It was midnight, and I was waiting outside, in the chilly air, alone.

"Damnit Tsubaki," I grumbled.

She had never had any alcohol before, and being at a party with a nearly unlimited supply was the dumbest thing I had ever let her do. With her I-must-fit-in complex, she probably drank herself to unconsciousness.

With a loud sigh, I walked back inside, rubbing my arms to try and chase the goosebumps away. I hadn't brought a jacket, because Tsubaki had insisted that I wouldn't need one. The heels were also killing my feet, but I hadn't bothered to take them off yet. Inside, Liz was picking up trash that was strewn across the floor. When I came in, she straightened up and grinned. I smiled back.

"Hey Maka. Have fun?"

Actually, I had. It was fun to watch people that thought they could dance, people that knew they couldn't but did it anyway after a few drinks, and I had enjoyed the music. The overall atmosphere was infectious. Also, I'd actually hung out with Liz, and found she was a pretty cool person. Yeah, she drank, and yes, she used to live on the streets, but she was really funny, and she had a unique way of seeing the world. She was truly very bright, even if it didn't show in her test scores.

"Yeah, I did. Have you seen Tsubaki? She was supposed to meet me outside a few minutes ago."

Liz's grin widened.

"Oh yeah. She's crashed upstairs. Never seen a girl like her drink like a middle-aged man before. It was impressive!"

I groaned.

"She was my ride home."

"Oh, that's not good," Liz said sympathetically, her smile faltering. "I'd offer to take you, but I've been drinking as well, obviously, and I've got to clean up."

I gave a wane half-smile.

"Thanks anyway, but I can walk. I don't live too far."

"You sure?" she said, actually looking concerned.

I shrugged.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for the invite; the party was great."

Liz smiled and nodded in acknowledgement, then left to toss out her armful of bottles and cans into the garbage. I sighed again and walked back outside into the cool night air.

I'd lied when I told Liz I didn't live far. I lived near the Academy, a good six and a half miles from Gallows Manor, and while I was in good shape, six and a half miles in the middle of the night in a crowded city wasn't any teenage girl's idea of a dream night. Still, what other choice did I have? I kicked off my shoes and started off, but I didn't even make it to the foot of the stairs.

"Hey, Albarn!"

I looked around. The guy from earlier, Soul, was hurrying down the steps toward me.

"Um, hi?" I said uncertainly.

He rolled his eyes.

"Liz told me you need a ride."

"I'm alright walki—"

"Where do you live?" he interrupted.

"Uh, down by the City Park. A couple blocks from the Academy. Sunset Boulevard."

"Holy shit, Maka, that's nearly seven miles!" he exclaimed. "You were just going to walk all the way?"

"Well, since I don't have any other way to get home, yeah."

He snorted and took my wrist. His large, calloused hand wrapped completely around it, his fingers overlapping.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

I would've protested, but I really didn't want to walk home on my own. So I allowed him to lead me down the sidewalk, grumbling about the stubbornness of women. However, when he stopped beside a hulking orange motorcycle, I backpedaled, heat starting to creep up my neck.

"No way!" I squeaked.

"Oh, come on, Maka," Soul sighed. "Don't tell me you're more afraid of a motorbike than you are of dark alleys in a big city?"

"I'm not scared!" I said indignantly.

"Then what's the problem?"

I flushed and tugged self-consciously at the too-short hem of my dress. If I got on the motorcycle in that, straddling the seat…

Soul seemed to guess my train of thought, or he just noticed the movement, because he smirked. Wasn't he just a ray of sunshine?

"If it makes you feel better, you can sit in front of me."

"Can you still drive like that?" I wondered. His smile widened.

"Definitely. Climb aboard. I promise I'll behave."

I gave him a long, considering look, then sighed and jumped on. With a nearly inaudible chuckle—hyenas laughed less than him—he climbed on behind me. reaching around me, he switched the bike on and took hold of the handlebars.

"Hold on tight!" he shouted over the growl of the engine.

To what? I wondered, but when the bike lunged forward, I grabbed the first things I could. His knees, which were pressed against my thighs because of how long his legs were. His laugh was whipped away by the wind, and I laughed with him. The speed was exhilarating, as was the cool night air that whipped my hair away from my face as we shot down streets and around tight corners.

It was an amazing sensation, almost like flying, and I was a little sad when he pulled over at the curb outside of my home. He switched off the engine and jumped easily onto the sidewalk. I climbed off as well, careful to keep my dress down far enough that Soul didn't see anything important. He smirked at my less than subtle attempts to keep from flashing him, and I fought the urge to blush.

"Should I walk you to the door?" he asked, offering me his arm.

I giggled and shook my head.

"If you want to, but you don't have to."

He left his arm out, and I gingerly placed a hand on it. He walked me to the front door, but didn't leave.

"So why couldn't you drive yourself home?" he asked on the welcome mat. "You're old enough for a license."

I grimaced.

"Long story."

"I've got time."

"Won't your parents miss you?"

He made a face.

"Not likely. I'm emancipated."

I frowned, but didn't ask. If he wanted me to know, I was sure that he would tell me.

"So, are you or aren't you going to tell me why you don't have—what was that?"

"What was what?"

"That. Listen." He frowned, and put his ear to the door. Oh, dear Lord, I knew exactly what that was.

"Ah, I'm sure it's nothing," I said hastily. "Look, thanks for the ride Soul, but you—"

"Sh…" he whispered. "It's not nothing."

"Soul, you can go now," I said, mind racing. Oh God, please don't let him figure it out. Please.

He frowned at me, but before he could say anything the door swung open, and a voluptuous woman with mussed hair, splotchy cheeks, and clothing that revealed more than it covered strutted out of the house. She didn't even look at me as she gave a flirtatious wave and sultry smile toward the open door before she pranced away down the walk.

My face burned with shame and anger, and the heat only rose when Soul came around the door that had temporarily blocked him from my sight. His brow was furrowed, his lips pursed.

"Maka, what—" he started, then cut himself off at the look on my face.

"Just go, Soul," I bit off, already stalking for the doorway. His hand shot out to catch my forearm, but I stepped out of his reach.

"Maka, come on. Who was that chick?"

"I don't know," I snapped, seething. "It's a different one every time. Now, go home."

The color drained from his face.

"But why—"

"Go home!" I shouted.

He gave me a confused, curious look, and if I wasn't mistaken, he appeared almost concerned. But, after a light pause, he bowed his head.

"Alright then. See you around I guess, Maka."

He turned around and walked slowly down the path to his bike. He climbed on, turned the key in the ignition, but hesitated before taking off. He looked back up at me, his scarlet gaze searching. Then he shook his head and, with a loud roar, he and his bike were gone.