Sorry for the long break. School caught up with me. Don't own… Belongs to Atsushi Ookubo and Square-Enix~!
"Maka, please! You said you would!"
An ash blonde woman turned her olive eyes from her book to look at her loud, blue-haired friend. "Black Star, please. Not now."
"Then when? You say you always keep your promises, and you promised!"
"But Black Star… That was so long ago…"
"You still promised! Come on, Maka! I'm not that bad!"
Maka looked back at her book. "I never said you were… It's just-"
"Maka, in all seriousness, it's not that easy being so awesome by myself. I need someone to share it with."
Maka looked at Black Star then sighed. "Fine. I will set you up with my friend. But if I hear anything from her saying you were less than a perfect gentleman, I swear I will Maka Chop you so fast-"
"Okay, okay! I get it! I'll treat her perfectly! She's a future goddess after all!"
Maka rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah…"
"How about I set you up with someone?"
"No."
"Oh, come on, Maka! I got your back! I won't set you up with some loser!"
"Black Star-"
"No one is saying you HAVE to date him! You can just meet him!"
Maka looked back at her book. "You aren't going to give this up, are you?"
"It could be a double date! Sound good, right?"
"If you leave me alone about it, then I'll probably go for it. If anything, I'll come to keep an eye on you."
"I don't need a fucking babysitter…" Black Star grumbled.
Maka stood up from the park bench she and her friend were sitting on. The June weather had been the main reason for going out.
"My lunch break is over, Black Star. I'll think about it and call you tonight, okay?"
As Maka walked away, she thought of her friends. Liz was definitely out. Their personalities would clash too much. And with her sister Patty, she and Black Star would create total chaos and anarchy. Kim definitely had a thing going on with Ox and Jackie was almost a mystery about her love life.
Tsubaki would probably be the best choice. She was nice to everyone. At the end of the date, if she didn't like him, she could just not give him her phone number.
"That could probably work…" Maka said as she took her phone out to check the time. Before she could even correctly see the time, she bumped into something, or someone, rather solid, and fell right on her backside.
"The one time I don't pay attention…"
"You okay?"
Maka picked up her bag that had fallen to the ground and her cell phone before dusting herself off. "No damage done. Sorry about that…" She looked up and found ruby eyes underneath messy snow white hair.
"It's no problem. I wasn't paying attention either. My friend had just sent me a text and gets pissy f I don't respond when the subject says 'important' in all caps. Usually it's not all that important…"
"Yeah… I know a few people like that…" Maka said, thinking mainly of Liz Thompson.
"Anyways, you're sure you're good? I don't gotta take you to the hospital? You look like I could break you over my knee…"
Maka huffed. "I'm fine, thank you. That's not something you say to a girl…"
"It was just a joke. I didn't mean it." The man said as he stuffed one hand in his jean pocket and another hand out towards her. "The name's Soul Eater."
Maka hesitantly took Soul's hand. "Maka Albarn. Good to meet you."
Soul nodded. "Likewise. So do you need an escort to your destination?"
Maka shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm just going back to work." She said as she readjusted her pure. "Now, it was nice meeting you, but I have to go." She said before walking off.
"Bye…" Soul managed after she walked away. "Maka, huh?" He looked at his phone again before walking on. His eyes widened at the words on the small screen and quickly called his friend.
"What the hell, Black Star? Why am I the one to go on the double date?!"
"Because you're my best friend and I'll need one of my most loyal subjects there!" Black Star yelled. "Plus, it's just one date! I just need her there to break the ice with her friend!"
"Just one?"
"Just one. No more! I promise!"
Soul sighed. "When is it?"
"I dunno. My friend still has to talk her friend! But it'll be soon!"
"Fine. But you're an ass for doing this."
Maka went into a corner antique facing a music store.
"Hello? Anybody here?"
Out from the back room a Japanese woman came with black hair and dark eyes wearing a smile. "Hi, Maka. Shouldn't you be doing work?"
"That's part of the reason I came here. I was going to ask from your work room."
"Sure. You know it's open to you whenever you have new books to go over."
Maka sighed. "Thanks. Sometimes being an editor stinks."
Tsubaki laughed. "So what's the other reason you stopped by?"
"W-well… a while ago I promised a friend that I'd set him up with a friend… And I was wondering if you'd mind…? He's really nice, although a bit obnoxious sometimes. It's just I thought he'd forget, but-"
"He must be a good friend." Tsubaki said with a laugh.
Maka sighed. "I guess… I can't believe I haven't introduced you yet… You have only been here for half a year though. Anyways, is that a yes to trying it out…?"
Tsubaki smiled. "Sure. I like meeting new people, and if Maka trusts him, he can't be bad."
"Oh, thank you, Tsubaki! You're the best! And it's just one date!"
Tsubaki gave a tiny blush and smiled. "A-about that…"
"Huh?"
"I've… never been on a date before…"
"Wait… what?"
"W-well I spent my life on a Navy base, and I was too shy to talk to any of the boys… so… I'm kind of nervous now…"
Maka smiled. "Well… It's not a DATE, per se… just a casual meet and greet. Don't get nervous. I'll be there too!"
"Won't that make it weird for you?"
"That idiot friend is bringing someone along too. It's fine."
Tsubaki giggled. "You two are pretty close huh?"
"We grew up together." Maka sighed. "Anyways, thank you again! You are the absolute best friend ever!"
Tsubaki gave a smile, then watched Maka go off. She took a deep breath and went back to work.
A few hours later, Maka stretch as she came out of the back room.
"How was it?"
"It was fine. Just so many books are so similar to what is out now. So it makes the process a little boring. So do you need any help closing up?"
Tsubaki shook her head. "I'm fine. Go on ahead."
Maka waved and walked out the shop, immediately bumping into someone.
"Again?"
"Sorry about that…"
Maka looked up and found the same red eyes and white hair from before, hours earlier. Soul gave a smirk.
"Hey, Maka."
"H-hi…" Maka felt so embarrassed. Not only did she clumsily bump into someone twice, it was the same someone. Death City was small, but it couldn't be THAT small.
"So… were you checking messages again…?"
"Oh, no. That time I did it on purpose."
"W-what?"
"I saw you from my shop across the street." Soul said as he pointed to the music store. "Thought I'd come talk to you since we work across the street from each other."
"That's not really the case. I just use my friend's back workroom for my job." Maka said with a small smile as she straightened out her top. "I'm an editor publication company. It's a small branch in Death City. Anyways, I'll be going." She said before turning to walk away.
"Wait! I wanted to ask you something."
Maka turned back around. "Okay."
"Do you wanna do something tomorrow? Maybe lunch? I mean, it's Saturday, so you're off right? Unless…"
Maka blushed. "N-no, I'm free… I think. But why-?"
"You look interesting." Soul smirked.
"You don't even know me…"
His smirk grew. "Then I'd like to get to know you." He took a business card and pen, wrote something on the back, then handed her the card. "My cell number."
Maka hesitantly took the card, then took out her phone to save the information. A second later, Soul got a message.
"My number…" Maka said with a small smile and a huge blush. "Now, if you'll excuse me." She turned on her heels and ran off. A second later, her phone rang.
"I SAW EVERYTHING!" Tsubaki squealed. "Who was that?!"
"Just some guy I met earlier… He says he wants to get to know me…" Maka blushed. Tsubaki giggled.
"So, did you give him your number?"
Maka heard a beep, indicating another call. Looking at her phone, she saw it was Black Star. "Hold on, Tsubaki. I have another call." Maka then switched calls and greeted Black Star.
"Never mind that! Did you ask your friend?"
"Yeah, but-"
"What did she say?"
"She'll meet you. She said she's up for it."
"YAHOO! Awesome! Can you make the date tomorrow?"
"Black Star…"
"I have work for the next two weeks. The chief says I'll be living at the station until two Sundays from now. I don't want to make her wait too long and I don't want to waste anyone's time. Is noon okay? At the park?"
Maka sighed. "Fine. If it's you, I can move some things around."
"Thanks, Maka! I owe you big time!"
Maka switched back to Tsubaki's call. "Okay, I'm back. My friend wants to do the date tomorrow at noon."
"T-tomorrow…?"
"I mean, if you can't, I can just-"
"N-no! I can just ask Jackie to take over for me… But it's so sudden…"
"He's a cop, and he says he's gonna have work piled up for the next two weeks, and he doesn't want to waste anyone's time."
"O-okay… Sure, what time?"
Maka stopped at the crossroads before her apartment. "He said noon at the park. Let's meet there ten minutes till."
"Okay. So, do you still want me to come over? I can be there in about an hour. We really need to talk about your new friend."
"Tsubaki…"
"Maybe I should invite Liz and Patty too!"
"You can be such a sadist sometimes… I'll see you in an hour." Maka said as she took out her apartment key. She made her way into her apartment and dropped her bag on the couch before looking at the phone still in her hand. Maybe she should call Soul…
Her phone started ringing in her hand, making her jump. Looking down, she saw Soul's name on the screen, making her blush. After a deep breath, she answered.
"H-hello?"
"Hey, Maka. It's Soul."
"Y-yeah… I have caller ID." Maka replied with a little laugh.
"Oh yeah. So, I was calling to tell you something came up tomorrow at lunchtime. I'm sorry…"
"Oh, it's not a problem. My friend has something very important at that time, too…"
"Really? Then let's meet up afterwards. Mine shouldn't be longer than a couple hours."
"Mine either!" Maka said enthusiastically. "So, I'm okay with meeting a few hours later…"
"Great! I thought you'd hate me for rescheduling last minute. But this must be fate."
"Fate?" Maka laughed.
"Sure!" Soul chuckled. "You know, you have a very pretty laugh."
Maka blushed. "Um… W-well, thank you…"
"So, we'll meet up tomorrow?"
Maka gave a small smile to herself. "Sure. That sounds like a plan."
"Okay. Then tomorrow at three. We'll spend the afternoon getting to know each other. She you then, Maka."
"Bye, Soul."
Maka took her phone from her head and stared at the blinking message that said 'called ended'. Did she just agree to a date? She hadn't been on a date since college, and that was three years ago. Maybe this visit with the girls would be good.
The next day at 11:50, Maka, in her sunflower yellow short sundress, while flat, and signature pigtails, made her way to the designated spot with Tsubaki in a similar dress but in a light green color with black flats. The latter fidgeted with her handbag, making Maka laugh.
"Don't be so nervous. I'll be here the whole time. And he's not bad. Just very energetic."
"O-okay…" Tsubaki said as she looked at her friend's smile. "So, what is the plan?"
"I honestly don't know. But knowing him-"
"It'll be EPIC!" A voice rang out.
Maka sighed while Tsubaki jumped in surprise.
"And it begins…."
Black Star appeared from nowhere, landing in front of Tsubaki. His light blue eyes that matched his wild hair gazed at her intently before he took her hand and kneeled in front of her.
"Never in my life have I seen someone as beautiful as you."
Tsubaki blushed violently. "U-um… Uh… I…"
Black Star stood up, revealing his blue cotton V neck shirt with dark jeans. Smiling widely at Tsubaki, he turned to Maka. "So, who's this beauty?"
"Black Star, this is my best friend Tsubaki Nakatsukasa. Tsubaki, this is Black Star."
"N-nice to meet you, Black Star…"
"You don't need to be shy around me!" Black Star laughed loudly. "I don't bite!"
"Black Star…" Maka warned. "I brought a thick pocket dictionary…" She held up her purse, making Black Star gulp.
"Toning it down…"
"So, we're just waiting for your friend?" Black Star nodded.
"He should be here soon."
"Well, until he gets here," Maka smiled. "why don't you two get to know each other better? I'll just sit over there." She pointed at a bench Tsubaki blushed, and awkwardly asked. Black Star about his background.
Upon sitting down, Maka took out a manuscript she was looking over. Admittedly, she wasn't paying attention to the words on the page as she watched her friends hitting it off. She smiled, then subtly felt weight shift on her bench. Turning, she found a familiar smirk under red eyes and white hair. The man they belonged to was dressed in a white button up shirt with the top buttons undone, and dark jeans.
"Hey there."
Maka blushed. "Hi, Soul…"
"So, was this what you had to do? Are you waiting for your friend or something?" Soul asked. Maka shook her head and pointed at Black Star and Tsubaki.
"I set those two up on a date, and I was kind of dragged along on a double date. So we're just waiting for his friend. He's my date I guess…"
"Ah, well this makes things easier."
"How so?"
"It would seem," Soul's smirk grew, "that you're my date."
"Wha-"
"Black Star is the one who strong armed me to do this. But now I don't mind so much."
Maka smiled. "Me either." She put her manuscript back in her bag and stood up. "Well, shall we tell them you're here?"
Soul followed her example. "Sure, let's go."Making their way over to the two friends, Black Star's eyes widened.
"Soul, you finally got here!" Black Star yelled. "Took you long enough!"
"Don't start Black Star." Soul replied. "I'm here now, right? Plus, it looked like you and the pretty lady here were hitting it off. Didn't want to interrupt. Right Maka?"
Maka nodded. "I don't think you two even need Soul and I here."
"Everything I have planned is for- wait, you know each other?"
"Remember when I said I had a date after this?" Soul asked, to which Black Star nodded. "Well, no I won't have to leave early."
Tsubaki eyed Maka. Making the latter blush and smile.
"Good Now let's get started! I got four tickets to the carnival in town from a coworker!" Black Star yelled. "So we're gonna spend the day there!"
"That sounds fun." Tsubaki smiled.
"Well," Black Star said holding out his arm. "let me escort the beautiful goddess to her destination."
Tsubaki blushed, but she took her date's arm nonetheless. Maka simply smiled.
"Man is he laying it on thick…" Soul marveled.
"She's always wanted to be treated like a princess." Maka smiled. "I'm glad he knows how to treat her. Anyways, let's go. Don't want to be left behind."
"Right." Soul replied before starting to walk. "So, how long have you known 'Star?"
"Since we were four. We grew up together. My dad worked with his guardian and we ended up HAVING to play with each other." Maka laughed. "How about you?"
"Me? He walked into my store, causing a ruckus, but I liked his style. So, we met up a few times, and that was all she wrote."
"You willingly met up? You must be amazing!"
Soul laughed. "I liked his style. So, have you lived here your whole life?"
"Born and raised. I mean, I've gone to LA and Vegas for trips, but that's all." Maka replied. "And I know you aren't from here, so how about you?"
"New York. I hated it."
Maka blinked. "Really?"
"Too big and too many people. I guess it made me a little agoraphobic." Soul laughed, making Maka furrow her brows.
"Are you going to be okay at the carnival?"
"Sure." Soul smirked. "But I'll stick close to you so nothing bad happens to me." He watched Maka blush, making him even more amused.
The four made it to the carnival and found it flooded with people.
"So, where should we start?"
"Bumper cars! I still have to beat Maka!"
"That was ten years ago, Black Star… We're twenty-five; you can let it go."
"No! I must regain my honor!"
"It does sound fun." Tsubaki smiled. "And I'd love to see who would win."
"Then it's settled." "Soul announced. "On to the bumper cars!"
The group got in the line which was rather short, and the date officially began. In the bumper cars, Maka won once again, making Black Star swear revenge. Soul, Maka, and Tsubaki were confused on the how the scoring system worked. The group ran around until night, none of them expecting to stay out that late.
Maka and Soul stood behind the rail surrounding the Ferris wheel that Black Star and Tsubaki had decided to ride. Maka gave a smile.
"It looks like their enjoying themselves. What do you think?" Maka asked turning to Soul.
"I think you did a good job. But I have a question for you."
"Hm?"
"How is our date going?"
Maka gave a blush. "W-well, I think it's going pretty well… H-how do you think it's going?"
"I think it's going okay. I'd enjoy it more if it were just us two though."
Maka giggled nervously. "Really…"
"Let's sneak away for a bit. I'll treat you to a funnel cake." Soul said, holding his hand out to her. She blushed and smiled softly and took it.
"Okay, that sounds nice."
With that, the two made their way to the funnel cakes stand. Soul ordered one large cake with the works before turning to Maka.
"Are you okay with sharing? I promise I don't have germs."
Maka smiled. "I believe you.
"So," Maka started as they found their seats after getting their dessert." 'Eater' can't be your actual last name."
"How do you know it's not?" Soul asked, playfully smirking.
"Is it?"
"No, but I'll win you something at the shooting game if you guess right."
Maka smiled. "Okay. Um… Anderson?"
"Nope."
"Smith?"
"Negative."
"Wilson?"
"Nuh-uh." Soul smirked. "One more guess."
"I really don't know, Soul." Maka replied. "I'm not good at guessing." Soul laughed in response.
"Okay, okay. You can stop. And as a consolation prize I'll win you something from the skee ball game."
"What? But I lost."
Soul ate another piece of funnel cake. "I just want to win you something."
After finishing their funnel cake, and winning a prize at the games, Soul claimed there was one more place he wanted to go: the Merry – Go-Round. Maka picked an animal to ride, and Soul stood next to her.
"So, I was wondering." Soul started.
"Yeah?"
"Maybe we can do this again? By ourselves sometime?"
Maka nodded. "I would love to do that."
Soul gave a smile. "Cool."
After their ride on the carousel, the two met up with Black Star and Tsubaki who had been watching the whole exchange. Soon after, the four gave their good nights, and Tsubaki and Maka left together.
"That was fun, huh?"
Tsubaki smiled. "I'm glad you asked me to go. Hopefully we'll have another date soon…"
"So, I'm guessing you gave him your number?"
"W-well… I enjoyed myself… And I liked him, a lot more than I though." Tsubaki smiled. "And how about you? You seemed to be enjoying yourself."
"I like him." Maka stated. "He's not like other guys."
Tsubaki smiled. "Well, thank you Maka for introducing us."
The next day, while sitting at home, Maka got a call from Liz, saying that she wanted to pry information out of her. She made sure to tell Maka to meet up at Tsubaki's store. After Maka hung up, she sighed. She knew what this would mean…
Half an hour later, Maka went to Tsubaki's store and found a blonde girl with long hair, and deep blue eyes dressed in a red crop top and jean shorts.
"I've been waiting for you, Maka. I've been trying to get Tsubaki to tell me what the guys' names are, but she won't!"
"Liz, you'd become a bloodhound and stiff them out."
"Well," Liz huffed. "since I can't make Tsubaki spend the day with me, you have to. And I need some new CDs, so let's go there." She finished by pointing at the music store across the street, making Maka smile.
"Okay, that's fine."
Tsubaki smiled and waved as the two girls left her shop and went to the music store. Liz pushed the door open, and stopped in her tracks.
"Liz, move out the way."
"Sorry… but do you see that guy?" Liz said as she pointed at Soul.
"Yeah, that's Soul. He owns the shop."
Soul looked up at the mention of his name, and smirked at Maka. "Hey Maka."
Maka gave a little blush. "Hey." She said with a smile. She watched him come over, and her butterflies came into her stomach.
"Good to see you." Soul said, then turned to Liz. "And who's this pretty lady?"
"I'm Liz Thompson. Maka's very single and very good friend!" She said holding out her hand.
"Um… good to know." Soul chuckled. "Anyways, can I help you ladies? We sell everything from vinyl records to CDs."
"You sell records here? Show me, show me!"
Soul chuckled. "Sure." He gave Maka a smirk. "Any music you want me to show you?"
"She's not really a music girl."
Soul raised an eyebrow at Maka, who just smiled and shrugged. Before she could explain herself, Liz had dragged Soul over to the vinyl section. Maka found a chair around the Pop CDs and sat there, watching Soul and Liz interact. She honestly didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed by Liz. She couldn't be mad though. She never said anything to Liz.
Soul glanced at Maka, completely ignoring Liz's blatant attempts at flirting. Not into music? Soul smirked. Challenge accepted. While he made sure Liz was busy with some good records, he snuck his way over to Maka.
"So, not a music person?"
Maka looked up out of her daze and smiled. "Yeah. Kinda weird huh?"
"No, it's just you haven't heard the right music."
"Is that so?"
Soul nodded. "I can help with that though. And you said you'd go on another date with me."
"Okay, fine." Maka said as she let a little giggle escape her lips.
"Cool. And by the way," Soul motioned to Liz. "You weren't trying to set me up, were you?"
"N-no! Of course not!"
Soul smirked, and went back to Liz when she called. After a half an hour, the two females left the store.
"Maka, why had you not introduced me to him? He is absolutely gorgeous!"
"I just met him, Liz."
"Do you think I overdid it?"
"Overdid what…?"
"My flirting! He was so unresponsive! Maybe he plays for our team…?"
Maka laughed. "I highly doubt that."
"But-"
"He may not be attracted to you, Liz."
"How do you know?"
Maka gave a blush and a smile. "Because we're going on a date later."
Liz stood in her tracks. "What?"
Over the span of the next few weeks, Maka and Soul spent any free time they had together. Whether it was formal dates, or just having lunch, they had a good time.
One day, as Tsubaki was restocking her shop, Soul came in easily.
"Hey Tsubaki. Is Maka here?"
"No, not today. Why?"
"Well, I wanted to talk to you. See, I think I want to move things forward with Maka. But I'm not sure how to do that… Any ideas?"
"Why not just ask her? She really likes you, so I doubt she'd say no."
Soul gave a little blush. "She really likes me…?"
Tsubaki gave a nod. "Of course. All she talks about is you."
"Then I'll ask her tonight! Thanks Tsubaki!" Soul said before running back to his shop. He called up Maka to confirm plans, and waited anxiously for the night to arrive. The date went well, but Soul got more and more nervous.
As they walked through the city after dinner, Maka smiled at Soul. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"I heard something interesting today."
"Izzat so?"
"Yeah. But first, I wanna try guessing your last name again."
"Okay, shoot."
"Williams?"
"Nope."
"Sanders."
"Guess again."
"Evans?"
Soul looked surprised which made Maka smile. "Liz can't keep secrets, and told me. But you know-"
"Are you upset because I didn't say anything? IT's a pretty big deal after all. My family's famous, and-"
"If you'd let me finish. Yes, I'm upset." To that, Soul flinched. "I'm upset that you weren't the one who told me first. I wanted you to take your time with telling me any personal details about yourself, especially if they're uncomfortable. But now, that's shot straight to Hell… Anyways, the point is that I don't care about your name. To me, you're still Soul Eater, and that's how you'll stay."
Soul smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
"Of course." Maka beamed. She gave a little blush as she tentatively reached for Soul's hand, intertwining their fingers. Soul smiled and tightened his grip.
"By the way," Maka started. "Black Start told you right?"
"About how he and Tsubaki are official? It's not surprising. Those two were made for each other."
"That's true. But I can't help but feel a bit proud."
"As well you should. But I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"Why don't we make it official, too? I mean, I really like you, and I'm hoping you like me, and-"
"I can tell you're nervous." Maka laughed. "You ramble when you're nervous. So not cool."
"Ugh… I know… But… you know… what do you say?"
"Sure. I'm game. Let's make it official." Maka smiled. She felt Soul wrap his arms around her waist with a smile. Before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around Soul's neck and pulled him down, their lips touching quickly. She blushed profusely when they pulled apart. "Sorry."
Soul smirked. "Don't be." He leaned down to capture her lips again.
So, I want to just say that I wanted to update about a month ago, but life and school started happening, so I had to postpone the release more and more. But it's like fifteen pages long, so hopefully that will make up for it. Please read and review. Any feedback is good feedback. Love you Always~!