A/N: 16 words: Junior year, drama, school work, family issues, guys who can't appreciate a good thing, and finals.

'Nuff said.

It was private sporadic times like this when she allowed herself girly moments. She couldn't help it as excitement bubbled over the edge; jumping up and down in a circle, bouncing on her toes.

She faced her bed to do one last run over, just to make sure she had everything she needed.

Clothes: check.

Wallet: check.

Phone: check.

Tickets: check!

It was her dirty little secret not even her closest friends knew about. Not even her partner. And she'd be damned if she lets him find out. Stupid smug 'i told you so' grin.

If anyone found out she actually had a decent taste in music and decent Saturday nights, they'd never let her hear the end of it.

He was sitting on the couch. Well, more like dominating it with all his limbs. He sprawled all over the couch leaving no room for her, so she just sat on the floor with her back against it. Every now and then she'd glance at their crooked clock on the wall, doing a mental countdown.

It was Saturday so any minute now Soul would get a call from Black Star, demanding he come keep his god entertained, and she'd be left with the apartment all to herself. Maka had come to expect Soul back well past midnight, sometimes not coming back until the next morning. Soul never invited her to come hang out because 1) Black Star might not survive their "play date," and 2) he knew there was nothing she'd rather do more than snuggle up in bed with a book. Apart from him, Maka wasn't exactly the social type.

A sudden vibrating made Maka jump, the pages of her book fluttering as it fell out of her lap. She looked behind her to see Soul pulling his cell phone out of his sweatpants. He flipped it open and grunted while she leaned over to retrieve her book.

"Sup 'Star."

Maka could hear the obnoxious yelling emanating from the phone and tried to stifle a giggle as Soul held it away from his ear, grimacing. When the yelling had died down somewhat he put it back and tried to talk over the hyperactive ninja's incessant chatting. Maka listened tentatively.

"Shut up, 'Star! I can't understand you when you don't frikkin breath," he huffed.

Maka's giggles were met with an icy stare but otherwise ignored.

"You what?"

She watched curiously as Soul's annoyance ebbed away and soon made room for shock. Then disbelief. Then shock again. Finally settling on pure pleasure.

"Dude, seriously?," Soul laughed. "How the hell did you manage that? You're broke!"

Uh oh, Maka thought, this can't be good. She turned completely around on her knees, all interest on trying to decipher what Black Star was rambling on about. Soul leaned away slightly when she tried to get closer, obviously seeing her intentions, and stuck his tongue out at her as she furrowed her eyebrows. He just waved her away, but she remained firm as she sat on the edge of the cushion.

"Okay ,okay where's it at?," he looked hurriedly at the clock, "Sweet, we can make it in the next 40 minutes. Get ready, I'll swing by and pick you up…..Shut up, dumb ass."

With that he snapped his phone closed and threw it on the coffee table, distantly taking note that it just slid across the top and landed on the floor. Maka had to scramble out of his way as he jumped up and over the back of the couch and ran towards his room.

"What's going on? ," Maka yelled at him, his door left ajar. She could see shadows of clothes being strewn about as he was undoubtedly shoving through piles of clothes on his floor.

His voice was muffled when he answered, so he must have found something semi decent to wear.

"Black Star got us tickets to that concert I wanted to go to."

Maka was slowly making her way into the kitchen when Soul came barreling out of his room and headed for the bathroom. "You mean the one you've been whining about for weeks because we didn't have the money to pay for it? ," she asked as his rushing blew stray strands of her hair. He just laughed and slammed the bathroom door. She could hear the faucet start running and few curses as loud thuds clattered on the tile floor. She shook her head at his child like anticipation and proceeded to get a glass of water.

She stood there in the kitchen slowly sipping, thinking about the tickets. The cheapest ones, Soul had said, were $160: not something they could afford right now. He had tried to reason with her that when considering how popular the band was, those tickets were pretty cheap, but she couldn't be swayed. Especially when he wouldn't even tell her who the band was, simply saying "you wouldn't know em, you're not cool enough."

Maka mildly ignored his comment, blood starting to simmer again, when Soul finally finished in the bathroom and speed walked into the kitchen. In all honesty, he looked a mess. He obviously looked rushed and his hands fumbled as her tried to button up his shirt. Maka smiled to herself at how frustrated he was getting (the buttons didn't deserve such a cussing out) and decided to take pity on him.

She set her glass on the counter and pushed his hands away with a "don't hurt yourself." He growled half-heartedly at what she implied, but let her help him. He worked on trying to somewhat smooth out his hair, oblivious to Maka's slight blush. He was wearing a black tank top underneath his shirt, but it did little to hide just how fit he was.

Focus on the buttons, Maka, focus!

She finished the last button, third from the top like he always wore it, and gave his shoulder a little pat. Soul gave up with his hair and gave a smile in thanks, then hurried to the living room to find his shoes. Maka went back to drinking her water. Finishing it, she set it in the sink to be washed later and turned to meet Soul walking back into his room, shoeless. He tossed her his vibrating phone which she caught easily.

"Answer him, I'm busy." This time his door was left wide open and she watched in mild amusement as he dove under his bed, searching for his shoes. Maybe now she'll get him to clean his room, seeing as he can't find anything.

She opened the phone and looked at the caller id. Black Star. And a picture of him and his stupid hair. She pressed send and groaned, preparing herself.

"Hey, Black Star. It's Maka."

"Maka? Where's Soul? Your god wishes to speak with him! ," came the haughty reply.

Maka sighed, developing a twitch. "Nice to hear from you too! And wish not granted, he's busy trying to find his shoes," and louder so Soul could hear her, "Maybe now he'll listen to me when I tell him his room would be more manageable if it were clean!"

She watched as he tried to get out from under the bed, a loud thud resounding when he hit his head, the usual string of curses as he rubbed it, and the 'shut up, pigtails' when she started laughing. She went back to the phone.

Apparently, Black Star had heard everything because he was laughing too.

"Hyahaha! Tell Soul he amuses me. And because he amuses me, I'll even pay for food once we get to the concert. I'm such a giving god-"

"Yeah, yeah Black Star. I know," Maka rolled her eyes. Then had an idea. "Oh hey! What band are you going to see tonight?"

She could hear Soul sputter 'don't tell her anything!' from inside his room, but it was too late. Maka could feel her blood run cold with the sudden cumbersome situation.

"W-who?"

"That looks really cute on you, Maka, but could you please tell me again why we're here?"

Liz watched Maka twirl in an eyelet summer dress, definitely not her style, with tired and confused eyes.

The ashen blonde girl had called the eldest Thompson in a panic, words rushing together. All Liz could make out was that she needed her help and to meet her at Patty's favorite boutique a.s.a.p. Thinking Maka was finally embracing today's fashion, she heartily agreed. But she wasn't prepared for Maka's true motive.

"I don't need it to look cute, Liz, I just need people to not recognize me," Maka stated again as she went back into the changing stall. "And we're here because I need a disguise."

Liz rubbed her temples. She could feel the headache coming if she didn't get answers soon.

"Okay, so hold up," she started, "You're going out somewhere tonight. Somewhere where people might recognize you. And you don't want them to. So you need me to help you find an outfit that disguises who you are? Am I getting this?"

Maka came out from the curtained room, this time in a floral pink dress. She smoothed it down, looking in the mirror, as she answered Liz. "That's correct!," she chirped.

"Who are you trying to hide from?," Liz questioned.

Maka met Liz's eyes through the mirror, but dropped them again when she saw a piercing stare. "I'm not trying to hide from anyone," she said nonchalantly.

Liz came up from behind her and wrapped her arms around the small girl's shoulders. "Are you being harassed by someone, Maka hun? Cuz you don't need to go to these extremes: hiding yourself when all you have to do is tell Soul. He'll beat the shit out of anyone who tries to-"

"I'm not being harassed, Liz! Jeez!," Maka flushed furiously. The mention of Soul's name reminded her of why she was there in the first place.

Liz frowned at Maka's reflection, but eased up. She unfurled her arms and went back to plop down in her set, taking a deep sigh. "Can you at least tell me where you're going?"

It was Maka's turn to sigh. "That's not really important! I just need you to-"

"Not important? ," Liz exclaimed, looking insulted. "Maka, it makes all the difference! Knowing where you're going will better help me find an appropriate outfit! I mean, for all I know you're going to a sex bar! I can't have you go in THAT," she gestured to the pink dress, "That basically screams 'I've been tapping my grandmother for years!' - "

"LIZ! ," Maka gasped, redder than a tomato. She looked embarrassed as a nearby sale assistant awkwardly shuffled away. Quieter this time, she walked over to Liz and grabbed her face with both hands.

"I. Am. NOT. Going to a s-sex b-bar. Okay?"

Liz squinted her eyes, searching Maka's for anything that said she was lying. She didn't find anything, so she nodded to let the girl know she was believed. Maka let Liz's face go and slumped in the chair next to her.

"So…where are you going then? ," Liz couldn't stop herself from asking, ignoring the way Maka slumped further into inexistence.

Her pigtailed friend quickly looked around the store. The clerk was gone and Patti was happily gushing over giraffe printed panties in the lingerie section.

Maka leaned over her arm chair and Liz leaned into her to hear her as she whispered.

"You can't tell anyone. Especially Soul!"

Now Liz was seriously interested, but she eagerly nodded her head for Maka to continue. She took a breath to ready herself.

"I'm going to a concert."

"…"

"…"

"Who?"

"Mumford & Sons."

"…"

"I won the ticket on a radio trivia challenge."

"…"

"…"

"I didn't know you liked that kind of music…"

"Well, Black Star is always making fun of my folk music isn't he?"

"Yeah, but… Mumford & Sons are folk rock. Difference."

"Oh…Will you still help me?"

Liz leaned back to look at Maka. She'd have never guessed Maka would be into that stuff, but then again, Soul was bound to rub off on her. Better in this way than in others, she decided.

She was never particularly close to Maka. Sure, she admired the girl's strength and talent, but Liz had never really been the one she'd confide in. And with the way Maka was looking at her, as if she'd really be angry with this new found interest, she considered it an honor.

"PATTI! ," Liz snapped her fingers and immediately her energetic sister appeared. They both glanced at Maka.

"Maka here needs a new hairstyle. Find her something nice, please."

"Okey dokey, Captain!" Patti mock saluted and Maka watched silently as she hopped to the hair care and wigs.

"Okay, girl," Liz said, recapturing Maka's attention. "Let's get to it!"

A/N: Hey Guys!

Please don't hurt me. I know it's been a long long long long long while, but hey! Now that school's out and both of my parents are in work I'll have oodles more time to write!

So, regarding my other stories: They are all on hold for now bc the laptop that I have them stored on is dead. Blah. Went to the computer store in the sky. And I have no idea how to extract all my information from that hard drive so I have to wait until my mom has time to teach me or just do it for me

But for now I'll be working on this story. Hopefully it makes up for how I've neglected you so. Beginning might be a little slow and rusty, haven't written in a while XD