DISCLAIMER: - was in the first chapter.

A/N Wow It hasn't even been a week and this stories gotten so many favs and good reviews! (THANK YOU REVEIWERS, YOUR SERVICE IS MUCH APPRICIATED!) Anyways, sorry Ch. 2 took so long. All I can say is: I Hate Homework!

CHAPTER 2: CLOSE

Maka P.O.V~ As the days went by, Maka found herself spending more and more time with Darren. He was funny, smart, and always said the nicest things to her. Maka liked being around him, unlike Soul, who seemed rather short tempered and irritated lately. Maka couldn't even eat dinner with him without feeling awkward.

Maka thought it was her fault. Lately, she had been trying to distance herself from Soul because of what happened during their last battle. Maybe if I'm not as close to him, he won't feel like he needs to protect me. Maka had thought. Even though Darren was an amazing person, she still missed Soul's company.

**S~E**

Soul walked outside after class that next week, and noticed Darren leaning against the wall, waiting. "If you're looking for Maka, she's helping Ms. Marie in the library and won't be leaving for another half hour." Soul said stopping beside him. He stood there for a minute, until his curiosity got the better of him.

"So, what do you think about Maka?" Soul asked awkwardly. Darren raised an eyebrow, then smirked, "Well, she's super smart, powerful, and pretty hot." Soul felt like slapping him. Sure he'd always thought Maka was kind of cute, but calling her hot? This guy didn't know what he was dealing with.

Darren chuckled at Soul's angered expression. "You're pretty close to Maka aren't you?" he asked. Soul all but growled, and then sighed "She's my partner, and my best friend. But that's it." Darren smirked and nodded. "I see. Well, if I were you, I'd keep an eye on her. Someone might take her if you're not careful…" Soul grabbed Darren by the shirt and pinned him against the wall. "What do you mean by that you little snob?" Soul asked, his voice eerily calm.

Darren kept that stupid smirk on his face. "Someone like Maka has the potential to make a very powerful death scythe. And it seems to me like you're just falling a little short." Soul raised his fist. He didn't really care what Darren said about him, but if he was thinking about using Maka…. "If you ever hurt my meister, I swear-"

"Soul what are you doing?" Maka screeched as she pushed Soul off Darren. "Maka!" Soul exclaimed falling to the ground. "I was just-!" Maka's angry glare cut him off. "That is so not cool Soul! You don't just try to beat up your partner's friends!" Turning to Darren she added, "I'm so sorry! Soul's not usually such a jerk, just, you know, most of the time." That's cold. Soul thought. I'm not that terrible, am I?

Darren still wore his way too overconfident smirk. "It's alright Maka, I'm sure he just needs to cool down." "Stop talking about me like I'm not listening. I can hear you, you know!" Maka snapped back to Soul, moving in until she was mere inches from his face. "We'll talk about this at home." She whispered fearsomely. Darren put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "How about we go for a ride?" He suggested with a wink. Maka cast one more furious look at Soul, then turned and headed for the parking lot. "Yeah, that's fine by me." She said curtly.

Soul sat there until the couple left. And then until the teachers left. And even until the janitors left. After he was sure everyone was gone, Soul threw back his head, and let out the loudest scream he could manage.

He had screwed up. Again. He had let Maka go with that creep and the worst past was: He still had no idea why it bothered him so much! He wasn't jealous, was he? He had never had reason to be jealous about Maka because… well because Maka was Maka. Guys didn't like girls like her, they only cared about the pretty girls who wore makeup. Even though Maka was talented, and determined, and the just coolest partner ever, he still-!

Soul ran his hands through his hair. What's wrong with me? Why does it hurt inside when I see him with her? Why do I even care! Getting up, Soul wondered if his questions would ever be answered.

WHOO! It's done! Haha I realized I write a lot better at night….

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