SoMa Week 2014
Day 1: Roommates (AU, Maka's POV)
Plot: In which Maka's friends try to convince her to get a roommate and she meets a certain white haired shark toothed boy in the process
"Maka, you should really think about getting a roommate. I mean, doesn't it always get lonely all alone in the apartment? It's also good for you to split the rent payment between you and your new roomie." Tsubaki asked as she took a sip of her mango bubble tea.
"I'm not alone, Tsu, I have Blair with me, remember?" I replied. "Yeah, well she's your cat, Maka and since your Papa moved out, this is a perfect opportunity! Do you want to be some lonely cat lady in the future?" Liz teased before I playfully punched her in the arm. "No, I just…" I sighed before continuing.
"…I just don't see the point in getting a roommate. It's like asking a complete stranger to stay at my house. Maybe they could slowly rob you or worse…" I shuddered at the thought.
"Maybe you should hold interviews or something…wait a second," Tsubaki grabbed her purse and fished her hand in before pulling out her phone.
"Black*Star sent me a text earlier this morning saying his friend just moved to the city and needs a place to stay. Maybe that could work?" I thought about it for a moment.
"Is this person of the male species?" I ask. "Yes," Tsubaki confirmed.
"Then no," I said as I got up to throw what was left of my drink. "Come on, Maka, it's not that bad! Not all boys or men in particular are like your father," I clenched my fist at the very mention of my no good papa and turn to face my friends,
"Yes, they are! They're all lying, cheating, immature, bastard pigs who would do anything but get into your pants!" I hissed, my eyebrows furrowing into a frown.
"But Maka," "No, buts, now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for work," I turn my back on my friends and stomp away before I could hear any of their protests into the afternoon sun of Death City.
"Why do they want me to have a roommate? It's like their twisted way of setting me up on a freakin' date!" I grumbled under my breath as I walked into Marie's Book Nook. A smile crept to my lips as continued walking, getting lost in the labyrinth of books. This place has been like some sort of sanctuary for me; I guess you could say it is my second home.
"Maka, you're here early today, I don't expect you for another half hour." Marie smiled as she embraced me. "Yeah, well, I didn't want to hear my friends blab on and on about how I need a roommate! I'm fine with just the way it is. I do have Blair after all," I ranted. "Maybe it's because they know that you're anti-social all the most of time and they think that you should try and go out. Getting a roommate should be a start to that!" "Oh Marie, not you too," I groaned as I put on my name tag and went up to the cash register to count the day's sales.
"So, how are we doing today?" I asked as I count the money. "Business is slow as per usual, but who want to come to a bookstore on a Friday, huh?" she chuckled and I laughed along as well. "Anything you want me to do until my shift starts?" "Ummm, yes, there are some books that came in this morning and I've already put about half of them away. Could you organize the other half for me?" I nod. "Sure, I just need to know where the box is." "It's in my office," she replied. "Thanks," I give her a smile before I walked into her office and picked up the box. I sift through the collection, a couple of titles catching my eye. Maybe I would read one of them during my break…
I walked to the first aisle and put a couple books into its new home on the shelves, humming a little tune as I went. "Uh, excuse me?" I stopped for a moment. "Yes, can I help you?" I asked politely as I continued to put books away. "Do you know where I could find the Ellendera Café? I'm supposed to meet my friend and his girlfriend there."
"Oh, I was just there. It's actually two blocks from here. Just keep walking straight and turn to your right and there you go! You're new to Death City, aren't you?" "Yeah, I just moved in a week ago and my friend is trying to convince me to get a roommate but I think it's kind of pointless; I'm doing just fine on my own," He explained. "I have the same problem, my friends are trying to convince me to get a roommate' something about splitting the rent or something like that. I just blocked them out after that." I explained as I finished putting the books away.
"Mind if you show me where the Café is?" "Well, I don't know…" "Just go! I can cover for a bit," Marie practically hissed and I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, sure, I'm Maka, by the way," I hold out my hand for him to shake.
"Soul," he replies as he shakes my hand. "Now, if you would follow me," I lead him out of the shop and we both took a short walk to the Café. "Well, here we are. Have fun with your friend," I gave him a smile before turning on my heel and lead myself back to the safety of the shop.
I learned that the friend of Black*Star Tsubaki was talking about was Soul; how I found out was when Tsubaki was throwing a surprise party for the aforementioned blunette and I saw him among the guests/helpers. After talking for a while then, I found myself becoming drawn to him. Sure, he liked to make rather snide comments on my 'non-existent' chest (Tiny-Tits, my ass!) and teased me about being a bookworm, but at least he isn't like Black*Star. We've been hanging out more and more and I've gotten to know him more.
He moved out of his home in New York, dropped out of Julliard and moved into Death City to get a new start in life; he keeps in touch with his brother, Wes, but not with his parents; his father in particular, something that I have in common with my papa. He met Black*Star at a bar in New York, where they pretty much made a bet to see who would last. Soul won and Black*Star lost, and the blunette ninja had to streak through Times Square belting out a Broadway tune. I wish could've seen that.
Okay, maybe I was wrong about men in genera. Soul was different, and as we got to know each other even more, I found that he was someone I can trust. And as much as I hate to admit; I slowly began to fall for him. But sadly, not all relationships last; just look at my parents! Maybe this is all just some foolish thing.
*A Couple Months Later*
I shot up from bed from the sound of banging coming from outside of my bedroom. I groan letting out a yawn before my head meets my pillow. Another bang resonates and I give up; standing up and stumbling into the living area and then to my door.
"Who is it?" I mumbled sleepily before releasing another yawn. "It's me," I recognized that voice immediately. I quickly unlocked the door to find Soul, with a box and a suitcase in both his arms, his hair wet from the rain pouring outside. I looked at the box questioningly before meeting his gaze.
"I've been evicted. I didn't pay rent on time and I just quit my job, so…here I am," He explained all in one breath.
"Where's the rest of your stuff?" "It's all in the apartment. Landlord says I have a week to move my stuff out." I could see his body shiver from the cold. I let myself out of the way so that he can enter the apartment and he does, setting his stuff down in the living room. "Do you want coffee, tea or hot chocolate?" I asked.
"I haven't had hot chocolate in a long time," he replies. "Then hot chocolate it is," I grin as I got two mugs and the hot chocolate mix out from the cupboard. "You can change out of those wet clothes in the bathroom if you want. The hot chocolate won't take long." He nods and gets his stuff in the living room, "Where's the…"
"First door on your left," I explain. "Thanks," he chuckled before he leaves for the bathroom. While he's in there, my thoughts wander. Should I let Soul move in here? That would go back to when the girls tried to convince me to get a roommate. The kettle began to whistle, taking me out of my thoughts and I took it off the stove top, adding the hot chocolate powder into both mugs and adding the hot liquid. I topped it off with marshmallows as Soul returns from the bathroom.
"Here, this should warm you up," I hand him a mug and he takes it, taking a small sip. He lets out a content sigh and I smile. "Thanks,"
"You don't have to thank me…" I assured him. We stood in silence, the pitter patter of the rain beating down on the window. "So what are you going to do now? Are you going to look for anyplace else to stay?" I questioned as I continued to sip my beverage.
"I'm not sure. I was considering staying with Star and Tsubaki, but that would be pretty awkward since…you know," I nod in agreement. "Look, I know I said I didn't want a roommate, but…" I take an intake of air before continuing but Soul beats me to it.
"Is Maka Albarn asking me to be her roommate?" I saw him smirk. "Sadly yes, if you agree, I have a couple of rules." "Oh come on, rules are uncool!" Soul whined. "Do you want to live in the streets?" I threatened. He shook his head. "Alright, we split and pay the rent 50/50; no ifs, ands or buts…"
"Fair enough, anything else?" "You have to do chores and clean up yourself. Do you cook?"
"I'm okay baking is my specialty though…don't tell anyone I said that." He added. "Okay, so food is done…" I thought about anything else, but nothing else came up. "Yup, that's pretty much it… oh, I almost forgot. Do not hog the bathroom and we don't go into each other's rooms unless asked or requested. Is that understood?"
"Duh," he replied and a small smile graced my lips. "You can take the couch for now," I yawned, finishing my drink and placing it in the sink before making a beeline for the living room and setting up a blanket and pillow.
"There you go," I said as he made himself comfortable, laying his head on the pillow.
"I'll see you in the morning," I turn and leave before I felt his hand grab my wrist and pull me back, making me sit on the couch before he makes me lie down next to him. "Stay with me," he asks. My face burned a bright shade of red. "I d-don't have time for your games, Soul. I'm t-tired," I stuttered.
"Who says I was playing games?" he questions. "Fine but just until I hear your breathing slow and you're asleep." I say as I made myself comfortable, my face nestled in his chest. "Good night, Maka," "Good night Soul," I try to fight the sleep but I could feel his heartbeat slowly lulling me into slumber.
The sun shines from the window and I shield my eyes from the brightness. I stifle a yawn, my neck cramped from sleeping on the couch. I slowly open my eyes to find crimson eyes meeting mine.
"I thought you said you would stay until I fell asleep…" Soul chuckles and I blushed profusely. "I'll go make breakfast," I roll off the couch and get up, slowly stumbling. "I'll help you out, roomie," he says as he follows me into the kitchen.
RJ: First SoMa Week Entry! I will post the next story tomorrow! I hope you enjoyed it!