Life of the Party Chapter 1: Prologue, a fullmetal alchemist fanfic

The Life of the Party, the Friendships of a Lifetime

Godell

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or the song "Get This Party Started" by PINK.

-Prologue-

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Envy drummed his fingers against the steering wheel of his silver Mercedes, looking impatient. It took Ed, what, ten minutes to even get out of bed…?

"Hey, Pipsqueak! I'm getting tired of waiiiiting…" he chanted as loud as he could, eyeing the shabby old house that his friend lived in.

The house was a simple little townhouse that was painted white, with a small flower garden at it's front and a white picket fence around it. The shutters were blue, and the curtains were a light yellow.

In general, the kind of place that Envy found utterly dull and clichéd from the outside.

On the inside, however, it was more of a library: books lined every available shelf, and covered almost every surface. The kitchen was usually clean and sparkling with a recent washing, and something was nearly always cooking. Edward's room was either cluttered with books and homework, or as neat as Edward could tolerate- there had to be some evidence a living, breathing person lived there. Alphonse was never, ever messy in his room—everything was in such perfect, aligned order that Envy often joked about having to cover his eyes if he walked by the place. It was the home of his friend, Ed, and he made absolutely sure that he never showed his opinion about the place in front of their mother.

"EDWAAAAAAAAARD!!"

As soon as Envy bellowed out the name, Ed shot out of the house like a bullet, yanking on a black t-shirt as he did so. As usual, Ed wore his black shirt and leather pants, and had his blonde hair in a braid. Envy and the others often mocked him about that hairstyle—it made him look even more feminine than he already did. His golden eyes were starting to spark with impatience as he wrenched open the car door, and sat next to Envy; he would be riding shotgun as usual.

"Do you have any patience, Envy?! Any at all?!" Ed growled, flopping onto the leather seat.

Envy grinned, and revved up the engine. "Pipsqueak, you've known me since 5th grade, which means we've been friends for five years. It's summer, and it's not sunny. I figured you'd be used to the routine by now."

"DON'T CALL ME SMALL!"

Envy rolled his eyes, and backed out of the small driveway. "Again, everyone calls you that at some point or other. Get used to it."

Ed sighed. "It's hard to…I know I…don't compare to some people in some matters…but what I lack in that area, I make up for in others."

"Oh, just admit you're a Pipsqueak and be done with it."

Ed sent Envy an Eye of the Tiger Death Glare™ as Envy narrowly avoided a mailbox. Envy simply smirked, and stared at Ed slyly out of the corner of his amethyst-toned contact eye. The Mercedes made it's way across the street and onto a gravel road that led through a forest, where Ed knew The Base was located. After a few minutes of slightly-breakneck speeding, Ed finally turned his head fully around to see what Envy was doing—and instantly began to panic.

Envy wasn't steering.

"Envy, what the ---- are you DOING?!" Ed bellowed, scrabbling for the wheel. Envy shoved him back into his seat with his free arms.

"Just relax, Ed, and enjoy the ride…" he soothed, a wide, mischievous grin on his pale features.

"'Enjoy the ride'?! You're not steering, dangit!"

Envy smirked, and shuffled his feet. "No braking, either." He sniggered.

"AAAAAAGH! Are you trying to get us killed?!" Ed screamed, his arms flailing in frustration.

Envy shrugged, and propped his sandal-covered feet on the dashboard. "Just an adrenaline rush."

Ed covered his face with his hands, and attempted to slink down to the carpeted floor of the Mercedes. "You only do this if you're in the mood to make me freak. What do you want?"

"Admit you're short, that's all. If you say it, we'll turn back around." Envy ordered smugly.

Ed gave him yet another glare through his fingers. "I don't think so. In three months, we'll be Sophomores. I've still got a few growth spurts left."

Envy sighed in exasperation, grinning even wider than before. "We're heading towards the laaake…" he sang.

"Fine, fine, I AM HEIGHT CHALLENGED. Now get steering, and use the brakes."

Envy's mischievous grin remained on his face. "I knew you'd see things my way, O Chibi-san."

Ed couldn't help but smile a little as the Mercedes made a U-turn back up the slope. "You're studying for that Japanese 101 course, aren't you?" he asked slyly.

"Well, how else can I watch Hellsing without the subtitles? The stupid stores don't sell them subbed anymore, it's crazy!" Envy ranted, keeping his eyes on the road.

Ed grinned and patted Envy's shoulder as they passed a few trees. "Why don't we turn on the radio to get this troubling, climactic dilemma off of your mind?"

Envy shrugged and grinned in return. "All right. Let's see…107.8 'The Tiger'…" he muttered, cranking the radio dial to the correct station. At once, "Get This Party Started" by PINK blared from the speakers.

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

"Well, whaddya know, Envy, it's your theme song!" Ed laughed.

Envy pretended to preen himself, saying in a arrogant way "Yes, I know I'm awesome." Both boys began to laugh, and sang along to the lyrics:

Get this party started on a Saturday night

Everybody's waitin' for me to arrive

Sendin' out the message to all of my friends

We'll be lookin' flashy in my Mercedes Benz

"Hell yeah we will!" Ed laughed, pumping his fist in the air.

Envy smirked, and said "Actually, I was thinking of a limo or helicopter this year…at least for the first party of the school year."

I got lotsa style, check my gold diamond rings

I can go for miles if you know what I mean

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

Pumpin up the volume, breakin' down to the beat

Cruisin' through the west side

We'll be checkin' the scene

The Mercedes passed the small shops that lined Central City's outer area. Ed smiled fondly at the little shops, remembering how he and Al had spent all their allowances on just sweets when they were little. Things had definitely changed….

Boulevard is freakin' as I'm comin' up fast

I'll be burnin' rubber, you'll be kissin' my…

Envy smirked widely, remembering past Saturday night parties. Yes, there had been a few brown-nosers that one time with the "Red Carpet Theme"…

Pull up to the bumper, get out of the car

License plate says Stunner #1 Superstar

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

Envy opened the windows of the car, and turned up the stereo, making the music blast out to the pedestrians walking along. At least fifteen teenaged girls jumped up and down in excitement and recognition at the sight of Envy, the thrower of the coolest teen-only parties in Central. No drugs allowed, naturally. The year before, at the Halloween party, someone had smuggled heroin in, but Envy had made sure that he and Ed showed the punk the way out… No one ever dared bring anything illegal after that.

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

"So, do you plan on inviting anyone in particular to the September party?" Ed asked, folding his arms behind his head.

Envy shrugged. "Well, I'll obviously invite you and the others…and maybe a few of the outcasts, as well as the Goths, jocks, and their cheerleader girlfriends." He made a face. "It's not like they're all bad—Winry's on the squad, if I remember correctly—but sometimes it just seems too…natural. I don't know, maybe it's just that the jock's egos get as big as their biceps when they have girls clinging to them."

Ed smirked. "You mean like Roy?"

Envy smirked in return. "Well, he has Riza. She'll shoot anyone who tries to make a move on him. Remember that Barbie-wannabe girl from eighth grade?"

Ed chuckled. "I heard she still has the bruise marks…"

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

Get this party started

Makin' my connection as I enter the room

Everybody's chillin' as I set up the groove

The Mercedes passed a few restaurants and bookstores, stopping at the traffic light obediently. Envy sang quietly along to the song, tapping his fingers impatiently as he did so.

Pumpin' up the volume with this brand new beat

Everybody's dancin' and their dancin' for me

I'm your operator, you can call anytime

I'll be your connection to the party line

"Thank you," Envy said loudly as the light finally changed from red to green.

Ed yawned. "I haven't had breakfast yet. What did you have, anyway?"

"Um…a waffle?" Envy said evasively as he turned toward the western area of the city, where the mall was located.

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

"How many waffles?" Ed asked sternly.

Envy grinned sheepishly. "Five. And all of them different flavors."

"I'll bet they were served on a silver platter, too." Ed rolled his eyes.

"Nope. Gold."

Ed sighed.

Get this party started

Get this party started right now

Get this party started

Get this party started right n—

Envy switched off the radio, and screeched to a stop. "We're here: Central Mall. The best place for buying what you don't need." he snickered.

Ed hopped out of the Mercedes, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Hmm…" He pulled out a few crumpled bills. "10 dollars, and one extra bill. That'll buy me a CD, or a novel."

Envy grinned. "Why don't you let me buy stuff for you?"

Ed sighed. "Because one: Mom doesn't like it when you do that, and two: I feel guilty when you do."

Envy's grin faltered, then realigned itself. "Ohhh, you think I'm going to get in trouble with Her if I do that. Well, I'll tell you this: the rule around my house is 'Be charitable because it pays off'. And no, that's not a morally-good rule. Mommy dearest"—Envy spat the words out like they were poison—"is a totally self-centered hag. The only good thing about her is she lets me do almost whatever I want."

Ed stared at Envy is surprise. "All…right then." he managed to say.

Envy shrugged, and turned towards the huge, shining mall. "So, where to ?" he asked cheerfully, "Hot Topic? Barnes and Noble?"

Ed's stomach growled loudly.

Envy grinned. "Or, we could go to the Food Court."

Ed laughed "Sounds good to me."

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"…Of course, Mom won't be happy when she finds out I'm eating Chinese for breakfast."

"Oh, c'mon. See this?" Envy speared a little corncob with his plastic fork and dangled it in front of Ed's face. "This is healthy. It's full of Vitamin G, F and U."

Ed looked at Envy with a grin that said "You-don't-expect-me-to-believe-that". "Never heard of those vitamins before."

Envy smirked sardonically. "It's 'G, F and U' for 'Good For You'. I figured you'd get it." And with that, he popped the corn into his mouth. He made a little noise of satisfaction.

Ed helped himself to more rice and chicken teriyaki. He watched Envy's eyes rove across the mall area, either searching for the rest of their group or on the lookout for a certain party that could not be mentioned. The colossal building was packed with people, from chatting teenagers to adults comparing prices. Lights shone brightly, illuminating the area fully. A few benches and wishing-wells dotted the mall, allowing people to sit and rest whenever they wished. Naturally, shops lined the walls, flashing their names in bright lights.

Ed smiled. If not for his friends, he probably would never have even known the mall existed.

"What're you thinking about?" Envy asked curiously, delicately eating a noodle.

Ed's cheeks flushed slightly. "Oh, nothing. How's the lo mei?" he hurriedly questioned.

"Hmm. Greasy, and good. A hint of sugar on the corn…but mostly greasy."

Envy's eyes continued to search for the other friends. Finally, the remained fixed on a blonde-haired girl in a jean-skirt and a white tank top. Her eyes were a beautiful sky blue, and she seemed to be developing a tan.

"Winry! Hey, Winry!" Ed called, waving his arm in greeting.

The girl Winry ran up to their small table eagerly, her ponytail almost floating behind her. She smiled warmly, with her hands on her hips.

"Hey, Ed, Envy. I'm not surprised to see you two here. Lust and Sloth are around somewhere—I think they're either a Macy's or Hot Topic." she said happily, watching them eat.

"Want some?" Ed asked, gesturing to some of the other uneaten boxes.

"No, thanks. I had breakfast already." Winry smiled politely.

Envy shrugged and grinned, slyly pushing a piece of broccoli to one side of his plate. "So, how goes the 'automail project'?" he asked curiously.

Winry's eyes gleamed and she sat down eagerly. "Well, Granny and I have encountered a few technical problems…but I think by next Friday we're good to go!" she explained happily.

Ed smiled sadly, and gazed at his right arm. "I can't wait," he said slowly.

All at once, both Envy and Winry's hands were clapped on his shoulder. He looked up quickly at his two friends, who were gazing at him intently.

"Don't get down about this, Ed. You're barely going to know the difference, trust me!" Her smile was reassuring, and determined.

"Yeah, and it'll be just like all those other surgeries, only easier!" Envy added with a confident smirk.

Ed stared at his friends, and slowly began to achieve his own confident look. "Yeah, it'll be much easier. Thanks, guys." he grinned.

With friends like Envy and the others, it was natural that the summer would be full of entertainment, and the school year far more exciting than Ed wished.

He almost wished September would arrive early.