A/N: Hey there! Just wanted to drop in for one moment to say that this is indeed my first fanfiction, however I welcome criticism. Please R&R! Oh, and I rated this story 'M' for later chapters ;3 (; heheheheheheh... ENJOY! :D Before I forget, let me put a disclaimer in here. I DO NOT OWN SOUL EATER AND I ALSO DO NOT OWN BURLESQUE... AND I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE SONGS IN THIS CHAPTER NEITHER! Okay, enjoy and don't forget to harrass me with feedback ;D ! ;*
CHAPTER 1:
Another morning, another minimum wage pay for a job she can't even stand. Maka Albarn wasn't one who shivered at the thought of hard labor, so why was she always the one who got the short end of the stick? The thought could barely give her the motivation to even trudge over to the diner at which she worked at. Sam's Stop and Eatery. What a joke, but the job put food in her stomach and clothes on her back.
"I'm here!" Maka entered through the double doors, announcing her arrival, undoubtedly dejected. Her coworker, Ashley looked up from her tray of dirty dishes on her way to the kitchen and greeted Maka with a smile when she heard her come in. Maka didn't really care for greetings though. She ushered over to the back room to change into her uniform without so much as acknowledging any of the employees. She wasn't one to act so rudely towards others, but she's had enough of this place and she generally kept to herself. Maka removed her normal jeans and t-shirt and replaced them with a frilly black and white maid outfit, complete with a black dress that met the middle of her thigh, exposing her infamous silky, long legs and a frilly, white apron over it. Naturally, she tied her long, ash blonde hair into pigtails like she always did when she worked on the floor, despite her boss' orders to wear her hair out more often. He's her boss, not her hair stylist.
Maka worked on the floor from 9am to 5pm like always. She never failed to correctly put in the customers' orders and serve them their food within a decent time. At the end of her boring repeat of a work day, Maka sat herself up on the bar next to Ashley before heading home.
"How much did'ya, get today?" Maka pulled out the cash from her apron pocket and counted, unfolding each dollar bill. "$16.50. Not too bad, I guess." Ashley just blankly stared at the glass doors, waiting for another customer. Poor thing had to work a double on a Friday. Maka almost felt obligated to take the double off her hands so that Ashley could go back to her 2 year old munchkin, it's not like she had much to do after work today anyway.
"Ashley, how's Daniel? He doin' okay, these days?" Ashley smiled at the thought of her son. "Yeah, he's been okay. I wish that I could just spend a little more time with him." Maka saw an opportunity, so she took it. "It's funny you say that, because I was just about to ask you if you want me to handle the double today?" Ashley snapped her head back to Maka with a surprised expression wiping away her previously glum one. "You'd really do that? I mean, I don't want to burden you with my problems." She only shook her head. "Nah, it's fine. I don't have much to do today anyway. Besides, I could use a bit more money." The older woman removed herself from the side of the bar and stood in front of the ash blonde. "Thank you so much, Maka. I really appreciate it." Maka shook her head and waved her hand, signaling Ashley to get going.
After Ashley leaves, Sam comes out of his office, obviously in a rush. Maka tries calling out to him to get his attention, but his excessive mumbling only made it harder for him to hear her. "SAM!" The manager jumped at the sound of her booming voice and only glared in response. Maka descended from the bar and walked over to her boss. "When can I get my next paycheck? I was planning on visiting-." "Albarn, why do you insist on bothering me about this every damn day? Can't you take a hint, already?" Maka shot her best glare right back at him for acting so rudely towards her. "Well excuse me. I didn't think I would have to tell you how to do your damn job. You're the manager, so you should've already taken care of it. I've been asking you for a week now!" The lame excuse for a manager rolled his eyes at his persistent employee and walked out the door. "You'll get it when you get it. Stop bothering me." "I will leave, Sam! I'm not afraid to walk out on you, ya' know!" Sam stopped in his tracks and turned to her one last time, now with a scowl instead of a glare. "Everyone's replaceable, Maka-dear," and with that, he left without saying anything else or waiting for anything else to be said
Fine then! Maka stomped back in the back room, changed back into her normal clothes and decided that enough was enough. A girl could only take so much from a guy like him and she was certainly not going to stay at a place that didn't even need or acknowledge her. She was done.
Before Maka left the diner, she turned the 'open' sign to 'closed' and at first, hesitated, but then rushed over to the cash register and took the money that Sam owed her, being careful not to seem like she was stealing. If anything, Sam stole from her. With that, Maka ditched the diner and never turned back, nor did she plan on turning back.
Walking down the busy New York streets to her apartment never felt so good. She found herself walking a bit slower than usual, taking in the scenery and thinking of how much she'd miss this place. Maka let down her pigtails and ran a hand through her soft hair as the wind gently caressed it. Walking with a bit of a pep in her step, the refreshed woman pulled out her mp3 player and her headphones, listening to an upbeat song that she hadn't listened to in quite some time.
ETTA JAMES – SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD ON ME
Oh oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah (Yeah)
I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no no (Yeah)
And I just gotta tell you right now that I
I believe, I really do believe that
Something's got a hold on me, yeah (oh, it must be love)
Oohoh, something's got a hold on me right now, child (oh, it must be love)
Maka began walking to the beat and humming the tune. She wanted so badly to sing along, but it only would've made it awkward for the people around her if she broke out into song out of nowhere like this were some musical.
Let me tell you now
I got a feeling, I feel so strange
Everything about me seems to have changed
Step by step, I got a brand new walk
I even sound sweeter when I talk
[Chorus]
I said, oh, oh, oh, oh
heyyyy baby
Oh, it must be love (you know it must be love)
Let me tell you know
Something's got a hold on me, yeah (oh, it must be love)
Oohoh, something's got a hold on me right now, child (oh, it must be love)
The song's bouncy tune only made Maka even more relieved and happy. She admitted to herself that she truly did feel a bit nervous about leaving New York and starting a new life, but she also admitted to herself that this was something that must be done. She had to break free and be reborn into the person she really wanted to be.
Let me tell you now
I never felt like this before
Something's got a hold on me that won't let go
I believe I'd die if I only could
I sure feel strange, but it sure feels good
[Chorus]
Let me tell you know
My heart feels heavy, my feet feel light
I shake all over, but I feel alright
I never felt like this before
Something's got a hold on me that won't let go
I never thought it could happen to me
Got me heavy without the misery
I never thought it could be this way
Love's sure gonna put a hurting on me
[Chorus]
Yeah, he walks like love (you know he walks like love)
He talks like love (you know he talks like love)
Makes me feel alright (makes me feel alright)
In the middle of the night (in the middle of the night)
La na la la (la la la la)
La na la la (la la la la)
By the end of the song, the carefree, young woman had arrived at her cramped apartment and set down her keys on the counter like she always did after work. Today was different, though. She didn't feel unaccomplished or exhausted. In fact, she felt more alive than ever.
"All right. Time to get packin'!" Maka rummaged through her closet and threw all her clothes out on the bed and took her large suitcase from her closet's top shelf. Maka danced all around her apartment as she played her music, full-blast on her speakers and packed up. All her valuables were tossed into the suitcase as Maka made haste and within two-three hours, Maka had completed all her packing. The last thing she needed to pack with her was a photo that she kept very dear to her as time passed. It was a picture of Maka with her mother, Kami Albarn and her father Spirit Albarn. It was the last thing she had to remember her deceased parents with.
"Don't worry Mama, Papa. I'm coming for you guys, just you wait," Maka whispered, kissing the memento and tucking it into her bag.
"I'd like a one-way ticket to Death City, Nevada, please." Maka slid the money over to the ticket agent with her identification. The ticket agent counted the money and then printed out her flight ticket and gave her back her ID. "You're all set. Have a nice trip, ma'am," he said, sending her off with a smile. Maka habitually smiled back and made off on her way.
Maka boarded the plane later on that day and left her life back in New York with absolutely no regrets whatsoever. She had just given herself the chance to finally pursue her ultimate dream and she had every intention of taking it. Finally, she'll get to be able to show everyone her talent and do what she loves to do… dance.
A/N: So how was it? Don't worry, I know it's a bit boring during this part, but I promise that the next chapter is gonna get more interesting (: . Thanks for reading and I'll keep you all updated! I plan on making the next chapter fairly soon, but my brain can only process so much at once Dx so I'll try getting a couple more chapters in by tomorrow night. Thanks again! R&R and I'll see ya' soon (: Stay beautiful! (;