I'm sorry for the long periods of not updating! Recently, I just moved into my dorm and my first day of classes begin tomorrow. Ugh, I'm so not ready to start college. And as much as I hate to admit this, but my depression is worsening. So its much harder for me to find the motivation to type or do anything. DX. Thank you for your patience.

warning: Not edited, so obvious mistakes.

Chapter 21: Kicking the Disgusting Security

"The bitterest of misfortune can be covered up with a smile." –N/A_

You know that heavy feeling you get in your chest when you're excited. It feels like its going to just burst if you don't express that heavy ache, like jumping in glee and screaming 'yay'. Well, I was very unfamiliar with that feeling when I finally found Stein and Marie sitting together. Actually sitting together! At the kitchen table. It was surprising really. Though the two were not as happy as I was, their mouths stretched across their faces as I greeted them a good morning.

"Morning Crona. Sleep well?" Stein flipped through today's paper.

"Mhmm." I hummed lazily.

Marie stood up and walked over to the stove and flipped the bacon that was sizzling. I inhaled happily. The aroma of bacon was so familiar, so warm. I could just cry at the resurfacing memories. Soon, I looked up at the clock and saw the time. As hungry as I was, I could hear the roaring engine of the maroon bike outside. Saying my goodbyes, my nose cringed from the burnt smell of bacon.

_xXx_

"You're so pretty today." A pair of soft hands squished my face. "So disgustingly pretty, it just makes me want to vomit all over that hideously pretty face of yours."

Ouch. That must've been hard to make up. "G-good morning Kim."

"Don't good morning me." Kim's soft fingers pinched roughly at my nose. "Now, smile for me."

The pressure from my nose was released then there was a sudden shock all over my face. That smile, so sweet yet so cruel flashed. Feeling the sudden popping from my neck, my gaze was up towards the ceiling. Stumbling, I regained my balance by gripping onto a water fountain.

"Dork!" "Mop girl can snap like a twig!" "We should just call her twig girl." "Yeah! She breaks so easily!"

Kim was not the only one who was there. Her little gang of friends, who I did not notice until now, were making remarks of my stumbling. Of course, I must've been very pathetic to them. Gripping my upper right arm, I tilted my head down trying to hide the burning embarrassment embellishing my face.

"Leave Crona alone. She does not need your asymmetrical nonsense."

That voice was very recognizable. Stern and threating but there was a hint of concern.

"Go now. Get to class or I'll report all of you."

Refusing the urge to look up at my assailants, five pairs of dramatic shoes passed.

"Geez, she is trying to get us in trouble!" "Why can't she defend herself! She's a big girl!" "What a baby, she needs a babysitter!" "Your ex-boyfriend is a real dick Liz."

Once their footsteps faded away, I immediately began to walk away. My shoes were not the only pair echoing down the linoleum flooring. There was a pair of loud clicking right behind me.

"They didn't hurt you too much, did they?" His voice was laced with concern. Hugging my arms close to my body, I refused to speak. "Crona. She didn't hurt you too bad?" 'She' was added emphasis of dislike. "Speak to me."

Speak. I had no voice to speak what he would want to hear. No voice to tell him, that I'm not hurt. "I am hurt." My throat was dry.

Continuing the walk down the empty hallway, only my pair of shoes tapped against the linoleum.

_xXx_

The chilly January breeze was refreshing and crisp as I stood out by the main gate waiting to be picked up. Oh how horrible today went. I tried not to replay today's events.

"Yo!" A loud shout rang through my ears. "They are right, you do look like a mop! Even your hair!"

I wanted to say 'Your hair looks more like a mop you blue haired wannabe ninja.' But I held my tongue.

"You know, there are models that are anorexic. But you're no model, you're just anorexic!" The blue haired student yelled louder.

"You idiot! That made no sense! If you're going to joke, make it sound cool! You're just coming off as a jackass now!" The blue haired student's friend slapped the back of his head.

"Soul! Come on! We don't want to be late for the movie!" Her voice was so sweet and innocent.

'Maka.' Our eyes met for a brief second. She looked at me like she didn't know me. Like I was just some random person in the world. Maka dragged her boyfriend, Soul, away immediately.

The rumbling engine caught my attention.

"Take me straight home!"

_xXx_

There was not security underneath my thick blanket. It's heavy warmth could not make the uneasy feeling go away. Is this the most horrible feeling in the world? Not wanting to move or do anything. Or is there a much worse feeling that I've yet to experience? My phone has been ringing for the past two hours. Whoever is calling, I am making it obvious that I do not want to speak with anybody. As my eyes grew dry and heavy in the gloomy lit room.

"Crona." There was a soft knock at my door. "Sweetie, your friend is at the door for you."

'Friend? Maka?' "Okay." Slowly getting up, I tried to make myself presentable. Who would be at the door? Maka? Or Ragnarok? But I do not think Marie knows Ragnarok as my friend, just the delinquent-who-hangs-around.

The trek downstairs was very difficult. I had the urge to go back upstairs and forget the person at the door. Whoever it would be, I don't care. Glancing into the kitchen, Marie was uninterestedly flipping through a magazine, her mind obviously somewhere else. Returning my gaze back to the door, I slowly turned the brass door knob and peeked through the door.

"W-what are you doing here!?" Opening the door wider, I quickly stepped outside.

"I am here to see if you are okay. I hope today's events are not bringing you down too much."

"Death the Kid, I really d-"

"Please, call me Kid." Kid smiled.

"Uh. Kid. I don't think you should be here. Or uh. I mean. Why are you here? Seriously." Hesitant to use his name, I felt very scared seeing Kid would come and visit me.

"I just told you. I want to check up on you."

"I'm being serious." Now feeling annoyed, I built up the courage to talk to him without discomfort. "You don't know me and I don't know you. Can you just keep it that way. Aren't you putting yourself in danger if you talk to me?"

"Danger? What is the danger in making friends? Without danger, would I not know who my real friends are?" Kid kept an even voice.

"Friends? I am not your friend. I am nobody's friend. Those friends I had, were fake." Though, I knew I was kind of lying, I do have friends, or friend. But I cannot hang out with Ragnarok during school hours, unless I was cutting class. My mind went blank as my words became automatic. "I am no exception to you. You're only being nice to me and pretending to be my friend because you feel sorry for me. You're probably thinking, 'oh poor pathetic Crona, no friends and no one cares'. Well, I'm not as pathetic as you think I am. Now go find someone else to sham!" Opening the door, I was ready to slam it in his face.

"Ah, Crona wait!" Kid's foot was caught between the door and the door frame. "Ouch!" He groaned. "I'm not doing this out of pity."

Opening the door slightly, he put his hand by the door. "Then why are you doing this?"

"B-because. Uh. I-I." He cleared his throat. "Because, I think you are an amazing person and you deserve a real friendship."

"That's a good one." I murmured.

"No, I'm serious." There was a hint of desperation in his voice. Like he wanted me to hear him out.

Sighing, I stepped back outside. "Humor me."

"Uh. Well." He tapped his index fingers together as he awkwardly shifted from foot to foot. "How bout I take you somewhere first. I mean. To talk in private."

Remaining silent for a few seconds, I thought of what may happen. If this was a trap then I could run. Or maybe freak out. I don't have anything for any form of protection. Unless I take that.

"Alright." I agreed. "Let me get my coat."

Streetlights glowed an eerie orange as we walked down the darken streets of Death City. The winter air, much chillier than usual, drifted down the road and swept up a few crinkling leaves. Kid suggested we go to the park.

"So tell me. Why are you doing this?" My hostility was still up, but I tried to keep my voice calm.

He was silent for a moment. "You remember every time I would come at you with scissors and tell you your hair was asymmetrical?"

Of course, how could I forget that? Kid and I have been in the same class since kindergarten. He would always try to cut my hair or attempt to even out my shoelaces. "Yeah?"

He sheepishly smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I somehow developed my obsession with perfection from you."

"From me?"

"Yeah."

"So you're blaming me for your OCD?"

"N-no! No! I'm not. Its just. Well, have you ever heard of, 'If a boy kick's dirt in a girl's face, it means he likes her.' Well, uh, I kind of did the similar thing."

"What are you talking about? First it was about cutting my hair now you're talking about kicking dirt in my face."

"No! No! I don't want to kick dirt in your face! I mean. Yes! Wait, no! No dirt! What I meant by what I said was that 'If a boy likes a girl during elementary, he would pick on her!', eh! Sorry! I'm not going to kick dirt in your face!" Kid rapidly explained himself as he waved his arms in the air.

Covering my mouth, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Uh." Kid was slightly confused but he started laughing as well.

"So you did just that?" I asked.

"Uh, yeah. I did all that for a reason. Not because I didn't like you. You seemed so fragile and timid back then. I just thought that you would um, take notice to me, if I tried to do weird things like that." He mumbled the last few words.

"Huh?" I was sure I misheard him.

"I-I did weird things like that just so you could notice me." Kid's face was turned the opposite direction.

Not knowing how to respond or how to feel, I stuttered, "W-why?"

"Well, I sort of. Kind of. Erm." Kid seemed to have trouble with his world. He was repeating himself and kept looking away. Though I had an idea of what he would be saying, I just thought that he would need to say it. "I um. You're a really sweet girl. I think you're really perfect and um. This is really cheesy to say, but, I really like you."

OMG SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! MEH! I HAVE SUCH SERIOUS WRITERS BLOCK!

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater