Hello~! Time to get this ball rolling! Let's see just how rusty I am hm? -AF

Freshmen year of high school. A new school new beginning right? Edward wasn't so sure; it started just as every year before did, with a tangent from "him" about how he "better not make a fool out of himself like last year", hell, it's even raining like last year, the familiar sound of rain against the concrete was both calming and foreboding. Luckily the stop wasn't far from his house this year, just down the street at the corner. The phrase was just something to tear him down he knew, but he couldn't help how his thoughts drifted and stuck a little too long on past year's mistakes. He snapped out of it as the bus screeched to a halt in front of him, the rusted, creaky, black doors opening. He was almost grateful for the rain, it dimmed the hideous peeling yellow paint of the bus. It made him feel a little nauseous. He looked up into the windows, the cold looks from his peers stabbed him straight through the gut, giving him a worse stone in his chest than he already had. He looked to make sure the bus was indeed bus 301 before slowly walking up the three steps. The bus driver hummed and nodded to him, giving him the same expression as the other kids. Edward swallowed the lump in his throat best he could. He sat in the second row seat, bus driver side and sunk low in his seat, adjusting his sleeves and collar. He could feel the 8 something other teens staring at him from various other spots in the bus, new kid syndrome. He chose his outfit carefully today, the bruises on his arms today are only on his upper arms, so his favorite red flannel was perfect, roll up the sleeves to his elbows and poof! semi-fashion. His fades jeans and red converse just kept the theme flowing. He brushed his bangs away from his cheek and winced a bit, forgetting the dark blue spot on his cheekbone. He couldn't hide the bruise on his cheek until he got to the bathrooms, his foundation should do the trick and keep eyes off him, at least for today. For now he just turned towards the window and slipped his earphones in, deciding that music was a far better substitute for the world.

~time break~

Edward triple checked his class card, just to be sure. "Room 603: Mr. Hughes, 5th period Biology." he mumbled, looking up at the door. "603...this is the room. No mistakes yet, Ed." He glanced around, the school colors were deep blue and gold and were painted around everywhere. "Go Griffins" He murmured quietly, pumping his fist weakly. They were nice but the school seemed rather old, Ed noticed some paint chipped here an there. The majority of the student body was off in the cafeteria and "free zone" areas. Edward sighed and leaned back against the wall a bit, watching the rain drip off the overhanging ceiling. He had to admit, an outdoor open campus was nice, refreshing even from the middle school cramped walls. He checked his watch, Lunch was about 3/4th done, he had eaten quickly and just looked for the room, He didn't want to be late and cause a scene. Besides, he couldn't really make friends that well, so there was no point in tryi-

"hello." He visibly jumped at the interruption of his internal monologue and looked to his right, pulling the binder a bit closer to his ribs. He was faced with a white buttoned down chest, and, much to his annoyance, he had to look up. He was met with kind hazel eyes and a big smile surrounded by facial hair. "You're one of those students eh? Well just don't try to suck up to me, cause that doesn't work well for ya." Edward furrowed his brow and looked at his class card again, then the man, then the card again.

"Mr...Hughes?" He asked quizzically, "You're...not what I pictured for a biology teacher." The man pouted a bit then laughed, soothing Ed's nerves a bit.

"What? Because I'm not super strict looking? Because I talk like a normal person and not some grouchy old man?" He stuffed a hand into his khaki pants and used the other to unlock the door. "I wouldn't judge people by how they look. Now which one of my students are ya, hm?" Edward shuffled inside behind him, setting his binder down on the far right corner desk.

"ah, Edward Elric, sir." He frowned a bit, he didn't want to talk to people. The teacher seemed nice but that could be a problem if he gets nosy...

"No need for the sir unless you're in trouble, Edward!" The teacher waved his finger around as he browsed through his folders. "Mr. Hughes is plenty formal enough. If you feel comfortable, Hughes is fine also. Now let me see if I can find your file." Edward nodded and decided to glance around the room. The room was painted a light shade of beige, the usually supportive pictures scattered about here and there. "Success" this and "Change" that. But, as Ed got closer to the opposing wall, he found more pictures, each of a little blonde girl with green eyes, pigtails. She was cute and there were pictures of her EVERYWHERE. "That's my girl. Elicia." Edward looked over to Hughes, who was leaned over his desk with the dopiest little grin on his face. "Cutest little thing to ever grace my life! I couldn't help but put her up around the classroom."

"hm. She is cute. Is she in school yet?" Edward called, still looking at the pictures.

"Kindergarten~! One time she fell on the slide and hurt her knee, I skipped out on half my workday so I could make sure she was okay." Edward had to inwardly chuckle at the man's tone, head over heels. He looked at a photo of the father and the girl together, they both looked so giddy, she was on his lap waving at the camera, and Hughes had the most proud expression Ed had ever seen.

"...you're a good father, Mr. Hughes." He smiled a bit, the expression feeling a little bit foreign before he moved on. Mr. Hughes' desk was clean and neat, if it could sparkle it would. It was a big L shape on the opposing side of the room from the door, and was a deep wood color. The student desk's were as good as you could hope for in a high school, a couple engravings here and there. There were a few words Ed wanted to have burned off but he shrugged it off and worked his way back to his desk. His desk was the most carved into, some of it was inspirational some of it was ghetto trash, all of it gave the desk it's novelty "back corner of the classroom" look. Edward winced when the annoyingly high pitched bell rang and turned to Mr. Hughes.

"I've found your file...you've had some problems huh..." Edward winced again and fiddled with his binder.

"Well, You see I-"

"However, none of it was done by you...rather TO you..." Mr. Hughes looked up through his glasses and gave Edward a look he did not recognize. "Don't worry, nothing like that will happen this year if I can help it." Edward gave a weary expression and nodded, if only the man had a clue. "now normally I have assigned seats for the sake of organisation, but since you came early and all and have taken a liking to that chair, you can have that seat this semester." Edward smiled again and sat down, the tensity brought about earlier leaving him again.

"T-thank you, Mr. Hughes I appreciate that. I'll do my best to stay away from trouble." Mr. Hughes grinned at him before walking and opening the door, allowing the flood of teenagers into the room. Edward shrunk down and just silently prepared his desk, allowing minimal eye contact with the other students as they received their seats. Mr. Hughes walked around checking to be sure everyone was where they should be.

"And lastly, Edward Elric. Right here in the corner, right my boy?" He gave a quick pat to Edward's back and Ed couldn't stop the flinch and tensing of his muscles, there were welts that were safely hidden under his shirt. He quickly regained composure and nodded into his binder.

"Y-yes Mr. Hughes." Edward didn't fail to notice the concerned glance he received at his quiet answer, before Mr. Hughes thought better of it and moved on.

"Good, now I would like all of you to take out a piece of paper, we're gonna take some quick first day of school notes. Nice and easy, kids."

Right, Edward scoffed to himself, Nice and easy.

okay! First chapter, did I do okay for two years of rust? Give me some feedback! AF