Matt

I could see Mello running across the driveway out of the school gate from our window. I was still seated on his bed sobbing, wallowing in self pity. Damn it, I feel so dumb. What's a grown man like me doing crying? I got over that stage when I hit puberty. And over Mello? Why? If anything, he should be the one crying. Although I do admit I was definitely in the wrong, pouncing on him like that. But I wasn't thinking straight at all; I was just so angry. It brought up some emotion in me I thought I had buried a long time ago.

Mello always made me feel so much; too much. And the funny thing was, after all this, I still wasn't over him. He simply walked into my life and changed everything and was now attempting to run straight out again, leaving everything unsettled and in a mess. I was not going to let that happen. I wouldn't allow that for the world. I wanted to find him and ask him exactly what he wanted from me; did he want me to leave or did he want me to stay by his side. I knew he hated me at the start but right now the lines were blurred. Maybe it's just wistful thinking, but I had a feeling earlier that he wasn't totally against me. He said he didn't want to hurt me, that implied something. I just need to hear it from him directly, that's all I need.

But I sure as hell was not going to get anywhere sitting here crying like a baby. I was overwhelmed with guilt and regret and all other shitty emotions but I managed to get up and bolt out of the stuffy room, through the hallway, down the steps and onto the driveway. I swear I saw Mello running towards the left direction just now. That was towards town. Fuck, that place was filled with creeps at this time of the night and Mello was alone.

"Shit," I cursed, sprinting towards that direction. I didn't know how the hell I was going to find him, he could be anywhere. But I could take my chances. If there's a will there's a way, right? I ran where my gut told me to go.

"Hey, lad," I heard someone call.

Turning around swiftly, I found no one there. Puzzled, I began to move again.

"Hey, lad!" It called more urgently this time.

I looked to my right and saw something creeping in the shadows in an alleyway. It was a teenager in a hoodie, hiding his face.

"Yes?"

"Ah got some good shit here. Real good, yeh?"

I was confused for a minute before I realized he was trying to sell me drugs. Full of creeps, huh?

"Sorry, no. But did you, uh, happen to see a blonde pass by here. He's wearing leather, shorter than me like this," I held my hand up to my ear, "and he's slim."

The guy was muttering to himself; I didn't even think he heard me. I started to repeat myself when he suddenly looked up. "Ooh, ah think ah did. Was it tha' pretty one?"

"Erm, I should think so…"

"Shore. Ah saw 'im heading at that direction." He pointed a finger downtown, where the party never ends. That place was famous for its endless arrays of night clubs and pubs.

I nodded thankfully, mumbling a thank you before running off again. I hope he was safe; though I knew full well that he could take care of himself. But no matter how many times I said that to myself, I still felt a need to be the one protecting him, to have him depend and rely on me. That was stupid, I know, but I couldn't help it. Like I said, I'd do anything for him.

The sleaziness started to hit me once I neared downtown. Loud music was playing from all corners of the street, clashing with one another. People who were smashed stumbled up and down the road, throwing up, laying passed out on the floor or picking fights. This was a fairly common sight for the locals. I paid no mind to them. Continuing my search, I started losing hope gradually. I mean, there were people everywhere, in nightclubs and joints, and it really impossible to pin point where Mello was. Wasn't this just a hopeless cause? I should just turn back around. I'm sure he'll be back in the morning; though I couldn't stop a strange feeling nagging at me. Something told me to keep searching, keep looking.

I was still deliberating my next move when I noticed someone familiar in the distance. Squinting to get a better look, I realized it was Duncan, walking straight towards my direction. What a lovely coincidence. What was he doing out here anyway? I thought he HATED the outdoors.

"Matt," he mumbled, almost inaudible with all the city buzz around us. He looked worried, sweat staining his flushed face.

"Sup. Look, I'd like to stay and chat but I'm looking for Mello now. He ran off just now." I prayed he wouldn't ask why.

"About Mello, I just saw him, but-"

"Really?" Finally. "Where was he headed?"

"Well, that way," he pointed behind him,"but he bumped into some guys from our college and they started dragging him off though I don't know whether he refused or not but I was afraid and-"

"Who were they?" The feeling started to grow in my chest which suddenly felt really tight.

"Jake and some other boys."

Jake? Why the hell did that sound so familiar?

"Jake? Who's that?"