Sorry I Couldn't Be Better 6- Are All Dinners This Chaotic?

Just want to say I love y'all so much! Your support is what keeps this fic going…plus my love for writing! I get the feeling my author's notes are boring…hmmmmm

Thanks as usual are extended to deadrose97 (isn't Crona just awesome!) Sabrina Bina (I can't wait either so here it is) tanya (aww thanks) Guest (I'm glad you like my decision with Crona and yes, we will hear about le bus driver) Dwmalove (that's what I'm doing *W*) MyDogsHaveIssues (And so we shall) AquaPrincessLovesFairyTail, Renting, kiz1989, Alexa1235 and lindseyloo44. I apologise if I missed anyone! There's so many of you who support me and this fic.

Disclaimer: We all know the drill *blows whistle and hundreds of cheerleaders start to dance* No, no she can't go and own Soul Eater! (there's a tune somewhere there in my head)


Maka followed slowly along behind the girls who were chattering about dinner. They seemed to be guessing what special treat they'd get today. The teen felt lost in all the conversation, like she was standing on the edge of a pool watching people play a game she couldn't understand because she wasn't in the water. Why were they getting a treat?

And why did this frustrate her? Why? She wasn't meant to care right? She just wanted to be left alone so why did she hate it when she was left alone? It wasn't fair. Nothing was fair. What was going on inside her? Why did she have to feel like this?

"Maka!" A voice shattered her thoughts and sent them crashing away. Maka realised she'd stopped dead in the corridor. Staring at her in concern were the three girls. Patty looked serious for once, her eyes wide as she looked at Maka's trembling form. Liz's eyes were darting around the room as if she was scared someone would jump out but apart from that but she was waiting by Patty. Tsubaki was right in front of Maka her head tilted and her face one of worry.

"Are you o-okay?" She asked Maka, her ponytail swaying as she turned her head to the right angle.

"Ah yeah," Maka's voice felt fake even to her ears. Fake and dry. Her heart was beating fast for some reason like she'd just ran a marathon. "Just um…zoned out."

Her words did little to change the expressions of her…associates in front of her. What did she call the girls? They surely weren't friends. They'd only just met after all. But they seemed to care about her already which was strange. She could be in here for murder for all they knew.

Then again, Maka had the feeling that the three girls could read her better than that. Tsubaki kept giving her weird little encouraging glances like she knew what Maka was going through. But the girl had specific disorder, not depression like she had. How could she relate?

"Let's just head to the rec room then," Liz said finally. "We don't want Kim and her gang to take the squishy arm chair circle."

"Squishy, squishy!" Patty cried, throwing her hands in the air and jumping around. Maka almost smiled at the sight but it had been so long since she'd smiled over something so simple that it was almost like her face didn't want to form it. With a sigh, Maka trailed listlessly after the happy group, wishing she could be happy over such simple things.


The squishy arm chair circle or whatever it was called was occupied by Kim, Jacqueline, Tami and Luke so the girls had to sit somewhere else. There were three chairs free but then one person would have to sit on the floor plus their conversation would be overheard by the current occupiers of the circle.

Instead, Liz gestured to the window seat looking out over the car park and the main road. There were a few chairs scattered around the seat so the small group of girls headed over there. Soul and BlackStar were at a table building an elaborate tower out of cards whilst Kid offered tips on how it could be symmetrical. Crona was on a rocking chair, pushing it back and forth with their feet in an almost sullen way.

Maka perched on the edge of the window seat and drew her knees to her chest. Tsubaki sat next to her whilst Liz and Patty took the chairs. Maka noticed Liz had adjusted her chair so she could see the entirety of the room.

"How long until dinner?" Maka asked, unsure of what time meals were eaten at the hospital. Tsubaki glanced at a digital clock for a brief moment before smiling at Maka.

"It's in twenty minutes." She declared. "We're sitting in a big g-group tonight. BlackStar mentioned it at b-breakfast. It's been a while."

Patty and Liz looked happy but Maka inwardly groaned. The big group probably included Soul and she did not want to sit with that jerk through an entire meal.

"I wonder if we'll get hot chips." Liz pondered.

"I want chips!" Patty squealed. "Chips, chips, chips!"

"Calm down Patty," Liz chided. "You don't want to get in trouble."

Patty quietened down at this. In fact she almost looked sad, her eyes watering and lip trembling. However, Liz noticed and suggested they go watch the boys build the card tower.

"Yeah!" Patty agreed enthusiastically and then she grabbed Liz's arm and dragged her away, Liz complaining as she did. Kid shouted at them to not bump the table and a squabble broke out. No nurses came hurrying so the might must have just been playful insults.

Maka shot a sideways glance at Tsubaki who smiled tentatively. Maka quickly looked away so she missed the look of hurt that flashed briefly across Tsubaki's serene face. If Maka had seen it, maybe she would have been inclined to stop acting so cautious around the girls but the teen was off in her own world. Because she'd been ignored since she was young, Maka was not used to caring about others and their well-being. She wasn't used to interacting with people either.

Maka uncurled her legs and slumped against the window, turning awkwardly so she could look out the window. Her side screamed in protests, the thick layer of bruises there yet to heal. Maka found herself not caring. The pain reminded her of her attempt, how close she'd been. She wouldn't fail next time.

Her eyes fell upon a man down in the car park. It was Sid. He was chatting with a pretty young woman who seemed to be laughing at the current moment. A small boy stood next to her, his hair long for his age and his face not showing any emotion. He didn't look blank however. He looked…peaceful. Perhaps he'd come in for day therapy. The woman was holding his hand and he didn't seem to be protesting. Maka felt something tug at her heart and it hurt.

She wanted that. She wanted a smiling mum who held her hand and took her to day therapy because she cared. Maybe if her parents did care, she wouldn't even be here. Why did they hate her? Was she not good enough for them? Had they taken one look at her and gone 'Well there's obviously been a mix up?' Why couldn't they love her?

"Hey it's dinner time!" A loud and enthusiastic voice cried out and Maka turned away from the window to see BlackStar jumping around. He knocked the table causing the card table to fall down and Kid to weep dramatically at the 'ruined tower of heavenly symmetry.' Liz seemed to be trying not to laugh and Soul looked somewhat amused.

"Come on guys," a nurse who looked almost like Sid stepped into the room. "We don't want to go overtime like last night."

BlackStar laughed at this and the nurse shot him a glance. He flapped a hand dismissively and the small groups began to move out. Maka hurried to follow Tsubaki as she didn't want to get in trouble. She was not looking forward one bit to dinner.

"What's the treat today Nygus?" The boy Kilik asked as the group crossed the hall to the dining hall.

"You'll have to wait and see." The nurse affectionately ruffled the boy's hair. "I'm sure you'll like it though."

Maka found herself glaring angrily at the boy and the nurse. Why had none of the nurses treated her like that?

Because you act like a conceited know it all brat

Shut up

But you do

That doesn't matter

No one likes you

Tsubaki does

But you still brush her off

I'm sure she doesn't mind. She must realise I have a reason too

You'll lose her one day if you keep thinking like that

No

Worthless

Shut up

Unwanted

I am

No wonder your parents ignore you

That's not fair

"Hey it is hot chips!"

What?

Maka shook her head to see Patty clinging to Liz in excitement as she pointed at the metal tray holding the treat. Maka's mouth watered at the sight and smell of dinner. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten such a meal. Often she dined on leftovers or ready cooked meals her parents left around the house.

"Hey Maka you coming?" Liz asked almost hesitantly, her eyes flickering from Maka's face to the kitchen door and back again.

Maka nodded and followed Liz over to a table large enough to hold at least eight people. In this case, seven people would be sitting at the table. Liz, Patty, Kid, Soul, BlackStar, Tsubaki and Maka herself. Maka made sure to choose a seat as far away from Soul as possible. The girl chose to sit at the left side of the table with Liz at the end and Tsubaki next to her. Soul sat at the opposite corner on the right side of the table. The others filled in the spots and stayed quiet, looking expectantly at the front of the room.

"What's going on?" Maka whispered to Tsubaki, sensing the need to be quiet.

"D-doctor Stein is going to address us. He does so every F-Friday." Tsubaki stuttered quietly.

As if her words had been the crazy man's cue, the kitchen door burst open and in a blur of white, Stein was standing in front of the buffet, his white coat still flapping from his speedy movement.

"Hello my precious patients!" He cried dramatically. He sounded a lot different from the man who had visited Maka in the hospital. "And welcome Maka. I hope your first day was an enjoyable one."

Maka rolled her eyes and forced a pleasant smile, nodding slightly. Stein's cold eyes met Maka's and the teen shivered. His cheery tone did not match the look of his eyes at all. No one else seemed bothered by this so maybe they were used to it.

"To start of today's messages, I'm sorry to say that no one is leaving this floor. You are however, all making very good progress and I congratulate Harvar especially on his progress. "

Maka's eyes flew to the silent teen along with everyone else. She found herself unable to read his expression but she wasn't sure what he'd looked like before she'd arrived so she couldn't tell if he'd actually made progress.

"As you can tell, tonight's treat is hot chips. I hope you all enjoy it." Stein continued on, all eyes flying back to him. "Remember to get your medicine if you require it. Boys go to Sid and girls go to Nygus as usual. Dismissed!"

Maka watched as he departed through the entrance door leaving silence for a few moments before chatter broke out.

"Ok table one come up," Nygus called and Maka watched as Kim, Jaqueline and Tami walked up, chattering happily. None of the girls went to get medicine however Nygus followed Tami, choosing food for her. Maka also noticed the staff were especially quiet around Jaqueline. Kim seemed to be fidgeting, her eyes wide as she was offered food. There was no chance to take any. She was given all she wanted.

Maka frowned as she watched Ox, Kilik Harvard, Fire, Thunder and Luke move up for food. Harvard was given some tablets that he didn't take, placing them on his tray instead and that was it. The conditions they had obviously didn't require medicine. They probably just suffered through hours of therapy.

"Ok table three up you come," Nygus called. "Maka you get medicine too ok."

Maka moved forward noticing the Soul, BlackStar, Kid and Patty moved up with her. Liz and Tsubaki moved straight to the food line where Liz immediately began an argument with one of the chefs about poison in the chips.

Patty moved away with a small container and Maka stepped forward. She inwardly groaned as Nygus handed her one small tablet.

"You have to take it Maka." Nygus said in a firm but sympathetic tone. "I promise it won't kill you."

Maka hesitantly reached out and took the tablet, unsure if she should take it now or wait like Harvard and Patty had done. She shot a quick look over to where the boys were and saw that they had taken their tablets back to the table.

"Better go get your food before BlackStar takes it all." Nygus gave Maka a gentle shove and the teen stumbled awkwardly over to buffet where she ended up choosing some chicken pieces to go with her chips. She also dumped a scoop of Greek salad on her plate. She wasn't going to not eat vegetables just because her parents weren't around to give her disapproving looks when she ignored the salad.

Maka sat back down at the table and watched as conversation broke out. Soul and Kid seemed to be comparing their medicine, talking about it being different than last nights. Liz was poking suspiciously at her food whilst Patty downed her tablets almost like she was having shots. Tsubaki was listening to BlackStar boast about his awesome moves.

Crona shuffled past the table and Maka wanted to them them to sit at the spare spot but she stayed silent and they moved on. She didn't know if the group liked Crona or not and she didn't want to get on their bad sides.

"Better take your medicine Maka," Liz said as she finally deemed her chips safe. "Or Nygus will be on your case."

Maka pulled a face but she complied, taking it with a large gulp of water. Kid and Soul had finished having their seemingly normal conversation about medicine and now Soul was eating his chips one by one whilst Kid arranged his food on his plate. It was obviously symmetrical.

"Kid I don't like it." Patty suddenly reached over and messed around with the design, mixing the chips with the beetroot and giving the plate a pinkish look. Kid instantly slapped her hand away and started crying to Maka's shock.

"No," he wailed. "Now I'm a failure and Dad will get mad!"

"Apologise Patty," Soul said in a bored tone. "Or he'll flip his shit."

"No!" Patty insisted. "It's all pink and pretty now."

"Ugh," BlackStar groaned. "If Kid doesn't like pink then he can have green." The blue haired boy grabbed a handful of lettuce and threw it at Kid. His aim was off though and he hit Tsubaki instead. The shy girl gave a squeak of terror and Liz laughed despite the food she had in her mouth. This however caused her to choke and she started shrieking about being poisoned.

Patty seemed to find this entire situation hilarious and she soon joined in with BlackStar and threw her bread roll at Soul who fell of his chair trying to dodge it. Kid screamed profanities at Patty and Tsubaki staring trembling and her eyes watered. BlackStar started pelting his olives at Patty who retaliated with mini packets of butter. Maka sat there in shock as food flew over her head and loud screams filled the room.

Were all dinners this chaotic?

Well I'm going to be away for 2 weeks so I kinda rushed this. Please review. I hope you enjoyed. I enjoy writing this, it really helps me.

TOSHI AWAY *jumps on plane to Darwin with half the family*