Repairing a Broken Soul

Chapter 26: The Winter Ball

"They 'are' your friends right?"

"...Why do you only trust 'me' with your secret?"

I said yes of course—in case you were wondering…

The moment when he'd ask me to the ball was the very thing I wished for. Even though I didn't really hope for him to ask me 'that' way…he still pretty much asked me to the ball though…And without even realizing it, I said "yes" when it wasn't even a yes or no question! It was a request…a demand…an order. I didn't really have a choice…and yet I still 'agreed' to go…Soul didn't seem to notice though…Thank God!

"Hurry up!"

Sighing, I set the curler down and used my hands to touch up my pigtails. I decided to curl them and put cute purple scrunches in to match the dress I wore. I thought they'd be better than just regular black hair ties. "Maka!" I tried to ignore Soul as he knocked on the bathroom door. He just didn't understand what it was like being a girl before a big party such as this one. She didn't just pit on a suit, comb her hair, wash her face and then leave. She had a lot more to do than just that! And even though I never wore make-up…doing my hair was still a requirement.

"Maka, were going to be late, damn it!"

"Hold on, hold on…" I said calmly; turning the curling iron off. I then turned around and opened the door to walk out. Soul stood there ready to knock again, but stopped himself before he could hit me in the face. "Nice…" I said to him as his hand dropped down and found itself in his pocket. "I would have killed you if you had actually hit me." He turned away with a huff and began walking away; muttering something I couldn't quite catch. "Anyway, I know you want to get going, so, I'm done." I then said as I shut the bathroom door behind me.

"Finally…" Soul breathed as I took the apartment keys off the counter. I then walked over to where he stood by the front door; eyeing his suit of choice. It was just a regular black tux with a white dress shirt and black tie. He looked like an average Joe in a suit—well, minus the red eyes and white hair. I noticed that without the headband in his hair…he looked a lot like the Evans boy he wasn't trying to be. He looked cleaned up and he looked really good…almost too good.

Was it really a good idea to take him to this ball…?

"You know…" Soul began; causing me to look up into his eyes as he opened the front door. He had that smug grin on his face again…but I knew what he was about to say was going to be true and possibly sincere...? "For having such small tits, that dress looks pretty good on you." Scratch that! It was another rude comment…rude enough but sweet enough to cause me to blush from both embarrassment and anger. So not even realizing it and blinded by anger, I took out my book and readied my aim.

"MAKA-CHOP!"

Soul's steps were very lazy compared to mine. I could hear it in the echo as we walked down one of Shibusen's many hallways. The ball was in the ballroom of course so that was where we were both headed. And as soon as we saw a group of other students, we knew that we were in the right place. Though, the group of people wasn't very big, so I assumed that the dance had already begun. Plus, the music and laughter from inside kinda gave that away too…

"You two finally made it."

Within the small group of people, our good friend Kid stepped out with a smile on his face. "Hey Kid." I heard Soul, next to me, say. While he and the OCD child shook hands and as Kid mentioned how nicely Soul had cleaned up, I examined Kid's outfit. Knowing him I was sure he was going to wear his usual black and white suit, bit instead it was all white…even his shoes! "Sorry we were late though." Soul's voice came back to me and I looked at him as he spoke to kid. "But Maka decided to take forever on getting ready." I shot him a glare and elbowed him in the side; causing him to wince.

"That's alright." Kid said to us both. "It isn't much of a big deal if two people are late." He fixed his odd fluff around his neck and shut his eyes as if being proper; a finger up and pointing to the ceiling. "As long as there wasn't 'one' person late…Then the number of guests would have been uneven and all balance would have been lost. Now if there were 'eight' people late, that's a different story. I would have—"

"Come on Kid." Soul said; taking the other boy by the arm to pull him over to the door. But before we could go inside, two figures appeared in our way and once I saw the gravity defying blue hair of the shorter one, I knew exactly who they were. "Oh…hey Black*Star." Soul greeted; knuckle bumping the blue haired maniac of a teen in front of him as Kid whined about being held by only 'one' of his arms.

"Yo Soul~!"

"Hello Maka-Chan." Tsubaki greeted with her usual smile. I said hello right back; taking a step forward to greet her in her long but narrow yellow dress. "We just got here a few minutes ago." She told me with a sigh, before pointing to her date. "He just kept on eating and when I finally got him to put on the suit, he didn't even put it on right." I looked at Black*Star as he and Soul talked. Tsubaki's words were true. The boy's outfit was so messy and indecent; he looked like a total slob. And I could see that Kid didn't seem to like it one bit. He didn't like it enough to slip from Soul's grasp and point to the egoistic kid.

"Black*Star, you ungrateful child!" Kid yelled as his hands then shot up to gesture to the other boy. "H-How could you do this?" He then asked loudly; casing all eyes to fall on us. Soul and I both looked at him with a blank stare as he went on. "One side of your suit has fallen off of your shoulder! And your tie! Look how horrible you've tied it! That's not even a tie anymore! It's—"

"Come on Kid." Soul said—once more—pulling the black and white haired boy towards the doors again. But, just to stop us yet again, another two people came into view: the Thompson sisters both wearing the same red dress and hair doo; causing Kid to have stars in his eyes. "OH, NO!" Soul yelped as he noticed us all coming to a stop. "No more stopping damn it!" He dragged the OCD child all the way passed the sisters and into the ballroom; leaving us all in the dust. But we all laughed anyway and, wearing smiles, we followed the two boys in.

Immediately my eyes widened.

"Wow…I don't think I've seen such a big room before…"

"Well of course you haven't." Kid said beside me as the group behind us scattered. I glanced to my right to look at him as he reached up to rub his chin. Wait…where did Soul run off too…? "Shibusen's ballroom is one of the biggest in the area. Minus all of the mansions around this place I'd say it's the biggest." He then said before looking at me. And when he meant mansions…I knew only one I could use for an example. The one Soul grew up in… "Now have fun Maka-San. I'm not sure where your date went, but I believe he went that way." After pointing in the direction of all the balconies he gave me a nod, and walked away to meet up with the sisters who were now by the food table. Boy…they got there fast…

I smiled as I looked around the ballroom. In the middle there were couples dancing to slow paced music; hugging each other close. I could feel myself blush as I thought about Soul and I dancing out there together. And it was because of this thought that I decided to twirl around to find him. But he wasn't behind me, nor was he near the food table or on the dance floor with another girl—thank god—and he wasn't sitting at any of the tables. He was nowhere to be found. 'He must have found a place to stand after everyone separated…' I thought as I walked around. I passed a few tables before spotting a balcony outside two large doors to the left of the room. And because of my good fortune of the night and Kid's pointers…

Soul was there.

My smile never faded as I made my way outside and onto the balcony. "Hey Soul." I then lightly greeted. As he leaned on the railing, his crimson eyes glanced over his shoulder. "What are you doing outside already?" I leaned on the railing right next to him but kept my gaze forward. I didn't want him feeling pressured because of me staring right at him…Plus…I was starting to think I knew already…

A soft sigh came from Soul's lips and he set his head into his crossed arms. "I'm not much of a dancer…" He then mumbled into his tux's sleeve. "I'm sorry."

I looked at him curiously with a raised brow after that nonsense was verbalized. "What do you mean "not much of a dancer"?" I then asked. "You're Soul 'Evans'…you used to have dinner parties with music and dancing all the time!" I was now turned to face him; my hands firm on my hips. "There's no way your "not much of a dancer" with dinner plans like that." I remembered it so well…That he was dancing with a girl back during that party I went to when I was eight. Though…now that I think about it…he did seem a bit irritated and board.

"Well yeah…back then I wasn't very fond of it either…" Soul said to me after a minute of silence. I relaxed my posture and looked at my feet. I hated it when he actually made a little sense. "Sorry Maka." His voice caused me to look back up at his board expression. Or was it more of a depressed one? I could quite see it. "I asked you to the ball…and I'm not even dancing with you…how selfish of me."

"It's ok Soul." I said with a small but content smile. He looked at me in the corner of his eyes as I leaned on the railing again; still facing him. "I actually don't mind at all. I completely understand." Saying that, I aimlessly looked out into the sky. And, slowly but surly Soul turned around and slid down the railing to sit and lean back a little; a sigh escaping his lips once more. "But I'll only let you do if you promise me one thing." He looked up at me as I slid down to sit next to him. Then, I held up my left hand to him with my pinky finger up. "Promise me that you'll dance with me some other time." He laughed lightly at this, nodded and rang his right pinky finger with mine.

Our fingers came apart and I looked into the ballroom where the many other dates danced, laughed and had fun. Slowly my eyes went back and forth throughout the room, and soon in the far corner of the room where the band played its music I saw a large piano. Instantly, I was smiling even more and I elbowed Soul lightly. "Hey Soul." I then said to make him look my way again. "You know what you should do?" I then asked; looking at him with the smile still on my face. "You should play the piano for us sometime." He put on an uncertain look.

"Why?"

"Because—"

"You know what? Never mind."

"Please Soul?"

"No way."

I stuck out a lip and pouted; grabbing his arms as he crossed both together. "But why Soul?" I then asked him. But I received no answer. "Soul! When are you even going to tell them that you're Soul Evans? You'll have to tell them eventually right?" Instead of an answer Soul just shut his eyes and looked away. Now 'that' made me a little angry. So I squeezed his arm a little and leaned in closely; glaring holes in the side of his head. "They 'are' your friends aren't they?" I asked with a slight growl. He looked my way for a moment before looking down; his bangs falling over his eyes. "Why do you only trust 'me' with your secret?"

Silence…He wouldn't answer me.

"Soul!" I semi-yelled; now wearing an almost sympathetic expression on my face. "I'm sure Black*Star would let it slip…But I know Tsubaki wouldn't." I then told him. But he still stayed silent; his bangs still shadowing his eyes. "Patty and Liz…I'm sure they'd keep it a secret too. Hell, even Kid would!" I noticed that his eyes finally opened along with his mouth, but I kept going. "If you just gave them a chance—"

He shot me a glare; bearing his sharp teeth.

"I only feel comfortable with 'you' knowing ok?" Soul shouted angrily. I gasped in surprise at this but kept my eyes on him at all times. I wouldn't look away. "I feel uncomfortable with just the 'thought' of someone other than you knowing! Yes they are my friends, but I only trust 'you', Maka, because I know that 'you' understand me better than them! Black*Star, yes your right, he'd let it slip, Tsubaki, once again, your right, She'd keep it a secret. But she'd pity and worry for me too much! Liz and Patty would probably try their best to be my body guards and Kid would only treat me like a fellow rich person. Maka, you are the only one I trust because I 'know' you won't change how you act around me, I 'know' you won't let the secret get out and I really like—" he stopped. "che—never mind!"

I was speechless. All I could really do was stare as his eyes disappeared in the shadow again. My own forest green eyes finally fell and narrowed sadly at the ground. All that he said…blew me away… I never would have thought he'd say those kinds of things to me. "Soul…" I began; looking back up. "I—"

"Maka-Chan~! Would you like to dance with your dear Papa~?"

"No way!"

My insignificant father fell to the floor in exaggerated tears as I stood up to pat down my dress. Then with a roll of my eyes, I looked at Soul. Suddenly it seemed like there was a dark cloud hovering over him. "I-I'm going to get something to eat…" I then said to him. "Do you want anything?" I got no answer from him, so, sighing, I walked away, passed my Papa and into the ballroom. The table of food wasn't very far, so it didn't take long for me to get there and grab a plate for me. I noticed Tsubaki holding a plate as well on the other side of the table. "Oh, Hey Tsubaki."

"Oh, hello Maka-Chan. Where's Soul?"

"He's sitting outside on the balcony." I answered; pointing over my shoulder. "I was just…getting us both some food." She nodded to me and I looked around the table. Strangely, Black*Star was nowhere to be found. "Uh…Tsubaki?" I asked; causing her to look my way from a plate she was picking at. "Where's your date? I'd expect him to be eating all the food or yelling at people somewhere around this area…"

Tsubaki smiled and set a hand on the table's surface. "He's under the table." She then said; causing my brow to shoot up in curiosity. "He was eating in such an indecent manner, that I had him eat under the table so he wouldn't draw any unwanted attention." She lightly laughed with the same smile as I knelt down to lift the table cloth. And instantly I saw the blazing green of his eyes.

"HEY! GODS ONLY!"

"S-Sorry!"

I let the cloth drop back down and stood up straight. "Well then," I then said as I grabbed a few more things to eat; my eyes wondering all over the place. I caught sight of Medusa-Sensei and Stein-Sensei talking. He seemed totally drunk and she looked like she wanted to get away. I let out a small laugh and looked at Tsubaki again. "Alright, I'll talk to you later. Have fun."

"Ok, you too Maka-Chan."

"Don't worry, I will." I said back; waving over my shoulder. Then, taking a bite of my chicken, I walked back out onto the balcony; only to see my Papa kneeling down beside Soul. I paused…unsure if that was a good thing or not. But seeing that Soul looked a little better and that the cloud seemed to have vanished, I assumed it was good. Which was really strange sense my Papa didn't like Soul at all…

"Ah…Maka's come back." My Papa said; looking my way with a smile. He then looked at Soul; held out his hand and surprisingly, Soul shook it. "It was a nice talk Mr. Evans. But from this moment on, we're enemies again, understood?" Soul nodded and my Papa stood up, fixed his tie and walked away; leaving me and Soul alone in peace.

"That was certainly odd…" I mumbled to myself as I watched him leave the balcony and go back inside. After another moment of staring, I turned and walked over to where Soul sat. "What were you guys talking about?" I then asked; sitting down beside him. He seemed to blush and look away, maybe embarrassed about it. What could they have been talking about?

"Nothing really…"

Sighing, I lifted the plate up to take a bite of another piece of chicken. After chewing it I eyed the fish and looked at Soul. "Want some?" I then asked; holding the plate over to him. His crimson eyes looked back over and fell upon the food. "I'm not a big fan of fish…nut since 'you' are, I thought you'd want some." Carefully he took the fork out of my hand, stabbed the fish meat with it and stuck it in his mouth to chew; mumbling out a "thanks" on the way.

"No problem." I said to him; smiling in my usual manor. He swallowed the meat down and smiled back. Not too much though; if he smiled like 'that' he'd look a little strange. And I was sure it would make the moment more awkward than it already was. We were just looking at each other; my smile long since disappeared. And well, I don't know about him but I defiantly felt myself moving closer, my lips lingering for the taste of his own…

"Medusa~!"

Soul and I looked away from each other and for a moment I was upset about the interruption. But I was almost happy too. The reason for our parting was obviously someone calling for Medusa-Sensei, and seeing the grey haired science teacher aimlessly walking around the ballroom, told me it was him. And where Medusa-Sensei was? Well she was sneaking onto the balcony and hiding behind the wall so he wouldn't see her.

"M-Medusa-Sensei?"

Hearing Soul's voice, Medusa-Sensei looked over and smiled sheepishly. "Oh, Hello there you two, I was just…" She looked back into the ballroom before looking at us again. "Hiding from Dr. Stein…" She then said; making her way over to stand near me. She then set her hands on her knees to bend over and smile at Soul. "Have you been taking your medicine, Soul?" Said boy nodded.

"Yes ma'am."

"Good." Medusa-Sensei said right back with another smile. "Don't forget Monday checkup tomorrow." Soul nodded again and this time she looked at me. For that split second, I felt as if she had glared at me again. "Maka, dear." She began; putting on her smile again. But this time…it felt fake. "You know…you don't have to come to his check up. I can examine him on my own." Oh no you don't!

"No, it's alright. I'll go." I told her; wearing a fake smile of my own. "I'd like to find out his condition at the same time as he does so I don't have to wait." Once again Medusa-Sensei seemed to glare at me. What the hell did she want! Did she want to be alone with Soul for a reason? The very thought of her and Soul being alone made me uncomfortable…'very' uncomfortable. Especially for his safety.

"Alright then…I'll see you both tomorrow, I guess. Goodnight."

Soul and I watched her leave and try her best to avoid the drunken Stein. And then with a sigh, I took the fork from the white haired boy beside me and began eating again. "Oh, I don't think so," He said; reaching for the fork so he could eat. But I only held up the plate out of his reach and kept the fork in my mouth. The rest of the night—other than arguing over the fork—Soul and I just talked. But I didn't mind at all…other than being depressed about the near kiss we had…I actually had a good time.

DISCLAIMER! Soul Eater does not belong to me...if it did, Soul would have attacked Maka and smothered her in "Cool Guy" love by now