Maka

The brightness of the grinning sun brought me back to consciousness. I was still laying on the floor and my face felt crusted with dried tears. So either Soul hadn't come back last night, or he didn't care. Both options seemed pretty logical, considering how I'd acted. I would have to apologize to him big time.

I slowly got up, my body aching from either the fights last night or laying on the floor. Probably both. Unsteadily, I made my way to the bathroom and rinsed my face off before stepping into the shower and letting the warm water flow over my skin. I hardly noticed the stinging on my left arm, which still bore the four gashes, not bandaged. I felt so completely numb. My brain, my body... But why was my heart still aching for Soul's embrace. I slowly turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel and going to my room to get dressed.

My eyes widened when I noticed a neatly folded pile of laundry in my closet and the combat coat my mother had left me hanging inside. In my haste, I hadn't noticed it last night, which only made me feel even worse.

Still, I pulled on my usual school attire, which was a plaid skirt, white blouse, a vanilla sweater vest, and a green and white striped tie. I decided to slip on the leather jacket as well to cover up my bandages. Pulling my hair into pigtails and brushing my bangs downward. I looked in the mirror and gave myself an emotionless smile as I picked up my things and headed out to school.

Absentmindedly climbing the front steps, I averted my gaze when I saw Soul and Angel passing me, not acknowledging my presence. I couldn't blame him.

I knew I should apologize to him right there and then, but the words wouldn't come to my mouth. All I could do was watch as he put his arm around her shoulders and continued to walk up the front steps.

Ragnarok was right. I sucked. I really sucked. I can't even be there to be happy for Soul. Instead, I go and make things worse, just like I always do.

I made my way to class and snuck to the very back, noticing Soul and Angel sitting together on the other side of the room. Black Star, Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, and Patty were nowhere to be seen as Professor Stein began lecturing on the anatomy of another extinct animal.

Dutifully getting out my notebook, I somewhat robotically took notes, everything I heard going in one ear and out the other as soon as I'd gotten them written down. It was like my brain was at full capacity and it was rejecting any new knowledge.

I couldn't help but let my gaze wander, and it landed on Soul and Angel. Their fingers were intertwined and placed on the desk as they both wrote down a few things before glancing at each other with little smiles. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, like I'd spew blood from my mouth and nose and collapse like Kid did when he saw something asymmetrical.

Gratefully, class finally ended, and I gathered my things and left the room along with everyone else. I didn't dare to into the lunchroom. I wasn't even that hungry. So, I walked outside to the front courtyard and sat on the front steps gazing over Death City.

My life seemed to be crumbling to pieces before my very eyes and there was nothing I was doing to stop it. Why was it so hard to just tell Soul how I really felt and just accept whatever answer he gives me? Because I was afraid, that's why.

The DWMA always taught us that we needed fear in life in order to keep us from doing stupid and reckless things, yet I was always able to push that fear aside and still do stupid and reckless things during battles, which always ended up with Soul taking the fall for me. Maybe I wasn't as strong as I'd thought, or as brave. If I couldn't overcome this small obstacle, how could I be?

I remember being incredibly surprised when Soul first asked to team up with me. From his demeanor and attitude, I would have never guessed he'd pick me as his partner. And you can probably imagine how surprised I was when I found out that the two of us had compatible Wavelengths. The point is, no one would have ever guessed we'd be partners, so how could I expect to be his girlfriend when we were so...so different?

I got to my feet and walked down the stairs into Death City. I'm not sure what for but I felt like I just had to get out of there.

Noticing a weird flyer taped to the side of an alleyway I usually went down, I decided to see what it was about. Apparently, there'd be an up and coming band playing at Death City's underground club later. It sounded like Soul's kind of fun, but I doubted he'd have time to go since he's with Angel. And I didn't especially want to go home after school... Checking out a concert wouldn't be so bad. The alternative was going home and seeing Soul pack his things and get ready to leave. Of course, I was imagining the worst-case scenario, but still...

Folding up the flier, I placed it in my bag and headed back to school for afternoon classes. I honestly couldn't afford to miss any more school if I was going to keep my top ranking in class.

I made it back to class just in time and went to my seat in the back without a word. There was no one to talk to anyway. My small group of friends was nowhere to be seen and the only one here refused to even acknowledge my existence.

After another few hours of taking notes, class was dismissed and I walked over to Soul and Angel.

"Can I talk to you alone for a second, Angel? It'll be quick, I promise," I added.

Angel nodded. "Of course. I'll meet you outside, Soul."

Once my Weapon partner had left without saying a word to me, I turned my gaze to Angel and sighed. "Have you ever tried using Soul Eater as a Weapon?"

She shook her head. "You're his partner, aren't you? So how could I?"

"Well, do you know if you can match Wavelengths with him?"

"What is this about?" she asked softly, her eyes searching mine.

"I'm thinking of voiding my partnership with Soul. Things haven't been going too well, and at this rate, we won't be able to match Wavelengths, much less resonate anymore."

That wasn't entirely true. The last time I'd checked (which was before Soul had left the classroom just now), our souls were, surprisingly, perfectly matched. We hadn't even slipped a notch. But the fact that Angel would make a better Meister for him...

"Are you really going to do that, Maka? You're just going to void your partnership with him after he risked his life to save yours? If it were me, I'd treasure him even more as my Weapon partner!" She was practically in tears, but I pretended not to see.

"And that's why you'd make a better partner for him than me. I'll work out the details with him later, but I just wanted to let you know, he might be available as a Weapon soon, too so you can get first go at asking him to team up."

I turned and walked out the door before she could say a word. I didn't even look at Soul, and he didn't glance at me, as I walked down the hallway towards the exit. As soon as I got outside, I broke into a run, hoping to get home before Soul did to toss my bag before going to the concert. Luckily, I made it in and out before he showed up, and headed towards the club.

I walked down a few streets until I found the entrance that I'd seen my father go through on several occasions. This would be my first time down there, but it was a fifteen and up entrance, so I doubt it can be too bad.

Pulling open the door, I flinched at the smell of alcohol and smoke coming through and took a few deep breaths of fresh air before going in.

There was pounding music and a suffocating crowd of people. This type of party was definitely not my scene.

I leaned against the back wall, uncertain of what to do. I wasn't much of a dancer, but something told me I should wait for the band to come play. Nobody so much as gave me a second glance, and seeing what the girls in here were wearing, I could see why.

Finally, an announcer came on in a white suit with several gold chains hanging around his neck to tell everyone that the band would be playing momentarily.

As soon as the last word had left his mouth, he disappeared, wrapped in smoke as the concert began. The songs weren't really down my alley, but something about the lead singer drew my attention and I could slowly feel my soul being pulled towards him. The next thing I knew, I'd somehow arrived at the front of the crowd, looking up at him with wide eyes.

He had jet black hair, the back spiked up while the front hung over half his face. He was wearing a pair of black jeans along with a loose black muscle shirt, which still showed off his toned midsection.

The song they were playing seemed to pull out every emotion and thought I had towards Soul. It was like reading the story of my love life, and it was eerily creepy.

The singer extended a hand and I found myself taking it and letting him pull up onto the stage as the concert continued. I hardly noticed the envious stares of man girls as he looped his arm around my waist and pulled my body against his.

I knew I should be doing something to stop this, but that thought completely vanished within seconds, replaced by a picture of Soul and Angel kissing, his body entangled with hers. I could feel incredibly overwhelming darkness flowing through my soul, taking it over and pulling me into blackness. The image of the Soul and Angel seemed to be taunting me as he took off her top and ran his hands over her bear skin. It was like watching my worst nightmare in 3D, and it only got worse.

It eventually became unbearable to watch and I begged for it to stop I'd do anything for it to stop. The nightmare slowly faded away into blackness and I was completely engulfed in the darkness of my own soul within seconds.

What was this feeling? Where was I? What was I supposed to be doing?

Soul...

The name sounded familiar, like I should know it very well. But, who was that again? And what was this feeling I had when I thought of him? Resentment? Hatred? No, hatred was too strong. I just resented him. But why?

A small light appeared in the darkness, gradually getting bigger as it got closer. It was a glowing human form. I recognized this person. He was the one who had pulled me up onstage.

"Hello, Maka," he said in a smooth voice. "How do you feel?"

How do I...feel? It seemed like it should be an easy question, but I couldn't find the right words. "I don't know."

"That's alright. It's okay to not know," the man reassured me, extending a hand. "My name is Fang. I'd like to help you. Simply take my hand and I can save you from the darkness that consumes you. Make you forget it."

Forget? Something told me I didn't want to forget. That, even if it was a dark memory, I wanted to keep it. But it scares me. If I get rid of it, I could start over, couldn't I?

"Why, yes," Fang told me, as if reading my thoughts. "You can start over. With me. All I ask is that you place your trust in me, and I will save you from this darkness. A radiant beauty like yours shouldn't be shrouded in blackness."

Slowly, I reach my hand forward, placing it in his. As soon as I touched him, I was enveloped in whiteness and my consciousness faded away with the dark.