Author's Note: I forgot I had typed out one last chapter so this will probably really be the last daily update until the 19th or later hope everyone likes it I've enjoyed all the responses
Chapter 9: No Looking Back
"You really want me to be your date for Kid's gala event?" Maka whispered not sure she had even heard him right.
"Well yeah, if you're not busy I mean." Soul grumbled back scratching the hair behind his back nervously.
"I thought Kid was making that meeting only for death scythes though?" Maka asked, looking a bit confused.
"Yeah well, he said I was allowed to bring along a guest and I just figured if you weren't doing anything that night you would want to go out." Soul answered. 'Maka really shouldn't have any plans that night unless it's something I don't know about." 'Soul thought, feeling certain of Maka's usual weekend schedule.
"Ah well, no I'm not going to be busy; you just caught me off guard that's all. I would love to go with you Soul." Maka stated sincerely.
Soul brightened up a bit showing up his sharp toothed grin. "Cool. I'm glad you'll be there with me to keep me company at least. It would be boring having to deal with all those old people alone."
Maka chuckled a bit. "You wouldn't be completely surrounded by old guys stupid. Don't forget that Kid would be there also."
"Yeah, but Kid has a habit of acting just like them sometimes." Soul huffed out before plopping himself back down on the couch to finish watching TV.
Maka just smiled and walked back into her room and closed her door with a light click. As soon as her door closed though, the smile on Maka's face completely dissipated into a frown. Throwing all her shopping bags onto her bed, Maka slid down the edge of her door a mix of apprehension and panic filling her thoughts.
'Damn it, I'm seriously put myself in real trouble now. Even though I'm happy that Soul invited me to Kid's Gala event, how am I supposed to be his date and perform as Emerald at the same time? I can't be two places at once without someone eventually catching on! I guess the only thing I can do now is just tell Hiro that I won't be able to perform.' Maka mused restlessly.
~X~
"What do you mean you don't want to perform anymore at the Gala?! I already told Kid that we would be able to go. We can't just back out on it now." Hiro snapped, pissed at Maka's defensive look.
"Wait, you went and talked to Kid without at least texting or calling me beforehand?" Maka questioned angrily.
"Yeah of course, but don't worry he didn't know it was me. I was wearing my mask and my hair was dyed brown when I talked to him." Hiro replied back.
"Well anyways, you were so quick on wanting to go just because we were going to get paid a lot, but Soul asked me to go with him as his date and I can't be two places at once you know!" Maka complained with a huff.
Hiro calmed down a bit at Maka's explanation. "Oh, I see now. I was afraid something like this was going to possibly happen. I guess we'll have to go with Plan B, luckily I got Jessica to help me out a bit."
Maka's eyes narrowed at how secretive Hiro was being. "What are you talking about now? What's this Plan B you have in mind?"
"Well I figured there was a chance Soul might consider asking you go with him as your date. So I thought ahead and asked Jessica to let you borrow one of her gowns. Luckily you guys both are kind of flat and of the same height so it should fit you perfectly." Hiro mused to himself as he walked into his closet and pulled out a midnight blue evening gown.
Maka growled a bit at Hiro's 'flat' comment, but couldn't help but admire how beautiful the gown truly looked once he brought it out. The gown had sequins across the bottom and bust line of the dress that really made it stand out. It even came with a matching blue necklace that shined in the light of the room.
"Go ahead and try it on to make sure it fits properly." Hiro stated as he handed the dress over to Maka.
Maka sighed, but reluctantly went with it into the bathroom and tried it on. A few minutes later Maka came back out and gave a twirl.
Hiro wolf whistled with a laugh. "Not half-bad. The main point is that at least it fits you."
Maka grimaced a bit feeling disgusted at Hiro's actions and quickly walked back inside the bathroom to change back into her school uniform.
"Now please properly explain this plan B you have in mind because I don't think there's any way I'm going to be able to perform as Emerald and still be Soul's date without everything being exposed." Maka grumbled.
"It's quite simple really. Kid told me that we wouldn't be performing until the end of the event. So you can just start off the night by hanging out with Soul and mingling with the other guests and when I give you the signal to meet up with me, you can just change into this gown and perform." Hiro explained.
"That plan is stupid. Don't you think Soul is going to wonder why all of a sudden I just disappeared from the area and suddenly just came back as soon as the performance is over?" Maka exclaimed, annoyed at Hiro didn't weigh all the possible outcomes.
"You don't think you'll be able to find some way to excuse yourself without coming off as too suspicious? I mean you've already seemed to be doing a pretty good job of lying to him; I'm sure you can think of something." Hiro stated in boredom.
Maka sighed. "He didn't have to remind me that I've been lying to him. It's already been leaving a sick feeling in my stomach." Maka thought sadly.
"Anyways, I'll hold onto that Jessica's gown and your sax. You can just wear that emerald colored gown that you bought to the party. I'll give you a signal when it will be time for us to perform." Hiro finished, wanting to be done with the topic now and stop arguing.
Maka just nodded her head, still unsatisfied with Hiro's explanation as the two went back to practicing over their songs that they would play for the rest of the afternoon. They still had 3 days left of practice they could get in before the big day.
~X~
"Maka hurry up, I don't want to be lectured again for being late!" Soul called out from the living room as he glanced at his watch. It was currently 7:15 pm on the night of big Gala event.
"Alright, I'm coming geez. It's not like you're in that big of a hurry to go there!" Maka retorted as she opened her door and revealed herself.
Soul's eyes widened as he took in Maka's appearance. Maka was currently dressed in the sleeveless jade colored gown she had bought last week with the girls with matching emerald earrings and silver low heeled shoes. Maka had even curled her hair and tied it back with a green bow to finish things off.
Maka blushed lightly under Soul's gaze. "So do I look okay or is it too much you think?" Maka asked timidly.
Soul broke off his stare and blushed. "No you look fine, but there is one thing that you're still missing."
Maka looked confused and glanced over her outfit. "What am I missing? I think I have everything unless you are talking about my purse?" Maka asked not sure what Soul was talking about. 'I hope Hiro still has all the stuff we need for performing though, including my mask.'
Soul shook his head at Maka and walked closer and grabbed her hand. "No, it's not that. I just wanted to give you this to really complete your outfit." Soul answered as he placed a corsage laced with red roses onto her wrist.
Maka eyed the corsage in awe. "Oh wow, you didn't have to do this, but I love it!" Maka said appreciatively.
Soul grinned at Maka's cheerfulness. "It was no problem Maka after all, now we are both kind of matching with each other in a way." Soul said as he pointed back at himself. Soul was wearing a black suit and pants with a red undershirt that was similar to the same pinstriped suit he wore in the Black Blood Room.
Maka squeezed Soul's hand causing Soul to look back up at her.
"Thanks for inviting me to come with you Soul." Maka stated gently.
Soul squeezed her hand back gazing back into her eyes. "There isn't anyone else I would rather go with it." He replied back.
For a while Soul and Maka just admired each other quietly until Blair suddenly interrupted them.
"Don't you guys have somewhere you were supposed to be? Unless you two were planning to just stay here and get to know each other better?" Blair purred from behind them as she glanced over at the clock.
Maka broke out her gazing at the sound of Blair's voice and dragged Soul by the hand to head out the door.
"Crap Soul now we are really going to be late! Blair make sure to lock the doors behind us!" Maka cried as the two ran off.
~X~
"Soul I'm glad you could actually make it on time and I see you brought Maka along also." Kid stated as he watched Soul and Maka walk up holding hands.
Soul and Maka blushed as Kid gave them both a knowing grin until Spirit approached them from the side.
"Hey, I don't know why Maka decided to let you be her date, but just consider yourself lucky because I'm still going to have my eyes on you!" He yelled out loudly causing some of the guests to look his way in confusion.
"Papa go away! Nobody was even talking to you!" Maka snapped coldly feeling embarrassed by how much of a scene he was causing.
Spirit saddened and pouted a bit under Maka's scrutiny before reluctantly walking off to talk with some of the other guests coming in.
Maka just sighed and shook her head until she overheard something Kid was saying. She turned her head towards him and realized that he was talking on the phone with somebody.
"Yes everything is set up for you and Emerald. I'm really glad you two could play for us on such short notice. I even set up a table for you two sit at. Yes all of that will be handled appropriately after the event is over." Kid mumbled into his phone.
Maka's eyes widened as she felt a familiar sense of panic. 'There's no doubt about it that must be Hiro on the other end of the line.' Maka thought numbly.
"Come on Maka, let's stop blocking the entryway." Soul stated, pulling Maka slightly out of the way.
The party started out mostly uneventful with Kid beginning the evening off by introducing each death scythe and going over what goals he hoped to accomplish for the year. Maka was trying her best to pay attention, but she couldn't help she still remain on edge especially when she noticed Hiro disguised as Diamond slip in amongst the crowd and take a seat at the table reserved for them.
"Hey Maka are you feeling all right? You haven't really said a word since this party started." Soul asked in a whisper, nudging Maka's shoulder a bit.
"Yeah I'm fine I just have a slight headache. I'm just going to get a glass of water." Maka whispered back as she stood up from her seat and walked over to the punch bowl.
Maka took a deep breath in as she slowly sipped her water. 'I need to just relax. Everything is going to be fine, but I really need to come up with some good excuse quick before its time.' Maka contemplated.
As Maka turned back around to head to her seat, a sudden large cracking and popping sound filled the air that caused everyone to pause what they were doing and look around.
'What the heck was that?' Maka thought also glancing around suspiciously, but before she could properly scout the area a large booming sound rang out again and the power went completely out.
Author's Note: That's it for Chapter 9! Feedback is always welcomed and as always thanks for reading!