**THIS CHAPTER MAY BE CONSIDERED A TRIGGER WARNING** JUST IN CASE!

AN: Hey everyone! I just wanted to write a little note saying two things that are kinda important. First thing is if you've read the entire story and especially this last chapter you'll see that a few of my characters have or had some pretty bad emotional problems so my story is going to get a bit dark for a while… Anyways, second thing is that I updated two chapters the other night and I'm doing one today. Yeah, that's a lot of writing but because I have an anime convention and a concert coming up soon I may not have time to update until after the 21st so this is my apology in advance. Well, enjoy!

*Time skip it's now Wednesday the day before the trip*

Waking up I look over at my clock and it reads 5:30 am. School starts at eight but I won't be able to fall back asleep, that's one of the side effects of the medication. Luckily I don't seem to suffer as much from the mood swings, nausea, and change of appetite. Pulling back my covers I wince at the sight of my bare thighs. My nightgown (that's really just an over-sized t-shirt) has ridden up and I can see all the thin white and pink crisscrossing scars. I couldn't even begin to count them, some are quite faded whereas others are raised and darkly pigmented. That's why I worried about the idea of wearing a bikini. If anyone saw these what would they think of me? I mean, there was only one person who knew.

*Knocking on the bathroom door*

"Hey, Maka? Are you in there?" I could hear Soul's voice but I was too weak and dizzy to respond. He shouldn't be home right now, every time I do this I do it when I'm alone so that no one will be worried that I lie on the bathroom floor, sometimes unconscious, for hours.

THIRD PERSON POV: "MAKA!" Soul shouted as he slammed over and over into the door with his shoulder. There was something wrong with Maka, she always responded to him and there was no sound coming from inside the bathroom of the apartment that they as meister and weapon were required to share.

Finally breaking down the door he looked at the scene in front of him. The strongest, most calm and collected person he knew was lying next to the tub, tears streaming down her face, and blood streaming down her legs into a puddle on the floor. Soul was used to the sight of blood, being in as many fights as he had but this was a different thing. Seeing the blood of the person he looked up to the most pouring out of self-inflicted wounds he just couldn't take it anymore. Letting out a scream of absolute pain he dropped to his knees, threw her blade out of the room, and cradled her head and shoulders in his lap slowly rocking her back and forth.

When Maka awoke she was in her bed, her leg was bandaged up, and someone had written a message on that bandage.

'Dear Maka, I don't understand why you would turn to a cold lifeless piece of metal for comfort when I am always here for you. Always remember that no matter what it is, you can tell me anything. I love you and you aren't alone. You don't need to try to do everything by yourself. You can trust me and rely on me, always. Love, Soul.'

Reading and re-reading the message left by her partner Maka was moved to tears. Of course Soul wouldn't judge her; he would always stand by her through thick and thin. Nothing could ever change that.

Or so she thought, but everything since then had changed. Now she had no one. Sure she had her friends at the DWMA but none of them would ever understand like Soul did. Standing up out of her bed she looked again at the clock on her nightstand, but this time it read 7:30 am. If she kept this up she would be late for school! So, without waiting much longer she pulled on her plaid skirt, did up the buttons on her white silk blouse, and put her favorite black jacket. Trying to stop thinking about the past she ran to the front door, not stopping for breakfast, pulled on her boots, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out the front door.

Maka's POV: Since I never leave the house that early I don't usually have time to slow down and enjoy the scenery on the walk, but today I took in the trees that were in full bloom, the birds singing and chirping a happy tune, and the tall buildings that surrounded me on all sides. Japan truly is a great place to live.

*don't mind me and my time skips*

Walking into class I was shocked to see the room filled with bathing suits. There were all sorts many had shorts or skirts but some were just bikini bottoms. As soon as the twins latched their eyes on me I knew I had a long day ahead of me.

"Maka we're glad you're here early you can start trying on bathing suits right away!" The two were practically beaming,

"Start picking out what you like!" They followed me around and seemed to be judging all the choices I made but I tried not to let that bother me. After about ten minutes I had picked out five bathing suits and was going to try them on.

"Oh come on you pretty much chose the same thing five times over!" they whined, "Why didn't you pick any of the skirt or bikini ones? And you picked nothing pink, purple, orange, or any fun colours." I was starting to get annoyed; I mean if they didn't want me to wear the ones I picked then why would they have brought them? Ignoring them I went straight for the bathrooms to try the bathing suits out.

I didn't see any problems with the ones I picked, so why did they? The first was a halter top bikini that was emerald-green that had shorts that were black with a green hem. The second was a tube top bikini that was black with black and red hounds tooth print shorts. The third was a white top that seemed to be made of lace and shorts that match. The fourth was a black green and white army print bathing suit with matching shorts. The fifth and my personal favorite was a black top that had beading along the straps that shimmered beautifully in the light, the shorts to go with were a swirl of black and blue in a pattern that I couldn't even begin to describe. My favorite part of all the bathing suit shorts is that they were perfectly baggy. They didn't look like they were five sizes too big but they were tight enough while still being comfortable and loose. Pleased with my choices I told the twins that they could pack any of the five I tried on because they were simply ingenious!

Thrilled with the new discovery they ran off to a couch and started discussing in Japanese. I wasn't sure exactly what they were saying but I know it had something to do with clothes. I was excited to see the kinds of clothes they would pack when they had brought such amazing bathing suits. They seemed to understand my tastes and I'm sure the reason they brought a full array of colours and styles was to test what kind of things I like. So I'm not expecting a suitcase full of pink frilly dresses.

With all of the swimsuits in the class the teacher didn't even try to give us our lesson and simply left the classroom so I took that as my cue to leave school to prepare myself for tomorrow. Because no matter how nervous I am, secretly I can't wait!