"I've been your partner for a long time...and your friend for just as long...now I think I'm ready to be more than that to you." Soul rubbed his knuckles against Maka's cheek.
She stared at him with wide eyes.
"You know...if you want." He added nervously.
Maka pulled away. "I uh..."
"What's wrong?" Soul noticed a shift in her eyes.
"It's nothing." Maka said quickly. "Truth is Soul...I think...I have been feeling the same. I...I want to try to be with you as more than just friends and partners."
"Try? You think?" Soul was confused. "It's either you feel the same or you don't."
He feared this.
The school bell rang, signaling class would be starting soon.
"I...I gotta got to class." Maka went back inside, leaving Soul alone on the balcony.
"Maka!" He called after her. "Wait...you can't just..." But she was gone.
Soul trucked back inside. He was moving slowly. He hadn't bothered to chase after Maka when she left.
What was the point? He had screwed up and put their partnership at risk.
"Did you do it?" Black Star practically pounced on Soul as he walked to class.
"Huh?" Soul asked.
"Oh...HA HA! I guess I should let ya in on it now! I was never gonna ask Maka out!" Black Star smirked.
"Huh?" Soul was very confused.
"Yeah! It was all a plan that we came up with after you and Maka left the party at Kid's house. Me, Tsubaki, Liz, Patty, and Kid."
"What...the hell are you talking about? Look, I'm not really in the mood..."
"Wait, you gotta know this!"
"Black Star! What exactly are you saying to Soul?" Liz approached the two.
"Tsubaki told me that Soul and Maka went up on the third floor balcony all alone to talk. So I'm filling him in our scheme. I can't let him think he can have all the credit for finally growing a pair." Black Star shouted, causing other students to stare.
"Can you just...shut up..." Soul muttered under his breath, knowing it was no use.
"WAIT? You did it?" Liz asked Soul in a gleeful voice.
"That's what this idiot just asked me, but I have no idea what he's even talking about." Soul was annoyed.
"He's talking about telling Maka that you are totally head over heels for her, duh!" Liz grinned. "EEE! I can't wait to tell everyone!"
"Wait Liz...listen!" Soul called after Liz, but she was already running down the hall probably spreading the word no doubt to everyone she passed by.
The second bell rang, meaning it was time to go into the classrooms.
"Ugh." Soul sighed.
"So yeah, I told you I was gonna ask Maka out so you'd get jealous and finally do it! I'm a great friend, huh?" Black Star grinned.
Soul let out a defeated yell, startling students who were passing by trying to get to class.
"LISTEN YOU IDIOT!" Soul grabbed Black Star by the collar of his shirt. "YOUR LITTLE PLAN DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE NOW MAKA IS MAD AT ME!"
Soul let go of Black Star. "Sorry."
"It's okay bro, let it out. Why is she mad?" Black Star asked.
"I uh... Don't know." Soul sighed.
"Well then just go talk to her about after class stupid!" Black Star smacked Soul on the back.
"I have a feeling she doesn't wanna talk to me right now." Soul's head hung down.
The third bell rang, meaning class was starting.
