Huff. Huff. Huff.

I'm getting tired. No. I can't give up. Maka's in trouble!

Soul finally arrived at his apartment. He ran up the stairs in the building and came up to his door. He kicked it open with his foot and set the girl down on the couch. He closed the door and went to the kitchen; grabbed an ice-pack and put it on Maka's head, noticing she was passed out.

"...Maka, what happened to you?"

He continued trying to help her. Putting sprays and bandages on her wounds might help. Once he was finished, he sat down on the floor and turned on the TV. After about 30 minutes of entertainment, he heard some mumbling. Once the TV was turned off he scooted toward the waking girl. Maka's eyes fluttered open and looked around. Her eyes filled with confusion as she couldn't recognize the place. Then Soul spoke.

"You're awake."

Maka quickly sat up and looked to her left. The most popular boy from school was right next to her.

"Where am I?!"

"At my apartment."

"Why?"

"You were hurt."

"Since when was I -"

The memory from a few hours ago came to her. As it all sunk in, a wave of heat rushed to her cheeks. She stood up and walked towards the door.

"Well then, I'll be on my way."

Soul was startled by this and he rushed to stop her. Maka was just an inch to the doorknob until an arm blocked her. She tilted her face up and saw crimson eyes staring down at her with uneasiness.

"Why are you leaving?"

Maka glanced at the floor while she answered.

"I don't need your help."

"What?"

"Didn't you just hear me? I said I don't need your help. Or pity!"

Soul pulled his arm back.

"I don't pity you, bookworm."

"Then why'd you save me?"

"Don't you get it? Any person with the guts to be willing enough would save a person in need."

He turned around and took a few steps forward. "And by the way, you should really sit down. Your bruises and cuts aren't healed yet."

That suggestion got to Maka. She didn't realize she hadn't been cured yet. She made a sound that signified that she was about to scream. Soul quickly came up to her and covered her mouth. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the couch. She lay down and took a deep breath.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Weren't you listening to a word I said?" Soul responded while patting a cloth on Maka's forehead.

"Well, i-it's just I don't have trust in anybody."

Soul stopped. He sat down at the foot of the sofa and stared at her.

"Well, you seem to have a lot of trust in Kid."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind."

"No. Tell me."

Soul hesitated before he spoke, "Why do you care about Kid?"

Maka gave the question some thought. "I don't know. He's my boyfriend, so -"

"Boyfriend? Don't make me laugh." Soul rudely said, turning his head away and smirking. The girl next to him felt shock from this.

"Why are you being so mean? What do you have against him?"

"Do you really think he'd go out with someone like you?"

"No, but, he asked me out!"

"And?"

"And that means he must have something, even the tiniest feeling for me."

"Maka. Do you believe that there's another person out there that's starting to develop feelings towards you?"

"Please, don't make me laugh."

Soul stood up. "Alright, I don't feel like talking about this anymore. You just, heal, and I'll be in my room."

"No, I have to leave."

"With wounds like that? Sure, do what you want."

"No, I'm not kidding. I'm going out tonight to watch a movie."

Soul's eyes widened. Then he lowered his head so his bangs covered his eyes.

"With Kid, right?"

"Obviously."

"...Don't you ever get the feeling that he's just fooling you?"

"How?"

"If you don't know, then you really need to start paying attention to the world around you. Yeah, you're book-smart, but you're an idiot when it comes to life."

"Tch. I'm no better than you are. You bully people and act all cool just to keep a good reputation."

"Not all the time. Like now for instance, I'm helping an uncool, know-it-all get back up on her feet."

"If you don't want to help me, then just say so!"

"I won't."

"I rather be somewhere else then here. I hate being with you."

"That's not a lot of respect for someone aiding you."

"Stop acting like you care."

"Who the hell said I was acting?"

"I did. So just let me g-...Wait, what?"

Maka and Soul's face showed that they just realized what he said a few moments ago.

Did I just say that out loud? Crap. Soul thought.

"Nothing. Stop nagging and get some rest."

"So you're not acting?" Maka asked, with a blush creeping on her face. Soul noticed.

"Don't get any ideas. I'd never take a liking to a flat-chested girl like you."

"Shut up!"

"Whatever. Stop running your mouth and go to sleep!"

"You don't have a heart."

Soul stopped in his tracks. "You're right, I don't. Is there a problem with that?" He asked, giving her a cold glare. Maka shivered.

What's gotten into him?

"Are you okay?" She asked, starting to get up. He shook his head and went back to normal.

"Yeah. Sit back down or you might scream again."

"Would you sit down next to me?" Maka asked, looking down at the floor while twiddling with her fingers. Soul sighed and sat down.

"What do you want?"

"If you want to talk about something, you can tell me."

"Why?"

"I was thinking about you. Why do you protect me?"

"If I protected you, you wouldn't even be in a condition like this. So don't lie to yourself."

"I meant, why do you help me?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. Now is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

"Is it okay to tell you about myself?"

"…Sure." Soul agreed.

Although I was looking for a 'thank you'...

"Well, I love to read."

"No doubt there."

"I love the color green. My love for life is not big, but I do appreciate it. I have no siblings..."

"What's wrong?"

"I also have no parents."

Soul was shocked to hear that. She was so determined at everything she does, so well-raised, so smart. He ran away from home without a choice. He wasn't wanted there. Hearing that she had no parents and is being raised alone hardly faces the fact that she is a great student and person. He on the other hand, had parents, but doesn't appreciate them because they don't care about him in return. They only care for his brother, Wes.

"Sorry to hear that."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not. I didn't know that."

"No one knows that except for you." Tears began to fill her eyes. She wiped them away with her sleeve, but more came pouring down. She felt like she was about to have a breakdown.

"Hey, don't cry. Not here."

"Can you just shut up and help me?" Maka said, sniffling in between her words.

"How exactly am I supposed to -?"

Just then Maka put her head on his shoulder. He tensed up a bit, but after a few more minutes of hearing her cry fade into silence, he just relaxed. She seemed comfortable to be close to him.

Weird. Usually people would want to get away from me when they're this close. Oh well.

Maka had fallen asleep and Soul looked at her.

"Stupid, you shouldn't have passed out like that."

He shifted her head and put it on his lap. Staring at her face, he noticed how pretty she looked. He woke up from his trance and looked at the wall, avoiding the beautiful girl from his sight. He patted her head and soon was about to drift off into sleep.

Ding-Dong

The doorbell rang, startling Soul and Maka. She sat up and watched him walk to the door. As the sound of the doorknob clicked open, Soul was looking at Kid. And he did not, look happy.