lilly continued, her eyes boring into Matt's.

"Yeah." Matt muttered, setting the blue cup down on his empty plate. Lily nodded like he had confirmed her suspicion and she rose, handing him his crutches. He balanced on one crutch while he stationed the other carefully under his other arm. He really couldn't waste time just sitting there.

He still had the dreaded avalanche of homework to do. Lily skipped along side him as he hobbled back toward the dorms.

"I've got like a boat load of homework." Matt complained as they walked, trying to concentrate on his feet as he went. Lily gave him a sympathetic look "That sucks, I hate injuries!"

"Do you think you could help me with some of it?" Matt asked hopefully as a window of opportunity opened.

"Ugh sorry, my roommate is using me as her guinea pig for art class." Lily looked honestly sorry "She wouldn't let me back out!"

Matt laughed "Good luck."

"Same to you!" Lily replied as she slipped into her room. Matt could just see her orange haired roommate, waiting with paint brush in hand. Ominous...

Okay. Some luck would be wonderful for Matt at this point. Was it possible for him to be lucky enough not to have to sit in the same room with Mello? But of course, no such...luck.

Mello was sprawled on his bed, scribbling furiously on a piece of blank paper and biting into a bar of chocolate like he was gritting his teeth as he did so. Matt sat down at the foot of his bed and began his work without a second look at Mello. He was afraid that if looked at him to much he would start to hope. That Mello really did care and that he enjoyed being with Matt even if they were both just working.

"...Hey Matt?"

Matt didn't response as he sorted through his math homework. Heart pounding.

"Matt."

Matt wanted so much to look up. To answer the voice that had barely ever called him.

"Matt, I need your help."

Matt's head snapped up, his heart lurching, to meet Mello's icy eyes. Mello was holding a sheet of paper.

His computer homework.

Matt's spirits sank like a weight in water.

"Let me see." Matt muttered, trying to keep the bite out of his voice. Mello handed him the paper and Matt sent it back at him within seconds, answer written. Mello sighed "Thanks Matt."

Matt didn't replied, he was afraid his voice would crack.

...

Matt worked late into the night again while Mello slept. He used the lamp light to read and he finally forced his way through ever cheesy and gooey love scene. He was impressed with the amount of work he had managed to finish in two days as he stacked his unfinished work on the ground and his finished pile next to it.

He fell back against his pillows with a sigh, his eyelids already half closed. He looked over at Mello who had been sleeping for a while already. The blonde was on his back, his hair had fallen away from his face. His eyes were closed and his body limp.

Matt sighed and rolled over to look at the opposite wall. He felt his eyes prick. Maybe it was better that Song had told him now. Instead of waiting till Matt was old enough to survive without a babysitter. It hurt now, when Matt had only know Mello for a month. Image if someone had told him years from now.

"Good night Mello." Matt whispered, barely loud enough for himself to hear "Good night."

(Encase there is confusion: Matt repeated Good night. Mello didn't answer.)

…

Monday came and Matt discovered that Mello had replaced the old destroyed alarm clock with a new one. This one beeped and was even more irritating then it's former. Mello seemed to think so too because he slammed it with growing force as he missed the snooze button in his random flailing. Matt sat up, glaring at the beeping machine.

Mello soon just took the device and threw it across the room without lifting his head.

Matt's lips twitched upward and he let out a huge yawn that hurt his jaw. Mello groaned from his bed and rolled over, his eyelids opening to reveal tired looking blue orbs. His mouth stretched open in a yawn of his own and he rubbed his eyes. He stood up and tossed his straw hair over his shoulder as he walked toward the bathroom.

Matt buzzed out a breath and pushed his goggles up on his head. He ran a hand through his hair and thought out his shower strategy. He decided to just wing it and try not to fall when Mello came out. Toweled hair and dressed, Matt quickly shoved his goggles down and jumped into the bathroom.

Matt somehow managed not to fall down in the shower but he did fall on his way out. He grabbed the doorknob in time however to avoid damaging his leg any further. He dressed carefully and hopped out of the bathroom. He used the one crutch which he had left outside the door to get to his bed.

Mello was already gone, no surprise there. Matt had taken longer than usual and it's not like Mello waited for the red-head. Matt lazily combed his hair and straighten his goggles. He closed the dorm door just as Lily called his name. She was waiting by her dorm for him, smiling and waving. Matt limped over to her and she looked him up and down "Well you lived through a shower."

"Barely." Matt chuckled as they began to walk toward the dining hall. They were the only ones in the hall which was a relief.

"How's your homework going?" Lily asked and Matt shrugged "Well I think I'm making good progress. Two weeks in a infirmary starts to wear down one's sanity."

"So does leftover oatmeal." Lily made a face as they stepped into the dining room "God that's the third time this week."

"Better than porridge."

"I beg to differ."

Matt took his sat and sniffed at the lumpy gray colored stuff in his bowl. It smelled more edible than it looked but Matt was wary as he filled his spoon with oatmeal.

"Cheers." Lily muttered, raising her own spoon. They both stuck the utensils into their mouths. Faces already cringing before the food touched their tongues.

"Matt."

Matt choked as a voice sounded right by his ear, accompany by a cold breath. Matt pounded on his chest, coughing and spluttering while Lily clapped him on the back. He choked down some of his pumpkin juice and breathed heavily as he turned to see who was asking to be strangled.

It was Near.

Crap.

"What is it Near?" Matt asked, his throat burning and his voice hoarse.

"I just wanted to inform Lily that Rogar has assigned her to help you to your classes. Carry your books and supplies." Near said, all emotion drained from his voice. Lily nodded, smiling "That's fine. Thank you Near."

Near didn't answer but turned to quickly shuffle out of the room. Eyes followed him till he was out of sight.

"He doesn't eat breakfast either?" Matt asked, daring to take another bite of oatmeal. Lily shook her head "Him and Mello never have. Well not with us anyway."

"Any idea why?"

"Nope," Lily made a face as she licked her spoon clean " they are the top two students in the class. But I don't think you can take classes this early in the morning."

Matt gave up on his breakfast when he bit into something crunchy in his oatmeal. He pushed the bowl away and carefully rose. Lily handed him his crutches.

"Thanks. You know for agreeing to help me and stuff." Matt grinned as he carefully balanced. Lily smiled "No problem, well I guess we should go get your stuff before the bell rings."

"You don't want to finish you oatmeal?"

Lily punched his shoulder and he wince but laughed.

"I don't have a bag, just to warn you. I've been meaning to get one but... yeah, been in the infirmary for two weeks." Matt limped through the hall with Lily beside him. She disappeared into her dorm to get her stuff while Matt continued on to room thirteen. Mello wasn't there. Matt scowled and hobbled over to his bed.

"Is he in there?" Lily called from outside the room and Matt had to hold back a laugh as he answered "No!"

Lily slipped warily into the room. She crossed quickly over to where Matt waited. Matt pointed at his finished pile with his crutch "That's all I got done."

"Impressive." Lily whistled, bending over to scoop up the books and papers. Matt watched her, making sure she could handle the weight.

"Let's go." She muttered, obviously wanting to avoid Mello. Once Matt would have teased her, but now he too wanted to avoid the blonde.

They made there way slowly toward class. Lily stopped to readjust her grip every ten steps or so. Matt heard the bell ring as they approached the science room. They were the first to arrive so they quickly claimed the seats in the back.

Matt stared out the window while two other students entered and took their seats. The sky was a blinding gray and Matt shivered, his ribs wining in protest. He could see the window was open barely an inch, he sighed. His crutches were out of reach where Lily had put them and the girl in question was chatting with a black-haired boy that looked around Mich's age.

"Good afternoon class. Matt you don't have to rise." Ms. Resneps said without preamble as she entered. Matt had half jumped up only to stagger around on one foot to keep his balance.

"Pavel is late." Ms. Resneps said without looking up from her attendant's sheet. The Russian boy who's parents had been obsessed with something called Startrek was usually late and almost always had to stay after to clap erasers. Matt found it fun to make Pavel say stuff with his accent.

(Disclaimer)

"Sorry!" Pavel gasped, rushing in and almost tripping over West's outstretch foot. Pavel practically dived into his chair with his books still in his arms.

"Good of you to join us." Ms. Resneps muttered while the class snickered. Pavel's face went scarlet and he quickly hide it behind his book. Class was as normal as ever. Ms. Resneps gave Matt next Monday as a deadline for his work.

Same with the rest of his teachers expect for Mrs. Mik who ruffled his hair when he told her he had finished. She secretly gave him a lollipop and he happily licked it as he made his way through the hall. Lily, holding his books, behind him.

….

Tuesday

….

Wednesday

….

Thursday

…..

Friday:

"Did you see Pavel's face?" Lily asked, laughing at the memory.

"He looked like a tomato!" Matt agreed chuckling along with her. Pavel had been late... again. His face had burned a bright red...again when he had, once again, tripped over West's feet. It never got old.

"I thought his head was going to- Oh no." Lily muttered as she spotted her roommate up ahead. The girl was looking left and right, frowning.

"She's still not done art?" Matt asked. Lily's roommate had been kidnapping Lily everyday to throw every kind of paint, make up and marker onto Lily's face.

"Um..." Lily looked around for an escape route "Yeah... gotta run!"

Lily dropped Matt's stuff next to him and took off as her roommate spotted the two of them.

"Lily!" She called and pelted after the blonde. Knocking down Matt in her hast. Matt swore loudly as, with a loud thump, he fell backward onto the ground. A shot of pain rocked his leg and he had to bite his lip to keep from crying out.

"Crap." He muttered as he felt tears start to well in his eyes as the pain shook his whole leg. It hurt like the fire pits of Hades and the pain wasn't fading either.

"Matt?"

No.

No.

There was no way.

No.

Just. No.

Why? Why does the world hate him?

Why would they possibly do this to him? Had he kicked a puppy by mistake or something?

Not that he remembered.

So why?

Why him of all people?

Mello knelt down next to Matt and Matt tried not to look at the blonde. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Mello's eyes widen. So here Matt was, crying and in pain. And there was Mello who didn't care. Or so Matt thought.

"What happened?" Mello asked.

"Nothing." Matt muttered.

"Matt, your crying." Mello's voice was so soft it made Matt's heart lurch painful. Matt sniffed and reached up to wipe his eyes. His goggles were in the way.

Crap.

"I'm fine." Matt interested, his point marred by his sniffling. Mello tilted his head "Do you want me to carry you?"

"NO!" Matt gasped, his voice shrill and his eyes wide.

"Do you need help getting up?"

"I'M NOT A CHILD!" Matt cried, glaring at the blonde.

"I know your not so calm down." Mello said softly and Matt let his head fall to the cold floor.

"My leg hurts." He whispered, his tears slowly filling his goggles. Mello laid his hand on Matt's head "Let me carry you. At least to our dorm."

Matt sniffed quietly and nodded. He might deny being a child but he felt like one as Mello carefully pulled him onto his back, trying to avoid touching Matt's leg. Matt flashed back to the day that Mello had carried him exactly like this. Mello had stood protectively in front of Matt, putting himself between Matt and Mich.

To heck with it!

Matt didn't care anymore. Even if this was all one big act. He didn't care. Mello was here, carrying him once again. That's all that mattered. The same smell of rosemary filled Matt's nose and like a drug dulled his pain.

Song could suck it!

"Heeey Mello." Matt muttered into the blonde's neck.

"Hmm?"

"I know this sounds weird, but you smell good."

"...Thank you?"

Author's Note: I know the whole ending was a lot like chapter 2's but that's the point. Because Chapter 2 was the chapter when Matt began to think Mello cared. I might not be uploading as much in the future, school's starting. But I will try to upload more than once a week.

I would also like to thank my reviewers so far:

Kaizami

.Zira

katty12

Bellatrix Keehl

A very warm thank you to melly's girl who reviewed twice!

I'll get Chapter 7 up as soon as possible!

Please R&R!