An Escape. (A Soul Eater fanfic)

That's What Friends are For.

Chapter Eleven: That's What Friends are For

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"Doesn't that guy sitting over there look kinda like the guy who just got out of jail? Said he was in for child abuse."

Kidd visibly tensed. "Yes...you're right..."

"You don't hear a lot about that kinda stuff nowadays," Tsubaki added.

"Whatsamatter, Kidd?" Patti poked him with her straw. "You look like you saw a ghost!"

"Nothing," he muttered in response. "I, ah, need to make a call. Excuse me for a moment."

Kidd maneuvered his way out of the booth and walked outside. Almost immediately, his phone rang.

"Maka?"

"You saw him too, right? I'm not crazy?"

"Yeah, I saw him. You're sane."

"Did he order something?"

"...I believe so, yes..."

"So it's not like he followed me here...he just went somewhere to eat. Right?"

"Right. Do you think you'd be able to get by without him noticing?"

"No. I'm probably gonna have to wait it out."

"What do you want me to tell the others? They'll get worried after a while."

"Erm...I had an urgent phone call that could be a while. Yeah, that'll work."

"Alright. I'll let you know when he leaves."

"Thanks."

Click.

Kidd sighed, hoping it truly was a coincidence that Maka's father had decided to eat dinner at the same restaurant they were at.

With nothing left to do, he ventured back inside, reseating himself with his peers.

"Maka might be gone for a few minutes," he said (albeit lowly, in case her father was listening). "She had to take an important call."

"Oh, okay," Liz said. "She could have just said so."

"It was kind of urgent."

"Then how'd she tell you?" Soul raised an eyebrow, leaning forward.

"She sent a text. You can do that, you know, multitask during a call."

"Fair enough, fair enough."

"So where were we?" Kidd attempted to change the subject.

It appeared that he'd gone about it the wrong way.

"Talking about someone seated near you behind their back, correct?"

The entire group tensed, but for different reasons. The man clapped a hand on Kidd's shoulder, who tried his best to remain calm, though he was eighty-eight percent positive the entire restaurant could hear his heart thumping hard and fast.

"May I speak with you?"

Even Black*Star had his wide eyes fixated on Kidd as his response was awaited.

"Of course, sir." Kidd rose to his feet, turning to face Maka's father. His face no longer held fear; determination took its place.

"No need for fancy titles. 'Kokatsu' will do just fine. Follow me, if you would."

Reluctantly, Kidd followed 'Kokatsu' to a less populated area of the restaurant.

"Have a seat, Death the Kidd."