Near searched the lunchroom, looking for somewhere to sit. There weren't any open tables, he sighed. Just his luck. At the very end of the lunchroom he saw the red haired boy he sat next to in math class. He quickly wandered over to him, ignoring the stares and giggles from everyone else. He sat down, looking to the red head to make sure it was okay, the boy had always been a loner, so Near didn't know if he'd give him a 'I hate you, go away.' look. But the boy just sat there, he seemed to be absorbed into something under the table. Near just poked his steemed vegitables with a fork.
"Sup?" the red head finally said, it made Near jump.
"Uhh.." near didn't know what to say.
The boy looked up, Near couldn't see his eyes because of the goggles he wore. He brought up what he had had his attention on before and laid it on the table. A Game Boy.
"I'm Matt." He smiled and lifted up his goggles, bright green eyes shown now.
Near tried to give a smile, though he was sure he failed at it. "Near." He said and he put a steemed carrot in his mouth.
"You sit next to me in math, right?" Near really didn't feel like talking.
"Yeah," He answered.
"Cool." Matt smiled and looked down at his plate. "Well, I don't wanna leave you alone, but Roger's probably gonna come kick me out soon since I'm finished." He picked up his trash and Game Boy and started to walk away. "See ya." He said over his shoulder.
"Bye.." Near stared at his plate. He had suddenly lost his appetite.

He next day in math, Matt handed Near a piece of paper.

(I guess he thinks of me as a friend now?) Near thought as he unfolded the note

("Did you hear? Some kid's house burnt down and his mom died. There's gonna be a new Wammy. Cool, huh? I wonder if he's a nerd...")
Near stared at the note for awhile before deciding to write back. He hoped Matt could read his sloppy handwriting.
(" I never hear anything around here, since everyone doesn't like me because they think I'm a nerd. But, that's cool, I guess.")
Near saw Matt blush a little when he read Near's reply about being a nerd. Near just continued taking notes off the board and pretended not to care. After class, Near walked past Watari and Roger's office, and noticed the door was open. He peeked inside and saw a skinny blond haired boy, probably about two years older than him, sitting in there alone eating a chocolate bar. His expression was sumg, but Near could see the sadness in his eyes. Near felt his heart skip a beat when the boy looked at him. His look had hatred in it. Near figured he'd already hated him like everyone else, and he didn't even know him. Near began to question himself about what was wrong with him when the blond spoke.
"What do you want?" His voice was much deeper than Near thought it would be, for a boy about 9.
"Um," Near couldn't think of what to say. Why was he there anyway? He felt his face flush. "I-I was looking for Roger.."
"Can't help you," The blond said, "I don't know anyone here."
Near felt like he should introduce himself but was too embaressed. "Oh, ok..uh, thanks." He started to leave.
"The only one I know is that Watari, he had me pick out a name..It's Mello, what's yours?" Mello spoke quickly after Near.
"Near." He turned back to face him.
"So," Mello bit into his chocolate bar, "What are things like here, Near?"
Near noticed Mello giggle a little as he noticed the end of his sentence.
"Good, I guess." Near turned back around to leave. "I gotta go.." He shut the door behind him, not hearing Mello's goodbye, if he gave one, that is.
He wasn't use to people talking to him with interest and kindness. He blushed at the thought of having friends. The thought delighted him. He longed to be accepted my the other Wammy's. But, if he started hanging out with a new kid or, the lone boy..would the others shun him more?
Near put his books on his dresser and opened his window, letting a cool breeze come in. He noticed some rustling in the room beside his.

(That room's empty, right?) He stared at the wall to his right. (Did Mello get put in there? Should I go say hello? That would be polite..right?) Near never under stood why he questioned himself so much.
Near's soft knock on the next room's door must not have been heard, because Near stood there for a while with no answer. He took a beep breath and knocked on it pretty loud this time. And then, that knock must've startled whoever was inside, because Near heard something tumble over.
When the door opened, the first thing Near saw was blond hair shining brightly because of the wondow without blinds over it.
"H-Hi.." He had to look up, He didn't notice how much bigger Mello was than him in the office before.
Confusion was all over Mello's face, along with chocolate. "How'd you find me?" He asked as he crossed his arms.
Near pointed to the left. "This room was empty..I know because over there is my room..I figured you were moving in because you're new."
"Oh.." Mello stepped back, allowing Near to enter. Mello's new room looked exactly as Near's did, except there was nothing in the open closet beside a few medium sized boxes. Near remembered Matt's note. All of Mello stuff had burned. the things in the boxes were probably clothes the police or Watari had given him.
"So," Near looked up at Mello. "Would you like my help?"
"No." Mello said quickly and blushed, Near saw him glance at the boxes, He must've been embaressed about the littleness of everything he had."I'd really like it if I could be by myself for awhile, I really need a nap."
Near noticed he was slowly walking backwards out of Mello's room, Mello was walking toward him, with his hand on the door.
"Um..ok..Just tell me if you ne--" The door shut in his face. He looked down at his feet and walked back over to his room. Rejected again.