I am aware of my grammatical errors, if anyone knows anyone willing to proofread/edit my chapters before I publish (after I publish this one of course) it would be honoured and appreciated.
Chapter 5 – Safe
Maka POV
1 week, no sign of either Soul or Liz. It can go without say that I was happy about this outcome, slightly disappointed and sad. I believe it's just that I didn't have my books to read (kid hasn't given me my book back), but maybe it had to with something else, just maybe.
I spin my straw around the contents of the thick smoothie, a sigh escaping my lips. Now that I refused to walk anywhere near Chubie's café I had to compromise with where I went to hang out, beside my house and the book store.
I've found myself out of the house more often, my heart pumping whenever I saw a head of white hair, I ran the other direction as fast as I could. You could say I was trying to beat sonic the hedgehog with the speed I was running.
I was currently at work, it was a very, very slow day. It was slow enough I could slip out and order a smoothie and return here without anyone visiting, I checked the cameras, not a single soul. I sipped on the mango flavoured smoothie, twirling a finger through my fringe.
After hours of waiting for customers the store's bell rings, signalling someone entered, I raised my tired eyes, the sight waking me up immediately. I could hear my heart pump through my ears, the feeling of my whole body shaking.
I was fine, I wasn't going to get hurt and I shouldn't be scared, I don't get scared. Yet I do every time I see him.
I haven't seen Akira since high school, was it a coincidence that he shows up to my work 6 years later? Akira was the 'prince' of my high school and my Ex-boyfriend. After him, I gave up dating because of the major heartbreak I was left in, the broken pieces of my heart shattered beneath my feet.
He made me feel loved, to find out about his manipulative lies, his deceitful thoughts and goals. He shook me to my core, he scared me yet I shouldn't have ever been afraid of him. I was seen as a weak girl to him, I felt my legs almost tremble as he gold-like eyes glanced over to me. A disgusting smirk playing on his lips, he remembers me.
His eyes bring flash backs into my mind, his hands on me as I struggled to squirm out of his strong grasp. His lustful eyes looking at me body with a lick of his rough tongue, my helplessness to stop him.
The memories made tears well up in my eyes. Why was he here? Was he to ruin me again? To break me, let my emotions control me again, make me act like dog and grovel until he took me back? I would make sure that didn't happen again, no matter how much I was afraid, I need to be strong, I need to be brave.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling in fear. I can't come across as weak to him. I didn't notice him as he stepped towards the counter. I was shaking so much; my smoothie fell out of my hand and onto the cold floor. He smiled and shook his head.
"Maka I missed you, can't you see?" he pouted, his dark hair covering his eyes, his presence disgusted me but also terrified me. His honey eyes staring at me with that dominate and possessive look, shaking my core. I felt more tears fall from my eyes.
"Go away, I'll call the police!" I yelled, showing Akira my phone, he hardened his glare. I was completely frozen, paralysed in a web of fear. What am I supposed to do?
"You won't do that" He stated, more like commanded. He walked forward with his hands up in defence. "Maka is it so hard to accept that I missed you?" he asked with a kind voice. He was trying to make me trust him, make it seem that he's changed, he hasn't.
"What do you want?" I ask, vulnerability still appearing in my weak voice. Why was he here? He's making my whole-body tremble in fear. His dark gaze on me almost making me relive the horror of his abuse, remembering covering up the bruises I had.
"Maka you don't have to be afai-" he started, my eyes widened, I could feel my blood flow through my being, anger and dread run around in my head.
"I'm not afraid of you!" I yelled, covering my ears and dropping to the floor, letting the tears erupt from my eyes. He wasn't supposed to remember me, why after all these years try to track me back down? To make him haunt my dreams? Make me seem insane? I was feeling like that right now.
The fear running through me was immense, his threatening yellow eyes flash in my mind and I cover my eyes as I weep, the horrifying memories creeping from the back of my mind.
I don't know how long I was in a daze of fear until someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. Afraid the person could very well be Akira I jumped and tried to find somewhere to hide.
"Maka?" a sweet and concerned voice asked, I looked up to see a set of caring crimson eyes making me feel instantly better. His walls were knocked down and I could see the emotions pooling around in his eyes. I felt a tear of relief fall from my eye, I had the sudden urge to hug Soul, forgetting about the reason I was angry at him.
He didn't move as I wrapped my arms around him, he was frozen, blinking confused. As I moved back he tightened his arms around my torso, resting his soft forehead on my shoulder.
"Is everything okay?" he asked deeply worried. I could hear his heartbeat, it was beating so fast and loud I could've sworn he ran a marathon before he got here. I didn't reply, the fear building up inside me to just mention anything about the subject.
I moved back, avoiding to make eye contact, my body was stilled with worry, what if Akira's waiting for me outside? Why was Soul here? Why am I not mad at him? Why is he making the fear disappear? Why should I care? Why am I letting these emotions flow though me?
"Maka" Soul called again, his voice with more roughness this time. My head creeps upwards towards the male. He had no sign of emotion visible in his features, my heart continued to pound in my chest. "What's going on?" he asked, his words sunk in to my head, swaying to answer.
"He-he wa-was here" I stuttered, my body shaking, my eyes still wide with terror. Soul frowns and wraps me in his jacket protective-like, trying to help me to my feet. "No, he's still here" I state trying to fight the white-haired males hold on my hand and hide back under the counter.
"No one's here, it's almost 9" He stated confused, I looked up at him as if he was joking. I poked my head over the counter, glancing out the door, it was dark and cloudy outside. When did he leave? How long was I stuck in a faze of fear?
I said nothing in return and slowly stood up, glancing around the almost lightless and empty room. My shoulders relaxed. I rubbed my eyes, wiping away the dried tears stained on my cheeks. Why was I so afraid of Akira? I thought that I was in a good place, why did that happen now after all this time?
"I'm fine" I replied with a low hoarse voice, I felt my strength return to my body. "I'm safe" I said under my breath, clutching my fists. How was I even supposed to react to him after what he did? Without my brain telling my body I began to stumble out of behind the counter, my legs weak and wobbly, I held on the wall to keep me up right.
"I'm concerned" Soul stated from behind me, I heard no emotion slip from his voice. He's blocked off from me again, if he was concerned he would allow me to know how he was truly feeling. In one big hit, the reasons why I was angry at him began to surface again.
"If you're so concerned why did not bother to make sure I was okay after the big surprise at Chubie's café?" I asked, not turning around to face him, I didn't have it in me to look at his face. I felt if I looked into his cold and emotionless eyes I would burst into another puddle of tears, I had to be stronger than that. I couldn't cry to just let my feelings get the better of me, making me weak and vulnerable.
"Liz said it was better to not get myself more involved" he stated, I could hear his footsteps walk towards me. I let my head fall to where my chin was touching my chest. I felt as if the only reason Liz said that was because she had more feeling for Soul than just lust. I shouldn't care… but I do?
I went a week without seeing him and it felt as if I could get my life back on track then he just bursts in here and changes it, mixing up my logical and rational thinking to a puddle of mud.
I was about to make a comment when I hear the sound of the store's doors opening, I gasp at the wave of cold hitting my body, I shiver. The only light source starts to flicker, my heart beat rising. My ears twitches at the sound of shuffling in the distance.
Not even seconds later I hear the clatter of a food can falling off one of the shelves. My palms instantly start to sweat, anxiety pulsating through my body, heart beat critically decreasing. My fears overcome me, controlling me once again. The room feels as if the temperature dropped massively.
"YOU LAIR! HE'S STILL HERE, YOU LIED TO ME!" I yelled, trembling as I tried to make my escape back behind the counter. I got a glimpse of the worried look of Soul's eyes before he grasped onto my wrists and pulling me into his chest.
"I swear I didn't lie, we're alone. The can fell over because of the wind. Whoever you're worried about, they're not here. I'm here and I'll protect you, I swear" He pled, the worry still present in his eyes as I looked up at him. His careful gaze soothing my nerves slightly. Why am I so scared? I was so uneasy and afraid, what's happening?
"You… You'll protect me?" I ask lowly, his eyes scan over my features. The pity and sympathy they held made me feel weak and worthless. I wasn't supposed to be scared, how could one person shake my core with so much fear?
"of course, I will, I care about you" He states, a frown creasing on his lips. I don't know if I can trust the words that slip from his mouth, he seems like the type of person to lie just for the mood. Before I could respond he pulled me against him tighter.
I fight an inner emotional battle with myself as I wrap my arms around his semi-muscular form, tears I tried too hard to keep back, falling freely from my eyes. How was it someone that made me so mad also make me feel so safe? Could he actually care about me? Could he really protect me?
I step back, attracting my gaze to the window. "I better get home" I stumble over my words slightly, forcing myself to look away from the male and walk outside. My nervous gaze searching anywhere for the man of my nightmares.
"I'll walk you" Soul announces. I don't respond, knowing there was no denying him. I lock up the doors and sigh as the warm air hits my shivering body. I start making my way up the steep path, the white-haired male following behind me, his hands dug into his pockets.
It was quiet, nothing was said, no one stumbling home drunk, I instantly wanted him to talk. Why wasn't I yelling at him in anger, ever since I've met him he's made me furious. Yet when I feel the most afraid he makes the fear disappear, what does one call that?
"Why are you so afraid of this guy?" Soul asked suddenly. Akira, there was nothing about the man not to be feared. I could sense he was more powerful than I could ever be, even now. I've fought so hard to just forget about that part of my life, filling it with books of emotions I never wanted to feel, even practising in a lot of self-defence classes.
"It's all in the past" I mutter, I don't want to think about that part of my life, I just want to forget. The memories still haunt me, it's as if Akira burned himself into my mind. After what he did any woman would be afraid of him, I'm no exclusion.
"Something you'd rather forget. Understandable" He huffed, crossing his arms over his head lazily. I could feel his crimson eyes bore into the side of my head, I raise an eyebrow as my eyes meet his.
"What?" I ask slightly irritated. He shakes his head and his eyes focus on the path in front of us. He's so confusing! Honestly does he think he can just waltz back into my life when I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him?
"I didn't know you could ever be afraid, I thought you were like an emotionless person" Soul shrugged as if he didn't just insult me. I have the overwhelming sensation to just scoff, emotionless? Did I really come off as emotionless?
"I'm human, I feel emotions including fear, he's the only one that's ever made me feel it" I state, my hand shivering, I dig my fingers into my palm as to stop the trembling. Even the mere thought of him scared me, it made me feel pathetic.
"So, does that also include love?" He asked suddenly. I felt my face alight, the pink blush rushing to my ears. Did he really just ask if I could ever love someone? Not everyone experiences love, I could be one on those people that die never knowing of the heart throbbing emotion.
"I don't know, I've never felt it" I reply honestly, trying to make my face as normal as possible before he noticed, struggling to keep my tone of voice less high pitched from surprise. He stops, I gaze back. His eyes closed, the wind flowing through his hair, messing it up more than usual.
"You will, one day" Soul muttered. How does he know that? He can't guarantee anything about my future.
"How?" I questioned, stopping as I arrived at my gate, turning to the tanned man behind me. His face turns into a deep-thinking state, thoroughly thinking through his answer.
"I'm honestly not sure, I just see you being really happy with someone one day" He smiles, rubbing the back of his head nervously. I can't help the smile that crawls upon my face, I dare say he looked adorable smiling his shark like smile.
"thank you" I smile, biting against my bottom lip. I could hear Blair clawing behind the door, she must be hungry, I haven't been home all day.
"So, you aren't mad anymore?" he asks, eyes pleading for forgiveness. I bite my tongue, desperately trying to decide what the right answer is. I look into his scarlet eyes; his wall was breaking for me. Mad? I was furious with him, yet a lot of people made me angry, the mayors son was no exception.
"I guess not, you helped me today so I guess you could have a free get away card" I say without thinking about the consequences that I might later face. "That does not mean that we are friends, I have enough of those for a life time" I state, he nods, his eyes leaving what looked like a neon streak of light as his head moved up and down. It looked incredible, it was captivating. Could he be human?
"Here's my number just in case you ever need my help" he says as he hands over a card. Crimson meets emerald, a light following his gaze again as they glow with mischief. "We both know you need it"
I scoff, turning around and storming to my door, glancing over my shoulder to see Soul's eyes still upon me, that familiar safe feeling comforting me.
"I don't need your help, I thought we discussed this" I growl, opening the wooden door, frowning at the male outside. Why did he make me feel safe? No matter how many times I say it, I feel like he will always try to come to my rescue.
"I'll see you later Maka" he smiled, stalking down the road, walking in the direction of his house. The lack of his eyes gazing at me made the safe feeling fade, my heart beat increased. I close the door letting my back slide down the frame, Blair tangling her tail between my legs. What was he doing out so late anyway? How'd he know I worked there? Was I safe with him?
I need to stop being ridiculous. I walk my way upstairs landing on the contents of my soft bed, the fluffy covers developing me in their warmness.
Maybe I could let Soul into my life?