The idea for this story came to me at work while I was absent-mindedly doodling away not working ^^' It's the first ever story I've managed to complete so bare that in mind if you find mistakes or incoherence anywhere *cue the big puppy eyes* I'll be happy to read your comments (praise and critics but no flaming !) so fire away ! I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did writing it ! And as I much as I'd love to possess Soul as my own, he and the other characters do not belong to me *sighs*.

I stared, dizzy, into the face of the stranger. My stranger. It had seemed a good idea at the time, signing up for an exchange trip with a school in Australia, already dreaming of beaches, surf and cute koalas. Then my friend, Tsubaki, and I had found out that we weren't going till next year, they were coming. Then we'd found out both of us were paired with boys. Now I was finding out legs could turn to jelly. He was a god. A living Adonis. A slim well defined body could be guessed at under a black and yellow sweatshirt and baggy jeans. He had stark white hair that defied gravity by sticking up in a stylish just-woken-up look. His strange red eyes seemed to burn as he spoke to his rowdy blue-haired neighbour. I was drinking him in, quite literally.

" … tonight, Maka ?" Said Tsubaki, snapping me out of me reverie.

" Hmm, sorry, what ?"

"I was asking you whether I could come over you place tonight with Black Star ? I think we'll cope better together than on our own …" She looked really worried so I smiled and nodded.

" Yeah course, it'll be fun."

"All right kids !" Called the teacher. "Most of you know who's going with whom but for the sake of those who don't, I'm going to call you up two at a time. So if you could all, please, gather in the hall and wait quietly !". We pressed together into the hall, the Aussies coming afterwards, noisily. They seemed far more at ease than us Brits at staying in a stranger's home for two months. Once settled in the hall Professor Stein, our Science teacher, called us up in alphabetical order along with our exchange partner. My name was Albarn so I didn't have to wait for long before my name popped up.

"Maka Albarn and Soul Eater !"

I gulped, shot Tsubaki a glance who gave me the thumbs up, and moved forward. I kept my eyes trained on the professor, hoping not to stumble and fall. I got to Stein and faced the crowd. I couldn't see him anywhere. I panicked. What if he's decided to go home and is sitting in the bus? What if he saw me and doesn't want me as a partner? I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, turned around and there he was.
I jumped slightly at his proximity while he quickly looked me up and down. I was slightly smaller than him with straight, light blond hair bunched into ponytails. I was thin but without curves and regularly deplored my lack of breasts. My school uniform was hardly flattering: a short tartan skirt, plain white shirt and green tie. All in all there wasn't much to look at. I smiled tentatively, hoping to improve my outward appearance while my stomach double flipped. After a second of two his gaze set on my murky green eyes and, not with giving his impressions, he smiled wryly, putting his hand out. I shook it lightly and jerked my head to indicate to follow me.
I walked back to Tsubaki, focusing on my feet, acutely aware of his presence behind me. When I reached her I glanced sideways taking in her stone-still figure and awestruck eyes looking at me. I half-smiled and nodded, placing myself next to her as Soul took up the place on my other side. I watched Tsubaki go forward at her name and come back with the rowdy blue-head I'd noticed talking to Soul earlier. We exchanged smiles but mutely agreed to wait till the end of the calling. I spent the rest of the call furtively looking at Soul who was obstinately staring to the front with a slight smile as if amused. When the teacher finished, the blue-haired boy jumped in front of me.

"I'm Black Star, the greatest kid in the world ! But don't worry if you hang out with me I can make you great too !" He burst out laughing as I looked at him coldly.

" If you want," I said. "I'm Tsubaki's best friend. We're going to be seeing a lot of each other so I hope we get along."I was a bit doubtful for the last part.

" No problem ! I'm a Star, everybody likes me !" He answered, still laughing his head off.

"Cut it out Star," said Soul suddenly. "You're scaring the ladies and that's not cool. Tsubaki, Maka, I'm Soul and this idiot is my best mate. I'm sure we'll … get along just fine." He shot me a smile and a wink making me wonder if there was more to that sentence than was said. At that point Tsubaki spoke up with her usual, quiet voice.

"Ok. Maka ? We're going to get Black Star's stuff and drop by at my house to unpack and things. Is it still ok for tea at your place tonight ?"

"Sure! That is er …" I paused and turned to Soul. "Is it ok with you if Tsubaki and your friend come round for tea tonight ?" He looked down at me, a smile tugging on his lips. He really smiles a lot.

"Sure. You're the boss. We'll do whatever pleases you."

" Right," I replied, unsure whether he'd meant something else entirely. "6 o'clock my place ?"

"Great," Tsubaki answered. "See you tonight then, bye Soul." He and I watched Tsubaki go with Star talking animatedly besides her leaving us, or rather me, completely clueless as to what to do next. I turned to Soul.

" So … Shall we go and get your stuff then ?"

He nodded.

"Okay. Right. This way then." I led the way to the far side of the hall where somebody had jumbled up all the suitcases. I stood back and let Soul locate and retrieve his belongings before leading him out of the school gates and towards my home. The silence was burning as I desperately searched for something interesting to say. Soul walked next to me, lugging his bags along. He spoke up.

"So, tell me about yourself then. I mean, we don't know each other and we're going to live together for two months. Might as well become friends at the very least." He looked at me. Was he making innuendos all over the place or was I imaging things ?

" Of course I want us to be friends," I replied hurriedly. "The other option is to ignore each other and that's hardly a laugh is it ?" I laughed awkwardly myself before carrying on.

" Let's see. I'm an only child. My mum and dad have split up and I live with my dad. He's a teacher at school. This year I'm going to graduate in Philosophy, French, History and Cinema. Errrm … What else would you like to know ?" I asked, hoping for some help.

" Dunno," he replied. "What you like to do. What's your favourite sex position, for example ?" He asked, dead serious.

" My favourite sex posi –" I stopped in my tracks, shocked and started shouting. "WHAT ?! You pervert ! Are you crazy ? What sort of girl do you think I – " I stopped again, bewildered, as I watched him laugh.

"Sorry. I'm really sorry," he choked out. "I just wanted to see your reaction. It was a joke, I really am sorry." He carried on laughing while I stared at him. If I was honest, I wasn't prude but those sorts of questions from a complete stranger had just shocked me to no end.

"Anyway," he chortled. "What's your type of music ?" I looked at him suspiciously before walking again and answering.

"I'm a metal/rock person. Right now, I'm listening to Bring Me the Horizon but before that it was Shaka Ponk and ACDC."

"Hey that's so cool ! I love Bring Me! Never heard of Shaka Ponk though."

"Hardly surprising," I answered relaxing a little. "They're French and only starting to really break through. I'll lend you a couple of CD's if you're nice."

"Best behaviour, I double promise!" We carried on talking music until we got home.