So I hope you guys didn't get too anxious waiting and for once I think I actually managed to update reasonably.

Anyway, I've been really sick for the past few days and I've had nothing but a writers block for the longest time... A lot happens in this chapter but I think it may be a bit rushed... Sorry about that.

Also, thank you all so much for following/favoriting/reviewing, it means so much to me to know that you like my work!

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater

Enjoy~

Chapter 9

*Maka's POV*

"He's not like that..." Soul was wrong, he had to be. Kid could change, Kid did change. Soul was lying, he was jealous. There was no way Kid was just dragging me along.

Wiping away the tears around my eyes I began to walk back into the classroom. Kid ran up to me, resting his hands on my shoulders. "Maka are you ok?! Did Soul say anything? Please don't storm out like that again... I wasn't really sure how to react." Instead of answering his questions I pulled him into a hug and whispered "I'm sorry" in his ears.

Kid embraced me back, gently stroking my hair as a form of comfort. "I'm here Maka... You don't have to bother with Soul, I promise I won't let him get in the way of us."

Before I had the chance to respond there was a sound of clearing your throat from the front of the classroom. Surprised, I looked up and saw Professor Stein trying to get our attention.

"If you're quite done, I'd like to get class started." I felt my face get red with embarrassment as I rushed to take my seat in front of the room. Kid who wasn't as embarrassed as I got there a few seconds later due to his leisurely pace.

"As I was saying," Stein continued as if nothing had happened, "We're going to be starting a research project, each of you will have one other partner to work with that-"

"Can we pick our partners? 'Cause I want to be partners with my big sis!" Patty said interrupting Stein. Patty was a strange girl. She always had giraffes on the mind, and she seemed far to immature for her age. However, despite being a year younger than everyone in the class, she was extremely smart and was able to skip a grade level. Putting all of that aside she seemed like a nice girl, and she probably would be if she wasn't sisters with Liz. Patty looked up to her sister and would do anything to please her, even if someone else got hurt because of it.

Stein furrowed his eyebrows, trying to suppress his annoyance at her outburst. "No." He said, blatantly answering her question. "If you had let me finish I would have told you that I have already assigned partners for you to work with."

He paused scanning the room and started reading the names of partners, I wasn't really paying attention to the first half of the list but I did manage to hear the second half. Liz was with Blair, Kid was with Patty - much to my despair, Arachne was with Black Star, and Tsubaki was with Medusa. Stein continued reading his list and I decided to tune him out, until he got to my name.

"Maka, your partners with Soul... But he doesn't seem to be here at the moment so you'll have to tell him later."

My eyes widened, I couldn't work with Soul. Anyone but him. I'll partner with Liz dammit, just not Soul. I looked over at Kid hoping maybe, just maybe he had heard a different name and I just wasn't paying attention. Much to my despair he didn't even seem to hear Stein because Patty was yelling over at him.

XxxxX

The rest of the class went by in a daze as I figured out how I could possibly change this. When the school bell finally rang I ran over to Stein's desk. "Professor... I can't work with Soul. Please, I'll do the project by myself-" Stein stopped me right there, adjusting the glasses on his face.

"No can do. You may be capable of doing this project on your own, but I'm not so sure about Soul. Besides it wouldn't be fair if I made an exception for you.

"But Prof-"

"That's the end of this discussion Ms. Albarn." I let out a sigh of defeat and padded out of his classroom. (A/N as for their school, it's not a normal school. I'm making it so that half the day is in class, then lunch, then the same class for the remainder of the day.)

I looked around to see if Kid had waited for me, which of course he had. "Ready to go get lunch?" He asked, with a smile on his face.

"Well... I have to work with Soul on the research project... So I figure I should get it started considering he probably won't do any of it." I grabbed my forearm as a way to 'secure' myself considering I was nervous on how Kid would react.

He offered another gentle smile, "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting this, but ok. I'll see you after lunch?" I nodded and headed in the opposite direction - to the library. Before I managed to get anywhere Kid yelled after me, "Hey Maka, wait!"

I confusedly turned back around, "What is it Kid?"

"As bad as Soul's been acting lately, he's still been my friend for a while, so he'll get over whatever he's going through right now." I looked at him even more confused, I wasn't sure where this was going. He scratched the back of his head, giving me an embarrassed laugh.

"Right sorry, I was getting off track. What I was trying to say was that despite everything, he is still my friend and that means I have his number. I could give it to you so that maybe you could convince him to do his part? I'd hate to see you do the whole project by yourself."

I smiled back at him, "I'd like that..." Kid quickly scribbled down his friend's number and handed it to me. "Thanks Kid!" I said before turning back around and continued heading to the library.

XxxxX

I had picked up a few books from the library earlier, skipping lunch all together. Now I was waiting for Stein to finish up with our class. Soul still hadn't showed up, and I hadn't texted him yet. I let out a sigh and waited for the bell to dismiss us from school.

It didn't take too long, and the second it rang everyone shot up from their seats and rushed out the door. Kid however padded over to me, an apologetic look on his face, "I have to stay after today to help my father with some work, so I can't drive you home. Will you be ok walking?"

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I couldn't really blame Kid. I nodded my head and started my trek home. I had to speed walk, because I'd be in for a beating if I was late. Just the thought of my father sent shivers down my spine.

To my surprise, when I reached my house, papa's car wasn't in the driveway. Hesitantly I opened the front door.

"Papa..? Anyone home?" I wanted to be 100% sure that I was home alone before I got my hopes up. I walked into the kitchen and saw a note left on the counter.

Gone out for the night, I'll be back tomorrow. The house better be spotless and you better be home from school on time, or else it won't be pretty, or moreover you won't be pretty.

-Papa

I couldn't help but think of what my papa would do to me if I didn't follow his orders, just thinking that way made me feel sick to my stomach. As nervous as his threats made me, I figured if I would ever have a chance to work on the research project with Soul, tonight would be the night.

I took out my phone and the number Kid gave me and sent it a text message.

M: Hey, is this Soul?

S: Depends on who's asking.

M: Yeah it's you. Look it's Maka, Stein assigned a research project and you were my assigned partner.

I was trying my best to emphasize 'assigned' so that he wouldn't get the wrong idea.

S: Mind explaining how you got my number tiny tits?

M: That's not my name! But I'll ignore it for now... Kid gave it to me for the project.

S: Damn. Whatever, why should I care about the project?

M: Because I'm not gonna do the whole thing and then just slap your name on it.

S: Why not?

M: I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. If you want to receive your half of the grade you're gonna have to work with me.

S: Tch... Fine. When can you come over?

M: Now...?

S: Whatever.

M: Mkay, I'll be there in a few.

He never responded after that, but I didn't let it bother me. I grabbed the books I had checked out and headed out the door. It wasn't hard to remember where Soul lived since I had memorized his address when he drove me back from his house awhile back.

XxxxX

I walked up to Soul's front door and rang the doorbell. To my surprise, a taller white haired, crimson eyed man answered. He offered me a smile, which upon further notice, he had straight teeth instead of sharp and jagged ones like Soul's.

"I don't remember hearing anything about visitors... Soul never tells me anything." When he spoke, his voice wasn't rough and harsh like Soul's, it was smooth and velvety. Despite what I wanted, my face turned a few shades darker.

I tried my best to speak calmly, but it came out as more of a stutter. "I-I came here for a research pr-project with Soul. C-could I come in?"

The man let out a deep laugh, "Well aren't you cute? Why don't you and I have some fun while you wait for Soul to notice you're here." My eyes widened in shock, who was this man? And what did he mean by fun? Surely he wasn't implying...

Before I had the chance to finish my thoughts he grabbed my wrists and pulled me inside. I let out a small yelp of terror, but before I was able to open my mouth to yell for help he clamped his hand over my mouth. I let out a few muffled screams as he rested his hand on my thigh. "Now, isn't this fun...?" He questioned with a meticulous glare in his eyes. I tried my best to keep the tears in my eyes, I wasn't going to let him see me cry. In a desperate attempt to escape I bit his hand, but much to his demise it didn't seem to bother him. "You're a feisty one." He whispered in my ear as his hand began to slowly reach higher.

Someone. Anyone... Please... Help.

"Wes." I heard someone snap angrily, "Let her go." I recognized the voice as Soul's, but his tone was foreign to me.

"Is she with you brother? I thought she was here for me." The man, presumably Wes, said as he let go of me. I quickly squirmed away and hid behind Soul.

"Like hell you did. Leave Maka out of this, she's just here for a project." Soul said as he turned around, grabbing my hand in the process, and dragged me up the stairs with him.

"Are you ok?" Soul asked, not making eye contact with me. "Y-yeah... Thanks." Instead of answering, Soul just nodded and we walked into his room.

I couldn't resist the urge to start questioning him, "Was that your brother? Why was he so... So... Forceful?" I had to pause and think of the right word to use in this situation.

"He's always been that way. I hate him and vice versa, but he thinks he can just take anyone he wants. Anyway, let's drop it, I'll deal with him later. What's this project?" I couldn't help but think that Soul seemed to have a pretty hard life himself. It didn't give him an excuse to be the way he was at school, but I was currently indebted to him. He did just save me from god knows what.

The next few hours were spent doing the project, which surprisingly Soul was working hard on. At one point he had gone downstairs to get us a snack, but he told me not to leave in case Wes was still there.

Once we finally finished I decided to apologize to Soul, "Listen, sorry for intruding like this... And for taking your number without asking. I'll delete it now." As much as I didn't want to, I pulled out my phone and prepared to delete his contact. I want really sure why it was making me upset, but I felt I could trust Soul. I didn't want this to be the last time I felt like I could casually talk to him.

"You don't have to do that." I looked surprised by his small outburst. I gave him a quizzical look and he continued explaining, "Delete my number I mean. You don't have to. You can keep it. Besides, I already added you as a contact and it's uncool to delete a contact." I looked at him surprised, but when I looked at his phone and saw my contact was "Tiny Tits" I instantly got mad.

"MAKA..." Before I could finish my attack my phone began to buzz. I stopped what I was doing and looked down at what it was.

GET YOUR ASS HOME NOW!

It took me a second to register what text I had just received, but when it sank in as Papa I shot up from my spot and began bolting out of Soul's house. I heard him run after me, "Maka wait! What's wrong?"

I didn't have time to be waisting so I quickly spat out, "M-my papa's home. I-I gotta go!" He must have heard the fear in my voice, because his face changed expressions from confused to worried.

"Do you want me to give you a ride?"

"No!" I replied much harsher than I had meant. "I-I mean I should walk..." Before Soul had a chance to respond I ran in the direction of my house.

XxxxX

It didn't take me too long to get there since I sprinted the whole way, but when I turned the corner to my driveway papa was standing on the porch with his arms crossed.

"P-Papa... You're home e-early..." When I spoke my voice was full of terror.

"Get inside. Now." Papa's voice was much harsher than usual and I knew I was in trouble.

I quickly scampered inside and tried to bolt for my room, but before I was even at the stairs there was a harsh yank on my pigtail. I let out a yelp of pain as I fell on my back.

From my place on the ground papa stepped on my stomach hard, causing me to cough uncontrollably. "I'll ask this once, and only once. Why the hell did you think it was ok to leave without telling me?!" My eyes widened and I tried to speak quickly, because papa hated when I dragged out my explanations. "W-well professor Stein assigned research projects, and I had to work with S-" before I could finish explaining he stepped on my stomach again, harder this time. "Shut up. That's not a reason." Instead of stomping on me again, he kicked me as hard as he could and I slid into the wall, bashing my head. But it didn't stop their, he yanked me up using one of my pigtails and punched straight across the face. He cocked his hand back to punch again when the doorbell rang. He whispered in my ear, "say a word and I'll kill you" before dropping me on the ground. Darkness crept around the edges of my vision and I knew I was about to pass out. Before that though, I heard my father speaking.

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name's Soul. Maka rushed out of my house in a hurry that she left her books." He said handing them to my father. I saw papa's shoulders tense. "So that's where she was. Whatever, get out of here boy."

Soul took a glance inside, unfortunately I don't think he saw me, before turning around leaving on his motorcycle. Papa slammed the door and walked over to me, dropping the books on my head, before walking to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of beer. He walked over to the couch and turned on the tv, leaving me on he ground. I let out a small smile, if Soul hadn't shown up I was sure my father wouldn't have stopped. I was slowly slipping out of consciousness and the last thing I remember was me muttering,

"That's twice today you've saved me... Thank you."

Like I said... A lot happened. Sorry if you think this chapter was moving too fast, again I had a writers block.

Anyway, continue following/favoriting/reviewing because it encourages me to write!

Until next time,

-Broccolio