STORIES AND MELODIES: Catharsis
III. Inspiration
Her fingers moved as if they had minds of their own. With each press on the keyboard, her story grew longer, longer and longer. She would occasionally stop in order to read what she had typed so far but as soon as she finished and made sure there were no mistakes with her story, she began to type again, her fingers kept on going and going.
She thought of introducing a new character to her story. The male protagonist, Reginald, vanished all of a sudden like all those people in the school he goes to who went missing during her first book. Danielle, the female protagonist and Reginald's best friend, continued to solve the growing mystery of the people going missing.
When she had her writer's block, Maka Albarn got stuck at the part on how Danielle gets a lead about the case in her school. She figured, why not add a new character who was looking for his friend too? Danielle met Philip while investigating where it was that people last saw Reginald at; the library. Turns out that Philip's friend, Ian, was last seen there as well.
Maka enjoyed the interactions she thought of between Danielle and Philip. Danielle was witty and always planned her steps. Philip was hot-headed, impatient but clever. Their personalities often clashed but they always manage to help each other out. She liked the chemistry between them; liked how they worked together; how they banter and how they're obliviously attracted to one another. In her head, that is.
The author couldn't believe it. She was somehow adding romance to her story. She dated before but she never felt confident enough to be able to describe the feeling of liking someone. This time though, Maka was just so happy, so inspired to write a bit of romance. She actually 'shipped' Danielle with Philip but of course, she's keeping her bias towards them at minimum because she didn't want to make it so sudden.
Sudden. Yes, everything that was going around her and a certain pianist was sudden. Maka thought of Soul. She already admitted the fact that she was really, really crushing on Soul Evans long ago but, she just couldn't bring herself to actually try and make him feel that she did. Sure she dropped a hint once or twice like, when she began to invite him over for movie night or that time she teased him about the whole cuddling thing. Sure, it seemed like he was responding but, she really felt that everything was too sudden and she didn't want to jump to conclusions or move too fast.
Again, she let herself focus on her story. Her fingers were moving quickly again and she was amazed how she was already near the end of her second book. Philip was really a good addition, in her opinion.
"This is the first time in a long time that I've seen you type that fast." Oh right, Maka almost forgot that Liz was in her apartment, returning the items she borrowed from Maka last week. "Someone's inspired." She teased.
The author sneered at her friend then shook her head. "Oh please, Liz." She huffed, stretching her arms. "I just got over that major writer's block. At least I've got a solid idea on what I want to happen in my story now, rather than those random things I've been typing the past weeks." Maka explained.
Her brown-haired hairstylist sat on the chair near her computer and looked at her with a mischievous gaze. "I see." She nodded her head. "I wonder if a certain white-haired pianist helped you out." Liz cooed which made Maka cough.
"W-What's Soul g-got to do with this?" The ash-blonde writer asked after her fit of coughs.
"Come on, Maka!" Liz chided, which made Maka wince. "You two have been 'hanging out' for so many weeks already and it's obvious that you've got a thing for each other!" She continued. Maka sighed, giving Liz an exhausted look. "I've heard about your movie nights, Maka. Oh and please don't deny how your eyes lights up when he's suddenly mentioned."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Maka protested. "No they don't!" She met with Liz's questioning eyes, as if they're saying 'oh really?' to her. The young woman sighed in defeat. "Am I that obvious?"
"No shit."
Maka leaned her head on the table and groaned. "It's just so… so great, you know? If that were to happen. I mean, I met him, we hit it off and it's just amazing? Nothing's too perfect in real life." She mumbled before raising her head. "Besides, Soul probably doesn't see me that way. He's just… friendly?"
There was a loud scoff coming from Liz, as if she was exasperated with what she was hearing - which she really was - but she really couldn't blame Maka. After all, with all those past relationships, 'failed ones', Liz added as an afterthought, it's kind of hard to just trust that everything will go smoothly this time. But she had a good feeling about Soul and Maka and she wished that Maka shared the same enthusiasm she had for them. "Listen, Maka. Someone's who's just being friendly with you wouldn't go here from who knows how far, just to watch a movie and stay with you all night." Liz explained. "Plus he's not really the kind to leave his apartment, according to Kid but, now, he's often over here at your place."
Maka wondered. If what Liz said was true, maybe-
The author shook her head. Better not get my hopes to high, she reminded herself. "Maybe, you're just thinking about this too much Liz. Like, reading the situation wrong or something."
"And if I'm reading it right and you're just, you know - being your old, pessimistic self again? Where will that take you?" She asked, as if taunting Maka. Liz always liked to challenge Maka because she knew that the young writer liked the challenge and worked better when dared. That's just how Maka was. "You've always taken the risks before, Maka."
The ash-blonde girl just looked at her computer screen and began typing again. "All those risk I've taken, if you remember correctly, were pretty much failures in the end though and you know it." Maka reminded.
"Come on! I mean, sure, your first boyfriend was a jerk, the second one was a much bigger jerk and Hiro was an asshole to you but, you never know." Liz crossed her arms in front of her chest and Maka only rolled her eyes. The brown-haired girl was about to speak again when a knock on the door interrupted her . She looked at Maka who was looking back at her with a confused expression. "That's definitely yours but, seeing you're so busy, I'll get it for you, dearie." Liz said which only made Maka and nod her head as thanks.
Maka focused on her story once again, wondering who could've been visiting her at 11 AM. Maybe it was that new neighbor who moved in yesterday or, that pizza guy who always seem to knock on her door by mistake. Mistake, yeah right.
"Oh Makaaaa." Liz called out in a teasing tone that made her look up from her monitor. "Someone's visiting you!" Her friend hollered.
Maka stood up and looked where Liz was. Liz stepped aside and there appeared Soul, smiling at her. She swore her heart skipped a beat or two. She glanced at Liz who had her arms crossed once again but this time, she had a triumphant look on her face. "Sorry about that, I didn't know Liz was here. Did I interrupt-"
"Nope! I was just about to leave!" Liz announced, running towards Maka's couch and grabbing her bag and stopping in front of Soul. "Your arrival, my friend -" She gently patted the pianist's shoulder repeatedly, looking back and forth at him and Maka, to the author's embarrassment. "-is the completion of everything I was fighting for since earlier. You came at a perfectly great time!" She grinned at the young pianist who was now looking at her in confusion. "Now, we shall talk about your magical rendezvous later Maka!"
Maka gaped at Liz, not believing what she just said while their earlier topic was inside the room with them. "L-Liz! You-!" She was not able to continue what she was about to say after Liz ran out of her apartment door, leaving a confused Soul and a mortified Maka behind.
"Magical rendezvous?" Soul repeated, as if looking for answers about what Liz was talking about.
The girl blushed a bright shade of red, to Soul's curiosity. "I-I didn't really know what she was talking about." Maka replied, gulping. She hoped that Soul would buy that excuse but, knew that he won't. "Anyway, Liz is just being her weird self again, sorry about that." She rubbed her right arm with her left hand, a gesture that she did when she's embarrassed, Soul noted. "What brings you here, by the way?"
Soul raised the paper bag he had been holding earlier. "Got some cake from Tsubaki's coffee shop and I figured I'd give you some to help you relieve some stress since you said you're-" Soul fished his phone in his pocket and swiped before showing it to Maka. "-busy as a beaver." Maka laughed when she realized Soul was quoting her text from earlier this morning.
"Thank you." She punched his arm lightly. "Come on in. Let's eat that cake together." She ushered him in. Maka got two small plates and a pastry cutter with her as Soul settled on the couch. "Really, Soul, thank you for this." She smiled.
"I wonder though. Did I come at a bad time?" He asked her.
She shook her head. "Nope! Not at all." She replied to him, smiling. Soul took out the cake and she sliced for the two of them. "I was just about to finish up with my story. Probably two more chapters?" She mumbled. This cake is good! She thought, savoring the taste.
"Oh really? How's it going then?" Soul asked, leaning back on the couch's back rest.
"I tried… well, adding a bit of romance." Maka mumbled meekly.
Soul nodded. "I'm guessing, you added a new character then?" Maka looked at him, her eyes widening. "I mean, I totally know what you meant back then at the bar. Can't see any other relationship between Danielle and Reginald other than friends. You totally wrote them off with a platonic setting." He commented.
Blinking repeatedly, Maka tilted her head at him. "You mean… you've read it?"
"Yeah well, I mean, I got curious and hey, I'm your friend. I should at least, support your works, right?"
Maka couldn't explain how happy she was after hearing that. Soul admitted to her some time ago that he wasn't that interested in books or novels but he actually made time to read her work. "You didn't really have to though."
"I wanted to." Soul said. Maka's eyes met with his and she could see the assurance in them. She looked down on the cake, quietly eating again.
"Thanks. But you know," She mumbled. "Tsubaki's probably the only one who read my work." The ash-blonde writer chuckled, scratching the back of her head. "But, you know Tsu. She's exceptionally kind."
The pianist simply nodded, chuckling along with her. "Well then, maybe I can be classified under the 'exceptionally kind' category as well?" He smirked when she let out a burst of laughter. "By the way, what made you write romance? What happened to that never had a good reference' thing?"
"I-I…" Maka placed her plate on the coffee table and placed her hands on her lap. She didn't know how to answer that without giving herself away. After a few seconds of thinking, she settled with a: "Let's just say, I had a surge of inspiration?" She gave him a sheepish smile afterwards.
There was something in Maka's smile that made Soul gulp and take a deep breath. It was something that he couldn't really explain yet, he somehow feels like he knew what it was. Suddenly, he could hear this melody that he wanted to make and he was amazed how his heart was beating so quickly all of a sudden. The sensation was astonishing and he was sure it was because of her and the way she was looking at him.
"Y'know, I'm glad I went here today." Soul told her, his voice more gentle than usual.
There was something about the musician's gaze that prevented Maka from looking away. "Why is that?" She could only ask.
"Let's just say, I had a surge of inspiration." He repeated her words only, his tone was much firmer than hers. It was as if he was trying to tell her something with those words.
They looked at each other for seconds, maybe minutes. Maka didn't really knew how long. All she knew was that she wanted to say something. She wanted to confess that he's the reason why she's pouring her heart out in her story. She wanted to tell him that he was her inspiration.
Soul had the same feeling. From the moment they met until now, he had learned so much. He began to think of melodies easier. He was happy because of her. He wanted to tell her a lot of things like, how he just thought up of a melody just by looking at her eyes, how he liked being with her, how he looked forward to seeing her. He wanted to tell her about everything.
But neither talked. Both remained silent, hoping that they'd somehow convey what they want to say through their gazes.
Soul cleared his throat. "Ma-"
A knock on the door broke their eye contact. Liz came walking inside after opening the door. She looked at the two who somehow was sitting next to each other closely after their whole staring moment. "Excuse me. Hope I didn't interrupt you two. I forgot that I was charging my phone." She mumbled.
Neither of them replied. Maka just rolled her eyes and Soul chuckled. "Actually, I was going to go as well. I managed to think of something and I should go before it vanishes, y'know?" He explained.
Liz took her phone and smiled apologetically at Maka. The two of them stood up, Maka accompanying Soul and Liz by the doorstep. Liz went out first, waving before she went off. Soul was about to follow her when he stopped and turned to look at Maka. He was looking at her again but this time, he leans down to place a kiss on her forehead. "Err, yeah, see you Maka."
The young author stood there in shock. Did he just…? Was I…? Souljustkissedme! There was a total riot in Maka's head and it all revolved around Soul. Her heart felt like it was going to burst any minute. Yeah, it wasn't a kiss on the lips or anything but, I need to calm down or I'll blow a fuse or two, Maka told herself.
She ended up in daze and actually, she wasn't able to type her story until it was an hour after Soul's exit.
The minute Soul entered his apartment, he slid down his door and sat on the floor. What the actual fuck got into you?! He buried his face on his palms, having no idea what to do. What if that made things awkward between the two of them? He didn't know what he'll do if that happens. "Great going Soul!" He growled.
He dug up his phone and was about to type in a message when Maka's name appeared on the screen. She was calling him!
Hesitantly and nervously, he answered the call. "H-Hey, Maka." He said, trying to sound alright.
"You're home safely." He heard her let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."
That's right. He usually texted her when he's home already. "Oh yeah, sorry, I was kinda dazed." He replied. "I just got home actually."
"That's great to hear. " A short pause. "Thanks again, for the cake and-"Another pause. "-today. Thanks for everything you've done for me today." Her voice was quiet but Soul could almost see her smiling fro how her voice sounded like.
"No problem. T'was my pleasure." He said, a bit calmer now that they've talked.
"So, I guess I should leave you alone for now since you did say you're gonna work on something, right?"
Right! The melody he thought of earlier! "Oh yeah! Good thing you reminded me."
It was awkward, yes, but somehow, he felt like everything's gonna be just fine. "Good night, Soul."
"Good night, Maka."
As he lowered his phone, he stared at its screen for a few seconds before getting up and heading to his piano. He sat on the stool and closed his eyes. He was able to picture his muse easily. That one Maka Albarn. He imagined the look on her face as she said something about her inspiration. There was a possibility that maybe, a huge maybe, he had a chance. He didn't know when he began to feel this way towards the author but he knew one thing, he really liked her, a lot.
Slowly, he lifted his hands to the keys and began to tickle the ivories.
Yes, he did spend his entire night pouring his emotions out through the piano and it was already morning when he finished. He knew the song as if it was something he had been listening to since he was a little boy. He wrote down on his music sheet as he did the melody as well. There was something so magical about it that made him sigh in fulfillment.
"Now all you need is a title." He said, talking to no one in particular. Actually, he said it to the music sheet and that was something he never did before.
He got his pencil and after twirling it around his hand for a few minutes, he wrote a title, stood up and dived into his bed.
Catharsis.
(A/N: That was awkward, wasn't it? Oh and I totally wasted my day because my parents asked me to go to a family gathering and I suck at that so basically, I spent the whole seven hours of the family gathering trying my best not to look bored. And so, my chapter four tomorrow will be quite rushed. I'm really telling you now because it's gonna suck... probably... But I'll make it up to you cupcakes by... wel, let's not spoil things, shall we? Again, so many good SoMa Week 2015 entries on tumblr! Just use the tags: #soma week 2015 and you'll see all the great works made by the people in our fandom! ALSO! Thank you for all the feedback, it really helps me out a lot, no matter how short it is. Enjoy the rest of SoMa Week buddies!)