The sun gleamed through the closed blinds. Maka suddenly opened her eyes.
Where am I?
She slowly lifted herself up off the pillow and looked around.
Her old room…Oh! She remembered.
She got out of the bed and slowly walked into the hallway where she gazed upon his door…. yeah, she remembered.
Depressed, she strode over to the window and dropped a blind to peek outside. People were walking past the apartment, going about their day normally. She didn't much enjoy the idea of leaving the safety and seclusion of her apartment to be harassed. She flipped the blinds back in place and plopped on the couch to watch tv.
… "Hi, this is Maka. Leave a message!" Tsubaki hung the phone up. "Voicemail again."
Black*Star rolled his eyes. "We should just go over there," he said casually walking with his fingers interlaced behind his head.
"Duh. That's where we are going," Liz said.
"…Hey guys." They stopped to look over in the direction from which the voice came.
"May Ally and I come with you?" Wes asked.
The group smiled at him. "Of course, Wes! You don't even need to ask." Tsubaki said.
They all headed over to Soul and Maka's old apartment. Black*Star ran up the wide stone steps and knocked powerfully. "Hey Maka, c'mon we know you are in there."
Maka slightly opened the door. "What do you want…"
Black*Star smiled. "C'mon, Maka! Let's go for a walk. Could probably use a little fresh air, hmm?"
Maka rolled her eyes. "I don't want to go anywhere, Black*Star."
Black*Star interrupted her. "Ok fine, can we come in there and chill with you all boringly then? Either way, we are hanging out with you."
Maka closed her eyes in frustration. She backed away from the door and squeezed the bridge of her nose in defeat. "Alright, alright I give up. Let me change."
They all entered the living room as they waited for Maka to get ready. She came out of the room only to see that pure white hair again at the back of the group. She stopped in her tracks and stared at him. Realizing she was staring, she quickly looked down at the floor and distracted herself by tying her shoe.
"Alright…we can go," she said.
They all made their way out of the apartment and started off down the street.
"So…where we going," Maka asked.
Black*Star smiled. "You really have to ask?"
Maka looked down at the ground…she knew.
The trees in the forest glowed a vibrant green and the sky was perfectly blue and clear. Maka sniffed the evergreen air and slightly smiled. She actually kind of missed this.
They made their way down the familiar dirt path they always took to the usual spot. Finally, Maka saw it. The old magnolia tree by the cliff was still there like an old friend that never went away. Maka stared longingly at the winding branches. There were so many memories here.
"C'mon, slow poke!" Maka looked down at Soul from her branch above him. "I'm comin. Relax," Soul said calmly as he continued to climb at his own pace. Maka was sitting casually on a big branch at the top of the tree, when Soul finally pulled himself up on the adjacent branch.
"It sure is beautiful out here. I'm glad we found this place," Maka said as she looked out at the horizon.
"Yeah it is," Soul agreed gazing out at the beautiful view of the city.
"Hey." Maka said smiling.
"What?"
"Betcha can't get to that branch." Maka pointed to a relatively high branch that was slightly out of the way.
Soul looked up and shrugged. "Why bother? No need to go any higher."
Maka stood up and began to climb.
"What are you doing?" Soul said, concern growing in his voice.
"I want to sit on that branch." Maka replied, reaching for the next highest branch.
"You idiot. You're going to kill yourself." Soul was now standing and watching her nervously.
"Don't be such a wimp, Soul." Maka said as she reached above her head for a limb. As she grabbed it, the limb snapped and she began to fall rapidly to the ground.
Without thinking, Soul leaned out and seized her cloak, "MAKA!"
He held on tightly, saving her from the fall. He reached for her hand, grabbed it, and began to pull her up. Maka was able to grasp his branch and climb up to safety.
They sat on that thick branch together, breathing heavily, until finally their eyes met. "…You ok," Soul asked.
"Maka, you comin'?" Black*Star asked, snapping Maka out of her daydream. She looked up at the branch from which she fell all those years ago…when Soul saved her.
Each member of the group scattered in the area around the tree. Black*Star used the trunk to quickly monkey his way to a thick branch. Tsubaki and Kid sat at the base of the tree. Liz stood with her arms crossed leaning against the trunk while looking out over the valley below the cliff.
Patty and Maka sat on the ground, dangling their legs off of the edge of the cliff. Wes and Ally walked casually over to Maka's other side and Wes sat down right beside her while Maka continued to stare down into the valley below.
"Nice day, huh?" Wes said smiling looking over towards Maka.
She continued to focus on the ground below, refusing to make eye contact with him. "Mm? Oh yeah. Nice day," she said without deviating her stare.
The whole gang pretended to be interested in other things but everybody was listening intently on the interaction between Maka and Wes.
"Nice to see you again. It's been a while." Wes continued.
Maka was silent for a while. "Nice to see you too, Wes," she said as she picked herself up off the ground. She put her hands in her jacket pockets and began to walk away from the group, unable to handle the current situation.
Wes closed his eyes and sighed. He looked down at the grassy, green floor below and put his arms on his knees in defeat.
"Don't worry, Wes. She will come around," Tsubaki said.
He rose to his feet and began to walk in the same direction Maka was headed. "I need to talk to her alone," he said, warning everybody to stay away.
Maka didn't really know where she was going. She just wanted to get away from them; away from him. His appearance was very overwhelming. She has forgotten how much they looked alike. It might as well have been Soul sitting beside her on that cliff… just looking at him was far too painful to bear.
Maka kept a steady pace away from the group. She was desperate to be alone and really hoped that nobody followed her.
Then suddenly, his voice echoed in the distance, "Maka!". Maka cringed. Man…even his voice sounds the same.
She didn't answer as her pace hastened. Please…just go away…
"Maka," he called again, quickening his stride in order to catch up with her. "Please, stop and hear me out."
Maka's pace didn't wane. She called out, "It's not you ok, Wes. Please."
"Look I get it, alright," he yelled, undeterred in his determination to reach her. "But can't I just talk to you for a second? Why are you running away from me?"
Maka didn't stop. She didn't know what to do or say. So, she stayed silent, quickening her pace once more.
"I understand that you are still in a lot of pain. He was my brother! So, I'm still hurting too…Please, I need to talk to you."
Maka stopped suddenly. Her gaze remained on the ground in front of her as he slowly approached her from behind.
"Maka…"
Maka didn't say anything; she only continued to stare at the ground in front of her feet. He walked around her and waited for her to look up at him. She didn't.
"Do you know how much it hurts that you can't even look me in the eye? We've been friends for so long..."
Maka continued to stare at the ground without responding.
His head tilted to the side as he studied her. He finally shook his head as he said, "I just want to say one thing and I'll leave you alone, ok? You don't have to talk to me or look at me if that makes you uncomfortable… But I want you to know that every day since then, I've always thought about you…and hoped you were ok. I never once believed you were guilty. People around here are so vile and ignorant…all those allegations… and I fully believe that the truth will come out. I know you could never have hurt him."
She still didn't say anything or look at him.
He sighed and continued, "I just want you to be ok. That's really all I care about now. It's not fair for you to have suffered so much. You deserve to be happy…and I want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever need anyone to reach out to."
He waited for a response but never received one.
"You were really good for Soul…" he continued. "…and I appreciate that. I wish you knew how grateful I truly am. Whatever happened out there that day…it wasn't your fault. So, you need to quit blaming yourself." He placed a hand on Maka's shoulder and whispered, "thanks, Maka." He put his hand in his pockets and continued to walk back towards the group.
Maka blinked allowing a single tear to drip down her cheek. She turned and called out to him weakly, "Wes…"
Wes stopped and turned toward her.
"I'm really sorry…" she collapsed on her knees to the ground and began to cry. "I'm sorry…"
He ran over to her, bent down, and placed a hand on her back. "Maka, listen to me…you have nothing to be sorry for. Stop."
She sat back on her knees and looked at him through her glossy eyes. "I lost him…"
Tears began to form in Wes' eyes when he reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders. He pulled her in close to him. "Maka. Stop."
Maka wrapped her arms around him. Her tears slowed. Her heart panged with…well she really couldn't describe it. She smelled him. She felt him. It was like he was there with her again…like she was hugging Soul. She didn't ever want to let go.
She backed away and stared into his eyes in amazement. Her cheeks were still wet from crying. After a few seconds of her uninterrupted staring, he grinned at her and lightly laughed. "…what?"
She slightly smiled. "Sorry…it's just… you just remind me so much of him."
The corner of his mouth twisted upwards into a small smile. "Yeah, well, I oughta. I'm his twin."
She smiled and looked down at the ground. She suddenly raised her head to look back up at him. "…can I hug you again?"
He laughed and opened his arms. "Of course!"
Maka's arms gently wrapped around his body as she tried to savor the moment. Wes stayed still as she laid her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. His mouth crept into a small smile as she backed away and looked at him again.
"This is so crazy…" Maka said as her smile faded away. She stood up, crossed her arms, and turned away from Wes. "I'm sorry, Wes. It's hard to look at you without…" her voice drifted off.
Wes stood and slowly stepped forward towards her. "I'm going to remind you of him, Maka. It's inevitable. Are you going to be able to handle that?" He asked.
Without turning to look at him, she slightly smiled. She took a breath of air in as she turned and said, "…yeah. I think so."
"Good," he said smiling.
Maka walked past him to the edge of the cliff and sat down. Wes followed her lead and sat beside her.
"Soul and I used to come out here all the time…" she said while staring out at the mountain peaks in the distance.
Wes chuckled. "Oh yes, I know all about this place…He called it 'the spot'."
Maka laughed. "Yes, yes the spot. That's what we called it. Not really an interesting name…"
Maka and Wes continued to stare at the scenery surrounding them as Maka thought about what she wanted to say next.
"You know…I want to thank you…" she said without looking over at him.
He glanced at her as his eyes widened. "Thank me? For what," he asked curiously.
She smiled without severing her focus from the valley below. "…For believing in me…It really means a lot..."
He smirked and continued to stare out into the wilderness. "No need to thank me. I know the truth. Someday everybody will."
Maka paused for a bit to listen to the many sounds of the forest. The wind rustled through the leaves of the trees around them. "I still miss him…" Maka said staring even harder at the valley floor. "I'm not sure if it will ever get better…"
Wes' eyes softened. "It'll get better. I miss him too."
Black*Star tapped his fingers on the branch of the tree. "Well this is some bullshiggity…I want to know what's going on."
"Patience, Black*Star. Patience…" Tsubaki said.
"Yeah, will you relax? This could be good for Maka," Liz said looking up into the tree.
"Well, I would have already snuck my way over there to creep on them, if it weren't for SOME PEOPLE trying to thwart my plan."
"Will you shut...your… mouth?" Liz snapped back.
They heard murmuring coming from the direction of which Maka and Wes disappeared into the trees. Everybody snapped their heads to look over.
Maka and Wes were laughing together while walking back to the clearing.
"Hey!" Black*Star jumped down to the ground and quickly ran over to them. "What's goin on, eh? Does this mean everything is good now?"
Maka giggled. "Yes, Black*Star, we were actually just talking about you, coincidentally."
"Oh really? What about!?"
Maka and Wes exchanged glances and began to laugh hysterically.
"Oh alright, that isn't cool." Black*Star complained while following them over to the clearing.
The atmosphere around the group was much lighter after Maka and Wes had their conversation. They headed back into town with some pep in their step.
They were nearly back to Maka's apartment when Stein suddenly appeared in front of them. "Hello, again. Pardon my intrusion."
"Hey, professor!" Tsubaki said while everybody nodded or waved acknowledging his greeting. "Maka, how are you?" He asked.
All eyes focused on Maka as she answered, "I'm fine, professor. Thank you."
"Good, good. I wanted to mention it before it got away from me, that the DWMA fall ball is this Friday. I'm sure I can speak for everyone as we would hope you would attend."
Maka's cheeks began to glow a deep red. "Oh, um…."
"She will be there, professor." Black*Star said with his arms crossed.
"Wait…I…" Maka started.
"Tsubaki will help you get a dress, Maka." Black*Star said, interrupting her.
"But I…"
"I will!" Tsubaki said excitedly. "I'll help too." Liz added.
"Wait…"
"Me too!" Patty jumped up and down excitedly.
"Hold on!" Maka yelled. "Don't I get a say?"
Everybody paused to look at Maka. "No." Black*Star casually stated. "She will be there, professor. Thanks for the invite!" Black*Star clutched Maka's arm and started to lead her down the cobbled stone street towards her apartment while Maka hissed in protest.
"I'm NOT going to that ball, Black*Star!"
"Yes, yes you are, my dear."
Maka forced her arm out of Black*Star's grip and angrily turned toward him. "Why are you doing this to me?!"
Black*Star nonchalantly stared at her and let out a sigh.
"You are just going to be so stubborn about this, aren't you?" Maka rolled her eyes and began to walk heatedly up the steps to her apartment. She managed to get the door open when Black*Star said. "So, you are going, right…"
"You don't get it, do you?!" Maka snapped and turned around furiously to meet his gaze. "I'm not going to go to some stupid ball so I can be mocked and ridiculed. NO, thank you! I refuse. Why don't you freaking understand?! JUST GO AWAY!" She slammed the door and immediately hit the floor in tears.
A few minutes went by when she heard a knock at the door. "Go away, Black*Star," she called out. "Maka…" Her stomach dropped. That voice again… It's as if Soul is right on the other side of the door. Maka massaged the bridge of her nose with two fingers as she thought to herself, this is beginning to mess with my head a little bit.
She picked herself up off the floor and opened the door without thinking. She peeked out at Wes who was alone. "May I come in?"
Maka opened her door without saying anything; her cheeks were still wet from crying.
"Listen…Black*Star is an idiot, we all know that…" He paused for a second to gauge her reaction. Maka simply listened.
"I know you probably don't want to hear this, but it would mean a lot to me if you went to the ball. I think it will actually be good for you to get out and try to have some fun. You know we are all there for you. We aren't going to let anyone say anything to you. Lord Death will be there and he especially won't tolerate it…"
Maka looked up at him.
He put his hands together in a prayer gesture. "So, please…come to the ball? For me?"
Maka studied Wes' face. She couldn't help but imagine that the person in front of her was none other than Soul asking her to go to the ball. He strongly resembled what Soul looked like two years ago except a little older, taller, and a little more muscular. His snowy white, messy hair framed his defined features of his face from his slim cheeks to his strong jaw. He stared at her with those fiery crimson eyes - the ones she had been so familiar with two years before. She resisted the urge of reaching out to touch his fair skin on his cheek. He reminded her so much of Soul, she simply didn't have the heart to decline his request.
Maka crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, disappointed in herself. "…Fine."
Wes smiled widely. "…Ok then. Cool. I'm sure Tsubaki will want to take you shopping."
Maka rolled her eyes again. "…Yay," she said unenthusiastically as Wes laughed.