(A.N. I apologize for not updating, but I wasn't able to access a computer often enough to do so. Well enough of me, on to the story!)

Maka POV

The day of the test had finally arrived. After waiting for nearly an eternity, I was ready. And so was Kid, as far as I knew. I was gonna beat that son-of-a-lightning-bolt Ox. No matter what. I pulled on my usual outfit, straightened my tie, and brushed my hair into pigtails. I took twice the time as I normally do pulling on my lucky socks and usual shoes, determined to get things right. A dab of peppermint oil behind each ear for concentration, and a bottle of chamomile to calm the nerves. Once I had everything ready, I left my room.

"Soul?" I called, running into the kitchen to start breakfast. No reply. I tried again. "Soul, you need to wake up! It's test day!" Still no answer. I groaned, and set down my pan. I ran back up to sSoul's door, and knocked hard.

"Soul! You've got to get up now!" Still no answer. I rolled my eyes, and flung open the door. His room was a pigsty, dirty laundry everywhere, and papers littering the floor. Soul was sprawled out in a dirty pair of pajamas on top of an unmade bed covered in dirty socks and pizza slices. His alarm was unplugged, and blair was passed out in the corner, one paw around a bottle of Sake. I rolled up my sleeves, and walked over to his bed. Pulling dirty blankets and who knows what else off of him, I tried to get him to wake up.

"Soul! You have got to get up!" I rolled him over, and lightly slapped at his cheeks. He blinked awake, and sat up groggily.

"Maka, I'm sick." he said, face flushed, and voice stuffy sounding. Oh shoot.

"No, no no, you're not sick. we'll just get you out of bed, feed you breakfast, you, you'll be perfectly fine!" I grabbed him under both arms, and tried to pick him up. No use. He closed his eyes again, and sneezed. "Maka," he said again, rolling back onto the bed. "I'm too sick for school. Just leave me to die." *snore.

I rolled my eyes, and sat on the bed. Propping him up with one arm, and getting ahold of him with the other, i managed to walk him over to the couch, and sit him there.

"I don't wanna go to school," he whined, and rolled over on the couch. I walked back into the kitchen, and grabbed a damp towel. "We have a big test today Soul," I pleaded. "Just try to get up? I'll make whatever you want for breakfast. Just sit up, and let me get some medicine." He seemed to consider this for a moment, and then nodded. I breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over to the medicine cabinet.

This was gonna be a long morning.

Kid POV

I had been ready to go for quite a while, and was sitting at the kitchen counter waiting for Liz and Patty to make their way downstairs. I had opened a fresh box of strawberry chocolate pop-tarts for patty, and made coffee for Liz and I. It was raining, a fairly uncommon occurrence in death city. I enjoyed rain, as all things imbalanced were masked by it, and all things dirty and dust-covered were rinsed clean. This particular day, I was setting on the windowsill with a cup of coffee watching the water pour down. By 6:13 am, Liz was stumbling down the stairs, still dressed in a tank top and pajama pants.

"Good morning, Elizabeth." I said. she looked up at me, half asleep, and poured a cup of coffee.

"That's 'Liz' to you, shortie." She grumbled, glaring at me over the edge of her mug. "Yes, alright, Liz. Morning, Patty." Patty stepped off of the stairs, and plopped onto her chair. "Morning, Kiddo. Whats for breakfast?" she yawned. i pushed the pop-tart box towards her, and her eyes widened, suddenly awake. "You mean, I, I get pop-tarts?" she squealed, and ripped open a package. liz reached over and stole one, and patty slapped at her hand.

"Don't take that, it's mine!" Liz rolled her eyes. "Patty, its a twelve pack. Losing one or two wont kill you." She popped the corner the stolen pastry into her mouth, and munched silently. i watched for a moment, and then cleared my throat. The girls looked up at me, then continued chewing. Oh, well. I got there attention, at least.

"I've decided that since it is the day of the big test-" Liz sprayed coffee across the table onto patty, who dropped six of the seven pop tarts she was holding. I wiped a few stray drops off of my cheek, and started over.

"Since it is the day of the test, I've decided the two of you can choose your own clothing. I'm hoping it will help with your overall test scores, as the last ones were horrendous." Patty shoved another pop-tart into her mouth, eyes worried. Liz simply finished her pop-tart, downed the rest of her coffee, and headed upstairs muttering something about needing a drink. Patty grabbed the box, and turned to run to her room. Before she made it, I stole one package of tarts. She stuck out her tongue at me, and raced to her room. I smiled, and sat back down to open my pop-tarts.

Soul POV

I was sick. Real sick. Maka made me some frozen waffles like my mom used to when I was sick, and I sat on the couch picking at them. She had plopped a wet rag on my forehead, and convinced me to change into clean pajamas. I could tell by how she bustled around putting things into my bag that she expected to get me to school. It wasn't happening.

"Soul, are you sure you can't go? I need to know now." she looked at me pleadingly, but I just smiled weakly and pulled my blankets closer.

"I don't want to spread it around. That's not a cool thing to do. Just go to school, Maka. I'll be fine." She bi her lip, and then nodded. "Alright. There's some meatballs in the fridge, if you need something to eat. Anything you want me to bring home when I can?" "Cold medicine," i said, and waved her off. "Just go to school already, or you'll be late." She nodded again, grabbed a jacket and a scarf, and ran out the door. I settled in, and flipped on the TV. If you get sick, you might as well relax while you can.

Maka POV

I rushed into the classroom just in time, and dropped my jacket and scarf to the floor by my desk. Once I was settled, I glanced over to Kid and the twins. He looked up, and smiled encouragingly. A confused look spread over his face, and he mouthed "where's Soul?" "He's sick," I mouthed back. He nodded, and looked back towards the front.

"Alright class, I understand that you're all tired, but today is the day of the test. Black*Star, you might want to sit up now, if you sleep through it, I won't hesitate to dissect you." Light glinted over Stein's glasses as he stared at the sleeping meister. Tsubaki nudged him awake, and he fell off the desk. Stein rolled his eyes.

"Once you receive your papers, you may begin."

I looked down at my test, and raised the pencil. This time, I would be top of the class.

(A.N. sorry it isn't very long, but I have to go to camp in the next 5 minutes. bye!)