Author's Note: Thanks everyone for the positive responses. I'm still trying to work on fixing up some of the ideas I have for the story so that it flows easier and I'm enjoying everyone's feedback

Chapter 7: Things haven't changed at all…

"I'll ask you again, what exactly were you doing with Maka?" Soul spat out as he glared at Travis.

"Whoa chill out, geez it's not like I was hurting her, right Maka?" Travis said dusted himself off and sent a smile and wink in Maka's direction.

"Well yeah, Travis wasn't doing anything really Soul there's no need to be so angry." Maka said after a while trying to calm Soul down. 'Even though he was starting to get a little too close for comfort.' Maka thought, cringing a bit at how quick Travis had been to try to get near her.

"Whatever, I needed to talk to you anyways Maka; let's go." Soul stated grouchily before grabbing Maka by hand and practically dragging her away from hallway and out of the school.

Travis remained silent as he watched the two leave, grinning a bit when he noticed Soul throw him one last glare as he walked away.

'He certainly seems to be protective of Maka that's for sure. It won't be easy to get to Maka if he's hanging around her especially knowing that he's a death scythe and Maka herself is wise enough to not fall for all of my tricks.' Travis mused to himself.

Travis peered back down at the photo of Maka and Hiro that he had managed to swipe from Rachel, causing him to grin slyly. 'Still, I suppose I haven't had a true challenge in a long time .Things will definitely start getting interesting from now on." Travis speculated, an abnormal glimmer appearing in his eyes.

~X~

"Soul, please stop gripping my hand so tightly." Maka growled out as she tried to get his attention.

Soul had chosen to ignore Maka's talking and attempts at getting his attention since they had left the DWMA, leaving Maka to start becoming more and more agitated as each minute passed.

Finally Soul came to a stop, allowing Maka to break away from the firm grip he had had on her hand and glare at him in frustration.

"Geez, it's about time you finally stopped! At least let me explain what happened back at the school!" Maka bellowed.

Soul only continued to disregard Maka and go sit down under the shade of a tree. Maka sighed under her breathe and looked around. It seemed like Soul had lead them to Death City's park a few blocks down the road from the school.

Maka pouted, annoyed at Soul's attitude. 'How can I explain what happened back at the school without making it come out wrong?' Maka mulled over her options before eventually finding something okay she could say and sitting down next to Soul.

"Listen, that guy was coming onto to me that's the truth, though it's not like it should really matter to you anyways." Maka said at least trying to get Soul to look at her.

Soul scoffed. "At least answer me this. Has that guy been the reason you've been coming home late sometimes over the past couple of Wednesdays a few weeks ago?" Soul grunted, still not really wanting to look Maka in the eye.

"What? No! I swear I never even knew that guy until today! Now you're making weird assumptions!" Maka stated in annoyance. 'This isn't good though, Soul is still suspicious of me, even though I've been trying to spend more time at home practicing on my sax without meeting up with Hiro.' Maka reflected.

Soul sighed and took a quick glance at her from the side before surprisingly gently tugging her closer to him by wrapping an arm around her waist.

Maka began to feel a familiar heat spread to her cheeks, but she didn't try to move away as she had done so earlier with Travis.

Soul took a moment to take a deep breath before he grumbled out something quickly and quietly.

Maka glanced at him confused. "Um I'm sorry, I didn't catch that can you say that again?" Maka asked.

Soul groaned, but with another sigh turned fully towards and Maka and muttered "I'm sorry I acted so uncool back at that school; I shouldn't have been so quick to anger." He finished trying not let Maka see his own reddening cheeks.

Maka smiled and took a chance by laying her head on his shoulder causing Soul to tense up for a second, before relaxing and pulling her in a bit more tightly.

The two grew comfortably quiet after a moment, just taking in the scenery around them. The weather was still enjoyably cool for a late spring day and not many people were out walking around the park at the moment.

"Hey Soul, weren't you supposed to have some quick meeting with Kid concerning all the death scythes?" Maka said after a few minutes passed.

Soul just shrugged and yawned. "Yeah, but oh well, I can skip a meeting or two it won't be a big deal. I'll just text Kid that I forgot or something."

Maka glowered a bit, lifting her head from his shoulder. "Soul, I told you before to stop doing that. You're supposed to be taking your death scythe responsibilities seriously!"

Soul became slightly agitated at Maka's tone of voice. "Stop nagging me so much Maka! And anyways, why does it matter to you so much if I went to that meeting anyways, did you want to spend more time with that guy from earlier or something?" Soul questioned, eyes narrowing.

Maka moved out of Soul's grip and looked ready to hit him. 'Why does he keep thinking I want to hang out with that guy? I don't even know him unless. Is Soul… no he couldn't be, but I mean from the way he was acting earlier…"Maka pondered and looked at Soul curiously.

Soul gazed at her in confusion. Usually by now he would have been Maka-chopped and yelled at for a comment like that.

"Soul…why does it bother you so much that guy was flirting with me earlier. You weren't jealous, were you?" Maka asked, trying not to let her voice sound a bit too hopeful.

Soul just snorted. "Like any guy would go for a quick-tempered flat chested girl like you." 'Great why did I have to go any say something I didn't really mean again. Now I'm really going to get my head bashed in.' Soul thought wincing slightly when he saw Maka look down allowing her bangs to cover her eyes.

"Oh I get it. You think I'm so unattractive that no guy would ever want to flirt with me, let alone go on a date with me unless they were just joking." Maka mused quietly.

'Shit now she's probably really pissed off!' Soul thought when he suddenly noticed Maka begin to stand up and walk away.

Thinking fast, Soul reached out and grabbed Maka by the wrist before she could run off.

"Listen, I'm sorry Maka you know I didn't mean it you don't need to leave." Soul apologized.

Maka remained muted, still looking in the opposite direction from Soul.

"Come on Maka don't give me the same silent treatment I was giving you earlier. You know I don't mean any of the teasing I do to you."

'But you don't know how much your teasing hurts me Soul. You don't know how frustrating it is knowing that people like to constantly remind me that I'm not the most attractive girl or that you and I have little to no similar interests outside of fighting Kishins and dealing with schoolwork.' Maka thought, feeling a mix of both anger and sadness.

Soul growled when Maka continued to look away from him and decided to forcibly get her attention by turning her back towards him and lifting her chin up. It was then that Soul noticed to his slight shock that Maka was scowling and trying to hold in some still unshed tears.

Soul gave her a weak smile before brushing away her tears. "I'm really sorry Maka; I know I shouldn't taunt you like that." Soul stated this time more sincerely hoping Maka would forgive him.

Maka sighed; trying to look away from Soul's piercing red eyes before giving up and shakily uttering out "If that's the case, then why do you do it so often? I know you're joking for the most part, but it gets tiring after hearing it basically every day."

Soul paused for a moment, unsure how to answer Maka's question without seeming like it was another lie.

'I can't tell her why. She would never believe me or worse she would reject me, but maybe I could at least show her that I really do care about her.' Soul thought before gently cupping her cheek and leaning in.

Maka's eyes widened in surprise as she watched Soul lean in towards her. 'Does Soul want to actually kiss me? Even after all that he just said? Maybe he really does have feelings for me?' Maka thought shyly before nervously leaning in also.

Soul's lips had just barely brushed Maka's when suddenly a loud buzzing noise caused the two of them to jump apart. It took Maka a few seconds to realize someone had just called her as she took out her phone.

'Whoever the hell just called me it had better be important.' Maka thought in irration. As she stepped away from Soul to check the caller ID.

To Maka's further displeasure the caller ID showed it had been Hiro. Since she hadn't heard her phone ringing earlier he had left her a simple text.

Hey Maka, Jessica finally got back to me over that friend of hers who wants us to perform at their event. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to know who it is. Meet me by Deathbucks café for more info.

-Hiro

'If only Hiro could have just waited a few more minutes to call or text me…' Maka yelled to herself.

"So, who was that?" Soul asked interrupting Maka's thoughts. Maka froze as she quickly deleted the message and turned back around to face him.

"Oh, it was the just the library sending me a notice that I had an overdue book." Maka lied once again feeling guilty for having to keep another secret. 'I don't think I've ever been late on any books I turn in, it's hard to come up with an answer on the spot though.'

Soul just grumbled brushing a hand through his snow white hair. "Well I guess you should go turn your book in then or else they'll keep bothering you. I know how depressed and mad you can get when you can't check out books." Soul stated chuckling awkwardly at the broken atmosphere between them.

Maka sighed feeling awkward and embarrassed also. "Yeah I know, I guess you should go back to that meeting Kid had planned before he gets anymore mad at you. I'll see you back at the apartment." Maka said quietly.

"Yeah okay see you later." Soul muttered as he walked back in the direction of the school.

"Damn it, I shouldn't have let Maka look at her phone. I should have tossed it as soon as she took it out of her pocket. At least then I still wouldn't be having these thoughts of wanting to finish that kiss." Soul complained under his breath once he was far enough away from Maka.

Maka glanced back at her phone in annoyance before heading in the opposite direction towards Deathbucks.

'We've crossed the boundary now and blurred the lines between being just friends or a couple. Though maybe I'm looking too much into this and all that just happened was a spur of the moment?' Maka still wasn't too sure.

~X~

"Why do you look like you just crawled out of bed or something; what's with the long face?" Hiro asked when he finally saw Maka walk up to him and take a seat across from him.

Maka just glared at Hiro and rolled her eyes. "I'm not in the mood for your jokes Hiro, just give me the information Jessica sent you before someone sees us." 'I don't want to deal with that issue all over again.' Maka frowned, thinking about today's earlier events.

Hiro scoffed and then pulled out his phone to retrieve the message.

"I think this might be Masquerade's biggest gig yet and I know the pay will be well if this really is the guy." Hiro discussed eagerly.

Maka had to read the message twice just to make sure she had read it correctly.

The message read as followed:

Dear Diamond and Emerald,

Hi you guys, sorry it took me so long to get back to you two, but my friend finally got back to me. I know you might not believe it, but Death the Kid would like you guys to perform at his Death Scythe Gala event happening next Saturday at 8 pm at Gallows Manor. Enclosed is his cell phone number if you want to get back to him or just text me back for more details if you would like to attend.

Sincerely,

Jessica

A/N: That's it for Chapter 7, hope people like it and let me know what they think and as always thanks for reading