A/N: I won't do this for every chapter, but this is a take on what just happened in the last chapter from Soul's point of view, plus a few additional things. This is my first time doing something like this, so let me know if it's cool or stupid.

Soul

Being stuck in the infirmary is the opposite of cool. Still, I'd rather be in here than see Maka in my position.

I've been awake for a few hours now, and I can hear the sound of students pouring into the Academy. I guess classes are starting.

Glad I didn't have to sit through another boring dissection lab, I wondered if Maka would drop by before school. As much as I dreaded the yelling and ranting that would come with her, I kind of wanted to see her smile when she finally got it all out of her system. It's been a routine for us lately. I land myself in the infirmary, Maka cries about it (or so my friends and Miss Marie have told me), I recover enough to talk, she comes in and yells at me for being so reckless and stupid...and then she smiles at the end and hugs me, saying she's so glad I'm okay.

It sort of makes the pain of being stuck in here without anything to do seem worth it.

I heard the door open and expect to see Maka, but that hope was drained when a girl named Angel from our class walked in. Not having anything better to do, I listened in on her conversation with Miss Marie, Professor Stein's partner.

"How is she?" Angel asked, a worried look on her face.

"Ariana... Ariana didn't make it," Miss Marie replied solemnly. "I'm sorry, but there wasn't much even Stein could do for her."

"No... Don't apologize, Miss Marie," Angel told her. The girl sounded like she was about to cry as she looked at the ground. "Um... If Ariana didn't make it...can I ask who's in here?"

She must have noticed the translucent curtain pulled around my bed and I quickly turned my gaze to the window. It wouldn't be very cool if they knew I was eavesdropping.

"Oh, Soul Eater's recovering from a mission a few days ago," replied Marie. "Isn't he in your class?"

Angel nodded. "Can I go say hi? I won't be long. I just want to see how he's doing."

That's odd. We usually never talked during class, or even outside of class. I wonder what makes her want to see me all of a sudden.

Angel walked over and pulled the curtain aside. I had to admit, she was pretty damn cute. She had auburn hair that went down to her waist and hazel eyes with golden flecks. I'd say she's one of the pretties girls at the DWMA.

"Hey, I hope I'm not bothering you," she said with a shy smile.

"Nah, it's not like I've got much to do in here," I replied.

"How are you feeling? I heard you've been out for a few days."

"Really? I've been asleep that long?" I wondered out loud.

She opened her mouth to say something, but the first bell rang and she haves a sigh before smiling. "Well, that's my cue to get to class. I hope you get well soon. I'll see you later."

I nodded and gave her a small wave as she turned and headed to class. So I guess Maka wasn't coming in after all.

Sighing, I turned to look out the window and wondered what to do to kill the time until school ended in around six hours. That's a hell of a long time to sit still.

I tried extending my arm and winced at the pain. I didn't even have enough strength to pull off a partial transformation?

Cursing, I let my mind wander and, surprise surprise, my thoughts somehow landed back on Maka. Right now, she'd be sitting in class, intently taking notes while occasionally tucking a strand of hair behind her ear or twirling her pencil between her fingers while she waited to write down something else. It's pretty hard for me to pay attention when I'm sitting next to her, so I'd always have to copy her notes after class and tell her I'd fallen asleep out of boredom, which I'm sure would be the case if I wasn't sitting next to Maka.

Thinking back to the day we met, I remember thinking she was a total nerd and a bookworm, and that there was no way I'd partner up with someone like that, even if her father was a Deathscythe. The whole reason I came to this school was to get away from my family and catch a break from all the suits and the cocktail parties I'd have to go to with them. I wanted a cool partner, not some boring bookworm.

I snuck away from the group during orientation and decided to go exploring. The DWMA seemed pretty big from the outside, but seeing as it wasn't an average school, there was bound to be something cool to do.

After going down a few hallways, I took a flight of stairs up to the next floor and found a few music rooms. One had a piano in it, and I figured one song wouldn't hurt. It's not like orientation was a blast.

My parents always made me play classical stuff back at home. It's not like I didn't respect Mozart and all his pals for coming up with the classics, but I've never gotten to play my own stuff on the piano since my parents think it's trash.

I ran my fingers over the keys, grinning. "This, is who I really am," I said out loud before I started playing one of my own pieces. When the song ended, I jumped at the sound of someone clapping from behind me.

I turned to see who it was without getting up from the bench. The girl from my orientation group, Maka Albarn, was standing there with her hands behind her back.

"That was really good," she smiled.

"Erm, thanks. Why are you stalking me, though?"

"I wasn't stalking you. I stopped to take some notes about what the teacher was saying and I lost the group," she replied, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "I wandered around a bit and saw you walk in here, so I decided to come see if you knew where the group was."

"Sorry. I don't have a clue. I ditched you guys a while ago," I shrugged.

"Oh... Who was that piece by?"

"Me."

"You mean that was an original? You're really talented."

"Thanks. I'm Soul. Soul Evans."

"As in the Evans family?" she asked, surprised.

"Yeah, what of it?" I demanded. Seriously, if she was another one of those people who wanted to be friends with me for my family's money...

But she just shook her head, her long pigtails swaying. "I just never knew Magic weapons was in their bloodline. I'm Maka, by the way. Maka Albarn."

"They keep it covered up. They think it's embarrassing and freakish," I told her. "Aren't you Spirit's daughter?"

She made a disgusted face. "I'd rather be associated with my mom, but yea, he's my father."

"Alright, who's your mom?"

"Her name's Kami. She's the one who made my good for nothing papa into a Deathscythe," the girl replied, a glimmer in her eyes. "She was one of the DWMA's best before she retired to travel the world. I want to follow in her footsteps."

"So, Kami's daughter, you want to blow this joint and go grab something to eat in town?" I asked.

She looked taken aback by the question, but nodded. "Sure. Where do you want to go?"

I shrugged. "Not sure. I just got here last night so I don't know any good places."

"I guess I'll just have to give you a full town orientation then," she giggled, holding out a hand.

With a small smile, I reached out and took it. She wasn't too bad, for a nerd.

I followed her outside, down the front steps, and through the winding streets of Death City.

"You seem to know your way around," I observed.

"Oh, that's because I grew up here. My father's stationed here as Lord Death's personal Weapon, and my mom just kind of...disappeared one night," she replied, her eyes downcast. "I've only left this city once or twice before."

"Well, once we graduate, how about I take you on a tour of the world?" I suggested. "If it's cool with your parents."

She smiled brightly and turned to face me. "Really, Soul? I'd love that so much. I've always wanted to travel."

I found myself returning the smile. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled for real, and not because I had to. "Of course. Cool guys like me don't go back on their word."

Maka softly giggled before pulling open a door of a small bakery. "This is my favorite place in town. Order whatever you'd like. It's on me."

I shrugged. "I'll get whatever you order."

She thought about it for a second and ordered two of her usual before taking a seat near the window. "So why did you decide to come to the DWMA, Soul?"

I pulled out the chair across from, her and sat down, adjusting my tie. "Well, I was planning on becoming a Death Scythe."

"That's a long ways," she mused, gazing out the window. "We'd have to collect 99 Kishin eggs and take down a Witch."

"We?"

"Oh, I mean whoever we decide to team up with. I was planning to make someone into a Death Scythe myself since I'm a Meister. Those are just the requirements for becoming one of Lord Death's Weapons. I'll make one stronger than my father. Just watch."

I grinned and placed my chin on my hands. "Yeah? Then why don't we team up?"

Her eyes widened the slightest bit as she looked at me in shock. "Serious?"

"Yeah. I'm serious," I stated as the waitress brought over our desserts. I handed her a credit card from my wallet before Maka could pay and told her to make a tab here for me.

"You haven't even tasted it yet," Maka pointed out.

"I didn't make it for me," I shrugged, taking a bite of the chocolate strawberry cake. Not my favorite flavor, but the taste was okay. It could rival the ultra expensive cakes my mother would order from England. "You said this was your favorite place, didn't you? So just tell them to put it on my tab any time you come here."

She shook her head. "No way in heck. I never agreed to that."

"Fine, have it your way. Use it on a rainy day or something," I mumbled, holding out a hand. "So, about teaming up. What do you say? Partners?"

Maka just looked at it for a second before nodding. "Alright. Partners."

A knock on the infirmary door pulled me out of my thoughts and I saw Angel walking in.

"Oh, hi Angel. Are you here to see Soul?" Miss Marie asked.

"Yes, is he awake?"

"Go on in and see for yourself."

I could hear her footsteps coming towards my bed, her heels clicking on the floor. She'd changed out of her uniform and into something a bit more girly. It was a simple white dress which went down to her knees with lace designs at the bottom along with a light blue cardigan. She looked like one of those girls my parents always tried to set me up with before I left. But the look suited Angel pretty well.

"Hey, Soul," she said with a smile as she held out a can of my favorite soda. "I didn't know what you usually eat for lunch... So... I got you this because I always see you drinking a ton of them during class."

"Thanks," I replied, taking it with an easy grin. "Aren't you supposed to be in class, though?"

"Well, Stein says afternoon classes are cancelled because an urgent mission came up, so I decided I'd come visit you," she answered, blushing a little at the end.

"Cool. Hey, I'm sorry about what happened to your partner," I blurted without thinking. "That must have been hard."

Her eyes started tearing up and I immediately regretted saying anything.

"Y...yeah... Ariana was my best friend," she told me, her voice trembling the slightest bit. "She's been a sister to me ever since we were kids. Before I started at the DWMA. She always promised to look after me, and she was my only friend here for the longest time since I used to be really shy."

I wordlessly nodded as she composed herself and forced a smile. "Look at me, ranting on about myself... I'm such a mess. I'm sorry."

"No, it's cool. Don't worry about it," I assured her. "Uh, do you know where Maka, by any chance. She was at school today, right?"

Angel nodded her head slowly, in thought. "Let's see. Professor Stein asked her and Death the Kid to stay after class, but I don't know what for since I went to the vending machine and then came straight here."

"Knowing those two, they're probably asking to do extra credit work or something," I muttered.

Angel laughed softly as the door opened and Maka stepped inside.

"Make, before you..." I began, but she cut in before I could finish.

"You idiot. I tell you every single time never to pull something like that again and you just keep doing it. If I were Stein, I'd get pretty tired of stitching you up every two weeks. Honestly, Soul. How dumb can you be?"

I rolled my eyes and gave her a toothy grin. "It's good to see you too, Maka."

"I think it's actually really sweet, what he did for you," Angel said softly, standing up. "You're lucky to have such a dedicated partner."

"What you call "dedicated" I call "reckless and stupid"," Maka replied. "Seriously, Soul, this has been your third time in here this month."

"You'd have been skewered if I hadn't jumped in front of you," I reminded her. Why couldn't she see that I wasn't trying to be some hero? All I wanted to do was keep her from getting hurt, dammit.

"Because you're not at all human and you're totally invincible. You know, you can die, Soul." Maka snapped.

"Yeah, well, next time, don't put yourself in such a vulnerable position."

"What else was I supposed to do?" she retorted irritably. "I was cornered. It wasn't like I didn't have a plan!"

"Yeah? How'd your plan work out for you?" I demanded, holding her gaze coldly.

"Soul... I..." taking a deep breath, she turned away.

"I'm so sorry," Angel said. "I started that argument. I should really go. Get better soon, Soul. I'll drop by later."

I nodded and waved goodbye. There was no point in getting her caught up in an argument between me and Maka.

"Look, I'm sorry. I just..."

Looks like I won't be getting my hug after all.

"It's cool. Sorry I yelled at you," I replied.

"Don't worry about it. Oh, guess what," she forced a smile, changing the subject. "Black Star and Tsubaki are coming back in a few days?"

"Yeah? How's their training going?"

"I didm't ask..." she admitted.

There was an awkward silence, which was broken by Kid coming in with three bentos from the cafeteria.

"Hey, Soul. How are you feeling?" he asked, giving both of us lunches.

"Better. I'm just glad I'm awake," I shrugged, opening the lunch box and digging in.

"What, no one had to give you a true love's kiss to wake you up?" Kid teased. I saw Maka elbowing him in the ribs, but the guy didn't seem to feel it.

"No... Not as far as I know..." I replied slowly.

Maka changed the subject to classes and filled me in about what was happening. I listened and nodded, and after about another hour of talking, Nygus, who was substituting as the nurse since Miss Marie and Professor Stein were apparently on a mission, came in and told them that I needed my rest.

"Well, I'll see you later," Kid said to me as he made his way to the door.

Maka just gave me a small wave as she followed him out, leaving me in pretty much dead silence.

Have I mentioned that I hate being stuck in the infirmary?

Still, I can't believe I was such a jerk to Maka, but she always freaks out and overreacts about, well, pretty much everything. I was lucky she didn't Maka Chop me this time...

So, at the end of the day, everything turned out the opposite of the way I'd wanted it to, but since when does planning actually work at the DWMA? Sometimes, you just gotta go by instinct. And my instinct tells me I have to go find Maka and apologize to her, and while I'm at it, somehow make her smile again, because just her smile can brighten up any lame day in the book.