Maka

I headed straight home after having coffee with Kid, who had refused to say anything further about what he'd said earlier. I swear, if he knows something I don't and he's keeping it to himself, he's going to get his soul taken, Reaper or not.

On my wake back, I passed the DWMA and thought about going up and patching things over with Soul. I didn't mean to get so upset, or upset him, but I was just so worried about him. I still can't believe he'd pull something like that after being declared dead by Dr. Stein last time.

After a lot of crying and begging and demanding, the professor finally agreed to give it one more shot, but not before telling me to prepare for the worst and be ready to find a new partner. I just shook my head and told him that I refused to budge until he told me that my partner was going to be okay. It took hours, but Stein finally came out of the operating room and told me that Soul would live. I remember crying even harder, despite the fact that I'd run out of tears a long time ago.

With a heavy sigh, I climbed the many steps up to the Academy and headed for the infirmary. Halfway down the hall, I trailed to a stop, my feet feeling like lead.

At the end of the hallway was Soul, along with Angel. She had her back against the wall and he was in front of her, a hand next to her head and his face just inches from hers.

And at that moment, my heart shattered.

I wanted to turn away. I couldn't watch this. But my legs felt too heavy and my entire body seemed frozen. The two of them hadn't noticed me, but fortunately, they both turned and walked up the stairs without seeing me standing here.

With robotic legs, I walked back out of the Academy and down the front steps, not really seeing where I was going, but rather just walking in the direction my legs told me was home.

That image of Soul and Angel played over and over in my head. Each time, I felt like my heart shattered into smaller and smaller pieces, unable to ever be put back together. I wanted to leave. Leave Death City, leave the Academy, leave Soul. But I couldn't. I owed my mother that much. I will turn Soul into a Deathscythe and follow in Kami's footsteps. I won't let her down.

Before I knew it, I was in front of my apartment door and I shakily pulled it open and practically fell inside before pushing the door shut and sliding my back down against it until I was sitting on the floor. I wanted to cry, but I think part of me was still frozen in shock.

"What did you expect, Maka?" a voice in my head demanded. "You were being a complete jerk while Angel is always warmly smiling and telling him how sweet he is for protecting you! If you were in Soul's position, who would you rather be with, you idiot?"

I laughed humorlessly as I began realizing that my conscience was beginning to sound like Ragnarok.

But my Ragnarok Conscience was right. I'm always hitting Soul with my Maka Chop and getting mad at him for the smallest things, and freak out unnecessarily at him when he's only trying to keep me from harm. I should be thanking him and being by his side rather than yelling at him and just leaving.

Sighing, I pulled my knees up to my chest and sat there for Lord Death knows how long.

When morning dawned on Death City, I couldn't bring myself to get up and get ready.

"Sorry mom," I whispered as I gazed at a photo of her that was tucked under my pillow. "I promise I'll catch up and do extra work for it, but..."

I trailed off as I realized I was crying and I buried my face in my pillow. I've never wished my mama was here more than I did right now. I could only hope she was happy; somewhere, somehow. That someone was making her smile.

And somehow, I cried myself back to sleep, longing for my mother's embrace.

The next time I woke up, it was mid-afternoon. The clock on my desk read 2:46 pm and I somewhat mechanically got to my feet and went to the bathroom. My hair was a complete mess and my eyes were red and puffy from crying. I figured now that I'd gotten all the tears out, I might as well head up to the Academy and get my assignments for today, but in this condition, everyone would pester me asking what was wrong. I didn't want any attention. I wanted the exact opposite. So I pressed some concealer that Liz had gotten me for my birthday around my eyes, hiding the redness and I lined around my eyes with a brown waterproof eyeliner before brushing out my hair and deciding that pigtails were just too much effort. I simply swept my hair into a ponytail before brushing my bangs to one side and heading to my room to get changed.

My dirty laundry has been completely neglected with everything that's been happening lately, and even my combat jacket laid in the To-Wash pile along with my regular school clothes. I managed to dig up a plaid skirt and a white t-shirt from my drawers, but everything else was dirty. Sifting through my closet, I found the leather jacket my dad had bought me for Christmas and slipped it on over the white shirt before putting on my shoes and heading out the door.

I tried my best to numb up any emotion I had as I approached the DWMA. I wouldn't shed a single tear while I was here. I would just stop by the classroom and ask for the assignments for today. Then I'd be back to school tomorrow.

Unfortunately, my plea of going unnoticed wasn't answered and I got a number of stares as I walked up the front steps of the DWMA. I pretended not to notice and look straight ahead, but I could feel the curiosity in everyone's souls, even without trying.

"Maka? Is that you?" asked Kid's voice from up ahead.

Looking up, I saw Death the Kid striding down the stairs, holding his book bag in front of him to keep thing symmetrical as usual.

"No, Kid, it's Black Star. I just dyed my hair blond and magically grew breasts," I taunted sarcastically. "Yes, it's Maka!"

"Sorry," he apologized. "But you look really different."

"Thanks?" It came out more of a question than a statement.

"A good kind of different," Kid added. "Where were you today? I thought you said you'd never ditch school, like what, yesterday?"

"Yeah," I said simply as I continued walking. "Your point?"

"So what were you doing that was so important?" he pressed.

I sighed, stopping mid-step and turning to face him. "Look, Kid, thanks for worrying, but I am really just fine. You should be worrying about Soul. He is the one bedridden because of my stupidity and slow thinking."

"Maka..." he said, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "I know you're upset, but you should just go talk to him. I know he's probably waiting to see you by now."

"Why would he? He's got an angel to keep him company," I muttered as I brushed his hand away. "I'm just here to get today's assignments from Professor Stein."

"Well, Stein and Marie haven't returned yet. Your dad substituted for him today."

Great. I was really not in the mood to talk to my dad.

"On second thought, would you mind filling me in? Please?"

Kid thought about it for a second and smiled. "I suppose. I managed to get a hold of the professor's lesson plans too since I have a master key that opens any door here. However, I will only do so on one condition."

I dreaded what sort of scheme he'd come up with. It was even worse than I'd expected.

"Go visit Soul."

"No."

"Yes. And you can have a copy of today's lesson plan, plus a list of extra credit work you could do," stated Kid.

I violently shook my head, but let Kid drag me up the front steps and into the Academy.

"You can let go now, Kid," I protested as he pushed open the infirmary door. "I'll go in on my own! Let…"

I trailed off, the words caught in my throat. Angel was sitting on Soul's bed, feeding him lunch. I'm pretty sure there was nothing wrong with his arms, too

Instinctively, I shoved pass Kid and ran down the hall and up to the roof. Even though the door was never locked, there was barely ever anyone up here. I leaned over the edge a little bit and screamed at the top of my lung before collapsing onto my knees and eventually just sitting down with my back against the short wall.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Kid walked up with a granola bar in hand. Handing it to me, he sat down in silence.

"Is that why you ditched?" he asked.

I remained silent, but that was answer enough for him.

"We're all rooting for you, alright? Angel's nice and all, but she'll never have the kind of history you and Soul have. He's never risked his life for her and she's never risked her soul for him."

"So? I can't compete with her. I'm not as pretty or as nice," I pointed out. "She's the prettiest girl in our year. How could I compete with that?"

"Maybe it's not about competing. Maybe Soul already likes you, but he just hasn't said it yet? It's not too late, Maka," he told me, meeting my gaze. "So just tell him before it becomes too late."

I looked away. I had to. Those intense golden eyes always knew what to look for in someone's soul. Exactly what to say to get to them.

"Just think about it, alright?" he said, getting to his feet. "And eat that. You look like you haven't eaten a thing all day."

I slowly opened the granola bar and took a small bite, hardly noticing as Kid opened the door and went downstairs.

Before it was too late.

It already felt like it was too late, though. Why would Soul like me? He always made a point to comment on how flat-chested I was every chance he got, and how bad my cooking was sometimes. Not to mention the fat ankles thing, way back when.

After finishing the granola bar, I decided to go down and talk things out with Soul. I still hadn't decided whether or not I'd do what Kid had told me to do, but I just didn't feel like I could leave things the way they were between us.

Walking back downstairs, I absentmindedly waved at some of my classmates while trying to avoid anyone I usually talked to. That wasn't too hard, though, considering I didn't have many friends outside of my Resonance Link team.

When I finally arrived at the infirmary, I couldn't help my hand from shaking as I turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside and noticed that Angel was gone.

I cleared my throat, announcing my presence to Soul who was staring blankly out the window.

He turned and I could see his eyes widen as he took in my new look.

"It's temporary," I stated. "I kind of haven't done any laundry for the past week."

"Nah. I like it. So you're finally learning to slack off," he chuckled. "Nice."

"No, it's not that," I said quickly. "I've just had a lot on my mind and I forgot."

He didn't have to know that I went straight into my bedroom and pretty much cried myself to sleep every night.

"So…where'd Angel go? I didn't get a chance to say hi," I said, walking towards his bed and leaning against the wall next to it.

"So, that wasn't you who came in and then turned around and left?" he teased, flashing me a crooked grin.

"N…no. Kid pulled me back out because… We had something to talk about," I replied. Man, I suck at lying.

Soul knew it too. "Maka, you suck at lying."

I sighed and shrugged. "I was hungry so I went and got a granola bar."

He nodded, probably deciding not to press any further on the matter.

"So, are you and Angel...?"

"What? Dating?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded.

"Nah."

Something in my heart sparked up a little. Maybe it was hope. "Well, in any case, I'm really sorry for overreacting like that. I didn't meant to piss you off after you just woke up."

Soul broke into a grin and held out his arms. "I'm waiting."

I couldn't help but smile as I reached over and gave him the traditional hug after yelling at him. It's become kind of a routine for us. I freak out and yell at him, then smile and hug him and tell him that I was so glad he was okay. Well, better late then never.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Soul," I whispered into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm glad you're okay too."

And I was. I really was okay, here in his arms. I could feel the shattered pieces of my heart slowly being mended back together.

After a few seconds I pulled away and noticed that he had a weird expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

"That doesn't usually happen," he muttered, lifting a hand up and gently wiping a tear from my cheek. "I didn't even come close to death this time."

.I quickly brushed the tears away with my hand and laughed. "Guess I'm just really happy."

"Why?"

"Well, you're okay, and Tsubaki's coming back…" And he wasn't dating Angel! I mentally stuck my tongue out at my negative conscience as my eyes widened. "Oh, no! I just remembered I have to catch them up on everything and my folders are completely unorganized… I still don't know how I'm going to get Black Star to shut up long enough to get through all the lessons…"

Soul chuckled and lightly patted the top of my head. "You're Maka. I know you can do it."

My lips curved into a smile and I sat on the edge of his bed as we talked for a while Before I knew it, the sun was setting and I'd totally lost track of time.

"Hey, Maka," Soul grinned as I was about to walk out the door. "Guess who's getting discharged tomorrow."

I froze and gaped at him. "What? Seriously? That's so cool!"

"I try to save the best for last. See you tomorrow," he waved.

I nodded and waved back as I closed the door. "See you tomorrow."

Practically skipping down the hallway, I realized that I hadn't stopped smiling since I hugged Soul, and I couldn't stop. He would be coming home tomorrow! I'd have to look up recipes and prepare everything. Plus I had to buy groceries and do the laundry. Man, I've been out of it.

Without missing a beat, I broke into a run, taking the stairs two at a time and headed for the grocery store. After ten minutes of zooming around the store, I finally got everything we needed, plus a few extra ingredients for practice.

By the time I got home, the moon was smiling in the sky and I only had a few minutes to look up a few good recipes and try them out. Surprisingly, I got it to a pretty good taste after only two attempts and even went as far as to squeal in victory. Usually, it took me forever to get a dish down. I guess today was looking up for me.

After I did that, I went and looked through all my files for the past two months, both on the computer and in my room. They were everywhere and they'd take forever to get back in order, but that wasn't too big of a deal. As I was doing that, I dialed up Kid's number and he picked up after a few rings.

"Hey, you promised me today's assignments," I stated, my phone pressed between my ear and my shoulder as I sifted through the papers, throwing anything unnecessary into the recycle.

"Oh, I'll email them to you in a second," he replied, sounding absentminded. I could hear typing in the background, so that was probably why. "Alright. I sent the files. Check your email."

I went out to the living room and pulled up my email on the computer Soul and I shared. "'kay, I got it. Thanks a ton, Kid."

"Don't mention it," he replied. "How'd it go?"

"Well, I didn't exactly confess my feelings, but it went well," I informed him, rummaging in the drawer for my USB drive before saving the file and Forwarding the email to Soul. "Did you see what happened with Angel?"

"No, I left for the vending machines right after you," he answered in a distant tone. "Was she gone when you went in?"

"Yep. It probably wouldn't have gone so well otherwise," I sighed. "Oh, and Soul is getting discharged tomorrow!"

"That's great news. He'll be able to go to the welcome back dinner for Black Star and Tsubaki."

"The what?"

"Those two are coming back tomorrow. They called me a few hours ago."

"Well, I was thinking of cooking tomorrow, but I guess that works too," I told him. "Look, I have to go. I can't find that one essay from a month ago."

"You sound like you're freaking out. Do you need help?" he asked, sounding worried.

"Oh, I'm fine," I smiled. "I'm in a much better mood now. It's a good kind of freaking out. Bye!"

I hung up and went back to work, finally getting everything organized and cleaned up by midnight. Except I didn't get to do my laundry. Looks like I'll have to change up my style for one more day. That's not too bad.

Jumping into bed, I curled up in my blankets and thought about how amazing just hugging Soul for a few seconds felt as I drifted off to sleep.