Chapter 2: Envy
"Stoner!" Edward ignored the yells and insults from people he passed.
'Says the one who was smoking at Katie's party last week,' Edward rolled his eyes and adjusted the bag hanging off his shoulder. Everything seemed ironic to him these days. Everyone seemed fake. Everyone was hiding something. And Edward knew he was hiding the most, the fakest of them all; a walking joke.
Edward sat at the back of the room, alone, taking down all the notes he could. He may be high but he was still smart and able to understand what the professor droned on about, even mentally correcting him. It was boring, but it was something to do. Work took his mind off things; it was another one of his escapes till he could reach his next departure from reality.
"I expect a completed 2000 word essay on chapter three through to four by Monday," The professor stated and looked up with a smirk, "Then we will be having a test,"
Groans and protests echoed around the room as Edward began to pack up. He knew the professor wanted a word with him but he was planning to skip out before he got the chance. 'Too late' Edward mentally cursed as Professor Roy Mustang moved up to Edward, clicking his fingers, instead of waiting at the front of the class.
"I don't have ti-" Edward began but was cut off.
"You do and you will not avoid this conversation any longer," God this man was a cocky asshole sometimes, in Edward's opinion that was, "You never handed in the last assignment I gave the class and you did not collect your results for the one before that,"
Edward grit his teeth as he racked his brain for excuses, "I don't see a point in collecting results, they'll just show up on my end of semester report and as for that essay I had... medical reasons that should have been explained to you,"
"Well," Mustang began, his arms crossed and Edward was internally hating himself for being cornered, "I would appreciate it if you went and collected your results and we arrange some form of make up for that assignment as it was a major one towards your final grade,"
Edward bitterly agreed to whatever the other wanted; anything to get away. He was still angry about being cornered by his professor as he entered his next class. He wasn't sure if he was happy or pissed they were doing a practical experiment today; He would rather just sit and write.
Edward wondered if he should use his 'disability' to get out of class now or just suffer through being in a group of people who thought they were above him. After some internal debate and waiting to find out what they were doing in this prac, Edward decided it wasn't worth sticking around.
Claiming his prosthetics were causing him pain Edward soon departed, people glaring at him because they all knew he was just using it as an excuse to leave. The blond moved quickly down the hallway, hoping he didn't run into a teacher who would question or corner him. Ed could feel withdrawal creeping in and it made him jumpy. He needed to smoke; he needed the calming effect, the escape it provided.
Finally outside and hidden from prying eyes Edward threw his things down and rolled a joint before lighting it up. He let the smoke back out slowly as he felt his body relax and mind slow down. He eventually sat down beside his belongings and tried to not think of much.
There weren't any parties or events on tonight, so he should probably go home and start the essay Mustang set. 'I could probably finish it tonight,' Ed decided as he flicked through the Chemistry textbook. His thoughts were interrupted by the vibrations of his phone in his back pocket.
[TEXT RECIEVED 3:45PM] [ALPHONSE] Brother, why aren't you in class. I got a text from the office.
[TEXT SENT 3:45PM] [EDWARD] coz my leg hurt
[TEXT REVIEVED 3:47PM] [ALPHONSE] Stop lying, your leg hasn't hurt in years. Stop lagging. Mrs. Hughes pays good money for us to go to college. You should be ashamed brother. You better be in your next class or so help me I'll frog march you there myself.
Edward scoffed as he read the message. Alphonse could be such a mother hen at times, it disturbed Edward. Guilt has started to set in Edward's gut as he re-read the text. 'My next class starts at 4:30,' Ed really didn't want to go back to biology so he figured he'd wait it out here.
"Sup pipsqueak," Edward spun his head around and rolled his eyes as he realised who was now deciding to keep him company, "Skipping class too?"
"Hey Envy," Envy wasn't their real name but Edward wasn't actually sure of their real name, just their code name, "And yeah it's shit so here I am,"
"Nice," Envy sat beside Ed and stretched his long legs out, "care to share?"
Ed passed his joint over and shoved his text book back in his bag. He gave a rather dramatic sigh and Envy responded with putting an arm over the blonds shoulder. Edward honestly didn't want to be touched right now but felt like he didn't even have the energy to shove Envy off.
"Life would be more fun if ya stayed with the gang shorty," Envy mused and passed the joint back.
Edward took a puff and shook his head, "I really don't want to be caught up in that,"
"No one does," Envy laughed as they looked at the tattoo that could clearly be seen through a hole in their jeans, "You were with us and then ya ditched us Pipsqueak,"
Edward just nodded. This gang had started back in high school. Edward used to be a target of the gang; they always beat him up and tormented him. Edward remembered one day after a punch up, Envy had decided they wanted Edward in the gang and, without questioning, it Edward joined. It would mean he wasn't bashed or a social outcast anymore.
He thought it was just a joke; A high school clique. But he soon found out how wrong he was. This was like the gangs he saw in movies or those crime shows. They did drugs, hookers, knife fights, rival gangs, vandalism, and theft. Edward was sure some of them went as far as murder. He was so young; he had no idea how to react as all these facts came to light.
Envy's mother was the leader of this gang. It didn't just consist of the high school kids but adults of all kinds. They all had a code name after a sin or a crime. Edward was given the title of Pride when he joined. Ironic.
"Dante can do your tattoo," The woman with the title of Lust smirked as she looked Edward up and down, it made the young boy uncomfortable.
Edward refused to get the tattoo. There were arguments and Edward was sure he would be beaten into submission but he was left be. It was with this gang that he got his first taste of escape via smoke and pills. It was pure bliss for the blond who had been searching for this for so long.
The first few months were fine. Edward enjoyed their company, the drugs they gave him, the women (and men) they provided, the environment they supplied. Then things started to change. He found himself helping in shop lifting, attacking rival gang members, vandalising public property. Then came the turning point for Edward.
It was over the course of a week the events happened. First he had a bad trip; Edward had no idea what happened other then he hurt Alphonse, badly. Next he was forced into a knife fight; the result was a gash across Edward's chest that left a noticeable scar. Then the last event was the day he thought they were going for a normal shop lift and it became an armed robbery.
Edward honest to god was not ready for a gun to be thrust into his shaking hands and a mask pulled over his face. He didn't remember the whole event he was in to much shock. He remembered Envy laughing when they got out of there.
"Oh pipsqueak, that was the best!" The taller snorted.
"NO IT WASN'T," Edward was mad now, "WHAT THE FUCK?! WHO'S FUCKING IDEA WAS THAT? I DID NOT SIGN THE FUCK UP FOR THIS!"
That was the wrong thing to say as Edward later found himself being beaten by the elder two of their team. Edward was coughing up blood by the time they stopped. He was left in the ally and he never returned to the gang. He spent a fortnight in paranoia, he was sure they would send someone to slit his throat while he slept.
"You could take the title of Greed if you join now," Envy reached to touch Edward's cheek but the shorter flinched away.
"Why? Did you kill him or something," Edward furrowed his brow and shot daggers at the other.
"Nah the ass broke away and has started his own gang now," Envy flicked his long hair back, "The fucker has quite the collection of pawns and lives up to his previous title,"
Edward couldn't be bothered replying as he put out his joint. He had to move off to his next and thankfully final class. Envy watched him leave, stating he'd catch up with the other later meaning they weren't going to stop until they had Edward under their wing again. 'Jerk probably wants to get high and fuck again... I knew sucking him off at Katie's party was a bad idea,'
"I'm... home..." Edward was exhausted and mostly glad he didn't have an event to partake in tonight.
"Brother?" Alphonse sounded excited as he looked up from his cooking; he wasn't expecting Edward to be home tonight.
"What are you cooking?" Ed flopped down on the couch, loving the smell of food.
"Uh, I'm making pasta," Alphonse couldn't help but smile, tonight might be normal.
"Cool," the elder flashed a smile to his little brother who was awkwardly moving around the kitchen.
Alphonse put more care into his work as he noted his brother watching him. There were the butterflies again and he made an effort to move around without his crutches for the time being. The younger boy gave a jump when Edward was suddenly behind him, asking if he could help in anyway.
"Uh!" Alphonse looked at the two pots in front of him, "You could drain the pasta?"
Al watched Ed find a strainer and place it in the sink. Alphonse mused that they were a normal married couple as Ed poured the contents of the boiling pot into the strainer. 'Married. I would love to marry big brother,' Alphonse hid the sick smile that danced on his lips.
"FUCK," And like that the fantasy crashed down as Edward dropped the pot.
"Brother!" Alphonse rushed over, he was worried Edward was injured, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Edward made a growl, not wanting to but fussed over as he picked the pot up again before snapping, "I'm fine! I just lost the feeling in my hand,"
"Maybe you should lay off the drugs," Alphonse scolded his elder brother as he realised Edward was high, "But I should have expected this,"
And like that all traces of the fantasy Alphonse had before vanished as a screaming match began. No you're stupid, this is your fault, I hate you. Edward was slamming a door and Alphonse was crying into the now burnt sauce before pouring it down the drain.
Al transferred the cooked pasta to a container and placed it in the fridge. 'I love you big brother,' he wiped his face and waited. Edward would come out soon; Apologise. Right? Alphonse got his wish this time as Edward came out of the bedroom and said sorry.
"Thank you," Alphonse felt he had no reason to apologise also, and that cause the anger to bubble in Edward's chest again, "Did... something happen today?"
"Ran into Envy," Ed admitted as he sat down opposite Alphonse at their small table.
"What did he want?"
"He was trying to get me to join the gang again,"
Alphonse frowned at Edward. He knew of the events and activities Edward partook in when he was a member of this gang. He was glad he brother left and would never forget those nights Edward spent cuddled up to him, too afraid to sleep for weeks. Seeking comfort in his willing brother.
"I refused of course," Edward wanted to make it clear he would not get involved with that group again.
"Good," Alphonse sighed and looked around, wishing to change the topic.
"Wanna order Chinese food?" Ed smiled and things felt normal again.
'Oh big brother, you are mine... if you joined that gang you would become someone else's and then I'd have to kill someone,'
A/N: Do you like this? This chapter was kind of lame. But the next one is going to be amazing so go to church.