A/N: Next chapter! I am so sorry about the late update! I am a little busy, so I give my apologies. Thank you all SO MUCH for all of your reviews! I read each and every one of them because they're very special to me and it makes me so happy to know that people actually enjoy my writing! I hope you will continue to read this story, as well as find entertainment in it. Here it is!

Chapter 3

Maka

Maka had always hated clothes shopping. She didn't like to stand around, try everything on, put stuff back, grab more, and repeat. But this time was different. She had gotten to go to a nearby mall with one of Soul's not-so-crazy friends, and at first she was very against meeting someone new, but Soul insisted Maka would like her, and he was right-for once. Yeah, as soon as Tsubaki and Maka met there was an immediate connection.

To say the least, they had hit it off very quickly, no awkward silences or awkwardity of any sort, excluding when Soul was watching them confusedly.

So, when Soul gave Tsubaki his credit card to use to buy Maka clothes and necessities to use while she stayed, Maka didn't dread it as much as usual. Although she did question Soul on his credit card, and insisted that it would be a hassle. He replied that she shouldn't worry about it, and that he "had his ways." She learned soon that Soul was a terrible liar, though she didn't push any further. It wasn't her business anyways.

Maybe if I was never part of my parents' business to begin with... Mama wouldn't have left… She would think some unreasonable thought about her parents daily. Did they even notice her missing for three days? Or were they too busy with their broken relationship? It must be my fault…

"Maka?" Tsubaki asked as they arrived at the mall via foot. "Are you there?"

"Huh?" Maka looked up and realized they were already there. "Sorry, Tsubaki. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"My parents," Maka followed Tsubaki at her side as she walked into a store.

"You can always talk to me, you know. I'm here for you, Maka," She smiled at her.

Even though Maka felt she was trustable, she wasn't ready to trust anyone. After all, the people she trusted most, betrayed her. With her mom leaving, and her dad cheating. They'd told her that she could trust them with anything, that they loved her. How could they do that to her? Give her hope and happiness that would be brutally ripped from her grasp later, with her having no say? She had felt so helpless that night, completely helpless. And it broke her. She was a broken girl that was heading down the path of utter despair. A tear ran down Maka's cheek.

"How about this Maka?" Tsubaki said, the tear not going unnoticed by the raven-haired girl. She decided not to speak on it, seeing that Maka was still uneasy.

"Eh? Anything you like is fine." Maka said half-heartedly. When she saw Tsubaki's face fall for a split-second, before she smiled again, Maka realized she shouldn't bring Tsubaki down with her gloomy self. So she momentarily sucked it up, for Tsubaki's sake, and her own.

"But," Maka attempted to pick up conversation again. "it would look a lot better on you."

Tsubaki smiled for real this time, and said, "Let's go find more and try some on! I saw this top that would look great on you!"

The day went on like that, them going into stores, laughing, smiling, and having a good time, keeping the bad thoughts at bay for awhile.

Around 5:00 p.m. that day, Tsubaki had gone home, and Maka walked back to Soul's apartment, still happy at first. But, she couldn't keep her mind out of the darkness forever. And as she walked, the same thoughts she'd forgot about for awhile came back. What always seemed to be on her mind, though, was whether her parents noticed she was gone, whether they cared or not. Even though she'd probably never admit it, she just wanted to know that someone really cared. As she approached the door, she didn't realize she was silently crying. She'd just opened the door (it happened to be open), dropped her shopping bags on the floor, and somehow arrived in a bedroom, laid down on a bed, and cried.

Soul

Soul was listening to music on his couch with his eyes closed, when Maka walked in. He didn't notice her because she was so quiet, and possibly because his ears were being blasted with noise. She slipped past unnoticed without even trying.

A few moments past before he decided to relocate to his room to listen to music and screw around on his phone there, when he found the door closed. So of course, he opened it, not expecting to see what he saw in the least. He didn't know what to do when he found Maka crying on his bed. So he just acted on impulse, the first thing that came to mind.

Maka

She hadn't truly let out all her feelings in such a long time. She'd always held it in, so not to disturb others. Plus, with her parents divorcing and whatnot, there was even more raw emotion coming out of her.

Suddenly, she felt something pull her up, and then felt it wrap around her. Maka tensed at first, not knowing what it was, but soon found herself relaxing at the warm embrace. And she felt cold, so, so cold. When she realized she was leaning against a body (that couldn't be anyone's but Soul's), she turned herself, and leaned against him with her head on Soul's warm chest. So warm…

With Maka in between Soul's legs, laying on his chest, she soon fell to a much-needed sleep. Soul looked at the girl that he'd somehow managed to calm down. She was in his lap, fast asleep. He didn't want to wake her, because she looked so peaceful. A whole lot different than she did when she was crying. Her face was still sort of flushed, her eyes red, but she looked calm. They hadn't spoken while Soul held her, so he could only wonder, why she was crying and displaying so much vulnerability and emotion.

Maka woke up before Soul did, in his lap. She definitely felt better, but she was still sort of embarrassed at being held by Soul the night before and when she woke. It was comfortable though, so she stayed in his arms for awhile, just thinking. Her head hurt a little from crying so hard. I let out tears in front of a guy… Maka honestly didn't know what to think of Soul. In the past 3 days, he seemed like he cared for her, but she'd been with her father since she was born, and he'd deceived her, and her mom. But he didn't seem to mind that I cried... Maybe… Just maybe, he could be…

She didn't finish that thought. But Maka knew he'd done a lot for her, whether he really cared or not. So, she got up from his arms, slowly, so not to wake him, and got to work.

When Soul woke up in the late morning, he was surprised to find his apartment clean. He yawned, walked to the kitchen, and searched in the fridge for something to eat for breakfast.

"You're up! I cleaned your apartment for you," Maka smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh, uh, thanks," Soul said tiredly.

"... Did you not want me to?" Maka said, almost sounding hurt.

"No its not that, I'm just not a morning person. I appreciate it, really. Thanks," He gave a reassuring smile.

"Really? I'm glad," She smiled appreciatively. As Soul made breakfast, Maka thought about the last night, again. More so about Soul. He seemed to guard himself, too. Just like me… That's when she realized something, and because of it, a few tears spilled from her eyes, but she fiercely wiped them away.

"Hey, I'm done now… Are you okay?" He asked. He looked really concerned. He looked so darn concerned, she really wanted to cry again. It's all fake… I can't tell the truth…

"Y-yeah.."

"Are you sure? You don't look very okay, at all." He… How did he know? Am I still crying?

As she thought about it, one tear slipped, then another, until she was sobbing. She fell to the floor, and hid her face in her hands as she cried.

A/N: Again: I'M SO SORRY I TOOK FOREVER IN UPDATING! PLEASE FORGIVE ME~!

There will be some cuteness next chapter, be prepared! Tell me your thoughts and leave a review! Nt may seem to be going fast, but it's honestly not going that fast. It's not like they're getting together next chapter… but you won't know unless you read it O-O It won't take as long as this chapter did, I already wrote some of it. Thanks for reading!