The room I found myself in was dim, light barely flooding in through the crack between the floor and the door. I was lying on my couch-bed once again, messily covered by a blanket. My hair was standing straight on-end on one side, while slick and greasy on the other. Throwing my head back into the pillow, I let memories of the hour's prior stream into my head. My mind returned once again to the DWMA lunch room, where I found Black Star, Soul, and the others lounging around a table; some of them aimlessly snacking on potato chips. "Hey guys," Maka cried, plopping down next to her boyfriend. Everyone waved, well kinda did, and I sat down cautiously next to Patty, who was brightening up an age 3+ coloring book. My eyes wandered around the new environment, taking in the smells of seasoned pizza and piping hot miso soup. Unexpectedly, they stopped on a girl with shoulder-sweeping lavender hair and profound auburn eyes. Her eyes blankly batted their eyelashes my way, and I ducked to the side behind Patty. Startled, the girl frowned, and turned back to her friends surrounding her.
"OOO does Connor like someone?" Patty squealed, and I felt my cheeks grow warm. "That's Naomi Kagami, a transfer meister." Liz added, "Maybe you should talk to her." I sunk further into my seat, letting my chin rest on my chest, fingers curled around the table's edge. "Dude…go say hi!" Soul encouraged me, as he pulled me up from under the table, and shoved me towards the violet-haired girl. I fumbled over, falling at her feet. She stared down at me with soft, round eyes; almost as if she was gonna cry. I jumped up, holding my hands out in front of me. "Please don't cry! I'm sorry if I startled you! I really am!" I cried, and the girl sniffled. "Smooth." Soul said, and Black Star laughed loudly. "It's ok." The girl replied, her voice almost a whisper. She offered me a seat next to her, and I slid into the chair.
"I'm Naomi," The girl continued, offering a hand, "I'm Connor." I took her hand, and shook it softly. Specks of blue appeared in her eyes, as the light entering the room shifted. I studied her tee-shirt; a raven black three-quarter-sleeve was loosely hanging on her scrawny frame, and a band was ironed onto the front. It was worn with a pair of tight jeans that had holes in the knees and calves like she's fell a few times. Defiantly something you don't wear to a private-like school, such as the DWMA. "Who's the band on your shirt?" I questioned, my finger pointing at the guy playing guitar on her stomach. "Oh this?" she replied, pulling her shirt down so we could both see it clearly, "This is Eternal Frostbite, the best band in the world! You've never heard of them?" I shook my head, making Naomi gasp dramatically. "Well I should take you to see them sometime." She said with a smile, and I returned the gesture.
We chatted for a short period of time, telling each other our life stories, and discussing classes at the DWMA. "So," Naomi started again, leaning in slightly. I followed her lead, listening closely, "you don't have a meister? Do you want to become partners?" My blood froze in my veins, and I thought I heard one of my friends whistle from behind. I gazed back at Maka, who was rubbing noses with Soul. Disappointment coming over me, I turned back to Naomi, and nodded. She clapped giddily, reaching out to squeeze my hand. I felt my heart flutter in my chest, and a smile glowed at her. Cheeks flustering red, Naomi scooted her seat over to mine, so our hands touched. I grabbed it quickly, cradling her soft fingers in my own. "I want to take you somewhere," I told Naomi, and she got up to follow. I walked her past my friends, who waved slowly at me with wide eyes filled with shock. "He actually got the girl." I heard Black Star say, and I couldn't help but let a snicker leave my mouth.
We strolled down the hallway, with its impossible-touching ceiling and draping red curtains that shaded the afternoon sun. As our hands swung in between us, Naomi pulled me aside to a pillar supporting the school's roof. A crème-colored poster was stapled to the cylinder, and I read:
DWMA 1st ANNUAL MASQUERADE PARTY!
YO STUDENTS OF DWMA~! This is Shinigami -sama speaking~!
In the big auditorium, the staff will be hosting a masquerade on December 24!
Starts at 6pm and we'll go all da way to midnight~!
Bring yo mask and date, and get yo funk on!
Gourmet food, drinks, and a pro DJ will be provided at the dance.
Hope to see all yo faces DWMA students~! 3
-SHINIGAMI -SAMA
"Who would ever go to that?" I asked, a hint of annoyance appearing in my voice, as I shoved my hands deep into my pockets. Naomi just laughed, running a small finger down the swirled border of the poster. "Let's go together!" She suggested -totally ignoring my comment- and I leaned against the pillar, thinking over my answer. "Well," I started up again, reaching a conclusion, "we just met, so let's get to know each other better. Then, I'll tell you my answer." I smiled at Naomi, but received a slight frown in return. "Okay…" Naomi replied, beginning once again down the hall. Slapping my forehead, I sighed, dragging myself behind Naomi. Once we passed the room Maka and I were just in, I grabbed Naomi's skinny shoulders and pulled her inside. "Hey let go!" She yelped, but once the scent of the flickering candles reached her, her voice faded into even breathing. "Where, where are we, Connor?" "Just a classroom used for training, Maka showed me. We should practice Soul Resonance together." Naomi didn't smile at the idea after I said "Maka", and I watched her placed a finger to her lips; her eyes focused like she was thinking over something. "Okay! Sure!" She cried unexpectedly, her eyes were wide with glee. But I knew it was fake, deep inside I knew something bothered Naomi, and I was going to find out.
**End of Flashback**
White popcorn ceiling met my gaze as I rested on the couch. I sighed as Naomi appeared in my head, turning over to try to brush her away. But, purple hair and blue-brown eyes flooded my mind, and I finally gave up. I rolled out of bed, my shoulder softly pressing into the carpet as I turned over onto the floor. Soon I was on my stomach, pressing my face into the ground, wishing the day would just be over. Sadly, it just started. Yesterday I learned how compatible Naomi and I were, easily smashing objects and destroying the room we practiced in. Naomi was satisfied with our performance, but realized what a mess we made, and cleaned up the place. Something was gripped tightly in my fist, something I was probably holding onto all night. Discovering it was a piece of paper, I pulled it open, and seven numbers revealed themselves to me. "YES! Her phone number!" I cried, not even caring if I woke up the love birds on the other side of the wall. I got up, walking to the kitchen to grab some milk before getting dressed for school. After gulping down my breakfast and pulling a clean shirt over my head; I walked to the bathroom to clean myself up. Not noticing the light escaping through the bottom, I opened the door to find Maka putting up her hair. Frozen in the doorway, she stared at me with large, green eyes, and a surprising smile appeared. A tight red tank top clung to her, and baggy grey sweatpants were secure on her hips. Her hairbrush was covered in long dirty-blonde hair, and I assumed she had another crazy night with Soul. "Sorry Maka." I finally spoke, and she shook her head to say it was okay. I pulled the door shut, and returned to the kitchen. Thank Shinigami Soul was still knocked out in his room.
The Christmas spirit was spreading around the DWMA, as guys discussed presents to get for their girls, and girls whispered about the most romantic ways to spend the holiday vacation. Scarves and ear-flap hats were worn all around school, even though it was still an uncomfortable eighty-five degrees in Death City. I found Naomi leaning against the water fountain at school, surrounded by giggling girls. She wore a new Eternal Frostbite tee, and this time she had a grey pleated skirt on. When I came up to her, she blinked innocently up at me, as if she wasn't gossiping about me at all. "Naomi," I teased, grabbing her hand, "have you been talking about me?" Her friends' wispy voices chattered some more, as Naomi blushed, then nodded. I laughed, pulling her away from the group and into the classroom. Later I learned Naomi sat behind me, when a sharp piece of folded notebook paper was thrown in between the collar of my shirt and my neck. I opened the note and read: Hey Connor :) Wanna practice some more later today? Just one more week until we can get an assignment! 3 Naomi P.S. I think the back of your head is cute. ;)
I felt my ears grow hot as Soul read the note with me. "Dang man! You must be the charmer, already getting girls to obsess over you." Soul teased, and I replied, "It's only one girl." When class ended, Naomi took me to the classroom we practiced in the afternoon before. Before we started to work on our techniques, she sat down on the wood floor, just as Maka did the day before. I joined her, resting my head on her shoulder. "Tell me about Maka Albarn," Naomi requested out of the blue, and my mind went blank. "Well she's the daughter of Spirit, Stein's weapon, and is dating her weapon Soul Eater. I think her mom left her when she was little. Soul and her though, they've been together for a while…" Naomi stared at me as I continued, "She's really organized, and is a perfectionist. But, Maka can also be very aggressive and competitive. Other times she's really fun and sweet." I looked her way, noticing her eyes holding a tinge of sadness. "You like her, huh?" Naomi asked, and my mouth instantly felt dry. The sun accompanied the light of the candles, shadowed half of her face. It made her bare arms glow, and her hair reflect the blinding light. She stood up, her body ceasing the flow of light into the room, and the front of her turning completely dark. I couldn't see the disappointment in her eyes, but feeling it was enough. Naomi looked at me for a moment longer, and when I still didn't say anything, strode out of the room. What did I do wrong? I asked myself, falling back onto the hard floor, as my head bonked forcefully. I deserved the throbbing that followed, or so I thought.
Sitting on the balcony's ledge overlooking Death City, the wind picked at the hem of my shirt, and the light ends of my hair. The sun was beginning to fade, welcoming the moon to take its place, as a swarm of warm colors brushed away the fact that it was winter. Lazily tilting my head to my left, Maka appeared by my side, her face glowing from the final goodbyes of the sun, and her eyes reflecting any despair in the area. Naomi sat on my right, her heart-shaped face showing off her high cheek bones and button nose. Her irises looked richer and darker in the swarm of orange and purple coloring the atmosphere. I went from one to another, my head turning side to side as I studied each girl. When I thought about Soul holding her in his arms, a little bit of Maka seemed to fade. Naomi's shoulder began to soften when I imagined her bickering at me. Soon the girls were harder and harder to see, almost transparent. As darkness entered Death City; I was left alone, only thoughts and memories stayed with me, and even though most of them were discouraging, I locked securely in my heart.
-(Later that evening)-
Once I finished my homework in the library with Black Star and Tsubaki, I waved goodbye and headed home. The sky was pitch black, as light posts tried to dissolve the darkness. About to walk down onto the first descending step of the DWMA staircase, I heard one of the thick main entrance doors boom shut, and the padded noise of footsteps follow. Turning around, I saw Naomi headed for the stairs, but she froze when our eyes met. I walked back to her, standing seriously before her melancholy figure. Grabbing both of her hands, I looked deeply past her golden-brown eyes, and said, "Naomi, I do not like Maka Albarn. I like you, a lot." A smile appeared on her pink lips, and I sighed in relief. "Will you go to the Masquerade party with me?" Naomi squealed, hugging me until I thought she'd pop my organs. "YES!"
We made our way to the bus station together, and when the bus arrived, Naomi embraced me once more. Her cheek was burning against my frigid skin, and before she had to board, kissed the side of my face. "I'll see you tomorrow!" She cooed, skipping onto the bus. My hand felt the sticky lip gloss left on my cheek, and I felt heat rush to my freezing face. Feeling my heart melt and my legs grow wobbly; I began my way back home, and began to ponder over the Masquerade party. Little did I know, Naomi would be hiding something under her mask, something that was much more profound than her mysterious auburn eyes.