A series of oneshots all revolving around the idea of high school reunions, or just reunions in general. Many AU, but all are SoulxMaka.

AU, may be slight OOC. I do not own Soul Eater.

Everything's a Competition

"I don't wanna go," Maka wined to her best friend as they sat in the car.

Tsubaki sighed, "Please Maka, I really don't want to go in there all by myself." Maka frowned and Tsubaki continued to speak. "Plus I don't know why you wouldn't want to go. You've got so much to show off about."

Maka knew Tsubaki was right and that she was being childish, but she honestly really didn't want to attend their 10 year high school reunion.

She knew that she had so much to show off now in comparison to before; having finished college in less than four years, she had quickly jumped into the world of journalism, following after her mother's footsteps. Then she had traveled the world for five years writing about all the amazing things she had seen all the while. Only recently had she returned to Death City and begun her career as an author. Furthermore, in the last month she had actually managed to get published and now she was already working on her second novel. By all means, Maka had become completely successful after high school. But that didn't mean she wanted to see the people that she had left behind, especially him.

"I just don't want to see everyone again," Maka murmured as she crossed her arms and sank further into her seat.

"Pleeeeeease!" Tsubaki begged, "You know how I hate going to these kind of events all by myself, and Black Star was supposed to come but he got called away on business two days ago and I really don't want to go in all by myself."

Maka understood her best friend's issue, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Why couldn't Tsubaki just be a little less shy? Or even better, why couldn't her stupid husband have stayed in town for the reunion?!

"Fine!" Maka spat out, opening her car door and getting out before she could change her mind. Then again, she had always known she was going to give into Tsubaki. After all, she had even dressed up for the damn thing.

Maka sighed as she began to walk towards her old school, Tsubaki quick on her heels muttering her thanks over and over again.

Two days ago, Maka had actually been excited for this damned event. When she and Tsubaki had received their invitations months ago she had been wary of attending such an event. High school had never exactly been a good experience for Maka. While no one had outright bullied her, Maka knew that the majority of the popular girls liked to make fun of her behind her back. She had often overheard them whispering terrible rumors about her, and once she had heard them in the bathroom loudly making fun of her choice of dress and lack of breasts, not that they knew she had been in there at the time. Still, it had stung, and as a result Maka's confidence had been shot for years.

Honestly, Maka was pretty sure it wasn't until she had been published that she realized just how cool she really was. I mean, how many people can say they've graduated college with honors, been to countless countries, and published a book in just ten years. No, now she knew that she was better than all those silly girls who didn't know anything about the world.

Still, such animosity had made Maka nervous about returning to school once more. Furthermore, there was him. All their lives the two of them had bickered, and he had constantly made fun of her to her face calling her things like tiny-tits and bookworm all the time. Not that he ever did it in front of teachers or anything, no he was too smart for that, which was saying something considering he was the biggest idiot ever! He just had a way to get under her skin more than anyone she had ever met, and he seemed to enjoy pissing her off. Of all the hobbies he could have done, he had practically managed to make her his private emotional punching bag. She hated him!

However, Tsubaki had managed to persuade her just how awesome it would be to everyone when she came to the reunion not only completely accomplished, but looking sexy as well. Maka had to admit that Tsubaki had done an excellent job of not only convincing her, but also helping her pick out the perfect dress for the damned reunion as well.

She was currently in a small black dress that was simple, classic, and even she had to admit that she looked hot in it. It was synched high up on the waist accenting her bust, that had grown after high school thankfully, though never to Tsubaki's size, and then it fanned out gently to right above her knees. Paired with a strappy pair of heels, she had been so sure that all eyes would turn to her when she entered. But now… she knew better.

When she and Tsubaki had first pulled up to the event, she had seen how everyone else was dressed and suddenly she wasn't so confident. She didn't recognize anyone, and they all looked so HOT!

Abruptly, Maka had felt like a child trying to act like an adult. She was embarrassed. She knew that she was much different from the girl she was in high school, but when placed back in front of the building, she couldn't help but feel like a child again.

However, it was too late for her to do anything about it, because now she had said yes to Tsubaki and she had already entered the building with her friend beside her.

"Name please?" a cheerful but obviously fashionable woman said behind a fold out table. It was clear that she didn't appreciate sitting at the front of the reunion rather than joining in with the party. Maka could already hear the booming music coming from inside the gym.

"Maka Albarn," she said boredly.

"And Tsubaki Star," Tsubaki chanted right after her.

"Maka!" the blonde woman exclaimed wide-eyed.

She couldn't help but jump slightly at the shout. The woman was looking at her expectantly. "I'm sorry do I know you?" Maka asked politely as she realized that the woman hadn't introduced herself.

"It's me Liz!" the woman said abandoning her post behind the desk and getting up to give Maka a hug.

Maka felt like her head had just exploded. This was Liz! They hadn't spoken since high school, just having lost touch as life had moved on. Liz had been the secretary of the student council and had been dating the president Kidd all though high school. They had never been super close, but Liz had always been really popular but nice to Maka. She had always encouraged her to join in the high school parties and events, but Maka had always declined with the excuse of homework. Looking back now, she understood that her actions could have been really alienating to Liz to always say no to her. Then again the girl had never stopped asking. She was just that kind of person.

"I can't believe it's you," Liz said shaking the girl slightly back and forth in their hug. Liz took a step back and eyed Maka up and down. "And it looks like you've grown up too," she commented appreciatively.

Maka immediately felt her cheeks heat up.

"Awwwww! But you still blush, that's adorable!" Liz squealed, clearly overtaken by her emotions of seeing Maka of all people again.

Maka was speechless quite honestly. She felt like she was back in high school again and the coolest girl in the grade was talking to her of all people, and squealing over her nonetheless.

"And Tsubaki," Liz commented over Maka's shoulder, finally moving on with her attention, "You look even more beautiful than in high school, and what's this about you having a different last name."

Tsubaki smiled and began to explain to Liz about her husband and why he wasn't there at the moment. Maka didn't bother listening though, she was too lost in her thoughts. Perhaps coming to this event wasn't a bad idea. Not if people's reactions were going to be like Liz's.

"Wow, her dress is sooooo two years ago," she heard some scantily clad women say as they passed by, slightly bumping into Maka in the process, and once again Maka felt like running as fast as she could back out. Thankfully, they disappeared in mere seconds through the gym doors.

"Bitches," she heard Liz hiss behind her. She whipped her head around and was surprised when Liz's expression immediately softened as they caught eyes. "Don't worry about them, they are just jealous that yours dress looks so much better on you than theirs' does on them."

Maka couldn't help but smile at that. She had forgotten Liz's no nonsense attitude about the jerks in their grade.

"Anyway, here's your nametags, you should go mingle in there and show off about your amazing lives now," Liz said shoving stickers at them and then practically pushing them through the door.

Stepping into the school gym was unlike any previous experience Maka might have had. The lights were down low and it appeared that some sort of disco ball was going, but was shining all kinds of colors all over the room. There were streamers everywhere as well as signs welcoming back their class. A small stage was at the front of the room by the door, and it had a DJ as well as some very large speakers on it. The music was deafening but at least it wasn't too bad. It was cheesy, but Maka couldn't help but smile at it alongside Tsubaki.

"Want to get something to drink?" she asked her friend.

"Actually I'm gonna run to the restroom okay?" Tsubaki answered pointing in the direction of the bathrooms.

Maka nodded, "Okay, I'll be over by the food and drink okay?"

Tsubaki nodded and then was off trying to navigate her way through the crowded dance floor.

With a deep breath Maka began walking around the room and the mess of bodies dancing as if they were back in high school. Maka suspected that currently she wasn't the only one being nostalgic, although she supposed that most of her classmate's memories were better than her own.

Turning back to the food table at the back of the room, Maka finally saw what she had been dreading worst of all.

It was him. It was Soul Eater Evans.

She had hoped that he would get fat or be bald now or something, but as she saw him across the room she realized that he was as attractive as he had ever been. If anything, the maturity in his face made him look even better.

He was dressed in a pinstripe suite with a red button up, and that paired along with his stark white hair; he looked like sin itself. Furthermore, she knew that if she got closer his deep red eyes and sharp grin would only cause the ensemble to look even better. Maka was thankful it was dark because she could feel her cheeks heat up once more and the last thing she needed was to explain why she was blushing over Soul Evans of all people.

However, despite always being considered one of the coolest people in their grade, he was standing all alone back against the wall with a glass of something in his hands as he boredly watched the crowd dance. Then again, as Maka thought back to high school, she couldn't ever remember him actually hanging out with anyone ever. He was a loner and too cool for anyone. Not to mention, over half of the student body was deathly afraid of him. There were rumors about how dangerous he was back in high school, and with his threatening appearance, people assumed the worst. High school kids were such idiots honestly.

That was the moment that he chose to look up. Their eyes caught and for a moment Maka was sure that time had stood still. His eyes went slightly wide, but they didn't leave her. No, he continued to stare at her all the way across the room. It was only when he stood up and away from the wall, obviously with the intention of coming over to her, that Maka was able to move. She immediately pulled her eyes away from him and shuffled over the food table hoping that Tsubaki would soon be back from the bathroom to keep her company, or let her go home. The last thing she wanted was a run in with Soul of all people.

However, when she finally had the nerve to look up and back to where Soul had been, he was out of sight. She didn't have a clue as to where he had gone, and she actually wasn't going to worry about it.

xxx

The night passed slowly after that. Tsubaki seemed to have vanished and Maka tried not to be annoyed with her friend, but it was awkward standing on the sidelines of the dance floor with nothing to do. She watched as people greeted one another and reunions of all kinds happened all around her. It was a bit heartbreaking if she was being honest with herself. She didn't have many friends in high school, between being a super nerd as well as having to take care of her drunkard father most nights, she hadn't had time to make friends. Tsubaki and her hadn't actually met until university honestly.

Just as Maka was about to head out, figuring that she could leave Tsubaki a message to call her when she needed a ride, she ran into the couple of women who had commented on her appearance outside the gym. They were currently whispering between each other and then making obvious motions at Maka.

Admittedly, a large part of Maka really wanted to run away from the negative attention. However, she couldn't help but remember Liz's words outside and a bigger part of her knew that she had to stand her ground no matter what. She was better than those girls. She was a woman and she had the confidence to go along with it. She wasn't the same person she had been in high school, and the last thing she was going to do was run away from her battles. She had learned long ago that nothing came of that when her mother had simply run from her cheating bastard of a father. All it caused was her mother to have no relationship with her at all, while her father became the drunk he still was today. No, she was better than that.

Maka's feet practically flew up to the two women. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you were motioning at me and I was wondering just what you were saying."

For a moment the two women froze, obviously surprised at Maka's directness with them. Maka couldn't help but smile to herself. However, her celebration was short lived because one of them quickly caught her breath and an ugly smirk then smeared across her face.

"Well, honestly we were talking about your dress and how old it must be. I mean how long have you had that? Since high school at least right?"

Maka was shocked at the girl's blatantly rude words, she was trying her hardest not to show it, but her words stung. No, she wasn't going to show weakness, and she certainly wouldn't let this girl win.

"So what if it was that old, at least I can at least fit in the same size dress as I did in high school, unlike some other people," Maka said not so subtly looking up and down the two women's bodies. They weren't ridiculously out of shape, but it was clear that they didn't have the same figures that they had had ten years previously.

"Ugh!" one of the women exclaimed unflatteringly, "Don't even try to talk about body shapes, Maka Albarn." Maka glared at the woman as she continued to speak, a small smirk growing on her face the entire time. "You were the boobless nerd of the grade, and it seems that some things never change, because the only way you're a size bigger is if you stuffed your bra."

The woman seemed pretty proud of her comments to Maka, but Maka wasn't impressed at all. What a childish remark! I mean really, nobody stuffed their bras, and it was clear that she certainly didn't. Why would they even try to say something so dumb?! She couldn't help it, she laughed.

Both of the women looked downright pissed at her, but she couldn't care less. They were just so ridiculous, and it was hilarious.

"You know, I have to agree with these two women Maka," a new voice said jumping into the mix.

Ten years. One hundred years. Maka would never forget that voice and its lazy drawl.

"Soul," she hissed, immediately sobering up. Of course he would show up right at the moment that others were trying to cut her down. She was sure that now he would do the same. Well, she didn't care anymore, because when he did, it would be clear that he wasn't a lick more mature than he was in high school.

The women both grinned, obviously pleased with themselves to have Soul on their side. However, as Maka looked up for the first time to really look at Soul close up, something was different. Firstly, he wasn't slouching, and Soul from high school always slouched. No, he looked so much… more powerful. But that wasn't all. Maka could have sworn that he almost had a small gleam in his eye as he looked at her amused.

"Some people here haven't grown a lick since high school," he said before he switched his gaze to the two women almost menacingly. "And it's clear that with insults like that you two haven't managed to grow intellectually over the last ten years."

Maka almost gaped at Soul. Was he sticking up for her?

The two women looked almost as surprised as Maka, and one woman's jaw literally dropped.

"I hope you all have a good night," Soul said with a small smirk before he simple turned and walked away.

For a moment the three women stood in silence. Was that really Soul? Maka watched as he calmly walked away and for the first time since she had stepped inside this reunion, she was intrigued. She was also confused, and Maka wasn't someone who was ever confused. She had graduated high school and college at the top of her class. Maka was someone who knew everything! And right now, watching Soul walk away, she felt as if she knew nothing.

She didn't even bother saying goodbye to the two women. She merely ran after Soul. Unfortunately for her, getting through the crowded dance floor was a lot more difficult than Soul made it look. Emerging from the sea of people, she looked around frantically trying to spot Soul. If it hadn't been for someone harshly bumping into her right at that moment, she actually never would have found him. Ignoring the apologies of the clumsy dancer, she ran after Soul, whom she had glimpsed disappearing behind a set of doors that she was pretty sure they weren't supposed to go through.

At the moment, Maka couldn't be bothered with rules though and she quickly burst through the set of doors not too far behind Soul. What she found couldn't have surprised her more.

Soul was leaning back against the small hallway's wall, eyes closed and letting out a slow breath.

Seeing him look so stressed, so uncomfortable, so raw, made Maka's breath practically catch in her throat. "Soul," she said loudly and clearly.

He jumped at the noise and she was surprised that he hadn't woken from his trancelike state when she had busted through the door.

His eyes were now wide and she saw the way his whole body had tensed up from the moment he laid his eyes on her. She let go of the door back to the gym, and it slammed shut with a loud bang. They stood in silence for a moment, and the only sounds were that of the muffled music coming from the gym.

"Why?" She said followed by more silence.

He looked uncomfortable under her gaze and by the way he was shifting his weight Maka got the distinct feeling that he just wanted to run away again. However, she wanted answers, because Maka Albarn never got confused, and when she did, she always worked through the problem.

"Why would you defend me from those girls?!" she said stubbornly.

"I didn't realize it was a crime to defend someone," was his automatic reply back.

"It isn't."

"Then why are you mad at me then?" Soul said more like a statement than a question.

Maka huffed slightly, what was it about this guy that could just get under her skin?! "I'm perfectly fine at defending myself, why did you feel the need to step in?! I'm not some weakling!" she said a bit louder, unable to contain her annoyance.

Soul smiled sadly and looked down, "I won't do it again if you don't want me to." It sounded pathetic and Maka immediately felt herself calming down.

"That's not the point."

"Then what are you really asking Maka," he asked looking back up straight into her eyes.

Maka felt as if she had a headache. She squeezed her eyes shut and clinched her fists in extreme annoyance, "I just want to know why you would defend me of all people?!"

"Why? Are you not worth defending just like everyone else?" he asked deadpanned.

"No! That's not what you mean and you know it Soul!" she shouted feeling tears come to her eyes.

She had been able to take the outright mocking of her peers despite feeling like she was back in high school all over again. She had been able to take feeling extremely bored and rather unwanted at her own high school reunion. However, she couldn't take fighting with her worst enemy because he had defended her of all people! It just didn't make any sense!

"Hey hey, it's not cool to cry," he said stepping forward and wiping a tear from her cheek.

His touch, so soft and careful, felt like electricity against her skin. Maka gasped and immediately took a step back, opening her eyes to look up into his. They were sad.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she said trying to keep the strain out of her voice, "And don't you dare answer that with a question."

"People grow up," he answered slowly as if he was afraid that she might disappear any second. Maka kept her feet firmly planted on the ground.

"You made my life hell in high school," she said rather matter-of-factly. It wasn't an opinion after all. No, it was fact that he had caused her so much grief in high school.

He literally flinched at her words. "I know, I was a douchebag."

"Why?" Maka hadn't come tonight with any intention of getting an explanation from her tormentor, but she couldn't help but jump at the chance.

"Lots of reasons, but none of them are good enough," he said quickly.

For the first time that night, Maka tried to look at Soul objectively. She tried to look at him as if she had never met him before. He looked broken, sad, and so tired. It was rather pathetic.

For a moment the two of them just stood there in silence. Maka had so many questions, but she didn't know where to start and she knew that it could take a while.

"Can I know them anyway?" she asked slowly.

"If you want," he answered leaning back against the wall once again and sliding down to the floor.

Maka was torn, she wanted to sit down and get started right away, but she knew this was going to be hard, on both of them. There was only one thing she could think of that might get the edge off. "I want to know everything, but I have to go get something first, I'll be right back and don't you dare even think about leaving," she said sharply before turning on heel and heading out the door.

Within a matter of minutes she was back and with four beers. "I snagged them from under the refreshment table when no one was looking," she said setting them down and then nicely taking a seat next to Soul making sure to keep her dress tucked under so she wouldn't flash him.

He chuckled deeply, and Maka tried to ignore how goosebumps formed up her spine at the sound. "You are a hell of a lot cooler than you were in high school," he said amusedly.

She couldn't help but smile at the compliment, "Well we all had to grow up," and with that she popped open her first beer and took a long drink. "So why don't you start from the beginning."

xxx

Of all things Maka might have done at her high school reunion, getting drunk and making up with arch-enemies wasn't anywhere close to her list. She hadn't even thought such a thing was possible.

"Wait so you're blaming the way your parents treated you as why you constantly teased me in high school," Maka squealed out laughing the whole while. "That's complete bull shit!" She laughed again as she opened her fifth beer.

"You cuss now!" Soul exclaimed just as amused as her. "I can't believe goody two shoes Maka Albarn cusses now!" he laughed.

She didn't know how many he had drank, but she knew it was more than her. At least, she thought it was. Both of them had gone on multiple beer runs throughout the night after both finished their first two within fifteen minutes. The first time Soul had gone for more beer, she had been fearful that he would simply ditch her, but he proved his worth when he came back with even more beer than she had gotten on her first run.

So far he had told her about how surprised he had been at seeing her here, though admittedly he had hoped that she would be. That had made her blush, but thankfully, he hadn't seemed to notice.

Then he had talked how impressed he had been when she had confronted the two women from the gym, and he had realized just how changed she was. He admitted that he hoped that maybe he might get a second chance to be friends with her, or at least apologize for his actions while in high school. She had just laughed and said that depended on his explanation.

That's when he had finally started explaining, starting with his family life. Apparently, she wasn't the only one with a shit-taistic family.

"How can your parents ignoring you lead you to making fun of me every day for four years," she wined, but she was smiling, probably because of the beer.

"It wasn't just my parents," Soul wined right back. "It was everyone at school, my family, and basically everyone I ever met, do you know what it feels like to be just completely ignored."

Maka shook her head no. Sure she had received negative attention from many of her colleagues at school, but she had always had positives to cancel it out. Teachers had always loved her, and in college she was extremely popular because everyone wants to be friends with the girl who takes the best notes in class.

"It sucks," Soul said rather seriously, and Maka wondered idly if perhaps he wasn't as drunk as she thought. "And then there was you," He admitted slowly.

"Me?!" Maka squealed in surprise.

He chuckled again at that. "Yeah, you always noticed me, whether it was because I was slacking off in class or just some other reason or another, I don't know, but you saw me, and I had to make sure you kept seeing me."

Maka blushed, surprised at his words, "Then why didn't you just talk to me like a normal human being?"

Soul barked out a loud laugh, "Because I was a teenage boy who didn't know how to get your attention, much less do it in a positive way." He took a deep breath, "So I did the only thing I knew how to, I teased you."

"Well, I didn't like you for it at all, it was mean and it's because of people like you that my confidence was totally shot before college," Maka said trying to keep the edge out of her voice.

"Sorry," Soul answered back clearly upset with himself.

"Oh, don't do that," Maka quickly exclaimed looking over at him. "You look like a lost puppy dog now and I can't be mad at you when you look like that," she admitted loudly. "Plus I turned out great, despite all the teasing and my stupid parents so no worries." The last part popped out without thought, but she didn't find herself minding.

"What about your stupid parents?" Soul quickly asked.

Perhaps it was because she was drunk. Perhaps it was because she was feeling particularly nostalgic being at her high school reunion. Perhaps it was just because Soul looked like he actually wanted to know and cared about her. And so she explained.

She explained how her mother caught her bastard of a father cheating on her when Maka was just in 10th grade. How her mother ran away from the situation, leaving Maka on her own to pick up the pieces of her broken father. How her father basically became a shell of his former self and drank away his nights, with Maka having to do all the bills and grocery shopping on her own. How she took care of her father, dealt with his teasing every day, and yet still managed to pull off being valedictorian of their class.

It felt better than Maka had expected, unloading all of her tensions on to someone. She felt like she had just gone through a swamp of mud for the past fifteen or so years and she just now got to take a shower and wipe off all the grime and dirt. She felt lighter than she had in so long. It was a shame that they hadn't become friends back in high school. Who knows the possibilities if she'd had someone to unload a bit on, and him the same.

Soul commended her on how amazing she was, and they drank more. It was a good night.

"I had another reason for teasing you," Soul admitted hours later.

Maka couldn't help but giggle. She was drunk and her head felt really weird, but it was fun so who really cared. "Oh really?" she asked in a high squeaky voice.

He flinched at the sound of her voice but smiled, "You are soooo drunk right now," he stated laughing to himself.

"Whatever," she quickly countered, "Why did you make fun of me Soul."

He laughed but answered her question, "I had a crush on you."

Maka froze, and then slowly a smile formed on her face, "No way!"

"Yes way," he chuckled, "I thought it was adorable the way that you would get so wound up at me and get so mad back in high school. Your whole face would turn red!"

"Meanie," she commented elbowing him lightly in the side.

He held her gaze though, "But you know what?"

"What?" Maka answered back grinning like a fool.

"I like the way you look now much better," Soul admitted slowly. Maka's grin slowly disappeared but she continued to stare into Soul's eyes. "I like it better when you look happy."

Was it just her, or was Soul's eyes a lot closer now than they were previously?

She could feel her cheeks heating up in embarrassment, but she refused to look away from Soul. It felt as if she was a fish being reeled in by a hook, but it wasn't painful in the least. It was almost like being in a trance.

"Soul?" It was a whisper, so light that he wouldn't have heard it if he hadn't been so close to her. Their noses were practically touching now! Except now he was frozen.

It was as if time had slowed down, and Maka watched as Soul's eyes slowly became larger and he went wide-eyed in fear. She wanted to say something, but she never had the chance.

"I'm so sorry Maka," came out of his mouth and then he was gone. Only the sound of the door back to the gym slamming loudly signaled his complete departure.

For the second time that night, Maka felt confused, but this time it didn't anger her, it just made her want to cry. It's probably the alcohol, she wanted to place the blame elsewhere, but she knew the truth. Despite being completely drunk at the moment, she knew that she was also a bit brokenhearted. Maybe Soul had liked her in high school, but by the way he had just ran away from her, it was clear that he didn't like her anymore. She wanted to cry. No, she wanted to bawl her eyes out and moan about how unfair the world was, and yet she found that she could do no such thing. Suddenly, she felt oh so very alone, and so very tired.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Maka felt one tear escape the corner of her eye. She didn't even bother wiping it away as it slowly streamed down her face.

She didn't know how long she waited there, she only knew that at some point she heard Tsubaki calling out to her, and she simply stood up and entered the gym once again. If her friend could tell that something was wrong, she also clearly understood that Maka didn't want to talk about it. Therefore, the ride home was in silence with Tsubaki driving. When Maka finally laid down in her bed that night she almost immediately passed out from emotional exhaustion.

xxx

Despite being piss poor drunk, Maka managed to remember everything the next morning. She resisted telling Tsubaki about it for weeks, but when she finally caved in and told her friend everything, Tsubaki was beyond shocked. Who would have expected cold Soul Evans to open up so much to her of all people? Tsubaki wanted her to try and get in contact with Soul, but Maka refused her friend firmly.

As far as she was concerned, Soul Eater Evans was no longer a part of her life. Maybe they could have been friends, but the moment he had rejected her was the final straw. She was done with him. Plus, she didn't have a clue as to even how she could try to get in contact with him. Nope, Soul's part in her life was over and done with. At least that's what she told herself.

Approximately two months after her reunion, she found herself face to face with the man once again, on her doorstep of all places. Someone had been knocking on her door, and she answered it without thought expecting Tsubaki, albeit a bit early, for their planned lunch outing.

"Soul," the word came out hushed. And then she slammed her door.

"Maka!" she heard him call out her name from the other side of the door as he began to knock on her door once again.

She didn't know what to do. Leaning back against her door, Maka was confused and felt as if her heart was about to explode. Why was he here? They had reconciled at their reunion, and for the most part she had actually forgiven him, and then they had moved on. It was over, so why the hell was he here?!

"Maka open the door, I just want to talk to you!" she heard him shout as he continued to bang on her door.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Maka forced herself to speak, "Why are you here Soul?" she asked loudly.

The banging stopped, and with a small thud she could have sworn his voice was right next to her ear, and it was, just separated by her door. "I just needed to talk to you," he practically whispered. "Please Maka."

He sounded so hurt, so broken, and all she wanted to do was open the damn door and hug him in that moment, but she wouldn't let herself. No, she needed to be stronger than that. She took a deep breath trying to calm down her erratic heartbeat. "How did you find me?" she asked softer than before.

"Liz told me your address," he admitted. Maka grimaced and made a note to never give her address to Liz again no matter what school reunion it was for. "But don't blame her," he continued, "She refused me at first and I had to bug her for the last month about it, and only yesterday she let me explain everything that had happened between us, and that's when she gave in," he sighed, "with just one request."

The last part was quieter, but Maka still heard it. "What was her request?" she asked immediately. Perhaps she was just curious, or maybe she just jumped at the chance to talk about anything other than themselves.

Soul was silent for a minute, and for a moment Maka was unsure if he had left.

"She insisted that she was invited to the wedding," he said softly.

Maka immediately swung open the door and stared at Soul completely confused, especially seeing how hard he was blushing. "What?" she asked genuinely befuddled by his words. "What wedding?"

She watched as he took a deep breath and looked her directly in the eyes, "I like you Maka." Her eyes went wide as he continued on, "Not just like a friend, I really like-like you Maka and I'd like to take you on a date if you'd be okay with that!" His voice had slowly risen throughout the sentence so at the end he was practically shouting at her despite her only being a couple steps away.

Maka could feel her stomach tightening not only nervous, but anxious as well. She knew that she wanted this, more than she'd ever admit, and yet… "We had a moment," she said pausing to bite her lip slightly as she received Soul's small nod in response, "And you pulled away."

He didn't answer, and she couldn't help but continued. "I didn't pull away Soul, but you did. Do you know how that made me feel? Do you know how stupid I felt sitting in that damn hallway all by myself feeling like an idiot for opening up to you of all people!?"

"I know, and I'm sorry," he quickly cut in, but she'd have none of that.

"I'm sorry?!" she cried out well aware that her emotions were getting the best of her. Something about Soul just made her want to cry, laugh and shout all at the same time. "Why Soul?! Why now?!"

He finally took those steps forward and clasped his hands over her shoulders, "Because for years I've been pissed at myself for treating you like shit in high school, and I never expected to make up with you at the reunion much less tell you my life story," he took a deep breath and charged on looking Maka directly in the eye, trying to make her see just how serious he was. "And I realized that both of us had changed and I found you even more attractive and amazing than you were in high school, and I had to go for it, no matter how small of a chance it was that you might actually let me date you of all people."

"Then why did you pull away that night?!" Maka quickly retaliated, ignoring the slight blush staining her cheeks.

"You were drunk!" he shouted throwing up his arms in frustration and stepping away from her as he leaned his head against the door frame, eyes closed.

"You could have at least kissed me!" she threw right back.

"Maka," he said slowly taking a breath and opening his eyes, though he didn't look at her, "I've done so many things to hurt you, the last thing I wanted to do was force myself on you while you were in a vulnerable state, only to have things blow up in my face." He once again looked up at Maka directly in the eyes as he spoke softly. "I've changed since high school, I left my home and all their expectations and took my own way. I gave myself a second chance at life."

He took a deep breath and stepped toward Maka once more gently running a finger down her cheek almost lovingly. "I was hoping that you would give me a second chance as well and go on a date with me."

Maka couldn't keep the giddy grin off her face, and she answer softly, nuzzling into his hand. "Okay, but under one circumstance."

"Anything," he answered back unable to stop from smiling.

"Kiss me," she demanded.

He quickly complied.

Maka hadn't wanted to go to her ten year high school reunion. However, her fifteenth was a different matter altogether. Walking in with Soul on her arm, them married now (Liz was invited to the wedding) and shocking practically everyone in their class had been totally worth all the pain and frustration she had gone through five simple years ago. Life was good, especially when you won.