Soul
Is it uncool that I was thinking of Maka and Black Star most of the time I was at Angel's house?
I didn't doubt what Maka told me was true, and they were just joking around, but I can't get that image out of my head. If I hadn't cut in, what would've happened?
When I'd gotten to the address Angel had given me, I did a double take. The girl was freaking rich, her house almost as big as Gallows Mansion where Kid, Liz, and Patty lived, except it wasn't really perfectly symmetrical like Kid's.
The gates swung open before I even rang the doorbell, reminding me of those horror movies Black Star and I watched to make fun of.
Shrugging, I walked in, following the long driveway up to the front door. I could tell that it was made of dark oak, which must have cost a fortune. Who exactly was she?
I reached over, ringing the doorbell twice. Angel pulled open the door a few seconds later, wearing a light blue dress that complimented her eyes, which lit up when they saw me. Crap...
"Hey. Nice dress," I commented as she gestured for me to come in.
"Thanks. It took me a while to pick out," she blushed as she led me down the hallway to the dining room.
That made two of us. I had to dig through all my old stuff to find this getup.
"So, you live here with just your dad?"
"Yes. It gets kind of lonely sometimes," she said, her eyes turning sad. "He's pretty much always traveling and we don't even talk that much when he's here."
Her dad was the one who'd wanted me to come here. Somehow they'd found out that I was Soul Evans and he'd asked me to come to dinner as soon as I'd gotten out of the infirmary. I'd only asked Maka to come because I knew she'd say no.
"Thank you for coming," Angel said, her soft gaze meeting mine. "I hope this didn't get in the way of any plans you'd already made."
"Nah, it's cool." Even as I said it, I thought back to the disappointment in Maka's eyes when I'd told her I couldn't go with her to the party. Man, why'd I have to get myself involved in this? It wasn't like I was even apart of the Evans family anymore, anyway.
"This way. I finished making dinner just a little while ago so the food's still hot," smiled Angel as she pushed open a set of doors leading into a large dining room with a glass chandelier and a table big enough for ten.
At the head of the table sat a man I recognized from some of the parties I used to go to with my family. He owned almost as many businesses as my family did, and they were practically equally as rich. Simon Krane.
"Ah, Soul Evans," he said, smiling widely when I walked in. "I was shocked when I'd heard you disappeared from home, but who would have thought you'd end up in the same city as my daughter?"
I took the seat to his right and Angel sat across from me on his left.
"Well, I go to the Academy now, sir," I told him in that voice I was used to using when it came to associates of my family.
"A Meister? You've got some talent, boy," Simon laughed.
"Actually, father, Soul's a Weapon," Angel cut in.
"Really? That's even better? Why don't you team up with my Angel? Apparently she's weaponless now."
Angel looked down at her lap, her face unreadable. Did she tell him Ariana died?
"Actually, I already have a Meister, sir," I said, calmly.
"I see, I see," mused the man, taking a sip of wine from the glass in front of him. "Well, have you ever thought about dating Angel?"
"Father!" Angel protested, her eyes wide.
"What? Man to man, son, have you ever thought of dating my daughter?"
This wasn't looking very good.
"No, sir. I'd like to focus on my schoolwork and graduating from the Academy before looking into dating."
Lie. Absolute total bs lie. If it was Maka... If she asked me, I'd say yes in less than a heartbeat.
"Ah, well, she's a wonderful student. I'm sure she could help you with your academics as you got to know each other."
"Father, please stop..." Angel pleaded.
"Well..." I said, pretending to think about it.
They both turned to me expectantly and I immediately regretted making a sound. Crap. Crap, crap, crap.
"If our two families came together, the benefits would be priceless," Simon continued. "Two of the richest industries in the States. You know how amazing that would be?"
Oh. Gotcha. So this was about the money.
Even if I didn't especially like my family, I couldn't embarrass them. If I made enemies with this guy, things could get ugly real fast, and that wouldn't be cool.
"I'd have to run it by my parents first," I tried.
"Nonsense. We've already met them on countless occasions and they're absolutely taken with Angel," Simon boasted. "No rush, though. Give dating a shot and then we can talk about marriage, yes?"
Well, this was going downhill... Dammit!
"Soul?" Angel asked, giving me a questioning look. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Honestly."
The look in her father's eyes said something completely different. This situation was the opposite of cool. Someone, please shoot me. I'd even let Crona cut me open with his damn sword again instead of being stuck in the middle of this.
"Give it a month," Simon announced. "What harm could that do? If your grades begin dropping, we can revisit the matter. Sound alright?"
Shit. Shit! What the hell was I supposed to do? I kind of wish Maka was here with me. No, I really wished Maka was here. She'd have a plan to get us out.
Before I could say a word, Simon raised a toast. "To Soul and Angel, the future of our families!"
Angel, blushing madly, raised her glass as well. Forcing a small smile, I did the same.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I got a girlfriend without asking anyone out. Ever.
When the dinner was finally over, Angel walked me to the front door, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. I mean at the beginning of dinner. I asked him to be subtle about it if he had to ask you, but..."
"It wasn't your fault," I told her. It was my own damn fault for walking right into this. "Besides, it's cool. Dating you, I mean."
Her eyes lit up again as she threw her arms around me. Reluctantly, I hugged her back, mentally beating the crap out of my brain for not being able to come up with an excuse back there.
"Thank you, Soul," she whispered, kissing me softly on the cheek. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, alright? And I'll bring you lunch, too! Anything you want."
"Whatever's fine," I said, backing out the door. "See you tomorrow."
Once I got outside of the front gates, I checked my phone to see a text from Black Star. Looking at the time, I realized it was getting really late and broke into a run. Hopefully, I'd get home before Maka.
Panting, I fumbled with my keys, unlocking the door and pushing it open pretty roughly in my hurry to get inside. What I saw proved my theory. Tonight was definitely the opposite of cool.
Maka was curled up on the couch, her head resting on Black Star's shoulder as she breathed deeply.
"What?" The only word I managed to get out.
Black Star held up a finger and gently got up, laying Maka down and lifting her legs up onto the couch before walking over to me.
"Guess she got pretty bored without you there. She's completely wasted, dude," he stated.
"Maka doesn't drink," I told him, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that's what I thought, too," said Black Star. "Till after she downed six shots in less than five minutes. After that, I carried her back here."
I shook my head as I walked over to Maka. "Thanks, man. Really. I owe you."
There was a moment of silence and I turned around, thinking he'd left.
"No. You don't owe me. But I think you owe it to her to be there for her," he stated. "You are her Weapon partner."
Without waiting for a response, he swung out the window, leaving me alone with Maka.
I knelt down next to the couch and softly brushed her hair out of her face. She truly was beautiful, especially right now when she looked so serene and peaceful. She stirred in her sleep and I instinctively jumped a little as she mumbled something I couldn't understand, my eyes widening when I saw a tear roll down her cheek. What could she be dreaming about that was making her cry.
"Soul, please..." she whispered, the tears coming out even faster. "Don't...go."
I gently wiped the tears away with a tissue as her eyes flashed open and she stared at me for a few seconds as if trying to process what was happening.
"I'm not going anywhere," I told her softly. "Bad dream?"
Her eyes were downcast as she avoided my gaze. "Yeah... The worst."
"Go back to sleep, alright? I'm right here."
She nodded drowsily and closed her eyes again, drifting off to sleep.
Standing up, I went and grabbed a blanket from her room and draped it over her body before going and taking a shower, changing into shorts and a t-shirt before calling it a night. A pretty bad night, at that.
I'd pissed Maka off, I'd unwillingly gotten myself a girlfriend, and I wasn't there for Maka when she needed me.
I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to go to sleep. I'd have an early morning tomorrow.
My alarm woke me up around six and, as much as I wanted to smash the damn clock and go back to sleep, I dragged myself out if bed and went to brush my teeth. I didn't even bother to do anything with my hair; just gave it a good shake before heading into the kitchen and starting breakfast.
Maka was still fast asleep on the couch as I went about making the only thing I could make without "blowing up the kitchen": Pancakes.
A few minutes after I'd finished making them, Maka stirred in her sleep and slowly sat up.
"My head hurts," she groaned as she folded her legs and sat criss-cross.
"It's called a hangover," I told her. "It happens when you drink a lot then pass out."
She avoided my gaze and got to her feet. "Oh. Hey, Soul."
I decided not to get on her bad side first thing in the morning, so I kept my mouth shut about the grimness and handed her a plate of pancakes. "Here. Eat up."
She looked down at them and slowly took the plate from my hands. "Thanks."
She walked over and sat down at the table, a pancake between her teeth as she poured herself a cup of orange juice.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I warned as she lifted the glass to her lips.
"Why? Is it expired or something?"
"No, it's just not a good idea."
She stuck her tongue out at me before taking a sip and practically doing a spit take as soon as she tasted it. "Oh my Shinigami!" she coughed.
"Yeah. Orange juice and tequila don't mix too well," I stated, taking tje glass from her hand and dumping it in the sink. "What got into you? I thought you always said you would never drink for fun."
She nibbled on amother pancake, thinking about it for a second before stepping to the side and walking pass me without answering.
"Hey, wait a second!" I protested irritably.
"I have to get ready or we'll be late for school, dummy," she said.
"You could at least answer my question first!"
She smiled, but it wasn't her usual sincere smile. It looked a little sarcastic, to be honest. "Last time I checked, I don't owe you anything."
I blinked, still shocked as she disappeared into the bathroom and the shower began running.
What the heck has gotten into her? Even for Maka, this was pretty weird. I wish she'd just fucking talk to me about it. Was I really that unapproachable to her? Man, this was just a huge mess. How was I supposed to tell her that I was dating Angel now? How would she react? I wondered if she'd even care.
There was always the possiblity that she didn't give a crap. I mean, last night with Black Star... He never showe any interest in her before. They barely got along without tearing at each orher's throats every two minutes, but that idiot might like her without even knowing it.
Stumped, I leaned against the counter, softly drumming my fingers on it as I waited for Maka to finish getting ready.
About twenty minutes later, she came out dressed in black slashed jeans, a black t-shirt, and combat boots; her hakr tied back in a ponytail and her bangs swept to one side.
"So you're sticking with that look?" I asked as we walked out the door together.
"I thought you said you liked it," she replied. "Besides, I came home kins of drunk last night, so I still didn't do my laundry."
I nodded and she gave me a weird look.
"Soul. One thing. Don't tell my dad about last night," she pleaded. "Please?"
"If I told him, he'd slice me into pieces on the spot," I pointed out. "And Stein would probably help him."
She looked at the ground and silently nodded.
"Look, Maka, about the dinner last night..."
"I hope you had fun," she said bleakly. "Was it good?"
"Yeah. Delicious, but the there's something that I have to..." Before I could finish, Kid rode up beside us on his skateboard, giving Maka a small wave.
"Hey, what happened to you last night? I saw Black Star carry you out and you two never came back," he said. "Did something happen?"
"I just had a little too much to drink, that's all," Maka replied with a smile.
"I see." He turned to me with a slightly bitter look in his eyes. "How was dinner?"
"It was cool," I shrugged. "Sorry I missed the party."
"You don't have to apologize to me," he replied, looking pointedly at Maka. "I'll see you both in class, then."
He shot the rest of the way up the front steps and into the Academy, leaving me alone with Maka again.
Before I could say anything to her, I heard Angel's voice call out from behind us.
"Soul! Good morning," she smiled warmly, greeting me with a gentle hug. "And good morning, Maka."
"Morning," my Meister said grimly. "So, is it official yet?"
"Well, yes. As of last night," Angel said before I could say anything.
"Oh." I watched as Maka broke into a smile and gave Angel a little huge. "Congratulations! You guys... You guys make a great couple. I'll see you in class. I have to go talk to Kid about some extra credit we're going to be doing."
She ran up the stairs before I could stop her and I could see Angel smiling beside me.
"Oh, good," she sighed. "I thought she hated me..."
"We should head up to class," I said after a few seconds of silence.
I led the way up the steps, Angel following in silence. She must have sensed something wrong, and a part of me felt like shit for leading her on and agreeing to date her. But most of me felt even worse for not telling Maka how I felt before it was too late.
After a few more minutes of walking, we entered class Crescent Moon and my eyes instinctively roamed the classroom, searching for my Meister. Oddly, she wasn't anywhere to be found, and neither was Black Star.
"Soul, how about sitting next to me today?" asked Angel. "If you're okay with it."
I nodded and followed her up to a seat near the back. I could feel Kid's gaze on my back as well as Liz and Tsubaki's, but I couldn't bring myself to turn around. It felt like all my friends were suddenly against me for some reason.
What in hell did I get myself into?