Chapter 1

Being one of the top meister's and the scythe wielder of the last death scythe, things were supposed to get better. For a while, everything was fine, but with five-second fame comes the expiration of that five seconds when everyone pretty much forgets what you've done. A lot of students at the DWMA resented Maka, especially the other meisters. They either didn't think she did what should've been done or they simply envied her for what she did. It was hard enough fighting and surviving and with Lord Death's return with Kid helping him out, Maka wasn't really sure if anyone really was the same after that battle.

Spirit was at least proud of her, but still continued to be a player after all this. Even after all this, Maka still resented her father, but in all honestly, that wasn't the worst of it. The worst of it was something she hid from everyone and refused to expose to her friends; she cared too much to let them worry about her. A year after the battle with the Kishin Asura, things begin to change again.

The sound of an alarm ringing woke Maka. She groaned and sat up to hit the button. She slammed her palm onto the button and it was silenced. She yawned and stretched out her arms, tired after staying up until midnight studying for Dr. Stein's test. Maka looked at the window above her bed and saw the sunlight outside bleeding into her room dimly, showing that it really was six o'clock. That gave her two and a half hours to get to Dr. Stein's classroom before she and Soul would be late.

Maka was never late because she always had time to get ready and do whatever she needed before school. When she climbed out of her bed, Maka rubbed her eyes and went to wake soul up. She left her room and walked down the hall to Soul's bedroom door. Knowing Soul, Maka was ready to Maka-Chop him awake. She even subconsciously picked up a book on her way out of her room without noticing. She knocked on the door and said loudly, "Soul, get up! It's six o'clock already!"

With that, she heard a loud groan from the otherside of the door. She said through the door, "Five minutes, Soul."

He groaned again and Maka walked down the hall and to the kitchen. Do I really have to cook today? I really don't feel like it, she thought tiredly.

Maka looked around and decided it was cereal day. She got a brand that was made of only marshmellows and set it on the table. She even gathered two bowls and spoons. She would get the milk out whenever Soul got this lazy butt out of bed.

Maka finally sat down on the couch and started watching TV. About a minute later, she heard a trudging white-haired albino walk in from the hallway. "Morning," Maka said without looking at Soul.

He yawned and replied sleepily, "Morning. What's for breakfast?"

"Cereal."

Soul paused. He starred and watched over Maka. He said, "You look tired as hell. Did you stay up late again?"

Maka nodded. "Yeah, I was up late studying for Stein's test today."

"Maka, the test isn't today. It's tomorrow."

Maka paused and looked at him. She was convinced it was that morning, not Wensday. Soul laughed and said, "I finally remembered something you didn't."

Maka nodded and said with a fake smile, "Yeah, I guess so."

His expression went almost blank and he asked, "You alright, Maka? You never forget anything."

She nodded and said, "Yeah, I guess I was just a little too worried about studying."

He nodded, not asking anything else. He went over to the fridge and opened it up. He pulled out the milk and said, "Alright, well, we should probably eat before we have to go."

She nodded and got off the couch. She walked into the kitchen and sat down. When she did, she and Soul just did their own things. After pouring milk and cereal, they started eating. Soul said, "Hey, I'm gonna hang out with Black Star after school today and tomorrow, but I'll be home in time for dinner."

Maka just nodded and said, "OK, don't forget you're cooking tonight."

"Right," Soul groaned, slightly annoyed with having to cook dinner.

They continued eating in silence, and after finishing, Soul got up and put his bowl in the sink. He walked over to the couch and looked to see what was on TV. He sat down just as Maka got up to put her bowl in the sink. She glared over her shoulder at Soul and looked away. There was no reason to stare when she knew he didn't need to know anything more than he already did. There was no reason to let him know anything she didn't want him to know. It was her problem, not his.

After walking to school, Maka felt tired and wanted to go home. Soul walked beside her, thinking to himself with his red headphones on. She didn't really notice but she honestly kept her head tilted down as she walked with a frown on her face. She didn't really care if anyone saw her natural frown, but she did care if they saw her moping around like an empty zombie. That didn't really make her friends too happy when they saw her like that, but sometimes, they just didn't really notice enough to care.

Maka kept walking up the last few steps to school when she saw Black Star and Tsubaki talking with Kid, Liz, and Patty. She and Soul walked towards them and waved. Everyone looked at them and either waved or said hi. Tsubaki said, "Good morning."

Maka smiled and said, "Morning. How are you guys?"

Black Star laughed. "How is your loyal and bright god you ask? Wonderful as always!"

Everyone ignored his remark and Soul took off his headphones, laying them around the base of his neck. He asked, "What about you, Kid?"

Kid shrugged and said, "I cannot complain I suppose. Liz and Patty's boobs are finally the same size and they're finally the same height."

Liz whacked him on the back of the head and scolded, "Thanks for announcing that, Kid! It's not everyone's buisness!"

He rubbed the back of his head while Patty laughed childishly and mocked him. Tsubaki said, "So, how are you two?"

Soul said with a smirk, pointing his thumb at Maka, "Besides this one staying up all night to study for a test that's not even today, I think we're doing just fine."

Maka had half the mind to Maka-Chop him for that, but she didn't. Tsubaki looked at Maka. "Is everything okay, Maka?"

How in the world could she have known Maka wasn't okay? Maka smiled and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Soul muttered, "You really shouldn't stay up all night studying, it's bad for your health."

Maka and Tsubaki glared at him as he casually walked over to Kid and Black Star. At that point, Maka was trapped. Tsubaki usually stayed smiling and cheerful, but this time, she looked worried. She asked, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, Tsubaki. I'm fine."

"Maka, you know, if you need to talk to someone, we're all here for you. Soul will listen to you; he's your partner. He cares a lot about you," Tsubaki said, not even hesitating.

She was different from anyone in the EAT class. She was the nicest, and she cared a lot about almost everyone. She only ever got really upset when someone picked on her friends or dared to try and put Black Star down. She'd break someone's finger if she got mad enough, and Maka knew that. That's another reason she respected Tsubaki; she actually cared, or at least put on a good act. Either way, Maka still knew she was really her friend. She and Tsubaki talked about what would be on the test the next day, which really worried Maka because once again, she wanted the best grade.

After about ten minutes, the ten minute warning bell rang. Everyone around was scrabling to get inside while they walked to class, dressed in their normal school uniforms. Being the new uniforms were issued, Maka didn't wear her long black coat, she just wore her white long sleeve shirt, her jacket with a skull over her heart, and her black skirt. She didn't really mind wearing the black tie with another skull on it either, but Soul and Black Star did. All the girls had to wear either a black skirt or black pants, while the boys wore the same thing they did, but had to wear pants.

Reguardless, Maka still didn't mind going to school. She actually liked the idea of uniforms, but everyone else didn't. Kid even threw a tantrum because his jacket wasn't symetrical. He even had to hand sew another skull on the other side of his jacket to keep from having another meltdown.

"Maka."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Maka glared at Black Star and Tsubaki, who wanted her attention. She fell back and walked in the back of the cluster with them. Black Star crossed his arms and said with a serious face, "Something's not right here. Why are you frowning?"

Maka smiled weakly. "I'm fine, really. I'm tired for studying late is all."

Black Star and Tsubaki kept starring at her as they walked. They knew something was up with her, and that was a problem. Maka wanted nobody to know, especially her friends. She just couldn't face up to the facts that maybe it wasn't fair what had been going on since Asura was defeated, but somehow, she felt like she deserved it. In that way, she couldn't really defend herself in that mannor. It was stupid, petty things anyways. Why did she care?

Black Star said lowly, "You understand that if I found out there's something you're not telling us, I'll tell Soul, if he doesn't know by now that is. So, what's the matter?"

Maka answered, "Nothing."

He and Tsubaki just starred at her, observing her as if she were a target to eliminate by force. By the time they made it to class, they'd stop talking to her directly and join in a group converstaion with Soul and Kid while Patty and Liz talked about getting their nails done in class. Maka stayed silent, walking along, looking and feeling tired. They got in the doorway just as the bell was about to ring. Dr. Stein wasn't in class yet when the bell rang. At this time, everyone went to their seats like usual, talking amoung themselves.

When this happened, Maka asked Soul, "Where is Dr. Stein?"

Soul shrugged and said, "Not sure, but he's late. Yet the rest of us have to be on time unless we want detention in the library."

Maka sighed. "I'd love to be in the library right about now."

"I'm sure you would, bookworm."

Maka rolled her eyes and pulled out a book from her school bag. She opened it and Soul asked, "What kind of book is that?"

"A book about things you wouldn't care about."

Soul looked as if he were about to ask a question and he was tired of holding it back. He asked lowly, "So, what did Black Star and Tsubaki talk to you about earlier?"

Maka froze. He knew something was up. She smiled and said, "Nothing, they just asked if I were alright. I told them I was just tired."

Soul nodded, clearly not buying her story about how she was just "tired" and stayed up too late. That wasn't all of it, and even Tsubaki and Black Star knew it. If they found out-

"Attention EAT class!"

Maka was intrupted once again, but this time, she saw Sid standing at Dr. Stein's desk. The room quieted down as Sid said, "Due to an emergency, Dr. Stein won't be here today. I'll be keeping an eye on you kids for the day, so don't cause any trouble. You can get up and talk, just don't fight."

Everyone started talking after he finished speaking. At this time, Maka rolled her eyes and started reading her book. At this time, she felt something hit the bakc of her head. She glared behind her and saw two girls, trying to act as if they were having a pointless conversation before something was thrown at Maka. Maka picked up a ball of paper and noticed Soul was already talking with Black Star and Tsubaki.

Maka put the paper on her lap and opened it before anyone noticed what she was doing. She saw the note they'd written to her.

What an ugly, flat-chested, little nerd.
Go away and leave.
It's not like anyone wants you here anyways.

Maka folded up the paper and put it inside of her book, trying to hide it in case anyone saw her opening it. People are just as nice as ever. What do they know anyways? They don't know me, Maka tried to convince herself.

That wasn't the first note she'd gotten thrown at her, and it wouldn't be the last by far. Maka sighed and closed her book. Suddenly, she didn't feel like reading anymore. Maka took out her notebook she kept for her own personal use in her bag. She opened it and dug out a pencil. She started writing, pretending that maybe nobody would care about her enough to pick on her anymore. When she did, Soul looked at her and asked, "What are you doing?"

Maka was finally annoyed. Could she not catch a break? She sighed and replied, "Writing something. I don't really feel like reading right now."

Soul was shocked. "Wait, the biggest bookworm in the world just said she didn't feel like reading?"

Maka cursed herself out. She normally read, she had to pretend she was having a normal day. She just shrugged and said, "Sometimes, I just don't wanna read is all. It's just an off day."

Soul wasn't convinced. Maka just kept writing, trying to mind her own buisness.

The moon falls too soon,
The dead of night is said and done.
There is no more war on the moon,
I won't be seeing the ending,
It's past the end and we begin again.

After she finished writing those few lines, she realized that about ten minutes went by. At that moment, she saw someone run into the room and saw Dr. Stein walk in. Sid stood up and whispered something to Dr. Stein. Dr. Stein shook his head and Sid looked as if something grim just came up. Dr. Stein looked at his students as they all starred in silence. He said, "Everyone, return to your seats. Sid and I need to speak with you about something you may already know about."

After everyone rushed to their seats, Maka closed her notebook and looked at them. Dr. Stein asked, "Does anyone in this room notice something?"

Nobody spoke; they just looked around like lost puppies. Dr. Stein looked upset and slightly angry. He said, "For those of you who haven't noticed yet, I'm about to inform you about what some of your classmates may be talking about. Right now, we have a NOT student who was found in the boys dormitory last night who died this morning. What you should notice is that about two of your classmates aren't here. That's because they're the reason this student decided that they would rather die than to feel as if nobody cared for them.

"I want to make it clear that if any of you had anything to do with this, you will face your judgement with Lord Death himself. We've never lost a student to suicide, and let me make this clear that this is not going to be taken lightly. As teachers, we are concerned with the wellbeing of every student in this school, therefore, if any of you or your friends need to talk, we're all here. This school is about to invoke a new school rule to make sure this never happens again."

Dr. Stein paused and glared around the room, so did Sid, both looking grim and almost worried. Dr. Stein twisted the head of the screw in his head and said, "Tomorrow, there will be an accembly and all students will be there to mourn the dead. I won't be here much longer, but I will be here afterschool for anyone who needs to speak with me about anything. Dr. Stein glared in Maka's direction, almost looking into her soul.

He shifted his eyes to everywhere in the room. He said, "For the rest of the day, Sid will be here in my place until the last bit of class today. We're not changing classes today, so get confortable."

He turned to Sid and they began talking just as the class did. Soul starred at Dr. Stein and Sid and said grimly, "I didn't think anyone at the DWMA would ever commit suicide. I mean, sure, there are the kids who don't do much, even in the NOT class, but still."

Maka nodded, trying to accept the fact that she was pretty sure Dr. Stein was really sensing every soul in the room, trying to find anyone who he deemed needing his help. She was hoping it was just a coincidence, but Maka knew deep, deep down it wasn't. At that moment she heard someone chuckling from behind her and another ball of paper hit her on the back of the head. She got annoyed and picked it up quickly. Soul watched and asked, "What's that?"

Maka said, "Nothing. It just hit me on the back of the head."

Soul nodded, understanding that students even in the EAT class were that immature. He turned to Black Star and Tsubaki and talked to them about what Dr. Stein just said to them. For the first time, Maka actually opened the note and there was something she'd never read before on it.

Hey, Maka, why don't you kill yourself too?
It would make us all SO much happier.
Kill yourself, you flat-chested bitch.

Maka starred down at the paper and folded it up, but this note went into her pocket. Nobody had ever told her to go kill herself. Maka let her head go down a little. She opened her notebook back up and started writing again, trying to pass the time and let the world fade around her.

When the lunch bell rang, everyone rushed out of class to go get lunch. Maka got up after Soul and he stopped her right before they went down the steps. He asked, "What was the note?"

Maka tried to play stupid. "What note?"

Soul said bitterly, "Don't play stupid, Maka. What was the note that was thrown at you?"

Maka sighed and said, "Nothing, Soul. It's stupid."

He asked, "Really? I don't tihnk Dr. Stein and Sid would say the same thing."

Maka tensed up. Soul held his hand out and said, "Hand it over."

Maka gripped onto the book in her hand and sighed. She opened it and handed him the first note. He opened it and read it. He looked at her and asked, "Who threw this at you?"

"I don't know," Maka lied.

Soul growled lowly and said, "This is not cool, Maka. Why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged. "It's no big deal."

Soul growled, "Of course it is, Maka. Nobody has the right to say this to you."

She looked down, feeling as if he were scolding her for no good reason. She said lowly, "I'm sorry, Soul. I didn't really care and I should've told you anyways."

He nodded and said, "Good, now come on before I have to fight somebody for food."

Maka nodded and they continued out of the room, all while Sid and Dr. Stein were watching them carefully, but just enough for Maka to noice. When she walked along in the halls with everyone, she decided to get out of eating lunch. She said, "I'll catch up later."

Tsubaki asked, "Where are you going, Maka?"

"Bathroom."

Everyone just nodded and kept walking along while Maka rushed off to the bathroom, trying to get as far away from people as she could. She walked to the wooden door of the girl's bathroom and went inside, shutting the door behind her. She rushed into the stall on the end of the wall, planning to hide in there until everyone had left the hallways. She pulled out the last note that had been thrown at her and read it over and over again. She didn't understand why people had to hate her or why they picked her, they just did.

Maka kept reading the note until she heard someone walk into the bathroom. She heard laughing and an annoying voice said, "Her face was priceless. Surves that little goody-two-shoes right. She's nothing but a show off. She's weak and pathetic. Without Soul, she'd be dead by now. Hell, it would probably be better if the little bitch died."

Maka felt a tightness in her chest building up. She had to leave. She waited for them to leave, but someone said, "Someone's in here."

At that moment, three pairs of feet rushed to where Maka was. One girl slid under the stall door as Maka backed away from it. A girl with blonde hair laughed and said, "Look what we have here; Maka Alburn."

She slid in and unlocked the door before Maka could do anything. When the door opened, two other girls were behind it. One Maka knew was named Naomi, and the other was Hana. They laughed and Naomi, the girl with redish-brown hair said mockingly, "Well, well, if it isn't Maka Alburn. What, did our notes make you cry, Bookworm?"

Maka hissed, "What's your problem?"

Naomi looked as if she were about to either laugh or say something clever. She said, "Listen, Alburn, you're just a flat-chested-know-it-all. You're a show off and nobody likes you. Get it?"

Maka felt a stab in her chest, but she stood her ground. She said, "At least I'm one of the top five of the EAT class."

Naomi snorted. "I'm eighth of our class, and you're going to fall sooner or later. You're no better than a NOT student."

Maka tried to get out, but the blonde girl grabbed her by the pigtails and yanked her towards Naomi. Suddenly, Maka was shoved head first into the wall. She winced as her temple started to throb and someone kicked her in the ribs. Maka winced and Naomi stood above her. She said, "Stay there on the floor like the weakling you are."

They rushed out before Maka could attempt to block out the pain in her ribs. They weren't broken, but it still hurt. She sat up slowly, letting the words they had just spat out at her go through her head. At that moment, the bathroom door opened.