"I got it!" Matt lept up and smashed the ball into the enemy's court. Linda dived for it but narrowly missed it because Pavel was in her way. The volley ball hit the ground. A point for Matt's team.
"Yeah!" West cheered and slapped Matt's hand. Linda gave Pavel a playful shove and threw the ball to Matt who was server.
"Nine serving ten! Game point for Linda's team!" Matt called before he threw the ball up high and served it at Pavel's head. Pavel moved so Percy could hit the ball back. West bummed it back over and Linda set it so Pavel could spike it. As the ball hurled toward the ground West just managed to hit it up.
Matt ran forward to spike it.
Thump!
Matt tripped over West's shoe and he face planted. He lifted his head up only for ball to bounce off it.
"THAT'S GAME!" Linda called and hugged Pavel who cheered.
"I'm going to bite your foot off West." Matt laughed as he wiped a bit of dirt off his face. West shrugged with a grin "Sorry Matt."
Matt pushed himself up and tossed the volleyball to Pavel who fumbled it. Matt packed up the net and threw it into the game shed. Pavel threw the ball in after it and closed the creaky door behind him.
"Lunch time!" Matt cried as his stomach gave a monstrous growl. West nodded "I could go for some food about now."
"Lets go!" Linda grabbed Pavel's hand and led the way to into the orphanage and toward the dining hall. The dining hall was full of noise when they arrived. Linda led Pavel off toward to empty seats while West ran off to join a purple eyed girl. Matt smiled and jumped into his seat, looking down at his plate.
Matt groaned.
"Ugh..." Matt glared at the leafy dish the cooks had dared to put in front of him "Salad..."
Matt was to busy picking at the green stuff to notice the dining hall had drained of noise.
"Maybe I should dip this in chocolate or something." Matt grinned evilly "I bet Mello wouldn't be able to tell the difference till he ate it..."
"Excuse me?"
Matt spun around and found himself facing the named chocoholic.
"M-mello?" Matt looked around to see all eyes were upon the blonde "I WASN'T GOING TO DO IT!"
Mello rolled his eyes "I'm not here to accuse you of anything."
"Then why are you here? I thought you only ate chocolate." Matt chuckled. The soft laugh echoed around the silent room, making it sound eerie and creepy.
"Can I speak with you?" Mello whispered, staring down a fake blonde with blue eyes. The girl quickly looked away, scooting closer to her black haired friend.
"Sure." Matt jumped up, not noticing the look Lily sent his and Mello's way. Matt smiled as he practically skipped through the room with Mello who was glaring at anyone that stared.
"What is it?" Matt asked as soon as the door had closed behind them. Mello glanced back at the hall before he answered "Actually I wanted to show you something."
"What is it? Is it a puppy?" Matt guessed "I bet it's a puppy."
"No Matt. It's not a puppy."
"Awwww!" Matt wined as they approached room thirteen. Mello smirked "I'd wait to see what it is before you judge."
Matt's curiously pushed open the door.
"Oh. My. God."
It was a TV. It was big. IT WAS SHINY!
Thump!
…
"Matt?"
Matt blinked. Mello was leaning over him, looking, well, looking concern. THAT'S ANOTHER POINT FOR TEAM MATT!
Matt was on the floor just inside room thirteen and there was a bump the size of a grapefruit on the back of his head. He sat up and rubbed his head, looking around for the source of his faint.
Thump!
…
"Matt are you okay?" Mello asked as Matt slowly regained consciousness, again.
"T.V." Matt muttered, looking around without lifting his head. It was still there. And just as shiny.
"How did it get here?" Matt rolled over to take in every inch of the device. He could feel a giddy giggle rising in his throat. He began touching ever part of the TV he could.
"Your getting finger prints all over the screen." Mello stopped him. Matt grinned "Did you buy it Mello?"
Mello looked sheepish as he nodded "I destroyed the other one so..."
"OH MY GOD MELLO! I FEEL SO SPOILED! " Matt tackled Mello to the ground and crushed every ounce of breath from the blonde's lungs "I COULD KISS YOU!"
"Please don't." Mello struggled in Matt's grip but the red-head's grip didn't slacken.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you Mello!" Matt squeezed him tighter.
"Gah! Let go of me!" Mello finally managed to wiggle out of Matt's grip. He got to his feet and brushed himself off while Matt stared at the new TV.
"Can I play?" Matt asked in a far away voice, his gaze falling on his PlayStation. Mello rolled his eyes "That's why it's here."
Matt stared up at Mello.
"Ack!" Mello choked as once again he was on the floor having the life squeezed out of him. Matt's grin was so wide it was amazing that it fit on his face "Thank you Mels!"
"Just let go of me!" Mello said, squirming.
Now. Take a moment ,if you have not already, to think about what this looks like. Mello is on the floor getting the life hugged out of him by Matt and Mello is the tough guy of the orphanage. Now think about what kinda of reaction someone would have if they came in right about...
Not yet.
About...
Now.
Room thirteen's door creaked open.
Mello froze in Matt's grip.
"..."
Song stood in the doorway. Mouth open. Eyes wide.
"Hi!" Matt said cheerfully.
Silence.
Mello slowly rolled out of Matt's weakened grip and onto his feet. He faced Song who looked like someone who had just been told that their puppy had died, their best friend had been hit by a bus, and their house burned down.
She dropped the book she had been carrying. A Medic's Guide to Simple cuts and bruises.
Smack!
Song's hand smacked against Mello's cheek, leaving it red and stinging.
Matt sprang up but Mello held his arm up to stop the gamer from leaping at Song.
That anger was back. Matt could feel it swirling in his stomach, like a ball of power ready to be unleashed down upon Song's hair covered head. He pushed against Mello's arm but the limb didn't budge. But he did feel it tremble slightly and looked up at Mello's face to see he was smiling and his eyes were close. A soft rumble sounded from his lips.
Mello was chuckling.
After being slapped.
His chuckles became more pronounced and he threw his head back. He began to laugh harder than Matt had ever seen anyone laugh. He laughed till no sound came out, his blonde hair swung forward as he half doubled over. He laughed till his face was red. Song had tears in her eyes. Matt could tell that the medic wanted to just sink into the ground, to become deaf to Mello's laughter.
"I don't see why you keeps trying," Matt muttered and Song's eyes snapped to him "Your obviously not earning his liking."
That comment got Matt a slap.
He chuckled.
He couldn't help it.
But the sound of Song's hand hitting Matt seemed to awaken Mello. The blonde slammed the door, narrowly taking off Song's still raised hand.
Matt snickered and rubbed his cheek "That wasn't very polite Mels."
"Yeah well slapping people isn't either."
"Do you think one day you'll like her?" Matt asked teasingly, sitting down beside the TV and taking off his goggles.
"I'm not really sure how to answer that," Mello muttered, laying down next to Matt with his arm over his forehead "If I become L's successor then I won't really be aloud to have much of a personal life."
"Oh, I didn't know that." Matt frowned "But we'll still be friends right?"
"We're not friends now."
"Suuuuuure. Whatever you say Mels."
"Don't call me that."
"You let me about two seconds ago."
Mello refused to answer which made Matt smile "I'm right! NOW TIME TO PLAY!"
Matt had the Playstation plugged in and turned on before Mello had even moved. He hadn't played for about... two weeks... which was a long time for Matt. He hadn't gone that long without a TV since he had first moved to the orphanage.
"Come on Mello you try!" Matt threw Mello the controller "You brought the TV so you get first crack at Yoshi."
Mello sighed but took the controller. The countdown for the race began and Matt pointed out toad "That's you."
"Move!" Mello ordered as the game began. Matt dived out of the way and toad took off, zooming into first. Mello's first victim was Daisy. He had seen Matt play enough that he knew the keys by heart. He planted a mine as she meant to pass him and it was good bye to that flower. Next was Peach, then Wario, then Mario.
Mello swore as he neared the finish line and Yoshi pulled in front of him
"OH NO YOU DON'T YOU SEWAGE GARBAGE!" Mello launched three missiles at the green dinosaur and sent him spinning out of control. Toad rode over the finish line and Mello jumped up "THAT'S RIGHT SUCKA!"
"Wow Mello." Matt laughed "I never expected that."
"Stupid dinosaur crap." Mello threw the controller to Matt "I need to study."
"Aww, don't you want to play some more?"
"No."
"But your good at it! You've got the fighting spirt!"
"I've got an albino to beat."
"Fine," Matt huffed, starting the next round "But till me if you change your mind!"
"You'll be the first to know."
…
June
…
July
…
August
…
September
…
First of October:
"What is this?"
"It's a pumpkin."
"I know what it is, but what is it for?" Mello asked, spin the orange vegetable around so he could look at every inch of it's surface. Matt grinned "A jack-o-lantern!"
"It's not like anyone outside the orphanage will see it." Mello pointed out and Matt shrugged "I still want to make it! Halloween is in one month!"
"Why do insisted on doing such pointless things?" Mello sighed.
"Because," Matt replied taking the pumpkin from Mello "It's fun. Besides, we can use the time as bonding time!"
"No thanks."
"Come on Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeels."
"No."
"Please?"
"Why don't you ask Lily or Linda to do it with you?" Mello asked, reaching for a book on flamingos. Matt scowled "You know I haven't talked to Lily in months."
"Just because of the tree incident?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"Well Mels," Matt grinned, a twinkle in his eyes "I don't think that's any of your business."
"I guess not."
"Your not going to pry?" Matt pouted as Mello brushed the comment off like a fly "For all you know it could be really bad!"
"If it was that bad you would have told me."
"What if I don't want to talk about it?"
"Then shut up."
"But I might be depressed!"
"God Matt you are so annoying." Mello rolled his eyes, pencil and notebook in hand "Don't you ever shut up? Honesty if you were depressed I would have noticed."
Matt blinked, then smiled "You would have?"
Yes I- what's with that look?" Mello narrowed his eyes at Matt's uplifted and slightly smug expression.
"It's nothing."
Mello looked at him a moment longer before he turned back to his notes "Your so strange."
"Aww! Thanks Mello!"
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'm taking it as one though!"
"Whatever Matt."
"So will you cut up the pumpkin with me?" Matt asked, returning to the original subject. He held the pumpkin up and tilted his head to the side. Mello shrugged "Fine."
"I'll ask Pavel and Linda to help too!"
"When are we cutting it?"
"You said we!"
"...yeah...and?" Mello looked at Matt in confusion but Matt just shrugged "Never mind. Anyway, we're doing it in the kitchen after class. You have a break then right?"
Mello paused for moment before answering "...Yeah. I have a break then."
"Great!" Matt put the orange vegetable on his pillow and covered it with blankets. Like a small child and his doll. Mello snapped off a piece of chocolate from his recently opened bar "See you later."
"Bye!" Matt waved before he skipped out of the room. Lily was just leaving her room and Matt had to duck around her to avoid a collision. She muttered a quick hello that Matt barely heard but was to excited to return. Jack-o-lantern making. He had participated in such an activity at his old school. Had even been able to take his pumpkin home. It hadn't lasted long however.
"Linda!" Matt called to the artist who stopped to wait for him.
"Morning Matt." She greeted with a smile. The gamer grinned and returned the greeting. They walked into art class side by side and joined Pavel at a small round table. Only a couple other students had arrived. Yes a couple, there was only one art class so around ten people were taught at once.
"Hey Pavel." Linda sat down next to the young Russian who turned to face her "What's up?"
"Not much. Mr. Lee popped in to say he would be late."
"Hmm, in that case listen." Matt called for both of them to listen and told them his pumpkin plan.
"Sounds interesting." Pavel beamed "I would love to cut up a pumpkin! I hate pumpkins. They are just so orange..."
Linda laughed "What's wrong with orange? I happen to love orange."
"I did not say anything was wrong with it." Pavel backtracked "I am just saying that pumpkins are very orange!"
Linda smiled and turned back to Matt "Sure! I'd love to help."
"Thanks," Matt replied "Mello will be there too."
"Hmm, I'm surprised you talked him into it." Linda raised an eyebrow. Matt shrugged "He said it was pointless but he agreed in the end. We're doing it after class. Mello said be has a break then."
Linda frowned "Does he? I did think students had a break in the afternoon if they were taking more classes..."
Matt was about to answer when Mr. Lee strode in, looking angry.
"PAVEL SIT UP STRAIGHT!" He yelled and the Russian snapped up, his back as straight as a board "S-sorry sir!"
"Linda pass out paper! Matt pass out pencils!"
The two jumped up and ran to do as they were told. Matt threw a pencil at everyone and Linda darted around sliding paper onto tables.
…
"Should we trust you when a knife?" Linda asked, eying the knife Matt held in his left hand. Matt snorted and Linda raised an eyebrow."
"No."
"Thought not." She snickered. Pavel chuckled "I'll do it."
"We should wait for Mello." Matt protested. Linda sighed "He's late. He deserves to have us start without him."
"Well Linda," The named blonde muttered, striding into the kitchen "if you get cut I'll pour lemon juice on the wound."
Linda laughed "Sorry Mello."
"Mels! You made it!" Matt ran to hug him, the knife Pavel hadn't yet taken still in his hand. Mello rolled his eyes and seized Matt's wrist. He slid the knife from Matt's grip and made his way over to the pumpkin.
"You didn't have to take it." Matt grumbled sheepishly while Mello turned the pumpkin around, trying to decide where to cut. Linda punched Matt's arm "You would had cut his head off!"
"I doubt it," Mello drew the knife back and cut cleanly into the pumpkin "Human bone it a bit to strong for such a weak knife."
"I was kidding."
"I am aware of that."
Matt grinned and retrieved a large spoon from a cabinet. Mello sawed the top off of the pumpkin and stepped back to let Matt start scooping the inside out. He traded off with Matt and Linda till the pumpkin was basically empty.
"Next is deciding of a face!" Matt cheered, slapping a piece of paper down on the counter. Mello sighed "I'm guessing we can't just draw a frown and eyes?"
"Don't be ridiculous Mello of course we can't do that!" Matt tisked and wagged his finger at the blonde "We've got to be creative! Luckily I came prepared! Linda, want to do the honors?"
Linda grinned and Matt handed her a pencil. They all watched as Linda drew a rough sketch of the pumpkin then started to draw a face. Even though it was a rough drawing it looked almost realistic as Linda concentrated on the lines and curves she was drawing. She stuck with the classic triangle eyes and nose. The mouth was where the whole drawing really shone. It had one big watermelon shaped hole that was pointed down in a frown. Triangles were made on the edges of the frown and then squared chunks were used to show teeth. In the middle were two pointy teeth facing one another.
"Good luck Mello!" Linda grinned, placing the drawing in front of the blonde. Mello sighed and raised the knife "You just love making my life difficult don't you?"
"Yep!" Matt sang "Have fun!"
Over all Mello did an excellent job. The noses and eyes were perfect and the mouth was as impressive as anyone could have hoped for. Mello let Matt sign his name on the back and Linda and Pavel followed suit. Mello sighed it last, his slightly curvy handwriting standing out from the other messy cuts that barely looked like letters.
Matt picked up the pumpkin with a small squeal "It's so cute!"
Linda nodded "You did a good job Mello!"
Pavel took the pumpkin and turned it over in his hands "Nice work!"
"I have class soon." Mello replied, turning away from the three "I'll see you three later. Remember to clean up."
Matt grinned "We will! Bye!"
The blonde disappeared out of the doorway and Pavel placed the pumpkin back down "He really did a good job."
"Yep! We're making chocolates to thank him!"
Author's note: Yeah, remember, Mello's parents were rich and he got all the money. That's how be could afford the T.V. I just threw in him yelling at the game because come on, who doesn't yell at their T.V? I guess this chapter doesn't have much to do with the over all plot. Well I guess I could do something with the Song thing. Over all this is all bonding time! Thank you reviewers! One more review and I'll have fifty!
Please R&R!