Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to 'Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner' by Fall Out Boy.
I'll be your best kept secret and your biggest mistake
Soul woke up to the sound of his mother screaming his name and barging into his room.
"Soul, get up!" She said as she threw off the covers from his bed.
"Calm down, what is it?" He growled as he got up.
"Did you shut off the electricity?" She sternly demanded.
Soul slowly regained his memories from last night. "...Yeah."
"You are not allowed to touch the electricity; you don't have permission. Why did you do that?"
"Does it really matter? What good will it do if you know the reason? You're going to ground me, anyway." He mumbled.
His mother heaved a sigh before agreeing and putting him on punishment; Soul wasn't allowed to go out after seven during the night. Then she went downstairs to put back the power. Soul's older brother waltzed in the room, aware of what happened between his mother and him.
"Hey bro, what's up?" He smirked.
"Get out."
"Don't get all angry, I didn't even do anything...whatever, dad wants you downstairs." Wes said and went to where the rest of the family was. Soul came downstairs a while later, trying to recall what else happened the previous night. He walked to the kitchen where his dad was and waited for him to talk.
"Soul, when was the last time you practiced piano?"
"Two days ago," He instantly answered as he glanced at the clock. "I have to go to school." Getting no response, he stepped out quickly and traveled to school on his motorcycle.
"Where is Soul?" Maka asked herself as she spread her body on the inflatable bed. "I can't use the laptop to see the time because of the strong light."
Maka heard people talking, footsteps rushing, then a door closing. Quietness filled the house while Maka waited for anything else. After a long period of time, she decided to come out. When she did, the ceiling lights shined on her, causing Maka to retreat.
"It's too bright." She said as a chill ran through her spine. "At least I got a glimpse of the windows. It looks like the afternoon, so Soul should be getting out of school." Maka was glad she did her research, or else she would be completely lost and vulnerable. A few seconds later, the door opened and the voice of a teenage girl spoke.
"I don't even get why I got in trouble, you know? Yeah, it was the third time I was late, but it wasn't my fault because I was helping Patty open her locker."
Two pairs of footsteps walked to the living room where the fireplace was; Maka heard it so she decided to peek. She slightly left the passage open so she could get a glance of the people, but the lights still bothered her. She fought it though, she would do whatever it takes to satisfy her curiosity at the moment. Her eyesight adjusted to the brightness and blurred a bit, but she eventually saw a tall girl with long, dirty blond hair. She also saw Soul with her, following and listening to whatever she said.
"Did Patty get in trouble?" Soul asked.
"No. I'm glad, though. It wasn't her fault, either."
"Just watch out for strict people, Liz."
Liz...? Maka repeated in her mind.
"Like Kid? It sucks that he's the son of the principal, since he thinks he can do whatever he wants."
"It can get out of hand sometimes."
"No kidding. Anyway, we should probably start on our project."
Project...since they're in school, that's an assignment. I wonder what their subject is.
Maka was so intrigued by their conversation, she wanted to hear more so she stuck her head out a bit farther. She lost her balance and the way her hands were placed on the ground weren't stable, causing her to hit her head on the real bricks. Maka clenched her teeth and heavily breathed through them. The sudden rush of pain hurt her, but she knew she had to hide it or else Soul's friend would hear her. She quickly crawled back to her hiding place and shut the door. Unfortunately, Liz and Soul heard the hit Maka took, so their attention turned to his fireplace.
"Did you hear that?" Liz asked, voice shaky.
"Yeah...Oh wait." Soul remembered that Maka was in the room behind the fireplace. "That's what I was forgetting."
"What?" Liz's attention focused on Soul. He looked into Liz's eyes and didn't answer.
I can't tell her. Not anyone.
"Soul, what's going on?" She started to become worried at his secret.
"Don't worry about it." He looked at the bricks.
"The fire is about to turn on, isn't it? I'm fine with it." Liz began to relax.
"The fire doesn't work."
Liz stiffened. "Then, what is it?" She anxiously questioned.
"Stop worrying."
"How can you tell me not to if I'm just going to keep wondering?"
"We need to work on the project, Liz. Do you have the poster board?"
She hesitantly reached in her bag to pull it out. "Here," She handed it to him. "What are we doing?"
"Something about volcanoes, I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"Nevermind, just check the paper."
Liz rolled her eyes as she read over the slip. Maka somewhat heard them while she pressed her ear against the wall.
Volcanoes, huh? We have a few of those in my home planet. They hurt, though.
Soul got up to get the supplies needed. Immediately, Liz pulled out her phone and called her sister.
"Patty?"
"Hi sis! What's up?"
Liz sighed in relief and talked. "I'm having a bad time with Soul. We've been arguing and I don't know what to do."
"Maybe, say you're sorry." Patty optimistically suggested.
"...Anything else?"
"Since you guys are quarreling, why don't you just agree with what he says?"
"But there's the problem. I just don't agree with some things and we fight over the stupidest things. I-I like him and I don't want him to view me as a bad person."
"Aw, sis, it'll be ok."
"I have to go, I hear Soul coming back." Liz hung up and threw her phone aside.
"Ok, I have the stuff."
Soul opened the passage in the fireplace and crawled inside. He shut the door and searched for Maka. Once he found her napping, he let a smile escape his lips and started to turn back.
"Soul..."
He side-glanced in the direction of her voice and saw Maka waking up.
"Yeah?" He looked at the ground.
"Who was that girl?" She curiously asked, now completely awake. He faced her and saw her staring at him.
"A friend."
"Do you like her?"
Soul's brows twitched. "Why are you asking? I don't like her anymore than a friend, though."
"...That's complicated. Your relationship with her, I mean."
"How?"
"No reason." Her eyes met the bed as she brushed her finger against it. Soul jumped on the end of the mattress and stopped her finger to get her attention.
"Maka, I don't mean to be rude, but when do you plan on leaving my house?"
She looked at him seriously. "Look, I didn't mean to cut off the conversation."
"Don't get the wrong idea, it's not because of that. It's just, I can't keep you here for long; I'll get in trouble."
"Well, that's selfish. You won't help me just because of the consequences? You don't care about me?"
"No, it's not like that - "
"It's what you're saying. You also told me I could stay for a while."
"Just listen. Even if I keep you here for a while, someone is bound to find out. Then, you and me will be in trouble. They might think I'm keeping you as hostage or something. You told me you didn't know why you were here, which I still don't completely understand, and you said you don't live anywhere. I'm starting to think you ran away from home."
"If I wanted to run away from home, I would go anywhere but here. If you kick me out, I won't have anywhere to go. I don't have a choice at the moment."
"Maka, staying here is a privilege."
"...I see. You're scared."
"Cool guys like me don't get scared. Now, we have to think of a way to get you somewhere without getting caught and while making sure you're safe."
"But - !"
"We're home! Soul, where are you?"
"Crap, it's my mom! Maka, stay quiet!" Soul whispered worriedly.
This is bad. If I come out, she'll know Maka's here. If I wait until she's gone and then I come out, she'll think I was outside when I wasn't supposed to be. Either way, I'm in trouble.
"Hey Soul, I - " Maka began before being cut off again.
"Shh!"
Maka couldn't hold it in. In a few seconds, her sneeze erupted.
Dammit!
"What...Wes, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, it sounded like it came from the living room."
No!
"Soul...?" Maka trailed off.
"My brother is about to find us out if we don't act silent." Soul explained as he heard his family members approaching. They came and inspected everything, then gave up and left. Soul was relieved at this.
"Ok, we can talk." Soul saw Maka staring at the ceiling. "What are you thinking?" He got nothing in response. "You alright?"
"Don't kick me out."
"...What's bugging you?"
"I can't tell you." Her eyes met his.
"Why not?"
"You would betray me."
"In what way?"
"You would...leave me. Turn me in somewhere I would be unsafe."
"Did you do something really bad?"
"No, I didn't. If I tell you, do you promise not to turn your back on me? Do you promise to stay with me?"
Soul took a deep breath. "Stay with you until when?"
"That's not something I know."
"...Sure. I won't turn my back or leave you." He agreed, knowing all the consequences and things he would have to do just to keep Maka safe; just to not betray her.
"I'm an alien."
Soul's eyes widened. He took a moment to process what she said. After realizing her confession, he laughed.
"Is that really what you were hiding? There's no way you're an alien, Maka."
"I know I look like a normal human, but I'm an alien. I'm not lying."
"Yeah, and I'm a star undercover."
"Don't joke about stars. Seriously though, believe me!"
"Sorry, unless you have proof."
"Outside. A short distance from where you found me is the proof."
"Here?" Soul questioned as he looked around in the dark forest. It was nighttime, so if he wasn't careful going back home, he would be caught by his mom.
"Look, an escape pod." Maka said and pointed to the ground. Soul squinted and noticed it in the dirt.
"That?"
"That took me here, to Earth. I was sent here for some reason. I don't know why, which is why I gave you those honest answers. Then, you assumed that I ran away, which I didn't."
"Okay, I somewhat believe you."
"Just believe me!"
"I was kidding," He grinned. "We should go home; it's late."
"Soul!" A woman's voice called.
"Not again," He sighed. "Maka, stay here until I return. I'll make up an excuse, she'll make me go to sleep, then I'll sneak out and come get you. Ok?"
"A-Alright."
"See you later." Soul smirked and ran off.