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Chapter 16: Doubt

She looked at the passing names by the doors as they walked because it was better than looking at the person now walking next to her.

"Oh."

She quickly covered her mouth. She couldn't help but let out her voice after she saw the name 'Death the Kid' on the label plate next to apartment 904. She turned to look up to the person beside her, who yawned nonchalantly before returning the glance. He half smiled at her, not at all picking up on her nervousness, or rather, anxiousness. He lifted his hand up to the door and knocked three times in sequence. After doing so, he looked at her from his peripheral, and then grunted in frustration, "You're just asking him to do something." He lifted his arm to her head, making her reflexes move her head away. She didn't really want to get away from him, a rare thing she had been feeling recently. She just, her gut pulled her away.

She lifted her hand to her head and tugged at her hair, "What?" She frowned at him, trying to read his expressions, which didn't change as he clenched his fist and let his arm fall back down to his side. She felt her stomach clench, not liking what just happened. The door opened inward, revealing a slightly perturbed Kid.

He saw the taller of the two of them first, "Soul," that's when his eyes turned to the shorter one. His eyes widened, as if he didn't expect her in the least, "Maka." The way he said her name, almost inaudibly in fact, made her worried. She wondered if she was intruding a bit too much this time. He sighed then moved to the side, making way for them.

Soul went in first. "I'm coming in."

Maka couldn't help but laugh a bit.

Obviously.

Maka stepped inside slowly, immediately catching the scent of fresh linen floating through the air. She slipped off her shoes at the door way, proceeding into the apartment in her socks. The floor was wooden and the walls white. A black three seater couch sat facing the set of long windows that covered the wall opposite the entryway. A single lounge chair sat to its left. The television stand in front of the couch featured just a medium sized flat screen on a low TV stand. The rest of the apartment was, for some reason, just as Maka had imagined it to be. Clean and neat. However it was at the same time, relaxed, something Kid was apparently not. He wore light blue, a bit loose fitting, jeans, however, he had on a white dress shirt. Then again, maybe this way of dress was him being relaxed. Maka clenched her purse straps.

I don't really know that much about Kid.

She felt like an intruder to the space and so she walked near the couch, not sure what to do, and stood in place, looking around curiously. Soul, instinctively acting like he owned the place, maneuvered past her and took a set on the couch's left end. He turned to look at Kid, who was in the process of rearranging their shoes, "So let's get to it." He yawned again, showing he was not very enthusiastic, and turned to the television, "Why can't you just watch it alone anyway?"

Kid walked over, a bit angry at his tone, "I don't get why the two of you are here right now, but I'm not complaining now am I?" He took a seat on the rightmost side of the couch and picked up the remote on the coffee table. He began to click through his recorded list. Maka walked around the couch and placed her purse onto the coffee table. She looked to the couch, which now held a laid back, already sprawled out Soul, and a clean cut Kid on either side. Soul looked up at Maka, then picked up his left hand and did a motion for her to come over. She, almost giving into temptation, took a little less than two steps to the couch, then stopped herself. Stuck between her sort of friend sort of something else and a guy who has no idea what's going on.

I'd rather not.

She pivoted and took a seat down in front of the coffee table, on the floor.

"What are you doing?"

She flinched and couldn't help but feel that the way Soul said that blew things out of proportion, as if he really took offense to her action. She turned to him, who now was squinting at her and was demanding explanation.

She frowned at him, "Old habits die hard." She turned to look towards the television once more, trying to calm her nerves.

"Maka." Her body shook.

So much for trying to stay calm.

She turned around to find Soul holding up one of the pillows from the couch. She wasn't sure what he was trying to do when he suddenly tossed it to her. She caught it with a little difficulty and slipped it under herself. After looking back to the television, she noticed that even though the drama was selected, Kid hadn't played it yet. She turned to her right this time to look at him, "Kid?" He looked back at her and then diverted his eyes.

"I was just waiting for the lovebirds to finish their flirting." He pressed play on the remote control.

Soul immediately retorted, "If you thought that was flirting, you haven't seen anything yet." He smirked widely. Kid seemed a bit annoyed for some reason but still remained focused on the television. The opening for the drama started. Maka lifted up her knees to her chest and gripped them there. It was really good, but she wasn't able to focus on the story much. She was too busy paying attention to Kid's character. His skin was tanned a bit darker than Maka's and his hair was black; no sign of the three white stripes could be seen. He looked good. Really good. The white tank top that hung loosely on his skin and his baggy pants, sandals, it wasn't like Kid at all. She turned, finding Kid's glance on the television. She could still see some remnants of the tan on his neck and hands. Kid caught her glance and returned it. He spoke out loud in a cocky manner, "What?" Soul looked him now, wondering what was happening. Maka turned back around and huffed air out of her mouth in frustration.

I like the fake Death the Kid better.

She could see Kid cross his legs in her peripheral; laying his hands on his knee.

Much better.

She turned her attention back to the television and bit her lip as two characters began to get a bit too close for comfort. She wasn't embarrassed about watching this scene alone, nor with Tsubaki and/or Liz, but watching it with Soul and Kid in the room with her wasn't really on her bucket list. She stood up from her seat on the floor, making Kid immediately pause the drama.

Soul breathed out, "What's wrong?" He seemed a bit concerned and on edge, as if he was bothered by the same thing she was.

Maka pointed towards the doorway that she saw held the kitchen. "Water." He parted his lips to say something but then closed them. Kid stood up from the couch now.

"I'll go with you." He tossed the remote to Soul and walked around the couch, Maka following behind him. She looked back to find Soul kicking back on the sofa once more. "Are you coming?" Maka flinched and turned forward, finding Kid in the kitchen, about to open one of the cabinets on the wall when he just stopped and turned around to face his body towards her. Maka raised her eyebrow.

"What?"

Kid huffed, "You really need to stop with the ugly faces." Maka, a bit stunned, narrowed her eyes. Like he was someone she needed to put on a pretty face for. She breathed out, calming down.

She walked up to the cabinet he was about to open, "In here?" She turned to find him just staring at her as if she was a doll on display. She retracted her hands and took a step back. "Alright, what is it?" He brushed her question off and reached for the cabinet; swinging it open. The kitchen itself looked as though it had never been used. Everything was in its rightful place and other than one single dishrag near the sink, it looked perfect. Maka couldn't help but feel as though it wasn't like him to leave things out like that. Kid had retrieved the glass he went looking for and then noticed that Maka was staring at the sink. He caught on to her inner thoughts.

"Black Star came earlier with a hangover. He said he needed something cold and then he just left it there. He didn't want to go to Soul's place apparently." He observed Maka for a moment longer before speaking again, this time in a nonchalant tone, "It looks like his girlfriend slept over. Soul's."

Maka's eyes widened. It seemed as though she wasn't the only one who knew about Soul's situation.

Doesn't she always sleep over?

Maka mentally slapped herself; she already told herself that she wasn't going to pay attention to that. Even though it bothered her, she would die before letting on about it doing so in front of anyone. Kid escpecially.

He doesn't need another reason to dislike me.

Maka looked out of the corner of her eyes; finding Kid looking back at her. She furrowed her brow, "What is it? You keep glaring me down. Is it because I'm so beautiful? Can't take your eyes off me huh?" Kid laughed a little, or at least Maka thought she caught him doing so. She cracked a smile. At the very least, there wasn't a heavy air floating around him now. For the sake of getting rid of that tension, Maka was willing to become a Narcissist any day. He lifted the glass in his hand up to her which she took from him; watching his fingers as they slowly moved away from the glass.

"Maka."

Maka flinched, her attention now drawn away from making sure the glass wouldn't slip out of her fingers; she had almost dropped it. This was the first time that Kid had called her by her name. Or at least from what she could remember.

Especially with that kind of voice.

She stole glances back up at him, finding him looking away from her; nonchalant as always. That is until he realized that she was stealing glances at him. His mouth curved upward.

No. No way. Not at all.

She wasn't sure why, but it seemed like he was actually happy. Kid. Death the Kid. Happy. Whatever was the reason, Maka knew for sure that it would somehow deal a blow to her confidence.

He continued to speak.

"Next time you come over, I would prefer you not bringing the guard dog."

Maka's jaw dropped open, making Kid scold her again. "How many must I tell you not to do that?" He looked away from her and sighed in frustration.

"What," Maka felt her voice stutter, "What do you mean by that?"

Kid raised his eyebrow at her; not getting why she had to ask. He moved forward from his leaning position on the counter behind himself and started to walk out of the kitchen. Maka set down the glass on the counter and followed him. For some reason, she couldn't help but find her feet moving her towards him; just as for some reason she reached out and grabbed his arm with her fingertips. To which, no pressure was applied, though he stopped immediately. He looked at her fingers around his forearm, than traced her arm all the way up to her shoulder, to her neck and finally they rested on her own eyes.

Maka, for the first time, could see exactly what people meant by the aura of a star. Sure, Black Star had dazzled her at his live but Kid. Death the Kid was in a different league. She felt unworthy as his eyes stayed still on her frame. She felt graced by his presence.

Who was she too demand anything from him?

He who stood so high beyond where she currently did.

She let her fingers fall from his arm.

I'll ask him again.

She looked him dead in the eyes; which were unwavering and as emotionless as always. She felt her heart beat, just like when she saw Black Star up on that live stage, it pumped with excitement, anticipation, and anxiety.

I'll ask him again once we're on the same level.

I will.

"What are you two doing?"

Maka's head turned quickly to the voice. Soul was looking at both her and Kid, confused as to why she looked so distressed; though he was sarcastic in his speech so Maka didn't notice his worry. "Didn't you go to get some water?" Maka looked down at her hands that were just clutching at Kid's arm; finding that no glass was in sight. She turned back to Soul.

"I changed my mind." Maka faked a laugh and returned to the living area. Kid followed behind her, taking his previous seat on the couch. Maka looked to the television now, which had been fast forwarded to a different part in the drama, "Hm? What happened?" She took a seat next to Soul on the couch.

"I watched it while you two went to the kitchen." In any other circumstance, Maka would have been angry but right now, she was glad that Soul did so. It saved her from the nervousness she would have had to experience. Soul readjusted himself on the couch, to which Maka noticed what she had just done. Soul was not even an inch away as he sat up straight on the couch. The very thing she had been trying to avoid, she walked into by herself.

There's no way I can move now.

She noticed Soul was as calm and cool as ever, not at all bothered by their sudden closeness. Or at least to Maka, who couldn't handle sitting this close to him after him almost pinned her to her kitchen counter before. She felt like crawling away as fast as she could but she restrained herself. If she even showed the slightest bit of anxiousness, Soul would think something was wrong. So she just watched the drama. Well more like pretended to watch it. She couldn't help but pay attention to Soul who during the entire rest of the ten minutes of the episode, seemed as though he was inching closer to her.

It's just my imagination. That's all.

As the credits rolled, Maka stood up immediately, breathing out in relief. She heard Soul laugh behind her, "What's with you?" She felt a shiver run down her spine as his hand traced up from her fingers to her wrist and then stopped there. She held down a gasp and brushed him off, grabbing her purse instead of standing within an arm's reach of him. She looked over to Kid, who seemed to have no inkling to what was going on.

"It was really great, the next one is next week on Saturday right?" Maka actually had all kinds of questions to ask about the drama but she didn't want to impose in Kid in such a way; even though he probably wouldn't mind her doing so. She figured Soul was going to stay over so now was as good a time as ever to make her escape.

Kid nodded, "You may come over if you'd like. We have finished recording the first three episodes so I have another week off before I have to leave again." She could hear the frustration in his voice but mostly, she paid attention to the first part of his sentence. Maka walked away from the couch, deciding she would reject his offer from a distance rather than up close.

"Actually I think I'll just watch it at home. Thank you for the offer though." Maka bowed to both Kid and Soul, "I'm off." She turned to leave, stopping at the doorway to slip back on her shoes. She didn't expect the door she was opening to fling backwards, as if another person was opening it behind her.

Which was true, "Maka, I have a favor to ask." Maka turned to find Kid, whose face was uncertain.

"What is it?"

Kid spoke low, so as not to catch the attention of Soul, who was currently flipping through the channels on his television in order to find something interesting. "Though I do not want you to, would you check on Black Star? He did not seem well after he left. He's gone through worse but for some reason I cannot help but wonder if something else happened to him." Maka assured him with a nod, which he returned.

"Wait, but why would you not want me to go but still ask me?"

Kid began to forcibly push her out the door, "It does not matter."

"Hey, Kid. Wait," He shut the door as soon as she was outside, not sparing her another look at him. Maka frowned, annoyed with him.

Argh, what's with that? First he asks me to come over again. Then he even asks me for a favor. Then! After he asks me and I agree to it, he pushes me out and shuts the door in my face. I swear, Black Star's not the one who needs looking after.

She huffed as she rubbed the back of her head, making her hair fluff up at her touch. She stood in front of the door a moment longer before frustration took her over once more. She punched the air with her free hand; her other hand was still supporting her purse. She did so three times before she felt that all of her anger was vented. She turned to make her way to Black Star's apartment and bit her lip.

I saw him yesterday and he seemed fine. He even pulled off his usual antics without a hitch. Wonder what's going on.

oOo

Maka knocked on the door to Black Star's apartment, 808. She waited but there was no response so she knocked again.

Really Black Star? Do you go out partying or something?

Maka jiggled at the handle of the door,

I knew there was nothing wrong.

However, she did not expect the door to be open as she messed with the knob of it. She wasn't sure whether to freak out or stay calm. She entered the apartment, deciding to be the latter of her choices. It was an exact replica of her own apartment. Except the living room was slightly bigger, and it seemed to have two rooms instead of just one. She slipped off her shoes and walked on into the apartment in socks; she felt it was appropriate for her surroundings to do so.

"Black Star?" She called his name but there was no response so she made way into the living area.

She felt comfortable and she finally understood why Black Star knew where the bathroom was when he first visited her apartment. She focused her eyes on the large bundle of cloth wrapped up in the living room and stepped forward to investigate. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was but then she got over her surprise.

This guy...he really needs to be more careful.

Maka huffed at the sight in front of her. The Great Black Star, huddled in blankets like a worm on the floor. His blue hair that poked out of the blankets told her that much without having to actually touch him. She bent down and set her purse on the floor, then proceeded to rip the blankets from him. She laughed when she heard him grunt as she did so. Series of moans came from him, especially as she struggled to get the last series of blankets away. She found this side of him amusing. It was a side she had rarely, if at all, had seen. She felt her heart jump when she got a better look at his face.

I really wish his hair was naturally spiky.

Black Star's hair was straight, his bangs disheveled on his forehead and the rest of his hair ruffled from the fight for the blankets from earlier. She couldn't stand it when his hair wasn't spiky; it made it hard to act normal around him.

Not that I have a fetish for straight hair. I like Soul's hair too…Argh! What I am thinking?

Maka stood up from her crouching position on the floor and looked down at the uncovered Black Star who lay in front of her. She kicked him, not enough to injure, but enough to stir him from his sleep.

"Hey, Black Star, why aren't you in bed?" She kicked him again and he grunted as he flipped onto his side, away from her, and covered his face with his forearm. Maka let out a single sarcastic laugh before leaning back over again and grabbing his arm, dragging him towards what looked like the bedroom. His eyes remained shut as she did so. When she finally dragged him into the other room, she spotted a futon in the middle, so she just dropped him onto it. He sniffled and clutched at the pillow like a baby. Maka breathed out, calming herself as she spoke again, "Hey, Black Star. What's wrong with you? Do you want me to coddle you till you feel better?"

Maka meant it as a joke to lighten the mood but for some reason it caught his attention. His eyes slowly opened and he looked up at her from his position on his futon. He stare was relentless as his eyes pleaded with her to do as she had said. She immediately corrected her words once she realized that he took her seriously, "I was joking." His head sank back down into his pillow. She bent down and gave him a pat on the back, "Do you need some water? Kid told me that you drank a lot last night. You really shouldn't be sleeping in the middle of the living room you know? The best thing to do is drink some warm milk, sober up and sleep it off."

Black Star looked up from his pillow, which made Maka happy since he was finally responding to her. He gave her a small grin; mostly because he was amused by the rant she had just gone on about his health. He lifted his arm from his pillow and rubbed his head. "Hey?"

She flinched and stopped patting his back; the small gesture in order to make him talk to her was regretted as she felt his warmth linger on her fingertips. He was acting weird and it made her stomach do flips each time he shifted his position on his futon. She folded her hands onto her lap, in order to stop her rampant thoughts, and began to intertwine them, "What?"

He sat up now, adjusting himself on his futon, "Have you heard Soul's new song?" Maka furrowed her brow, confused. Why in the world would that matter? Does that have something to do with what's bothering him? Why did he sound so unsure of himself? Had she heard it he asked? Well,

No, I haven't.

"No." She voiced out her thoughts. Maka never really did keep up with the music charts; she had her sights set more on magazines, the history channel, and variety shows. The look on Black Star's face didn't change after she said her answer; it was a blank expression that had no real power behind it.

"It's amazing," he let his head fall back down onto his pillow and he closed his eyes. "There's no way. There's no way I can top it. It's too much. Overwhelming. Fear of failing. I can't sing after hearing it. Can't bring myself to anymore." Maka's eyes widened. Black Star didn't want to sing? The very Black Star who made her heart race with his voice; made her excited and nervous at the same time. Enough to yell out his name. The very effect of him saying that he couldn't sing made Maka's anger rise within her. Not wanting to sing. Saying words like 'can't' and 'don't' were not like him at all. She hated it. She hated this side of him. The side that gives up too easily. No longer did she feel sorry for him. She stood up and clenched her fists.

"Hey! What do you mean you don't want to? You can't top it? You're the great Black Star. The almighty. Get off your ass and get to making some songs if you feel so pathetic. It only means that you need to get even better!" She waited for a response from him but his eyes just lingered on her figure, unwavering in his decision. She continued, "How would all of your fans feel? You'll be letting down yourself and them!" Still no response. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her phone then began searching through her contacts.

Black Star sat up again, "What are you doing?"

She looked down at him, her eyes narrowed into a glare, "I'm calling Tsubaki to come see your pitiful self." Calling Tsubaki was like ordering his medication. Even though she had only seen them together on a few occasions, she felt that if anyone could do something, it was Tsubaki. She was the pacifier to the baby that was Black Star. Maka turned to walk out of the room but something grabbed her leg before she could move. She turned to find Black Star gripping on her calf. She shook her leg but he still wouldn't let go. "Black Star!"

"Don't call her!" He yelled, sternly. It was the first time she had heard him like that. His eyes were frantic, wild, as if his hand on her leg was his last lifeline. She didn't want to acknowledge it, but she sensed something behind his statement. He lowered his head, his body trembling, "I only need you, Maka." Maka's eyes widened and she felt her anger subside a bit. She nodded.

"Alright, I won't call her." She started to punch letters into her phone; this caught Black Star's attention again.

"What are you-?"

"I'm texting her." Maka pressed send and looked down at him, who was in utter disbelief at her. It was for his own good. She didn't feel like she was helping. If she had known that it would have escalated this far, she would have just called Tsubaki to come over in the first place. But now was not the time for regrets. She breathed out as the message confirmed being sent.

Kid sure picked the wrong person for this.

Maka felt a force yank her down by her leg. Her body twisted towards the force and she landed on her butt, the floor was soft, but not soft enough to cause her not to feel pain upon impact. She opened her squinted eyes to find her face just an inch away from Black Star's, his breath tickled her skin and his face was much too close for comfort. His eyes looked at her, now serious, "You said you wouldn't."

She fought back against her voice which wanted to stutter, "I said I wouldn't call." He scooted away from her and reached for the phone in her hand; opening it and checking her messages. She playfully kicked him, "You can't delete a sent message silly." His eyes turned back to her. For a second, she saw a flicker of his usual playful face. She decided that taking the carefree route was the best idea. She parted her lips to speak again when a series of knocks came from the front door. "Tsubaki got here fast." She looked back to Black Star, who at this point had given up on the idea of not seeing Tsubaki. She got up and made her way to the front door. She was surprised when loud bangs came from the other side right when she was about to open it.

Once she did, she once more regretted coming over to Black Star's apartment.

So much for the carefree plan.

"Maka?" He questioned her as if it wasn't her name. She stepped aside and hand gestured for him to enter.

"Soul." She said his name back to him, but not in question form, more of a sarcastic statement. He remained silent as he walked in, much to Maka's surprise. He didn't even inquire as to why she was there. She felt a bit lonely because of this. Her heart clenched at the thought of him not minding. She stopped her thoughts again.

Argh! Now's not the time to be like this. Just be normal. Normal.

She steadied her breathing as she walked behind him into the living area. When he saw the door to Black Star's room closed, he turned to Maka, which was when she noticed that the distance between them had closed by at least three inches since they first met. It was a weird thing to realize now but for some reason, she couldn't help but have her mind wonder. It bothered her that he was so nonchalant now about closing the distance between them when to her each centimeter called for a moment to steady her heart rate. "Mind if I have a talk with him?" Maka's lips parted as she contemplated on how to answer. She nodded yes, not wanting to stutter and show him her nervousness. He walked near the sliding door and began to open it.

"Wait, Soul. There's a problem with Black Star-" Before she could finish, Soul was smirking at her with his usual toothy grin.

"Yeah," he laughed, "I know." He walked into the room and she watched his back disappear as the sliding door closed behind him.

There was a fight scene but I took it out because it wasn't that good! Ah the punches were flying. Just thought I'd mention that so you guys could imagine that and give me ideas! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Reviews are what help me get these chapters out here (no lie, the last review I got for this story motivated me to finish this LONG chapter that had so many complications it wasn't funny.)

Thanks again to all readers of Wonderful Nightmare! Don't be a silent reader! Tell me what you think!

Review!