I dreamt of a devil that knew her

18

Days later, Matt sat in the auditorium next to a crying Linda.

"Cheer up Linda," Matt tried to comfort his crying friend. Although it was hard for him because he was high out of his mind. "You're really good at ballet."

"I can't believe Mr. Williams gave Alternative the swan queen role for the play! You guys said Alternative isn't even a girl!" Linda said mad. Her eyes glued on Alternative who was up the lonely stage rehearsing for the play.

"Well apparently that doesn't matter to play the role. Mr. Williams said that himself ,"Mello said not really paying attention to Linda. His eyes focusing on A. The way A spun around had him in a trance.

"Sometimes someone's gender does not matter in a play," Near commented.

Mello rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe Near was sitting with them in the auditorium. However, Mello didn't snap at Near because Mello was happy that he beat Near. Mello scored a 98.7% on the physics exam, and Near scored a 95%. That put Mello in an incredible good mood. That meant Near could hang out with them. At least until the next exam.

Mello and Matt suddenly made eye contact with each other and a smile spread on their face.

"You can finally date Alternative, Mellz" Matt teased.

"Oh please, Matty.....you started to brainstorm to write love letters and poems," Mello teased back.

"Wait.... you're attracted to Alternative?" Linda asked Mello feeling jealous.

"W-What? No-" Mello felt himself turn bright red.

"Mello, you do know that physical attraction is more than gender right?" Near asked Mello as he noticed the explosive blond becoming red like a tomato.

"S-Shut up Near!" Mello stopped himself from stuttering. "Whatever, we have to go to third period before they count us as tardy."

Mello, Linda, and Near got up getting ready to go to their assigned classes.

"Matt, are you not going to class?" Near stayed behind and looked at Matt who stayed sitting down. Looking high out of his mind.

"Can't. Coach will make us run a lap and he will notice that I'm high. I don't want to get in trouble," Matt said.

"What did you get on your physics exam?" Near asked Matt. This was the longest conversation they've had. It was different than what he imagined. He hoped Matt was enjoying the conversation as well.

"99.2% but don't tell Mello. I don't want him to feel bad," Matt put his finger on his lips signaling Near to keep quiet.
Near nodded.

"NEAR!!" both Near and Matt heard Mello yelled out for Near in the distance. Mello sounded annoyed.

"Is he your bodyguard for today?" Matt asked Near. "Still protecting you from BB?"

"Yes. Only for today," Near replied. Because tomorrow Near might score higher than Mello in Calculus and Mello would go back to ignoring and excluding Near from his life. Not like it bothered Near. It shouldn't bother Near. This is a competition. "Bye Matt." Near said his goodbyes and rushed to Mello and Linda before Mello got mad.

Matt stayed sitting alone on the empty auditorium seats. His attention on Alternative who was oblivious that Matt was in the auditorium too.