Episode 10: Love Triangles Never End Well

December 21, 2009 — Three days 'til the eve of Xmas. With a shopping bag in hand, Maka skipped merrily down the empty streets of Death City whilst whistling a happy tune.

Strangely enough, while her friends were down and gloomy with their personal early-life crisis and her other classmates were struggling to accept their existence as mere 'extras', Maka was having an upbeat attitude. Nobody understood why this was so, but her ultra-positive outlook in life was enough to arouse the ire of others so much so that strange rumours began circulating amongst the student body about how she was taking in some sort of illegal meds like powerful anti-depressants or something.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you hooked-up or something? Do you need help?"

Those were the frequent questions she received, yet she paid them no head for she knew that stirring up a hornet's nest would only bring more trouble. Besides, they wouldn't understand even if they found out. People nowadays; not that many are as open-minded as one would think.

Forbidden. Star-crossed. Shojo-ai. These are just some of the things that would describe her secret relationship with Chrona. Indeed, not many would readily accept such a thing and the very thought of being discovered would be scandalous. Imagine. The legendary Maka, defeater of Asura and daughter to two very respec— a well respected meister and a Death Scythe, was found to have an affair with the weird Chrona, spawn of the wicked witch Medusa. Ah, won't the paparazzi have a field day with that one. Not only will Shibusen would lose its credibility as an elite institution, but the Shinigami would have to answer some very difficult questions. A re-evaluation would also be in order. There would be background checks on the faculty and staff. Needless to say, everyone's name would be dragged through the mud. A little exaggerated? Yes. But this would only be the calm before the storm for how would the whole world react when the bringer of death and destruction was tied by blood to the Shinigami himself? Pitchforks anyone?

Nevertheless, Maka was willing to risk it all. Yes, it has also been a tough couple of weeks for her, but those secret late-night forays into the underground quarters of Shibusen have made it all bearable.

Creak...

The door slowly opened as she attempted to sneak into the pitch-black apartment. It was a quarter past eleven and she had promised Soul earlier that she'd be home by nine after shopping with some friends.

Creak...Creak...Creeaak!

"Crap." Alas, it would seem that even the very floor boards were going against her today. She tried desperately to muffle the sound, but it was all in vain for the second she entered, the lights flipped on and there sat a disappointed Soul. His reaction in the ensuing scene was likened to an overly-worried dad while Maka played the role of the rebellious child.

"It's eleven o' clock! Where've you been!" he bellowed.

"Out... I was out shopping."

"Alone? At this time of night? Are you nuts!"

"I was with someone! That's alright, isn't it!"

"Y-You were..." Soul found it difficult to speak after hearing those words, "...whatever," he decided to drop the whole thing and walked out.

With the abrupt exit of her companion, Maka was left wondering what had possessed him to act in such a way. Nonetheless, she knew Soul was the type of guy whose idiocy surfaces from time to time so she assumed the recent change in attitude was merely a phase.

Well, on a lighter note, Maka was looking forward to the 24th as she held a velvet red dress against the mirror. "I really hope this'll fit her," she smiled. Meanwhile, somewhere in the desolate wasteland surrounding Death City, a familiar face returns. Though sounding a bit clichéd, the sudden flashes of lightning were forewarnings of dark times ahead... a storm was coming...

The following Tuesday morning, a gloomy day greeted the students of Shibusen. It was to be expected from the chilly month of December as the Panting Sun showed little interest in gracing the land with its presence. It would only hide in recluse behind banks of dark clouds while the people below fell prey to the cold, merciless winds.

However, the students seemed unaffected by the mood-dampening weather as they went about their daily activities with youthful exuberance. Unlike the previous, today was a special day.

"Okay, as you all know, today is the last day of class!" Sid's announcement was met with thunderous cheers and applause from the students, "Okay, everybody settle down. Now, on the 24th, we'll be celebrating the first ever Xmas-ween party. The party will be on the stone grounds and will start at seven o' clock, so come in your best attire or outfit. Got it?" And that's how their class ended in high spirits.

With the festive mood coming back in full swing, LOVE was also in the air for the upcoming party would also herald a special couple's dance and not to mention that romantic something under the mistletoe; thus begged the question: "Who are you going with?"

"No one. I'm gonna be very busy," was Blair's response to the disappointment of many students.

"Black Star," was Tsubaki's pick even though there was zero communication between them since he took off weeks ago without so much as an explanation.

"Maka," was the obvious answer for Soul. Yet with last night's spat fresh in his mind, he couldn't bring himself to face her especially now that she had already started swinging that way. The fact that his enemy, his rival for love, was someone whom he couldn't face with brute strength peeved him to no end. And on the chance encounter that he caught them looking at one another, smiling, blushing, and then looking away—oh, how his heart ached!

"I have to do something!" he clenched his fist in determination. Soul did not lose heart and he still believed that he had a chance. He couldn't lose Maka. That's why he had to do something and quick before she'd be lost forever. Thus, the direct approach...

He turned to her and said, "Hey Maka, will you go-"

"MAKA!" Kid's voice rang throughout the room.

"EH!" was the immediate reaction of the students upon seeing Death the Kid in the middle of the classroom. He walked towards the dysfunctional couple and stopped short of their desk. In an added twist, he suddenly bent down on one knee and offered his hand to Maka. "Will you go with me to the dance on Xmas Eve?" he asked in a polite, yet firm voice.

"EEEEEHHHHH!"

Seeing as how he caught her off-guard, Kid didn't give her a chance to respond with a NO for he immediately targeted her weakness.

"Or," he smiled, "were you already planning to go with someone else?" He rolled his eyes, not towards Soul, but to a certain lavender-haired girl.

At that moment, Maka's chest tightened. Having realized that Kid knew, she feared the consequences that would arise if the secret were to be made known to the whole class. She was not embarrassed, mind you. It's just that she was a bit uncertain on being called the L-word. She liked Chrona a lot, but not to the extent as to jump ship right away. Long story short, Maka wasn't that ready for a long time commitment. Anyway, there was a strange look in Kid's eyes that left no doubt in her mind that he might actually do such a cruel thing.

"I-I have no plans...I'd be happy to go with you," her fake smile fooled everyone including Chrona.

"Excellent. I'll be looking forward to it," Kid bowed like a gentleman and promptly exited as the school bell rang. He was automatically followed by Liz and Patty.

"W-Wah...What just happened?" Soul sputtered in confusion. Although it happened right before his eyes, he still couldn't believe it. Aside from being rudely interrupted, he was pawned...