Her: 5
Well, this is weird. And a little vexing. And amusing, sort of—in a messed up way. Had she known that this is Soul's friend group, she wouldn't have spent her time worrying about it all. She should have known that he wouldn't hang out with anyone too horrible, but it's also kind of weird to think that Soul and Black*Star would get along so well. Must be a guy thing.
She's watching them chat and laugh as they walk back from the café. Black*Star shouts some stupid verse. Soul snorts out some lame response followed by a roll of his eyes. They look like morons as Black*Star yells his comeback.
Definitely a guy thing.
Dinner had been a weird mash of introductions and backstories and catching up. She learned how the two guys met in a freshman class first semester. She learned that Tsubaki goes to the same gym as Black*Star and they met on the court. She learned that Black*Star and Soul team up to make idiots of themselves. She learned she still has to smack them both around a bit for being said idiots. She also learned Tsubaki is probably the calmest and politest person in the world.
At that thought, Maka glances over at Tsubaki, who is walking next to her. The girl is smiling a little to herself. Her eyes are darting between the two boys as they ramble. She looks a little uncomfortable, or maybe nervous, but Maka isn't sure why.
She's still surprised that Tsubaki is dating Black*Star. She's just so quiet and sweet. There must be more to it than just a simple attraction, but Maka isn't confident that she should ask. It's too personal, and they've only just met. In addition, from what Soul had mentioned and dinner's events, this is also the first time he's met Tsubaki.
Maka has already figured out that this is some sort of double-date situation. Soul hadn't said anything about it, but Maka figures it had to have been Black*Star's idea in the first place. She wants to be mad at both of them for manipulating her, but she figures that this whole setup is for Tsubaki's sake more than anything. And she can't be mad at her childhood friend for trying to be considerate. Maka can be upset with Soul though, but that doesn't feel right either. He hasn't tried anything that would suggest they were a couple, not even paying for dinner. Actually, Black*Star paid for everything, like some sort of gentleman. It was weird, because Maka didn't expect such a mature move. He must be trying really hard. All for Tsubaki.
Her thought is broken by Black*Star's loud laughter. She sighs for the umpteenth time, which catches Tsubaki's attention. Realizing this, Maka speaks up. "They're both idiots, aren't they?"
Tsubaki gives a sheepish smile as her eyes stray over to her boyfriend and his best friend. She nods once, smile still in place. "But it's not all that bad, really. They seem happy, and as long as no one gets into too much trouble…"
Maka snorts, "Give him time. Black*Star attracts trouble."
Tsubaki's smile widens. She giggles, "Yeah, he does seem to get into more trouble than anyone else I've ever met. He sometimes gets into fights at the gym over who is tougher."
"Oh god. He used to do the same thing on the playground," Maka groans. She can only imagine how he does things now. It's a wonder how Black*Star hasn't been kicked out of the gym permanently. "Never mind attracting it, that idiot makes enough trouble on his own."
Tsubaki just smiles some more, as though Black*Star's antics are something she enjoys. And maybe they are. Stranger things have happened, Maka is sure. She finds herself smiling back at Tsubaki, because this girl may be exactly what Black*Star needs in his life. The thought makes her happy. Looks like even stupid Black*Star can find himself a nice girl.
A loud voice cracks through the girls' moment. "Hey you two, hurry up or we'll miss the movie. Don't make your god wait!"
Not that he deserves her.
Maka glares at the blue haired boy, but obliges in joining them for buying tickets. Again, Black*Star pays. Maka is starting to get more annoyed than impressed. It must show on her face, because Soul gives her an eyebrow raise and shrugs. His nonchalance is not exactly helpful.
They're heading towards the theater when Black*Star grabs Maka's shoulder, pulling her away. "You two go on and grab us seats, okay? Maka and I will grab snacks."
"What?" Maka objects. "Why? We just ate." But her statement falls on deaf ears as he continues to pull her away. She glances at the others. Soul looks confused too but Tsubaki guides him to the doors of the theater, murmuring something to him. Soul watches them with scrunched eyes, before they both go through the doorway.
Maka huffs, heels dragging a bit as Black*Star heads towards the concessions. They are silent in line. When it's his turn he buys candy. He then coerces her to sit with him on a bench. Maka is still trying to ignore him until he's thrust some sweets in her face. She blinks, and realizes it's her favorite chocolate candy since forever.
"So, going to tell me what's really going on between you two?" Black*Star drawls out. He pops a sour piece from his own candy box into his mouth.
"Tsubaki and I? We just met, moron." Maka murmurs. She chews her own piece of candy as her eyes wonder the floor. The nervousness is back. He's being too serious.
Black*Star snorts, "No, Bookworm. You and Soul."
"We're going to be late for the movie."
"You've got fifteen minutes, including previews. Start talking, Albarn."
Maka scowls, but shoves another chunk of chocolate into her mouth. "It's nothing."
"Don't lie to me," Black*Star replies, his tone hard. "There's some shit your hiding from me. I mean, you two met Tuesday? For breakfast at the diner? Soul works until four something in the morning, then goes home and sleeps until class. When would he have time to run into you for breakfast? Why would you be out so early, or late, or whatever in the middle of the week?"
Maka finds herself giving a weak grin. "You know his schedule pretty well, huh?"
"I know you pretty damn well too," he adds. "Which is why I wonder what you were doing at four in the morning." He won't let her distract him. Damn.
She doesn't know what to say, because he does know her. He knows everything about her and her family and the shit she's grown up with. Black*Star knows, and anything she says is just going to set him off. Which will set her off. "It was…"
She struggles to find the right words to explain herself, and she's surprised because Black*Star is waiting for her answer. Not all that patiently, what with his arms crossed and foot tapping, but he is waiting. Since when has Black*Star been this perceptive? He's supposed to be the loud, rude, inattentive one of their duo. It seems college has changed him, for the better. If only a little.
Maka decides to relent, because even Black*Star deserves the truth. "I thought I had hit the edge." Her voice is soft. "I thought that I couldn't take anymore of-of…" She doesn't want to say it, and Black*Star doesn't make her. Instead he watches her, arms still crossed but foot now silent. She chews on another chocolate piece. "So I… I went out to Death City Bridge." She swallows, hard. "That's when Soul found me."
She doesn't elaborate beyond this. There is a long silence. It's very uncomfortable.
"What was that?" Black*Star says at last. His voice is mellow, near flat. Maka swallows again. Her body has a slight tremble as she breathes in a long breath.
"You want to run that by me again, Maka? I don't think I heard you right." He pauses, but it's clear he doesn't want her to answer. "I mean, even if I didn't hear you wrong, I must have misunderstood what you meant. It sounded like you were implying you tried to jump off Death City Bridge." He scowls, eyes glaring hard at her. They've changed, like they always seem to do when he gets mad. "But you wouldn't dare do something that stupid, would you Maka? Not for that stupid-ass old man of yours."
Maka's scared, but she's also mad. All the mixed feelings of Tuesday are flooding back and she doesn't care anymore that Black*Star cares for her. "Shut up; I don't expect you to understand. I was depressed! I didn't think there was any other way."
"What? So you try to kill yourself?" He stands up too so he can glare down at her. Wait, when did she stand? It doesn't matter. "The Maka I know is too stubborn to give in to that bastard. No matter the shit, you always dealt with it better than this."
"Shut up Black*Star." Maka focuses everything she's got on keeping her legs up.
Black*Star looks ready to retort, but then there is a tan hand in his face, shoving it back. Maka gets a strong whiff of leather and some other musk as Soul shows up between them. His iris seem to glow red as he glares at his best friend. Soul moves into a blocking stance in front of her, effectively hiding Maka from Black*Star, and growls low in his throat. "The fuck is wrong with you two? Getting snacks, my ass."
Maka blinks, and she feels a tear fall down her cheek. She hadn't realized they were piling up like this. Black*Star looks very pissed; his eyes are darting back and forth between the other two. Soul is still defensive but his attention is definitely on her.
A long pause ensues. Now what?
Black*Star speaks up first. "Why didn't you tell me she tried that shit?"
Soul looks lost for a moment, and he glances at Maka before answering. "I didn't think it was any of your business. Maka didn't seem to want you to know."
Black*Star scowls back at Soul with little restraint. "Fuck that. If my friend tries to commit suicide because of her shitty old man, I want to know."
"Her old man?" Soul repeats. His eyebrows crease for a moment, and his lips purse together. He then blinks, eyes falling on Maka. "Shit; is that why you didn't want to go home? Why didn't you tell me? Did something happen? Are you okay, Maka?"
At this point, Maka is just tired. Emotional exhaustion has won this battle, and she just can't do anymore. She is officially done with all shit for the rest of this day.
"Movie's starting." She sighs, shoving them both towards the theater. Neither seems capable of protesting as both stare at her, bewildered. "Our fifteen minutes are up."
(6_6)
Thank you for reading this much. I'll do my best to finish the next part soon.
Please look forward to it!
SunnyD545
