Dedicated to LenaLight who was waiting. Don't forget to review! This is going to be short because I made last minute edits.

Chapter 2: School Day

She told them to get into groups of three for the activity. "Make sure at least one person in your group is an alchemy performer." She demanded. "I know most of you are since this level is an elective but there are still a few that can't." Of course it would be groups of three. Ed nervously turned his desk to join Riza and Roy's already together desks. There was really no other place to go, he was trapped.

"So… can either of you guys perform alchemy?" Ed asked curiously. Roy just held up his gloved right hand with a red array on the back.

"I can't really" Riza said with a little embarrassment. "but I know all the basics and can recognize arrays and what they are meant to do which is good for investigating."

"Why would you want to investigate?"

"She wants to join the military after collage." Roy stated simply. "I feel sorry for anyone in her path. She's lethal. You should see her in firearms class, she's the top student. I think even the teacher is scared of her."

"Thanks, but you have as much respect as me." She said blushing at the compliment. "The only reason your grades aren't as good as mine is you don't try."

"What about you?" Roy asked.

"Oh I'm fine at it." Ed was not going to let them know just how good he was. He would even draw arrays here by hand. He didn't know what would happen if it were public knowledge he could use alchemy without a drawn circle.

"Start by drawing a fire array that can alter the shape of the iron I give you." The teacher began to walk around and hand out chunks of iron. "I want you to draw a sculpture and then create it."

"Okay, Riza, you draw the sculpture. Edward, you draw the circle and I'll make it."

"WHAT?! You want US to do all the real work while you take the credit? Hell no! Help with the circle." Edward said heatedly.

"Fine fine." He drew a basic circle and then waited.

"What do you guys want me to draw?" Riza said. "I'm not really a fan of drawing. Do I really need to do this?"

"Here, I'll draw." Ed said. He took the paper from Riza and drew a detailed drawing of a rearing horse with a flat piece of metal at the bottom so it could stand.

"Give me the circle, I'll draw the array." Riza told Roy. Not that long later the array was drawn with Roy's help.

"Alright shrimp let's see what you can do." Roy handed the paper to Edward who looked at him with surprise. "Well you didn't want me to take all the credit, besides you know the drawing best. Go ahead."

He took the array, placed the hunk of iron in it, and placed his hands on the circle. A blue light surrounded his hands and fire quickly formed around the metal, stretching and melting it into form. Soon a figure the size of a hand stood before them in perfect detail down to the ripples of lifelike muscle and thin looking strands of hair looking like the wind blew through it. Riza took in a breath. "Wow…"

The teacher appeared behind them. "Ahh, we have an artist I see. Beautiful work." She picked up the horse to study. "Such detail. A mustang, how fitting." She looked at Roy then set the figure down and walked to the next group where there was a small explosion.

Roy looked surprised, "It's a mustang?"

"Yeah… that's all I could think of." Ed said defensively.

"It's great. Can I have it when we get it back?" Riza breathed.

"I don't mind…"

"Yeah whatever." Roy said.


Next class was AP English. Not so excited about this class Ed sat somewhere near the back. He saw Roy enter the classroom and sighed but the guy sat nowhere near him. He sat in the middle of the room and put his feet up on the desk. He was quickly surrounded by a bunch of senior girls. Ed looked away. What did he care?

The class passed uneventfully. And Edward was happy to leave. His AP Calculus class thankfully held only Russell. Then it was time for lunch. Russell had homeroom before lunch and Ed had his homeroom after lunch so they couldn't sit together.

Going through the lunch line and skipping over the milk intentionally, Ed grabbed orange juice and a sandwich then sat down at a random table. He looked around. From where he was sitting he could see Riza and Roy. Roy's back was to him. Riza was laughing loudly, her head tipped back. He wished he could join in on the joke. As she leaned back forward her eyes met his for a moment. Roy turned to see what she was looking at. Ed turned away with feigned disinterest, going about eating his lunch. They didn't join him. He finished his lunch alone then left for homeroom.


Next was gym. The principle, knowing about his metal limbs and his previous school experiences with them, agreed to help him hide them. He had to have a gym credit but he would get it by paper and pencil tests. The principle had the school nurse write a fake excuse for him saying his body was weak and he couldn't participate in gym class activities. This way he didn't have to wear the short sleeved uniform t-shirts and short shorts that would lay bear his automail limbs. Plus sometimes the classes were in swimming and he would only sink with the weight of the metal.

Ed hadn't had gym yesterday so he needed to talk to the teacher. He got the note out. "Mr. Duram."

"Why aren't you changing kid? Hurry up, I expect you out in five minutes!"

"Here." He handed him the note.

Grumbling the man looked it over then raised his eyebrows, "Weak constitution? Really? You look fine to me, if a little on the small side."

Not far away Ed could see Roy walking to the dressing rooms looking at them. Great he had heard. "Ever since I was little." He confirmed unhappily.

"Well, you will be taking the tests with everybody else." he grunted looking at him with suspicion. "Sit over there." He pointed to the stage. Ed complied feeling miserable. He got out his math homework and began, wishing he could participate like everyone else. Honestly he was stronger and more athletic than most people.

Today they played basketball. Ed watched wistfully as Roy stole the ball and headed for the basket. He bet he could beat the smug look off that boy's face given the chance. Edward had finished all his homework already. He grabbed his sketchbook and began drawing. Beneath his fingers Roy was appearing on the page, a look of concentration in his face, basket ball bouncing, arm and leg muscles flexing, and sweat dripping. He stopped, why was he drawing this guy? Whatever. He turned the page and began drawing Riza. She was a pretty young woman with eyes full of spunk and life. He drew a portrait of her face how he remembered it and drew her hair how he imagined it would look down. "You like her?" a low voice said in his ears, "I wouldn't suggest her. She can be violent."

Ed looked up at the sweating Roy and covered his drawing, "Hey! Mind your own business!"

"Whatever, suit yourself." Came the reply. Roy grabbed a ball that had apparently been thrown behind Ed and went back to his game. Edward was relieved his other drawing was safely unseen.

The rest of his day was uneventful. Riza sat next to Ed in last period Physics and then the day ended. Edward happily made his way across campus to the dorms.